Chapter 138: Vampire Party

Chapter 138: Vampire Party

Stryg grumbled to himself as he fidgeted with his shirt, Why does only my shirt have so many damn frills?

Blame Callum, hes the one who picked it out, Clypeus said.

I thought it looked nice, flashy, dazzling even, Callum looked Stryg over.

And the sleeves? Stryg frowned.

It matches with your eyes, Callum shrugged.

My eyes are purple! The sleeves are pink!

Your eyes are a lilac, they're as close to pink as they are to purple, Callum said.

Say that again and I swear Ill bite you, Stryg hissed.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Careful, hes serious, Loh stood at the doorway.

The three boys froze, their eyes stuck on the tight-fitting white dress that hugged Lohs natural curves. Her hair was tied up with silver threads in an intricate pattern. She wore only the faintest hints of makeup, save for her blue lipstick that matched effortlessly with her azure eyes.

Wow, Clypeus muttered.

Miss Loh, you truly are an enchanting vision, I thank Bellum I am fortunate enough to lay my eyes on you this auspicious night, Callum smiled wide.

Enough with the flattery, itll get you nowhere, Veres, Lohs lips formed a very thin line.

Forgive me, your beauty moved me, Callum bowed.

What did I just say? Loh asked, annoyed.

The dress suits you very well, master, Stryg nodded.

You dont clean up so bad yourself, Loh laughed.

Isnt that flattery? Callum mumbled.

Shut up, before Stryg actually bites you, Clypeus whispered.

So, are you all ready for this party? Loh asked.

You mean ready to be swarmed by small family leaders eager to introduce their daughters to me? How could I not? Clypeus rolled his eyes.

It cant be that bad, Loh said.

Youve really been out of aristocratic circles for a while, huh? Clypeus is from a famous Great House, but you and I are from Ruling Families. If you think Clypeus will have it bad, then we might as well both be utterly and certainly doomed, Callum said.

Stop exaggerating, well be fine. Oh and Stryg, remember not to get into any fights tonight, Loh said.

Yes, master, Stryg nodded.

