Mother of Midnight

Chapter 227 – Journey’s End

Vivienne was in her massive wolf form once again, her dark fur rippling with the movement of her powerful strides. The goblins perched on her back had long since abandoned their earlier apprehension, moving with an easy confidence as they clung to her spines or nestled into the thick tufts of her fur. She supposed they had simply grown used to her presence. Once, that might have bothered her. Their fear had been an ambient meal, a quiet offering to her nature, but she couldn’t find it in herself to be upset.

She was free.

The thought alone sent a shudder through her, a reminder of the weight she had been carrying, the chains she had thrown off. No more walls, no more bindings—just open air and the wind rushing past her as she ran. She had her daughter again. Liora had been more responsive these past days, even if she was still fragile. It was more than Vivienne had dared to hope for. And Rava—

Rava was back. Somehow, against all reason, she had returned.

A flutter of warmth spread through her chest at the thought, a feeling so rare, so unfamiliar, that it nearly unsettled her. Her ears twitched, her tail flicking behind her, and she was suddenly grateful that her thick, shadowy fur concealed the heat rising to her face.

Last night…

She huffed, shaking herself as if to scatter the thought before it could settle too deeply. Now wasn’t the time to get lost in feelings, no matter how much her heart wanted to.

The first signs of spring were beginning to show. Patches of golden-brown grass poked through the thinning snow, dotting the endless stretch of the steppes like scattered brushstrokes on a white canvas. Soon, the land would thaw completely, the rivers would swell with melted ice, and life would return in full force.

Vivienne narrowed her eyes against the breeze, thoughtful. She needed to make plans. Now that she was free, she had to think about the future—not just for herself, but for Liora.

A home. That was the first and most important step. Somewhere safe, secluded, where she could nurse her daughter back to strength without fear of being hunted. The thought made her jaw tighten. Liora had already suffered too much, endured more than any child should. Vivienne would give her a place to heal, a place to feel safe again.

But there was a problem—currency. What little she had once possessed was long gone, stripped from her when she was captured. She had nothing to barter with, no wealth to fall back on.

Perhaps it was time to pay Mizzra another visit, see if her plans had borne any fruit. It had been months since she’d last checked in.

That being said, she had no idea how she would go about it. Was it similar to Earth? Would people simply have property for sale or rent, and she’d just go in and claim it? Or did the government dictate who lived where? She considered asking Rava, but… Rava still wasn’t all there. Not yet.

Tarric would know.

“Tarric,” she called as she trotted along, her voice carrying easily over the steady crunch of hoarfrost beneath her paws.

The goblins, Renzia, and Liora still rode on her back, but the other three—Tarric, Caelum, and Rava—had stubbornly chosen to walk. They claimed they preferred to keep their feet on the ground, even if it meant their journey to Serkoth would take longer.

“Yes, Vivi?” Tarric responded, his tone easy, unbothered.

Vivienne narrowed her black eyes at him, lips pulling back just enough to bare her sharp teeth in something between amusement and a warning. “Still getting very familiar there, friend.”

He smirked. “Friend? Well, if we’re already familiar enough for nicknames, then I suppose we are friends.”

“Whatever you say, Pebble,” she said lightheartedly. She really was in a good mood, wasn’t she?

Tarric gasped in mock offense. “Ah! To mock my short stature! I’ll have you know I am average height for a lekine.” He chuckled. “Okay, maybe a bit below average.”

“Every lekine I’ve seen is taller than you,” she quipped.

“You wound me!” he exclaimed dramatically, pressing a hand over his chest as if she’d struck him. Then, with a smirk, he added, “But I presume you wanted something more than to just mock my stature?”

Vivienne let out a breathy huff. “I need information. I’m looking to get a home, somewhere I can keep my daughter safe. But I have no clue how property works here. Who owns land? How do I get land?”

Tarric stroked his chin thoughtfully, his tail flicking behind him. “That depends. You looking to settle within a city or out in the wilds?”

“In the city,” Vivienne said without hesitation. “I don’t feel comfortable imposing on the Serkoth family for my accommodations. I want my own place.” Her ears flicked as she considered her next words. “Preferably somewhere near children, so my little mijita can make some friends.”

She glanced back at Liora, still curled up between the goblins on her back. The girl was small—so fragile—but she was more responsive now, more present than she had been in weeks. That was progress. But Vivienne knew isolation wouldn’t do her any favors. She needed to see other children, interact, play—be a kid again.

Tarric hummed in thought, his tail swaying lazily behind him. “Well, finding a place in Serkoth won’t be difficult. The city’s always growing, and there are plenty of districts with family housing.” His ear flicked. “Course, if you’re looking for something to own rather than rent, that’s a whole different matter. Property tends to stay in families unless someone’s looking to sell.”

Vivienne grunted. “I have nothing to buy with currently. Everything I had was taken when I was captured.”

Tarric winced. “Yeah, that’s rough. But there are ways around that. If you’re serious about settling down, I could ask around, see if there’s any vacant property or landlords looking to offload a house. Might be able to work out an arrangement.”

