Chapter 335: The Nether Flask

Chapter 335: The Nether Flask

Last evening Castle Thorn, Undergrowth

The storms winds and rain battered the windows of Ophelias chambers. But she did not care. She sat alone on the floor in the dark. Her familys white cloak, Blossom, hung over her shoulders and spilled onto the rug. The cloak was a marvelous elemental work of beauty, made up of hundreds of snow-white flower petals with streaks of lavender veins running across each one.

Ophelia ran her hand over the soft petals gently, deep in thought. A knock on her door broke her brooding.

Its me, Lord Alwin Loch, my lady, a familiar voice called out from the other side.

Come in, Ophelia said tiredly.

The door cracked open and a lightly armored drow walked. His hair was short and swept back. He closed the door behind him and bowed to his mistress. My lady, you sent for me?

Loch, my loyal Loch, Ophelia muttered quietly.

He glanced around the dark bedroom, Have you been here all day? I can barely see a thing. Would you like me to light some candles or get a magestone lamp?

No need, you being here is enough, Ophelia looked up at him and smiled, You are my most loyal retainer, Lord Loch. An arch-mage and a wise friend. I could not ask for a better right-hand.

You honor me, my lady, he smiled.

Tell me, how long has your family been loyal to my family?

Since the founding of my House of course.

And when was that?

Well, my great-grandfather was the first Loch. He was a farmer-turned-mage. He pledged his allegiance to Lord Alister Thorn, The Last Ebon Lord. He raised my great-grandfather to the rank of lord and my House has stood by the Thorns ever since.

Even after our fall from grace, Ophelia chuckled grimly. Even after my family fled Hollow Shade the Lochs followed us still I have need of that loyalty tonight.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

It is yours, always.

Ophelia ran her hand through her pale cloak, ...Tell me, do you know how the Thorns came to possess Blossom?

Ive heard different accounts.

...The cloak was a gift from the fairies of the forest some 900 years ago. It was long before the relationship between Undergrowth and the fairies fell apart. It was long before the founding of Hollow Shade or the Realms Schism. It was a time few of our kind wish to remember.

The wars Loch muttered in realization.

The Northern Wars. The Ebon Realm was covered in blood a millennium ago with the countless battles between the vampire and drow clans of the north. Our kind was winning, but one day Stjerne abandoned us. They say his blessings of protection over our people faded away and slowly but surely the drow clans lost.

The drows were exiled from the city of Frost Rim.

Ophelia shrugged, Frost Rim wasnt really a city back then. It was just a ramshackle assortment of warlords and magelords squabbling with one another in a thin veneer of peace. Frost Rim really only grew after the Northern Wars ended.

So the drows didnt care about leaving Frost Rim? Loch asked.

Some of them did, some of them even stayed, mostly the drow lords and their retainers, the ones with enough power to hold their own. But most of the drows did not have such power, nor did they live in the city. They lived throughout the Northern Lands and they, the commoners, the weak, were the ones who were forced to leave their homes behind.

Ophelia placed her hand on the ground, It was to this place our ancestors came. My family was not a Great House back then. The Thorns were the leaders of a small clan, but they held ambitions far above what anyone else dreamed. With the help of several other drow clans, they founded Undergrowth. Drow refugees from all over came here and built Undergrowth to what it is today.

Ophelia smiled proudly to herself, My family accomplished so much, despite all the challenges. We were weak, but we grew strong here. The fairies saw us as friends, caretakers of Glimmer Grove forest like them. They created Blossom using their elemental magic and gifted it to us. You see, Blossom is an heirloom, a symbol of my familys triumph over these lands, over our enemies And I will not let it be taken by anyone, especially a Hollow Shader.

My lady, you already pledged Blossom as the tourneys prize

I did not want to pledge Blossom! Ophelia clenched her jaw, I had to do it. And I still havent been told why.

Loch stared at her, confused, ...Either way, with Calex defeated, how do you propose to keep the cloak?

Stjerne may have abandoned the drows, but not all the gods have forsaken us, Ophelia smiled eerily. You know whom I speak of.

Stryg couldnt help but blush and smile with pride at the thousands cheering him on. He recalled the advice Gale had given him the other day and he bowed with a flourish just as she had taught him. The crowds voices grew even louder.

Suddenly, the western gate opened and Belle walked out with a steady, confident gait. The wet sand did little to slow down her steps. Her scarlet hair shined bright even in the rain and its long strands blew in the wind behind her. She seemed like a picturesque hero come alive from the story-books of old.

The crowd's chants broke apart into a mixture of Stryg, Aspirant, Hollow Shade, and Sylvie.

Belle ignored their chants and made a beeline toward Stryg. The young blue goblin took a shaky breath and walked towards the intimidating giant. He had never felt afraid of her before, but after witnessing her last match and the golden flames that burned through her, a twang of fear crept over his spine.

When they were only twenty steps from one another, Stryg and Belle stopped where they were and simply stared at one another.

Belle broke the stalemate first and grinned lopsidedly, Were finally here, huh?

To the finals? Stryg guessed.

To our rematch. Although, its more of our first proper match if you ask me.

Weve sparred plenty of times.

Sure, but those were always without magic. Belle looked at him reminiscently, Its strange, you know. Im stronger and far larger than you, but somehow you always managed to hold your own in those fights. This time we have a chance to properly settle our score.

Stryg narrowed his eyes. Youve changed, somethings different about you

She shrugged, I finally stopped pretending to be someone Im not.

Stryg looked her over and nodded, I like it.

Oh? she raised her eyebrow.

You used to always have this stupid smile on your face, even though we both knew you werent happy.

Yeah, I wouldnt put it like that, she scratched her cheek.

He spotted the long sword hanging from her hip and frowned. Youre using a sword now? I thought you hated swords.

Oh, I do. But like I said, I finally stopped pretending to be someone Im not. The real me has a preternatural innate gift with armaments, especially blades. Why would I ignore that, even if I hate it.

I dont understand what any of that means

Belle began to slowly walk around him, It means its time I stop holding back.

Stryg followed her movements and they began to circle each other, I suppose I shouldnt hold back against you either.

Is that why you brought your broken sword to this fight? Belle looked pointedly at Nameless hanging from Strygs hip. It may as well be a jagged dagger.

Stryg gripped Nameless hilt tight, My sword is a promise to the Gales. They believed in me even when they had reason not to. If I win this tournament, it will be with a Gale sword and no other.

I understand. Vows can be powerful things. They can give us the strength to keep going when all else seems lost. But they can also hold us back. A broken blade seems to be the latter.

Stryg laughed to himself.

What's so funny? Belle glared at him.

Youve never been to Vulture Woods, have you?

No, but I fail to see its relevance.

You have no idea how many times a goblin lost in the woods would have given anything to have a jagged dagger. You think my broken sword holds me back? Im used to fighting with only my claws and fangs. This is an improvement.

Youre going to need more than some claws and a broken blade to win, Belle bared her fangs.

Im counting on it, Stryg hissed.

The Heralds voices boomed across the coliseum, MAY THE FINAL MATCH OF THE CHALLENGE OF SPELL & STEEL BEGIN!