Chapter 97: Named Houses

“I thought that was you, Stryg,” Clypeus bowed his head.

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

The woman beside Clypeus raised an eyebrow, “We could ask you the same thing.”

Rhian cupped her hand over her mouth and leaned towards Stryg, “Do you know these people, Master?”

Stryg pointed his finger at the vampire, “That’s Clypeus Gale, my classmate, he’s quite strong. I have yet to beat him outright in a fight.”

“So, he’s like your rival?” Rhain asked.

“Meh, I guess you could say that,” Stryg nodded.

“I am honored by such words,” Clypeus smiled.

“Cly is the strongest in our class, everyone wants to be his rival,” the woman crossed her arms and nodded repeatedly.

“And who is that?” Rhian whispered.

“I don't know who that woman is,” Stryg shrugged.

The woman’s jaw went slack, “Eh? We’re in the same class! You threw a rock straight at my forehead. I had a concussion for weeks! How can you not remember me!?”

Clypeus patted his partner’s back, “Why don’t we go somewhere a bit more private?”

Stryg glanced around at the emptied street, most of the pedestrians were watching them from behind the food stalls.

“Oh! I know a great restaurant that just opened up, they even have outdoor seating so the centaur can come too,” the woman said excitedly.

“Alright, but if you invite someone out you have to pay, Kithina taught me that,” Stryg said confidently.

“Fair enough,” Clypeus smiled wryly.

“Please gods, don’t let it be spicy food,” Rhian mumbled.

The woman led them through the streets of Mellow Bloom and it’s white-stone houses. After a few minutes they reached their destination. A large one-story restaurant with dozens of tables sprawled right outside its entrance.

A waiter came out and showed them to an empty table that was under some shade for Clypeus’ vampiric convenience. The waiter then promptly took their orders. He was surprised when Stryg ordered food for Rhian as well, but said nothing, instead he opted to write down the order and left for the kitchen.

Clypeus cleared his throat, “Okay, I believe proper introductions are needed. I am Clypeus of House Gale, a Great House residing in Hollow Shade.”

“I am Stryg, chief of the Ebon Hollow tribe.”

“And I am Rhiannon, daughter of Ebon Hollow, and showhorse extraordinaire,” she stood up on her hindlegs and did a flourishing twirl around the table, without touching the table even once.

Clypeus’ partner laughed and clapped in delight, “That’s incredible! I’ve never seen a centaur with such dexterity and grace before.”

“And you never will again,” Rhian smirked.

“Who is this human anyway?” Stryg asked.

Her eye twitched, “I am Nora, your classmate. We had four classes together last year, four!”

“Noraaa?” Stryg tested the name. It sounded a tad familiar.

She groaned, “Nora of House Azol? I’m a chromatic blue. We were teamed against you during professor Loh’s final exam.”

“Oh yeah, I remember, Callum knocked you off the pillar right before you dragged him down with you,” Stryg nodded in recognition.

“Not how I would remember someone, but yeah, that’s me,” Nora pointed at her face.

“Regarding that day, I am sorry for your fall,” Clypeus said solemnly. “I heard of how that wretched secretary sabotaged your climbing harness. Had I realized at the time, I would have never continued attacking you. My deepest apologies.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” Stryg shook his head.

“The fault partly lays with me, but I truly am grateful for your willingness to overlook such a matter,” he bowed deeply.

“I keep telling you Cly, you can’t blame yourself. It was that damn drow’s fault. I’m glad that crazy bitch got what she deserved,” Nora clenched her fists.

“Yeah, me too…” Stryg muttered.

“Agreed. And for what it’s worth, our battle that day was the greatest I’ve ever had,” Clypeus placed his hand over his chest.

“Mine as well. I look forward to our next bout. I’ve been training quite a bit. I’ll be the decisive victor this time,” Stryg grinned confidently.

“So have I,” Clypeus returned the grin.

“Sorry to interrupt, buuuuut, did I hear you say Nora of House Azol?” Rhian did not wish to interrupt the conversation of aristocrats, but she was too curious.

