Chapter 141
Calm Between the Walls
Sylas slowly opened his eyes to the sound of the morning barks; its been a while, he realized, since he last had a good, uninterrupted nights rest. Beyond that, he had no worries, no new things he had to do today, no plans for potentially dying to sothing insurmountable. It was an ordinary day, he realized, one where he could just relax and do nothing. As such, he elected to do sothing he hasnt done in a while--roll around in the bed even after having woken up.
It was a wee bit different, however, without a phone in his hands to distract him from the dullness of his reality. All he had to read here were the gray walls and the nurous cracks that decorated them. Eventually, he groaned and sat up, yawning broadly. On the other end of the room, he saw that Asha had already woken up and was gobbling down a bowl of sothing, firing away relentlessly while reading through a to on the desk.
He walked up and grabbed a bowl and poured the stew for himself--it was cold and gray and didnt taste particularly good, but it was food still and he had gotten entirely numb to the bad taste of it all. Sitting down, he saw that she was reading through the history of the noble family, again. Shed done so several tis the last few days, always expecting to discover sothing new that she had missed all the tis before. Naturally, there was nothing there--Sylas knew as much. Hed read the many tos front to back with a fine comb, and found little else beyond what was there on the surface of things.
However, he didn't disturb her and let her be; she'd gotten really into reading and figuring out history even beyond the noble family, and he wasn't about to stamp it out because it's not practical--especially because there was a little rush to where they were going, more so now that he'd decided to simply rest.
So maid ca earlier, by the way, she said, setting the to aside. Told Valen had asked for us. Hes probably wondering whos the witch you brought into the castle.
So, who are you this ti around? he quizzed, taking a spoonful of stew.
Hmm, she pressed her chin. A mysterious beauty you discovered on your adventures?
Thats literally who you are, though, Sylas comnted.
Aww~~
Alright, today, youre an urchin I picked up from the gutter and decided to take under my wing, he said, much to her instant dismay.
Eat shit.
Thats becoming your catchphrase, he chuckled, finishing off the breakfast. Anyway, lets go see what the mighty Prince wants.
The two left the damp room and departed down the winding, chilly corridors of the castle--well, chilly for other people. By now, Sylas couldnt even feel cold unless he exposed himself to sothing as insane as the mountain peaks westward. Other than that, he was always feeling room temperature, so to say. On their way over, guards stationed around the corridors greeted Sylas and stared strangely at the woman next to him--an exotic specin, no doubt, what with the inhumanely white hair and strange eyes and a genuine sumr dress in the dead of the Cold Snap.
Entering the common dining hall, Sylas saw that Valen was there, alongside so other standard suspects--Derrek and Ryne included--as well as several faces that he rembered from passing. Valen greeted the two of them smilingly and ushered them forward, asking so nearby maids to pour them each a drink.
Youre awfully chirpy, Sylas comnted.
Not any more than usual, Valen replied. Arent you going to introduce us?
Well? Sylas glanced at Asha. Are you going to introduce yourself?
... she glared at him for a mont before facing the inquisitive group. Her cheeks flushed red and she appeared increasingly awkward and shy. And yet, her lips parted and a soft voice ca through. I am... I am his Maiden.
...
... though most other people were quite surprised, Sylas was outright shocked and nearly fell off the chair.
We figured, ha ha, Valen laughed. Only soone like Sylas could sway a beauty like you!
Now, now Prince, Sylas said. That handso face of yours is the true answer for the wons wants. I am rely a brute who forced my way into her heart, Im afraid.
Ah, a boyish face is a wons want? Valen joked. Hardly. Have you two eaten? If not, I can order the kitchen to fix you sothing.
No, we did, Sylas replied. Anyway, what were you all prattling on about before we ca?
Not much--just admiring the calm weve enjoyed, he said. Its beco a luxury up here, I noticed.
It has, Sylas nodded. Nearly a month had gone by since the day, and most of the castle was slowly returning to its normal state. So, how about we spice it up a bit.
Hm? What do you an?
A sparring tournant! Sylas said. We need new blood anyway and may as well make it a thing. Get everyone to sign up, dangle so rewards, and have young lads beat the everloving shit out of each other for our entertainnt.
