Realm of Monsters
Chapter 631: Secrets of the Past Part 2

Chapter 631: Secrets of the Past Part 2

  “Do you mind if I ask you something?” asked Sevryn.

  “I’ll try to answer what I can,” Stryga replied honestly.

  He stared into her eyes, a mixed bag of emotions running through him. “What happened at Lunis?”

  Stryga closed her eyes, unable to meet his gaze. “...We received a message from one of our spies that the enemy was gathering reinforcements at Lunis, a second army strong enough to destroy us if they managed to flank our armies. Ebon Lord Ravellan proposed we attack first.”

  Sev frowned, “But there was no second army.”

  “I didn’t know at the time, no one did. Except Ravellan and perhaps some of the other Ebon Lords.”

  “You’re the War Master of Holo’s Shade. How did you not know?”

  “I am also the leader of the ancient Great House of Veres. But the Ebon Lords only see themselves as equals, no one else.” She clenched her hand at her side. “But I trusted Ravellan.”

  “You two are engaged, no?” Sev recalled.

  “Were… We were.”

  “What happened to Lunis?” he pressed the matter. Some part of him didn’t wish to know, as if not knowing would prevent what had already happened.

  “...We had allies within the city. Supposedly, one of your Lunar Elects.”

  “That’s not possible.” Sev frowned. The idea that one of Lunae’s Elected betrayed the city was borderline blasphemous.

  Stryga didn’t try to argue and instead continued with her story. “He opened the gates for us and our armies stormed inside. I ordered my soldiers to attack the barracks, cripple the enemy’s army, and retreat before they had a chance to gather themselves and retaliate.” Stryga’s voice grew shaky, “I fought with everything I had, but by the time I realized the truth, that there was no army, it was already too late. Ravellan had ordered an all-out assault on the citizens. Everything had devolved into chaos. I should have seen it coming, I should have noticed the signs. The lack of a defense, the small retinue of soldiers in the barracks…”

  Stryga closed her and raised her arm, hiding her face in the crook of her elbow. Tears slipped down her blue cheeks. “I couldn’t stop my soldiers. They were in the throes of battle. I tried. I really did. Only a few listened. The rest followed Ravellan’s path. They burned the city. They killed innocents. Men, women… children. I’m sorry. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I am so sorry.”

  Sev’s face had grown pale the longer she spoke and when she finally stopped, he had difficulty finding his voice. With a cough, he cleared his throat, then swallowed. “I… Were there survivors?” he whispered.

  She sniffed and nodded. “Yes. A retinue of refugees led by priests escaped the city. We don’t know where they went. The rest of the people that survived the night assault were captured. Ravellan had some of the army escort them back to Holo’s Shade.”

  “So they are to be prisoners? Slaves?”

  “...Yes.”

  “But you can stop this? You can fix this?”

  “The Ebon Lords will not listen to me. Even if they did, I don’t think it would matter.”

  Sev narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to her cot. “What do you mean?”

  “We have angered the gods,” she admitted. “Stjerne found our army while we were traveling through the grass hills of the Valley. He murdered everyone, Lord Ravellan, the leadership, the soldiers, even the cooks that trailed behind us. None were spared, except me.”

  “Why were you spared?” Sev asked, unconsciously gripping to his lunar crescent medallion.

  “I don’t know. I woke up alone on a battlefield of corpses. I went home to warn my House, but they were already marching to meet the Lunisian army in Dusk Valley. I tried to stop them, but by the time I arrived the gods had already laid waste to this place.”

  “The battle near the forest. You think Stjerne did this?”

  “Or Lunae. Or both. Maybe others. You were there, you tell me.”

  Sev remembered the story Nalindor had told him about strangers he had met on the battlefield. They were not from Holo’s Shade and their powers seemed like nothing he knew. Had they been gods? Seeking vengeance for Lunis? If so, why were any of them alive?

  “Why are you here?” he asked.

  “I was hoping to meet Stjerne.”

  “Why?”

  “To plead for forgiveness. To make a deal in which the gods don’t kill everyone in Holo’s Shade.”

  “Like your soldiers did to Lunis?” Sev noted coldly.

  “...Yes.”

  He sighed. “Why did you save us? You saw the dragon. You could have simply run away. Why didn’t you?”

  “I’ve already gotten enough people killed. I don’t want any more innocents to die on my watch.”

  Sev stared at her for a long moment before pushing himself to his feet. “You should rest, gather your strength. I’ll be back in a while with some food.”

  “Do you know the way to Evenfall?” she couldn’t help but ask.

  He stopped in his tracks and stared at her suspiciously. “Why would you want to know that?”

  “Rumor has it that the most sacred temple of Lunae lies there. If I have any chance of meeting with the gods, I think it’d be there. Or so I hope.”

  “...Evenfall is forbidden to outsiders. None but the Lunisians will ever find it, trust me on that.”

  “But I need to—”

  “Get some rest.” He opened the tent flap and left her alone with her sleeping companion. As soon as he walked out, he noticed several goblins standing nearby, their flat, pointed ears pressed against the tent wall. Myn was among them. Sev crossed his arms, “What are you fools doing?”

  The goblins all straightened up and pretended to look anywhere but at the tent. “Nothing, sir!” “Just, uh, patrolling.” “Yes, that’s right! We were patrolling.”

  “Uh, huh. How much did you hear?” Sev asked dryly.

  “Is it true? Is our home truly gone?” Myn whispered.

