Chapter 143: The Owl


    Stryg rolled over onto his stomach and pushed himself up to his knees. He took in shortbored breaths and tried to keep his bnce. He had pushed himself too hard with the advanced agility spell. Worse, he had cast it over his entire body. He never understood why people said he weighed a lot, until now. His body felt heavier than stone and it was taking much of his energy to not tip over.


    The fire from the hall was beginning to spread throughout the room. The paint on the walls was beginning to melt and the tapestries were burning up in mes. ck smoke filled the air with soot and ash.


    A weak cough caught Strygs attention. He nced to his left, Clypeus groaned. Stryg gritted his teeth and forced his legs to stand. He limped over to the vampire lying on the ground.


    Cly, are you alright? Stryg wiped the sweat from his brow.


    Ugh, what happened, Clypeus grimaced. His eyes shot open and he gripped Strygs hand, Wheres themia!?


    Gone, he pointed to the window.


    ...Huh well, damn, Clypeus closed his eyes andid his head back down.


    We cant rest here, the castles on fire. Can you move?


    I think? Themia broke my yellow durability spell, but I managed to save my ribs from breaking, Clypeus sat up. He winced, Damn, she hit hard, Im gonna have bruises all over.


    Who cares, youre alive, Stryg shook his head.


    Thanks to you, he smiled weakly. Wheres Callum!?


    They both hobbled their way over to the unconscious vampire.


    Clypeus checked Callums pulse and sighed with relief, Hes alive.


    But, hes not waking up, Stryg frowned.


    His ribs look broken, well need to take him to a doctor.


    And where are we supposed to find one?


    Normally, there would be several in the castle. But, with everything thats going on, our best bet is to head back to the Dread Shadow. The ship will have several medics on board.


    Stryg nodded, I sent the centaurs at the stables into the forest to the East. If you head over now, you might still catch them. Im sure one of the centaurs will take you both to the Veres ship.


    What about you? This ce isnt safe anymore and Lord Mora has clearly abandoned any idea of helping us.


    Thats why I need to find Maeve, shes still in danger, Stryg wiped his brow.


    You really need to tell me what happened between you two, Clypeus hefted Callum onto his back.


    Not much. Shes just not the person I thought she was, Stryg swallowed. His throat was parched.


    Yeah, that sounds like bullshit.


    Heh, Stryg smiled half-heartedly.


    He covered his face with his arms and prepared to walk out.


    Stryg! Well talk more about all of thister. So, please, stay alive, Clypeus stared at him, worry clear in his eyes.


    Stryg blinked, Right


    ~~~


    Maeve stumbled through the burning corridor. Callums bright spell had left her partially blinded. Her vision was slowly returning, but everything still seemed a blur. Her skin burned and stung. She wasnt sure if it was from the fires roiling around her or the aftereffects of the bright spells potent light.


    The air was dry and her throat was parched. The air felt thin and it was difficult to breathe. She tried inhaling deeply and only managed to have a coughing fit. All she tasted was ash and smoke.


    She sent a quick mental prayer to her goddess, Bellum. Maeve dragged her feet through the smoking halls, merely holding on to her consciousness. She was barely managing to avoid the mes licking the walls, let alone trying to navigate through the castle. She had run out of her fathers study in a hurry. Themia was going to kill them all. Stryg had bought her time to escape. Stryg had sacrificed himself for her


    How useless could she be? Sure, she wasnt a warrior nor a mage, but she had an advantage no one else had. She had seen this already within her dreams, she knew the possibility of her home being attacked. And yet, she was unable to prevent any of it. She was still just that same little helpless girl.


    Maeve shook her head, <em>Not anymore.</em>


    She wouldnt leave Stryg to his fate. She would find help ande back for him. Lord Mora employed hundreds of guards and dozens of magi. There had to be some still nearby.


    Maeve turned around, but her feet stopped. Smoke and mes shrouded the corridor behind her. There was no way to go back the way she came. Maeve nced around, she wasnt even sure where she was. The fire had burned away the walls, every hallway was an inferno of cinder and ash.


