Chapter 31

Tirr woke with a start, sitting up in bed as he breathed heavily. Beside him was Maria sleeping cozily, murmuring a complaint at the sudden lack of his warmth. Tirr looked down at her, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but was relieved to see she was alright.

He grabbed her hand as he gave her a quick check over. As he ran his Blessing through her he felt her own respond and was surprised by its growth. She had broken through to Mid-Stage and was already pushing towards becoming a late-stage Disciple.

Tirr smiled happily and was about to wake her when he stopped, his smile slowly slipping away. He had wanted to happy congratulate her, to tell her she had done well and talk about what her increase would mean and what new followers they would bring in. His Apostle had done amazing, but what about him?

He had promised he would finish quickly and come help her and yet she had been left to fight for herself and he hadn’t even properly finished his own fight. The feeling was frustrating, and he moved away started to get off the bed, only to almost step on the sleeping Garm.

Tirr could see a scar that remained after his healing. He sighed, picking up the still sleeping Garm and channeling his Blessing to finish healing him. He stepped out of the bed and started for the door but stopped upon hearing voices from the other side. He moved closer, listening.

“Another died this morning…”

“Six dead then?

“Yes, but we shouldn’t lose anymore…”

The words hit Tirr hard and he swayed as he tried to catch himself. He had thought there might be some casualties but hearing it hurt, especially given he hadn’t been able to finish the opponents off. He stood silently at the door, and just held the still sleeping Garm.

Behind him Maria reluctantly started to stir after the disappearance of her warmth generator. She stretched as she got up, her body feeling refreshed and strangely energetic. She noticed Tirr standing at the door with his back turned towards her. Maria got up happily, running behind Tirr and picking him up as she hugged him tight.

Tirr was caught by surprise as he was to busy in his own thoughts as Maria came up behind him. He almost yelled when he felt arms reach around and lift him up. Stopping himself from using his strength as the familiar embrace held him.

“We did it! We won!” She spun him around, dancing as he called out for her to stop. When she finally did, he looked up at her in a huff.

“We didn’t win, they got away…” He started not looking at her. “I messed up and couldn’t finish them off.”

Maria stopped, confused for a moment as she looked down at him. “They’re gone right?”

“Yeah for now…”

“And we’re still here?”

“Yes but…”

“Then we won! You managed to drive them away and we’re still alive.” Maria said, smiling as she hugged him again.

As she heard her Grandmother through the door, she quickly opened it, dragging Tirr and he still sleeping Garm along out into the Kitchen where Doron and Nora stood. Maria ran to her grandmother and held her tightly as Nora just hugged her back and told her how amazing she did.

Tirr stood there awkwardly untill Doron came over and rubbed his head affectionately.

“Thought you might be sleeping forever the way you were knocked out. It got hairy there for a while, but we did it.”

Tirr shook his hand off irritated, “The worst one still got away and I couldn’t stop him.

“Then you can stop him next time. Went out and checked myself that they really left. For now, the Village is safe and there’s drinking to be done! At least once we get everyone back up on their feet. Doron replied laughing.

“Yes.” Nora added, still holding onto Maria. “Roan himself is planning the celebration for tomorrow night.”

“But people died…” Tirr mentioned confused, “Why a celebration?”

“They died so that the village could live, and they did it willingly.” Nora said solemnly, “now we need to thank them for their sacrifices and celebrate the lives they saved.”

Tirr grunted but nodded his head, Doron gave him a pat on the shoulder before asking for his help with the wounded so everyone would be able to make it to the celebration tomorrow.

Tirr and Maria started working their way through the worst of the wounded with assistance from Nora, Doron, and Lina. Tirr was surprised as almost everyone he helped thanked him profusely, often offering him what little they could or inviting him to come eat with them later. He accepted their thanks gratefully, hiding his own disappointment with himself as he went through the healing.

As they healed the wounded eventually Claire and her maid Jill showed up, excitedly talking with Maria and Lina about the preparations for the celebration they had seen.

Tirr, still stuck in his own thoughts, ignored them, only speaking with Claire briefly when asking about what to do now that the 3rd Knight Order had been forced back. She would only tell him she had an idea, but it could wait untill after the celebration before going back to giggling with the others.

When Tirr had woken up it had already been noon and the rest of the day passed quickly as they attended to the wounded. By the time they finished treating everyone the sun had long set and everyone tiredly retreated towards their beds.

Tirr had a brief talk with Maria about her Blessings growth before adding that the lessons would soon have to go more in-depth because of the surprising skill of the Shard Users. Maria agreed, yawning as she pulled the resistant Tirr close as she fell asleep quickly.

Tirr lay awake by himself for a while, thinking over his fight and the Knight Captain he let get away. I just have to do better. He finally thought to himself letting Maria’s warmth and comfort lure him to sleep.