“Thanks for the help,” a woman greeted Gregory after he’d retrieved his pack. She had the same attractiveness he was coming to associate with this world, but she was more handsome than beautiful, with strong features and muscled arms. Were it not for her facial structure and body shape he may have mistaken her for a man, even her hair was cut short. It was also clear that the muscles weren’t for show as she leaned on a well-used spear and wore a short coat of leather.

“Not many people would run to help complete strangers,” she continued as he took in her appearance, something about her seemed different from everyone else he’d met.

“I couldn’t just watch as those wolves killed people,” he replied casually.

“You could have,” she countered, “but seems like you have the instincts of a protector.”

“If I have the strength to help, how can I stand back?”

“That’s a good attitude,” she smiled, “Don said you’re an ascender, you going to Templeholm to find a patron deity?”

“I was recently made painfully aware of how weak I actually am,” Gregory said, running one hand along the sore spot where Nathen had slashed at him, several broken links had caused small holes to appear in the chainmail. None were big enough to become a cause for concern but served as a reminder of that fight.

“I happen to be a Priest of Dalvos,” she explained, pulling a necklace from beneath her armor, dangling from it was what looked like a tower, or a rook from chess, “I can show you to the temple, see if you can’t get his blessing.”

“I haven’t decided what god to follow,” Gregory replied cautiously.

“Not all gods will offer you their blessing,” she replied, tucking the necklace away, “as much as every god desires Ascenders they won’t accept just anyone. Only those who represent the ideals of that god are acceptable. Dalvos is the Protector, the Slayer Knights all worship him and many have earned his blessing. Few gods match his power as he has major temples in every one of the storm kingdoms.”

“That’s… something,” Gregory said, clearly unsure on how to respond.

“You’ve got some time to think it over,” the woman chuckled, “it’ll be another few days until we arrive.”

“Are you also an Ascender?” he asked after a moment.

“Not yet,” she smirked, then her eyes widened, “Oh, I haven’t introduced myself have I, call me Lex, Priest of Dalvos. And, no, I’m not an Ascender, I’m a local, but I hope to become one. That’s why I entered into Dalvos’ service, He promised to guide me towards Ascension.”

“I’m Gregory, and… can locals Ascend?” he responded, “don’t you need facets or something for that?”

“Yes locals can Ascend, and yes you need facets,” she replied easily, “anyone can develop facets, just without a nature it’s nearly impossible to tell what they are or if you even have any. That’s why earning the blessing of a god is so important, it’s not a true nature but He can assist me in various ways through it.”

“I’m still new to this whole… thing,” Gregory said, gesturing as if to indicate the entire world, “the Church of Guidance was helpful but sometimes I feel like I’m lost at sea, as if this is all some dream.”

“Dissociation is common among the newly Ascended,” Lex nodded, “that you made it out of the World Wood already speaks to your abilities.”

“I mostly hid and ran for my life.”

“Also understandable,” she smirked, “but despite your fear you still came to help people who needed it. I’m sure Dalvos will like you, even if he doesn’t give you a blessing immediately. He is also happy to provide guidance, typically through his clergy but sometimes directly. I think you are the reason He guided me to take this escort job.”

“He spoke to you?”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Not directly, I’m not that important. But when looking at the job board I saw His mark by the listing for this job. I may be a minor priest, but I have His blessing and I know a sign when I see it.”

“Right, at the Church of Guidance they told me the gods aren’t distinct entities like us,” Gregory nodded, “I think they were described as a cloud of dust?”

“You’ll understand them better when you get a blessing of your own.”

\*\*\*\*\*

“Damn that brat,” Count Rahkam spat, pacing back and forth in the court room of his modest castle. Lacking even when compared to the Royal castle he’d done his best to fix it up but there was only so much that could be done. It was likely the castle would never again look as it had when the Tempest King walked the world, but the years had taken their toll on the stonework that no amount of maintenance could fix. He had half a mind to slight the thing and build a new fortress on its corpse, but even if he had the funding for that it there were other fortifications which needed it more.

“It’s only a few bolts,” his wife chided him from her chair.