    No, no, no, Maeve swallowed.


    She could <em>not </em>give up now. Stryg needed her help. He wouldnt hold out forever. Eventually, he would lose and they would all die. Her cousin, Callum. Her friend, Clypeus. And Stryg, her She didnt even know what they were. A one-night-stand? An unlikely friend?


    Sure, she found Stryg attractive, but they werent in a rtionship, nor was she interested in getting married to anyone. Her father was enough, being tied down to another man was something she would rather avoid at all costs. Romance was out of the question, even with a beautiful hybrid. But there was something about his lc eyes, something that gave her pause. There was a rity in those eyes that reminded Maeve of her dream, but she couldnt quite recall what.


    A burning beam fell behind her. She yelled in surprise and backed away. Her air-deprived mind had begun to wander. She needed to focus. She hauled her aching body forward.


    The world around was falling apart, the wooden beamsing apart, leaving only the stone framework behind. She needed to get out of the smoke, they would kill her before any fire did. She frantically looked about for a room to seek shelter in, every door was covered in mes.


    Maeve spotted arge open doorway at the end of the next hall. The doors seemed to have burned away and although smoke filled the hall, she spotted light filtering through the doorway.


    Windows, she mumbled.


    If there were windows then there was fresh air and possibly an escape from this burning deathtrap. If she could get out, she could find help. The choice was clear. She hobbled her way over with what little energy she had left.


    Maeve pushed past the doorway with a final burst of energy. She looked around the burning chamber and found herself in the ballroom. The sight touched some part of her memory, she was too tired to remember what. All she could think of was that the ballroom was on the 1st floor. She could jump out of the windows without any risk of death. Therge ss windows of the ballroom stood across the dance floor only a few dozen feet away.


    As soon as she took her first step on the dance floor, she heard a high pitch screech over her head. She nced up in time to see therge ornate chandeliers chain melt and snap off the ceiling. Her legs buckled underneath her, she raised her arms up in a hopeless act of defense.


    Maeve! Stryg burst from the hallway and pushed her away.


    The chandelier cracked over his body and he crashed on the floor with a resounding boom. Maeves voice caught in her throat, her eyes widened in horror. The chandeliery broken on top of Strygs small body. He did not move.


    Maeve crawled over. Tears streamed down her face and evaporated from the heat.


    Stryg, please be alive, <em>please</em>, Maeve cried.


    He didnt respond.


    Gods, not like this, it cant end like this, Maeve whispered.


    She grabbed the chandelier and flinched, the metal was burning hot. She grabbed Strygs arm and tried pulling him from under. He didnt budge, he was too heavy. She groaned and pulled, summoning everyst bit of life and strength she had in her. He moved a few inches. The weight of the chandelier shifted and bore down on his back. Maeves hands slipped and she fell backward, her chin smashed into the marble floor. Her vision went nk from the blinding pain.


    After a few stunned moments, she scrambled her way to him. She brushed Strygs silver hair from his face and touched his cheek, his skin was cool to the touch. Her mind wandered to the morning of the seregulus hunt.


    You saved me back then, too, Maeve smiled, her body trembled.


    But this time, there would be no Gale to save them both.


    You wont die alone, not today, Maeve rested her forehead on his own.


    Mm, Stryg grumbled softly.


    His eyes opened slowly.


    Maeve? Stryg mumbled.


    Youre awake! Can you move? Maeve wiped her eyes.


    Not really, he grimaced.


    ...Thank you


    What?


    Thank you for saving me, again, she swallowed.


    Stryg licked his parched lips, Honestly, Im regretting it.


    Ha, no take-backs, Maeve grinned weakly.


    Damn, he sighed.


    How did you even get here? Did you actually defeat thatmia?


    He looked up at her, his pupils dting, Youre bleeding.


