The Chorus: Steelwing

Chapter Two



When Solarians of any rank were sent on a mission they never simply appeared where they were to go, visible to all eyes in the vicinity. No, instead unless the task itself required otherwise they would often appear within the general area of their objective, perhaps in the hills outside of a town or in a dark side street of a city, invisible and intangible. This gave them the opportunity to take some measure of their surroundings, evaluate whether it was safe or not, then when all was clear materialize with none the wiser.

So it was that Tyrend alighted on the mortal world in a neatly-arranged grove of olive trees. The plants were quite lush and the place he stood was far from any road, and looking all about himself he saw no one not heard them. Just to ensure this he waited for a count of fifteen, then judged it safe and materialized. As usual for Tyrend he felt a sense of heaviness lay on him, which he usually accounted as the physical 'loss' of his wings, faded into the ethereal. He expected little else to change otherwise, so it came as quite a shock that he looked down at himself and realized his appearance had been altered considerably. His usual green tunic had been replaced by a short-sleeved, knee-length ivory tunic belted by several leather strips braided together and simply Tuesday the hip. His legs were bare, and his feet clad in lace-up boots that tipped just below his knees. Leather bracers wrapped his wrists, a metal plate marked with Solaris' symbol running the top of his forearm and bell cuirass. He still had his sword, shield, bow, and quiver, but they had altered in appearance as well. His shield was a bit smaller than before and rounded, making Tyrend appreciate that he'd trained with many different shield types during his existence. Though he knew it was still Truesteel it looked like simple, mundane steel with Solaris' symbol emblazoned on the front, designed to be held to his arm by a leather arm strap and a leather strap for him to grip. His sword was a bit broader than it used to be, and shorter, a gladius he would guess. His bow looked like wood instead of Truesteel, though he couldn't be certain what material it resembled at first glance; perhaps a local wood type. The quiver had changed the least, still leather and with new braid work on the cuff around the top and down the strap that held it to his back. Lastly he had a traveling pack at his side, held in place by a strap across his chest and back. It was heavy with supplies both for appearance's sake and for potential use. He had a feeling he'd find what lay within very useful before too long. And around his neck hung a Solaris Holy Symbol; surely any whom saw him would believe him to be very devout indeed!

But it wasn't just his clothing and gear that had changed, as Tyrend had realized when he happened to catch sight of his hands. His formerly tanned completion had taken on a slightly more golden-olive hue. His hair brushed his shoulders in gentle waves and was ebony in color as looking at his reflection in a bracer revealed, and his green eyes were now dark brown. While the Guardian understood this change likely reflected the society he was to blend into it was still a bit of a surprise, far more extreme than any he'd undergone before. Though he did smile at himself.

"I do not look too poorly with longer hair," he mused as the last glimmers of divine light faded in his eyes and his scent, crisp, fresh air, wrapped faintly around him. Given none in the area knew about Solaris or his celestial servants he had no concern that someone would make the connection between the smell and its origin even after the fact, and perhaps would brush it off as a perfume he wore. "Though for certain none of my siblings wound recognize me on sight!" Tyrend chuckled, suppressing his connection to the Chorus to a whisper as a safety measure - he remembered Raferties' words of a Darkness - then began walking along the orchard path to its end where he encountered a waist-high fence, easily hopped, and a well-worn dirt road. Tyrend knew from experience that he would not be too terribly far from his destination, but he awe no immediate signs of which way to go nor anyone he could ask. So the Guardian stood still for a moment, quieting his spirit and listening for an inkling from Solaris, a hunch of which way to go. When he opened his eyes he found he was looking to his right, so thus that was the way he began walking.

The weather was fair, pleasantly warm and by his guess in the early parts of autumn, almost time for the harvest by his guess. Though his departure from the grove had gone utterly unnoticed by any he observed that there were workers in the grove, trending to the plants. They were simply dressed men in tunics and sandals much akin to his own though their clothes were word and dirty from their labors, and on a few he spied tears in the hem. Given the direction they seemed to be working and how much they had already come through he thought they must've started near sunrise and with considerable dedication. There was no overseer, though given what Tyrend had learned of the region that was little surprise. They were probably conditioned as it were to begin work and continue on their own likely until sundown. The fields were likely not even property belonging to any of them, either. But they didn't seem mistreated, just poor, so he didn't stop them from their job – that would probably just get them into trouble, really.

Over the next fifteen minutes' walk Tyrend passed through several fields, some with tomatoes, oranges and peaches, and he thought even rice though those fields were a bit further away. All seemed quite bounteous, which he offered a silent word of praise to Solaris for. The better the crops did he reasoned the better things went for the workers. He also passed three men on horseback. One was grandly dressed in brightly-dyed clothes, riding with his head up proudly and looking smugly at the workers in the fields as he passed. His escorts were armored and armed men, wearing gear much like Tyrend's though with a different symbol on their shields, perhaps a house emblem or that of another of their patron gods. When the nobleman's gaze fell on Tyrend he showed a brief interest but soon decided that the Solarian was beneath him and turned his gaze away with a sneer. The two bodyguards however glared at him as he stepped to the side of the road to permit them to pass as if they considered him a potential thread. While he could understand their wariness, being a protector himself, as his hand had been nowhere near any of his weapons their intense scrutiny and even derision was a bit extreme. Still, he just let them go on by, then continued on his own way.

