Chapter 33- House Baylor

Morpheus followed Rose around a huge fountain in the centre of the massive front courtyard.

Pillars held up the roof of the mansion, behind them were two large arched doors.

A butler opened the two doors and greeted Rose.

“Hello Rose how are you?” The butler asked.

“I’m good Tim, and you?”

“All good, the Ditorians shook the city but Southcross is back to usual.”

”That’s good, is Celene around?”

“I have just called, she’ll be down in a second.”

“I have a guest by the way.”

The butler looked Morpheus up and down.

“A handsome chimera, Celene will be interested.”

“That doesn’t sound good.” He said with a smile.

The butler held out his hand, and Morpheus shook it.

“The names Morpheus.”

“Tim, nice to meet you Morpheus. How long have you been with Rose?”

“Since the battle.” Morpheus said.

The butler looked shocked.

“You heard?” Rose asked him.

“Indeed Rose, what were they like?” The butler asked Morpheus.

He looked confused but realised what he was talking about.

“Oh, the war orcs?”

The butler nodded.

“Pretty brutal to be honest, when I found them in the Bording I shit myself."

A smile grew on his face.

“They’re peaceful though which confused me the most, especially with all the stories I’ve heard.”

“A peaceful group of war orcs, by Zeus that’s a first.” The butler said.

Morpheus looked up the staircase and saw a lady walking down them while holding her dress by the end

This lady look stunning, she was an elf but looked like she was in her late thirties. Her long blonde hair flowed perfectly with her lilac coloured pencil dress.

Rose ran up and hugged.

The elf lady broke the hug and grabbed her face with both hands. “My dear Rose how have you been, your mother told me you fought in the battle.”

“It was fun, the war orcs saved us.”

“So I’ve been told, and who is this chimera that is with you.”

“He’s the one who brought them his name is Morpheus.”

The elf lady elegantly walked down the stairs and held up her hand to Morpheus.

He grabbed it and kissed the top.

“How handsome you are, and a brave warrior I’ve been told.”

“It is an honour to meet you.”

“It always is.” She said with a slight smirk.

She turned to Tim.

“Tim dear could you fetch us some tea.”

“Of course Celene, would you like it in the garden.” Tim said while bowing.

“As always.” She said with a bright smile.

“Will you both join me?”

“Sure, Tim could I have strawberry tea?” Rose asked.

“Yes Miss Crownwell.”

“Thank you.”

He turned to Morpheus.

“Oh, anything is fine with me.”

Time bowed and left through an archway.

Celene took Rose’s hand and motioned Morpheus to follow them.

His enhanced hearing heard their whispers as they walked in front of him.

“Who’s he?” Celene asked in a whisper.

“Oh don’t be like that, I met him on a job for the Scarecrows.”

“So your mother has told me, he’s very handsome dear.”

“Yeah I know he is, but he likes orc meat.”

Celene giggled, and Morpheus felt offended. ‘There’s nothing wrong with orc meat.’ He thought.

Soon they had reached the garden patio, bright green grass covered the lawn with pink trees along the sides to reach a wooden house at the back. The patio was made from white marble and in the centre sat a beautiful table and chairs. A large umbrella above shading it all from the sunlight.

Celene pulled out two chairs and motioned for them both to sit.

“Thank you.” Morpheus said.

“It’s my honour to meet the chimera of the bording.” Celene said.

“I’m sorry?”

“Didn’t you know? You have a title now.” Celene said.

Due to your achievement in the Battle of the Bording against the Ditorians you have been given the Title ‘Chimera of the Bording’.

“That’s new.” Morpheus said looking at the new message.

“So, where did you go with the Scarecrows?” Celene asked the both of them.

“We’re not allowed to tell you, confidential.” Rose said with a wink.

Celene laughed elegantly. “Jack would be proud of you.”

“Where is Jack?” Rose asked.

“Oh he’s doing business in Port Sivence, left me to deal with the Grand o’Royal.”

