Chapter 277: Evelyn Katag

Chapter 277: Evelyn Katag

Unpleasant.

That was the word, the emotion, the thought that encompassed all of Strygs being as he sat on the plush velvet couch.

The villas foyer was fairly large, yet it felt small thanks to endless trophies, shelves, and furniture that were spread about the room. Stryg glanced up at the see-through ceiling and made a look of disgust.

Whoever thought of making a glass roof for this damn room should be stabbed.

The sun shined down on them with a belligerence that disregarded the well-being of any light-sensitive individual who might so happen to be forced to visit this stupid house.

Welp, I hate this. Can we leave now? Stryg asked, peeved.

Maeve patted his shoulder, There, there. Its only been five minutes, Lord Katag will be here any moment now.

We will at least hear them out, Ismene said between sips of her steaming tea.

Stryg stared at the tea dubiously, Are you sure thats safe to drink?

Unlike the Thorns, the Katags are an honorable family. They would never poison their guests. Ismene offered him a cup of tea, Care for some?

No thanks, Im not in the mood, Stryg squinted at the glare of the harsh sunlight refracting over the room.

Why dont you just stare at the sun and get it over with? Your eyes will adjust, Maeve said.

I dont want to, Stryg crossed his arms. This place sucks, my vision wont change that.

Gods, stop being such a baby, Maeve rolled her eyes.

Is he always like this when hes mad? Ismene asked.

Only when he cant do anything about it, Maeve said.

The foyers doors abruptly swung wide-open. A towering orc ducked beneath the door frame and strode into the room. He wore a sleeveless marine-blue tunic that exposed his bulging muscles. His arms and neck were covered in small scars from hundreds of battles in his youth. A well-oiled and trimmed beard almost succeeded but ultimately failed in hiding the perpetual scowl etched across his rigid features.

Lord Krall Katag looked over the three guests with an air of judgment that made Lady Thorn seem kind. His amber eyes finally settled on Stryg.

Hmm Krall grumbled. He suddenly broke into a wide smile and laughed, a deep brilliant sound, Did you like the tea? I hope its to your liking! I still have yet to perfect the right ratio of milk. These Undergrowth tea leaves are quite tricky.

Wait, you made the tea? Ismene asked, surprised.

Hehe, guilty, Krall grinned.

My dear husband has always had a soft spot for the art of tea, he prides himself in his brewing skills, a husky voice said from behind the giant orc.

Krall stepped aside and revealed an elegant orc in a pale deep green dress. For a brief moment, Stryg forgot about the unpleasant sunlight and simply stared at the beauty. Evelyn Katag looked nothing like Ophelia Thorn, but not even a blind man would dare suggest Evelyn was anything but beautiful.

Where Ophelia was slim, tall, and wrapped in an air of cold elegance, Evelyn was curvaceous and exuded a warm charm, a confidence that was quiet but undoubtedly there.

Evelyns lips curved slightly in a smirk, Welcome to our home, dear guests.

Thank you for having us, Lady Katag, Maeve bowed her head. Your villa is quite lovely.

Thank you, Evelyn sat down on a sofa across from them and gestured towards the room. My husbands grandfather, the late Lord Katag, loved visiting Undergrowth. He found Glimmer Grove Forest soothing. In fact, he loved the forest so much that he built this villa and spent his last few years here. She looked at Stryg, Ive heard you grew up in a forest. Have you enjoyed your stay in Undergrowth so far?

Stryg narrowed his eyes, ...Glimmer Grove is nothing like Vulture Woods.

So do we have an agreement? Maeve asked, a slight hint of nervousness in her voice.

...Not quite. Evelyn looked at Stryg, I want to hear from him. Why do you want to ally with House Katag? What makes you think you deserve an eternal bond with my family?

Maeve glanced at Stryg worriedly.

Stryg sat up and looked Evelyn straight in the eyes. I dont want to ally myself with your family, he said curtly.

What? Evelyn blinked.

I knew it, Maeve whispered with a sigh.

The Katags were there 3 centuries ago, Stryg glared at Evelyn. They helped the armies of the Ebon Lords attack and destroy Lunis. My people showed you peace and you betrayed us. Why in any world would I ever want to ally myself with you.

Stryg, now is not the time for this, Ismene whispered.

No, he has a point, Krall nodded solemnly. You are a descendant of the Lunisian armies, I understand your resentment towards my House. The Sylvan Folk must think of us as monsters. But things are rarely ever so crystal clear.

What is that supposed to mean? Stryg said cautiously.

The first Katag and Morrigan were the leaders of a warband in the Scarlet Realm, Krall said. They crossed a realm bridge into these lands for a job commissioned by Lunis. Back then, like so many other species, orcs had been recruited for one job or another by a Great City... Katag and Morrigans plan was simple: do the job, get paid, and leave. But then the Schism happened

Krall took a deep breath, Suddenly, every realm traveler was stuck in the Ebon Realm with no way back. Lunis gave the stranded people plots of land to live in out of sheer pity. But there were too many people, too many species who had been left behind. So when the Ebon Lords offered our warband a way out, we accepted. We slaughtered the other travelers until only orcs were left in the Silent Marshes. Then my ancestors helped the Ebon Lords lay waste to Lunis And in return, we gained land, wealth, and a place at the Ebon Lords side.

And caused my people to lose everything, Stryg said coldly.

I do not tell you this story because I condone what my ancestors did, Krall shook his head. I tell you because I want you to understand why they did it. Greed and desperation are powerful motivators that can warp even the best of men. Katag I was ashamed of his betrayal of the Lunisians, so he split away from his sister, Morrigan, and never returned to the Silent Marshes he spent his remaining days in Dusk Valley. The truth is the orcs betrayed the goblins, that is a fact, one I will not shy away from. But we are not defined by our ancestors. My House has kept true to its honor ever since that war and were willing to do what we can now to amend the past.

Stryg laughed angrily, You speak of honor? What has anyone in your family ever done to amend your betrayal to Lunis? Ive seen how the goblins of Hollow Shade live in squalor! Your House and the rest of Hollow Shade havent changed, it just doesnt have to do the dirty work anymore, you just reap the benefits.

Krall opened his mouth to retort but Evelyn held his arm and subtly shook her head. She turned to Stryg and nodded, Youre right, House Katags ancestors could have done so much more to help the goblins of Hollow Shade. But we are not our ancestors, none of us are. Their mistakes do not have to be ours to share. We can change our futures, together.

Maeves eyes widened, Then you mean?

We will form an alliance with the Ebon Aspirant, Evelyn nodded.

Huh? Stryg furrowed his brow.

What made you change your mind, Lady Katag? A guilty conscience? Ismene asked skeptically.

No. Evelyn stared at Stryg, He did. He is different from the Ebon Lords of the past. More importantly, I now know what he wants change. I think our city is long overdue for it.

Orcs have never been at the top of Hollow Shades hierarchy, that has always been left to the vampires and drows, Ismene tapped her cane. Could your desire for change involve that?

Evelyn smirked, Who knows? But I think itd be nice if goblins and orcs could rise above their lot in life, wouldnt you agree?

Is that so? Ismene narrowed her eyes.

...Are you sure we can trust them? Stryg whispered to Maeve.

I think so, she nodded.

Evelyn smiled, Well, Stryg of Ebon Hollow, now that weve agreed upon supporting one another, we need to discuss your engagement to my youngest, Elena.

Stryg blinked numbly, Say what now?This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com