Chapter 118: Lesson in History

Stryg walked into the enormous library intent on finding an interesting book to read on a rainy afternoon. He had been practicing his illusion spells all week and would have continued had it not been for Feli’s insistence that he take a break. So, he decided to pick up a book or two to read on the couch for the evening.

It was a Sunday and most of the students had opted to do anything besides spending their time in the library. Stryg noted only a few faces throughout the stacks and shelves of books. He wandered about looking for anything that might catch his eye.

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

Stryg turned around at the soft voice. “Oh, hello,” he bowed his head.

An elderly drow wearing thick-rimmed glasses stood in front of him, holding a few books in hand. The head librarian smiled, “Well, if it isn’t Stryg. How are you holding up?”

“You know my name?”

“Indeed I do, though I suppose we haven’t officially made acquaintances. I’m Gladys, most people simply know me as the old lady who helps them find one book or another,” she chuckled.

“Right, I can see how that may be annoying.”

“Oh, not at all. I’m more than happy to help others in the pursuit of knowledge. Although, it is quite annoying when they forget to return the books they borrowed. I memorize each one of those troublemakers’ names.”

“Is that why you know my name?” He asked.

“No. You haven’t been late on any of your returns, I would know. I know your name thanks to Plum.”

“Plum?” He swallowed.

“She had a sharp tongue, but she was a great assistant and an even better person. I was sad to see her go, I’ll miss her,” she sighed.

“Of course, she used to work for you,” he nodded slowly.

“Yes, she was quite helpful. You just arrived about a year ago, so you wouldn’t know, but I’ve actually only been the head librarian for two-and-a-half years. The previous head librarian had been fired after we had a break-in at the library’s rare archives.”

Those books were off-limits to most, even Plum had difficulty accessing them. “Was anything stolen?” Stryg asked.

“Why do you think the head librarian was fired?”

“Makes sense, I suppose. Librarians are meant to protect their books and all. I can see how failure to do so would result in being burned alive.”

“What? Burned alive?”

“Well, you said they were fired.”

“...Right.”

Stryg glanced around, “My question is how did the thief even manage to steal from the rare archives right in front of an entire school of magi.”

Gladys shrugged, “Lack of caution on the previous head librarian’s part. Although, one of the guards managed to wound the thief across their face before they escaped.”

“So an ordinary guard was able to injure the thief, but not a single mage was able to stop them?”

“Not the academy’s proudest moment,” she admitted.

“Clearly. What did they end up stealing anyway?”

“They only managed to escape with one book, The Anthology of Recorded Dragon Histories. But, it was still a great loss to this library. There is little verified information regarding dragons,” she sighed.

“I remember, Plum told me something similar.”

“Plum always was interested in dragons, way before your group started that dragon project of yours. Plum loved reading about the secrets and mysteries of this world. I’m glad she finally got a chance to explore the world around her.”

Stryg wasn’t sure how to feel about those words. He cared about Plum, but every time her departure was mentioned all he could feel was bitterness.

“Plum’s gone, why even talk about her,” he grumbled.

Gladys placed one of the books she was holding on the shelf next to Stryg. “What happened between you two was a tragedy. Sometimes things happen that no one can foresee.”

“What are you talking about?” He narrowed his eyes.

“After the previous head librarian was fired I was given the job. They only elected me mainly because of my long years of service. I never expected to be landed in such a position. I think you can relate to that.”

Stryg glanced around the library, a place of books and reading and learning. Had someone told him he’d find himself here a year ago he would have never believed them.

“I can relate,” Stryg muttered.

“...At the time I was scrambling to find assistants to help with my newfound duties. Plum volunteered. She was a quiet girl who mainly kept to herself, which is why I hired her. She worked harder than any of my other assistants, even if her mind wandered off now and again.”

Stryg found himself smiling, “Yeah, she had a habit of doing that.”

“And she had had a habit of talking about you.”

“Me?”

“You. Plum would always talk about her best friend, an actual Sylvan warrior, Stryg. She was so proud of that title, you know. No one has seen a Sylvan goblin outside Vulture Woods in centuries, some people think your people don’t even exist. You were a bonafide myth come to life to her. A warrior straight out of old folk tales.”

“I. I-I didn’t know Plum talked about me.”

“Incessantly so,” she groaned dramatically. “But, I always enjoyed listening to her. Plum had such energy in her voice when she spoke about you, it was the only time she really seemed alive in this place... I was so sorry to hear about Plum’s loss.”

