Chapter 141: Morning Disruption

Chapter 141: Morning Disruption

What are you two doing!? I thought you hated each other?! Clypeus yelled.

Shh, quiet! Maeve whispered angrily.

Clypeus glanced between Stryg and Maeve several times, his jaw moved up and down, but only a confused grunt came out.

How was breakfast? Anything good? Stryg asked.

I...uh havent gone... yet. He raised his hand and shook his head, Im sorry, can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?

Well, first, we had some wine an-

Ah, bababa, Maeve placed her finger over Strygs lips. She turned to Clypeus, Nothing happened, okay? Thats the end of it. Forget what you think you saw or think you know.

Really, cause it seems you two just spent the night together. Wow, I cant believe I just said that. I dont know how I should feel about any of this, Clypeus placed a hand on his temple.

Nothing! You shouldnt feel anything, because nothing happe- Ow! Maeve flinched.

Stryg had bit down on her finger.

Dont keep your finger on my mouth, he narrowed his eyes and licked his lips.

Yeah, you really shouldnt. He does in fact bite, like a lot, Clypeus nodded sympathetically.

So, Ive noticed, Maeve nursed her finger.

Wheres Cal? I dont hear him coming, Stryg said.

Oh, he went to talk to Lord Mora. Turns out the lord of the castle decided to skip breakfast and talk with his children at his study instead, Clypeus said.

My father probably wanted to chastise my siblings and me for not meeting his party expectations, again, Maeve sighed.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Her eyes widened in fear. The fact that she wasnt there with her brothers and sisters would infuriate her father. Worse, his study room was on the way to her own bedroom. Her father would spot her before she got a chance to change.

Im doomed, Maeve banged her face into the wall.

Did I miss something? Stryg tilted his head.

Besides that Clypeus already caught us? My father is going to kill me, Maeve mumbled.

Rest assured, Miss Maeve, I will not speak a word of this, I swear it on the Gale familys name, Clypeus placed his hand over his heart.

You can trust him, Stryg nodded.

Maeve sighed, ...I know I can. Doesnt make this any less embarrassing.

I cant let you walk around half-naked, lest the guests believe something happened, which it did of course, but still, Clypeus said.

Not helping, Maeve grumbled.

This will, Clypeus offered her his jacket.

Thanks, Maeve whispered.

For a rare moment in her life, she was happy to be so small. Clypeus was quite tall as was his jacket. The hem of his jacket fell down to her knees, obscuring any mark from the previous night.

So, where are you going? Stryg asked.

I was going to find you actually. I haven't seen you since last night. But, I guess you had your reasons. Clypeus cleared his throat, Anyway, where are you heading, Miss Maeve?

Im not sure anymore, I cant go to my room. Perhaps the servant quarters? Maeve said.

And where is that? Clypeus asked.

Its close to the main dining room.

Then it seems well be walking with each other for a bit, Clypeus smiled politely.

Great, lets get going, Im starving, Stryg walked down the hall.

Is he always this aloof? Maeve asked.

Clypeus stared at the goblins back, Its hard to tell. Sometimes its like all that matters is whats in front of him, an interesting book, a new magical lesson, or just breakfast. Other times, he has this dark look on his face. He doesnt see anything or anyone, his mind is somewhere else, somewhere very bleak.

I see Maeve said slowly.

We should get going, Clypeus said.

