Chapter 299: The Stemme Interview


    The rooms white walls were round, there were no corners, no recesses for shadows to hide, or for Stryg to hide for that matter. Large ss panels stretched across the walls, giving an almost perfect panorama view of the coliseum and the city below. The Heralds Tower wasrger and far taller than Stryg had guessed.


    The tower spanned higher into the sky than the ebon walls of Hollow Shade. It urred to Stryg that he had never been so high up before. Well, except for when he leaped into the sky and knocked out Heather Navis during the 2nd Challenge. The memory of Heathers scream as her prideful expression turned into a mixture of fear and shock brought a small reprieve to Strygs dour mood.


    He honestly didnt want to be here, on thisrge white leather couch sitting next to Tauri. He also didnt want to be sitting across from the ck leather couch where the Stemme Heralds sat excitedly. And he especially didnt want that small woman with therge round sses, sitting in the corner, to keep staring at him with the little blue book in her hands.


    How Lady Evelyn Katag convinced Maeve to convince <em>him </em>to do this interview, Stryg did not know. It was something about solidifying the rtionship between House Katag and him in the eyes of the public. Which was why Tauri had apanied him to the Heralds Tower. Or something like that. Stryg hadnt really listened to the details. He had spent the time grumbling under his breath while Maeve exined the situation.


    The final match of the day had finished a mere hour ago. He should have been out with his friends celebrating Freyas victory. Instead, he was stuck here in this tower with an orc, two much too eager drows, and another drow who could not stop staring at him.


    Stryg finally had enough and hissed at the bespectacled drow. The small woman flinched and gasped in fear; her chair tilted back and she almost fell off.


    Stryg, rx. Youre scaring her, Tauri whispered.


    Shes the one eyeing me up and down for weaknesses, Stryg said through bared teeth.


    Ah, um, there seems to be a misunderstanding, Mark said abashedly. That terrified woman is just our assistant and asional scribe. Shes only here to record our conversations during the interview, nothing more. She is not a threat. Please, pretend she isnt even here.


    See that, Stryg? No need to go all fang and w on her, Tauri jested with a nudge.


    Hmm Stryg slowly leaned back, but his eyes stayed on the scribe cowering near the window.


    We really are grateful for taking the time to speak with us, Jane said with a quick series of smiles and head bobs. Believe me, this is truly an interview for the history books.


    Mm, Stryg grumbled.


    Right, I think we should start, hm? Tauri smiled forcefully.


    Oh! Yes, of course, Jane nodded and nced at her assistant.


    The scribe nodded back and quickly pulled out her feather pen.


    Mark made sure the scribe was ready before he cleared his throat and spoke in a clear voice, I am Mark of the House of Stemme.


    And I am his sister, Jane of the House of Stemme.


    And together we serve as the Heralds of the beautiful Great City of Undergrowth, Mark said.


    With us today we have the talk of every tavern and nobles parlor, the Ebon Aspirant himself, Stryg of Ebon Hollow, Jane said, a trace of awe and giddiness in her voice. We also have the honor of speaking to the Aspirants teacher herself, Miss Tauri of the Great House of Katag.


    Tauri smiled, Thank you for inviting us, Im grateful to have a chance to visit the illustrious Heralds Tower. The view of the city is exquisite from up here.


    And were happy you epted our invitation, Mark said happily. Now, I understand you are short on time. So please, allow us to get right into the nitty and gritty with the little time we have.


    Fire away, Tauri said easily.


    After Freya Goldelms victory today the 3rd Challenges preliminary matches are officially over, Jane said. After a one-day break, the next series of matches will begin. How do you both feel about the oues of the prelims and the uing matches as a whole?


    I think my students performed remarkably in every single one of their matches, Tauri said. Three of them won their duels and will advance to the next matches; thats more than any of the other three teams. Not to mention that despite the decision to let Kalliste continue, Callum managed to end his match in a draw, and that was against a <em>Lilith,</em> particrly the younger sister ofst years champion.


    I couldnt agree more. Mark nced at Stryg, Any thoughts on the matter?


    Callum should have won. Kalliste should have lost, Stryg said curtly.


    Ah, yes, well Markughed tensely, Looking at the brackets, it seems that you will get a chance to personally give Kalliste Lilith that loss in your next duel.


    How do you feel about your uing match against Kalliste? Worried? Anxious? Excited? Jane asked.


    ...Angry, Stryg said.


    Do you usually feel anger towards your opponents? Or is this perhaps a vendetta towards the vampiress who defeated your teammate? Jane asked.


    ...No, Stryg said coldly.


    No? No you dont feel anger? Or no you arent bothered that Kalliste beat up your teammate, Callum Veres?


    ...Yes.


    Jane furrowed her brow pitifully, Uh What?


    Mark pped his hands, Why dont we move on to the next questions, hm? Mister Stryg, while you are here in this tourney representing Hollow Shade, I have been told the City of Shades is not your birthce. Where do you hail from originally?


    And what exactly is Ebon Hollow? Jane chimed in.


    Stryg sighed, I was born to the Sylvan tribe, Blood Fang in Vulture Woods.


    So the rumors of your Sylvan origins are true then? Mark asked, surprised. You really are a half-goblin?


    I told you so! Jane said triumphantly. Its the pupils. Those sharp slit pupils are unmistakable. Sylvan blood runs through his veins.


