blueteamnovel Chapter 334: The Sleeping Beauties
Chapter 334: The Sleeping Beauties
Chapter 334: The Sleeping Beauties
In the southern hills of Dusk Valley The Cairn Tribes Encampment
Chieftain Marek Helene trained inside his wide tent. His shifting from one combat stance to another was silent save for the quiet grunts of exertion every now and then. After 20 minutes of training a thin coat of sweat covered his olive skin.
In his hands, he held the black orichalcum spear from a forgotten age. Each swing and each thrust sent a shiver down his arms, the power of the spear ebbing into him ever so slowly and painfully.
Your movements have finally become smooth. Youre no longer stiff. Id say you almost seem like a natural, Dawn noted from the corner of the tent.
Marek paused in his familiar routine, stabbed the black spear into the ground, and took a breather. He glanced over at the mysterious and beautiful hybrid woman sitting so calmly on a wooden chest, her legs crossed as if meditating. Her dark purple eyes studied him just the same.
You know, this is a lot harder than it looks, Marek said with a mild frown.
I know, Dawn said without missing a beat. But you are the only one of us capable of wielding that spear. And we are running out of time. You must master the weapon before long.
Marek nodded in understanding, Every day it becomes a little easier to hold. And yet every single time I hold the spear I feel a cold pain ebb into my arms. Its strange, to be so cold yet feel as if youre burning at the same time.
The pain wont lessen, but your pain tolerance will increase with time, she said sympathetically. The fact that you can hold the spear for as long as you can means that the weapon is beginning to finally accept you.
I hope so, he sighed.
Soon the spear will whisper its name to you, Marek. And you must be ready when that time comes. You will have one chance to stop Crow. Do not miss it.
I wont, he said resolutely.
The tents flaps flung open and Vaughn strode in, his grey cloak in tatters and covered in grime and dust. Lord Marek, we need to speak
Vaughn, youre back! Dawn shouted in relief and ran over to her twin.
Sister, Ive missed you, Vaughn whispered and hugged her tight. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead on hers.
So have I, she mumbled with a tearful smile.
Marek watched in stunned silence. He had never seen either of the stoic siblings display such levels of emotions before. He suddenly found himself missing his family terribly, though he tried to hide the pain from his blue eyes.
Marek cleared his tight throat, How was the mission?
At Mareks words, Vaughn opened his eyes, and gently stepped away from his sister. He glanced pointedly at the black spear standing upright on the ground and frowned, but he held his tongue, ...The mission was successful, my lord.
How many did we lose? Marek asked grimly.
Most. Once we left Undergrowths borders Lady Thorns armies chased us down until we escaped Glimmer Grove Forest altogether. Only a few dozen of us got out by the end, Vaughn said calmly as if reading a mere scouting report.
Hundreds of our people dead and for what? Marek clenched his teeth.
Crows plan worked, Vaughn said.
Marek looked up in surprise, What? What did you say?
The ladies and lords of Undergrowth have become bloodthirsty after the attack on their city. Several small Undergrowth regiments have already broken off and attacked innocent Valley Tribes. This new circumstance, coupled with the armies of House Veres, Glaz, and Goldelm prowling Dusk Valley, well, lets just say that the people of the Valley are desperate and in pain and their leaders have responded.
What are you trying to say exactly? Marek asked in a hopeful tone.
Oh shit! Tauri screamed and jumped to her feet. She turned to the guard, Has anyone else seen us?
Uh, n-no, I dont think so, the guard shook his head anxiously.
Then no one will hear about this either, do you understand me? Tauri glared at him.
The guard blanched, B-but, Im sworn to your lord father and lady mother, I cannot in good conscience say nothing to them
I swear if you tell anyone what you saw today you will regret it, Tauri snarled.
Is he a problem? Stryg asked nonchalantly.
Of course, hes a problem! No one can know what happened! Tauri yelled angrily.
No one can know that you and I fell asleep talking? Stryg cocked his head to the side.
Ugh, you dont get it! You dont understand what this looks like! What people might think! Tauri said.
If hes such a threat do you want me to just kill him? Stryg glanced at the guard.
The guard took a step back and laughed fearfully, On second thought, I saw nothing! Nothing at all! Who are you two? I dont even know! Hehe I, uh, he swallowed hard, Im, uh, gonna go patrol over there, because clearly there was nothing over here, just some trees and flowers. Yes, just some trees and flowers.
The guard turned around and marched off, his eyes focused straight ahead, without looking back once.
Tauri smirked, Im not gonna lie, that was a pretty good bluff.
What bluff? Stryg looked at her curiously.
Tauri narrowed her eyes, The one about killing him.
Oh.
You were bluffing, right? Right?
Um, yes?
Tauri pinched her nose bridge and clenched her eyes shut, Gods help me
Sooo good morning, I guess?
No, not good morning, Tauri glared at him, Last night was not good. It was a mistake. It cant happen again, understood?
Um, no?
Tauri rolled her eyes, I dont have time for your bullshit today. Im gonna go get changed, you should do the same. Try not to be late for your match. And dont tell anyone what happened last night or this morning!
She walked off into the rain with a heavy angry stride.
Stryg watched her go, his eyes staring at her back all the way. A small part of his mind whispered that he had to fight Sylvie today and suddenly the burning desire in the pit of his chest was smothered out.
Stryg sighed, Right