Chapter 282: Your Dear Friend

Chapter 282: Your Dear Friend

Stryg and Feli lay naked together under the sheets in their new bedroom at the Katag villa. Feli rested her head over Strygs arm and stared at his face as he rested with closed eyes.

You still awake? she whispered into his ear.

...Mm, no, he grumbled in response.

Ill take that as a yes, she giggled.

Only if it means we go raid the cellar for some grub.

Pssh, you wish. Im not about to raid the Katags anything. This may not be Hollow Shade, but Im pretty sure they could execute me if they wanted to.

Stryg pulled her into his arms and hugged her close, I wont let anyone harm you, not the Katags, not the Thorns, no one.

What about you?

Huh?

Youre the one always biting me.

That That doesnt count, I dont draw blood.

But you want to, dont you? she smirked.

...No?

Feli glanced out the window, it was dark, the new moon invisible in the midnight sky. My birthday is coming up soon

Right, the Festival of the Gods is in a few days, Stryg mumbled, his eyes still closed. Thanks to the tourney there are plenty of merchants in Undergrowth. Anything in particular you want?

Yes, actually.

What is it?

For you to stay safe out there.

Haah? Its not like I want to get assassinated.

Im serious. Everything has become much more dangerous since you came to this city. We could always go back home.

You know I cant do that. Clypeus wanted to win this tournament, Im going to make his wish come true, no matter what.

...I know. But that doesnt mean you cant be careful while dueling.

Dont worry, I wont lose, I promise.

Thats what Im worried about. All you care about is winning, no matter the cost. If you keep going like that you wont come out from all of this whole.

I dont understand what that means

Feli sighed, Just promise me youll be careful.

Sounds a little ridiculous since Im going to be fighting people who probably want to kill me, but sure, I promise Ill be careful.

Good, Feli whispered. ...You were born on a night like this, right?

Stryg cracked a lilac eye open, Mm, the Mothers told me I was born on the 9th moonless night of the year. It was a bad omen

I wouldnt put much stock into the words of a bunch of women who wanted to kill you over some dumb fight.

It wasnt just some dumb fight.

All fights are dumb.

Says you.

Hey, what do you think Rhians doing right now? Feli asked in a curious voice.

Shes probably still getting settled into the stables. I heard her ordering around the servants, telling them to get dozens of blankets and the largest bed they could find.

Yeah, we definitely need to make sure she has her own room when we move into our new home in Hollow Shade.

Right, we do have to move out of the dorms, dont we. Stryg glanced at his hand, My time at the academy is over it feels strange saying that.

Do you still have to work for the city for ten years?

No, Loh paid off my contract months ago... After this tournament is over, Im free.

Even from the Katags?

Thats different.

I can read it, Stryg muttered.

What? How? Tauri asked skeptically.

Whats it say? Feli asked.

Stryg shrugged, There isnt much, just a few lines. It says

Congratulations,

They now call you Ebon Aspirant

And yet you still fall short of who you are

But youre in the Realms eye now

Enemies abound, they are all around

If you ever find yourself lost

Among the world of those savages

If you are ever in need of a true friend

You need only look into the shadows

~Your dear friend, Ann

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Tauri frowned.

Whos Ann? Feli asked impatiently.

Stryg shook his head, I dont I dont know. He stumbled backward and fell onto the bed.

Stryg, are you okay? Feli rubbed his back.

Yeah, Im fine, its just- he grimaced. Memories of a dark world flooded his mind. Small brief moments flashed through his thoughts. He had been alone, sinking deeper and deeper into nothingness. It was cold, colder than he had ever been. But there had been a goblin, she was smiling, a glint of mischief in her yellow eyes.

Stryg, Stryg! Snap out of it! Feli yelled.

He blinked and slowly looked around. He was back in his room, sitting on the bed.

What was that, you just blanked out on us, Feli said worriedly.

Yeah, I, uh I was just remembering about the His eyes widened. ...The Dark Fringe

Feli glanced at Tauri, Are we supposed to know what that means?

I was hoping youd know, Tauri sighed. She looked around uncomfortably, It looks like youre dealing with something, Stryg. So, uh, yeah, Ill leave you two to sort all of this out. I bid you both good night, she turned around and left the room.

Feli wrapped her arms around the blue goblin, Do you want to talk about it?

N-no. Everything feels like a jumble in my head, its hard to think straight, he admitted.

Maybe you should lie down?

...Yeah, maybe Ill just rest for a bit, Stryg laid his head back down on the bed and closed his eyes.

~~~

The next morning was filled with the cheering screams of the coliseums crowds. Stryg sat in one of the front seats next to his teammates. Freya chatted with Callum and Sylvie as they discussed who they thought might be called to duel next.

Stryg didnt bother listening to their conjecture. He kept his hood up and his cloak drawn close. The crowds were loud and they bothered his ears. He hadnt slept last night and he was too tired to try and focus on anything anyone said. Instead, he simply let the words flow past him.

Memories of the Dark Fringe drifted at the edge of his mind. He sighed tiredly.

Hah! Deserved! Freya cheered.

Stryg, did you catch that? Callum nudged his friends shoulder.

Huh, hear what? Stryg looked up.

Lady Thorn just called participants of todays duels, Callum said.

Who is it? he asked warily.

Gilgard Morrigan of Murtkon versus Veronica Sientia of Undergrowth, Callum said. And Heather Navis of Undergrowth versus Nalla of Frost Rim.

Those stupid Undergrowthers bitches are going to get ripped apart! Hahaha! Freya laughed maniacally.

Sometimes I forget how bloodthirsty you can get, captain, Sylvie grinned, I like it.