Chapter 52:

Celica got up from her desk and rushed over to Sophi’s bed. Stryg followed from a distance. Shirleen was crying over Sophi, hugging her tightly. Sophi blearily looked over to her dad, unsure what to make of the situation.

“Get off her, you’ll squeeze the poor girl to death!” Celica chastised.

At the mention of death, Shirleen threw herself back, afraid to hurt her daughter. Her husband held her hand in comfort.

Celica smiled at Sophi and began a short examination over her condition. She placed her hand over Sophi’s ribs. The palm of her hand began to glow a bright white, as if a fire was right beneath. Sophi sighed in relief at the healing spell. Once Celica was done she spoke with the parents for a bit, then walked back to Stryg.

“Her body seems to be responding well to my healing spells,” Celica said.

“I didn’t ask,” Stryg said.

“You didn’t need to.”

“...So, she’s going to be alright then?” He asked.

“Yes, thank the gods.”

He looked at Celica in surprise, “I thought orcs weren’t religious.”

“Oh, that’s a common misconception. Most orcs believe in all the gods. We just don’t worship the ebon gods, after all our ancestors aren’t from the Ebon Realm. We worship the gods from our homeland, the Scarlet Realm.”

“Can they even hear your prayers from all the way over here?”

“We like to think so. Not everyone does though, of course. Most dwarves gave up on their gods a long time ago. The few that didn’t tend to worship the ebon gods instead. Look at the humans, they abandoned their homeland gods in favor of the ebon god Stjerne. Or maybe it was Stjerne who abandoned the Ebon Realm’s native drow in favor of the humans, I’m not sure. All I know for sure is that the orcs have stayed true to the scarlet gods.”

“Wait, humans and dwarves aren’t native to the Ebon Realm either?” Stryg tilted his head.

“Of course not, why do you think they are looked down upon. Drow and Vampires are native to the Ebon Realm, which is why they tend to hold the greatest positions of power all across the Realm. The only reason orcs have a spot at the ‘high table’ so to speak, is because we fought hard for it, for centuries.”

“Yes, I’m well aware of the orc wars. Especially the one with my ancestor goblins,” Stryg frowned.

“It’s in the past now, it doesn’t really matter anymore,” Celica looked away.

“Only the victors ever say that.”

“Fair enough,” she winced.

“So, what Realm are the goblins from then?”

“Huh?”

“Not even humans get treated as badly as goblin-kind in this city,” he said.

Celica smiled sadly, “Stryg, goblins are native to the Ebon Realm.”

“What? Then why the hell do people look down on us?” He frowned.

“Way of the world I guess, various defeats of past wars and such,” she shrugged.

Stryg felt greatly disturbed at the thought that the entire Realm really had been underestimating goblins for centuries.

“I should get going,” he muttered.

“You should really set an appointment to get a thorough checkup,” Celica called out.

“Pass,” Stryg said without looking back.

He bumped into Karen on the way out, along with an unexpected visitor.

“You’re that priest from the temple,” Stryg said in recognition.

“I am but a humble servant of the gods, Elm, at your service,” Elm made a short bow. “It’s good to see you again, young mage.”

“Feeling isn’t mutual,” Stryg said. “What are you doing here?”

“I brought him,” Karen answered. “My family attends his temple. He’s our head priest. I thought I should invite him to visit Sophi after all she’s been through.”

“And I’m glad she did,” Elm smiled. “Now, let’s go inside and visit your sister.”

“I... I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Karen shook her head.

“Oh, why not? You brought me all the way here just for that, yes?” Elm asked.

Karen bit her trembling lip, “I want you to visit her. But, my mom and I aren’t in the best situation right now. She blames me for what happened to Sophi and she’s right. It’s my fault my sister almost died... My mom disowned me and I honestly don’t blame her. I don’t have the right to be with them. My mom probably won’t let me see Sophi ever again.”

Elm frowned, but said nothing on the matter. He wasn’t going to intervene in private family affairs without being asked. “Do you have a place to stay?”

Karen shook her head, “Not yet, but I’ll find one.”

“You’ve always been a bright girl, I’m sure you’ll do just fine,” Elm nodded.

“Hey, priest. Didn’t you once say something about fate?” Stryg asked.

“What are you referring to?” Elm asked.

“You said fate was impossible to determine, until it walked right in front of you. Well, here it is,” Stryg gestured at Karen.

“Oh, Stryg, are you finally ready to join us? We have a position open that I’d be more than happy to offer,” Elm smiled.

“Not at all, but Karen is,” Stryg said.

“Eh?” Karen asked in surprise.

“I’m not following,” Elm said.

