Chapter 153: Dolores Noir

Dolores ran to Loh and embraced her tightly. “It’s been so long, your father and I have been worried sick.”

Elzri sidestepped the reunion and went to have breakfast with his vampire lover, Lily.

“Let go of me,” Loh said impassively.

Dolores released her and took a step back. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “Hehe, sorry. One of the maids told me you were here and I ran over as fast as I could. Your father is still sleeping, but I’m sure he’ll be ecstatic to see you.”

Save the wrinkles around the edge of her eyes, Dolores looked the same, a beautiful elegant dark elf. Her white hair and high cheekbones were the same as her father’s, Elzri. Yet, Dolores’ eyes were not a cold grey like his, they were a warm blue like her daughter’s. Loh hated her mother’s eyes.

“I’m not staying,” Loh turned to leave.

“Wait, surely you must stay for breakfast at least. We have so much to catch up on,” Dolores hurried after her.

“That’s rich coming from a woman who never cared what happened in my life.”

Dolores frowned, “How can you say that? Of course, I cared about what happened to you. You have no idea how many sleepless nights I’ve had ever since you left home.”

“Heh, it’s a little late for that, don’t you think?”

“What are you talking about, child?” Dolores placed her hands on her hips.

Loh groaned and spun around to face her, “I was already a master mage when I left home. I didn’t need protection from anyone and certainly not the worries of a woman who spent half her days drunk.”

Dolores’ lip grew thin, “I’m sorry if I didn’t give you enough attention after Aizel… passed. You have no idea the pain that a mother endures when she loses her child.”

Loh laughed bitterly, “Oh, please. Attention? You never even looked at me long before Aizel died. Tell me, do you remember my 15th birthday?”

“What? Of course, I remember.”

“Then tell me, where was I that night?”

“You…” Dolores furrowed her brow, “You were at your birthday party, obviously.”

“I didn’t have a party,” Loh snarled.

“What?” Dolores’s face paled.

“I was training with Grandfather. He shackled me with iron manacles and threw me in a cave in utter darkness, with no food, no water,” Loh took a long shuddering breath. “It was the hardest thing I had ever done. I didn’t have any magic. All I had was my wit and will. But I fought hard to escape because Grandfather said my birthday was coming in two days. I didn’t want to miss my birthday party.”

Loh swallowed, “Because it was the only day you and dad weren’t looking at Aizel. It was the only day you ever looked at me. So, for two days I struggled in that cave. My wrists were chaffed and bloody from the shackles, my throat was raw from screaming, and my elbows and knees were bruised and bleeding from all the times I tripped and fell.”

Dolores covered her mouth in horror.

Loh bit her lip, “ I didn’t stop though, and eventually, I managed to escape. I found a carriage waiting for me outside the cave. It was already dark by the time I arrived home. I could see the party was already going strong from outside the window. I could see guests dancing inside the ballroom. You were there in this beautiful red dress, you lit up the room as you walked by… I wanted to be like you, I wanted you to see me the way everyone saw you, the center of their attention. Then I noticed it. Everyone was raising their cups in honor of Aizel.”

Loh clenched her fists, “It turned out Aizel had finally managed to cast his first proper spell and you decided to celebrate it with an enormous party, on my birthday. None of you remembered it was my birthday, none of you even noticed I wasn’t there.”

Dolores’ eyes teared, “Loh, I didn-”

Loh pointed out the window, “I stood out there in the dark all night long, watching everyone dance and drink merrily. Grandfather was the only one who came out to sit with me, he stayed there all night. Yet, he only said two words the entire time, ‘Happy Birthday.’ Then he gave me a silver bracelet with a sapphire on it, the dark elf symbol of the bond between master and apprentice.”

Loh rubbed her wrist and touched her new silver bracelet, the one she had gotten for Stryg and herself. She sighed, “That’s what I got for my birthday, a reminder that all I was good for was being the great Elzri Noir’s apprentice.”

Dolores brought her hands over her heart, “Honey, I swear to you I didn’t know.”

“Who cares if you didn’t know! You didn’t care to begin with!” Loh screamed.

Dolores looked away in shame, “...When I turned eighteen my father took me to be tested for magical talent. Everyone expected great things from me, the daughter of Elzri Noir, the most powerful arch-mage in all of Hollow Shade. Come to find out, I had no talent for magic, I was barely even a mageborn.”

Dolores’ small shoulders trembled, “I was the greatest embarrassment of my father and of House Noir. I thought I was going to be thrown out of the family, but I was my father’s sole child and my aunt, Una, had left years before I was born. My mother was only ever able to give my father one child before she passed. My father had no other heir besides me. He blamed me for the dire predicament my family was in.”

