Book 2 Chapter 1

Maria stood in a small courtyard with her hands held out as she concentrated. The beautiful young woman wore simple clothes and had tied her long brown hair up for the training. A young child with dark hair stood nearby, holding a young wolf pup as he watched.

“Focus…” Tirr said quietly to Maria who closed her eyes as she focused on controlling her blessing. Light started to circle where Maria’s hands pointed and sweat collected on her forehead as her Blessing moved for what felt like the hundredth time that day. Finally, the circle of light flared briefly, and Maria slumped feeling the last of her strength fade.

Tirr caught her gently, running some of his Blessing through her until her face gradually regained its color. “Good job, you're getting the hang of it. Outer Manipulation is the first step towards Manifestation.” Garm barked as if in confirmation to his words.

“I don’t understand why it's so hard doing the same healing but a little further away…” Maria said, sighing as she stood up.

“You’re teaching yourself how to do something that goes against what your body has learned.” Tirr said patiently, “It's like if you had to learn how to pump blood outside of your body. You've made good progress since advancing to Adherent.”

"Yeah… I just wish it wasn’t so tiring…” Maria replied as they started inside.

It had been a month since Tirr had regained his Blessing of Fire. They were currently living in the newly created Temple to Tirr, within the capital city of Rasor. The temple, an old warehouse that had been converted for the project, sat nicely within the center of the city. It had enough space for a large congregation area as well as private rooms for Tirr and his followers to live in.

The temple had been a gift of thanks from the newly crowned King for everything Tirr had done for Rasor, as well as a part of fulfilling his promise to help spread his religion. Already, Tirr had become well known within the city after being introduced during the King’s coronation. That, plus news that the popular Princess Claire was a follower as well had gained him a steady group of new believers.

“Dinner should be ready in a bit!” Nora called out from the kitchen as they entered the Temple.

“No need. Claire’s coming to take us out soon.” Tirr said happily, excited at the prospect of going to some of the local sweet shops. It had become one of his favorite pastimes since coming to the capital.

“You should still eat some real food before you go.” Nora said as she entered. Since Maria’s advancement to Adherent, Nora, Lina, and Doron, the original three who she had passed her blessing onto, had advanced as well, reaching Disciple.

As the Temple had grown, Tirr and Maria had become more and more troubled by trying to keep things organized as they struggled to run the Temple by themselves after the surge of new followers. Luckily it wasn’t long until Nora had shown up with Lina and a couple of the Blessed from Road’s End.

She took charge immediately using her experience in running the temple at Road’s End for most of her life. Setting up a daily prayer for followers to participate in and setting up healing services in return for offerings. Soon the temple was running smoothly even as the followers within the capital grew.

“Ehhh…” Tirr started until he noticed Maria looking at him with cold eyes.

“Tirr…”

“Okay, okay.” Tirr muttered as he went to go eat. Maria let out a sigh as she watched him go ignoring her grandmother’s snicker.

Since Doron had told her to take more responsibility for her position, Maria had been doing her best to help Tirr from letting his childishness hurt him. Even as a god his body reacted to things as any child would, and he would sometimes rely on his blessing, ignoring problems until it was too late. Like eating himself sick on sweats...

Perhaps as a side effect of what had happened at the castle though, Tirr had become much more willing to listen. Where before he would have blown her off without a care, now he seemed to take her words more seriously, listening obediently in most cases.

Maria had trouble taking it as a good sign though. Especially since more than once she had woken up to Tirr quietly sobbing in his sleep. He had also become somewhat clingy sticking close to her and getting upset if she left him alone for too long. It didn’t bother her, but she knew it was a sign of how much the memory of Bren’s death affected him.

She followed him into the kitchen, setting down a bowl of meat for Garm before grabbing a plate for her and Tirr. They ate while talking about the day’s results. Occasionally interrupted by Maria reminding Tirr to eat his vegetables and Garm’s bark for more food.

“Here you two are…” Claire said as she entered, looking over the food quickly and grabbing a bit off Tirr’s plate before sitting down. She was an athletic young woman, with short fiery hair and a beautiful face. Maria frowned slightly at the lack of manners but was well used to how Claire acted.

Behind Claire entered a woman in heavy armor gilded in red trim. Iesa had been the first of those saved by Tirr from the hunger of the Fire shard. In thanks, they had pledged themselves to him, calling themselves the Red Knights after their shards had been safely exchanged for the Blessing through Claire. Now they acted as the Temple’s guards and Tirr’s bodyguards.

Tirr finished his food quickly, “I’m almost don…” he started through a full mouth, before shutting his mouth quickly at Maria’s look.

“Change of plans,” Claire said still smiling, “My Brother finally got word back, its time.”

Tirr stopped his chewing, looking at her with a serious expression.

“Then…” Maria started.

“Yep, we're heading to Lutel!”