Realm of Monsters

“That is by far the worst story I have ever heard, like ever. Like, not even Maxy’s boring prattling of military tactics disguised as a sorry excuse for a story were that bad,” Rhian crossed her arms.

“...I for one liked it,” Maximus nodded.

“Of course you liked it,” Rhian stuck out her tongue.

“Not all stories are meant to be entertaining, some are simply meant to teach a lesson,” the captain smiled softly.

“Welp, I think I’ve had enough nightmare fuel for one night,” the actress said.

“Same. Cap, would you like to join me on a late night stroll?” Loh asked.

“Sorry, I have some business to attend to,” the captain bowed.

“Was worth a shot, I guess,” Loh yawned.

Everyone slowly got up and began to head for their own tents.

“Huh, what about the game?” Rhian looked around.

“Meh,” Loh waved her hand.

“Aw, come on,” Rhian frowned. “Master, are you going to play?”

“Nah, I think I’m fine. Why don’t you go head to bed, I’ll meet you in a bit,”  Stryg muttered.

“Fiiiine,” Rhian sighed. She bowed to the captain, “Good night.”

Stryg poked at the fire with a stick as one by one everyone left, until only the captain and him sat alone.

She glanced at Stryg in the dim firelight, “What did you think of my story?”

Stryg scratched his head and sighed in frustration, “It was… aggravating? The drow lost everything. And what exactly was the lesson supposed to be? Not to trust complete strangers in the middle of a storm? To fulfill your promises? I learned those lessons long ago.”

She laughed, “Perhaps others may take away such lessons. But, I thought the story might serve as a final piece for our introduction. To let you know that I am on your side.”

“Huh?”

She cleared her throat, “We have been traveling together for some time. I had hoped you would eventually open up to me, but I understand your reluctance. The story was my way of letting you know I am not your enemy. I truly hope you are not mine.”

“What are you saying?” He tilted his head.

“Before we continue I think it is time we have proper introductions. We’ll keep it simple, I will tell you my name and you tell me yours, although I believe we both already know the answers,” she smiled.

“I’m… Stryg?”

“I do not refer to the name you give others, but the one you hide from them, the piece of yourself you do not wish for them to see. There is no need to hide from me. You need not be alone, not anymore,” she reached out and grabbed his hand.

He glanced between her intrusive hand and her smiling face, “What exactly do you want from me?”

She smirked, “A proper introduction for starters.”

“My name is Stryg and it’s the only name I have ever had. I don’t understand why you are asking me,” he furrowed his brow.

She stared into his lilac eyes and let his hand go. “Maybe you do not. Or maybe you just do not remember?”

“...What? Are you seriously implying I don’t remember my own name?” He frowned.

“Honestly? I highly doubt it, but, I also doubt you do not know your own name. Which probably means you are simply lying to me. I had pictured tonight’s events very differently. I thought… I had hoped for… Nevermind,” she sighed. “Maybe someday you will be ready to tell me the truth. Good night, Stryg,” she stood up and walked away.

Stryg didn’t know how to respond.

She paused in her steps, “Oh, before I forget.” She tossed him a small object.

He caught it before it dropped on the grass.

“What’s this for?” He stared at the small black coin.

“Whoever told the best story wins a coin, remember?” 

“But, I didn’t tell a story,” he frowned.

“Stryg, you are the most interesting story I have heard in a long time,” she winked.

