Realm of Monsters

Chapter 278: Matchmaker

Evelyn smiled, Well, Stryg of Ebon Hollow, now that weve agreed upon supporting one another, we need to discuss your engagement to my youngest, Elena.

Stryg blinked numbly, Say what now?

Your marriage to House Katag through your engagement to my youngest daughter, Elena, obviously. You look confused. Is something the matter?

Stryg shot a panicked glance at Maeve, Whats she talking about?

Youre going to marry Elena Katag, Maeve said matter-of-factly.

I thought the whole purpose of coming here was to avoid getting married, Stryg whispered.

To Lady Thorn, yes, but an alliance with a Great House requires a marriage, Maeve whispered.

Is there a problem? Evelyn asked.

Maeve forcefully smiled, Not at al

Yes, Stryg interrupted. Why do I have to marry your daughter?

Do you think my daughter isnt good enough for you? Lord Krall Katag glared at him.

Honey, its fine, Evelyn shook her head. Its a valid question, after all, youre a hybrid, yes, Stryg?

Yes? he answered suspiciously.

Evelyn nodded with a sigh, The purpose of an aristocratic marriage is to bind the two families through the birth of a child, a common shared interest, love. There is no greater bond than the love a parent has for their child.

Evelyn crossed her legs and clasped her hands together, Unfortunately, Stryg, your hybrid nature prevents you from having children. A bond between child and parent will never exist between you and our family. So instead well focus on the relationship between you and my daughter.

So you want me to form a bond with your daughter Elena? Stryg asked carefully.

Evelyn nodded, Marriage has always been a bond, a partner to share your life with. Elena just finished her 2nd year at Hollow Shades magic academy. She is 19, almost your age, and a perfect partner to share your life with.

But shes an orc and Im a goblin, Stryg said.

Goblins do have a shorter lifespan than orcs, yes, but your drow blood should balance that out. Youll probably outlive Elena by a few years, Evelyn said.

Stryg frowned, Thats not what I meant

What he means is that hes nervous is all, Maeve laughed awkwardly.

Marriage can be nerve-wracking, but Im confident an Ebon Aspirant such as yourself will be just fine, Evelyn smiled.

Im not afraid of marriage, I already handle it just fine, Stryg said defensively.

Wait, youre already married? Evelyn said indignantly. To whom? Which Great House?

Her names Feli, Stryg crossed his arms.

Shes a commoner, Maeve added.

Oh, is that all? Evelyn visibly relaxed. I suppose I should have expected you to have a lesser wife. Well, Im sure this Feli and Elena will get along splendidly.

I dont know, Feli already hates it when Im with Maeve, Stryg said.

You and Lady Mora are married?! Evelyns eyes widened.

NO! Maeve sat up from the sofa. Were friends, just friends. I have no interest in marrying anyone. My House is my own to lead and I need no outside parties trying to influence that.

Stryg nodded, Maeve and I are friends, but she is also part of my tribe, so I guess you could say she is part of my family.

For the love of Bellum, please stay quiet, Maeve whispered frustratedly.

Ismene couldnt help but chuckle and almost spilled her hot tea over her legs.

...I see, Evelyn nodded knowingly. Let me be blunt if only for a moment, Aspirant. I do not care who you share your bed with, so long as you are only married to one Great House and my daughter is made the primary wife without question. Can we agree upon that?

Stryg glanced at Maeve questioningly. She nodded subtly.

Stryg sighed, ...Okay, Ill meet with Elena at least.

Wonderful, Evelyn clapped her hands. Shell be ecstatic to meet you when she arrives.

When she arrives? Stryg asked.

Elena just finished her classes, she is still at Hollow Shade, Evelyn said. This is all short notice, but I already sent a crow to the city. Elena will read my letter and come to Undergrowth with haste. Shell be here in a week at best. A few days before the tournament has ended.

So you want me to marry someone I havent even met? Stryg frowned.

Youll have plenty of time to get to know each other after the tournament, Evelyn smiled. 

