Book 2 Chapter 21

Tirr frowned as he thought over the implications of what Nerida had just said. He thought back to the black shadow he had seen in Bren’s memories, letting out a shiver. He couldn't help wondering just what may lay within the watery caves.

In the meantime, one of the water priests came looking for Nerida. Nerida apologized quickly, arranging one of the priests to guide Tirr and Maria back out of the town, where a carriage would be prepared for them. She gave them a quick goodbye as she went off to help lead the recovery efforts…

Following the priest back through the town, Tirr carried the sleeping Garm as they walked through the acid marked streets and buildings. Looking at the destruction and the splashes of blood that remained throughout the streets brought him out of his thoughts once again as he remembered how callously this seaside town had been thrown away.

Around them, the priests and guards looked at them with a strange mix of emotions. Though Tirr was more than used to the almost fervent glances. Maria felt herself growing more and more uncomfortable under the strange mix of appreciation, wonder, and fear… For Tirr though, it just turned his thoughts back to what Nerida had said about saving the Water Temple.

At first, though he had believed what the Priestess had said about needing him to help save their temple, he had mostly agreed just because it fit along with his own plans. The fact that Nerida felt he was needed was simply convenient in that it helped him expand his following once again. But walking through the blood-soaked streets and thinking back to Nerida’s story left him trembling with anger.

As they reached the outskirts of the town and the carriage Nerida had provided them, he let Maria thank their escort before they climbed tiredly into the carriage. As the driver took them slowly back towards the temple, Maria fell asleep quickly, drained after the long day. Seeing her sleeping so peacefully Tirr laid his head down on her lap, doing his best to let go of his anger, before drifting off to sleep himself.

It was only the next day at the temple they learned just how bad the attack had been. With dozens of casualties and three times the wounded, even the help Maria had provided had been just a drop in the bucket after the Sea Beast’s attack.

Maria had wanted to go out and help once more but was dissuaded by Nerida, who wanted them to stay out of the public eye for some time.

Already rumors of day’s occurrences had spread throughout the Capital. Stories about a strange pair that had fought their way through to the beach before summoning a giant wolf to fight off the Monstrous invaders. Each story was more outrageous than the last and Maria found that they weren’t all so flattering as she caught snippets of discussion among the temple’s servants.

Among the rumors, the story of their great priest going alone to battle not only the Sea Beast, but the Giant Wolf as well, seemed to be among people's favorites. There had almost been an uproar when the temple had announced that they were punishing the High Priestess for disobeying the temple's decision and placing herself and other priests at risk.

Nerida herself had calmed the people's anger, giving a quick speech at the morning prayers where she accepted her fault and the punishment the Water Conclave had chosen. A punishment that as she had guessed, had been limited in severity due to public opinion.

The conclave had spoken at length on what punishment would be appropriate until her own father, the high priest, had recommended a temporary seclusion for her to reflect and pray. Without any other option, the conclave had agreed, removing her from her duties for a week and ordering her to her rooms.

Tirr had been angry that they dared to punish her at all after everything that had happened, but Nerida informed him the punishment had been thought of by Nerida and her Father. They wanted something to help ease some of the more neutral faction’s stress while keeping Nerida out of the more hostile faction’s eyes.

Better yet, Nerida informed them happily, it served as the perfect chance for her to sneak out, as everyone would be expecting her to stay within her rooms. She set about helping plan their expedition to the Sea Beast’s island. Discussing the trip with Maria and Tirr as they went over maps and calculations.

Claire, who had only learned of the battle and the follow up planned trip afterward, spent the two days before they left complaining miserably about being stuck with Lutel’s twisted king while they got to go on some kind of sea adventure. Even so, while she complained, she couldn’t help but admit that the peace talks had been moving along steadily after the burned villages had been discussed. And while Tirr and Maria could sneak away with none the wiser, if Claire disappeared as the princess of Rasor it could become an incident.

Staying back with her was a gloomy Garm. Having used so much of his life force in the attack on the Starfish, he was stuck in his pup form and was weak even for that. Letting out whimpering complaints as his body ached at every motion. Though Tirr didn’t like to leave the wolf behind, he was in no condition for the journey and potential danger they might face.

So, it was a couple of days after the terrible attack on the seaside town near the capital that Nerida led Tirr and Maria out towards the boat that had been prepared beforehand. Approaching the small Sailing vessel, Tirr was confused to see there was no crew. At least until Nerida raised the sail looking towards them with a smile.

Deftly moving through the small boat, Nerida set them off answering Tirr’s questions as he watched with interest as they soon began to sail away from the small secluded dock they were setting off from towards the mysterious caverns…