Turing round the far wall separating a vineyard from the countryside Tyrend saw a very large villa ahead of him, and by the sudden jump in his heart he knew that was his destination. Though he couldn't see everything because of a strong wall that protected it, Tyrend could determine it covered a good span of property. He could just barely see a rooftop over the wall, possibly the main house as it was rather large, and a few trees peeking their leafy boughs up to the sun. The entire compound was almost a perfect rectangular save for one corner that was sheered flat by the road that passed by it, the same that Tyrend was walking along. A gate, currently closed, stood on this side, flanked by guardhouses. On all sides that Tyrend could see were beautiful gardens and open fields, carefully tended but in a manner that tried to hint they were not. Quite likely a part of the family's domain as well. He wondered briefly how many fields he'd passed in the nearby vicinity also belonged to them, but let the thought fade soon enough. He'd likely find out sooner or later, and in truth he thought it was really of little importance overall. Seeing he was so close hastened Tyrend's steps, and soon he was approaching the front gate. There was a guard at the gate, and it was closed, making the Solarian wonder exactly how he would get into it, let alone close enough to begin his mission in full.

But as usual, Solaris had things well in hand, and as he came within sight the guard hailed him in their tongue.

"Charos xenou!" he called, and a moment later Tyrend understood his words: Hail, stranger! As a Solarian, Tyrend was capable of understanding all written and spoken languages, even if it took him a moment to process what he heard and recall the language himself.

"Hail," he replied with a pleasant nod, looking at the building. "This is an impressive villa."

"My master is quite prosperous," the guard replied. "His family have served the government for generations." Tyrend noticed the guard was looking him over not critically as before, but searchingly, and slightly hopefully. "Pardon if I sound strange asking this, but by chance are you a swordsman?"

"I am, as well as an archer and woodsman. Why do you ask?" The answer seemed to flood the guard with relief, though it was tentative.

"My master has been seeking a swordmaster to train his daughter, Lady Coria. All those whom have been hired on before have quit or were fired for incompetence, unable to train her."

"I have trained many before." A complete truth, as it were, as Tyrend had trained many of his siblings before. "All quite successfully, as well, in both archery and melee combat, and I am proficient in many types of weapons aside from the sword."

"Thank Malachi!" the guard gasped, speaking of the god of battle and in the process clearing up a misunderstanding Tyrend had held about the name; he pronounced Mal-ah-chee. "Please, you must speak with Steward Thalis. He is in charge of seeking out the swordmaster. I will send for him." The guard offered Tyrend a jug of water to drink while he entered through the gate, leaving the Solarian to wait.

All praise and thanks to you, Solaris! Truly you smoothed the way for me, and in turn for your Champion.

The celestial had only been waiting for about ten or so minutes when the gate opened again and the guard returned, with a man scolding him for so recklessly leaving his post and the guard apologizing. He was dismissed back to his post and the new man, presumably the Steward previously mentioned, turned to Tyrend. He looked Tyrend over skeptically, eyeing him up and down, then circled him. Tyrend for his part stayed still during the evaluation, patient at this point now that there were so few hurdles left to reach the Champion.

"Hmm," Steward Thalis murmured. "You say you are a swordmaster."

"I am, and capable of training others," Tyrend replied.

"How many have you trained?"

"More than I could possibly count." Steward Thalis looked at him at that, but apparently accepted the answer.

"And how have they fared afterwards as warriors?"

"I apologize if I sound as if I am bragging, but in my opinion there are none to compare to them." The man scoffed, clearly taking it as the bragging previously mentioned, but brushed this aside and gestured for Tyrend to follow him. After a smile and a nod of gratitude at the guard he did.

The inside of the villa was just as grand as the outside. From the gate a walkway of white stone led into the courtyard, encircling a fountain in the center before an inner wall that likely protected the family's private residence; he thought he saw a roof. The rest of the lawn was as grassy and maintained as the fields outside. To his left against the North wall was a stable and coral with several finely-bred horses grazing in the sunshine. The Guardian thought he briefly heard dogs barking, so perhaps there was a kennel somewhere. To his almost immediate right was a somewhat squat rectangular building that at first glance seemed longer than it was. It wasn't until he realized that about a third of it lacked a roof that he understood it had a yard or something of its own. Seeing his gaze Steward Thalis sighed but elaborated.