Right.

~~~

They must be cooking a lot, I can smell the smoke clearly from here, Stryg said.

Really? I cant smell anything, Clypeus said.

Instead of talking about the cooking, can we try to be quiet and make sure no one is coming this way, Maeve whispered.

Oh, dont worry about that. There isnt anyone walking in this hallway or the next, Stryg said.

And how do you know that? Maeve raised an eyebrow.

Stryg has really good hearing, smell as well, it seems, Clypeus said.

I thought Stryg was joking when he told me that last night. Maeve stopped walking, Wait. Stryg, does that mean you heard Clypeus coming down the hallway and you didnt say anything!?

Stryg blinked, ...You said the coast was clear?

I hate you so much right now, she pinched her eyes shut.

Stop, Stryg said coldly.

Oh, shut up already, Rhian rolled her eyes.

Rhiannon, are you alright! Stryg ran up to her.

Im fine, Master, she bent down to let him inspect her for injuries.

He caressed her cheek and laughed in relief, Youre okay.

Rhian felt a shiver crawl up her spine at the very rare sight of Strygs laughter.

What is it? Stryg glanced around for any threats.

Nothing, its just I had never seen you make that face before, she mumbled.

What face? Stryg frowned.

Aaand its gone, she sighed.

Well done with those soldiers. There had to have been a dozen of them, Maximus trotted over.

Stryg glanced at the burning corpses on the ground, They made it easy for me. They all grouped up and got real close. It was a perfect shot for a fireball.

Are we safe? One of the stable centaurs spoke up.

Relatively so, Maximus nodded.

Strygs ear twitched. No none of us are.

He ran to the gate and poked his head out.

What is it? Maximus asked.

Stryg stared out at the treeline near the castle, I thought the enemy wanted to kill all the castles centaurs to stop us from giving chase once they escaped. I was wrong. They wanted to kill all the centaurs to stop us from escaping.

Hundreds of soldiers emerged from the dead forest and marched towards the castle gate. One of the stable centaurs fainted and fell over.

We need to get out of here before they overwhelm us, Maximus said.

Youre right. Take the centaurs to the other side of the forest. They should be fast enough to escape the enemy since they arent carrying any riders, Stryg said.

Maximus nodded and gathered the others.

And you? Rhian asked anxiously.

My friends are still in the castle, I cant let them die, Stryg said.

You cant! Its too dangerous. We need to get out of here now. Loh is a high-master mage, shell be able to get out on her own.

I know she can. But, Im not sure about the others.

Leave them! I made a promise to Feli to keep you safe and I intend to keep it, she grabbed his arm.

Rhian, he said softly.

What!? What is so important that we cant just leave right damn now?!

...I abandoned my comrades and left them to die in the past. Please, dont make me that person again.

Stryg Rhian whispered.

He stepped away, Go with Maximus, Ill find you later.

I cant make it without you, her voice cracked.

Yes, you can. Youre stronger than you know, Rhiannon. He grabbed her trembling hand and looked up at her, You are a daughter of Ebon Hollow, never forget that.

Stryg turned around and ran off.

~~~

Maeve burst into her fathers study. She ignored the fancy gallery of antiques and scanned the room for her family. Her siblings sat quietly on a sofa. Lord Mora was at his desk, talking with Callum who sat across from him.

Maeve, where have you been? And what are you wearing? What have you done, girl? Lord Mora seethed.

I-I, uh, Maeve swallowed.

That doesnt matter anymore, Clypeus stepped in behind her.

Clypeus? What is the meaning of this? What have you done with my daughter? Lord Mora stood up.

Clypeus, did you sleep with my cousin!? Callums eyes widened.

I wont stand by this, even if you are a Gale. There is a proper order to these things. You have to pay me a dower before you can bed my whore of a daughter. And I assure you, the price has just doubled, Lord Mora stomped over.

T-thats not what happened, Maeve stammered.

Silence, girl! This is the last time you have embarrassed me! Lord Mora screamed.

Listen to her! There are more important things at stake, Clypeus stepped in between them.

And you, boy. Im not through with you, Lord Mora snarled.

You stupid old man, you just dont get it, Clypeus glared at him.

Oh, he will, a feminine voice giggled from behind them.

Clypeus spun around.

A lamia with brilliant blue scales slithered into the room. She calmly whirled a long enchanted blade in the palm of her hand. Her bright blue hair obscured her eyes, but not her predatory smile.

I promise you, he will, Lysaila licked her lips.