    Stryg blinked, unsure of what to say. He felt happy? He didnt realize how nice it was for someone to recognize him for what he was.


    Although the ears are a bit of a conundrum, Mark rubbed his chin. Drow ears point upwards, while a goblins point outwards horizontally. But the Aspirants droop downwards.


    Stryg suddenly felt very ufortable. He wasnt used to having people examine his every feature so closely.


    Tauri noticed his difort and nudged his shoulder, Why dont you tell them about Ebon Hollow?


    Ah, yes! Wed love to hear about it, Jane nodded eagerly.


    ...Uh, Ebon Hollow is the Sylvan tribe I founded with my wife.


    Youre married!? Is it perhaps to the Amethyst Mistress? Mark asked.


    Amethyst Mistress? Stryg frowned.


    The purple-haired beauty thats been rumored to be seen with you on multiple asions. Themon folk have begun calling her the Amethyst Mistress because of her lustrous hair and her apparent romantic rtion to you, Mark said.


    ...I didnt know, Stryg mumbled.


    We have nothing to say on that matter, Tauri said defensively. Its best if you dont try to pry into the Aspirants personal affairs.


    Oh, well, please dont me us for trying, Mark winked.


    So, which do you feel is your home, Hollow Shade or Vulture Woods? Jane asked.


    Stryg nced out the windows overlooking the city in deep thought, Thats


    Any other questions? Tauri raised her eyebrow.


    Jane took the cue and nodded, What do you think of our beautiful city? Hollow Shade has very few trees, whereas Undergrowth is filled with them. Does our city remind you more of your birthce? Id be happy to give you a tour of the city, if youd like.


    ...In a way this ce reminds me a lot of Vulture Woods, Stryg muttered. The scents of trees and leaves in the air, the smallest bits of light filtering down over us, but Glimmer Grove is not Vulture Woods And every day Im here reminds me of that.


    I see I personally have never been to the Scarlet Forest, but few ever do, Jane said softly.


    Heres a question that many a noble andmoner have been dying to know, Mark pointed at the de hanging from Strygs hip. What is the name of your sword?


    You want to know the name of my sword? Stryg wrinkled his brow.


    Are you kidding? The sword of the soon-to-be first Ebon Lord in thest 200 years? I guarantee you that every single tavern in this city tonight will be talking about your sword at one point or another.


    Jane nodded, Legends and myths have always been built around the weapons of the greatdies and lords of the past. I have personally heard stories of your sword from several noble women at a recent g thisst weekend. They say your de can cut into a persons life force without even touching them. They say thats why Beatrix dai-Morrigan suddenly copsed during your duel.


    What? Stryg cocked his head to the side in confusion.


    His sword was forged by one of the greatest cksmiths in all of Hollow Shade, Tauri said proudly. I heard that the enchantress whispered secret Gale and Veres spells into the liquid metal as she forged the de.


    <em> Huh?</em> Stryg had never heard thatst bit before. Was Tauri lying? Or did she know something he didnt?


    Fascinating, Mark said, wide-eyed. So, whats it called?


    Nameless, Stryg said.


    It doesnt have a name yet? Mark asked.


    Tauri shook her head, No, his swords name is Nameless. A bit <em>different</em>, I know. But what Ebon Lord has ever been ordinary?


    Well put, Miss Tauri, Mark bowed his head. I think I can speak for most of Undergrowth when I say, we look forward to seeing Nameless in action once more.


    Stryg couldnt help but smile, if only a tad.


    Jane cleared her throat, Id like to ask the question I think <em>everyone </em>has been wondering since they saw the Aspirant move into the Katags vi. What is the rtionship between the Ebon Aspirant and House Katag?


    Im marrying her sister, Stryg pointed a thumb at Tauri.


    Ahem, the Great House of Katag has formed an alliance with the Ebon Aspirant, and it will be solidified through the marriage of my younger sister Elena Katag, Tauri said. Stryg staying at the vi is just one of the many examples of his closeness with my family.


    Jane smirked, I can imagine there are many young noble women who will be jealous of your sister as soon as they hear the news. Anything to say about that?


    Tauri nced at Stryg and recalled his strange mannerisms. She shrugged stiffly, What can I say? My sister is a lucky girl.


    And how do <em>you </em>feel about Miss Elena Katag? Mark asked Stryg.


    I dont know, Stryg shrugged easily, I havent met her.


    ~~~


    The carriage shook asionally as the wheels rolled over the roots of the trees all around them. The sun was beginning to set over the Ebon Realm and Glimmer Groves trees were beginning toe to life with fluorescent light.


    Elena leaned her head out of the carriages window and stared at the glowing spots on the canopy above. The wind tickled her face and the scent of the woods filled her nostrils. She sighed in contentment. It had been too long since she had visited the forest.


    sses had just finished and she had finallypleted her 2nd year at the academy. While the n had always been to join her father and mother at Undergrowth for the tourney after her studies were over, she found it odd that her parents hadnt sent a letter of summons. In fact, she hadnt heard from them ever since that ridiculous rumor of an Ebon Aspirant reached Hollow Shade.


    The whole thing was very odd, but soon shed be back with her parents and sister, and all these rumors would be put to rest.


    Elena looked forward at the empty road ahead and smiled happily, Just a little longer.