Realm of Monsters

Chapter 231: A God Walks Into A Tavern

Nokti kicked open the old wooden door with a bang. Crow followed in behind her, careful to keep his feathered cloak low, obscuring his iridescent eyes. The blizzard howled behind them, the cold winds rushed into the tavern, snuffing out the little warmth inside. The usual tavern patrons glared at the newcomers with a mixture of hostility and suspicion.

One particularly large fellow sauntered over to Nokti and Crow. The mans cheeks were red and he wobbled just a bit; the whiff of alcohol oozed from his mouth.

Whos da preddy lass? he smiled, a lecherous look in his eyes.

Nokti bared her fangs and reached for the ax hidden beneath her cloak.

She is quite beautiful isnt she? Crow said lightheartedly.

An who arr you? the drunk slurred. Hushband, eh? Ya gonna shtop me?

I would never dream of it, Crow lifted his hands up in surrender. Thats more of her thing.

Filthy drunk, Nokti sneered.

Whatd ya say!? the drunk yelled.

Stop it right now, Eustace! the barmaid screamed and marched towards them.

The drunk frowned, But Ma -

But nothing! I swear if you harass one more of my customers Ill ban you from my tavern! The barmaid pointed at the door, Now unless you want to start getting your drinks in the next village over I suggest you leave now.

The drunks eyes widened, Wai-

Now, she slammed her foot on the wooden floor.

The drunk hung his head, dragged his feet to the door, and left without another word.

The barmaid turned to Nokti and Crow, Im sorry about all of that. Eustace is usually quite polite, but when he gets deep into his cups he becomes an ass. Its been a long and difficult winter for all of us. Sometimes drinking is all we can do to forget. She looked pointedly at Nokti, We arent filthy, at least most of us arent. I hope that wont be a problem for you?

Nokti blinked, Oh, uh

What my companion means to say is that wed love a room and a hot meal, Crow pulled out a silver coin.

The barmaid snatched the coin and smiled wide, Well, why didnt you say so? The names Janet, but everyone around here calls me Ma, on account of me owning and running the only tavern in half a dozen leagues.

Nokti pointed her thumb back at the door, So that drunk wasnt your?

Son? Gods forbid, girl. Do I look that old to you? Ma frowned.

Nokti froze, unsure of what to say. She thought the barmaid looked to be in her mid-forties, the conclusion hadnt seemed so far-fetched.

Crow chuckled, Sorry, Ma. My companion has a difficult time gauging the age of humans like us.

Ah, right, vampires, I understand, Ma nodded. Well, Im not one to judge who enters my tavern so long as they behave and pay. She turned around and headed towards the kitchen. Have a seat wherever youd like.

Thank you, Ma, Crow said happily.

Shes old enough to have kids, right? Nokti whispered.

Obviously, but best not to make others feel old, Crow whispered.

The tavern was mostly full, and many wandering eyes stared at the beautiful vampire and her hooded companion. Crow and Nokti took a seat at one of the few empty tables. Lin Lu stuck her small head out from Crows shirt and looked around.

Nokti stared at the snow-white fox with fascination. Just an hour ago, Lin Lu had been as large as a small house, flying through the air on literal clouds of ice. Now she could fit in the palm of Crows hand.

I like this place, Crow sighed in satisfaction. Wouldnt you agree?

Nokti glanced around the old tavern with skepticism. Maybe? A lot of people are staring at us.

Does that bother you?

Of course, does it not bother you?

No. You get used to it, he shook his head. I think its the scent of cedar.

Cedar? What?

This tavern is built from cedar wood, you can smell it in the air. Its nice, I quite like it, he said thoughtfully.

Ma returned with two bowls of stew and two mugs of ale. Here you are, its not much, but winter has been hard in the Valley this year. The snows of the Rupture Mountains have fallen on us much harder than usual.

Do you have any blood wine? Nokti asked off-handedly.

We dont serve blood around here, Ma frowned. And none of us are going to give up our own either.

I wasnt asking you to, Nokti narrowed her eyes.

Thank you for the food, this is lovely, Crow gave her another silver coin. For your troubles.

Ma bowed with an exaggerated flourish, Thank you for your patronage. If you need any more drinks, just head over to the bar. 

