Book 3 Chapter 23

“Ready or not here I come!” Tirr yelled as he finished counting. Opening his eyes, he could immediately see some of the younger kids hiding around Raife's underground estate. They giggled as they tried to hide, unable to resist the urge to peak.

He smirked but kept looking, they weren’t his real opponents… No after a few games, he knew exactly where his trouble would be. Here among the grounds of Raifes’ underground mansion, there were plenty of good places to hide. But Tirr had never lost and he wasn’t planning on losing today.

He started to move, calling out and catching the little ones as he went. They laughed and gathered together, following along as he searched for the others. Soon enough he started to find the older children, who whined and complained but obediently came out, following along as the procession grew.

Finally, there were only three left… The only ones here in The Confederation that could rival him in hide and seek... Yet he knew his victory was all but decided. He wandered around, looking for the final competitors. He stopped, pausing to listen. The other children stopped behind him, confused as he stood there quietly.

“Stop!” He suddenly yelled, grinning as he continued, “You’re behind me! Just past the other children. He turned slowly watching the other children's reactions to the young boy who appeared behind them. His face was full of anger and embarrassment as the other children laughed at him.

“That’s not fair! How’d you know!” The young boy yelled.

“Hmmph” Tirr grunted proudly, “You're too predictable!”

“Liar! Cheater!” Ian yelled, disappearing once again. Tirr didn’t bother chasing, the children had made a special rule for Ian because of his abilities. If the seeker said stop, then Ian had to stop. If they then named where he was it counted as finding him. Otherwise, even when you found him he would just move somewhere else right in front of you and you’d never know.

With two left to find and time-stretching thin, Tirr frowned, thinking… Finally, he grinned. “Oh well I guess I’ll go eat some of this delicious meat…” The other kids giggled, the game didn’t end until it was officially declared over, so the fake end was a common tactic among the younger ones. But surely it wouldn’t work here, right?

Despite their skepticism the sounds of stones scattering and dirt shifting came from nearby. Tirr saw the tiny head of Garm free itself from under the dirt he had buried himself in as he tried to peak.

Tirr reached down and hoisted him up, ignoring the pup’s complaints. “Too easy…” Tirr laughed as he tossed the puppy to the children. They caught him, laughing happily as they pet and rubbed him. The wolf looked around hopefully one last time but was disappointed to see there wasn’t any meat.

The last target was the trickiest, and yet also the easiest Tirr thought to himself as a sound came from the nearby shed. Tirr approached with a sigh leading the children as they surrounded the small building. He opened the door, revealing the young teenage girl hiding inside…

“Oh, too bad, you found me…” Sera said as she stood, her flat voice sounding anything but disappointed. None of the usual signs of anger or regret appeared on her face either, if anything she just seemed bored…

“It would be great if that was the case,” Tirr said resentfully. “As a god, I’d like to beat you when you're actually trying.

“I was trying though?” Sera questioned, tilting her head in an awkward, yet strangely expressive for her, way. “I was found last right? I was soooo close to winning.”

“You weren’t hiding there until I found Garm...” Tirr accused her, shocking the children. “Where was your real hiding place?”

“I don’t know what you're talking about…” Sera said innocently… before clapping her hands. “Come now, everyone the game is over, time for dinner...” The children groaned and obediently left, heading towards the dining room that would be waiting with piles of food by this time.

Tirr turned as well, “One day I will find you for real…” Tirr declared quietly as he turned and left as well.

Dinner was a loud affair as the children strained under a barely kept level of discipline. Stopping just short of actually throwing the food at each other. Tirr ate with them, watching as they fed Garm anything they didn’t want.

Maria still hadn’t woken up from using her Partial Aspect and Torvus had said he needed some time alone, disappearing to who knows where… So Tirr was left to join the children, going from playtime to dinner, and finally the baths as Sera herded the children through, reminding them to wash properly. They all laughed as Garm got out of the tubs his fur dripping with water and soap.

They were put to bed one by one until even Sera bid him good night. He went to his room, finding Maria still fast asleep. He looked over her for a moment. Remembering the stunning white wings that she had shown earlier, he nodded proudly, and started to climb into bed himself… He only awoke some hours later when Garm let out a long, low growl...