See, the night is already going off to a great start, Loh smiled.

~~~

You were saying? Callum raised his eyebrow.

Shut up, Loh frowned.

Over two dozen aristocrats surrounded them and pushed against each other just to have a moment to speak to the scions of House Veres and Noir. Even Clypeus had been swept away by several young women and their fathers. Stryg watched the entire spectacle from the corner of the room.

The moment the four of them had entered the ballroom, a man in tight pants and a golden speaking-trumpet, announced Loh, Callum, and Clypeus to the party. It took only a matter of seconds before they swarmed the group. For once, Stryg was thankful for his small stature. He was easily able to slip past the chaotic crowd and walked over to a table in the corner filled with bottles of champagne.

Stryg wished Rhian had been able to come, but she was still resting off her nausea from yesterday. Callum said it was probably for the best, Lord Mora was not much of a fan of centaurs or any beastkin for that matter.

Stryg cracked a bottle open and poured himself a drink. He surveyed the room as he sipped the sweet alcohol. The ballroom was large, occupying most of the west wing. The floor was a beige marble with silver lines etched into the ground in a web-like pattern. Brass torches burned brightly on the marble pillars and a golden chandelier the size of Rhian hung from the ceiling, illuminating the hundreds of guests below.

Everyone was dressed in overly complicated clothing that Callum liked to call fashion. Stryg thought it seemed difficult to move around in, especially the dresses that squeezed the womens waists tight.

The only ones who seemed to be dressed in comfortable clothing were the pretty humans standing near another corner of the room. They only wore a simple grey skirt, nothing more. Whenever one of the vampire guests wandered by, the humans would offer them their necks. From the looks of it, the humans blood was very tasty, since the vampires kept coming back to drink until the humans dropped, dead probably.

The majority of the guests moved in pairs and danced to the rhythm of the music in the center of the ballroom, whispering and laughing with each other. Stryg was suddenly reminded of the Blood Fangs dances around the villages bonfire during full moons. It was one of the few times the Sylvan tribe could relax, enjoy themselves, and forget about the dangers that lurked in the forest around them. The ballroom no longer felt loud or full of people. It felt quiet and dark. He felt very alone.

Im glad youve recovered so well. I was worried that the seregulus might have left you crippled.

A petite vampiress in a vivid red dress stood behind him. Her pale blonde hair fell over her strapless shoulders. Maeve held a glass of champagne in her crimson-gloved hand. Her bright red lips curled upwards.

What are you doing here? Stryg asked.

This is my familys castle and its my fathers birthday, where else would I be? Maeve smiled.

I mean here, literally. Why arent you over there dancing with the others? Why are you standing so annoyingly close to me? Do you plan on spilling wine on me again?

I really am sorry about that. I know it wasnt a great first impression, Maeve winced.

Why are you here? Stryg narrowed his eyes.

You do realize Im standing like 4 feet from you, right? Yesterday, you walked right up to my face, with no regard for my personal space whatsoever. If anything, I should be the one who is annoyed.

You still havent answered my question.

You made a tribe for yourself? Really? Just you? Maeve said with a tone of genuine curiosity.

No. There are three of us so far. It would be larger, but Im only interested in accepting the best of the best into the tribe.

Huh, sounds a bit lonely.

Its not. Not really... Youd be surprised how lonely one can feel in a large tribe.

I think I know what you mean, Maeve kicked a pebble on the ground. So, why the name?

Huh?

Why Ebon Hollow?

The Ebon part comes from my eyes.

Your eyes? Maeve glanced back at him.

I have a peculiar kind of vision, he shrugged.

Yeah, I can see that. I dont know anyone else with lilac eyes.

Yeah, its something like that, he scratched his cheek.

So, what about the Hollow part of the name?

Stryg sighed, It comes from Hollow Shade.

I guessed as much. You must like the City of Shades a lot.

No, I dont.

Eh? Why did you name your tribe after the city then?

Stryg ran his hands through his grey hair, Well, I do like the city. I mean I did. Ugh, I dont know anymore.

Maeve stayed quiet and kept walking.

...Youre not gonna ask why? Stryg stared at her small bare back.

Do you want me to?

No, not exactly. I just expected you to, since were exchanging questions.

Some questions are personal, I didnt want to put you in an uncomfortable spot.

Too late for that.

Maeve spun around with a smile, Well, in that case.

Stryg chuckled sourly, I had nothing when I came to Hollow Shade. Then I discovered I was a mageborn. Everything changed.

The mage academy scholarship, Maeve nodded.

Yeah. I was grateful to the city for sponsoring my training and studies. I felt I owed a lot to Hollow Shade.

The scholarship isnt free. You have to work for Hollow Shade for like ten years to pay off the debt, right? Or pay an exorbitant amount of gold to break the contract. Either one doesnt seem very appealing.

A small price to pay if it meant becoming a mage.

Huh So, what changed your mind about the city?

Hollow Shade may have helped me become a mage, but they are the reason my peoples city was destroyed in the first place, he said bitterly.

The tragedy of Lunis, Maeve nodded.

Stryg stopped walking, You know about Lunis?

My father is a really big history buff. You should see his antiques collection, he has an entire room filled with old stuff. Growing up he made sure my siblings and I learned about the history of our Realm. Lunis was too large a part of history to ignore, even if Hollow Shade tried to hide it.

Stryg found himself smiling. He never would have guessed how happy he would feel to meet someone who actually knew of his peoples past.

I completely understand why you have mixed feelings about Hollow Shade. I would too if they destroyed my city, took my ancestors wealth, gave my peoples land to others and forced my ancestors to work as their servants, or worse their slaves, Maeve shivered.

Most of what you said is true, except my ancestors didnt work for Hollow Shade. The Lunisian armies escaped into Vulture Woods.

Maeves eyes widened, Wait. Are you saying you're not from Dusk Valley? Are you one of the Sylvan folk?

I was born in Vulture Woods, he nodded.

Wow! I cant believe it, youre an actual Sylvan goblin! This is amazing! Actually, it explains why you founded a tribe. I assumed you were emulating the Valley tribes, but you were just following the way of your people Wait, why did you found your own tribe? What happened with your old tribe? Why is a Sylvan goblin all the way out here?

Stryg clenched his fists and looked away, ...Ever heard of exile?

Right, Im sorry, Maeve said quietly.

They kept walking in silence until they came across a round door. Maeve lifted the latch and pushed on the door, it opened slowly with a loud creak, revealing a small cellar. Dozens of dusty old bottles rested snugly in small wooden cupboards.

Maeve curtsied with a wide exaggerated flourish, On behalf of House Mora, I would like to welcome the Sylvan tribes ambassador, Stryg of Ebon Hollow, to the secret wine cellar, meeting place of the Realms most important matters, such as drinking your worries away.

Stryg grinned, Im honored.