“When is it?” Rose asked.

“A week's time, I needed to find a hundred but it seems like one just walked in my house.”

Rose looked at Morpheus then back to Celene.

“No.” Rose said.

“Oh dear, he can answer for himself.” Celene said.

Rose rolled her eyes and Morpheus had no idea what they were talking about.

“Urm, what’s the Grand o’Royal?” The young chimera asked.

“Only the finest fights you can watch in the whole of Arios.” Celene replied.

Rose jutted in. “Morpheus, she wants you to fight for her.”

“Ok?”

“You’ll be in the stadium, fighting other people and monsters.” Rose said.

“I apologise Morpheus, you just seem so perfect for the role.”

“I’m sorry you want me to fight for you?”

“Yes exactly, you’ll receive money of course. And in return you’ll represent House Baylor.”

Rose looked slightly troubled. “It’s dangerous Morpheus, you’ll be fighting only the best at level a hundred. And monsters at much higher levels than you.”

“I’d like some time to think about it if that’s ok?”

“Of course, do you two have a place to stay?”

Rose looked down in defeat. “No.”

“Fantastic you may stay with me.”

“Thank you for the offer Celene, but I don’t want to trouble you in the slightest.”

“Oh you won’t be troubling me at all, it’s been rather gloomy since Jacks gone.” She said, her eyes suggesting something explicit.

“I apologise for the time Tim is taking, I’ll go check on him.” Celene said. The elf lady got up and walked back into the house.

“I think I’m in love.” Morpheus joked.

“By Lilith’s temptation, she’s just doing that to make you join her. Jack would rip you apart.”

He shook the thoughts out of his head. “So what is the Grand o’Royal?” He asked.

She sighed. “The great houses of Southcross put their best fighters in the Grazer to fight for them.”

“Oh so it’s like a big event for Southcross?”

“Yeah the biggest, I thought she was going to ask you.”

“Sounds fun to be honest.”

“It is a good watch but a lot of people die every year.”

“Because they fight against each other?” He asked.

“Yeah, death counts as defeat.”

He shuddered, Morpheus had heard that before.

“It’s you versus the houses versus monsters, all separated by three rounds in different levels.”

Morpheus was silent.

“The lowest is the hundred, then one fifty and finally two hundred or more.”

“Or more?” He asked.

“Yes, they’re usually the star of the show, I watched one year with my family and it was magnificent.” She said.

“I kind of like the sound of that.”

“There are twelve main houses in Southcross, most of them on this street.”

“And Celene would like me to represent House Baylor?" He asked.

“Yes and you’ll meet Draghaul as well.”

“Who’s he?”

“Only the most famous figure representing House Baylor. He’s a dragon-kin from Seaford in Sailors Landing, every year he travels to Southcross for the event.”

He was silent again.

“Honestly Morpheus it is really something to be asked to fight for a House. It’s dangerous but well worth it.”

Morpheus thought it over, for all the times in his life where he hid, this was a chance to prideful and confident.

“I want to do it.” He said.

He heard Celene's footsteps behind him, followed by Tim.

“Sorry about that, Tim couldn’t find the strawberry tea.”

“I’m sorry Tim, I suppose I’m the only one who drinks it.” Rose said.

“It is my fault Miss Crownwell, I forgot where I had placed it.” Tim said, placing a tray with a tea set on it.

Tim handed each of them their tea and placed a large plate full of biscuits, he left shortly after.

“Is Tim ok? He seemed slightly off.” Rose asked.

Celene sighed. “He lost contact with his son two months ago, he was last in Ervos.”

“What’s his name?” Morpheus asked.

“Theo, rather big guy.” Celene replied.

“Adventurer?” Morpheus asked.

“Do you know him?”

“I fought an Alpha with him just over a month ago.”

“Well that would certainly improve his mood.”

“Celene, what will I get in return.”

“For competing? A standard payout of five gold from me. And depending where you place, up to fifteen gold for the hundred category.”