  Sev sighed. “So all of it…”

  “Fucking Ebon Lords,” one of the goblins cursed. “Those bastards deserved everything that’s coming to them.”

  “Half of them are already dead after that battle a few days ago,” said another.

  “As are the ones who raised the city,” noted Sev.

  “What about the soldiers who captured our people? Those bastards need to die. We have to save our kin.”

  Sev shook his head. “How are we supposed to do that? Our brothers and sisters-in-arms are scattered throughout this cursed forest. Evenfall is teeming with so many refugees that it cannot even feed them all. We’re lucky if our camp has enough food to survive the winter. No, we wait on the Silver Mother to consult with the goddess and inform us of our next move.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You don’t have any family back home,” said one of the goblins.

  Before Sev had a chance to respond, Myn smacked the goblin across the face. “He saved our lives, you fucking asshole. Show some respect to your mage, you are still a soldier,” Myn growled.

  The goblin glared at her, but relented and nodded. “Forgive me, sir. I was out of line.”

  “Forget it. We’re all stressed and tired,” said Sev.

  “And hungry,” another chimed in.

  Sev smiled wryly, “And hungry. Now go find something useful to do while our cook makes us something to eat.”

  They all nodded, saluted, then walked off.

  “Myn,” Sev called out.

  She glanced back at him. “Sir?”

  “I need to speak with our Captain and Priestess. Do you mind watching over our— ‘guests’ while I’m gone?”

  “Stryga Veres saved my life. We are Lunisians. We do not forget our life debts. She will be safe so long as I breathe,” Myn spoke in a solemn vow.

  “Thank you.”

~~~

  Nalindor, Lenore, and Sevryn sat around a small fire away from the rest of the camp. They stared into the fire, digesting Sevryn’s tale.

  “And you believe her?” asked Lenore.

  “I do. If she was a monster who had slaughtered our people there would have been no reason to risk her life and face a dragon just to protect us,” said Sev.

  “Or maybe she just wanted to earn our trust so that we could lead her to Evenfall. Then she could come back with her armies and take our last bastion,” noted Nalindor.

  “They would have sent spies for that. They already had goblin traitors in Lunis. They probably have one or two in Evenfall as well. The only reason Stryga wouldn’t know is because she isn’t working with Holo’s Shade. She is here on her own terms,” said Sev.

  “I’m inclined to agree with Sevryn,” said Lenore. The old woman gave Nalindor a sympathetic look, “Killing Stryga will not save your daughter, wherever she may be.”

  Nalindor exhaled loudly. “Very well. Perhaps she is telling the truth, perhaps not. Either way, she is more useful to us alive than dead. Keep a watch on her, Sev. Don’t let your guard down just because she is beautiful.”

  Sev stiffened. “I didn’t—”

  Lenore patted Sev's shoulder. “We saw the way you looked at her while she slept.”

  “She was recovering from grievous injuries. I was just making sure she was okay,” said Sev defensively.

  “Injuries across her arm and body don’t explain why you kept staring at her face for so long.” Nalindor held up a hand to stop any interruptions. “Look, I don’t care if you find the Blue Rose appealing, half the Realm does. But that doesn’t matter, she is our enemy. Don’t forget that.”

  Sev bowed his head. “Of course. I won’t.”

  “Good. When she recovers a bit more of her strength I’d like to sit down and have a talk with her,” said Nalindor.

  “Agreed,” said Lenore.

~~~

  The next morning Stryga awoke to the sound of panicked shouts in the encampment. She tried to sit up, but pain shot through her body. She was no stranger to pain and tried to push through, yet her muscles did not cooperate, as if all strength had left her.

  “My lady?” Gwyn rolled out of her cot, bandaged and all. She was at Stryga’s side in a single breath. “Stay behind me.”

  “That won’t be difficult,” Stryga grumbled.

  The tent flap opened. Nalindor stood in the doorway with a troubled expression. “Good, at least one of you is up. Can you carry her?”

  Gwyn stood with a small grimace but nodded just the same. “I can.”

  “Then do so. It seems destiny has come calling for you two.” Nalindor waved them out.

  “Who are you?” asked Gwyn.

  “Captain of this encampment. I suggest you do what I say before someone else makes you.”

  “Can’t do it yourself?” Gwyn replied.

  “Gwyn,” Stryga whispered harshly.

  “I wasn’t talking about my people,” Nalindor left without another word.

  Gwyn cursed under her breath. She turned back to her Ward and with a gentle touch, picked Stryga up, and carried her outside. She faltered in her step only once, then continued.

  It was still dark out, the morning sun barely made a glow this deep in the woods. The rest of the encampment was all awake and stood in the small clearing. Gwyn began to quickly go through her plans of escape when she and Stryga saw him.

  He was a giant, for lack of a better word. For a moment, Stryga thought he was a frost giant, but his skin was a few shades darker blue like the sea. His hair was stark white with a touch of silver. He had broad shoulders that would put even dire orcs to shame. Faint freckles dotted his face and a pair of lilac eyes stared down at the small crowd, almost bored. Stryga knew those eyes and the memory left her paralyzed with fear.

  “I am the Shield of Veres,” Stryga heard Gwyn whisper quietly to herself. Gwyn straightened her back, looked up at the giant, and spoke in an unwavering voice. “Who are you?”

  He looked down at Gwyn, taking the measure of her in a single long moment. Finally, he spoke. “I am Syrus Stjerneson. And I have come for the woman who defied a god.”