“So you do know about that,” Stryg bit his lip.

“The whole school knows about secretary Byrel trying to kill one of the students. Most people simply said Byrel had gone crazy. That rumor followed Plum during her last few days in the academy. I think it’s one of the main reasons she decided to leave.”

“...I didn’t know,” Stryg said quietly.

Gladys patted his back, “Best not to dwell on it. So, what kind of book can I help you find today? A book dealing with spell casting focus? It’s a pretty large topic for 2nd years.”

Stryg shook his head, “I don’t think I’m interested in reading anything magic-related today. Do you have anything to do with goblins?”

“We’re in the largest library in all of Hollow Shade, you bet we do. What sort of goblin books are you interested in? Anatomy? Culture? Military tactics?”

“Military tactics? You have books on goblin military tactics?” Now he was interested.

“Yes, from back during the Lunis Republic.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

The head librarian’s shoulders slumped, “Yes, I suppose you wouldn’t have. Many of Hollow Shade’s officials have elected to not teach the new generations anything of the sort. I just thought since you were from a Sylvan tribe it would be different.”

Stryg furrowed his brow, “What exactly is the Lunis Republic?”

“Come with me.”

Gladys led him up to the 4th floor to a small section of five shelves in a low-lit corner. The books were covered with dust, none of them had been opened in years.

“This shelf contains all our books about the history of the Lunis Republic,” she pointed to the shelf in the middle.

Stryg pulled out one of the books and skimmed through the contents. A detailed illustration caught his attention. It was a depiction of a beautiful city, with shiny blue rooftops decorated all about.

“Where is this?” Stryg asked.

“That was in the Silent Marshes. The picture is of the Great City Lunis, the Sapphire of the East.”

“Great City? But, there are only four and I’ve never heard of Lunis nor a Republic.”

Gladys took a seat at a nearby table, Stryg followed her.

“What is the Lunis Republic?” He stood in front of her and looked her in the eye.

She avoided his gaze, “...It was a sovereign nation of the Ebon Realm that existed right up until the Schism 300 years ago. The Lunis Republic was founded by goblins.”

Stryg felt as if the air had grown thin and difficult to breathe. He swallowed, “Are you saying there was an entire nation of goblins? Just roaming about?”

Gladys crinkled her eyes, “Not exactly roaming about. They were an established people, the most advanced of the entire Realm. While the dark elves and vampires were busy fighting and destroying each other in endless wars in the Northern Lands, goblins were busy learning, building, even creating. They founded the first Great City, Lunis.”

Stryg grabbed her wrist, “I’ve never heard of any of this. Where is Lunis? Tell me.”

“If you let go of my hand I’d be glad to tell you more.”

Stryg let her go, “...Right.”

It was best to not antagonize the head librarian in her own library. He was being foolish. He needed to take a deep breath and try and calm himself.

Gladys rattled the table with long bony fingers, “You wouldn’t have heard of Lunis because the city was razed to the ground 300 some years ago. The orcs built the Great City of Murkton above its ruins.”

“Orcs,” venom dripped from his voice.

The Sylvan tribes did not care much for the past, they didn’t bother to record most of their history. But, there was an exception. Every Sylvan goblin child was taught to hate the orcs, that they were their enemy. Orcs could not be trusted. Here was just another example of orcish crimes against goblin-kind.

Stryg froze. 300 years ago?

“The Sylvan tribes fought against the orcs 300 years ago,” he muttered.

“The people of Lunis fought against the orcs.”

“What are you saying?” He frowned.

Gladys smiled in sympathy, “You really don’t know do you?”

“What don’t I know? Tell me exactly what I’m missing here? Who were the Lunis people? Did they fight alongside the Sylvan tribes?”

Gladys leaned back in her chair, “Before the Schism, people from different Realms traveled throughout all ten of the Null Realms, including our own Ebon Realm. Some came in search of fame, wealth, even power, but most came seeking a new life. The three largest groups that came to our Realm were the orcs, humans, and dwarves. The orcs were primarily settled around the Silent Marshes.”

“And they still live there. I’ve heard all of this from my classes. What does this have to do with Lunis?”

Gladys pursed her lips, “Patience, child, I’m getting there.”

Stryg groaned and took a seat next to her.

Gladys waited until he sat quietly before she continued. “Once the Schism occurred the Realms were cut off from each other. There was no more traveling between them. Many people were only visiting, but now they found themselves stranded.”

Stryg nodded quietly, he knew all of this.