“That’s right,” Nora smiled proudly.

“Wow, so your family, like, owns this city, right?” Rhian asked with wide eyes.

“Well, I wouldn’t say it exactly like that,” Nora played with her brown hair. “The Azol family is a merchant House and a Great House at that. So, we have many investments in Mellow Bloom. In fact, most of the city’s growth is thanks to my family.”

“In other words her family owns the majority of the businesses in Mellow Bloom, including the city’s main source of income, the breweries. As such, House Azol’s influence is very strong in Mellow Bloom,” Clypeus explained.

“I guess that basically sums it up, albeit not in a very charming manner,” Nora twisted her lips.

“Sorry,” Clypeus winced.

“I didn’t know your family was so renowned.” Stryg looked Nora over in a new light.

Nora laughed abashedly, “Thanks. It feels that way while we’re here in Mellow Bloom. But, whenever I’m in Hollow Shade I’m reminded of how small my House really is. I mean, just look at Cly, he’s a Gale!”

“Nora over exaggerates,” Clypeus scratched his nose.

“No, I don’t. Cly is just humble,” Nora crossed her arms resolutely.

“Is House Gale special or something?” Stryg asked.

“Exactly how much do you know about Houses?” Nora asked skeptically.

“They are kinda like tribes, right?”

“So, not much,” she sighed. “Let me break it down for you. Named Houses, commonly referred to as Houses, are the most powerful families in the Ebon Realm. Each one was founded by a Lord or Lady, which the House is named after, hence the term Named House.”

“For example, my House was founded by Merchant Lady Azol, therefore I am from House Azol. Most Houses follow the path of their founder, mine is no different. We are still merchants to this day, I am the exception since I was coincidentally born a mageborn.”

“Which is why you’re at the mage academy instead of the merchant academy?” Stryg asked.

“Exactly,” Nora nodded. “My siblings were sent to the merchant academy and I honestly thought I would go there too, but turns out I’ve got magic, so here we are. Not that I’m complaining, I love being a mage and it gave me a chance to meet Cly.”

Nora reached over and held Clypeus’ hand.

“That is interesting,” Stryg noted. “But, there is one thing that I fail to understand. Clypeus, I thought you hated Callum because he was half-human. Yet, here you are with a human partner. So, wouldn’t your future children be vampire-human hybrids like Callum, the thing you so despise? I don’t understand.”

Clypeus clenched his jaw. “It isn’t what you think. I do not dislike Callum Veres because he is half-human, but because that human nature makes him weak. Had he been born with powerful mutations, perhaps things would be different. As it stands, Callum’s human half weakens him and makes him unsuitable to be the Veres family leader. The Great House of Veres carries a legacy of great strength, it cannot be allowed to be tarnished by someone like Callum.”

Nora released his hand, “Humans can be strong, Cly. Look at House Helene, they are human and they are one of Hollow Shade’s Ruling Families.”

“Humans can be, but on average they are weaker than vampires. As for the Helenes, they only became a Ruling Family through trickery and betrayal, the same kind of tactics Callum would resort to. Just remember the grove training exercise, where he pretended to fight us only to destroy his own necklace instead. That’s not the kind of person who should lead House Veres.”

Nora frowned, “That’s…”

“I understand, Clypeus. You only care about the strength of the individual, not what they particularly are,” Stryg said quietly.

Clypeus nodded, “When it comes to the leader of House Veres, yes. My family has served and protected the Veres for centuries. To achieve success in our duties we marry only the strong and tirelessly train our scions. We gladly give up so much for the Veres, because they are deserving of that sacrifice. Yet, Callum is unworthy of that devotion.”

“Interesting, so what happens if your human-vampire child is born without any powerful mutations? What if your child is simply born weak?” Stryg narrowed his eyes.

“That won’t be a problem. Every month Nora drinks a special tea made by red magi that prevents her from getting pregnant. While I plan to marry Nora after graduation, I’ll also marry a talented vampiress who will bear my children. It’s a fairly common practice among aristocrats. Marry one wife for duty and the other for love.”