Stryg glanced at Maeve, You want me to marry someone I dont know so that I can form an alliance with a House I also dont know? Are you sure this is a good idea?

Maeve nodded steadily. Its the best option weve got. Trust me, she whispered.

Evelyn cleared her throat, I understand your desire to get to know our family is important to you. How could it not be? We are bonding our House and Tribe together for life. She grabbed a bell and rang it three times. Wed also like to get to know you and your tribe.

A maid walked into the room and bowed her head, My Lord and Lady, you called?

Yes, bring Tauri, quickly, Evelyn waved her hand.

The maid bowed once more and left without a word.

Professor Tauris here? Stryg asked. 

Why wouldnt she be? She is a Katag, Krall said.

Stryg supposed it made sense. He hadnt seen Tauri since the truth of Aizel came to light. Tauri had simply left the tavern their team was staying at, no one had seen her since. He had guessed she had already left Undergrowth, but as the maid came back into the room Tauri walked in behind her.

Stryg met her eyes for a brief moment, surprise and discomfort were all that was reflected in their gaze.

Tauri glanced at her mother with a frown, What is Stryg doing here? Why is Ismene here? And who is this petite vampire?

Evelyns eye twitched, but she quickly smothered her look of annoyance and smiled brightly, Tauri, dear, this is Lady Maeve of the Great House of Mora.

Maeve waved her hand awkwardly, Hi, nice to meet you.

Charmed, Tauri said in a deadpan voice. Mom, why are they here?

We were just brokering an alliance between our House and the Ebon Aspirant, Evelyn said. Tauri, Id like you to officially meet your future brother-in-law, Stryg of Ebon Hollow.

What!? Tauri yelled. Who is he marrying? Dont tell me youre marrying him off to little Elena?!

Elena is no longer a child nor little, she is an adult who has blossomed into a beautiful young woman. And last I checked, you do not make the decisions for the future of our family, do you? Evelyn said icily.

Tauri bowed her head. No, mother. Im sorry, mother, she said attentively.

Evelyn nodded in satisfaction. Stryg knows as much about our family as we do of him, which if you havent noticed is very little. She glanced at Stryg, Id like Tauri to act as a mediator of sorts between our family and your tribe.

What does that mean? Stryg asked skeptically.

Neither of us knows each other very well, Evelyn said. But Tauri can show you the values of my family and our way of life. That way, by the time Elena arrives, you will have a clear understanding of who the Katags are.

I dont like Tauri, Stryg said curtly.

And I never liked your arrogant and rude personality, Tauri glared at him.

Then thank the gods you two arent getting married, Evelyn rolled her eyes. I assure you, Aspirant, Elena is nothing like Tauri. Where Tauri is rash and conceited, Elena is meek and calm, she will serve as a wonderful wife for you.

Krall nodded, Elena has a kind soul, which is why if you hurt her Ill-

Evelyn pinched Kralls arm, What my husband means to say, is that we have several children. My husband has even more children with his other wives. Yet out of all the children in our House, Elena is undoubtedly the best.

Gee, mom, thanks for making that so crystal clear, Tauri muttered with a sigh.

This is your first time in Undergrowth, is it not, Aspirant? Evelyn asked without missing a beat.

Uh, yes? Stryg said.

Perfect, Evelyn said. My family visits the city every so often to relax and enjoy ourselves. Why dont my family and I take you around the city and show you some of the best sites Undergrowth has to offer.

Why? I need to train and prepare for my duels in the 3rd Challenge, Stryg furrowed his brow.

For publicity, Ismene guessed. If people see you with the Katags they will assume that such a public display means you trust that you have a good relationship with House Katag in general.

Perception is everything in the politics of the Houses, Evelyn smirked. As for training and preparing for your duels, Tauri and my husband are more than capable of helping you with that. Tauri can train you in some of the public training courtyards too. Simply put, the more time you are seen spending time with my family in public the stronger our alliance seems. Once Elena comes, we will announce the engagement.