"That is the barracks for the house guards." He used the proper term sistati. "The open-air section is their training grounds. My Mistress insisted it be walled-in; she finds watching their practice disturbing." By 'Mistress,' capital M, Tyrend felt he was speaking of the lady of the house rather than Coria herself. He almost asked if the practice was disturbing for the violence inherent in training or if she found the guards themselves deplorable but kept it to himself.

"Should you prove to be a competent teacher," Steward Thalis continued, "you shall be housed there. That is also where Lady Coria shall take her lessons."

"So there is not a private training ground in the family's residential area."

"No. She tested to be a warrior only four months ago, and his Lordship felt it would be a waste of money to have one constructed especially as there was no certainty it would ever come into use again; her brothers and sisters are firmly believed to be on a scholar's path."

Ah yes, the testing Tyrend had read about. Upon achieving adulthood at age sixteen (privately he applauded their delay in that milestone; he'd seen far too many child marriages when they were considered 'grown' for his tastes) every citizen of any level of society was brought to the capital for testing to determine their role in life. They would be scored on everything from learning, mathematical skills, physical capabilities, and even how well they behaved in social situations. Obviously those from more wealthy families had a far better chance at success owing to their greater access to education and training beforehand, but Raferties' scrolls had indicated that sometimes someone would surprise everyone and be marked for a position high above their birth-station. For women this often also served to help solidify their marriagability, adding to the laurels of their family's status and wealth and their own beauty.

Coria, for her part, had tested well across all fronts as was to be expected with physical capability and combat skills, even untrained, far beyond the norm. Though technically a step down from her father's caste there was little her family could say otherwise aside from insisting she be trained further at home rather than enter into the military. Thanks to her gender as well as her noble status this exception had been permitted.

"Swordsman." Tyrend realized Steward Thalis had been addressing him for some time as he stood looking at the barracks.

"My apologies. I was thinking on how extraordinary Lady Coria must be." Now that he was back in the moment he thought he could hear the sound of a blade striking against something wood and metal.

"Yes, she is talented, and that is our problem. She has surpassed no less than half a dozen swordmasters in that four month duration. Lord Balasi is rather vexed by their incompetence - how is it that men who came to us so highly recommended cannot do something so simple! - and has tasked me with finding a teacher for her by his return tonight."

"So he is not here?"

"No. His Lordship spends his week in the capital and returns home at the weekend. He is a very busy and important man in the government." Tyrend nodded, but absently. The sound of practice was almost piercing loud in his ears, giving him the inkling that it was Coria he was hearing. He was feeling impatient to get past this and begin training her, guiding her to her awakening.

"I admit to hear that she had bested so many warriors is impressive," Tyrend said, looking for a means to finally meet the Champion. "Perhaps if you doubt I can do better than those come before I should meet her and we spar together to prove myself."

"Hmm, that is a fine idea! You are a bright one, for a warrior." The Solarian let the slight slide and followed Steward Thalis to the far side of the practice area where there was a door and through it. The training grounds were both much as Tyrend had expected and very well laid-out. It was dirt-floored, which made a practical sense for the near-constant foot traffic that would tear up any plantlife. He saw five archery targets along the left in neat rows and a shed on the right that he reasoned might hold training equipment and weapons. A lean-to under the shed protected lacquered logs each with a single flat side that the Solarian recognized as a popular form of footwork training. Opposite their entry point was another door, presumably leading to the barracks, with a small well beside to provide water to the training warriors. In the middle was a dirt, ten-for diameter ring denoted by a perimeter of smooth gray stone, and currently occupying said ring, flanked by two training dummies armed with wooden swords and shields, was a female who had to be Coria.

The moment he spied her Tyrend felt like he was seeing an old friend, someone he had known ages. She was a fit woman, toned but not so overly muscular, with honey brown, long hair currently plated and wound from the nape of her neck, across the crown of her head, and back to the nape to keep it from her face. He couldn't see from their distance but Tyrend knew her eyes were cinnamon brown, and like his temporary form her completion was olive-tan. She was about a head shorter than he was, just barely coming up to his shoulder, but as he watched her move he could clearly see both her natural skill and agility. And in a sense it would benefit her to have him train her. Being taller, she would become very accustomed to dealing with opponents with longer reach than she herself had, as well as being able to physically out-strength her. At current she was in an off-white tunic that hung slightly longer than Tyrend's own, clearly something she wore specifically for training purposes as it was far plainer than a noble of her standing would normally wear by his understanding and belted with a simple leather belt, as well as lace-up sandles that ran up her calf. In her right hand was a round shield much like Tyrend's own, unadorned, and a simple practice sword was held in an already expert grip in her left. With these she batted at the dummies around her which were cunningly made to pivot and bend slightly with her blows, lending some unpredictability to their movements. Thus in a sense they could both attack and defend, and with there being two she had to divide her attention between them. Even so, her own defense and offense were quite impressive, proved when a fault in one of the dummy's pivot mechanism caused it to stick briefly and jerk, making her have to react fast to avoid its sword.

