Chapter 210: A Drunk Party

The stars in the night sky shone alone among the clouds, the moon was nowhere to be seen. New moons were often dangerous times and some cultures even believed a new moon was a sign of ill-fortune.

With no moon to shine down on Dusk Valley, the cobblestone streets of Hollow Shade were bereft of light. The average commoner would never dare tread out into the night on a new moon for fear of the undead sentinels lurking in the dark corners.

Yet the Merry Crescent tavern bustled with drink and laughter on the chilly autumn evening. The smell of various assortments of food and alcohol wafted through the air. The tavern felt alive, warmth reverberated from the dancing party-goers as they cheered their greatest dancer of all; Rhian stood on her hind legs on top of a table. She danced to the music of the minstrels and jumped from one table to another with such ease and grace that one might think she wasn’t a centaur, but a gleeful spirit who had come to visit and bless them with good fortune.

Captain Rorik Polamtal cheered from the crowds, eager to see Rhian perform another dance. His fellow guards echoed the sentiment and chanted Rhian’s name over and over. Rhian laughed, a light, happy sound, and obliged.

The warm atmosphere was intoxicating and it spread throughout the tavern, save for a single corner. A cold chill had settled over the private booth, choking whatever warmth had once been there. Few people neared the corner, unconsciously afraid of being pulled into its frigid orbit. At its cold center sat a young man, who had grown so accustomed to the gloom he hadn’t even realized it was his.

His name was Stryg.

Stryg watched the party goers with a despondent gaze as he sipped his ale. He searched the crowds for a face that was nowhere to be seen. He had asked Maeve to invite Nora Azol to the party. He knew Maeve couldn’t make it because of work, but he had really hoped Nora would.

Stryg hadn’t seen her since spring. He heard she had come to the academy once since the incident, on the first day of their 3rd year, a few weeks ago. Nora had gone through her mage evaluation exam and had left right after. Stryg hadn’t gotten a chance to talk to her, to ask her the one question he wanted and the only one he knew she’d never answer.

Can you ever forgive me?

“There’s the birthday boy!” Loh called out. “What are you doing all the way over here?”

Stryg found himself smiling, a rare occurrence on any day, “Master, you made it.”

“Of course I made it. It’s your birthday.” Loh plopped her mug down on the table and sat down with him.

“Thanks for coming, I appreciate it.”

“Eh, don’t mention it,” she waved her hand. “Hey, Rhian seems to be having fun.”

“Yeah,” Stryg nodded. “The tables used to break under her weight, so I had to make sure to reinforce all of them with iron bars.”

He stared at Rhian happily dancing across the tavern, “Definitely worth it.”

Loh smiled at the trace of warmth peeking out of his eyes, “...So, how are you holding up?”

“Hm?”

She nudged his shoulder, “How is Stryg of Ebon Hollow holding up?”

“Oh... Training has been hard, I guess, but rewarding. I’m making steady progress.”

Loh twisted her lips in disapproval, “I know that already, I literally train you.”

And steady progress is a gross understatement, she thought.

“What I meant was, how are you holding up, personally,” she asked.

“...Fine, I suppose. I haven’t been sleeping very well these past few months, but it’s nothing I can’t handle,” he shrugged.

“Right…” she nodded glumly. “Oh! Before I forget, I brought you a present.”

“Present?”

“One sec,” Loh rummaged inside her satchel. “Here it is!”

She pulled out a folded cloth and handed it to Stryg.

He cocked his head to the side, “What is it?”

“Why don’t you find out for yourself,” she grinned.

He unfolded the gift. In his hands he held a dark blue cloak. A black crescent moon, with grey trees and crimson leaves, on a silver background, had been etched into the back.

“I noticed you still didn’t have a crest for your tribe,” Loh said. “The crest doesn’t have to be permanent though, you can always change it. To be honest, I’m not sure if Sylvan tribes even use crests like Named Houses, but I went ahead with it anyway. I hope you don’t mind.”

Stryg stared at the cloak and crest, wide-eyed. “These trees… They’re the ashen trees of Vulture Woods.”

“I hope the seamstress got them right.”

“She did…” He smiled warmly, the cold icy expression finally breaking apart. “Thank you, I love it.”

Stryg threw the cloak around his shoulders, “How do I look?”

“Like a chieftain,” she grinned.

“Did you get a cloak too?”

“No, why?”

“To match with our bracelets,” Stryg pointed at his wrist and the silver bracelet inlaid with an amethyst.

Loh glanced at her own matching bracelet and shook her head with a smile, “No, this is unique. Each drow master gives her apprentice a matching silver bracelet. It symbolizes our bond.”

Stryg pulled the cloak tighter around himself, “Well, I like both gifts. Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

“I do have one question.”

“Hm?”

“How did you know to get ashen trees on the cloak? I never told you much about them.”

