Realm of Monsters - Chapter 638: House Rotrusk Part 2

Chapter 638: House Rotrusk Part 2

  The agonizing screams of Godfrey faded into the distance as Loh walked side by side with Lady Amalia Rotrusk. The dwarven noble walked slowly, her eyes distant, her expression indecipherable. Loh had to slow down her own steps significantly, lest her long legs overtake her.

  After a few minutes of walking down the road, with only a few guards following at a distance, Amalia spoke. “The reports say my younger brother died in battle, but little else. Tell me, how did he fall?”

  She knew this moment was coming, but Loh still struggled to find the words when the question came. “Cornelius, he… He saved us.”

  “Us?”

  Loh nodded. “We were caught by surprise. The enemy had arrived earlier than any of our predictions. The docks were attacked while they were still evacuating. A group of us rushed from the wall in order to save them. We were mostly successful, but Cornelius and I encountered a pair of powerful mages, servants of the one behind the attack.”

  “The warlord Marek,” Amalia guessed.

  “No. Marek was simply being controlled from the shadows, like all the others.”

  Amalia furrowed her brow. “By whom?”

  “A dragon rider. A powerful mage beyond anything I have ever seen.”

  “There were rumors of a dragon and its rider. So they were true…”

  “The dragon attacked not long after Cornelius and I engaged in combat. Cornelius stayed behind to buy the rest of us time to escape. If it hadn’t been for his sacrifice, none of us would have lived. Your brother was a hero.”

  “Cornelius was many things, but a hero…” Amalia scoffed lightly. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

  “He told me to tell his family that he did not disappoint them.”

  “And that sounds like brother. Ever the arrogant scoundrel.” Her voice grew soft, “But he was always there for us when we needed him. He did not deserve to die in these lands, so far away from home.”

  “No. No, he did not.”

  Amalia inhaled deeply and refocused on the path ahead, her stride never once failing. “His body. Was it recovered?”

  “Yes. He is entombed in my family’s crypt with all the honors of a battle mage.”

  “You placed him in your own family’s crypt? That is a great honor.” Amalia looked up at her, surprised.

  “I owe Cornelius my life. It was the least I could do.”

  “Thank you,” Amalia whispered. “Nonetheless, he should be buried with his kin. I would take his body home.”

  “Of course. You may come to my home and collect his coffin whenever you like. I can only imagine the trip has been difficult. Surely, you’d like to rest first.”

  “No. I wish to see him now.”

  Loh felt the desperation and heartache in the older woman’s voice. Loh nodded in acquiescence. “As you wish.”

  “This dragon rider. What was their name?”

  Hesitation filled Loh. Telling Amalia the rider was none other than the Ebon god Caligo, or rather, the titan queen, Ananta, seemed like an easy way to discredit herself. No one would believe such a tale. But what more could she say?

  “I… don’t know his name. Though I heard some of his men refer to him as the Monster in the Dark,” Loh regretted it the moment she said it. Her description was hardly any better than the truth. And yet, Amalia faltered in her steps when she heard the words.

  “The Monster in the Dark…? Are you certain?” Amalia asked.

  “Yes? I mean, yes. I am.”

  Amalia’s expression turned grim. “My family has records of this creature. It has haunted many Frost Rim nobles throughout the centuries. Your own family included. Though I suspect you already know that.”

  “I do.” It had been a few centuries since the Noirs had migrated from Frost Rim to what would eventually become Hollow Shade. Her family’s records had degraded ever since, though it seemed the Rotrusks held no such problem.

  “Where is the creature now?” Amalia asked.

  “He left after the Sylvans turned the tide of the siege.”

  “I see. This is grave news. If the Monster has emerged from the shadows, then it does not bode well for any of us.”