Vivienne exhaled through her nose, her tail flicking idly as she mulled it over. “I have some irons in the fire,” she admitted. “If things go well, they should bring in some funds. But that could take time.”

Tarric nodded, his ears twitching in thought. “Fair enough. No harm in getting a head start, though. Finding the right place isn’t always quick.” He rubbed his chin. “Do you have a preference? Close to the market, maybe? Or something quieter?”

Vivienne tilted her head. “Somewhere near children,” she said. “Liora needs to be around others her age.” Her tone softened just a touch, almost imperceptibly. “She’s been isolated enough.”

Tarric’s expression shifted, his usual playfulness dimming for a moment. He glanced at Liora, still tucked between the goblins, her small frame looking even smaller against the bulk of the others. “Yeah,” he murmured. “I get that.”

He shook himself and grinned. “Well, in that case, I’ll keep my ears open. There are a few family districts that might have openings. Worst case, we can always see about bartering—plenty of folks willing to trade favors instead of coin.”

Vivienne snorted. “I don’t do favors for just anyone.”

“Of course not, Vivi.”

She growled low in her throat, baring a hint of teeth. “Keep pushing it, Tarric. See where that gets you.”

Tarric laughed, unbothered. “Hopefully to a good deal on a house.”

Vivienne didn’t hold back the sigh of relief when the walls of Serkoth finally came into view. She wasn’t physically tired—she never was—but the mental exhaustion weighed heavier than she had expected. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of chaos, and it seemed like she hadn’t had a moment to breathe. As they approached the western gate, she noticed the flurry of activity, the hustle and bustle of merchants and travelers waiting to get inside. The sight was oddly comforting, even with the tension in the air. The city was alive, even in these uncertain times.

There was a fleeting moment of joy when she saw the people lining up, some looking up and freezing in place when they saw her massive wolf form. She caught a glimpse of someone darting off to another gate, likely to avoid crossing her path.

But even in her massive form, Vivienne knew she wouldn’t be able to get into the city without complications. This time, Tarric had wisely moved ahead to speak with the guards before they got too close. He was always the diplomat, smoothing things out when necessary. After a brief exchange, he waved them over.

“Best you change back, Vivi,” he called out with a bemused smile. “Otherwise, you’ll have trouble getting past the gate and moving around the city. Also, I’d like to keep the terror my citizens feel during wartime as low as possible.”

Vivienne rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the small smirk that tugged at her lips. “Terrifying the populace isn’t part of your strategy?” she teased, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

Tarric shot her a look. “If I had my way, we’d just walk right in and have everyone bow to you, but unfortunately we need to keep the peace to a certain degree, no?”

Vivienne let out a short laugh, her amusement flickering briefly before she nodded. “Fine, fine. I’ll transform.”

She lowered her massive form carefully, careful not to crush any of the goblins on her back. The small, agile creatures scampered off swiftly, laughing and chattering among themselves. Vivienne shifted and was back into her favourite shape.

Once fully human-sized again, she stood, smoothing out any wrinkles in her dress. “Happy now?” she asked, her tone a mix of mock annoyance and genuine relief. The weight of her larger form had always made her feel more exposed in public, like there was no hiding who or what she was.

Tarric grinned, giving her a thumbs-up. “Much better. I’ll let you know if anyone tries to scream at the sight of you, though.”

Vivienne shot him a look. "Please do. I’d love to watch."

Due to Rava and Tarric being present, the group of travelers was granted priority and funneled through the main gate ahead of the line. The guards didn’t dare question their entry—privilege of the powerful, Vivienne thought with a sly smile. It wasn’t often she felt the weight of such an advantage, but it was hard to ignore when they were practically ushered into the city while others waited in line.

“We are here, finally,” Kivvy said with a sense of finality, addressing the other goblins who had been huddling closely together. “Safe and out of that shitty place.” Her voice held an undertone of triumph, but there was something softer about it as well, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

The goblins shuffled around, relieved smiles creeping onto their faces. They had endured far more than most should ever have to, but now, they were free.

“We won’t just have new masters?” Jayce asked skeptically, her eyes narrowed as she scanned the streets of Serkoth. It was hard for her to completely shake off the apprehension that had been drilled into her. They had been slaves before; being free was still a foreign concept.

Kivvy shrugged, grinning with a sharp, mischievous glint in her eyes. “Nah. You can be as selfish as you want here. Or not. It’s up to you.”

Her words were more reassuring than she probably intended, and Vivienne couldn’t help but chuckle. There was something undeniably freeing about Kivvy’s blunt honesty, and it seemed to settle the nerves of the goblins around her. A ripple of relief passed through the group, the tension that had clung to them for so long easing like steam evaporating into the air.

