Chapter 23

The rest of the table sat in shocked silence as they absorbed the news. Claire continued, explaining what Baron Rills had told her. Finishing with her escape and the loss of her maid Kerri. At the end she bowed her head to Garm, thanking him for saving her and Jill’s life. Jill followed her example as well, and Garm puffed himself up looking proud as they both bowed to him.

“They can’t just…They can’t do this right?” Maria asked once Claire had finished her story.

“Normally they wouldn’t be able to get away with something like this.” Claire replied, “Usually word would spill or get back to someone eventually. An attack from Lutel would be a diplomatic mess and of course they would deny it. It would bring just enough attention for the whole thing to get found out.”

“Then why are they doing this?” Maria asked, frustrated that her home was once again in danger after just thinking it was safe.

“I don’t think they need much time…” Claire answered worriedly. “My brother might think he can gather enough support with his own shard to overthrow my father. If he used the shard and killed the rest of my family, it wouldn’t matter what people found out.” Claire finished with a whisper, the pit of her stomach painfully tight.

She had never been close with her Father but had at least been allowed her freedom and had been taken care of. She had also spent her whole life with her twin Claus. The thought of Nile surprising them like he had her made her sick.

“No point in wondering about the why…” Tirr cut in picking up his fork and resuming his eating. He looked over at Garm still chewing. “Go get the other two and bring that old man as well.” He commanded, before taking another bite. Garm ran off quickly to comply.

Nora nodded, “Doron was in the military, though he never made it to one of the Knight Orders, he might still have some ideas on what to do. And Roan still has a lot of influence with the older families here. We’ll need both to figure out what to do.” She continued eating as well encouraging Claire’s maid Jill as well.

Maria sighed taking solace in Tirr and her grandmother’s calm and nodded at the confused Claire before she continued eating as well. Claire followed her example and the dining room soon resumed its earlier lively hood.

They ate in peace and then talked peacefully for some time. Untill the angry voice of Roan came from outside as Garm forced him up the hill. The door swung open as Roan tumbled through after a shove from the giant Garm.

“What are you doing you monster!? Roan yelled as he landed on the floor in a clump. He struggled to get up as he looked over at Tirr accusingly, “Did you have your Beast bring me here for a reason?” Doron walked in the door behind him and helped Roan to his feet, while Lina picked up the cub version Garm to bring inside as well.

“What’s going on Ti…” Doron started before noticing Claire sitting at the table. “Princess, you’ve returned already?”

Roan, hearing the title quickly finished getting up and brushed himself off before greeting Claire politely. “We hadn’t heard anything about you returning your Highness, I apologize for not welcoming you properly.” Roan stated nervously, looking around at Claire sitting happily beside Tirr.

“Is there a reason for you to have returned in such a way Princess?” Doron asked, going straight to the point. He doubted she had come back so soon just to say hello and have breakfast.

“Yes…” Claire replied, looking over at Tirr, who just nodded.

Nora ushered the new guests in to sit before Claire once again shared her story, starting from when she had first left the village the day before. As she went on, both Roan and Doron’s faces started to go white. And when she told of Baron Rills plan, Roan almost fell of his chair in horror, before standing unsteadily and pointing a shaking finger towards Tirr.

“You, this has got to be your fault!” He screamed, “I knew you would be the death of this entire Village when you came!”

“They already planned to destroy the village.” Claire said shaking her head, “They couldn’t let word of what they were searching for get out.” Claire finished her story to the still shaking Roan and the silent Doron. Leaving another unsettling quiet in the room.

“We need to evacuate the villagers.” Doron finally said breaking the silence.

Claire shook her head, “They have people watching the roads already. Some may be able to sneak through, but large groups would just be slaughtered.” The words drove Doron’s frown deeper.

“You should take care of it!” Roan said pointing once again to Tirr, “You’re immortal anyways right? Plus, the Beast ripped through those knights before without a problem. Why not just handle it all yourselves?”

Tirr shook his head, “I’m not strong enough yet to fight so many… And Garm, if the Shards they use really come from my Blessing, they’ll be able to hurt him. He’s too young and not at full strength yet. He would die and I would most likely be captured, and then they would run over the rest of the village freely.”

“Then what are we supposed to do?” Roan yelled, “Just sit and wait for death? We can’t run or hide, and you say you can’t fight, what are we supposed to do?”

“I can’t fight them alone...” Tirr said seriously, looking around at his followers, before looking back towards Roan. “I need to get to the Shard users, alone I can handle them without much trouble, I just need to get through the rest of them. Once the Shard users are dead Garm can go all out and handle any remaining knights.”

Doron nodded, “So someone needs to either handle the knights or get you to the Shard users.”

“Yes.” Tirr replied, “Anyone who can’t or doesn’t want to fight can hide at my shrine within the forest. Garm will be stronger there with the trees for coverage and can protect them. Meanwhile we’ll turn the village into a death trap and wait for them to walk in. Once we’ve taken out the Shard users, we’ll call Garm in to clean up the rest.

Roan quieted as he listened to Tirr’s plan, “And you think you can pull this off?” He asked sincerely.

“I’m a god!” Tirr said, slapping his hand down on the table. “This village belongs to me, and I won’t allow anyone to threaten it.”

Roan looked surprised at his confidence, and slowly nodded. “I’ll inform the rest of the villagers.”

Maria nodded as well, “We’ll fight, and help protect ourselves this time.”

Nora agreed putting a hand on Lina’s shoulder. “We can handle the healing, for anyone that gets injured.”

“Looks like its time to really test out this new strength.” Doron said with a laugh.

“We’ll help too.” Claire added, looking over at Jill, who nodded back. “I can’t rest till I see Rills dead for myself.”

Even Garm let out a howl as the group spoke. Tirr picked him up and held him against his chest. “Good, then we fight, and we don’t give them the chance to regret it.”

The others nodded and Roan and Doron quickly went to inform the villagers and gather anyone willing to fight. Maria went to help her grandmother and Lina as they looked over what cures and ointments they had available while Claire and Jill went to go change and ready themselves.

Tirr sat down, Garm on his lap, as he thought over his plan. The whole situation filled him with a sense of familiarity, but he shook it off focusing on the present. He couldn’t fail. He told himself as the others rushed about…