Sulphur & Lightning Chapter 20: 019 - De-Escalation

Read chapter 20 of Sulphur & Lightning by anaugustauthor on NovelPedia.

Don’t you know better than to interrupt others’ matches?” Julian seemed to be pretty incensed at this violation, seeing as his teammate seemed about to claim the victory but was interrupted by this gigolo-looking ruffian. Is he crazy? The thought rang through Ade’s and Yachit’s minds simultaneously. The two who were battling fiercely mere seconds ago were motionless, and only their bated breaths distinguished them from statues. “Young master…” “Master.” “Ha-ha.” The sound of laughter came from the youth’s lips, as though he had not just been scolded by a mere servant. It was during this humorous intermission that Julnan finally had a chance to soberly observe him, and what he noticed made him wish for Ani to take him instantly. He noticed that he was wearing a plain black caftan, with only one thing by way of design: a small embroidery on his heart—the head of a lion with a spider in its maw. That symbol was only worn by individuals of rank within Jan Zaki; even his own master had not yet earned the qualifications to wear it at official functions. The young Troll felt a stress headache on the horizon, and all he wanted to do was scream out an apology, but he felt himself too scared to do so. Addressing such figures without being spoken to would sometimes be a fresh offence. He scarcely regarded the trembling servant, though, and instead turned his amused countenance to the girl who was still in his grasp. “My apologies, Lady Yachit,” he said with a small smile. “I really didn’t mean to interrupt your match, but it would be disadvantageous if you were to injure my servant.” If not for Julnan’s overwhelming feeling of relief, he would have noticed that he felt uncomfortable seeing that this young man had still not abdicated her hand. “T-that’s okay, Master Danjuma.” Since when did Yachit sound like that? That was the question Julnan asked himself. He had known her intimately for only a few weeks but felt he was keenly aware of her nature. He would have been less surprised if she had grown wings than at this unexampled shyness. It was akin to watching a child after being scolded by an adult. At this point, Danjuma let go and started descending from the arena, his gentle, measured steps pulling the trio behind him into something akin to a trance as they followed him down without a word. Not long after, the group found themselves in one of the small huts on the compound, watching as the sun began to set. In keeping with the Elven love of Human architecture, this one was done in the style of a Victorian garden gazebo, the thatched roof made to imitate the steepness often found in such structures and the intricate fretwork detailing some arcane aspect of Elven history and legend that the scion before them had probably been forced to memorise at some point. His servant was, of course, next to him, and the other two sat on a bench opposite, nearly tangible tension settling in the intervening space. “It has been a long time, hasn’t it?” Yachit replied robotically and respectfully. Although this wasn’t her usual attitude, she seemed to have regained a level of composure contrary to her first, quite interesting reaction. After similar probing and teasing questions met with the same business-like tone and reply, the young master decided to go into what he was actually there for. “News of your replacement had reached my ears, but I struggled to believe it until…” His eyes briefly scanned the young replacement in question before turning back to the object of his discussion. “It is as you see it, master,” she said simply. “Hmm. What could that boy possibly be thinking?” The words were said quietly, as though not expecting an answer, but his eyes still enquired of one as they peered into the defenceless young Troll. “My master isn’t obligated to tell me anything more than he feels the need to,” she said simply. "It is the simple truth that his every wish is my command, and I’m honoured to do my duty to him.” “Ho?” he exclaimed with some amusem