After giving Tyrend a moment to observe Steward called out to her.

"Lady Coria!" Instantly she bashed one of the dummies hard to knock it into a wobbling spin and dove beneath the other's shield, tumbling free of them and out of the circle back to her feet. Only then did she look their way, seeming to need a moment to realize whom they were, then set down the sword and shield and dusted herself off before approaching.

"Thalis," she greeted, foregoing his title either out of the fact that technically she was his superior or just a familiarity. Steward Thalis' expression remained neutral, though, so Tyrend couldn't tell which it was or what he thought about it. "Who is this?" Tyrend smiled as he gave her a small bow.

"This man is to be your new swordmaster," the Steward introduced. As Tyrend straightened he was somewhat surprised to see that she was frowning.

Does she not wish an instructor? wondered Tyrend. Or is she more conceited than I was lead to believe? Or arrogant? He found that both prospects didn't settle well with him. While Solaris had before used heroes for whom redemption was a stepping stone in their paths he hadn't thought it would be the case here.

"You are to be my swordmaster?" she asked of Tyrend, who nodded.

"Pardon me for not introducing myself sooner. I am called Tyrend."

"Tyrend," Coria echoed, then sighed, looking downcast though her eyes on him were friendly. "I fear you may have come for no true purpose. If the good steward hasn't told you no one can train me. I have surpassed all who have tried before, and they have been fired or quit in disgust and disappointment." Ah, so that was it! It wasn't her own pride that made her appear so, but it was her own hopelessness to find someone who actually could train her in the first place. She greatly desired for her skills to be honed, and had almost given up hope to that end.

Good thing Tyrend knew he could do it.

"I believe you may find me to be different," he assured her, adding, "but if you are uncertain then perhaps we should spar so you can ascertain my potential." Coria tipped her head at the offer, looking at him curiously, then gave a tentative smile.

"At the very least you'll prove to be more of a challenge than dummies!" Tyrend laughed, and as Steward Thalis relocated to a safe distance the pair moved the dummies out of the ring before taking their place. They drew their weapons and shields and stood facing one another. Coria seemed a little hesitant to make a move, perhaps a bit dampened in spirit by her previous encounters, so Tyrend gave a little encouragement.

"Perhaps you would like to evaluate my defense first?" He gestured with his sword towards himself. "Come at me!" Coria nodded, expression set in concentration, and rushed him with a quick forward strike! It was so abrupt that Tyrend was almost caught off-guard.

But he literally had millennia of experience at his disposal, and thus even if his mind couldn't react in time his body could. Shield came into proper place and deflected her handily, and in the moment after the brief engagement Tyrend saw surprise, and regard, in her eyes.

Tyrend kept his defense up, letting Coria bring her sword against him in several ingenious maneuvers. His defense held against her throughout them all, but as she struck him he was learning about her, seeing where she was weak and where she was strong. She knew how to use her agility and size to her advantage, twisting and pivoting around him and trying to come at him from odd angles to get through his defense. He could feel the strength in her with each impact of blade against shield, and she wisely knew how to put her entire body behind her arm while at the same time not overbalancing her or leaving herself terribly open. He did spy some areas for improvement, but that was what he was here to do: help her improve so she would become the Champion Solaris desired her to be.

After a couple minutes of non-stop clashing, giving Coria time to fully feel him out and for them both to evaluate one another, then Tyrend decided it was time to switch things around.

"Defend yourself!" he cried an instant before he lunged at her, mounting a counterattack. Coria fell back with a cry, shield raising to block; thankfully Tyrend had withheld much of his power. He didn't want to utterly overpower her from the first attack, and his blade rang against her shield. For about the same duration as he'd been on the defensive Tyrend struck at her, showing his own cunning and knowledge in his maneuvers many of which he knew would be foreign to her. Though he occasionally got through to tap her arms with the flat of his blade she successfully stopped him many times. Her defense was almost stronger than her offense. Tyrend was impressed, thoroughly.

Finally Coria gasped out 'I yield!' and dropped to sit, panting, in the ring. Tyrend was breathing a bit hard as well as he lowered his sword. They both jumped when Steward Thalis suddenly spoke from the side.

"Simply amazing!" he praised, approaching at last. "I have never seen such skill displayed before."

"Lady Coria is very talented," complimented the Solarian as he held a hand out to help her to her feet and gave her a smile. "So, do I pass your inspection?"

"Pass?" Coria's eyes were wide. "I have never faced anyone who could keep up with me as you did! And those maneuvers you used - what were they? How did you do them? Are they difficult to accomplish?" Tyrend chuckled.

"So I take it you are pleased should he become your swordmaster?" the steward asked.

"Yes! His skill is so far beyond any of the others' - it's like comparing a child playing with a stick to a hero of legend!"

"Excellent! Then I shall write up the paperwork for you to sign concerning your employment here and things can get underway." Tyrend nodded his agreement.

"And I the meantime perhaps Lady Coria and I can talk, get to know one another better."

