Book 2 Chapter 28

Maria sat on the deck of the ship with her back pressed against the side. A thick blanket was wrapped around her carefully, keeping the cool ocean air from chilling her. Nearby, Tirr lay where he had collapsed right after he had told them about the shadow he had seen.

She glanced over at his curled up sleeping form, before looking back up at the starry sky above them. Her mind still spun over what they had seen within the cavern and the vision Tirr had revealed to them. This was the second time he had seen the shadow, and it was more and more clear that it had something to do with Tirr’s past and the Great Disaster…

Her grandmother had always told her that the Great Disaster must have been an event on an unimaginable scale. That it had left the world in shambles, destroying all in its wake. If this shadow had been a part of that… And it had woken up just like Tirr…

She let out a sigh, she had thought that she had grown a bit stronger… But when the titan started to move, there had been nothing she could do but hope that Tirr could handle it. If that shadow and the titan in the cavern were the cause of the Great Disaster, It meant their strength was at a point Maria could hardly imagine.

She looked down at the hammer at her side… Tirr had been at the peak of his power, with all his apostles at the very heights of their strength. Yet… The great disaster had still happened… Now Tirr was severely weakened and his forces reduced to nothing if the shadow was really back. and tried to create another Great Disaster… What was the best way for her to help?

A sudden grunt from nearby roused her from her thoughts. She watched as Nerida climbed onto the ship, setting the starfish Beast down with some fish to eat before sitting down herself.

“You should get some rest,” The priestess started as she lay back. “We’ll set out in a few hours once the sun comes up.”

“Are you sure there was nothing that you saw? Maria asked her suddenly, “In the memories you mentioned? Anything that could tell us about… That?”

“No…” Nerida sighed, “I wish there was… I can understand his hurry to increase his power. Though…” And she glanced at the still happily eating starfish, “I can’t say I believe such a creature is worth keeping. As it is, gaining control of Lutel quickly seems even more important.”

“I don’t know how I’m supposed to protect him from something like that…”

“Your not, Tirr is the god, not you. Our place is to serve and provide assistance as best we can. God will handle the rest…”

The Young priestess turned over tucking her head down, “For now though you should sleep, you won’t be able to help God at all if you're too exhausted.”

Maria nodded laying back down as well. She couldn’t help but disagree though as she thought back to the terrified look on Tirr’s face. I need to get stronger…She thought to herself before slowly falling asleep.

The next day they set sail not long after dawn. The journey back was much different from the journey there. Tirr sat quietly as he thought, a stark contrast to the child that had sailed to the island just the day before. Maria and Nerida left him to his thoughts as they guided the boat back through the waters towards the coastline.

After several hours of travel, the dock was in sight and Nerida steered them deftly towards it. As they grew closer, they noticed a man standing on the dock, which by itself would not have been strange as there were many boats tied nearby. What made them notice him though, was that as soon as he noticed them getting closer, he turned and ran off.

“What’s that about?” Maria asked curiously, “Were they waiting for you?”

“I don’t know…” Nerida replied confused, “Though some might know this is where we left from, I can’t think of a reason for someone to have been waiting there…”

They pulled into the dock not long after. Nerida set about tying the boat up and getting the sails stowed away. As she worked on getting the boat ready for their departure, the sound of heavy boots on wood sounded from down the dock. Tirr looked up to see a large group coming towards them, split between what seemed to be a mix of the city’s guards and the priests of the Water Temple.

Maria and Tirr waited as the group approached, curious as to why they had come. As the guards reached the boat, one stepped forward, coughing lightly to grab Nerida’s attention as she finished tying up the boat.

“Captain Garret?” Nerida greeted him happily as she finished, “May I ask what led to such a welcome party?”

“I’m going to need you to come with me immediately.” The guard replied, his voice empty of mirth

Nerida’s brow furrowed in confusion, she glanced over the arranged group before turning back to him. “What’s going on?”

“I was told to bring you immediately once you returned, it’s not my place to say more than that Priestess. This way please…”

Nerida’s eyes narrowed at his words. She nodded solemnly before turning to Tirr and Maria, “I’m sorry for the inconvenience but it seems I must leave you for now…”

“They need to come with us as well,” The guard added quickly

“What? Garret…”

“Priestess I have my orders…”

“Why should I…” Tirr started fist clenched.

“I understand, Nerida said suddenly, “Let us just grab our things and we can be off… The guard hesitated but nodded, and Nerida guided the other two back on the deck making to grab their packs as she whispered.

“I don’t know what’s going on but for now it would be best to go along with it until we find out. If we were to fight out now, we may be spoiling your image for no reason. If there is trouble it won’t be too late to escape later…”

Tirr clicked his tongue but nodded after a moment of thinking, agreeing to her plan.

As they came off the ship the guards and priests surrounded them, forming a protective wall as they went. Though to Tirr it seemed obvious it was more of a cage. A crowd had gathered after seeing all the guards, curious of what the commotion was about. Many gasped and bowed, praying as they noticed Nerida was part of the procession.

As Tirr followed he noticed a flash of white within the crowd. He turned quickly, remembering his sighting on the day they arrived, and for a moment saw a familiar face looking at him with a friendly smile. Tirr barely had time to register that it was there before it disappeared into the crowd.

At the same time, near the front of the group, Nerida had been pressuring the guard carefully.

“What’s going on Garret?” Nerida asked again, “What happened?”

“Priestess…”

“Please, I can’t tell what I can do to help if I don’t know what’s happening…”

The guard walked in silence for another moment before speaking through gritted teeth. “There was an attack on the palace yesterday…”

“What?” Nerida gasped, her eyes widening.

“The queen is dead… And the prince is missing. The news hasn’t been revealed to the public yet…”

“Oh, Agir…” Nerida whispered in remorse, “But why send so many to get me? One messenger would have been enough. Shouldn’t you be trying to find the assassins? Unless I might be in danger as well?

“Unfortunately, we have a suspect in custody…”

“I don’t understand…”

The guard looked back at her, and Nerida saw the look of suspicion and distrust in his eyes as he faced her, “It’s the Princess of Rasor…”