Chapter 5

Maria sat up, her hands instantly going to her throat. She could still feel the wet blood that had been pouring out just a moment ago, but as her hands searched, she found no evidence of the cut. The pain from her bruises was gone as well. She looked blankly at the dark boy who now stood over her giving her a strange look.

“Are you going to sit there all day? I said I was hungry.” The boy said looking around. “And where am I?”

Maria looked down at the blood that covered her, then around for a moment, her gaze passing over the dead bodies within the clearing. She felt herself growing lightheaded and heaved, turning to the side to vomit.

The boy looked down at her awkwardly. As she finished, he patted her shoulder. “I’ve heard many new followers become sick after their first battle. I’m not bothered by the little things, so don’t worry about it.”

After a moment of retching Maria remembered why she was here. “God!” She said getting up as she pleaded. “Our village is being attacked by those men from before, we need your help!”

“Eh?” The boy questioned. “I would rather eat, just ask whoever your temple leader is to take care of it.” The boy stretched once again. “I still feel so sleepy. Why did I take a nap in such a strange place?”

Maria was speechless as the boy started to walk down the path, complaining about his lack of proper welcome. The Guardian came back as the boy walked, more blood now dripping from its maw. “Took you long enough… Now, what shall I call you? I think the last one was Thunder, so what else sounds good…?” The boy stopped to think as he rubbed his chin looking over the giant wolf who sat obediently, turning this way and that for its master.

“What do you think new girl?” The voice cut into Maria’s stupor. She looked up to see the dark boy looking back at her. The boy turned back to the wolf. “It needs a name suitable for a god’s pet. Something to strike fear and wonder into people’s hearts when they hear it you know?” The boy looked at her again. “New girl?”

Maria shook herself and followed, going to the boy once again. “Please, you don’t understand you have to help my village. The rest of the men were capturing and hurting the villagers!”

The boy looked at her confused. “Why are you so worried? You should have already gone through initiation right? Didn’t your Temple Leader show you how strong the Life Blessing is? They should be able to take care of a few bandits.”

Maria felt like she was going crazy, every second might mean something terrible for her Grandmother and the village. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, the only people in the temple are my grandmother and I, and neither of us can fight! Please you have to help us!”

The dark boy looked at her pleading figure in surprise, “I guessed I might be out in the middle of nowhere, but to think there were only two priestesses and neither had combat training…”

The boy thought for a moment, before pulling himself up and putting on an arrogant look. “Fine, I’ll help deal with these petty bandits for you!” He said proudly. “The great me cares about even the smallest of my country’s villages. Just be sure to prepare a feast for tonight and send word to the nearest city to come pick me up.”

The boy’s words confused her, but she was just happy he agreed to help. “Thank you, the village is this way, we must hurry.” She grabbed his hand and started to run but stopped when the boy didn’t move. “God?” Maria asked, worried he had changed his mind.

“Tirr.” The boy said, looking up at the Guardian. “No need to call my title for every little thing. And I don’t run, this mutt will take us.” The giant wolf understood the boy’s meaning and lay down. Tirr climbed on top, setting himself just behind the wolf shoulders.

Maria stared as the boy patted the space behind him, “Well hurry up, didn’t you want to save your village?” Maria forced herself forward, swallowing her fear as she started to climb the Beast that had haunted her nightmares for years.

She sat behind him, “I’m Maria...” She said uneasily. Tirr quickly grabbed her hands and wrapped them around himself. “Hold on tight, it wouldn’t do for you to get flung off. Your blessing is so weak you might actually die.” Maria could only blush at his strange words as she held tightly to his waist. “Go!” The boy commanded, and the wolf sprang forward.

Even with the warning the boy gave her, Maria was almost flung off, her grip held in place by the calm hands of the boy before her. As the wolf ran, she took the chance to closely inspect this god of theirs. He was young, looking no more than 10 or 12 at most. Bronze skin and good features set the boy to look quite handsome when he got older… “Did gods grow older?”

She thought back to the sight of the blades piercing into him and almost made herself sick again. She remembered he had held out his hand, obviously trying and failing to do something. If it happened again… Looking at his small frame and remembering how many knights she had seen, she started to feel nervous. It seemed like he couldn’t die, but would he be able to take care of the knights before they hurt the villagers?

“So… Tirr. Will the Guardian be able to take care of them?” She tried to ask subtly. “I’m worried someone may get hurt.” Tirr gave her a glare, obviously insulted by the question.

“Are you doubting your god?” The boy gave a grunt, as he held out a hand but seemed disappointed when nothing happened. “I’m probably just tired after my nap. Regardless I don’t need any of my other blessings. The mutt here could take care of them by itself easily but I’ll show you how to fight with the Blessing of Life. If the scum even dares to stand against me.

Maria wanted to ask about the blessing he kept talking about. Granny Nora had always said that those of the temple were blessed, but it seemed like Tirr meant something more literal than she had thought.

Before she could bring it up though they reached the exit of the forest. As they burst out into the fields, Maria pointed at her village in the distance. “They were taking everyone to the village center.”

Tirr nodded, directing the Guardian who broke into an even faster pace now that they were in the open. As they started through the village and started to approach the center, they could see the knights, more of them then Maria remembered, surrounding the villagers who were set in the village square.

The knights and villagers had also noticed the large Beast racing towards them. Some of the villagers tried to run but were forced back by the knights, who stood ready to fight despite the fear they were feeling. Only a few of the villagers saw the two small figures on the creature’s back. Nora noticed, smiling through the pain of her broken arm.

The Captain had been questioning her and noticed as well, frowning, before calling his men into formation as the giant wolf finally arrived. He drew his own sword as Maria and Tirr descended.

Maria stumbled a bit, still woozy from the speed. She noticed her grandmother but couldn’t think of how to run through the men in front. She would have to place her hopes on Tirr and the Guardian…

Tirr got down in a practiced and smooth motion. He brushed himself off, ignoring the bloodstains and stares of those in front of him. Finally, he turned towards them. Standing arrogantly, hands on his hips, he raised his nose up as he tried to look down on the men. “Alright scum, surrender now and you can have a peaceful execution…”