  Loh glanced back at the shade wall, once an obsidian black, now a faded empty magestone. “…I know.”

~~~

  Stryg stood in the corner of the crypt chamber, careful not to touch any of the coffins that were laid in their compartments. He watched from a respectful distance as the Rotrusks crowded around Cornelius’ coffin. Amalia brushed her hands over the coffin and planted her forehead on its cool stone. Her shoulders began to shake, and Stryg realized she was crying. He turned away.

  “We should go,” Loh whispered to Stryg.

  He nodded and followed after her. When they reached the top of the stairs, Stryg found Gale waiting outside in the gardens. She was pacing in a circle, holding a letter, while Lily stood nearby, arms folded in front of her waist, her expression serene.

  “You seem— oddly happy?” Stryg noted.

  Lily smiled, “There is so much pain in the air. It is quite delicious, do you not think so, son of Death?”

  “Not particularly.” He frowned.

  “Pity. As a child of a Calamity, you will no doubt bring pain to many who cross your path. It’d be best to embrace it,” Lily replied.

  “Right…” Stryg made a mental note of avoiding conversations with Lily, the woman was stranger than most. Stepping away before she could draw him into another conversation, he looked at Gale. “What’s wrong?”

  “Hm?” Gale glanced up with a strained smile. “Who said anything is wrong?”

  “What’s that?” Stryg pointed at the letter in her hand.

  “Oh? This little thing? It is an invitation handed to us by Godfrey Rotrusk,” said Gale.

  “He wants to invite us somewhere?” That seemed odd, given that Stryg had just broken his hand not one hour ago.

  Gale shook her head. “No, you misunderstand. Godfrey was just the messenger. He was doing a favor for someone else. The new Lord of House Thorn, Calex. Seeing as our city has cut off all contact with Undergrowth, Lord Thorn thought it best to have the Rotrusks bring the letter over.”

  “The Thorns and Rotrusks are friends?” Loh asked.

  Gale gave her a look of disapproval, but replied nonetheless. “Apparently. Or at the very least, they are amicable.”

  “What does the letter say?” asked Stryg.

  “Calex Thorn is hosting a summit in Dusk Valley of all places and has invited the rulers of all four Great Cities,” said Gale.

  “Why would he do that?” Stryg muttered.

  “Maybe he wants to change the narrative? Gather some sympathy for their unprovoked attack. Undergrowth is weakened, just like us. They need to buy time to recover,” said Loh.

  “Excellent deduction, my lady, but Undergrowth is not in the same position as us, I’m afraid,” replied Lily. “Their armies are depleted, but the Glimmer Grove forest provides their city with a powerful natural defense. Attacking them would be arduous. Whereas Hollow Shade’s walls are quite vulnerable at the moment.”

  “Not as long as we have the Sylvan army,” said Stryg.

  “And how long do you think your goddess will keep them here? The goblins are eager to go home, don’t you think?” said Lily.

  “For all we know, Calex Thorn is using the summit to convince the other city-states to attack us and split the spoils between them,” said Gale.

  “We need to inform the council,” Loh said.

  “I’ll have it done, my lady,” Lily said.

  The sounds of footsteps coming up the stone stairs caught their attention. Several dwarven servants walked out, carrying Cornelius’ coffin. The Rotrusks followed behind.

  “Thank you for the care you have taken for my brother’s body,” said Amalia with little emotion. She seemed drained. The dark circles under her reddened eyes did her no favors.

  “It was my honor.” Loh bowed. “Lady Amalia, if I may, are you aware of this summit?”

  “I am,” she replied.

  Loh forced herself to smile, “Lady Amalia. In light of recent events, I find myself forced to ask where your city stands in regards to Hollow Shade’s affairs.”

  “Let’s stop here,” Amalia raised her hand. “I only came here to recover my brother’s body. I did not come as an envoy. I cannot speak for the whole council of Frost Rim, but if it had been for me, I would have already begun mustering my armies to attack your city. However…” Amalia glanced at Cornelius’ coffin. “I am not the only one who lost family during this war. Elzri’s loss was felt by many. He was an old friend. And in his absence, you have shown my brother kindness. For that, I thank you.”

  Loh beamed. “Then, can we count on your support during the summit?”

  “Not at all. Elzri was the one who invited Cornelius to Hollow Shade. His death is on your grandfather’s hands. I owe your House nothing. Nonetheless, I have no interest in attacking your city. If only because I do not wish to return to this wretched city. I will abstain from supporting any war talks, but do not count on me to protect your city either.” Amalia glanced at Stryg, “The return of his kind does not bode well for any of us. My people are not eager to be under the thumb of tyrants once more.”

  Amalia turned and left, her expression as cold as ever. Her daughter, Cordelia, bowed to Stryg and Loh, before following after her. Godfrey nursed his bandaged hand and glared at Stryg as he walked past.

  “Imagine if they knew about Ebon Lady Veres,” mused Lily.

  “I imagine they’ll soon find out,” noted Loh.

  “You think that will help our cause?” Stryg asked.

  “Mm. Doubtful. It’ll probably make things worse,” Lily said cheerfully.

  “As if things could get much worse,” Gale grumbled.