Loh grinned, “That part was easy. Vulture Woods is infamous for being dangerous and deadly to all who travel there. They say the leaves turn red from all the blood they’ve soaked up from the forest’s victims. Those ashen trees are almost as well-known as Glimmer Grove’s rosen trees.”

“Ugh, I was never a fan of our sister forest’s trees,” he groaned. “Do you know how easy it is to spot someone in the dark when all the leaves around you are bioluminescent? I still can’t believe there are people stupid enough to live in Glimmer Grove.”

“I’m going to ignore the part where you just called the majority of drow stupid,” Loh said wryly. “Besides, not all of Glimmer Grove’s forest is made up of rosen trees.”

“Enough of them are. My people hate Gimmer Grove and its ugly trees.”

“You’ve been?” she asked, surprised.

“No, but I’ve heard the stories. Too many Sylvan goblins have strayed too far from Vulture Woods and found themselves in Glimmer Grove. No one ever saw them again. That place is cursed.”

“Hm, I don’t know. I quite like it. The rosen trees at night are beautiful, it’s like the sky is glowing with all different hues of pinks, blues, and purples.”

“You’re crazy.”

“Most people I’ve talked to love it.”

“Most people are crazy.”

“Most people would call you crazy.”

Stryg sipped his ale, “I guess I’ll figure it out for myself when I visit Undergrowth.”

He was well aware that the Great City of Undergrowth lay deep in the Glimmer Grove forest. The fact that the Great Cities Tourney was being held in that damned forest bothered him more than he’d like to admit.

“I think you’ll love it. The City of Thorns is beautiful at night,” Loh sighed in reminiscence.

“If you like it so much why don’t you live there?”

Loh sighed, “Undergrowth may have their upper society of aristocrats, like here; but in Undergrowth, there is one family that clearly rules over all the rest. The ancient drow family, House Thorn.”

Stryg narrowed his eyes, “Wait, as in the City of Thorns?”

She nodded, “Now you’re beginning to understand the family’s renown. And let’s just say that House Thorn hates all of Hollow Shade’s ruling families.”

Loh shivered, “One thing is visiting, but living there? As a Noir? Too dangerous.”

Stryg frowned, “Why does House Thorn hate your family?”

“It’s a long story,” Loh took a swig of her ale.

Stryg glanced pointedly around his empty table, “I have time.”

“It’s your birthday party, shouldn’t you be out there mingling with your guests?”

“Do I look like the kind of guy who mingles?”

“To be fair, you don’t look like anyone I know.”

“My point exactly. So?”

Loh leaned back and sighed, “...The last ebon lord was a Thorn. Hollow Shade was founded by the ebon lords, since Lord Thorn was the last one, he essentially ruled all of Hollow Shade. House Thorn was basically the royal family of the city, for a little while.”

“Then what happened?”

“Like all the other ebon lords, Lord Thorn died. House Thorn scrambled to remain in power, after all, they were still the most powerful House in the city and they had many loyal subordinate Houses. But six Great Houses led a rebellion. And so began the civil war of Hollow Shade.”

Stryg nodded to himself, “I read a little bit about the civil war in some history books.”

“Then you should know that House Noir and its fellow five Houses were losing,” Loh laughed. “We were going to be wiped out. But the human family, House Helene, betrayed House Thorn, and so we managed to drive the Thorns out of the city. House Thorn was forced to flee back to their ancestral home, the Great City of Undergrowth. The Thorns have been there ever since, consolidating their power and recuperating their strength.”

Loh sighed, “It’s been over 250 years, yet House Thorn hasn't forgotten what the Seven Ruling Families of Hollow Shade did to them. I don’t think they ever will.”

Stryg stared at his clawed fingers. He understood a grudge, even one that could last through the generations. The orcs had destroyed Lunis 300 years ago and his people had never forgiven them.

“Master?” Stryg muttered.

“Yeah?”

“Whatever happened to the ebon lords? I’ve barely found any information about them in the academy’s library.”

Loh took another swig of her ale, “They died.”

“How?”

“Like everyone else, alone. Best not to question it.”

“...Fine,” he conceded.

She cleared her throat, “So, where’s Feli?”

Stryg glanced at the crowd, “I think she’s arguing with one of the cooks, they got one of the dishes wrong, even though she specifically told them not to make it spicy. I didn’t complain, but Feli knows I don’t like spicy food much.”

“That girl is really incredible,” Loh smiled. “She has some nice curves too.”

Stryg stared at his master suspiciously.

Loh noticed his look and raised her hands in surrender, “Not that I’d ever think of flirting with her. Honest.”

He nodded, satisfied. “How’s that Dullwater girl doing?”

“What?” Loh’s face paled.

“That girl you slept with back in Dullwater. I can smell her scent all over you.”

“It’s really creepy you can do that, you know,” she narrowed her eyes.

Stryg shrugged, “Best not to question it.”

“Touché, little fucker.”

