Chapter 535: Pride Of The Sylvan (Patreon)

The Commoner District’s southwest streets had been ravaged by the valley tribe’s attack. A mixture of anger and pity burned in the pit of Stryg’s stomach as he walked across the old familiar neighborhoods.

Only one in every three homes was still standing and most of them were in ruin. Unlike most of the city’s structures, the houses in the Commoner District had been built with wood. They had been constructed centuries ago from the logs of Undergrowth when Hollow Shade and its sister city were still on good terms.

The old wood and disrepair of many commoner’s homes had left them ripe for the fires set by the valley warriors. The homes had been swallowed by the flames in a matter of minutes. Had it not been for the rain and the winding river that separated the district from the rest, half the city would have burned down that night.

“It’s all gone…” Rhian mumbled.

Stryg glanced up at the centaur walking next to him and felt a pang of guilt. Had he arrived only a little sooner would he have been able to prevent it? Could he have saved all the people that had perished in the flames?

He shook his head at the thought. Such ideas only led to madness.

Small tents of civilians gathered around the houses that still stood, searching for what little shelter they could. Many of them were covered in half-burnt clothes and soot, though Stryg did notice they had fresh bandages.

He glanced at Arden. “Did you do this?”

The goblin scratched his beard alongside his jaw. “The Elects ordered our healers to provide medical treatment to all under our care, kin or otherwise.”

“And the Commoner District is under Sylvan care now?”

“For now. We’ve decided to make our encampment where our distant goblin-kin have lived all these years.” Arden paused in his steps and stared at him with a cold glint in his eyes, “We won’t leave until we’ve ascertained their safety. My warriors have spoken with a few of them already. Many of the goblin-kin of this city have been treated little better than slaves. Did you know this?”

“I was aware,” Stryg admitted.

“And you did nothing to stop it?”

He stared at his empty palms. “I lacked the strength.” Stryg clenched his fists, “Not anymore.”

