Chapter 242: Departure

Callum Veres stared out the carriage window at the ebon wall and city gates. He slumped back in the chair and sighed.

“Cal, are you okay? You’ve seemed out of it since this morning,” Elise Veres said worriedly.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just a little tired, I guess,” Callum forced himself to smile.

“Something’s wrong. You’ve never been able to lie to me,” Elise pulled his cheeks.

He tried not to chuckle but failed.

“Now be honest, what is this about?” she asked.

“...Sylvie was attacked last night.”

Elise narrowed her eyes, “That big girlfriend of yours? Attacked by whom?”

“We don’t know yet. She’s okay though. The academy is looking into how the assassins even managed to get inside the school grounds. Lord Noir thinks Sylvie will be safe once we’re out of the city, Ismene and the other professors will be watching over us.”

“I’ll have our spies look into the incident. We can’t have that dire hybrid dying on us. She could be a very powerful pawn.”

“I’m not dating her because I want to use her,” Callum frowned.

Elise cocked her head to the side, “So you’re saying you're dating her because what? You want to marry her? Even though you’re already engaged to one of the most powerful Houses in the Realm? How do you think that’s going to play out?”

“There are plenty of ladies and lords with multiple spouses.”

“Yes, but they only marry a single spouse from a powerful Great House. Why do you think all of dad’s wives are from minor Houses, except for Regina Lilith. You know, the mother of Carmilla, the heir to the Veres Throne? Do you think that’s all some magical coincidence?”

“I know,” Callum sighed. “But Sylvie isn’t from a Great House.”

“Oh, please,” Elise rolled her eyes. “That girl has elite pedigree written all over her. I just haven’t found out which Great House she’s from yet. I seriously doubt your fiancé would take to this Sylvie kindly.”

“Who cares what she thinks,” Callum scowled.

“And what about Sylvie? How does she feel about this?”

Callum bit his lip and looked away.

“No,” Elise’s eyes widened, “You haven’t told her?” She laughed, “Okay, you really don’t know what you're doing, do you?”

“I know enough.”

Elise shook her head with a smile, “Cal, my sweet little Cal, I know you like to pretend everything is okay and that you can just run around playing mage student with your friends, but our lives aren’t so simple. Carmilla won’t let you play anything if she becomes the next family leader. You and I need to work together. It’s always been that way, it’s always been us versus them, don’t forget that. Remember why you made those friends.”

“Why can’t I just have friends!?” Callum snapped. “I like my friends, okay!? Is that so hard for you to understand? I actually like them. I don’t want to use them… I’ve already lost enough friends.”

Elise blinked hard, “Are you an idiot? Do you really think any of them would care about you if they knew the real you? You are a Veres. They only care about you because of your family name. The moment Carmilla ascends the Veres Throne you won’t have our House’s backing anymore, it’ll just be you. Do you really think your friends will stand by your side then?”

“I really don’t know...” He took a deep breath and stared into his sister’s eyes, “All I know is that I don’t want to end up like you. I don’t want to be a part of this anymore. I just… I want to live my life on my own terms.”

Elise nodded stiffly, “You don’t want to be like me…?”

Callum grimaced, “That came out wrong.”

Elise wiped her eyes, “I have always had your back, I have always taken care of you. I always took our siblings’ beatings in your place, because it was always us, Callum! It was always us versus the world! And…” She laughed bitterly, “And you don’t want to be like me? Well, guess what, kiddo, I’m the only one who ever truly loved you, I’m the only one who still loves you.”

“Elise,” he grabbed her hand.

“Get out,” she said curtly. “Go to that damn tourney with those ‘friends’ of yours. Let’s see how many of them are left by the end.”

“...I’m sorry, Elise,” Callum sighed. He swallowed the lump in his throat and opened the carriage door. “I love you.”