“It’s simple, Karen needs a place to stay. How much more ready can she be? You said you have an open position? Perfect. Karen will take it,” Stryg said.

“But, Stryg that position is a job. I can’t just freeload at the temple, what would the gods think?” Karen said in exasperation.

“Karen your gang is gone. I saw to that myself. I think you might need a new job. Temple work isn’t for me and I don’t know if it’s for you but, that’s how fate works I guess. Sometimes it just appears right in front of you, isn’t that right priest?” Stryg raised his brow at Elm. Stryg didn’t believe in the priest's words, but he was using them to his advantage.

“Stryg…” Karen mumbled.

“Young mage, I’m not sure about this,” Elm said.

“Are you going against fate then? The gods even, maybe?” Stryg asked.

Elm held his chin, “I see what you’re playing at. I may have room in my temple for a new acolyte. If.”

“If what?” Stryg asked.

“Nothing really. I was just hoping you could accompany me for the festival of the gods at the end of spring. Not the entire time mind you, I assume you have your own plans for the festival. Just for when the temples gather after the yearly ceremony. It’d be nice to show off a bona fide mage from one of the commoner temples,” Elm said.

“...I need to look into it,” Stryg said.

“But what of fate? Will you turn down this opportunity? Go against fate, the gods even, maybe?” Elm smiled.

Stryg crossed his arms, “Fine, I’ll go, if Karen gets a spot in your temple, that is.”

“Perfect,” Elm clapped, “We have a deal, I’ll see you at the festival. I do hope you stop by the temple before then of course.”

“I doubt it.”

“Ah, a pity, but I’ll hold hope nonetheless. Anyway, I must go check on Sophi. Karen, I understand if you don’t wish to go inside. Wait for me out here until I’m done. We have a lot to talk about concerning your new duties at the temple. Young mage Stryg, it’s always a pleasure. May the moon bless you both on your journey.”

Stryg ignored him.

“Thank you and may the stars light your path,” Karen responded.

Elm bowed his head and walked inside.

Karen slowly turned to Stryg, “What was that about? Why did you volunteer to go with him, just to help me? I thought you hated me.”

“I don’t hate you Karen, well I did, a lot actually. But, you’re not who I thought you were... I was wrong about you.” It was the closest Stryg would get to apologizing.

“I didn’t lead you into a trap, but you weren’t wrong about me. I’m a horrible person,” Karen looked down.

“Not to me. You’re the person who showed me around the trade district when I didn’t know anything about this place. You helped me when everyone else just saw an outsider. Consider this my thanks for that day, don’t look too much into it,” Stryg scratched his cheek.

Karen’s eyes began to well up with tears. She had thought herself a failure of a person, someone not worth saving. Everyone else thought the same, even her family. But, Stryg had seen her differently. He had seen a living person, worth sticking up for. The savage had seen the girl among all the horridness. If Stryg could do it, then perhaps there was a chance her family might too. She had a long road ahead of her, but someday, maybe, just maybe.

Stryg grimaced at the sight of her tears. And to think, he thought Plum cried a lot. “I don’t plan on visiting that temple if I can avoid it. Nor will I be hunting for you anymore. We probably won’t see each other much, if ever.”

“I hope we do,” Karen wiped the tears from her face. “Thank you, for everything.”

It was the 3rd time someone thanked him today. It was odd hearing those two words spoken at him. He didn’t know what to make of it. “Goodbye Karen.”

Stryg walked away from the clinic.

“Stryg!”

He turned around.

“Rorik? What’s going on?” He asked.

“I’m glad I caught you. I just wanted to invite you for some drinks later today. You know, to celebrate the end of this whole gang mess. How does the Merry Crescent sound?”

“Sure, I could go for a drink,” Stryg nodded.

“Oh, by the way I heard about that guard incident you had the other night at the tavern.”

“Yeah, the man started the fight. I just finished it,” Stryg shrugged.

“You mean killed him,” Rorik said flatly. He quickly raised his hands, “Don’t worry about it. He wasn’t one of mine, not really, he was just some transfer from another district. I’m glad he’s gone. Who cares if a human goes missing am I right?” Rorik laughed.

Stryg didn’t find his words particularly amusing, but he didn’t care if a human went missing either, so he just left it at that.

“Stryg, one last thing.”

“Yeah?”

“I heard some strange rumors about Feli and you. I didn’t think much of it, but I just wanted to make sure. There isn’t anything going on between you two, right?”

Stryg tilted his head, “She’s mine if that’s what you're asking.”

“What? What do you mean she’s yours? Hey, Stryg, where are you going? Oi! Stryg!”

He left Rorik behind and melded into the bustling crowd.