"Coria, please."

"As you wish, and I hope you will call me Tyrend as well." Quite satisfied Steward Thalis left them there, pleased with himself concerning this trainer as behind him teacher and student were heading to the well for some water and discussing where they would begin the lessons already.

Another month passed with life progressing much as it had. Coria and Tyrend trained and went out among the workers and general populace on errands of charity, Ilias visited regularly though he couldn't give any updates on his master's progress, and soon it was almost the winter months. During one of his communions Tyrend found out that though the days were shorter as per usual the climate remained relatively mild and steady. Only the high-altitude areas around the mountains saw much snow, and the colder winds rarely came to Coria's region. That was good to his mind as he knew when the harvest came in farmers tended to struggle more, and he and his charge would be free to continue their work among them without worry for the cold or snow. Coria was excited to continue her work as well and was trying to get her siblings involved, though they thus far had shown only lackluster interest.

Then one night, while Tyrend was Communing in his room, his eyes suddenly snapped open almost of their own volition.

What was that? Tyrend looked around his room. Everything seemed as it had been before he's lain himself down. Yet he felt distinctly uneasy, as if some sort of...presence had passed by him. In his heart came the urge to get up, prepare, and patrol the grounds, and Tyrend had been on enough missions before to realize when he felt an impulse from Solaris, so he obeyed.

Stepping outside the barracks he saw nothing amiss. The night sky was clear and glittering with stars, the moon in its new phase. A few house guards walked along the top of the walls with lanterns in hand, but to Tyrend's eye they seemed casual about it. Two were even having a conversation. Then he saw one above the main gate suddenly stop and turn, calling down to someone below. In the night still Tyrend could hear their voices clearly enough.

"Who goes?" Tyrend heard the neigh of a horse, loud and he'd say frantic, and a familiar voice reply.

"I am Ilias, betrothed to Lady Coria Pallides. Please, you must let me in at once - I have to speak with her at once!" Tyrend quickly jogged over, thankful that the barracks are so close to the gate.

"Let him in - I know him and will vouch for him," he called up to the guard whom looked; perhaps he didn't know Ilias, which was likely as the guards kept regular shifts and her fiancé logically never visited at night like this...which why his suddenly doing so now worried the Guardian. Regardless the wall guard did know Tyrend both as Lady Coria's swordmaster and a skilled warrior who'd earned the respect of all the house guards. He nodded, and gestured that Tyrend could unlock the gate and let the man in.

When Ilias came in on his horse the beast was in a lather and bellowing for breath and much to Tyrend's alarm Ilias wasn't much better. His clothing was disheveled, his hair mussed, and he was pale. He had no luggage or bags on the horse's saddle, either.

"Tyrend!" Ilias gasped, all but jumping from the saddle and gripping the Solarian's arms tightly; Tyrend could feel he was shaking almost to the point of falling where he stood. "C-Coria! I have to speak with her – I have to warn her!"

"Warn her about what?"

"The capital!" The man paled further, a feat Tyrend thought was impossible until he saw it, and the Guardian suddenly found himself supporting Ilias' weight.

"Look, you are about to collapse. Come!" Tyrend half-walked, half-carried the scholar over to the fountain and made him sit, cupping some water in his hand and splashing it on the back of Ilias' neck. Ilias gulped down a few handfuls of his own, panting harshly, then began telling the story.

"Do you recall how the last time I visited I said the Emperor was going to make an announcement to his advisors?"

"Yes."

"Well, the announcement was that his Majesty was going to implement Coria's suggestions!" Tyrend's mouth fell open in shock, and his eyes widened. "I know! I was thrilled and surprised myself. But then apparently someone spread word around the city about it, and the noble began rallying a resistance!" Dread knotted up tighter in Tyrend's gut. "They began protesting and calling for the measures to be recanted. Then the lower caste began voicing their own support for it. The plaza was split in half with people on either side yelling – there was fighting in the streets! People were killed!" He bend forward in distress, burying his hands in his hair. "And it gets worse. This morning my master called me to him and told me to leave the capital – there's talk of full-out rebellion against the Emperor. It's insane! All supporters of these 'new beliefs' are being singled out, and there's signs that it's spreading out of the capital's walls as well." Ilias was calming a bit as he'd finally gotten his story out. "I wanted to warn Coria to be careful, watch herself. People in this area have talked about her. They know that she does some of the things that these plans spoke of! They – they might think she's a supporter and try to attack her!"

"Be calm," Tyrend urged, giving in to the desire all Guardians had to comfort distressed mortals and letting just a tiny bit of his divine nature show through. "I will tell her of the events as you have told them to me, and I will protect her both here and when she is out and about." Ilias looked at Tyrend for a long moment, desperately hopeful, then nodded.

