Book 4 Chapter 10

Notes of music and laughter swayed through the mountain valley, drowning out the calls of crickets and rustling of the wind. While the moon hung high overhead, torches and bonfires lined the valley from one side to the other, lighting it as bright as any day. Revealed by the flames were the figures of hundreds of Dun’s clansmen, swarming this way and that among the fires and music.

Groups had gathered what instruments they could and played with no thought to harmony or order, simply expressing whatever emotion they could after the stressful days they had been through. Those who did not play listened and danced, exhausting themselves in an endless fire as they fought to forget their troubles for a time.

A steady supply of roasted meats and other foods kept their energy up. A mix of fresh meat from the boar as well as some salted meats from earlier kills. The smell of sizzling fats and spices just enough to cover the smell of sweat and dirt that built up as the festivities lasted long into the night.

Watching the men and women around him dance and eat and laugh… Tirr couldn’t stop his lips from curling up slightly. As rough as this clan’s celebration was, it had a sort of energy or passion that was hard to argue against. It reminded him of the feasts he used to have so long ago…

He raised another piece of grilled meat to his lips, chewing it greedily before raising his cup to wash it down. He gulped down its contents, a strange spiced concoction, that left his stomach feeling warm, at least until his blessing purged its effects.

Tirr set down his now empty plate next to a stack of several others, all filled with the scraps and bones he had left behind. Finally feeling full, he sat back into the warm furs that had been provided. A soft groan and whimpered complaint accompanied the movement, and he glanced down to where Sera and Garm lay curled up against him.

He smirked down at them, “Children…” He called them, taking another swig and enjoying the strange warmth that rose from it temporarily. He looked back out, his eyes scanning over the swaying crowd until he found who he was looking for…

A laughing Maria twirled around the flickering light, her hair braided and tied up tightly in the fashion of the Tribe. With her were most of the rest of the honor guard, dancing and laughing as they enjoyed the food and drink.

When the feast had started, most of his honor guard had sat dourly at his side. Tirr, unable to stand their dull mood, finally broke down at them, telling them that if they weren’t going to have fun to at least not get in the way of his.

After that they had slowly dispersed, charmed by the smell of food, beautiful music, and the even more beautiful men and women of the clan who were eager to meet and dance with young warriors from across the flatlands.

Even Maria, after making sure Tirr was settled and attended too, had run off, leaving her own meal only half-eaten. Iesa had drawn quite the following, with multiple men and women vying for her fiery hand. She flashed a bragging look over towards where Lin sat, not too far from Tirr.

The water priestess just ignored her, instead looking up only to smile and bow as she noticed Tirr’s gaze on her. She had let her subordinates run off to join in on the fun but had stayed back herself not sticking too close or too far from Tirr.

After Maria had left and Sera had fallen asleep, she had silently attended to him, refilling his cup and fetching him more of the meats and sweets that were being passed around. Tirr smiled as he took another drink thinking that this type wasn’t bad either.

The only other member of his band who wasn’t out among the fires was Doron. The old man retired early, saying that such things were for the young before retiring to the tents that had been provided to them. Though... Tirr snickered to himself, he had seen more than a few women sneak off not long afterward and was sure at least one of them still hadn’t returned.

He looked up again towards where Maria stood her hands clapping as her body swayed and her feet deftly followed the rhythms. He watched her for a while longer before sensing a large form settle next to him. He turned to find Dun, who let out a laugh as he looked out towards where Tirr’s honor guard danced. “I’m glad they're enjoying themselves…”

Tirr saw the flash of rage and indignation that passed through Lin as the large man spoke so casually to him and held out a hand to calm her. Still, she sat tense, her body ready to react to any strange movements from the mountain warrior.

Dun, for his part, ignored her, instead looking over to Tirr. Seeing the steam rising from the boy's mug, he frowned. “I’d be careful with that stuff if I were you, it’s not really meant for children…”

Now it was Tirr’s turn to frown, “Good thing I’m a god and not just a child then…”

Dun laughed again, taking a drink from his own cup as they enjoyed the atmosphere for a moment. Yet as time passed Dun’s expression slowly grew more and more serious. “If you hadn’t been here… I don’t know how many people we would have lost….”

Tirr nodded, “A good thing we were here then…”

Dun smiled slightly before shaking his head. “I’ve been thinking about taking my people down the mountain…” The words drew a sharp look from Tirr as the mountainous man continued, “In a contest of numbers I’d bet on the Beasts if came down to it. We could last for a while but there are thousands of them in this mountain range and each one takes the work and preparation of dozens of my people to even give us a fair fight.”

“If this continues, my clan, maybe even the entire tribe, will be gone…” Dun finished quietly.

“Isn’t that why you brought me?” Tirr asked seriously.

“Yeah, on a bit of a wish and a prayer that you’d be able to do something about it.”

Tirr frowned, staying silent for a moment before speaking again, “I’ve seen something somewhat similar to this recently… Not exactly the same, but it involved Beasts as well, and in the end, they were running from… Something…”

“Something?” Dun asked suspiciously.

Tirr nodded thinking back to the stone Titan pinned underneath the ocean beside Lutel. “If it’s what I’m thinking of then it could range from a simple fix to needing every single man woman and child to fight just to have a chance.”

Hearing the seriousness in Tirr’s voice Dun looked up in shock. He stared at the young god for a moment before nodding as he stood. “Then I better make sure you get to lead as many people as you can up there…” Dun said quietly as he walked away…

Tirr watched him go before turning back to watch Maria as she swung Iesa around happily. Eventually, as the furs around him grew softer and more comfortable, he felt himself drift off to sleep, his mind filled with thoughts of the Stone Titan and the strange shadow that seemed to command it…