“So, wanna tell me why she’s in Hollow Shade or why you’ve been hanging out with her for the past week?”

“You’ve known for that long and you didn’t say anything?”

“I usually never do, I don’t really care to.”

“Then why the sudden interest? Hm?”

“I killed her uncle,” he said calmly.

“Ugh, right, I almost forgot about that,” Loh grimaced. “Don’t worry about Louise. It seems you did a good job covering up your tracks. She doesn’t suspect anything.”

“That’s good,” he said.

Loh stared at him, “You know, I can’t explain it, I really like this girl. But if I told her the truth about what happened to her uncle, she’d probably hate me, she’d definitely hate you.”

“Makes sense,” Stryg nodded.

“I probably shouldn’t lie to her, but if I told her the truth about what happened... on that night, I’d ruin our relationship.” Loh swallowed, “What do you think I should do?”

“If you really like this girl, isn't it obvious?” Stryg looked into her eyes, “Lie to Louise.”

“I’d be betraying her trust. The trust of someone who believes in me completely.”

“You already did that the moment you slept with her after she came to the city. What difference does it make now?”

“...I see,” Loh muttered. “But what about doing the right thing?”

Stryg blinked, “Right thing for whom?”

Karen walked over to the table, Witt was behind her, “Happy birthday, Stryg!”

“Thanks, Karen, how’s the food and drink?” Stryg asked.

“Amazhhing!” Witt lifted his mug with an unsteady hand. “Da food here iz sooo much bedder than Dullwadah!”

“Dullwater?” Loh frowned.

“Yeah, he’s had a bit too much to drink,” Karen chuckled.

“...Clearly,” Loh said.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Karen, I work as an acolyte at the nearby temple, and you are?”

“Just a friend of the birthday boy,” Loh smiled. She preferred not to be the center of attention, especially at her apprentice’s party.

“Oh, well, nice to meet you,” Karen bowed.

“Nice to meet you too,” Loh said. “I’m gonna get another drink, I’ll talk to you later, Stryg.”

“Okay,” he nodded.

“So, Stryg, I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you,” Karen said.

“About what?” he asked.

“The temple,” Karen said. “The children really look forward to your visits. The orphans have especially taken a liking to you. They all want to hear more stories about Lunis. And I do mean all of them, the goblin children and the others.”

“Really?” Stryg blinked, surprised. He didn’t really think anyone would look forward to his visits.

“Yeah,” Karen nodded. “They’re really bummed out that you haven’t come to see them recently.”

“Sorry about that,” he winced. “I’ve been really busy these past few weeks since the new school year started. But I’ll try to make some time soon and visit the temple.”

“Great, then I’ll see you there,” Karen smiled. “Come on, Witt. I think you’ve had enough to drink for one night.”

“~Nooo~” Witt whined as Karen dragged him away.

~~~

Kithina sat at the bar and watched Kegrog and Freya dance together. Despite the height difference, Freya danced with a confidence that the fumbling Kegrog seemed to lack.

Kithina envied them. She wished she could dance like that with Callum, but after he heard Sylvie wasn’t here at the party, he left early to go check on her. Kithina thought tonight would have been a good chance to dance with Callum. It’d help her build up her confidence to ask him out for the winter ball in a few months.

Instead, Kithina found herself drinking alone at the bar. She spent the next hour drinking mug after mug of ale. People walked up to her and tried flirting with the pretty red-headed dwarf, but the drunken Kithina threatened to crack open their faces with her mug. After she busted one handsy man’s forehead, no one else talked to her. She preferred it that way.

Lysaila slithered over to the empty bar. People constantly eyed the lamia beauty, but no one dared approach her, much less talk to her.

Lysaila tapped the bar table, “Give me the strongest stuff you got.”

“Right away, miss,” the barkeep nodded nervously.

Kithina glanced over the empty bar and noticed the blue-haired lamia, “Who da fuk ar you?”

“Someone who will bite your head off if you talk to me,” Lysaila hissed.

“Heh, bite head offuh,” Kithina chuckled. “I wanna see dat.”

“Gods, I hate these people,” Lysaila muttered.

Kithina pointed at a random passerby, “~Ooh, ooh~ bite dat guy’s head ooffuh!”

“Huh?” Lysaila tilted her head. “Who’s that?”

“I dunno,” Kithina shrugged.

“...And you want me to bite his head off anyway?”

“Why not? Fuk dese people!” Kithina yelled.

“These people? You want them to die?”

Kithina pointed at the crowd, “Fuk aaaall dese people!”

Lysaila blinked, “Huh. You’re not half bad, dwarf.”

“I’m da best, biatch!” Kithina waved her hands around.

The barkeep handed the lamia her drink with a shaky hand, then he backed away slowly.

Lysaila raised her mug to Kithina, “To all these people dying.”

“~Yesh, fuk ‘em all!~”