And in the meantime, your family will provide protection for Stryg and his allies? Maeve asked.

Yes, of course, we are family now after all, Evelyn smiled.

Very well. Maeve curtsied, Thank you for your time. If youll excuse us, we must get back to the coliseum for the next duel.

I understand. Thank you for the visit, it has been most productive, Evelyn bowed.

Yeah, sure, Stryg grumbled. Lets get going, guys. If we hurry we might still catch a bit of the frost giants duel.

Doubtful, Ismene stared pointedly at her cane.

Farewell, and may the gods bless you in your duels, Evelyn waved.

Good luck, Krall said politely.

~~~

Tauri watched Stryg and the two women leave with an air of annoyance. As the door closed behind them, Tauri walked next to the door and activated the enchantment above the door frame. Brown sigils flared to life around the walls until the entire rooms walls were covered in a ring of enchantments.

Thats better, Tauri sighed loudly.

Why did you activate the rooms protection spells? Krall stood to his feet. Are you worried about a potential attack?

No, but Stryg has an incredible hearing, Tauri said. I didnt want him to hear what I had to say next.

And whats that, darling? Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

Are you both fucking crazy!? Tauri screamed. In what world do you think its a good idea to have a Sylvan goblin marry Elena!

I taught you better than to have prejudice against goblins. Such ignorance only hurts you in the long run, Evelyn said.

I dont have anything against goblins, I have something against Sylvan folk, because their fucking crazy! And by that I mean Stryg is fucking crazy! Tauri yelled. You dont know that kid like I do. Hes not normal, mom. Hes dangerous and has a severe lack of control. Loh told me that hes killed people for the smallest of grievances, its a part of his culture. Why would you make an alliance with someone like him?

Because he is the only Ebon Aspirant in the realm and someday he will be the first Ebon Lord in the last 200 years, Evelyn said calmly.

Thats even more reason not to ally ourselves with him. If he starts a war, well be dragged into it, Tauri said.

Darling, we are already at war, Evelyn said. You may have spent the last few years dawdling about playing teacher, but the world has only grown more dangerous. Undergrowth has only become more hostile in the last few years and Hollow Shades armies are already preoccupied defending against the Valley Tribes.

Krall nodded in agreement, We need an Ebon Lord on our side. That boy is more than just a prime mage. He is a symbol of what Hollow Shade once was and what it could be, powerful. We need the fear that such power incites if we are to survive the wars to come.

Tauri shook her head, But Stryg doesnt even like orcs, Ive heard him talk about it before. He doesnt want to marry into our family.

Do you think me blind, child? Evelyn clicked her tongue. I am not an idiot. The Aspirants opinion does not change our necessity. We must join forces. But the Aspirant is a hybrid, which means we cannot rely on potential children to keep our alliance strong. So we need this marriage to work.

Marriage is a bond that ties families together, Krall added.

And ideally marriage is an expression of love, Evelyn said. Or at least in Elenas and the Aspirants case, it must be. Their marriage will be the only thing keeping our alliance strong. So you will do everything in your power to help make this marriage a success, do you understand Tauri?

I dont want to have anything to do with this, she said angrily. You two can play matchmaker with my sister all on your own, leave me out of it.

The Aspirant knows you had a part to play with the death of the Gale boy, Evelyn said quietly. A large reason as to why he hates orcs is because of you, Tauri. You need to fix this.

Evelyn pointed an accusing finger at Tauri, You want to wallow in tears over your dead fianc for another decade? Sure. You want to play professor and go to parties instead of serving in our Houses armies like your other siblings? Sure. Ill let you waste away your life if thats what you want. But I will not let you ruin this familys future. You will fix this. And if that means playing matchmaker for your sister and the Ebon Aspirant, then that is exactly what you will do.

Tauri bit her lip in shame and turned to her father for help, but he ignored her and sipped his tea.

Tauri sighed with apprehension, ...I will fix this.