Chapter 129: Necklace Keepsake

Chapter 129: Necklace Keepsake

The Warlord Marek grumbled under his breath and kept his eyes shut tight. He moved from side to side in his bed of furs. He hugged the sleeping Nokuti close to him for a while, snuggled his face into her dark curls, caressed her soft brown skin, and breathed in her comforting faint scent. But, his vampire lover could not help. No matter what he did, blissful sleep evaded him.

Marek had an army to lead, men and women who looked up to him, he needed his rest to function well. Not that his body was cooperating. Five hours and still not even a wink of rest. It seemed sleep would not be in his fate tonight.

He sighed, opened his eyes, and sat up. The silver chain around his neck shifted and dangled the small golden medallion across his bare chest. A creature with a long neck and snout with flowing hair was engraved on the medallion.

Its called a horse, he recalled his mothers words. If he closed his eyes and focused he could almost hear her laughter.

Marek brushed the small medallion between his fingers. That was another time

~~~

Marek was a lanky teenager. His blonde hair fell across his face like a strewn bundle of hay. His body had decided to grow tall as a tree, but as wide as a blade of grass. While being born a dire did grant him a tall stature it did not suddenly grant him bulging muscles.

People always looked at him funny, as if he didnt belong in their view of the world around them. It didnt help that he was one of the few humans in a tribe full of vampires and dark elves. And there was one last problem...

Look who it is. The dire freak of the tribe, the shame of our chief, Marek himself, one of the boys of the tribe laughed.

Marek sighed but didnt turn to look at the group of teens.

Oh, come on, is the chiefs son too good for us? Another boy called out.

Beansprout Marek doesnt have time to waste on unimportant people like us, a boy mocked.

The boy was right, Marek didnt have time to spend on being ridiculed. He had an important job to do. One of the hunters had asked him to carry several bundles of arrow shafts to the fletcher to be fletched and readied for battle.

It was one of the few times a hunter had actually asked him for help. Marek was so excited and swore he wouldnt fail. In an effort to impress, he carried as many bundles he could manage, which was several dozen. He held most of them on his back and the rest between his arms. If there was one thing he was grateful for in his odd body, it was his abnormal strength. Despite having the muscle mass of an infant, he could already lift more tent poles than any of the adults.

Not that it helped his popularity, it just made all the other kids see him as more of a freak. Well, at least most kids.

Where you going, Marek? A boy teased. Off to beg daddy for a spot as a hunter? Or maybe a warrior?

Nah, Marek is too scared for any of that.

Yeah, if hes not careful a strong wind might just blow by and tumble him right to the ground.

The group of boys laughed at their own stupid jokes.

Marek gritted his teeth and turned to face them, Im working today. Cant you just leave me alone for once? I havent done anything to any of you.

A boy placed his hand on his cheeks, Oh no, did we hurt your lil wee feelings? Whatever shall we do?

Marek shook his head and walked away.

Oi, dont walk away from us!

Marek ignored them.

Hey, were talking to you! One of the boys picked up a stone and threw it across the back of Mareks head.

Mareks vision went black for a moment. He fell to the ground, the bundles of arrows falling underneath him. He heard a horrible crack.

Oh no. Please, no.

And there he goes. It really is true, the bigger they are the harder they fall, one of the boys smiled.

They all broke into laughter.

But, Marek wasnt listening to their jeers. He shakily pushed himself to his knees and stared at the broken arrow shafts. The hunter had given him only one job. His first actual duty. And he had just failed. He wanted to prove himself and now the hunters would seem as incapable.

Lets face it, they already do, a small voice in his head mocked.

Mareks eyes began to water. For once he was grateful to have long hair, at least it would hide his shameful tears.

Oh, is the skinny giant crying? A boy pointed.

Or maybe not.

Just leave me alone, Marek mumbled.

The boys surrounded him.

Or what? What are you going to do? Hit me? Please, I dare you, the leader of the boys sneered.

Marek curled his fists, but bowed his head and stayed quiet.

Yeah, thats what I thought. Youre too chicken shit to do anything, the boy spat on Mareks head.

At least he can take a hit, a voice growled from behind them.

Huh? The boy turned around and was met with a fist to the face.

He cried out in pain and fell to the ground with a satisfying thud.

Whos next, bitches? Nokuti grinned. Her red eyes alight with anger.

Youre the bitch! One of the boys yelled and swung a wide punch.

Nokuti ducked and threw two jabs at his face, breaking his nose and lip.

Nokuti was already jumping on the other three boys before the second fell to the ground. She kicked the third in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. She blocked the punch of the fourth with her forearm and slammed her forehead into his own, dropping him to the grass. The last boy tried to attack her from the back, but she spun and punched him in the throat.

Nokuti ignored the choking brat and planted her knee on the first boy, their leader, who was still lying on the ground.

You think its honorable to pick on one kid versus five? You must be really brave? Well, let me give you some more courage, Nokuti glared.

W-wait, he mumbled.

Nokuti slammed her fist across his face. The boy gasped for a half-second before Nokutis other fist smacked into the other half of his face. She pelted him until her hands were covered in blood and his face was swollen as a ripe tomato.

Next time you try to mess with Marek, remember this day, Nokuti spat on his face.

He furrowed his brow, A really weird dog?

Its called a horse. They arent from this Realm and I doubt there are any left in the Ebon Realm. My ancestors... our ancestors, brought them over from the Jade Realm. The horse is the symbol of my House.

House? Mareks eyes widened. You're from a Named House?

He knew his mother wasnt from the Cairn Tribe, he just wasnt sure from where.

Tamora nodded, I am. Your father captured me when I was traveling the countryside. My twin sister told me I should take more guards with me before I left, but I was careless. Coupled with the fact that I can only cast the healing spell-form and well, you can imagine the rest.

...I didnt know father captured you, I always just assumed you were from another tribe, Marek frowned.

Your father liked to keep my surname a secret, only the elders know the truth Your father then made me his wife, it was his crowning achievement, and I have been here ever since, Tamora wiped a tear from her eye.

Youre his prisoner, Marek said in horror.

The daughter of House Helene is a difficult prize to give up, she sighed.

Helene? The name sounded familiar.

She brushed his cheek, My son, your full name is Marek Helene, son of the Great Named House Helene. We are one of the Seven Ruling Families of Hollow Shade.

W-what? I d-dont understand, Marek mumbled.

It means you have a very important legacy. I am Tamora Helene, heir to House Helene and as my only son, you are my heir. Im only telling you all of this now because you will soon be an adult... One day I will escape this place and if you come with me to Hollow Shade, I will show you how great your legacy truly is.

Why would I go to Hollow Shade? They hate the Valley people.

You are not just a Valley tribesman. You are an aristocrat and the future family leader of our House. Our founder, Lady Helene, was known to have brokered many truces with the Valley tribes. One day, as leader of our House, you can do the same. You could put an end to the conflict between Hollow Shade and the Valley people once and for all.

The fighting could end? Marek swallowed. Life could be different, things would be different.

Tamora placed the necklace in his palm and pushed his fingers closed around it, This is yours now, my son. May it help you remember where you come from, always.