"Perhaps she should forego her 'errands in town' for a while," he suggested, though the look they gave one another said exactly how much both of them believed that Coria would abide by that suggestion. "Thank you." Ilias took a deep breath. "I should probably return home – I'm known in the capital as the apprentice of the man who first made the suggestion, after all." Tyrend considered that, but found his heart said 'no.'

"No, you should not." He gestured to the horse Ilias had ridden in on, standing with head hanging low and clearly almost to the breaking point. "If you continue on in such a manner you will likely kill your horse long before you reach your destination. Remain here, let your horse rest." Ilias hesitated, thinking. Tyrend knew he was tired. It was visible in every fiber of his being. He wanted to rest, to sleep, quite likely even wanted to speak with Coria directly himself. But even though Tyrend was exerting all the Guardian aura he dared fear won out.

"I – I cannot! I have to go home... they might go there."

He is very afraid, Tyrend thought to himself, and realizing that the young man was determined decided for a compromise.

"As you wish, but at least let me tend to your horse, give the creature some water and try to cool it." Ilias nodded, and as Tyrend moved to lead the horse over to the stable to water it he remained at the fountain, resting. Tyrend pumped some water into the trough and removed the bridle, then while the horse drank the Solarian gently ran his hands over its neck, sides, and legs, murmuring softly. "Yes, I know you are tired. I know you want rest. You have one more journey ahead of you. I shall help you make it safely." He whispered Solarian words and healing energy flowed into tired muscles and straining lungs. He wiped away the foam and cooled hot flesh and by the time the horse lifted its head it was as fit and ready as if it had been resting in the stables all day, willingly eager to run. Tyrend smiled, stroking the arching neck. "Good boy. You serve your master well, now run sure and true for him, and keep him safe from harm. Fear not for your speed; no holes shall cause you to trip for I have blessed your steps." The horse softly whinnied, nuzzling Tyrend's fingers. As a nature-orientated Solarian his words could actually be understood by mundane animals, and he had always felt a special kinship with them. After slipping the bridle back on and securing it he led the horse back over to Ilias whom was dozing on the fountain's edge, almost to the point of slipping in. Tyrend sighed at human stubbornness and reached out to lay a hand upon his shoulder (and slipped a little endurance-boosting magic into him at the same time).

"If you are going to go, you need to awaken." He started, gasping and reaching for a small dagger at his hip, then realized where he was and who was speaking to him.

"Ah, yes, you're right. Thank you." He stood, far more steady than before. "Oh dear, how long did I doze? I feel very rested, and – the horse!" He gaped in surprise. "He looks better than when I got him from the stables!"

"I have a way with animals," Tyrend answered honestly, "and not long, just a few minutes while I tended your horse. Now you should go. I will alert the guards to what you have said so they will be watching for trouble."

"Thank you." Ilias mounted up, then leaned over the side and held out his hand, gripping the one Tyrend held up tightly, gratefully. "Thank you, Tyrend, for being here to take care of her when I can't be."

"That is entirely why I am here." Ilias nodded and Tyrend walked with him back to the gate, unlatched it again to let him out, and followed briefly to watch the man ride down the road towards his family home. Then he returned inside.

"Tyrend," the gate guard above called, "what all was that about?"

"Tell everyone as they come for their shifts that there is unrest in the capital," Tyrend answered. "Ilias was fearful for Lady Coria's safety as the unrest is centered on some of the activities that she often participates in and in fact suggested by a roundabout way to the Emperor and his advisors." Perhaps a bit more than some might have wanted to reveal, but Tyrend couldn't keep secrets aside from not having to reveal his celestial nature. "The unrest has spread slightly outside the capital itself."

"I understand," the guard called back, straightening. "We will increase our alertness." He hurried off to inform the others and soon all of them had torches alight and were watching intently to the surrounding countryside. Satisfied Tyrend considered his next recourse. He knew he would need to tell the guard captain first thing in the morning, but he wondered if he should alert someone in the primary household such as Coria herself. Her father was away for the week at the capital ironically enough but would return the next day, around mid-afternoon to early evening if habit proved anything. Lady Erini had even now barely said two words to him unless she had to, so she probably wouldn't be content being awoken for such a thing. And as without the permission of the master or mistress of the house to enter he was prohibited, would be kicked out if found.

Dare I try to sneak in? No, I probably should not. If I am caught I will be dismissed at once, and then be unable to protect Coria at all. I will bide my time with the leader of the guard until the master returns and can give more information, and tell Coria when she comes to train tomorrow morning. He sighed, looking skyward. Solaris, protect Ilias, and guide me in this moment to do your will.

Chapter Six

Tyrend pushed their horses fast and hard, even in the faint light of the half moon. He wasn't certain whether or not persuit might be on their heels but everything in him was telling him to put as much distance between them and the villa as possible.



I put my trust in you, Solaris. Guide me to safety.



At first they gallopped along the main road, then an urge rang through his heart and he turned aside, going out into wild lands that to his understanding weren't claimed by any family. Not wanting to be left alone Coria's mount followed; Tyrend had the feeling that the young woman was doing little more than holding on at this point. After all she'd been through he didn't blame her for being a bit numb.



