Chapter 536: A Guardian’s Observations (Patreon)

The Guardian of the Sylvan was a man of few words. Since young he had shown prowess in the paths of steel and hunting. When he came of age his magic awakened and it was made clear that he had inherited his mother’s prodigious talent. Although many showered Arden with praise and gifts, he spent little time with such people, or with any people for that matter. There was little they could offer that held his interest. 

The Sylvan paths came easy to him, whether it was the path of the Hunter, the Warrior, or the Shaman, he excelled in every single one of them. As a youth the Mothers of the tribe were already preparing him to be the next chieftain of the Frost Whisper Tribe, there were even talks about him becoming the next Guardian. 

To any other goblin such a title would be the greatest honor any of them could dream of, but to Arden it had only seemed to be expected. The only two who could hope to match his rising power were Aurelia of the Blood Fang and his fellow tribemate, Lumi. Aurelia ‘The Blooded’ in particular had piqued his interest. She was a prime mage and apprenticed to Sabina, the First Mother of the Celestial. Even more, she was favored by the Mother Moon. 

If anyone could understand what it felt like to be set apart, regarded as the greatest of talents, mounted with a sea of expectations, it was Aurelia. If anyone knew how it felt to be so alone at the peak of power, it had to be her. Or so he thought.

That day, 21 years ago, Arden had met true power. A pale youth with a mirthful smirk. He had waltzed into Evenfall without a care in the world and defeated the guards and warriors with barely so much as a glance. Arden had rushed to the aid of his brothers and sisters, but no matter what spell or technique he used, they all fell short. Not a single attack had reached the stranger. 

Arden had been left bewildered. For a prodigy who had never once struggled, to have been brought so low would have bruised his ego, but it was the look in the stranger’s eyes that broke him. Not once had those lilac eyes glanced at him. Arden was in line to be named the Guardian of the Sylvan and yet this stranger had not once considered him worthy of his attention. 

This was a man— no, this was no man, but a harbinger sent by fate to humble Arden. He wanted another chance, a chance to learn more about the power wielded by this stranger to who even the Lunar Elect paid deference. But the stranger only had eyes for Aurelia and soon enough he even had the young priestess wrapped around his finger. And then just like a storm, he disappeared as quickly as he had arrived.

When Arden asked around no one knew of his departure. Even the Lunar Elect refused to approach the matter. Aurelia had left Evenfall soon after, leaving Arden with nothing to go off. 

A bitter defeat was the only memory left to him, until the day the son of Ivory and Aurelia had walked into Evenfall. He was as arrogant as his father, but where Ivory was aloof, Stryg had the short temper of his mother. Arden felt like he was in a waking dream as he watched this boy bend the will of the Elects to his side. And then the impossible, Lunae had emerged from her seclusion and had declared him her Chosen.

The boy had come in like a storm and had dragged everyone into his wake. Even someone like Arden could only watch as this— this creature, had changed the fate of the Sylvan in a matter of days. The tribes, even his own, whispered Stryg’s name as if it were sacred, and they bowed in reverence whenever the War Master walked by. But Arden knew better, he knew Stryg was no hero to be worshiped.

A goblin’s eyes were sharper than most species. When Arden shapeshifted into a giant sabertooth his eyes became even keener. The night of the siege, Arden had seen the silver comet that had shot into the sky and recognized it for what it was. A silver-winged being with skin that burned like the sun. It was Stryg who had blotted out the night sky with a silver brilliance that had consumed the clouds and dragons.