~~~

Marek looked down at the necklace with a mixture of pain and regret. I am not an aristocrat. I am a child of the Valley, now and always.

Nokuti murmured sleepily beside him. He smiled warmly at her. He thanked the gods she had been by his side even after all this time. He didnt wish to wake her, so he got up and walked out of the tent.

The night crisp air filled his lungs. The Valley was beginning to freeze, the first snow of winter would be upon them any day now.

Long night?

Marek whipped around to find Crow sitting on a rock nearby the tent.

What are you doing here so late? Marek narrowed his eyes.

I couldnt wait. But, as usual, I came prepared to wait, Crow took a sip of tea. His mask was slightly tilted up to reveal his smiling lips.

Marek glanced at his own bare chest and necklace briefly. Give me a moment, let me get a shirt on and we can discuss what was so important that you had to come here in the middle of the night.

Theres no need to hide your Helene necklace from me.

Marek froze, You know what this is?

Of course. I wouldnt be in charge of information gathering if I didnt recognize the crest of one of the Ruling Families. And I also know what it means for you to be wearing that specific necklace, Lord Helene.

Mareks eyes darted around, searching to see if anyone else was here. Thankfully, they were not.

Dont worry, I have no interest in sharing the secrets of others, Crow said.

You knew who I was and you still followed me?

Oh, I see. Youre afraid of what might happen if your people knew that you werent one of them.

I am one of them, Marek growled.

Not in their eyes, at least if they knew the truth about your bloodline. I am of a different view, however.

...What do you mean?

When the day comes that Hollow Shades armies are defeated and you have conquered the city, how do you think the rest of the Realm will see us?

As the people who finally toppled the City of Shades.

Wrong, Crow said calmly. They will see us as a bunch of savages who are a threat to their way of life. The other Great Cities will most likely attack us.

Youre only telling me this now? Why?

Because it wasnt relevant. You see, if a savage didnt conquer Hollow Shade, but instead an heir of one of the Ruling Families did, Crow pointed at him. Then the Realm would see you as a family leader seizing power. The man who managed to control and unite the Valley tribes. A feat none have ever managed. Youd be hailed as one of the greatest Lords in history.

I would be throwing away my pride as a son of the Valley, Marek frowned.

We all make sacrifices, Crow shrugged.

Marek, are you talking to someone? Nokuti called out sleepily from within the tent.

Mareks eyes widened, he glanced at Crow.

I know of her too and for the life of me, I do not understand why you insist on keeping your relationship a secret. Half the camp already thinks you're sleeping together, Crow said.

Why did you come? Marek asked.

I found it, Crow lifted a book from within his feathered cloak.

You mean?

The location of the weapon to destroy Hollow Shade.

Marek smiled, Finally.

Crow stood up, Grab your coat and assemble the crew. Its time we find the fabled village of Mirror Springs.