“What?” Loh’s voice caught in her throat.

Dolores smiled bitterly, “I wasn’t the mage apprentice House Noir deserved. I should have been more and my father made sure to always remind me of that. He shunned me, ridiculed me, and shamed me in public, all in the hopes that it would somehow make me a better mage. I have never managed to cast a simple spell.”

Dolores opened her arms wide, “This mansion became my prison where I hid from the world and your grandfather was my warden. He was desperate to hide me from the world, the shame of House Noir. Until one day, he managed to arrange a marriage for me.”

“Dad?” Loh mumbled.

Dolores nodded, “Your father came from a commoner family. He had no wealth and no political power. Truth be told, he was also a bit of an airhead. But he was a very talented mageborn and that was all your grandfather cared about. I married your father and he married into our family, he adopted the surname Noir. Eventually, with the help of your grandfather, your father rose to the rank of arch-mage and the future of House Noir seemed secured when I became pregnant.”

Dolores’ tears fell down her face unabashedly, “I was so happy that my son would not suffer the way I did. That he would make my father proud like I never could. Except, when Aizel became eighteen it was discovered he had inherited my woeful lack of talent. I had failed my son and your grandfather would punish him the same way I had been.”

Dolores clenched her fists and took a deep breath, “I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t let Aizel grow up feeling like his life was meaningless, that he did not matter. I dedicated my time to making sure he felt valued and not alone. When Aizel managed to cast his first proper spell, even if it was a small accomplishment, I was so proud of him. I threw him a huge party to celebrate.”

“I remember well,” Loh said sourly.

Dolores stared at her feet, “...I failed to realize that by focusing so much on Aizel, I hadn’t noticed you needed me too. You were always so smart, so bright. I didn’t think you needed someone as useless as me to hold your hand. I thought you were going to change the world, I still do. I didn’t want to hold you back. So, I let your grandfather take over.”

Loh’s throat felt tight. “Why are you telling me this now?”

Dolores smiled weakly, “You may have suffered by my father’s hand, but you have never had his hate. You, Loh, have always been his greatest pride and joy. I thought that was enough. I see now I was wrong. Even if you were strong, I should have been there for you. I’m so sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” Loh’s eyes shimmered. “I was only fifteen, mom. You thought I was strong? I was just a kid. I needed you and you left me. Did you ever even give me a second thought when you handed me over to Grandfather? You knew what he was!”

“He was going to make you a powerful mage,” Dolores’ voice cracked.

“Well, thank the damn bloody gods! Grandfather made me into a powerful mage just like you wanted and my life has been worse off ever since,” Loh seethed.

“Loh,” Dolores hugged her.

Loh shoved her away, “I needed you when it mattered, not anymore. You say I have no idea the pain a mother feels when she loses a child? Good, you best get used to it, because you lost me long ago.”