You know I will, Crow laughed.

Enjoy your stay, Ma grinned and walked away.

Crow dug into his food without hesitation. Nokti stared at him anxiously, uncertain. Lin Lu jumped out of his shirt and onto the table. She lapped up the stew from the bowl, while Crow sipped his ale.

He glanced at Noktis untouched bowl and then her. Youve been wanting to say something? What is it?

Its nothing, she shook her head politely and grabbed her bowl.

No need to hold back, Nokti. I thought you knew that.

Its just I have questions. Like a lot of questions. I didnt want to bother you

Crow leaned back and sipped his ale, Im listening.

...Weve been traveling for weeks, searching village after village, spot after spot, hoping to find any sign of a dragon. We havent found anything

Im certain there is a question somewhere in this.

Right, Nokti bit her lip. Its just that every time we failed to find anything, you seemed to get more I dont know, upset, I guess? So my question is, why do you seem so happy all of a sudden?

Thats an easy one, he winked. Im in a nice tavern, I have tasty food, a place to sleep tonight, and a beautiful woman to warm my bed. Why shouldnt I be happy?

I I dont know, I guess, she muttered.

Crow sipped his ale, When you live as long as me, you learn to enjoy the small things in life. Otherwise, life becomes very dull, very quickly.

Lin Lu squeaked in agreement.

I see Nokti glanced between the fox and her god pensively. Why did you leave your mask back at the Cairn Tribe? Arent you afraid someone will see your eyes? she whispered.

Im not afraid, Crows voice carried a tone of finality yet calmness that no one would dare question. My skull-mask is somewhat iconic at the moment. Hollow Shades spies know Lord Marek has an advisor who wears such a mask. I prefer to travel less conspicuously.

Then what about the cloak? Nokti pointed to his black-feathered cloak.

A bit conspicuous, he said wryly. But I would rather not travel without it. A bit of sentimental value you see. 

Lin Lu rubbed her back on the feathered cloak.

And Lin Lu seems to like it, Crow added.

What is she? Nokti asked quietly, a hint of awe in her voice.

Lin Lu?

Nokti nodded carefully, Shes invisible to everyone around us, even if she looks like an ordinary fox. One second shes small and the next shes flying through the air. Ive never seen anyone like her.

Lin Lu strutted about the table proudly, her tail sashaying through the air.

Crow smiled softly, I suppose you could say Lin Lu is a goddess.

A goddess!? Noktis jaw went slack.

The other tavern goers looked over, mildly surprised at the outburst. Nokti blushed, she raised her hood and turned away, but she made sure to bow her head to the snow-white fox.

Lin Lu squeaked in approval and jumped on Crows shoulder.

Lin Lu is a goddess? Nokti whispered reverently.

She was worshiped as a goddess in the Violet Realm, Crow petted Lin Lus head. As was her mother.

I but youre both gods, Nokti shook her head. Im just surprised, you two look so different.

Thats because we are. Id doubt youd ever find someone like me, he said softly.

So youre an ebon god and shes a violet goddess, Nokti whistled. I would never have guessed.

Crow stroked Lin-Lus head as she purred, The nature of gods has become muddled through time with tales of myth, secrecy, and nonsensical lies. You call us gods, but that is more of a title, a way people see us.

Im not sure I follow Nokti admitted.

Do you remember what Grim said? Crow asked. The axlean made a very good point back in the tunnels beneath Mirror Springs. The people of the Azure Realm worship giant sea snakes that can drown entire islands and some people worship beings that they have never heard or seen. Some gods are purely myth, others are not. But the one trait all gods share, the only true nature of a god, is power.

Power?

When an ant looks at you, does it see you as an equal?

No, I guess not.

My point exactly. To an ant, you are a giant with practically unlimited power, capable of reshaping the world as the ant knows it. You were here before the ant came into existence and you will be here long after it is gone. Your nature is unfathomable to such a small creature. This world is yours, the ant simply lives in it. Whether it be a vampire, a centaur, or a root-bison, you are all gods in the eyes of an ant.

Is that how you see us? As ants? Nokti whispered anxiously.

Caligo leaned in close, his iridescent eyes peeking from underneath the edge of his hood, Oh, little one, I see so much more.

