Chapter 20

Maria and Tirr both looked over at Claire in shock. She stood, looking back at them while smirking. “You want to be a follower?” Asked Tirr, suspicious of the sudden declaration.

“You said I have to be a follower, right? So, how do I become one?”

“It’s not a thing where I can just say poof, you’re a follower.” Tirr said huffily. “You’d have to acknowledge how great I am to start…”

“You are great! You’re amazing.” Claire cut in with a thumbs up.

Tirr coughed as he blushed and continued. “You’d have to contribute offerings or work for me or the church…”

“I got that covered.” Said Claire confidently, “I’m already going to help the village with this rogue knight thing, and I’ll bring more candies when I come back as an offering.”

“You’d have to worship and pray to me as your god.”

“Please God Tirr let me be a follower.” Claire said putting her hands together as she had seen people in Lutel doing in the past. “Done, now when do I get my Blessing?”

“Well you can’t… Maria can’t support any other Devotees yet.” Tirr said tenuously.

“She has to give me the blessing?” Claire asked curiously.

Tirr blushed again, not meeting Claire’s eyes. “I can only give one of each Blessing to someone, then they spread it afterwards. Maria’s my Apostle of Life, so she would have to give you the blessing and you’d work for her.”

Claire looked over at Maria who smiled at her, “No offence but I’d rather not work under someone. I mean you’re a god, so I don’t mind serving under you, but can’t you give me another Blessing then? I’ll be the apostle of something else.”

“Tirr’s eyes swam as he tried not to look at her. Maria just let out a small cough. “Currently Tirr doesn’t have any of his other Blessings. That’s why we are concerned about the Shards being connected.”

Claire looked at Maria noticed her warning look before looking back at Tirr with a smile, “Well, no big deal, maybe once I take you to see the Shard we have in the capital, you’ll be able to figure something out and give me a Blessing then.”

Tirr shook off his embarrassment and nodded his head, “Fine, hurry and comeback and take me to your capital, then and once I take the Blessing of Fire back, I’ll make you its Apostle.”

“Good!” Said Claire taking Tirr’s hand and shaking it. “It’s a deal!” She turned towards Maria. “That man Doron told me he usually trains with you, but he’d be stuck with Sir Elrik today. Want to practice with me?” She asked grinning.

Claire easily dodged the coming blow and raised her sword to block the follow up but noticed the slight glow on her opponent’s hand before springing back and avoiding it altogether. Maria’s slash, strengthen by her Blessing, swung by, pulling Maria off balance and causing her to trip to the ground.

Claire let out a laugh and bent down to help Maria up. The panting Maria accepted and was pulled easily up, “Aren’t you a princess?” Maria asked panting while Tirr brought over some water for them both, criticizing Maria for losing as he sent her some energy.

“I’ve been practicing with a blade since I was a kid, made it easy to avoid marriages when I told my father I wouldn’t marry anyone who couldn’t beat me in a fight. Most nobles can barely lift a teacup, let alone a blade…” She laughed, as Maria chuckled and Tirr looked at them confused.

“That strength is crazy though! You could be scary fighter with some more training and practice.” Claire said as she gathered her stuff. “I’m looking forward to seeing how far you come when I get back.”

“How long do you think it will take?” Maria asked as Tirr gently restored her energy.

“A little less than a month probably.” Claire replied happily, “It’s only a week’s travel between here and the capital, but there will probably be some formalities to handle. Sir Elrik is one of my older brother’s men and might try to downplay things for him, but my maids and I have been recording everything ourselves. He’s not getting out of this one and having one of his pet knight patrols run wild should be a major blow politically.” She laughed again, thinking of the look on her half-brother’s face.

“Make sure to bring some more offerings when you get back.” Tirr added in after he finished restoring Maria. He then went to Claire grabbing her hand before she could react and forcing her to blush.

Claire started to question him when she felt a strange warmth spread from her hand and through her whole body. All the soreness and exhaustion that had unconsciously built up over her travel melted away leaving her feeling relaxed and energized. She felt stronger than she had ever felt as this new energy surged through her.

She continued to look down at her hand after he let go, “So that’s what it feels like…” She looked up at Tirr who was standing there proudly with his usual arrogant look. “That was amazing!” She said as she reached out to him.

“It’s was just a small heali…” Tirr stared happy with the praise untill he felt her arms grabbing him into a hug and spinning him around. “Let go of me!” he yelled, furious. He glared at Claire as she sheepishly apologized and then at Maria as she laughed so hard, she almost fell to the ground.

They spent awhile apologizing to Tirr and trying to cheer him up. Claire started telling them about the capital and the food there, sharing stories of her favorites. They continued talking for a couple of hours, stopping here and there to play fetch with Garm.

As the afternoon passed on, Claire and her maid Jill had lunch there at the temple, before leaving to go meet up with Sir Elrik. After deciding they had finished gathering what they needed for their report. They agreed on heading out immediately to try and get to the nearest town by dark.

Tirr, Maria, Doron, and Roan all gathered at the Village entrance to see the investigation team off. After once again drawing a promise from Claire that she would bring more offerings, Tirr and Maria waved them off as the carriage took off down the road.

Tirr and Maria went back up towards the temple, talking about their newfound follower, as Doron and Roan both headed towards their own homes.

Several hours later, Claire had spent the time talking with Jill and Kerri, asking them what treats the young god might prefer. Their conversation was interrupted by a large bump that jostled the carriage. The somewhat bumpy ride transformed into a shaking mess.

Claire immediately felt the pit of her stomach tighten and had her maids confirm they had left the road, breaking off towards the Deep Forest. She looked over at Sir Elrik, who sat with a smirk on his face, seemingly unbothered by the sudden change. She noticed however that the guards riding along with them had drawn close, just outside of each window. As she watched more riders carrying torches approached the carriage as it traveled along.

She grit her teeth as her maids tensed as well. “What is going on here Elrik?” Had they gotten to the driver? She thought to herself. He was one of Claus’s men and should have warned her of any trouble.

“Just a slight detour your Highness, nothing to worry about.” He replied never losing the smirk on his face.

“You know you can’t get away with this… At the very least you’re not getting out of this carriage alive.”

“I think you will find your best option is to cooperate your highness. No one wants to hurt such a beautiful woman after all.” He stated, giving her and her maids a lecherous look. “I can assure you that if you even touch me, you’ll have no chance of getting out of this ali…”

He was cut off as Claire’s fist cracked into his nose. As he yelled in pain, she had Jill grab and restrain him as he cursed.

“You crazy bitch! Do you realize what you just did?” He screamed at her while Jill secured his hands behind him.

“I’ll decide my own chances thanks.” She relied confidently, ignoring the growing pit in her stomach. The three women gathered what weapons they had, but with the speed of the carriage and riders outside, just jumping out would be suicide.

Instead they prepared as best they could, taking Elrik hostage as they waited. Soon the carriage came to a halt, just as the dusk started turning into full night. Claire noticed the Deep Forest in the distance. Loud footsteps arranged themselves outside the carriage, and they could see the torch lights flickering through the windows. Soon the door opened, revealing a smug looking Baron Rills.

“If you could please step out of the carriage Princess…”