‘Twenty gold!’ He thought. Morpheus wasn’t short but he could buy some expensive armour for that.

“I think I would like to compete.” Morpheus said.

“You must not think, you must know.” Celene stated.

“I know I want to compete.” He said.

“Fantastic! I already have a plan brewing.” She said, wailing her hands.

“That is?” Rose asked.

“You’ll be emitted into the tournament with only a name.”

“Why?” Morpheus questioned.

“Everyone competing is roughly known by the other contestants.”

“So you want to hide me?” He asked, completely going back on his own word.

“To a certain extent, but you being a chimera would definitely ring some bells with the others.” She while tapping her chin.

A light bulb popped off in his head.

“Would it be against the rules for me to appear as a human?”

“Oh, that is not in the rules, it only states you must not conceal your level.”

Morpheus pulled out his ring from his pocket and transformed into Brad Pitt.

“What a magnificent ring!” Celene exclaimed.

Morpheus grinned.

“What do rules say about familiars?” He asked.

“They must be present when you enter the field and they must be under a hundred for the category.”

This got Morpheus thinking.

“So surprise is my greatest weapon?” He asked.

“Indeed, even though your abilities are unknown it still could cause unforeseen problems.”

“I’ll need to level up though, are most people going to be a hundred.”

“Yes, it would maximise their winning potential, I’ll arrange a power levelling team from the guild.”

“No that’s fine, I need to do some training anyway.” He said.

“Then let me arrange the finest tutors.”

“Thank you Celene but I’ve had enough beatings from the alpha war orc.”

Rose giggled and Celene looked mortified, the elf lady shook the thought away and carried on.

“You may stay here if you like, the wooden building over there would be a perfect place for you.”

He glanced over to the quite modern looking building.

“That would be nice, yes.”

Celene turned to Rose. "You may stay in the mansion. If anyone comes I’d prefer Morpheus stay where people don’t catch sight of him.”

Rose just shrugged, she clearly wasn’t bothered.

“Lovely, dinner is at six.” She said with a clap of her hands.

Celene finished her tea and Tim came to collect the empty cups. Morpheus actually hated tea, but he quickly downed it anyway.

“Now, Rose would you mind showing Morpheus his place of stay.” Celene asked, while holding up a key.

“Sure.” She responded and snatched the key.

Morpheus got up and bowed to Celene.

“Oh please Morpheus you are representing House Baylor now.”

“Sorry, I’m not really used to the customs.” He said.

Celene giggled and Rose dragged him down to the bottom of the garden.

The wooden house was more of a moderate size compared to the houses on the street. It had a single slanted roof, and almost the whole front of the house was glass. To Morpheus it looked like something he would see on Earth, a very modern looking building.

Rose walked in through a front door on the side of the building, it was a huge hollow shell, the only wall leading to a bedroom he could see.

“Hey, so are you gonna be dungeon diving?” She asked him.

“Yeah, I wanna train Fuzz.”

“Well good luck, I’m gonna be in the royal library over the next few days. If you wanna go out and kill things just contact me.” She said while presenting a green crystal.

Morpheus placed his hand over the crystal and flowed mana into it.

“Brilliant I’ll see you at dinner.” She closed the door behind her.

He sat down on a comfort leather sofa opposite a fire place. He wondered why there was a fireplace if they have heating crystals, he assumed it was just aesthetic.

He lit a cigarette and placed his cloak on next to him on the sofa.

“Come out now fuzz.”

A little ball of shadow sprang out of the cloak and jumped on his lap.

“Hey buddy, we are going to do power levelling.”

Fuzz stared at him with his eyes, not understanding anything.

“Don’t worry.”

He relaxed until it was dinner which was an hour's time. He checked out the place, especially the queen size bed, he unpacked some of his gear and placed it in the wardrobe.

The dinner was luxurious, he didn’t even know what he was eating at certain points but it didn't matter since it was so tasty.

He retired to bed with a full belly, he fell asleep soon after. The bed was much better than his tent.