Nokti felt her muscles stiffen, she couldnt move, she couldnt breathe. Caligo leaned back and the air suddenly became light again. The intimidating god was gone and in his place was the charming man she knew as Crow. She breathed a sigh of relief and tried to hide her nervousness.

Crow sipped his ale, Contrary to popular belief, gods are not all-powerful. We all have our limits.

Noktis eyes widened, Is that why you need an army?

In a way Hollow Shade has proven to be a limit of sorts, for now, he shrugged.

Can you not ask the other ebon gods for help?

Doubtful, he chuckled. 

Why? Nokti furrowed her brow.

Many complex reasons like, I just dont want to. Or simpler reasons like, well where should I begin? Stjerne always has his head up in the clouds, he cares little for anything that goes on outside of his own thoughts and desires. Bellum is a stickler for rules she made up in the hopes of protecting her precious Ebon Realm, rules that I care little for. And Lunae is, hm, more complicated.

Complicated?

Lunae is, well Lets just say we all trade in lies, the trick is finding out the truth, he whispered.

Nokti wondered briefly if Crow had lied to her? Was he lying to her now? She trusted him, but did he trust her? She wasnt certain. Nokti shook her head and buried the thought. Shed prove her loyalty, no matter what. Crow had given her life a sacred purpose, a chance to make the Ebon Realm a better place. She would rise to be worthy of that purpose.

She recalled a lesson from her religious teachings as a child, Youre the youngest and Lunae is the eldest of the ebon gods, right? So, shes like your elder sister?

Crow burst into laughter, a light-hearted sound. Do you see the Ebon Pantheon as some sort of family? I suppose in a certain twisted tragic way we are. But if you wish to talk about the eldest, then you're way off the mark.

...Do you mean Solis?

Who knows? Crow chuckled.

Youre not going to tell me, are you?

Crow smiled and sipped his ale.

God of Secrets indeed, Nokti muttered. Or should I call you The Mystery?

Ive had many names, Crow will suffice for now.

Nokti fidgeted and looked around conspicuously, ...I have one more question.

Very well, Ill indulge you with one more secret, he winked.

Why do you want to destroy Hollow Shade?

Crow swallowed his drink and put his mug aside, ...I dont. I couldnt care less what happens to that pitiful city built by cowards. Although, I admit, seeing it burn and crumble to the ground would bring me some level of satisfaction.

Then why? she frowned.

I only want whats hidden past those shade walls.

Whats hidden inside the city? she whispered.

...The key.

The key to what?

Salvation, perhaps? he mused.

I dont understand, Nokti said, fear creeping into her voice.

No, I dont think you will.

Lin Lu yawned, a small high-pitch sound.

Yes, yes, I know, youre tired, Crow stood up. Were heading to bed.

...I think I will too, Nokti stretched. Its been a long day.

Thank you for the meal, Ma! Crow called out.

Anytime! Ma smiled from behind the bar.

~~~

Nokti woke up the next morning to the sound of cold winds rattling the window in their room. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and turned in bed. Lin Lu slept, curled on top of a pillow. Crow was gone.

Nokti sat up, worried. She dressed quickly, grabbed her ax, and ran downstairs. She stepped into the dining room and froze. Crow sat at the bar, his hood down, a plate of steaming warm food in front of him.

He noticed Noktis entrance and smiled, his eyes shifting in colors constantly, Come, join me for breakfast.

Nokti nodded slowly. She walked towards the bar, careful not to step on the pools of blood that spread across the floor. She sat down next to Crow and tried her best not to stare at the blood smeared over his feathered cloak, nor at the dozens of horribly disfigured bodies strewn across the tavern floor and walls.

Crow pointed behind the bar, I noticed you havent drunk blood in some time. She should suffice.

Mas body lay on the floor behind the bar. There were no outward wounds, save for her neck that was bent at an odd angle.

Mm, these potatoes are delicious, Crow sighed in delight.

Nokti swallowed nervously. D-did something happen?

Hm? What do you mean?

She looked around the tavern, Why did you kill them?

Crow tilted his head until his face turned upside down, Why indeed?

I thought you liked this place I thought you liked Mas cooking.

I do.

Um never mind, she mumbled.

Crow smiled eerily and kept eating.