Loh walked away. She heard the soft echoes of her mother’s cries as she left. Loh didn’t look back.

~~~

Stryg sipped his drink quietly. The captain of the guard, Rorik, sat across the table and was telling some story, but Stryg was not paying attention, his mind was elsewhere. He had landed at the docks only hours ago. Maeve had left quickly and without a word, Stryg guessed she didn’t want to be seen with him. He understood her reasons, but it stung nonetheless.

Stryg had decided to take Rhian to the Merry Crescent tavern for a few drinks. Judging from her dancing and the audience of tavern goers she had garnered, Stryg thought she seemed happy.

Of course, he had stopped by home and picked up Feli before going to the tavern. She sat to his right, reading a book regarding maritime trade. She had picked up reading fast and now she spent much of her time pouring over books.

Stryg had to admit it was nice just seeing her after the last few chaotic days. The way her purple hair fell over her face was a familiar sight and somehow comforting. He stared at her warm hand curled around his own. Well, this was fine.

“Hey, Stryg, when did you get back?” Kithina asked.

Stryg glanced behind him to find the red-headed dwarf standing with a full mug on each hand. She hopped onto the stool next to his left.

“Kitty, what are you doing here?” Stryg asked.

“Drinking, same as everyone else,” Kithina took a sip from one of her mugs.

“Miss Kithina has become a regular here. I already told you that. Are you even listening to me?” Rorik frowned.

Stryg ignored the drow captain and turned to his dwarf classmate, “Is that second mug for me?”

“Pssh, please,” Kithina sipped her second mug.

“Yeah, makes sense,” Stryg shrugged.

“So, how was the trip?” Kithina asked.

Images of swords, the blue lamia, and a burning mansion flashed through his mind.

“...It was alright,” Stryg nodded.

“Well, how are you doing?”

“Fine,” he mumbled.

Stryg was surprised to realize his words were the truth. Everything was fine, just fine. It was strange, he had grown up in endless hardships, all he had ever wanted was just fine. Now he wanted so much more. What had happened to him? Had he changed so much?

“Hm, you never were much of a talker,” Kithina furrowed her brow. “Still, Cal and I barely see you anymore. What sort of private classes does professor Loh have you taking anyway?” Kithina asked.

“Oh, you know, boring history and language classes,” he lied.

“I guess being an aristocrat’s mage apprentice is harder than it seems,” she nodded thoughtfully.

“Something like that.”

“Well, good luck, the spring semester starts up in a few days. Here’s to hoping you have more free time to hang out,” Kithina raised her mug.

“Doubtful,” Stryg sighed.

Loh’s plan was to have him train twice as much in his chromatic colors during the spring.

“So, how is Cal? Did he say anything about me while you guys were gone?” Kithina asked eagerly.

“Hm, I can’t remember.”

“What do you mean you can’t remember?” Kithina bunched her lips to the side.

“The trip was hectic.”

“What do you mean hectic? Is Cal okay?”

Stryg scratched his pointy ear, “Last I saw him he was unconscious.”

“What!? Unconscious!?” Kithina shot to her feet. The stool was too tall, her feet landed on the ground with a loud thud, and her chin smacked the edge of the table.

“Ah, motherfucking human tables!” Kithina squirmed around in pain.

“Are you okay?” Feli looked up from her book.

“They throw her off buildings as part of her yellow mage training, she’ll be fine,” Stryg sipped his drink.

“Ahem, may I sit with you all?” Clypeus asked with a strained smile.

“Sir Gale, it is an honor!” Rorik stood from his seat and saluted.

Every soldier in Hollow Shade knew of House Gale and their military exploits. Rorik had once had the honor of seeing a Gale on the battlefield fighting alongside a Veres general. He had watched in awe as the Gale swordswoman had decimated a band of enemy raiders single-handedly.

Clypeus nodded with a silent thanks. Stryg said nothing. Clypeus sat next to Rorik and fiddled with his mug as he stared at Stryg.

“So, how are you, Stryg?” Clypeus asked.

Stryg stared at him in silence.

“It’s good to see you, Mister Clypeus Gale,” Feli smiled politely.

“Please, just Clypeus is fine,” he chuckled.

“So, what brings a son of the renowned House Gale to our humble tavern?” Feli asked.

Carla, the barmaid, brought Clypeus a mug full of mead, bowed, and left as quickly as she had appeared.

“Ah, thank you,” Clypeus called out.

Carla laughed happily and sashayed away.

Clypeus swallowed and cleared his throat. “I came to apologize to Stryg.”

“You hurt, Stryg? How?” Feli frowned.

“I didn’t mean to,” Clypeus said quietly.

“No, I mean, literally. Stryg’s skin is tough, like I can’t scratch him if I wanted to. He is the literal definition of thick-skinned,” Feli laughed.

Stryg grumbled under his breath.

“I’m just teasing,” Feli kissed him on the cheek and winked.

She turned to Clypeus and mouthed silently, “He’s not thick-skinned at all.”

“Well, what happened?” Kithina hopped back on her stool, she was still rubbing her chin.

“When I got Callum on the Dread Shadow ship, the captain had us set sail immediately. We left you behind,” Clypeus admitted.

“You mean you abandoned Rhian and me,” Stryg narrowed his eyes.

“Believe me, I didn’t want to, but you have to understand, everyone on that ship was loyal to House Veres. We have sworn to protect the Veres, the Gales are the shield of the Veres. I must put the life of a Veres before my own, even if that means leaving my best friend behind. Nonetheless, I urged the captain to wait for you, he did not listen.”

“Tribemates don’t abandon each other. Friends don’t abandon each other,” Stryg hissed.

Clypeus walked over to Stryg and bowed low. Rorik gasped, Feli’s jaw went slack, Kithina coughed on her drink. The tavern grew quiet at the sight of a son of House Gale bowing to a commoner, albeit a mage commoner.

Clypeus kept his head down, “I am sorry that we abandoned you. I understand if you wish to end our friendship. Just say the word and I will leave, and I will not bother you again. But, if you let me stay, I promise I will not let you down again.”

Stryg recalled the dark lamia cave from Vulture Woods. It had seemed so long ago, yet he could still hear the dying screams of his tribemates.

Stryg sighed, “Get up, it’s time I beat you in drinks.”

Clypeus broke out in a grin, “You’re on.”

“Boys,” Feli rolled her eyes.

“Drinking contest!” Kithina jumped on the table and yelled.

“Woot, woot!” Rorik raised his mug.

The Merry Crescent tavern broke out in cheers.