“We shall see.” Arden turned around and kept walking.

~~~

As Stryg neared his old temple, he spotted the captain of his honor guard, Elayne of the Storm Howlers, rush down a nearby street. She was breathless but when her yellow eyes met his she broke into a smile of relief. As quick as her smile had appeared it was replaced by a rigid composed expression, reminiscent of her father’s, Lykos.

Several more goblins clad in blood-stained armor rushed in behind her. They were the rest of his honor guard. Stryg felt his lips curl into a smile at their sight. They had all made it out alive. He had sent them with Tauri and Plum when they had all rushed through the city gates. If they were all here it meant that Tauri and Plum were safe as well. He had hoped as much, but he hadn’t gotten the chance to send a message to House Katag yet.

Elayne and the rest of the honor guard silently took point in front of Stryg, forming a vanguard as he walked. Gale and the other vampires following from behind glanced at Stryg questioningly. He gave a small nod of approval and the vampires relaxed, though they kept their hands near their swords’ grips.

Stryg quickened his pace and reached Elayne’s side. “I’m glad you’re alright.”

She nodded though she kept her eyes on the street, searching for any threats. “War Master.”

“Plum and Tauri, did they—?”

“The drow and orc shamans were escorted safely to the orc’s home, just as requested.” Elayne bit her lip, “We failed to secure the centaur and human. We searched the academy, but we never found them.”

“That’s because they weren’t there. We couldn’t have known.”

“Are they safe?”

Stryg glanced at Rhian trotting behind them.

“Safe and sound.”

Elayne followed his gaze and her shoulders relaxed with relief. “And the human? The one you call your ‘wife’?”

“She’s safe too.”

“And what of the Mother Moon’s Chosen? I do not see her with your party.”

Stryg’s expression darkened and he struggled to keep his voice steady. “...First Mother Aurelia was wounded in the battle. She is resting now, but I… I don’t know if she’ll…”

A gentle hand fell on his shoulder.

“The Moon’s Chosen is one of the strongest goblins I have ever had the honor of meeting. She has faced many battles, some that seemed impossible to win, yet she came out the victor every time. She will overcome this battle as well.”

“Thank you, Elayne,” he whispered.

She nodded and walked on ahead. Stryg could see the Southside temple in the distance. Jack was at the front gate, or what was left of it. The young human was fiddling with the torn metal hinges. Stryg hastened his pace and broke into a run.

“War Master!” “My lord!”

Gale’s and Elayne’s voices rang behind him, but he didn’t care. Stryg ran as fast as he could, quickly overtaking them all. Blossom billowed in the wind behind him, Krikolm shaking at his waist. Jack looked up and jumped back in surprise before recognition crossed his face.

“Master Stryg…?!” Jack broke into a wide smile. “Master Stryg!” 

Stryg slammed into him and wrapped him in a bear hug. The pain and guilt that had been burning in his chest were washed away by a sense of joy and relief. He broke into laughter, “You’re alright. You’re really alright!”

“Mas— Can’t— breathe!”

“Oh! Shit, sorry!” Stryg released him and stepped back.

Jack winced as he rubbed his shoulders but he was still smiling. “You came back.”

“Of course, I did. I’d never abandon my sister tribe.”

Jack glanced behind him at the goblins and vampires rushing towards them, though they slowed down as they neared the temple gate. “Those are Sylvan Warriors, are they—?”

“They’re with me.”

“Then you— At the battle, you were there?”

Stryg grinned, “As I said, I’d never abandon my sister tribe. Where are the others? Are they safe?”

Jack’s smile fell. “Melfyn led us to victory, but we lost some of our brothers and sisters.”

“No…” Stryg whispered in a hollow voice. He thought he had prepared himself for the possibility of death, but the stark reality gripped his chest tightly. “Karen said that you and the older teenagers had gone to the wall, but still, I had hoped…”

“Wait. You spoke to Mother Karen? Is she safe?!”

“Yes, she and everyone else who was here is fine. They’re staying in some apartments in the Bourge District for now.”

Jack glanced back at the temple excitedly. “We need to tell the others. We need to tell Melfyn!”

Stryg cursed himself silently. They didn’t know. Of course, they didn’t know Karen and the children were safe. So much had happened in the last couple of days that Stryg had failed to think about what Jack and the others might be feeling.

No, that wasn’t true. Stryg was simply too focused on his own feelings that he had failed to consider those of others. He should have been better than this. His selfishness had caused this.

“Master Stryg, follow me!” Jack grabbed his hand and dragged him into the temple.

Rowan was sitting in the kitchen eating a bowl of stew when Stryg walked in. “Master Stryg!?” yelled the drow, spilling his soup all over the table.

“Where is Mel?” asked Jack impatiently.

“Last I saw he was still in the backyard, but what is going on—?”

“Thanks!” Jack ran off.

Stryg gave Rowan a quick nod and followed after Jack. He found Jack standing in the back doorway, his excitement nowhere to be seen. 

Jack glanced at Stryg. “I think you should talk to him, he— He hasn’t been the same since coming back here.”

Stryg looked outside and saw Melfyn sitting on a broken stone bench, shoulders bowed. A vampiress sat next to him, her expression filled with worry.

“Leave it to me,” Stryg said soberly.

Jack nodded. “I’ll go tell the others the good news.”

Stryg walked outside with heavy steps. The vampiress looked up at his approach and stiffened. She jumped to her feet as if she had seen a ghost.

“M-Melfyn!” she stuttered.

But the boy didn’t bother to look up.

“Hello, Mel,” Stryg said softly.

Melfyn raised his head and slowly turned around. His reddened eyes widened at the sight of Stryg. He gasped quietly and staggered to his feet. “Master Stryg…? Are you real?”

Guilt squeezed Stryg’s heart. “I’m real,” he smiled weakly.

The boy bit his trembling lip and looked away in shame. “I’m sorry…”

“What?”

“You trusted me to protect our people and I…” His voice caught in his throat.

The vampiress stepped forward. “Lord Aspirant, forgive me for interrupting, but I am Captain Talia of the wall’s garrison. I fought with Melfyn and the rest of the Cinder Brood warriors atop the wall. They were under my watch and if it wasn’t for them the wall would have fallen and countless more people would have died. If you wish to blame anyone for what happened here, then blame me. Do not blame Melfyn.”

“If anyone is to blame it is me,” said Stryg bitterly. “Melfyn, Karen, and the others are alive. They managed to escape thanks to Rhian and Feli.”

“What?” Melfyn’s eyes snapped up, confused.

“They’re all safe. Every single one of them made it out okay. Thanks to you and your warriors.”

“Is that… so?” Melfyn fell to his knees and whimpered softly, tears running unabashedly down his green cheeks. 

Stryg knelt next to him, grabbed his shoulder, and looked him in the eyes. “You kept your promise, Melfyn. You did what I could not. You protected your family.”

Melfyn shook his head and mumbled through his tears, “I didn’t. Kael. Aina. Sara. Damon. Lea. They protected the family. My brothers and sisters did not surrender. They stood against the enemies of Lunis and they fought. They—” he gasped weakly and cried. “I couldn’t save them.”

Stryg hugged him and closed his eyes in silent solidarity. He had almost forgotten. This was what he was fighting for. This was who he was trying to protect. This was why he needed to grow stronger. He pushed down whatever hesitation he felt towards the Veres throne. He needed all the power he could muster. There was no room for reluctance. Not anymore.