Book 4 Chapter 13

Tirr walked for a while through the crowd of people still struggling to recover from the night before. He moved steadily, his steps filled with determination as he approached the building Dun had set aside for him. It was a large affair, one of the few more permanent buildings within the valley, made of a mix of logs and stone.

Tirr entered the building, ignoring the people who still slept pressed against its walls. Inside sat Lin, a pot of tea at the ready. She smiled as she saw him, pouring out a cup and handing it over. He accepted absentmindedly, informing her that he and Maria would be gone for the day. She started to protest, but stopped herself, smiling as she nodded her acknowledgment.

He moved to the bedroom he had left just an hour or so ago. There slept Maria, right where he had left her. After a long night of dancing and play, Maria had finally come back, barely able to stay upright as they were guided to their rooms. Now she slept curled around the vacant spot where he had been, her mouth slightly agape with drool threatening to escape.

Tirr walked up, pausing to softly kick at a sleeping Garm, who woke with a start, before moving over to the bed. He carelessly nudged the young woman a few times, “Come on, we need to…”

He was cut off as an arm reached out, quickly snaring him and pulling the young god deeper into its embrace. “Mmm,” Maria murmured slightly, “It’s too early, go back to sleep…”

Tirr struggled, eventually having to channel some of his Blessing to pry himself free, “Come on!” He said again pulling the covers off of her…. Maria groaned in discomfort. seeking their warmth before finally giving in.

It took another thirty minutes before Tirr left the building, holding Garm and scowling back at his Apostle as she followed. Even now she trailed along drowsily, yawning as they worked their way through the valley. “Where are we going again?” Maria asked as she rubbed her eyes.

“Up the mountain, I need to check on something…”

“I thought we needed to wait for something with the clans before that?” The young woman finished wiping the sleep from her eyes, waving to some of the familiar faces they passed.

“Yeah we do, but as I said, I need to check on something before that.”

Maria just shrugged and followed along. As they reached the top of the valley a bored-looking Dun sat waiting for them. “When you said you were going I thought you meant right then, feels like I've been waiting here forever…”

“I don’t remember saying I needed you to come,” Tirr answered the man sarcastically.

“You didn’t, but I’m coming anyway. You may be strong but you don’t know these mountains. If you just blunder your way up there you could get lost for days, and that's only if you don’t run right into one of the other clan’s scouts. At least with me guiding you, there's a chance we can get away with this….”

Tirr wanted to argue further, but couldn’t help but admit Dun made a good point, so together they set off, following along the mountain passes as Dun led them higher and higher. They had traveled for a couple of hours when Tirr noticed that the scenery had changed.

The temperature had dropped by more than a few degrees and the vegetation had grown thicker and more rugged. Tall tree spotted rocky hills filled in by scraggy bushes. At some point Dun pulled them off the main path, forcing them over rock and brush.

Just as Tirr was about to complain, he sensed a presence on a ridge not far from them... Dun seemed to noticed as well and nodded up towards the ridge, indicating for them to follow and keep silent. They snuck past the watcher, keeping their heads low as they passed only a dozen yards away.

After that, they passed by several other scouts that kept an eye over the mountain range, whether for the outsiders sneaking up or Beasts coming down, Tirr wasn’t sure, but after the fifth time, he was glad he brought Dun along. His senses were good but the mountains allowed for many different hiding spots while also allowing a broad vision. They had even passed by a few Beasts, though thankfully just Garm’s scent was enough to scare those small fries away.

After traveling for another while Dun seemed to relax, “We should be good now, none of the scouts should be brave enough to come up this far. Just don’t make too much noise and we’ll be good.”

Tirr nodded and relaxed as well. They took a small break eating some food Maria had insisted on bringing along before setting off again. It took another hour or so before Tirr noticed another change… The flora that had started to become more populous as they got higher had all but disappeared.

As if past a sudden line nothing else could survive, even Dun had a troubled face as they continued looking over the withered shrubs and rotten trees. Garm seemed to grow uncomfortable, his lips pulling back to reveal the razor-sharp teeth beneath… Tirr felt s slight pull, as if something was tugging at him ever so gently…

Now he took over, leading the group as he felt the tugging grow stronger. Finally, they came upon a large plateau, set firmly between three mountain cliffs.

Dun couldn’t help but shudder, “If the rest of the tribe knew that we were here they’d die of shock…This place is holy…”

Tirr didn't answer, his eyes were locked on the object in the center of the plateau. There surrounded by what looked like little gifts and alters was a gigantic boulder. Two slightly hollowed points sat over a grim line giving it the appearance of a face. And as Tirr stared at it, a dull red light seemed to glow from one of the boulder’s eyes…