Chapter 38

Tirr’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at the sight of the young man he had interacted with before. His easy smile seemed out of place in the blood-covered field with an unconscious young woman tied up next to him. Even more surprising was what the young man had just asked him.

“Well? You must have removed your own somehow right?”

“I’ve never had one of those disgusting things!” Tirr answered angrily, “I’m a god so my Blessing comes from me. I don’t know where those Shard things came from.”

“Eh, well disgusting is right. But does that mean that this…” The young man nudged towards the tied-up Claire at his feet. “Has nothing to do with the Shards then?” As his foot touched her a bright light spread from the contact.

“Well,” Tirr started, “probably not nothing…” He said reluctantly.

“What does that mean?”

“Why are you the one asking all the questions?” The young god asked defensively.

“Because that’s the only reason I’m here. But sure, you’re right, it’s not quite fair is it?” The young man waved a hand in an exaggerated fashion. “Go ahead, ask away.”

Tirr was irritated at the young man’s careless attitude but ignored it. “Who are you?” He asked directly.

“You can call me Torvus! Some people call me the Reaper, but its really more of a business name. Think it’s kinda silly myself. Something about your time being up when I take your contract…”

“Anyways, I got hired to kill the Princess here…Or technically, I got hired to kill her brother. They just sent me after her when they realized how incompetent their own cutters were. Started hearing about you and figured you might be able to help me with more than gold.”

“And if I can’t?”

“No loss to me though I admit I’d be disappointed. We fulfilled or contract the moment we stabbed her in the heart so it’s not our problem anymore. You maybe knowing a way to get rid of the shards was just an interesting bonus I thought I might have come across.”

“Why do you want to get rid of the shard so badly? You seem to use yours often enough.”

“Don’t care about myself anymore but some Shard users never wanted one in the first place. It has… Certain effects on a person. Can influence them in unexpected ways. Not to mention being dangerous. Even the slightest bit of carelessness will get you eaten alive.”

“What effects…” Tirr started but was cut off.

“I think you’ve had enough questions for now. Do you know how to remove the Shards or not?”

Tirr frowned, “No, from the Shards I’ve seen so far I believe they are connected to my Blessings somehow, but I need to look at their source to be sure.”

“Oh well, thanks for the conversation I guess.” The young man stood up, preparing to leave. The sudden action took Tirr by surprise.

“Wait! You’re just leaving? We’re on our way to the capital now and one we take care of the people who hired you, I’ll be able to spend some time on the Shards. If they really are based on my Blessings, I might be able to remove them.”

“That’s if you live long enough after reaching the Capital. No offensive but I don’t really believe in that god stuff or whatever these Blessings are. You survive this deal in the Capital and maybe I’ll swing around to talk again. But I’ll warn you now, the Crown Prince isn’t the only person you have to worry about.”

The young man gave a final wave and disappeared into the darkness before Tirr could say anything more. Tirr thought silently to himself for a moment as he tried to confirm which of his Blessings Torvus’s Shard was based on.

He shook himself and focused on getting Claire and heading back towards the Farm where everyone else was. He carried her swiftly through the bodies Torvus had left behind and soon came out of the tall grass fields.

The Guards of Count Vilea were still frantically searching for any sign of their Princess as Tirr strolled out with her over his shoulder. Maria went to greet Tirr happily before noticing the serious expression on his face. He told the Count that he had been abandoned after the assassins had been unable to break through his protection.

They quickly untied Claire and Tirr removed the protection he had cast on her. Claire woke up quickly afterward, very confused about how she had ended up out on a random farm. Eagerly asking Maria and Tirr for the details while being disappointed she hadn’t lasted long in her own defense.

They gathered and set back on their way to the Count’s Manor. Arriving back in the dead of night, The Count quickly set about the plans for their departure the next morning before another attempt could be made on Claire’s life.

Meanwhile, Tirr gathered his followers in one of the rooms that had been assigned to them. He went over his meeting with Torvus from beginning to end.

“I’ve heard some bad rumors about the Shards but it’s been hard to say what's true. One thing I do know about is Reaper. He’s quite a name in the Confederation. Heard he always gets his target.” Claire said a little proudly at having survived.

“And this warning of his?” Doron asked

Claire frowned, “The truth most likely, Nile wouldn’t have been making the moves he has been without enough support among the nobles to hold the country down once he took over. Claus will know more about that once we get to the Capital though and won’t be something for you to worry about. I should be able to get you plenty of time to figure out the Shards so you should focus on that.”

“If he’s warning is anything to go by we may not be able to.” Maria added.

“For now, it's just something to be aware of. Another reason to be cautious” Doron finished. They agreed and decided to get what rest they could before they left in the morning. Tirr forgot to argue as Maria pulled him close as he thought about the Shards until he slowly fell asleep.