Tyrend rode as if he'd been traveling these lands all his life, and both horses' steps were sure even along the uneven ground. Ahead a forest loomed and he made for it, feeling there was refuge in there. It was a large forest he saw as they came fully up on it. It seemed almost entirely untouched, with the trees growing close and the boughs thick. After riding in only a couple of yards the Solarian dismounted and took both his horse's reins and Coria's horse's reins and walked them, not quite willing to risk their legs against the roots that might rise up unawares. The two horses were exhausted he noticed, blowing air and hanging their heads low. Likely they hadn't had much rest after pulling Lord Belasi's carriage, save for perhaps some water and simply being able to not pull anything for a couple of hours.



"We shall rest soon," he said softly, both to the horses and to Coria with a glance over his shoulder. Coria was holding to the saddle and staring at her hands though when she seemed to feel his gaze she looked up and managed a wane smile. He smiled back and looked forward again. This in a sense was a place where Tyrend felt considerably stronger than he had in the villa – now he understood one reason why Solaris had chosen him for this mission – and he saw signs even in the relative darkness that most people would have missed. The passage of animals, the way the plants grew and even the scents in the air that helped to guide him to what he wanted: a river.



Sure enough, after about a ten minute walk they came to the shore of a river. It wasn't particularly deep, only perhaps about a couple feet deep and gently flowing, likely to be crystal clear in the daylight. Perfect for his purposes. Without hesitation he waded into it, leading the horses afterwards, and after a small click of his tongue at them when they both tried to pause to drink they followed. He would let them drink later, when they were further from their entry point. Walking in the water, he knew, would mask their scent should their enemies send hounds after them.



Finally, he stopped and didn't prevent the horses from drinking, taking the moment to look around and try to get his bearings. It was hard not being able to see the stars or moon to get direction, but he thought they'd fled to the east – appropriately enough – and roughly had covered two miles between hard riding and walking. The horses were tired, as was Coria. They needed to rest somewhere safe, badly.



A space between some of the trees at his right hand caught Tyrend's attention and beckoned with a warmth in his chest, so when the horses had drunk enough he tugged on the reins and led them on through. This path was heavily concealed from above by tree branches and clear of animal tracks or other signs of passage, winding around until the river was lost to view.



"Where are we going?" asked Coria in a soft, emotionless voice. Numb, likely, trying not to think about the past couple hours.



"Shelter," he replied with confidence that he spoke the truth. Exactly what kind of shelter he couldn't say with the same certainty. Just a couple minutes later a row of shrubbery barred the way but proved easy to push through, even for the horses and bending enough so they took no hurt, and opened into a clearing. The trees around had limbs that hung down forming a shielding curtain, and an upraise of earth at the base of a large tree in the middle formed a mount with a hollow below, quite possibly one large enough for at least Coria to curl up in to rest. He stopped the horses and gestured Coria to remain mounted, then moved forward and examined the hollow. It actually extended considerably further than first glance might suggest and opened up to likely allow them to sit more or less comfortably (at least for Coria; Tyrend might be a bit scrunched but he was okay with that). A few tufts of hairs told him that it might have once been the den of a larger animal like a badger or wild cat but not used in quite some time and nature afterwards had hollowed it out further into a rather nice, if small, cave with the roots of the tree above giving support to the 'roof.' Yes, he was more than pleased. Coria could rest here safely while he kept watch, and the boughs would help conceal the horses from sight while they rested. He straightened and returned to her, taking hold of the reins with one hand and wrapping the other around her ankle to get her attention.



"We can rest here," he told her, nodding towards the hollow. "It is deep enough and we can both fit, if a bit snug." She just blinked at him, so he smiled. "You should go rest. I will see to the horses then join you." Coria nodded and tried to dismount, stumbling part-way and falling almost directly into his arms. He steadied her and walked with her to the hollow to help her climb down just in case, then as she settled turned and led the horses to one side. He removed their tack and rubbed them down with his hands, murmuring to them reassuringly of his thanks and that they could rest, and would be safe, in the clearing. The one he'd ridden softly nickered and Coria's chewed on his shirt collar for a bit, getting a chuckle and a pat and then the Guardian left them to graze and rest. He slipped into the hollow to find Coria seated with her knees to her chest, just staring at nothing. Granted, there wasn't much to see in the dimness. Tyrend knew he could use his Radiance to illuminate the chamber but something in him said that it was far too soon to be revealing such power. She had shown him so many Solaris-faithful traits but he felt he had to proceed carefully even now, or perhaps especially now after she'd suffered such a tragedy. So instead he trusted to faith and rummaged around in his bag. Sure enough he found a lantern wrapped up in a lightweight blanket and a flask of oil. A few moments later there was an ember, then it caught on the wick and a warm glow filled the chamber.



