Realm of Monsters - Chapter 703: What Comes Next

Chapter 703: What Comes Next

  Corvus Morrigan sat in his study late into the hours of the night. Dozens of scrolls were sprawled on the floor. Half as many books lay open on his desk, stacked atop one another.

  A small voice in his mind reminded him that he needed to get some sleep. The goddess of war would most likely call upon him in the morning and the last thing he needed was to appear exhausted in her presence.

  But all those thoughts disappeared when he came across one particular passage in an old, leatherbound book. Its pages were yellowed and the words were faded. It took some time for Corvus to decipher the words. He re-read it multiple times just to make certain that what he read was correct.

  The term ‘Sigte’ had appeared several times throughout his reading. All spoke of a ceremonial bond between two people. Lovers, siblings, parent and child. In every case, the bond was made by a pair who meant the world to each other. It was an expression of love and trust. Poetic, pretty, even, but hardly something that would anger a goddess.

  Sigte was just a cultural symbol among the goblins of Lunis, Corvus thought, until now. This new passage spoke of an ancient Sigte that had been deemed forbidden. A magical bond that would connect the souls of two individuals. And through the bond, they would share power and life. 

  Such a powerful spell would have given the Lunisians an edge over any of the other Great Cities. And yet the bond had been declared forbidden. Why?

  As Corvus continued to read, he found his answer. If one individual of the bond were to die, so would the other.

  He leaned back in his chair and crossed his hands, deep in thought at the implications of such a magical bond. Bellum’s words from earlier in the afternoon played out in his head, “You formed a Sigte bond with her!”

  The goddess had yelled those words so angrily at the Ebon Aspirant. Whom had he made a bond with? How had he survived sitting on the Silver Throne? The answer to both questions was the same.

  Lunae. The goddess of the moon.

  If Stryg Veres had a Sigte bond with the goddess, it would explain everything. But why would a goddess ever make a bond with a mortal? It was as if fashioning a sword and falling upon it. The boy would eventually die, by old age or otherwise. It made no sense.

  Unless. The boy wasn’t simply a mere mortal. He had seemed particularly close to Bellum and her daughter. And the former had commended Belle for her desire to protect their ‘cousin.’ Had she been referring to Stryg?

  If so, then was the Ebon Aspirant a demigod? A child of Lunae, perhaps?

  Yes. The more Corvus thought about it, the more it all made sense. Their interactions, Stryg’s rise to power, and the way the Sylvans had aided Hollow Shade against their enemies.

  But if Stryg was the child of Lunae, then could he not have simply sat upon the Silver Throne himself without the aid of any bond? Lunae’s divine power would have been flowing through his veins. If that were true, then who did Stryg share a Sigte with?

  “Dammit all,” Corvus cursed under his breath. His answers had only yielded more questions.

  A knock at the door broke him from his thoughts.

  “My lord…?” came the familiar voice from one of his concubines.

  “What is it?” Corvus asked.

  The door creaked open and a beautiful scarlet woman stepped inside the room, head bowed, hands clasped in front of herself in deference. “The goddess of war has requested your presence.”

  Bellum? At this hour? Why?

  “When was this?” Corvus rose to his feet.

  “One of her cloaked servants gave me the message only moments ago.”

  “Did they say why Bellum wished to see me?”

  “No. Only that your presence was requested immediately.”

  “Immediately? Why did you not lead with that, you imbecile?!” 

  The woman cried out as he smacked her across the face and sent her tumbling to the ground. Corvus ignored her and strode out of the room. 

  He was not one prone to outbursts of anger, but if it were for his concubine, she might have gotten them all killed. The last thing he needed right now was to upset the goddess staying under his roof. One misstep and Bellum could murder every single person in this castle.

  Corvus ran through the halls, channeling Orange to hasten his pace. It did not take long to find Bellum. One of her servants had been waiting outside his chambers and had led him to the south tower of the castle. Why she was there, of all places, he did not understand. 

  That was when he heard it. The sound of the bells ringing in the distance. He hurried up the last of the tower steps. Bellum was standing at the top, staring out at the wall of fog encroaching upon the city from the water.

  “Your divine eminence,” Corvus quickly bowed. He recognized the fog for what it really was, frost-mist. “We are under attack.”

  “So it would seem,” Bellum noted.

  Corvus frowned. “How? The Sylvan fleet shouldn’t be anywhere near us, not for at least a week.”

  “Lunae crafted her warships of ice from her own magic. And she is the goddess of the moon, she controls the seas. Her fleet is not limited by mortal constraints. Though I had hoped with the Sylvan attacks upon the port towns that it would take longer for the fleet to arrive, it seems I was wrong.”

  “But our own fleet—”

  “—Is already dead. If Lunae is here, then I doubt a single one of your ships survived.”

  Corvus pushed down the panic rising in his chest. Emotions did not rule a wise leader. “My lady, what are your orders?”

  “I will go and meet with Lunae.”

  “With all due respect, after all this, can she be reasoned with?”

  “For your sake, I hope so.” Bellum leaped off the tower and disappeared into the night.

  “We will send for you when our goddess returns,” spoke the cloaked agent of the Ebon Order.

  “Of course,” Corvus gave a fake smile and walked back down the stairs. As soon as he was out of sight, he sprinted down the steps.

  His steward was waiting in the hall. “My lord, I came as soon as I heard.”