“I said get out.”

~~~

“Stryg? Stryg…? Stryyyyg?” Feli poked his cheek.

“Hm?” Stryg blinked, his pointed ears twitched.

“Were you eavesdropping again?” Feli crossed her arms.

“Huh?” Stryg glanced at the Veres carriage, then back at his wife. “Uh, no. Not at all.”

“Sure you weren’t,” she said skeptically. “So what was I saying then?”

“...Something about people’s clothes?”

“Ugh, I was saying you haven’t grown taller the last few months, it looks like your growth spurt is finally over, I hope.”

“Is it? I never noticed,” Stryg looked himself over.

“I did. I’m the one who always has to buy you new clothes every few weeks,” Feli twisted her lips. “Anyway, you won’t need new clothes while you’re in Undergrowth.”

“I see,” Stryg muttered. “You know you could always come with?”

“We’ve already talked about this,” she grabbed his hands. “Maeve needs my help organizing and overseeing the backed up shipment trades from all of Dusk Valley’s towns and villages. The war and winter have made it difficult for merchants and their caravans.”

Stryg sighed, “I know.”

Feli smiled sympathetically and kissed his cheek, “I’ll definitely visit you in Undergrowth when I finish with work.”

Rhian trotted over and placed her hand on Feli’s slim shoulder, “And when she does I’ll keep her safe through the valley. No root-bison or valley tribesman will touch her.”

“There is no one I trust more with Feli’s life,” Stryg said sincerely.

“Hah, I know,” Rhian winked.

A white carriage with a blue bellflower emblazoned on the sides strolled towards them.

Feli narrowed her eyes, “Is that… House Azol?”

The carriage slowed to a halt and the doors swung open, Nora stepped out, baby Kamilo in her arms.

Stryg smiled, “Nora, hey-”

Feli pushed him aside and rushed Nora. “Oh my gods, he's so cute!”

Kamilo stared at the purple-haired woman with annoyed contempt, he slapped Feli’s hands as they drew close. Feli didn’t mind, she kept cooing at him while making silly faces.

“Sorry, he’s just a little grumpy,” Nora winced. “He is usually asleep around this time.”

“Thanks for coming.” Stryg walked over to them.

“Of course, we couldn’t let you leave without wishing you good luck,” Nora smiled.

The moment Kamilo spotted Stryg he stretched his tiny arms out.

“Ba!” Kamilo babbled. “A-ba!”

“Looks like we know who’s his favorite,” Rhian chuckled.

“That’s not fair! Stryg visits him more often,” Feli pouted.

“The baby made his choice,” Stryg grinned slyly. He gently picked up Kamilo from Nora’s arms, “How’ve you been? Hm?”

“Buuu, a-ba,” Kamilo giggled and grabbed Stryg’s button nose.

Stryg couldn’t help but laugh.

“The gates are opening,” Rhian pointed at the crowd of merchants clamoring to get through the ebon wall.

“I should get going,” Stryg handed Kamilo back to his mother.

“A-ba!” Kamilo cried, his chubby cheeks trembling.

“I’ll be back soon, I promise,” Stryg said affectionately. He took a moment to look at Feli, Rhian, Nora, and Kamilo. He wanted to remember this moment and hold it close for years to come. He swallowed, “...I want you all to know, you’re part of Ebon Hollow… you’re my family.”

“We know,” Feli winked.

“Now go win that tournament,” Nora lifted Kamilo’s little arm up in a cheer.

“For Ebon Hollow!” Rhian cheered.

Stryg smiled warmly, “For Ebon Hollow.”

He took one last look at his family, then jogged over to the gate. The rest of his teammates were already on the other side, waiting for him.

Stryg stepped past the gate and into the small tunnel underneath the ebon wall. The eerie tunnel was pitch-black, but he could still make out the shades swimming inside the magestone. He stopped a few paces shy from the exit and stared at the dirt road right outside the tunnel.

The last time he had left the city was with Clypeus. So many things had changed since last spring. Stryg had changed. Clypeus was gone.

“I wish you were here,” he whispered. He took a shaky breath, “...I won’t forget, I’ll never forget. I’ll make our dreams a reality.”

Stryg stepped out of the ebon wall and into the sunrise.

~~~

The day was a tad too warm for Loh, summer was almost here. They had only left Hollow Shade two days ago, but she found herself desperately missing Louise and their soft bed.

Loh dragged her feet up the grassy hill and sighed, “Remind me why we’re not traveling on any of the main roads?”

Tauri chuckled and marched up the hill with ease, “The nearest roads were recently attacked by the valley savages. This is the fastest route to the next main road.”

“But why can’t we just wait in the carriage with Ismene? The centaurs can climb up the hill for us,” Loh pointed at the dozen wagons and the pair of carriages behind them.

“Our team needs the exercise,” Tauri gestured at the four students climbing ahead of them.

Stryg and Sylvie were already at the top of the hill. Callum wasn’t far behind. Freya was last, she grumbled to herself that it wasn’t fair she couldn’t use agility magic. Tauri had forbidden them from using magic for their daily exercises.

“We need them to stay sharp for the tournament,” Tauri said.

“Yeah, but I don’t see why we are out here too,” Loh pointed to Tauri and herself. “Last I checked, we already did our part in the tourney over 10 years ago. Why can’t we just relax in the carriage?”

