CHAPTER 25

  Tirr woke up the next morning feeling oddly constricted. As he came to, he realized he was tightly within Maria’s grasp and pushed her off quickly, his face red as she woke up as well. When asked what was wrong, he just told her he was hungry and asked impatiently when food would be ready. She calmed him and headed off to the kitchen to see if her granny had already started the morning’s breakfast.

  Tirr shook his head trying to forget his embarrassment and focus on what needed to be done. He needed to try and get everything as set as possible for victory to be assured. He got up himself, changing into some fresh clothes and went out to the kitchen.

  Claire and her maid were already there and greeted him happily. Nora and Maria were just finishing and started to distribute the plates as he sat down. He sat and ate absentmindedly, occasionally passing some meat to Garm, who sat underneath him, despite Maria’s looks. He was thinking over anything he could have left out, as any missed detail could cost the lives of his followers.

  Soon Doron arrived along with Lina, who quickly went to assist Nora in preparing bandages and tonics for the wounded they knew would come. Doron carried in a leather package and set it next to him at the table as he sat and talked with Tirr and Claire, once again going over details and positions. Maria washed up what dishes there were before sitting down herself.

  As she sat, Doron seemed to remember something and pulled up the leather wrapped package, setting it on the table as he smiled and revealed a and old somewhat out of shape two-handed mace. A large ball of iron sat at the end of a long iron handle with leather strips wrapped at the bottom for grip.

  “It’s nothing fancy but will get the job done, managed to find it last night. I wouldn’t usually recommend switching weapons so late but with the state your sword play is still in, getting the most out of your biggest advantage is probably best.”

  Maria blushed at the mention of her sword skill as Claire laughed and Tirr looked over the weapon unimpressed. Maria picked up the new weapon hesitantly, setting it straight, and was surprised as she realized it reached her own shoulders.

  “For now, spend some of the morning getting used to it.” Doron added as she felt the weapons weight, he nodded over to Claire. “I’m sure the Princess would be happy to help practice.”

  Claire smiled eagerly and agreed standing up immediately.

  “Overall, defense won’t be too different from what I taught you already with a two-handed blade. As for offence you don’ have to be as particular about aim or angle. You hit someone anywhere with enough force and just the pain will probably put them down, whether it’s an extremity like a foot or hand or something more critical like the chest or head. Just swing away and you’ll do enough damage.”

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  Maria nodded in understanding before being dragged out by Claire and Jill to go practice. As they left Tirr and Doron got up as well heading down towards the village to help with the last of the construction.

  The Village had transformed in the days since they had been informed of the incoming attack. The tall dirt walls enveloped the village in an odd pattern creating a series of paths and alleys one would have to go through to get to the village proper. Only a few places had yet to be finished up as they went over the last preparations.

  Once finished, the remaining villagers who either could not or would not fight had been sent away, to hide in God’s grove untill the fighting was over. With them was enough food for the next few days, though Tirr was sure that it would be over rather quickly. It was important that they be able to stay hidden untill all was safe.

  Garm left reluctantly with them. Giving rides to some of the few children who had grown brave enough to approach the large Beast. He looked back at Tirr at each step untill yelled at to leave, at which point Garm took off., the children screaming on his back as he headed off into the forest.

  It was then that Tirr and Doron went over their forces. Surprisingly out of a population of just over 200, over half had decided to stay and fight. Leaving Doron somewhat proud of his Village.

  Most though would have no place in direct combat, as Doron assigned what little weapons and armor they had to the young people that had been practicing with him and Maria, or the few old veterans the village had. Meaning that they had about 25 villagers with some combination of arms and armor.

  Tirr had already accounted for that though, splitting the rest into teams each focusing on a different position or job. Some were set on certain places behind the walls, with stacks of collected stones and bricks ready to throw down.

  Others had been put into a medical team. In charge of transporting injured to either the emergency station just inside the walls, where Lina waited to handle urgent cases. Or further to the temple where Nora sat ready with some assistants of her own.

  The idea had struck a chord with Doron, who thinking back to his own injury, wondered how such an importance set on the wounded would change a regular battlefield. Though it wouldn’t be possible without the life Blessing… He thought as he focused on his own power, feeling the warmth gather in the sigil on his chest.

  As they went over the teams once again, he looked again in wonder at Tirr as he organized them. The child god was clear with directions and answered questions easily and without anger. It was such a difference from his usual childlike attitude and appearance that it had left Doron speechless more than once.

  Soon the afternoon passed and as night approached, they sent everyone to their posts, waiting with hushed breaths for the scout they set up ahead. In less then an hour, the young hunter could be seen rushing back towards the village waving the cloth flag that signaled the enemy forces had arrived.

  Tirr turned back toward the 25 men and women who had been set as their main combat group and warned them once again to be careful. The day before he had passed them each a small portion of his power, like he had done with Claire before she left. It wouldn’t give them any healing abilities or use of the Blessing but would help them feel stronger and more energized when trouble came. He hoped it might end up being just enough to keep them safe.

  After giving them their final orders, he went up the wall to watch as the enemies arrived. He was joined by Maria carrying her new mace, as well as Claire and Doron. They all watched as the forms of the approaching army appeared on the horizon…