~~~

  The Lazy Lady sailed through the icy waters of Hoarfrost Bay at a steady, smooth pace. The waters had been calm ever since leaving the island. And the mist that had haunted Callum Veres and the rest of the crew parted ways as they drew close. The sailors thought it eerie, but Callum knew better. The fog and calm waters were both a result of the massive ship sailing ahead of them, or rather, the goddess on board.

  Bellum and her Ebon Order had made quick work of the soldiers and mages left guarding the chrome gate. The few that survived had scattered after Bellum had slain the dragonbane. And even those few, Bellum had sent her agents after.

  Callum, Kithina, and Lysaila didn’t know what to say at the sight of the patron of vampires, the goddess of war, the Guardian of the Realm herself. But when Bellum had invited Lysaila onto her ship, the lamia had accepted, albeit somewhat reluctantly. Kithina and Callum were left to rejoin Captain Greyson back on the Lazy Lady, and now found themselves heading back across the bay. 

  The sight of the goddess and everything that had transpired over the last few days should have left Callum mesmerized, but all he found himself thinking about was Sylvie, or rather Belle. Their last meeting had left him broken-hearted and even now he didn’t know how to feel about her. When he had seen her on the island, he hoped to talk to her, but before he had gotten a chance, Bellum had whisked her away.

  Callum leaned over the edge of the boat and sighed. He closed his eyes and focused on the brisk wind running through his dark hair and caressing his face with an icy touch. For just a moment, he wanted to get away from all of this.

  He had started this journey to escape from his sister, Elise. Now he was following a goddess and her ship back to Hollow Shade of all places. Bellum hadn’t provided an answer as to why. Her servants had only given Kithina and him instructions to follow. Though something in the way they had avoided answering made Callum’s stomach turn.

  Was something wrong? Had something happened back at home?

  “You okay?” Kithina joined him, though her head barely came up past the wooden rails. She settled on resting her chin on the rails, rather than her elbows.

  “For sure,” he lied. “We accomplished our mission. The chrome gate is destroyed. The monster slain by Bellum herself. What could be wrong?” He gave her his best charming grin. She didn’t deserve to be burdened with his problems. He had already troubled her enough.

  Yet Kithina saw right through him, the look in her green eyes told him as much. But she let it go. “Mm. What do you think our friends are doing back home?”

  “Who knows? I don’t plan on sticking around long enough to find out.”

  “You’re not going back to Hollow Shade.” It wasn’t a question. She had already guessed as much.

  Callum shrugged. “Once we reach the city docks, I’ll board another ship.”

  “Where will you go?”

  He threw his hand out in an uncertain gesture. “Somewhere far away. Maybe the Southern Coast? I bet there are some nice fishing villages where I could stay for a while.”

  “And after that?”

  Callum stared out at the sea. “I guess I’ll find out.”

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