Chapter 157: Temple Visit

Chapter 157: Temple Visit

Karen dropped the scrolls and ran over to her little sister. She scooped Sophi up in a tight embrace and laughed brightly, I cant believe it. Its really you!

You have a sister? Witts jaw went slack. Karen had never told him.

Youre squeezing too hard, Sophi squirmed.

Oh, sorry, Karen put her down. How did you get here? I thought mom didnt want you to see me.

Moms still angry with you, I think. But dad said I could come visit you so long as I didnt tell mom, Sophi grinned broadly.

Heh, that works for me, Karen kissed her on the forehead.

Sophi laughed warmly.

Excuse me, what is all of this? Are you actually an acolyte? The human mother asked in disdain.

Do you not see my white robes? Karen pointed to herself and the necklace of the four ebon gods she wore.

Thats The mother frowned.

Karen, another acolyte walked into the main hall. There are people here to see you.

Can it wait? Karen asked.

T-thats! Thats a human acolyte! I want to talk to her! The mother pointed at the other acolyte.

The acolyte ignored the strange mother, I really dont think theyll wait, Karen.

Karen squeezed Sophis hand tightly, Sorry, Sophi. Ill be right back.

Mhm, Ill wait for you, Sophi nodded.

We will talk about our temples views afterward, maam. Make yourself comfortable until then, Karen said to the mother. She turned to Witt, Make sure everything stays sane until I get back.

You can count on me, Witt made a fist in the air.

Karen stared at him with a lack of confidence, ...Yeah, Im not so sure anymore.

Karen, we cant keep them waiting, the other acolyte said.

Got it, Im coming, Karen nodded and left.

The moment the acolytes were gone the kids began playing around the room again. The human mother looked exasperated, though she did not leave. Her 7-year-old son gripped her skirt tightly.

Sophi smiled at the boy and offered her hand, Do you wanna play with us?

I said get your little grubby hands away from us! The mother raised her hand and swung down.

The eldest orphan goblin, a young teenage boy, stepped in, and took the mothers slap. Blood trickled down his lip. The kids stopped playing and grew quiet.

And where did you come from? The mother took out a handkerchief and wiped her hand.

Are you okay? Sophi grabbed the boys hand and asked worriedly.

Im fine, the orphan boy nodded. Your big sis always takes care of us, it was the least I could do.

Witt stepped between the children and the mother, Okay, this stops now. You dont get to come in here and hurt the kids. Especially not Karens baby sister.

Youd choose these goblins over your own kind? The mother snarled.

Witt was surprised the words came so easily to him, Choose the kids over you? In a heartbeat.

Goblins? Unbelievable, the mother shook her head.

We have names, the orphan boy gritted his teeth.

No one cares, the mother sneered.

Get out, Witt raised his mop. Or else.

The mother pushed her son behind her, I was the captain of the watch in my village. And you come at me with a mop?

Leave, now, Witt pointed his mop at her.

The mother grabbed the mops handle and yanked it out of Witts hand. He tried to grab it back, she spun it around and knocked his feet right from under him.

Ow, Witt groaned.

The mother smacked him on his arm.

Ah, shit, dammit, stop it! Witt raised his hands.

The womans eyes were alight with anger, she smacked him across his body over and over. In a matter of seconds, his body was bruised and bloodied. Witt curled into a small ball and tried to avoid getting hit in the face.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Thanks, Witt grabbed her hand with a gracious smile.

Stryg glanced at the interaction, Are you two together?

What? Karens grip loosened.

Witt fell backward, Ow.

Stryg nodded to himself, He may be weak but he seems to have fought in the defense of Sophi. Besides, Karen, you can handle yourself if something happens. Hm, alright. I approve of this relationship.

Stryg, I dont need your approval to whom I date, and I am not dating this dummy. Were just friends, Karen chuckled to herself.

Oh, Stryg cocked his head. Well, in either case, I may not know you, human, but Karen is my friend. If you hurt her, death will be the least of your worries. Do I make myself clear?

Witt furrowed his brow, Wait, you dont remember me?

Weve met?

Dont take it personally. Stryg doesnt remember most people, Feli walked up to the blue goblin and wrapped her arm around his shoulders.

Im not sure if that makes me lucky or not, Witt rubbed his head conspicuously.

Sophi ran up to Stryg and hugged him. Thank you for not killing them, she sniffed.

...Sure thing, kid, Stryg mumbled.

The orphan boy stepped away from the other orphans and bowed to Stryg, Thank you for saving my friends and me.

I heard your voice from the hall, you stepped up for the others. Well done. Whats your name? Stryg asked.

Mel, the boy shuffled his feet.

The other orphans opened their mouths wide. The rest of the children quickly huddled around Stryg but stayed a healthy distance away.

Stryg eyed them all curiously.

They are all just a little shy. Theyve never seen a goblin mage before, Karen said.

So you really are a mage? Mel asked excitedly.

The one and only, Feli laughed proudly.

I may be the only goblin mage in the city, but Im not the only goblin mageborn, Stryg said.

Huh? Mel cocked his head to the side.

It means that for all we know some of you could have the potential to be magi, Stryg said.

The children gasped.

I thought goblins werent gifted with magic. Were not good at anything anyway... Mel stared at his feet.

Who told you that? Stryg asked, a trace of anger in his voice.

Mel glanced out the window, Everyone.

Stryg clenched his jaw, None of those people know anything. Goblins arent good at anything? We were the first ones to build a Great City.

What? Mels eyes widened.

Karen, Sophi, and the others all looked at him with surprise.

Stryg took a deep breath, A long time ago, the goblins of this Realm founded the first Great City, Lunis, the Sapphire of the East. Our people were great at many things and we had many magi.

Why have I never heard of Lunis before then? Karen asked doubtfully.

Because Hollow Shade wants to bury the past. I only know what I do thanks to a few ancient books I came across in my academys library, Stryg said.

Where is Lunis? Mel asked hesitantly.

It was destroyed, razed to the ground. The attack was led by Hollow Shades grand marshall, leader of all the citys armies, the Blue Rose.

I like roses, was she really that bad? One of the smaller human children frowned.

Truth be told, I dont know much about her, all I do know is that she was Hollow Shades most ruthless general. She killed countless of us, Stryg said bitterly.

The goblin children shuddered in fear.

Stryg smiled wryly, You must all think Lunis was weak. It wasnt, we were just betrayed. But I should probably start at the beginning. A long time ago

The other kids drew closer and sat down around Stryg as he spoke.

Karen glanced at the scrolls in her hands and back at Stryg. There goes todays lesson, she smiled softly.