Book 2 Chapter 45

“Here…” Claire said casual tossing a small squirming figure towards Nerida before lunging towards the still shocked Maria. She caught the other girl in her arms and hugged her tightly as she complained. “You guys ran off somewhere and left me to watch this disaster and babysit these annoying brats..”

It was only then that Maria noticed the small creature now tumbling through the air was the Starfish Beast. It seemed to wiggle happily as it flew, reaching its arms out towards its mistress.

Nerida clicked her tongue, and a stream of water swirled, catching the starfish just before it struck her and holding it in a small bubble of water. The Starfish reacted happily, still chirping excitedly before pointing its legs with obvious anger towards the princess and the puppy still struggling with Tirr.

Tirr finally pushed Garm off himself. The young wolf yipped happily before noticing the Starfish. The pup reacted fiercely, his lips curled back revealing his shiny teeth as he growled menacingly towards his old enemy.

Claire let go of Maria to stare disapprovingly at the two Beasts, “These two have been fighting ever since you left them with me… I’ve had enough. People have been thinking I’m crazy sitting in a cell and talking to animals all day.”

The two great creatures faced each other with hatred in their eyes when a fist came down with a crack on the wolf's head. At the same time, the water holding the Starfish suddenly shook sending it spinning wildly.

“Enough of that!” Tirr yelled angrily shaking his fist at the whining Garm.

“Behave yourself in front of god or I’ll have you cooked,” Nerida said to the Starfish coldly.

Claire was enjoying the liveliness and the fact that she didn’t have to deal with the two creatures anymore when she noticed the silver-haired figure standing to the side. Her eyes narrowed and wisps of flames sparked in her scarlet hair.

Torvus noticed the reaction and smiled sheepishly rubbing the back of his head awkwardly as he greeted her. “Nice to see you again Princess…”

Claire growled in response, “Bastard, I’ve been wanting to see you again…” She smiled wickedly as flames collected in her fists, the temperature around her rising rapidly.

The two guards behind her shouted in panic, raising their weapons as they commanded her to stop. Claire ignored them and Nerida had to wave the guards off as the two combatants faced off.

“Can’t we just let bygones be bygones princess?” Torvus laughed nervously as the sweat started to bead on his forehead.

“Sure, just after I burn you up a bit for stabbing me in the heart back then…” Claire replied wickedly.

“We don’t have time for this…” Tirr interrupted, “We need to go stop this war…”

Claire pouted reluctantly before letting the sparks flying around her die down. “We’re not done with this,” She told Torvus seriously, “I want a straight fight without you sneaking a blade in while I’m trying to eat dinner.”

Torvus just smiled knowing anything he said would just provoke the young woman further. Instead, he turned and followed as the group continued forward to the front while Claire questioned them on what she had missed.

They traveled quickly through the camp and plains as Maria told Claire about how they found Torvus and their raid of the warehouse complex. Claire examined the princeling poking his face curiously as they walked.

“Well its great you guys brought him but I’m not sure that’s gonna be enough anymore…”

What do you mean? Nerida asked politely, earning a scoff from Torvus.

“The assassination attempt really set people off. The Water Temple and the military have been chomping at the bit for Agir to just order a full-scale invasion. But I guess he's gonna give my brother one last chance to turn over his son. Even if you bring him back it, it’ll be hard to prove it was the Confederation right?”

“At the very least it should buy us time to get things worked out, right?” Tirr asked.

“The Confederation won’t let things go that easily…” Torvus added

“There was something else too, but I can’t remember what it was…” Claire said, her eyes squinting as she thought.

They soon arrived at the battlefield, stopping on a hill overlooking the troops spread out in front of them. The two armies lay arranged against each other, thousands of men and women stood tense as they faced off against their countries long time enemies.

Looking down it was easy to spot Lutels command, with Agir on horseback as he waited impatiently for any sign of his sun. Attendants and officers stood around him, putting their own thoughts forward for the troubled King.

“Looks like we made it just in time…” Maria started happily. Just as she spoke, a large ball of fire sprang from the Rasorian side without warning. The Water Temple’s priests were unprepared for the attack and barely managed to lift a weak shield of water before the flames crashed into the front line. Dozens of screams rang through the air as both sides stood in shock and confusion not understanding what just happened.

The officers and commanders of both sides broke into a tirade of orders. Even from the hill Tirr could see Agir yelling for his men to hold and help the wounded. Before anyone could move though, a group of priests of the water temple fired back, ignoring orders as they launched lances of ice towards the Rasor army. They struck the front line and tore through several men each before coming to a stop.

Even as Agir screamed at the priests another blast of fire came from the Rasorians. Knowing that the common troops would have no chance if they just sat there, he finally ordered the charge. The Lutel army pressed forwards, slowly at first, before hitting its stride as it charged the still confused Rasorians.

“Ah! That’s what it was!” Claire said suddenly, her fist clapping into her hand. breaking the shock among Tirr’s followers as they watched the sudden violence. “They said someone with the blessing of fire was a part of the assassination, but I figured they were wrong since I would have sensed if any of my Disciples had been there…”