Book 2 Chapter 4

Maria’s sigil glowed as she focused, holding her hand out towards the patiently waiting villagers. They had gathered together after hearing that their injuries and illnesses could be healed. Light flowed around them forming a circle on the ground. Some of the villagers fidgeted nervously until the ring seemed to complete. It let out a soft flash and each of the villagers felt a gentle warmth enter their body.

“Well done,” Tirr said proudly from where he stood nearby holding a bored Garm.

“As expected of the Holy Saintess!” Claire said loudly with a grin on her face.

The villagers examined themselves in wonder after the miracle ended. Quickly they realized that the ailments they had complained of when the group arrived were gone, whether it was the small cuts and bruises that came along with their daily life, or a life-threatening injury or illness. All were replaced with a feeling of strength and energy. The villagers cried out in happiness and thanks, calling Maria Saintess after Claire.

Maria felt her cheeks burn and she gave a dirty look to Claire before trying to calm the thankful villagers down. Even worse, Arnold, the count of Vilea who had been assigned to lead their escort; led surrounding guards in an applause, forcing her to endure further embarrassment. It took some time to calm the villagers down, packing the offerings they had given and promising that more Blessed would come by in the future. They quickly said goodbye climbing back into their carriage so they could set out once more.

It had been a week since they had set off from the capital, making their way to the Southeast toward Lutel. Along the way they had stopped briefly in the towns and villages in their path, showing off the power of Tirr’s Blessings and the miracles they could perform, a plan that had been recommended by Maria’s Grandmother, Nora.

She had mentioned before they had left that though Tirr’s Following had spread quickly through the capital, very little was known about the god or his followers in the outlying villages and towns. The Temple currently didn’t have enough blessed to send them out as missionaries, let alone establishing other temples, so this travel was the perfect chance to create some new followers and further spread belief in Tirr.

Tirr had taken to the idea immediately, and since then they had taken each chance to show off the wondrous miracles that Tirr’s Blessing allowed them to create. Claire showing off the frightening power of her flames or Maria with her strength and her ability to heal even the most troublesome of injuries. Even Garm helped, posing here and there, showing off his powerful paws and glinting teeth for the villagers that were brave enough to come close.

Each time they left there would be a wake of those who promised to join the Following. Which left Tirr more than happy as they made their way to the border.

After finishing their goodbyes at the current village, they quickly stepped into the carriage. Claire still grinning madly at her own teasing. Maria gave her an angry look before suddenly smiling calmly.

“You seem like you in pretty high spirits Claire…” Maria declared with a warm smile on her face and a cold look in her eyes. “I think you would do fine without dinner for a while, don’t you?”

The smile dropped off Claire’s face as she paled. The villages they had passed had been generous with their thanks for the healing that Maria had provided, offering what they could afford, which for most were the local crops and gatherings. At Tirr’s insistence that they accept the offerings, Maria had decided to put them to use, cooking occasionally for the entire escort. Though her food wasn’t as good as the Castle’s top chefs, it was much better than the usual fare they could expect while traveling.

“Wait! I’m sorry, I won’t call you it again…” Claire pleaded, putting her hands together as she begged. “Please! Those eggs the villagers gave us looked delicious!”

Her pleas fell onto deaf ear though as Maria ignored her simple talking to Tirr about the results at the last village.

Realizing that she would get nowhere with Maria, Claire turned to Tirr with tears in her eyes. “Please Tirr…”

Tirr frowned at seeing her so distraught, he turned toward Maria, “M…”

“Tirr,” Maria called, gently flashing him the same warm smile.

Tirr felt a chill run down his back. For a moment he swore he could see a dark cloud hanging over his apostle’s head.

“The village happened to give us some venison their hunters caught. Since Garm can’t hunt without scaring the locals, it’ll be great to have meat for the first time in a while won’t it?” Maria said still smiling at him.

Tirr nodded obediently, mouthing a small sorry to Claire. Who, seeing her last hope defeated, could only mutter in regret.

Arnold let out a laugh, “I don’t think there’s anything to be embarrassed about Saintess. I think your title is much better than the one that’s been spreading for Claire…”

“What?” Claire and Maria said at the same time, looking up at the young man that sat nearby.

“What have they been calling me?” Claire asked concerned.

Arnold smiled slyly, “The Wildfire Princess…”

The carriage went silent for a moment as the title sunk in…

Finally, Maria couldn’t hold it any longer and burst into laughter.

“What?” Claire said dumbly. Tirr sat silently, considering the name.

“There’s more than enough stories about your troublemaking back in the day. The people just put two and two together.”

“The Wildfire Princess!” Maria cried still laughing, “The Wild Princess! It fits you so well!”

Claire couldn’t help but blush with anger at the words.

“It isn’t bad,” Said Tirr finally chiming in, “But the Holy Saintess is still better. Maybe something like Wild Flame instead?”

“Why does it have to be wild?” Claire muttered, sending Maria into another howl of laughter.

They argued about the titles for another couple of hours before both women decided there was no use for them, despite Tirr’s arguments. The journey continued as they chatted and joked happily until a sudden jerk and sense of deceleration marked the carriage coming to a stop.

Arnold held out a hand for the others to wait as Claire was already arming herself, having been in such a situation before. A knock came at the door suddenly and a voice called out to them. He opened it, to reveal one of the other escort guards. “What is it? Arnold asked the man quickly.

“Smoke sir,” The man said quickly, “On the horizon…”