Even Vivienne felt the shift in the atmosphere, the burden of being surrounded by fearful, hesitant goblins slowly lifting. She hadn’t realized just how much she had grown to care about them over the journey. It hadn’t been easy, but at the very least, volunteering to feed her daughter had won her respect. They might not be much in the eyes of the world, but they had something that made Vivienne’s heart warm in ways she hadn’t expected—an unspoken bond formed in the fires of hardship.

As they continued into the bustling city, she allowed herself a rare moment of satisfaction. They were out from under oppressive thumbs, and for that, she was genuinely happy for them.

"Hey, pretty boy," Kivvy called out with a mischievous grin plastered across her face. She waved a hand to grab their attention. Both Caelum and Tarric glanced in her direction, but Kivvy only offered a sharp, toothy grin in return.

“Ha! Not very humble, either of you. No, the furred one,” she clarified, pointing at Tarric with a flourish.

Tarric raised an eyebrow at her, his expression a mixture of confusion and mild amusement. “Yes?” he responded, voice smooth as usual.

Kivvy’s gaze flicked over to her sisters, who stood a little behind her, looking a bit unsure of the conversation. "Can you Serkoth lot help my sisters? They ain't got nothin'." Her words were blunt, but there was a hint of concern in her tone—she was genuinely looking out for them.

Tarric didn’t miss a beat, his confident smile returning. “That goes without saying, from what I’ve been told at least. Yes. Vivi wants help finding a home so I can multitask. I’m very good at that,” he added with a shrug, as though the concept of managing multiple things at once was second nature to him. His voice was brimming with a touch of pride.

Vivienne, who had been quietly observing the exchange, tapped her foot lightly on the ground as she thought. The idea of asking for more help didn’t sit entirely comfortably with her, but she couldn’t deny the practicality of it. "What if you just find me a large enough home? I can take them if I have enough space. I would like someone to look after the place while I am out," she said, her voice low but thoughtful. It wasn’t exactly a grand gesture, but it was a start—finding a place of her own, a base where she could settle in, make some progress, and keep the goblins safe.

There was a long moment of silence as everyone considered her suggestion. The goblins exchanged glances, clearly unsure of how to respond to the offer.

Ortisia, ever the cautious one, spoke up. "You want us to work for you?" she asked, her voice tentative, almost as if she expected to be shot down for even suggesting the possibility.

Vivienne tilted her head, her sharp, black eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "If you want? I still need to earn myself some funds, but anyone who cleans and looks after the place would be paid. Empty promises until I get funds though." 

The goblins exchanged more looks, their unease palpable in the air. They had been under the thumb of others for so long, it was hard for them to fathom the idea of having autonomy, especially under someone who chased them very literally into their dreams. But the shift in Vivienne’s demeanor, the way she hadn’t pressed them too hard, seemed to alleviate some of the tension.

Kivvy, ever the first to speak up, grinned again. "Guess we’ll see if you keep your word," she said, her eyes glinting with that same playful spark. "But if you do, I want a workshop. I have ideas."

"Fair enough," Vivienne replied with a smirk, her tone light but no less firm. "We’ll see how it works out."

Tarric, ever the pragmatic one, interjected. “For now, the Serkoth family will pay for space in a hostel for you,” he said, his tone calm and reassuring. “We can worry about details later, but for now, let's get to the clan hall. I’ll get a feast started, and we can celebrate your freedom!”

The mention of a feast had an immediate effect on the group—murmurs of excitement rippled through the goblins, their faces lighting up at the thought of food, and not just any food, but the kind that came with a proper feast. Even the heavy silence that had hung around them since their escape seemed to lift a little, the weight of their hardship momentarily forgotten.

As they moved forward, Vivienne sidestepped the crowd, walking up beside Renzia. Without a word, she gently took Liora from Renzia's arms, her daughter still limp and unresponsive in her embrace. Her eyes were open, her gaze wandering around, taking in the sights of Serkoth for the first time. Vivienne realized with a start that Liora had never seen the city. She had been ‘born’ on the journey, on their way to Drakthar.

Her daughter’s wide eyes tracked the bustling streets, the unfamiliar faces, the towering structures, and the carts of vendors selling their wares. She watched it all with a sense of quiet wonder, though her small body remained limp against her mother. Vivienne's heart twisted slightly. So much to show you, she thought, her gaze softening as she looked down at the girl. She had always known Liora had been born into a world of uncertainty, but now, the thought of giving her something stable, something she could call home, was more urgent than ever.

She gave Liora a soft, reassuring smile as they walked, brushing a stray lock of hair from her daughter’s forehead. “We’ll get you settled, little one,” she whispered, as if the girl could understand. “You’ll see, this will be a good place for you.”

Though Liora couldn’t respond, Vivienne felt a flicker of hope at the idea that they could finally start building something—a life, a home, a future. And maybe, just maybe, it was a future that would be different from the one that had haunted her. A future where her daughter could thrive, where they could both find peace after everything they had been through.

As they made their way through the streets of Serkoth, the sound of lively chatter and bustling activity filled the air, and for the first time in a long while, Vivienne allowed herself to relax.