Book 4 Chapter 1

“Look out!” The cry was quickly followed by the rumble of falling rocks and dirt as part of the mountain pass collapsed. More yells quickly followed as the danger approached, only to be met with more astonishment as the debris was suddenly blocked.... Above the group a shield of ice and golden light had appeared protecting them from the mountain’s anger.

“You still suck at barriers…” Tirr said plainly, looking at one of the layers of golden light. It flickered weakly under the strain until another barrier rose to help.

Doron could only grunt in reply, his mind too focused on making sure that he didn’t let his barrier fail, giving those beneath it a gruesome death.

“There…” Maria said confidently as her own barrier grew to overtake his before shifting to let the debris fall harmlessly of the cliff face next to them. Behind them, other Blessed followed suit, making sure that nothing fell onto the other members of their group…

Doron, relieved of his burden, turned to Tirr with a scowl, “I’m no good at outer manipulation stuff, I prefer to fight up close. Besides, I didn’t see you doing anything…”

“What’s the point of an honor guard if I’m always the one protecting them?” Tirr asked as he moved to sit down. Part of the path ahead had been blocked and it would take a while for the group to start moving again. Beside him an expressionless Sera laid down a blanket, preparing some cups and plates as she started to take out their lunch.

Maria gave the two a bemused look before turning towards Doron. “Can you make sure everyone’s alright? And see about getting a timetable of when we can start again?”

Doron nodded giving Tirr one last scowl before giving Maria a lazy salute. “Of course, Priestess… Someone should take responsibility”

Tirr stuck his tongue out at Doron’s sarcasm, drawing a chuckle from the old man before he left. Maria sat down, thanking Sera as the girl handed her a plate and looked over the others thinking back to how such a group had come together in the first place.

It had been over three months since the events at The Merchant’s Confederation. Following Tirr’s reabsorption of the Time Blessing, he had practically forced Torvus to become his Apostle, convincing the former assassin to start the Time branch in full. They had stayed another month or so in the city, watching as Raife and his fellows took control, under the watchful eyes of Nerida….

Satisfied that the city was stable enough, he had then returned to Rasor, spending his time traveling between Road’s end and the Capital. The Life branch had grown well under Nora’s care, despite Maria’s absence. Between Nora leading the more support-focused members and Doron guiding the more combat-focused ones, the branch had built itself into a formidable force. Growing to over two hundred Blessed and many more hopeful followers after Maria had stabilized as a mid-stage Zealot.

What really pleased Tirr though was that despite Maria not being there for such a long time, every member revered her almost as much as Tirr. People called her the Holy Saint almost everywhere they went causing her cheeks to blush in embarrassment every time.

The Fire branch of the Capital had grown as well. Claire, having just stepped into early Zealot, had progressed quickly. The Flame Blessing and its wild Apostle had attracted many of the adventurous sorts, ending up with a far more militaristic form than the more peaceful Life branch.

The Red Knights as they called themselves were proud to claim the title of Tirr’s strongest fighting force, having the most destructive power of the current four branches. Within Rasor they set themselves up as guards, protecting those that came to worship at the many temples that had opened in the country.

Tirr had only been able to travel the country for a couple of weeks before Nerida had appeared, pouting as she requested he visit Lutel as well. There, the former Priestess of the Rain and Tides had seized full control of the water temple. She had cut away the filth as she had promised, making the Temple into something the people could respect once more.

At that point Agir, the King of Lutel, had abdicated his throne, passing power completely to the Water Temple so he could retire and spend his days comfortably with his son. It wasn’t wrong to say that Nerida basically ruled the country now, leading many who knew more than just her public face to call her the Ice Queen.

Tirr spent this second month traveling between countries, appreciating the work his followers had done. While he was happy with how things were going, it was Nerida who suggested the next step. Putting forth that with the acquisition of the Confederation it was time to push for unification between countries. To reform each country’s government and bring The Holy Empire of the past to the world once more.

The idea caught Tirr’s attention immediately. One of his first goals was to rebuild the grand empire his previous Apostles had helped him build, second only to regaining his memories and Blessings. As the discussions began in earnest though, Claus raised an objection on behalf of Rasor. While Raife raised his own issues with the idea on behalf of the confederation.

Both were willing to consider the idea if certain conditions were made, which led to more arguments and meetings. Weeks had been spent on the discussion and were probably being continued even now, back within the safety of those territories. Tirr however, uninterested in the power struggles those discussions represented, one day found himself with an unusual summons.

A letter from the mountain tribe mercenary they had encountered in Rasor had arrived… Requesting his aid in return for handing over the shard. Tirr had planned on heading there eventually but thought he would wait until things had calmed down more. After seeing that the discussions might continue into eternity and receiving the letter, he had almost grabbed Maria to leave right there.

He had planned on just going with the two of them once more, but all the countries under his religion had objected, saying it was too dangerous to go alone even as powerful as he was. Instead, each requested that a group of their own forces travel with him.

That was how the honor guard had originally formed. All three countries chose ten of their most outstanding fighters to send along with him, keeping the representation equal… Thus, a force consisting of the Knights of Rasor, the Marines of Lutel, and the Assassins of The Confederation was created.

The Branches of his church followed their example. His other apostles were too wrapped up in the discussions to leave with him and could only send replacements. Each branch besides Time chose four members to send with him, keeping things as equal as possible.

The Time branch, being as new as it was and most of its members being children, sent only Sera. The young teen had grown somewhat close to Tirr and Maria during their adventure and had chosen to come along, acting mostly as Tirr’s attendant.

Claire had chosen her second, Iesa, to lead a few of her other adherents. The fiery woman that Tirr had saved so long ago had grown strong under the Blessing’s power and was happy to serve the young god again.

Meanwhile, Nerida had chosen one of her few trusted followers. The Blessing of Water members that came along were all from Nerida’s inner circle. They made for a much quieter bunch than Claire’s wild disciples. Still, they were just as fiercely loyal to Tirr as their Apostle was.

The Life branch was different than the others, having grown without Maria’s direction as she stayed by Tirr’s side. Yet Nora had fought for their own force to be sent, and in the end, Doron had arrived leading four members of the Life branch.

Tirr, already impatient with how long it had taken to gather, set off immediately. And so it was that they started their mountain journey with a force strong enough, between Tirr, Garm, and the rest, to conquer a country.

Maria was snapped out of her reverie as Doron came back 30 minutes later, declaring the road was clear and everyone was ready. Tirr let out a happy sigh and led the way quickly as they continued their way towards the mountain tribes. Wondering what it was that caused them to summon him in the first place…