“Someone needs to keep an eye out on the students.”

“Isn’t that what Vayu is doing?” Loh threw her thumb back and pointed at the drow riding a dire bear behind them. “And he’s not even walking!”

“Well, maybe I just don’t want to stay in the stuffy carriage all day,” Tauri shivered.

Loh clicked her tongue, “So you rather get all sweaty out here without a single bath in a dozen leagues from here?”

“I didn’t say that. And you don’t have to be out here, you know,” Tauri laughed.

“I didn’t want you to walk alone,” Loh nudged her shoulder.

“~My hero~” Tauri smirked.

Loh smiled half-heartedly and took a deep breath, “We’ve been really busy these last few weeks.”

“Finals in the academy usually are.”

“Exactly and now we have to travel all the way to Undergrowth.”

“Whatever shall we do?” Tauri gasped loudly.

“All I’m saying is that we deserve a bit of a break.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I was thinking of this really nice restaurant I once went to. When we arrive at the city we could let the others settle into the tavern while we go out and have a nice dinner and try all of Undergrowth’s best cuisine. I’ve also wanted to talk to you about something really important to me…” Loh coughed and smiled brightly, “So, what do you think?”

Tauri glanced away and licked her lips, “Um, that sounds amazing, but I don’t know if I’ll have the time… Uh, my parents will be at Undergrowth too. My dad is a big fan of the tournament, he goes every year.”

Loh furrowed her brow, “Yeah, I know, but how does that-”

“My mom has been fussing about me not spending enough time with them these days. So I don't know if I'll be able to make it to dinner, sorry,” Tauri winced.

“...Oh… That’s okay,” Loh forced herself to smile.

“General Noir!” A guard called out from a distance. “Lady Ismene requests your presence in the carriage!”

“Duty calls,” Loh sighed. “I’ll guess we’ll talk later?”

“Yeah, sounds good,” Tauri nodded stiffly.

“Okay, well, see ya…” she said weakly, then walked down the hill.

After Loh was a good distance away Tauri sighed to herself.

“What am I doing?” Tauri muttered.

A large dire bear clambered up the hill and walked over to Tauri. Vayu jumped off the bear’s saddle and straightened his jacket.

“Vayu?” Tauri cocked her head to the side.

Vayu looked her in the eye coldly, “Miss Katag, we need to talk.”

~~~

Loh walked down the hill with a dour expression. She was really hoping to get a chance to talk to Tauri about Louise. The human girl from the small village of Dullwater had made the past year the best Loh had ever had.

It hadn’t seemed possible, but when she was with Louise, she was actually happy, something she hadn’t been in a very long time. Loh didn’t want to let Louise go, she wanted to spend the rest of her life with her.

Loh reached into her pocket and felt the golden ring inside.

She wanted to tell Tauri everything, about how serious she was for Louise and that she wanted Tauri to be her best woman for the wedding.

Maybe I should just tell Tauri now… Loh thought.

The carriage door opened in front of her.

“Come in, Elohnoir,” Ismene said.

Loh sighed, “You know I hate it when you call me that.” Still, she climbed inside the carriage and closed the door behind her.

“It is your name and I find it quite beautiful,” Ismene said as if it was the most obvious statement in the world.

“What did you want to talk about?” Loh asked tiredly.

“...Last night one of our scouts spotted a large blanket of fog encroaching on us from the south. Usually, I wouldn’t think much of it. But when morning came, the fog was still there. It’s been following us ever since, keeping its distance just right out of sight.”

“Frost-mist,” Loh uttered quietly.

“I read your report from last spring’s incident at Widow’s Crag. Vayu and you mentioned frost-mist in the report, but there was very little said, just a mention of a frost wolf pack. Is there anything you’d like to share about that night? I need to know if we have to deal with this threat before it gets any closer to the children.”

“No!” Loh yelled. She bit her tongue and leaned back, “I mean… No, I don’t think the frost wolves are here to hurt us.”

Ismene narrowed her beige eyes, “Frost wolves are never seen outside of Rupture Mountains and Vulture Woods, and now, not only once, but twice they have appeared in Dusk Valley. Why is that?”

“I… I’m not sure. But I don't think they'll act first. If we don’t antagonize the pack, they’ll keep their distance.”

“You seem very certain,” Ismene said suspiciously.

“Just a hunch,” Loh shrugged. “All I know for certain is that if we fight that frost wolf pack, people will die.”

Ismene tapped her cane in thought. “...Very well. We won’t act, yet. Hopefully, the wolves lose interest soon and go on their way.”

Somehow I doubt that, Loh thought grimly.