Your awful and morbid look at it notwithstanding, Valen said. That is not a bad idea. We cant do much anyway, what with the Cold Snap and all, and Ive heard that most people are quite bored. What would we offer as rewards, however? Food and drinks arent exactly forbidden here.
Ryne and I can craft so minor talismans, Sylas said. You can Knight a winner or sothing, my lovely Maiden over here can probably whip up sothing neat as well. And the best of the best will get personal tutelage from our very own storm, Derrek.
I refuse, the man imdiately said.
Good thing your opinion doesnt matter, Sylas grinned at the man who rolled his eyes.
Cant you just let a cripple rest? he waved the stub around awkwardly.
I dont see any cripples here, though? Sylas said. Where they at? Im quite curious.
So, how do we structure the tournant? Valen asked giddily. Can every man in the castle apply?
"Man, woman, child," Sylas said, recalling that one particular maid that he sparred with a long, long ti ago. "Whoever doesn't mind a beating. Naturally, our Derrek boy here and I will closely monitor the fights so that neither of the fighters gets too injured or, gods forbid, killed. You can even start a betting ring on the side where those who don't want to fight can put down so coin or sothing else of value on who will win the fight. We can go full degenerate!"
Yes, yes! Valen exclaid. Engage the entire castle, take their minds off of things.
Anyway, Ryne, you up for so talisman making with your pal over here? Sylas asked.
Okay. But we cant give out any really powerful ones! Its unsafe and against my creed, she said.
Dont worry. Wouldnt want to step over your creed.
Hey, Im blind, not deaf! I can still hear the mockery! she complained while the rest of the table laughed gently.
Alright, alright, apologies. Ill take you out on a walk later as an apology. How about it?
Really?! Can we go outside the walls for a bit?
Sure thing, he said. Why? You want to see whats it like to take a piss out in the snow?
Ha ha ha ha--ouch! Sylas yelped in pain as he felt an elbow in his ribs. Glancing to the side, he saw Asha was glaring at him.
Be proper, you mule, she warned. You cant talk to a girl like that!
So, youre not a girl, then?
I have made my peace with your vile lips, she said. But I wont have you besmirching the world with them!
Oh, shes got you pinned, there, Derrek joined in, grinning. I already like her.
Sobody who can control you? Ryne added, grinning as well. I may just start calling her Master and seeking lessons from her.
I dont think youd appreciate her lessons, Sylas fired back. They involve a whole lot of things youd definitely do to soone different entirely, while Ryne blushed and pouted, Asha sighed and slapped the back of his head gently.
What things? Dont be putting stray and strange things out into the world. There are no things.
Ah, thats true, there are no things, Sylas sighed as Valen ordered another round of drinks. Hed missed this, he realized; he, as well as most others, feared that Sylas would devolve into a spiral of depression. Thats why they mostly left him to his own devices and didnt bother him; luckily, it seed to have worked, as he was treating them like nobody else in the castle did--as though there was nothing different. Alright, so, were doing the tournant. Youll have to go big, sweet little Prince. Prepare a massive feast, write so damn good speeches, and get bards to write so new songs. Are you up for it?
Hoh, but of course! Valen nodded, raising the cup as everyone else followed. Even Ryne joined in, sneaking in a drink while everybody was focused on the Prince. It will be the grandest Tournant in the Kingdoms history! Perhaps not by skill, but by heart and spirit it shall be unmatched!
Aye, good start, Sylas chuckled. To the Prince and to the future!
E-eh? What--
To the Prince, and to the future! while Valen took the toast sowhat awkwardly, the rest downed their cups and began dispersing one by one--likely wanting to spread the word as quickly as possible. Soon enough, only the original group remained--with the addition of Asha, who had already relocated away from Sylas and next to Ryne.
Now, Ill start asking so strange questions, Sylas said suddenly, causing Valen to tilt his head toward him. Mostly about your father.
My... Father? Why? Valen asked, appearing sowhat uncomfortable.
Because I know fuck all about the man were planning on dethroning, Sylas said. And thats not how I operate. Well, I didnt use to. And Id like to go back to that philosophy. So, lets start with the beginning. How much can you tell about your father before he beca the King?
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