    I fell, its nothingpared to your injuries Your eyes, you have lc irises! Maeve froze. The memory of her dream came crashing down on her.


    So I have been told, Stryg frowned.


    You''re the owl?! She yelled in recognition.


    Uh, what now?


    Stryyyyg! Stryg, where are you!? A voice shouted in the distance.


    He narrowed his eyes, Master?


    Maeve caught on quickly. She cupped her hands together and yelled from the top of her lungs, Over here! Stryg and I are over here!


    The floor began to rattle. Maximus ran into the hall, mes tearing around him, Loh riding on his back. Rhian charged in after them, spear in hand, her eyes darting about. Loh raised her hands, the fires around the ballroom shook and were sted away, leaving only soft embers burning on the walls.


    Master! Rhian spotted Stryg.


    Rhian ran over to them and kicked the chandelier off him.


    Ah, hey! Maeve yelled as Rhian pushed her away.


    Rhian scooped Stryg up and cradled her in his arms, ignoring his heavy weight, Talk to me, Master. Say anything. One word is enough. Just let me know youre okay.


    Ugh, why did you twoe back? Stryg tried squirming out of her embrace.


    We saw Clypeus Gale and Callum Veres. Clypeus told us that you were weakened and in danger. I needed to find my mistress anyway and Rhian insisted wee to get you, Maximus said.


    I couldnt just let you burn up in this stale castle, Rhian smiled down at Stryg.


    The centaurs ck hair fell all over him, tickling his face.


    <em> This is not the pose a proud warrior is supposed to make</em>, Stryg thought glumly.


    Loh hopped off Maximuss back and walked over to her apprentice, Its been a hectic morning for all of us. I woke up to the screaming of the guests staying in the next room over. After killing a few raiders I met up with Maximus and Rhian. It took me some time getting to you, but Im d youre alright.


    Whats happening out there? Whats going on? Maeve asked.


    Im not sure. It seems one of the valley tribes has gone crazy. Theyve traveled all the way up North, just to attack Mora Castle? Something doesnt add up. Unless The <em>docks</em>. Theyre trying to cripple the river trade routes, Loh clenched her fists.


    But, thats basically dering war on Hollow Shade. A single tribe versus a Great City? What tribe is crazy enough to try and do that? Maeves eyes widened.


    Im not sure which valley tribe, but there are hundreds of warriors outside. We need to get out of here fast, Loh said.


    I thought I heard voices from over here, someoneughed from the doorway.


    Loh spun around, Youre an elf?


    And youre quite the beauty, lucky me, the elf winked.


    Kyriil, focus. Were here for a purpose, Grim walked in behind him. He had to duck under the doorway to avoid hitting his head.


    Yeah, yeah. Kill and capture. But, <em>damn</em> Ive never seen such nice tatas on a centaur before. They are <em>huuuuge</em>! Kyriil opened his arms wide to illustrate.


    Rhian cocked her head in confusion, unsure if she should be proud or creeped out by the strangersment. Stryg growled at the intruders. Maeve bit her lip, unsure of what to make of the situation.


    Lets just get this over with. I hate all this fire, it dries up my skin, Grim grumbled.


    Lohs jaw went ck at the sight of the grey looming figure, What are you?


    What, never seen an axlean before, Kyriil patted Grims arm before.


    Understandably so, Grim said.


    Mistress, shall I dispose of them? Maximus hefted his battle ax.


    Oh, it seems theres been a misunderstanding, big guy, Kyriil waggled his finger. We arent some chaff to be thrown out. We are magi and these are our warriors.


    Kyriil snapped his fingers. Two dozen men and women d in armor and weapons, rushed in behind them, and blocked off the doorway.


    So, unless you wish to face the might of two high-master magi and our cold-hearted warriors, I suggest you alle with us, <em>quietly</em>, Kyriil said.


    Is that right? I do love a challenge, Loh raised her hands and shifted her feet into a battle stance.


    I was hoping youd resist, Kyriil smiled wide.