“This isn’t about the money,” the Count dismissed, “he made me look weak, in front of one of my knights!”

“This ‘boy’ is still an Ascender,” the woman continued, “no one expects you to be stronger than one of them.”

“It doesn’t help that we failed to catch that girl,” the Count ranted regardless, “the King’s sources say she made it to Templeholm with that other Ascender.”

“I find this surge of new Ascenders more worrying,” his wife confided, “I looked into it and the last time it happened was a hundred and fifty years ago.”

“The Shattering?”

“So it would seem,” she nodded.

“Damnit all, I can’t afford to appear weak if that’s what’s happening.”

“There’s only one man in the Kingdom who was around during that last surge.”

“Flameblade,” Count Rahkam snarled, “all he does is sit around and refuse to do anything and yet King Robert paid him exorbitantly to do so.”

“He was the Champion to King Doran as well,” his wife added, “and the king before him.”

“Says he’s planning to ascend past this world, I’ll be happy to see the last of him.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it, gossip is that he said something similar when Robert took the throne.”

“Lazy fool,” the count grumbled.

“At least you don’t have to make friendly with this new Ascender.”

“I’d rather have a new champion than continue to deal with Flameblade,” the count started ranting, “he sucks up so much of the royal budget that our roads and castles are in terrible shape. And can’t even get off his ass to help out the King.”

“Sounds like we need a new Champion,” his wife said idly.

“Maybe we do.”

\*\*\*\*\*

The man known as Flameblade sighed as he leaned over the various scrolls that covered his desk. He’d had hopes when he heard there was a surge happening, but after a dozen or so Ascenders emerged from the wood it stopped, it was a large number to be certain but hardly a surge. Last surge had seen over a hundred new Ascenders, the years following it had seen chaos but he much preferred chaos to stagnant nothing. Perhaps it would even be enough to push him into Ascension.

“Lord,” his head maid said, knocking on the door as she entered the study, “a messenger arrived from the Crown Prince.”

“Came to tell me his half-sister made it to Templeholm?”

“It is as you say, Lord,” the old maid nodded, not appearing surprised that he already knew, “what should I tell him?”

“That I’m not getting involved, and that he has eight months left.”

“Of course,” she bowed and left the room as quickly as she had entered.

Even as she did he drummed his fingers on the table, wondering if he’d actually be able to follow through with that warning. Every time he tried to extract himself from the kingdom he found himself being pulled back in. Even after all his companions had left the world he remained, unable to figure out why he couldn’t follow them. Most likely he’d spend a few years outside the Kingdoms before returning, that’s what had happened when Robert took the throne.

“I don’t know what you see in this pathetic little kingdom,” a woman’s voice interrupted his train of thought.

“And you need to stop that,” Flameblade said, tossing a scroll at the woman who was now sitting across from him. The scroll passed through her body, bouncing off the chair behind her before coming to a rest on the floor under the table.

“I’m just concerned, Tyler,” she assured him, “I know you’re smart enough to realize that Kingdom won’t last.”

“Do you have an actual reason for spying on me?” Flameblade asked.

“Isn’t my desire to see you enough?” she asked innocently.

“I’m going to be leaving soon enough, do try to show some patience.”

“So you say,” she said, leaning forward to peer at him closely, “I’m curious as to why you even care about that kingdom so much. They’d have fallen long ago if not for you. And now you are suddenly willing to abandon them?”

“That’s what I said.”

“I’m worried about you Tyler,” she said after a long pause, “all you do every day is train, don’t think I haven’t seen you out there practicing.”

“Does the false concern work on other men?”

“It’s not false with you, dear Tyler,” she said with a soft smile, “I just don’t think your obsession with this kingdom is good for you. If you’d just tell me why you care so much I might-.”

“No,” he interrupted, “if that’s all, can you leave me alone?”

“I suppose,” she said with a weary sigh, “if you ever need to talk, you need only ask.”

Flameblade stared at her as she faded out, slowly vanishing before his eyes. His impressive senses allowed him to feel her continued presence, so he continued to stare until even that faded away.