  “You’re here. Good. Gather my battle mages and have them escort the Ebon Aspirant and his companions to the Inner Sanctum.”

  “And your family? Should they not accompany them? Nowhere is safer than the Sanctum.”

  “Stryg Veres is the priority. Make certain the battle mages keep an eye on him. If he struggles, shackle him with Grey curses.”

  “Is he our enemy?”

  “No. A hostage, though he need not know that,” Corvus said. The last thing he wanted was the ire of the gods, but if Bellum were to fail or worse, be defeated, then he needed a plan. Whether Stryg was the son of Lunae or shared a bond with her, it did not matter. He was a tool that Corvus would use to protect his own, no matter the cost. “I will join you soon. Now go.”

  “At once, my lord,” the steward bowed and departed.

  Corvus headed straight for his chambers, where Feather, his family’s greatsword, lay.

~~~

  The door to the cell opened with the rattling of an iron key. Beatrix looked up from the chair where she had been tied down. A shadowy figure stood in the doorway.

  “Come at me all you want, you will get nothing from me,” Beatrix spat a glob of blood.

  “Shit, they did a number on you.”

  Beatrix sighed in relief, “Oh, thank the gods. It’s just you, brother.”

  “Let me get you out of those,” Gilgard rushed to her side and began to take off the enchanted steel chains around her body. They were wrapped so tightly that they bit into her skin. “Are you alright?”

  “I’ve been better,” she tried to smile through her split lip and winced instead.

  “Why would the spymaster go this far?” Gilgard muttered.

  “I refused to give him anything about Stryg,” Beatrix said with a hint of pride.

  “Why? You know if this keeps up, Father will personally get involved.”

  A shiver ran down her spine at the thought. “…I made an oath that I wouldn’t betray Stryg.”

  “And that oath means more to you than your loyalty to Father? I love you, Beatrix, but in the eyes of the nobility, you are a bastard. Father will not have any leniency for you.”

  “I know…”

  “Then why? Why not just give him what he wants? Your life is more important.”

  “You wouldn’t understand.”

  Gilgard sighed. “I admire your conviction. Come on, let’s get you out of here.”

  “No. You may be trueborn, but Father will not have mercy on you either if you let me go. I’ll pay my penance and be released in a few days.” 

  “I don’t think they’ll notice my hand in your escape.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We have bigger problems right now than your escape. You can’t hear the bells from the dungeon, but the city is under attack.” Gilgard finished unshackling the last of the chains. “There, now come on, we need to go.”

  Beatrix relaxed her cramped muscles and exhaled deeply. Her entire body ached from dozens of bruises and cuts. “Give me a moment.” She slowly stood to her feet and stumbled after taking a step.

  Gilgard caught her and slipped his arm under her shoulder. He helped her out of her cell and down the hall. 

  Veronica was there waiting for them with a smile. “Hey, took you long enough— Oh, dear gods, what happened to you?”

  “You’re that drow from the tourney. What is she doing here?” Beatrix asked.

  “A story for another time. Trust me, you’ll love her,” Gilgard said.

  “Are you okay? Who did this to you?” Veronica carefully ran her hand over Beatrix’s wounds.

  “I’ll live,” Beatrix mumbled.

  “You need healing magic,” Veronica said.

  “We’ll take care of her wounds once we reach the Inner Sanctum,” Gilgard said.

  “Is it that bad out there?” Beatrix asked.

  “I’m not sure, but I overheard the battle mages gathering in one of the halls. They are going to escort your friend, Stryg, and his companions to the Inner Sanctum on Father’s orders. If Father believes the city is truly in danger, then I’ll take you and Veronica to the Sanctum.”

  “What about you?” Veronica asked.

  “I’ll join the battle. I won’t let our people fight alone,” Gilgard said.

  “Gil… You can’t—”

  “I’ve made my decision,” he gave Veronica an adamant look.

  Veronica frowned, but before she could say anything, Beatrix spoke up, “Wait. They didn’t take our family to the Sanctum first?”

  “No. I don’t think they even mentioned it to one of us. Our father can be a cold asshole when he wants to be,” Gilgard scowled.

  “No. No… This doesn’t make any sense. He would have at least sent the little ones into the Sanctum,” Beatrix said.

  “Like I said, he can be cold.”

  Beatrix shook her head. “No. Why Stryg? And why all the battle mages?”

  “You think he is planning something?” Gilgard asked.

  “Stryg has connections with the Sylvan folk, right?” Veronica guessed.

  “Father wants to use him as a hostage,” Gilgard frowned, “He’ll kill him if he has to.”

  “No,” Beatrix’s eyes widened.

  “Lord Morrigan would do that?” Veronica gasped.

  “I wouldn’t put it past him, not even close,” Gilgard said.

  “No, you both don’t understand. He can’t kill Stryg,” Beatrix said, panic rising in her voice.

  “Beatrix?” Gilgard gave her a worried look.

  “Are you okay?” Veronica asked.

  Beatrix gripped her brother’s arm. “Stryg isn’t just some Sylvan. If he dies, it won’t be the wrath of House Veres or even Lunae that we’ll have to fear. It will be something much, much worse. If he dies, there is no surviving what comes next.”

  “What exactly are you saying?” Gilgard furrowed his brow.

  “We need to find Stryg before Father does.”