Chapter 324: The Thorn Gallery

Chapter 324: The Thorn Gallery

The Thorns gallery was a large spacious chamber with tall ceilings that encompassed most of the south wing of the castle. Stained glass windows five paces tall lined the walls, each depicting the greatest victories and achievements of past members of the Thorn family. Hundreds of portraits of Thorns of old hung on the stone walls, from the floor to the high ceiling. The gallery was a record of memories, a place to visit when a Thorn searched for their past.

In the center of the gallery hung a single oil painting all by itself, the portrait of The Last Ebon Lord, Atreus Thorn. The painting itself was a monumental work that stood over 10 ft tall. Its golden frame was an elaborate design of vines studded with rubies, forged by the master smiths of the Bronze Realm before the Schism. A pair of silver-sculpted lanterns hung from each corner of the frame, each with a magestone inside, glowing a soft blue.

A bouquet of black roses, the symbol of House Thorn, was laid below the painting, a gesture of respect or so Ophelias father had always told her.

Ophelia sat on a stone bench in front of Atreus shrine and simply stared at the memory of their familys legacy. Atreus had been a tall drow, taller than most. He had a lithe form, though he was not frail. His grey skin was pale as was his hair, a trait that his descendants seemed to have inherited. He seemed almost ethereal, untouchable, invulnerable.

Ophelia sighed, In the end, he fell mysteriously ill and died prematurely, like all the other Ebon Lords.

Even you, Atreus, were not invincible, Ophelia smiled sadly. Your death left our family vulnerable and the other Great Houses preyed on our wounds. And now here I am, 300 hundred years later, left to pick up the pieces What would you have done in my situation?

Nothing, you have already done enough for now, a disembodied voice echoed through the empty gallery.

Ophelia tried her best to keep her face still, to not show the fear that bloomed within her chest. She had heard the voice so many times, yet it never felt familiar, it felt like a cold dagger slipping down her back.

Ophelia swallowed hard and steadied her breathing, What of Undergrowths armies? The other city lords and ladies are furious over the recent attack on our people. They are demanding blood. Tribal blood.

They will have their blood, in due time. Though perhaps not the blood they imagined. Use the fury of Undergrowths Houses to rally your armies until they have reached full strength.

And then what? Whom do we march on?

Do not worry about such things, the time for that will come sooner than you expect. For now, continue to strengthen your city's border. The city must stay secure.

Secure? Ophelia laughed indignantly. You were the one who told me to undermine Undergrowths defenses so that those Dusk Valley savages could attack my people. And now you want me to strengthen the citys security all of a sudden?!

Yes, the voice said calmly.

Why now? Why do you now care about who walks into Undergrowth?

It is not important who comes into the city, but rather who tries to leave.

Ophelias eyes widened, The Ebon Aspirant? You dont want him to leave? You wish for me to capture him?

No, leave that boy alone.

I dont understand, who?

You dont need to understand.

Ophelia gripped the hem of her dress in silent frustration, I have done every single thing you asked of me. I sacrificed my own citys people and let the savages slaughter them. I sent my guards to seize the Sunken Temple from House Sientia like you wanted. I even put my familys heirloom cloak as the tourneys prize!

You had no problem putting Blossom up as the prize, now did you?

For your sake, I do hope you remember this moment. I have kept my end of our bargain, it is time you keep yours.

Yes, of course, my lord! I shall not disappoint you! she nodded vigorously.

Is that so? You are a smart woman, I believe you understand the consequences of disobedience. Of course your father thought he was smart. He tried to run from his commitment to his bargain. It did not end well for him, did it?

I am not my father. He was a foolish coward who deserved what happened to him, she muttered with resentment. My father refused to declare war on Hollow Shade because he was too scared to lose all that he had gained. I am not. Please, believe me, my lord, I will not fail you as he did. My life is yours, now and always. Command me and I will bathe Hollow Shade in the blood of your enemies in your divine name.

The painting of Atreus slowly smiled, No, you have already done enough for now.

The gallerys heavy doors suddenly opened and Calex walked in, glancing about. Mother, are you in here? he called out.

Ophelia quickly stood to her feet and brushed off her dress, Im over here, Calex.

Calex spotted his mother next to Atreus shrine and smiled in relief, I thought youd be here.

Since he was young he would always find his mother in the gallery, contemplating and gathering her thoughts.

Calex glanced out at the dark stained glass windows, The sun has already set. Have you had dinner yet?

No, why? she said distractedly.

Nothing, its just, youve been so busy with the tourney arrangements recently. Itd be nice if Lerdea, you, and I could spend some time together as a family.

Im not hungry. You and your sister can eat by yourselves.

I I understand. Im sorry to have bothered you, Calex bowed his head and turned to leave.

You let Freya Goldelm live. Why? she asked coldly.

Calex stiffened and sighed quietly, Her teammate intervened in our fight.

That wouldnt have mattered if you had just used Nightshade like I told you to.

You know Im not particularly fond of that sword or any sword for that matter. I didnt think drawing Nightshade was necessary. I was wrong, he said apologetically.

And that mistake resulted in a Goldelm, one of the Houses that betrayed our family and led the Thorns into exile, to escape with her life.

I didnt expect her teammate to interfere.

Well, luckily for you, tomorrow you have the chance to rectify that mistake. Use Nightshade to kill the hybrid, Sylvie. Is that clear?

Calex closed his eyes and sighed in resignation, As you wish, mother.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m