And now that same baleful existence was sitting in a small garden at the back of a ruined temple, surrounded by a group of children who looked up at him with a starry-eyed gaze. Stryg smiled at their hundred questions and answered them without a glimmer of impatience, like an older brother indulging his younger siblings. Arden knew better, this was a monster hiding behind a beautiful smile.

~~~

 “And then the vampire lifted his hammer and I thought Melfyn was done for,” said Jack with a look of exaggerated fear.

“Jack and I couldn’t do anything, we were too far.” Rowan grinned, “But then Sandra rushed past us and stretched out her hand, and then woosh!”

“Fire poured out from her palm and slammed into the vampire like an arrow,” said Melfyn.

Stryg widened his eyes and turned to a blushing Sandra, “You cast a spell?”

She squirmed under his gaze and shrugged stiffly. “I— I don’t know what I did. I just… I saw Mel on the ground and the vampire lifting his hammer and I… I don’t know, I just—”

“You felt a desperation to do the impossible and your body answered. A burning sensation ran through your chest and down through your hand,” Stryg said in understanding.

Sandra looked up at him in surprise. “Y-Yeah, how did you know?”

“It happens to a lot of mageborns. Some of us are tested first and are taught by masters to channel our powers safely, but others accidentally awaken their powers; usually in a moment of desperation. It can be dangerous,” Stryg placed his hand on her shoulder, “I’m glad you're safe. You have a long path ahead of you, Shaman Sandra.”

“S-Shaman?” she whispered, a smile slowly creeping over her face.

Stryg nodded with a proud grin. “You are the first Hollow Shade mageborn goblin this city has ever seen. I’m certain there will be more, but you will set an example. They will follow your path.”

“But we can follow you, can’t we?” she asked.

Stryg’s grin faltered. “That’s…” He had said it without even thinking. He wasn’t born in Hollow Shade. But had he said it for that reason or because some part of him didn’t consider himself a goblin any longer?

Ananta’s words echoed in his mind tauntingly. You are the son of Death and you are more like him than you know.

Stryg pushed down the thoughts and forced himself to smile. “You’re right. I studied at the Magic Academy and learned spell–casting from the teachers. They can be difficult, the students even more so. They aren’t used to seeing goblins.”

Sandra bit her lip and wrung her hands anxiously, “I heard the academy is expensive.”

“Don’t worry about expenses. I’ll cover your tuition and anything else you need, books, food and boarding, you name it. That goes for all of you. If any of you wish to study at any of the four academies, just tell me. I’ll have some tutors assigned to you to help pass the entrance exams.” Stryg glanced at Gale standing a few paces behind him, “I can do that, right?” he whispered.

Gale nodded. “You’re one of the wealthiest lords of the wealthiest city in the realm. Paying for a few teenagers to go to the Martial or Merchant Academy is nothing.”

Stryg’s expression brightened. “Perfect!”

“I can really go to the Magic Academy?” whispered Sandra carefully.

“Wait, you’re a lord?” asked Melfyn.

Stryg scratched his cheek. “That’s a bit of a long story…”

“War Master,” Arden called out. “We’ve lingered here long enough. The Lunar Elects and the chieftains are waiting for us.”

The captain of his honor guard, Elayne, nodded in silent agreement.

“Right. Yes, of course.” Stryg glanced at the teenagers apologetically, “I need to go, but we’ll talk more later. When Captain Rorik wakes up, tell him I’ll buy him a drink at the Merry Crescent one of these days.”

“It’ll be a few weeks before Rorik can drink,” said Rowan. “A shaman healer came by the neighborhood yesterday and looked at his leg. She told him he can’t drink for an entire month.”

Jack laughed. “You should have seen the look on his face!”

“It seems like we have a lot to catch up on when I get back,” said Stryg as he dusted off his pants and stood up. “I’ll have someone lead you all to the Villa District. We’ll get you better accommodations with Karen and the others. I’ll stop by when I get the chance.”

“Thank you, Master Stryg,” Melfyn bowed his head.

Stryg glanced at Captain Talia, “You’re welcome to join them if you’d like.”

“M-Me?” the vampiress blinked.

“You helped Cinder Brood. My House’s hospitality is yours if you’d have it.”

“Your House?” she asked.

“The Great House of Veres,” answered Gale.

Talia frowned in confusion. “House Veres…?”

“Willow can explain more. Stellan, please lead the Cinder Brood back to the manor,” said Stryg as he left the backyard.

“As you wish, my lord,” the siblings nodded.

Gale raised her eyebrow.

Stryg caught her look. “What?”

“This morning you were reluctant to even have one of the maids serve you breakfast and now you’re ordering others around without a second thought.”

“You told me to delegate,” Stryg shrugged.

Gale smiled, satisfied. “I’m glad you’re embracing your position as lord.”

“Here’s to hoping the Lunar Elects are as understanding.” Stryg abruptly stopped walking and glanced back at the teens, “Melfyn, come on.”

Melfyn pointed at himself, “Me?”

“Today a meeting between the Lunar Elects and the chieftains is being held. You are the chieftain of Cinder Brood. So hurry up.” Stryg walked off.

 Melfyn scrambled to his feet. “Wait for me!”

~~~

Eyes of the Watcher, the Shaman Elect, Lumi of the Frost Whisper Tribe looked across the tavern hall at the several dozen goblin chieftains sitting around the tables. They were all bickering amongst one another, debating what their next course of action would be. Some wanted to go home, others wanted to take the goblins of the city back home with them. Many argued to help rebuild the goblin homes that were lost during the siege. Others wanted revenge for their fallen comrades and preferred to chase after the drows and valley tribes that had escaped after the battle.

Their voices clashed against one another, but the only constant they could all agree on was that the goblins of this place had been treated worse than they had expected.

Lumi made a face of disgust just remembering the faces of the city goblins she had seen as she walked down the streets. Their faces were filled with fear and apprehension. The city life had made them weak. They were Lunisian but they were not Sylvan.

We need to rectify that, thought Lumi.

“They’re like a bunch of children fighting for the best scrap of meat,” muttered Lykos.

Lumi glanced at the dire goblin sitting next to her. Even though the battle was over he refused to take off his armor.

‘This place isn’t safe,’ he had told her.

On that, Lumi agreed.

Lykos glanced at her brooding expression. “Any thoughts?” 

“Only one.”

“Which is?”

“This city needs to answer for their crimes against Lunis and her people. We should level the whole damn place to the ground.”

“Hmm,” Lykos nodded slowly. “So we’re in agreement.”