Gladys continued, “The orcs decided that if they were going to stay they wanted more than just a few plots of land to call home, they wanted the entire Silent Marshes.”

“Wait a second. You said Lunis was in the Marshes. You’re saying they fought each other?”

“Correct.”

“And an entire Great City and her people, lost? Against some stranded orcs?”

“Correct, yet again,” she pushed her glasses up.

He frowned and shook his head, “How?”

Gladys opened her arms wide and pointed all around, “Take a guess.”

Stryg’s eyes widened. “Hollow Shade?”

“Hollow Shade was a young city at the time, but the ebon lords who ruled the city were anything but weak. They betrayed their allies, the Republic of Lunis. Instead, the ebon lords backed the orcs and aided them in the war between the orcs and Lunis. The armies of Lunis fought bravely and fought hard, but it wasn’t enough. The power of the ebon lords proved too great.”

“They lost,” Stryg’s jaw went slack.

“The ebon lords destroyed the City of Lunis and gave her people an ultimatum. Disband their armies and submit to Hollow Shade and be given asylum or face annihilation. Lunis’ council, the Lunar-”

“-Elect. The Lunar Elect,” Stryg mumbled in realization.

“So, you do know some of this story,” Gladys said with sympathy.

He swallowed the lump in his throat, “The Lunar Elect is the name of the council that rules over all the Sylvan tribes.”

“I did not know that. I suppose it makes sense they would make their own council with the same name,” Gladys placed a hand on her chin.

“They?”

“The armies of Lunis. You see, Lunis’ Lunar Elect decided to surrender to the ebon lords. They chose to disband their armies, but the Lunis generals refused. The armies would not submit to their enemy. And so, the Lunar Elect led their own armies into an ambush.”

“What!? The fucking cowards! The damn council betrayed their own people!” Stryg seethed.

“The Lunar Elect had been promised special privileges if they surrendered. They did not care what happened to the people of Lunis nor her armies, so long as they could continue with their lifestyles.”

“What happened to Lunis’ armies?” Stryg asked with clenched fists.

“The ebon lords, Hollow Shade’s armies, and the orc militia ambushed them. All seemed lost for the Lunis armies. What happened next, well, some say it was a stroke of genius by one of the Lunis generals, others say it was divine intervention by Lunae herself.”

Stryg remembered the words of the temple’s head-priest, Elm. It was as if the final piece had suddenly fallen into place. “Lunae saved her children. She led them to Vulture Woods.”

“And the armies of Lunis have stayed there ever since. The world has forgotten them, even their own name... Hollow Shade prefers to keep it that way.”

Stryg swallowed, “How have I never heard any of this? How has no one in this damn city told me about any of this!?”

Gladys placed a finger to her lips, “We are still in a library, I expect you to keep a quiet tone.”

“Quiet? You want me to be quiet after what you just told me? What happened to the rest of the Lunis? Were they slaughtered after they lost their armies? Do any of them still exist?”

Gladys lowered her head, “The ebon lords wanted for the world to forget them. The Lunar Elect was betrayed and executed by the ebon lords. As for the rest of the people? Their homes were burned and their wealth was taken. Little by little they too lost whatever was left, including their own name.”

She pointed at Stryg’s nails, “They were even taught to be ashamed of who they were. Why do you think people look at a goblin’s claws with such disdain? Do you think that opinion spawned out of nowhere? That goblins just shave down their claws for no reason?”

“The goblins of Hollow Shade… They are the descendants of Lunis,” he trembled.

Gladys placed her hand on Stryg’s shoulder, “The goblins of this city have grown up believing they were unintelligent, powerless, deserving of being below the rest because Hollow Shade wants them to believe they are. You may be the only goblin mageborn in this academy, but I promise you, you are not the only goblin mageborn in this city.”

“...None of them have taken the mageborn test. They don’t have the money nor the connections to even find out if they are mageborn,” Stryg said slowly in understanding.

Gladys pointed at the old dusty shelf, “You’ll find the histories of the people of Lunis here. It isn’t a happy read, mind you, but I think it’s one you deserve to know.”

Stryg stared at the old shelf with mixed emotions, his mind still processing what he had learned.

Gladys pushed herself to her feet, “I best get back, you’re not the only student in need of my help.”

“Wait,” Stryg blocked her path. “Thank you,” he bowed.

Her old eyes gleamed, “Goblins have forgotten who they are. The least I can do is share my knowledge with one." Gladys lifted his chin, "Just remember, Stryg, this city is a cruel and dangerous place, be careful.”