Nora looked down, her hair covered her expression. “You might find the whole thing strange, but we’re happy.”

“I find most things strange,” Stryg tilted his head.

And most people find you strange, Rhian thought.

“Here is your food,” the waiter returned with a small cart stacked with dishes.

Everyone was quiet as the waiter put plate after plate of food on the table.

“It looks so good and none of it is covered in red sauce,” Rhian salivated.

“That’ll be all,” Nora said quietly. She shook her head and smiled, “Where was I? Right, Named Houses. Once a House loses their founder or source of power, they may fall into a Destitute House, an impoverished weak shadow of what they once were and eventually they die off. However, if they can still maintain their power, they do not become a Destitute House and instead continue to live on.”

“The majority of Houses fall in the latter category,” Clypeus added.

“Exactly,” Nora agreed. “Conversely, if a powerful House has many Lords and Ladies at once or if there are many Lords and Ladies throughout the generations then they become known as a Great House, like my family or Cly’s. The seven most powerful Great Houses are known as the Ruling Families. They each hold a seat on Hollow Shade’s city council.”

“Ruling Families?” Stryg asked.

“You already know at least three, House Veres, House Katag, and House Noir,” Clypeus explained.

“Callum Veres, professor Tauri...Katag, and Loh Noir,” Stryg muttered from memory.

“Correct,” Nora sipped her wine. “The Ruling Families have long famed histories of incredible feats their members have accomplished. Only a few other Great Houses have reputations that can compare, House Gale is one.”

“Your family must have been pretty great then, huh? Were they warriors?” Stryg took a bite of his pie.

“My family is the Shield of House Veres, we have always fought beside them,” Clypeus placed his hand over his heart.

“Actually, this is perfect timing. There’s this famous troupe performing the play The Unfaltering Shield later this afternoon. You should totally come,” Nora smiled.

“I’m not sure, I was supposed to meet up with Loh later today,” Stryg said.

“Come on, it’ll be fun. The play is one of the most popular in the entire Realm. I guarantee you’ll love it. My friend is coming too, so the more the merrier,” Nora said.

Stryg did not know what a play or troupe was, but they did sound intriguing. “Okay, Rhian and I will go.”

“Perfect, then it’s settled.”

After they finished eating they made their way to the center of the city, where buildings were packed next to each other. The common folk bowed as Nora walked by. She waved at them from time to time.

Eventually, the group found themselves in front of an amphitheater. The wealthy merchants of the city were already gathered. They proudly wore their best garments and waited for the amphitheater to open its doors.

Nora glanced about the crowd looking for her friend. She caught a small hand waving from among them.

“There’s the friend I told you about,” Nora pointed.

“Where?” Stryg asked.

“The one with the red cloak. Oh, look, she’s coming over,” Nora said.

The disguised beauty made her way to them with slow steps, but practically jumped when she reached Nora and gave her a hug.

“Nora, it’s so good to see you. You wouldn’t believe how hard it was to lose my maids,” she beamed.

Nora giggled, “It’s great to see you, too! I’m sorry we haven’t been able to hang out much this year, but I’m really glad you came to visit. The mage academy is pretty intense, I haven’t found much free time until now. But, enough of that, let me introduce you to my fiancé and friends.”

Nora grabbed her lover’s hand, “This is Clypeus of House Gale, you two have probably met.”

“We have. It’s good to see you Clypeus,” she curtsied.

“You as well,” he bowed.

Nora went on, “And these are my friends, Stryg of Ebon Hollow and his remarkable centaur Rhiannon.”

“A pleasure to make both of your acquaintances,” she curtsied.

“The pleasure is mine, miss, whose name I have yet to have the grace of knowing,” Rhian bent her forelegs in a bow.

Nora chuckled, “Sorry, she’s in disguise right now, so her name’s a bit of secret. Stryg, Rhiannon, this is my best friend, you can just call her Jenny.”

“Jenny, is it? I thought it was Maeve Mora,” Stryg smiled, his pupils narrowed to thin slits.