“It’s not even a gold coin...”

~~~

Rhian shivered as the wind blew past her thin jacket. The last days of summer were behind them, autumn had seemed to arrive. Stryg made a mental note to buy her some warm clothing. It did not matter if centaurs had an overall warmer temperature, he was not going to risk her getting sick. 

Stryg watched Hollow Shade’s glossy black walls grow in the distance as they neared the Great City. He remembered what it had been like the first time he had come, how terrified he had felt of what lay beyond the walls, or how useless he felt for being unable to escape the ropes the poacher had tied him with.

Come to think of it, that was the first time he had used magic. It had been grey magic, a small drain spell to be precise. Things were different back then, life seemed simpler, albeit more difficult. A year ago all he had to focus on was his own survival.

Stryg glanced at the back of Rhian’s head, a few strands of jet-black hair had slipped out of her ponytail and tickled his face. Life was more complicated now. There were people he had to look after, other than his own. It was difficult.

“Master, you okay? You’ve been pretty quiet,” Rhian asked without glancing back at him.

Perhaps it wasn’t as difficult as he imagined, there were people looking after him as well.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just happy to be home,” Stryg said.

“I know, right! I’m sooo relieved. I could use some proper polish for my hooves. They’ve been through too much these past few months. Oh and a nice stable all for myself.”

“How about we get you a large bed too?” 

Rhian’s head whipped back, “Are you serious?”

“I am. You deserve to sleep in a bed like the rest of us. You weren’t able to in the taverns, but now that we’re home, I’ll make sure you have one,” Stryg nodded.

Rhian faced forward, hiding her expression. “...Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me. This should have been done before we left, we’re tribemates after all, we take care of each other.”

As they grew closer to the city, Stryg spotted a crowd of people of all sorts forming a long line at the gate. The large gate seemed to meld into the wall, there was no evidence of it being built so much as created. 

Stryg read the words above the gate, “The Protection of Death.”

The first time he had arrived in the city he failed to understand the meaning. After learning about the shades that lurked within the magestone walls he understood exactly what the words meant. As for the two statues, one on each side of the gate, he still did not have a clear grasp on their significance.

One statue was a black skull, the other a black sun. Unlike the glossy walls, the statues were not built of magestone, but a matte-black substance, without any reflection. He knew a black skull above a black sun was the heraldic symbol of Hollow Shade, but he still did not know why. It was just one more thing on his long list of things he was still ignorant of. He sighed.

The caravan paused at the back of the line, waiting for their turn to arrive. Maximus trodded to the front of the caravan, Loh on his back. She spoke to the captain, their words too far for anyone to hear. However, Stryg had no problem listening from such a distance nor did he have any compunction against eavesdropping.

“Let me take care of this, just have the troupe’s wagons follow me,” Loh said.

“I appreciate it,” the captain smiled.

Maximus cut through the line. Loh pulled out her nameplate and began waving it through the air. The captain ordered the troupe’s wagons to follow behind Maximus. Some people complained as the enormous centaur pushed them aside, but after they saw Loh’s golden nameplate they all grew quiet and made ample room for the caravan to pass.

The guards at the gate bowed as they noticed Loh’s nameplate, “Welcome home Miss Noir.”

“Glad to be back. These are my companions, let them through,” she said.

“As you wish,” the guards nodded in unison.

The Singing Willow’s wagons passed through the gate without any trouble. Stryg looked around as he entered the gate’s tunnel. His life had changed when he first entered this city, he wondered if things would stay the same this time around.

As he came out the other side he was greeted with hundreds of people walking through the streets, going about their daily lives. Some wore fancy clothes, others rode centaurs, but most were commoners with simple clothing.

Loh took a deep breath and sighed with relief, “Ah, it’s good to be back.”

“The air isn’t nearly as fresh,” Stryg noted.

“I don’t smell anything,” Loh said.

“I’m not surprised,” Stryg jumped off Rhian’s saddle. He wanted to walk on his own two feet for a while.

“Thank you for the help Loh, my troupe appreciates the smooth entry,” the captain said.

“My pleasure. Could I interest you in some dinner by chance? I’d love to give you a tour of the city,” Loh said.

The captain chuckled, “I’ve been to Hollow Shade more times than I can count. I suspect I know this city’s ins and outs more than you. And as tempting as dinner sounds, I must go and help my troupe settle in before our next performance.”

“I guess I’ll have to stop by and watch your play then,” Loh stroked her chin.

“I would like that,” the captain grinned. She walked over to Stryg, “I am afraid this is where we must part ways. My troupe will only be in Hollow Shade for a few days. I do not know if we will get a chance to see each other before the troupe leaves.”

“Then why do I get the feeling we’ll see each other again?” Stryg tilted his head.

“Oh, darling, I have no doubt we will meet again, no matter where life takes us. Until then,” she leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. “Goodbye, little one.”

“What was that?” Loh glanced between them both.

The captain winked, “Hold on to that coin for me.”

Stryg rubbed his cheek as he watched her disappear into the crowd.

“Stryg, as your mentor and teacher I demand you tell me what’s been going on between you two,” Loh jumped off Maximus.

“She was just talking about last night’s game. She gave me a coin as the winner,” Stryg pulled out the plain black coin from his pocket.

Rhian hovered above him, “Aw, you didn’t even tell a story. I wanted a gold coin, too. Wait, that’s not even gold.”

Stryg pulled out two gold coins and handed them above to Rhian, “Here you are.”

“Wait, really?!” Rhian’s eyes widened.

“I liked your story,” he nodded.

“Nice! Easy money,” she grabbed the coins and did a little jig.

He shook his head with a small smile.

“Stryg, Rhian’s right, that coin in your hand isn’t gold, it’s orichalculm,” Loh said quietly.

“Orichalculm? Isn’t that sorta rare?” He asked.

Loh pointed at the coin, “It’s one of the rarest metals in all the Null Realms and probably the rarest in the Ebon Realm. It may not have magical effects like magestone, but its durability and beauty makes it incredibly valuable.”

Loh gently closed Stryg’s fingers over the coin, “Keep it hidden, you don’t want some pickpocket to try and steal it. Even the city lords only have a little orichalculm and most of the time it’s only on their nameplates. The captain gave you a very valuable gift, take care of it.”

Stryg stared at the plain coin in his palm. It had no mint markings nor any other kind of symbol etched on either side. It seemed odd that such a little coin was worth so much.

“I’ll keep it safe,” he pocketed the coin.

“Good, then we’ll part ways here for now. I need to go and see my grandfather.” Loh ruffled Stryg’s hair, “Your magical skills have grown considerably these past few months, you’ve done well. The academy starts back up in a few days, try and relax a bit before then.”

Stryg twisted his lips at the hair-touching gesture, but decided to let it slide. “Thank you for your mentorship, I won’t let you down.”

“That’s my apprentice. You’re one in a million, kid,” Loh laughed and hopped on Maximus’ saddle. 

The centaur nodded curtly to Stryg and Rhian before he headed towards the scholar district.

“I for one have seen enough of the city gates for today. Should we start heading home? Go see Mistress Feli, perhaps?” Rhian asked.

“I’d like that,” Stryg nodded.

He grabbed Rhian’s saddle and was about to pull himself up when he caught a familiar scent amongst the crowd. He froze.

Stryg slowly turned around, “Plum?”