Coria didn't even look up or move aside from blinking, though Tyrend saw a sheen of unshed tears in her eyes. She hadn't even started to unbuckle her armor or try to get more comfortable, and a few minor wounds freely bled into her clothes and ran a trickle down a line up her cheek. He smiled kindly at her, only able to guess the emotions that were going through her at that moment and edged over to sit next to her.



"I will help you with your armor, if you would like," he offered. Coria looked at him, blinked – a single tear fell free to run down her face – but nodded and uncurled to let him start unbuckling the breastplate. Tyrend got it free and set it aside, then unfastened her bracers and lay them with the breastplate. Then he took the blanket the lantern had been wrapped in and draped it around her. She pulled the edges around herself, knees back up to her chest as Tyrend removed his own armor and took stock of supplies. They only had what he carried in his bag: a few dried meat rations, a waterskin, the blanket, lantern, and some coins. Tyrend had his weaponry but Coriahad dropped the sword she'd grabbed and her normal sword and shield were back at the villa, inaccessible.



Well, Tyrend had always preferred the bow and so he could give her his sword and shield. It seemed fitting after all, given both carried Solaris' mark. But that was for another day. Tonight was for beginning of the grieving and recovery process. Satisfied he returned to Coria's side, taking a seat. For a bit they were silent, then Coria spoke softly.



"Tyrend?"



"Yes?"



"How - how could all this have happened? My - my own father tried to -" Her voice choked on the word, and she buried her face into her arms.



"When someone tries to change the world for the better," the Guardian replied, "those who stand to gain from it remaining in darkness will always try to oppress it. Your ideas are blessed, Coria, as are you, thus as you begin to come into your own enemies have appeared to challenge you." Her head came up sharply.



"My father, an enemy?!"



"I cannot say how much his actions were of his own volition." That calmed her, though she gave Tyrend a puzzled look.



"Are you trying to say magic, or something of the sort, was behind his attack?" Tyrend was grateful she'd amended the 'something' part as it let him safely, and truthfully answer.



"Yes, I believe so. Even though he did not always understand your beliefs or agree with them, he did love you and would never have tried to harm you otherwise." The fact that the fiend had to take full control to do so made Tyrend confident in his words. But they were the words that opened the floodgates as Coria no longer could hold back her tears, burying her face again and sobbing. Tyrend wrapped his arms around her, simply offering what comfort he could until she cried herself to sleep and he lay her down, tucking the blanket around her and keeping a quiet watch. Though he found He didn't have to keep it long as he heard soft footsteps and sensed the presence of other Solarians, three Guardians.



Seek your Communion, Tyrend, one's Song sang to his. We shall guards your rest and tend to the horses.



My thanks, for I am sore weary. So Tyrend leaned back against the earth wall and closed his eyes, seeking Solaris.







Tyrend 'awoke' when his sibling's Song called to rouse him, telling him that it was dawn and theywere returning to the Heavens. Tyrend say up and let his Song sing back a thank you, then he sensed them depart. Turning he gently shun Coria's shoulder.



"It is time to awaken, Coria," he stood softly. She stirred, eyes blinking open. For a moment she seemed confused, then he saw memory come back to her and she sat up. The Solarian picked up the waterskin and offered it. "I would imagine you might be thirsty?" She nodded and accepted it, taking a deep drink then tossing a bit into her eyes and onto her face, scrubbing herself somewhat clean on her sleeve from her crying the night before. He offered her some of the food from his pack but she shook her head in denial. That she didn't have much of an appetite he didn't fault her for; given the circumstances he would have been sorely surprised if she hadn't been still upset today. She pulled the blanket back over her shoulders, seeming to take comfort from it, then looked at her trainer.



"Tyrend, what do we do now?" Tyrend set the food aside – he didn't need it after all – as he thought.

"Well, I believe I can say for certain that this land is no longer safe for you, Coria." She made a thoughtful sound.



"Because of the ideas I had, the ones that started all this and the magic you mentioned."



"The ideas you had are pure, good, and blessed; do not let doubt try to tell you otherwise," he was quick to point out. "Aiding the less fortunate, balancing out the differences between the social classes, encouraging fair judgements in the courts – how can anyone with a good heart deny their merit? But yes, the enemies we have made will continue to hunt after you for if they can remove the source of what they oppose, then they can crush it without a challenger rising against them. Every step you take beyond this hollow will be perilous." While he didn't want to frighten her per say, it was the truth and something she should be aware of. "What you do next however is up to you entirely. I would wager there are those out there whom are considered wise who would counsel you to flee as quickly as possible." She looked at him, confusion on her face.



"Flee?"



"Yes. Find somewhere far away from here where you can life in safety for the remainder of your days. If you were to choose that path I would protect you until you found your safe haven." Now, Tyrend didn't advise this himself of course; Coria needed to awaken and deliver her land into Solaris' light. But it was true that a lot of people wouldn't fault her for running either.



This moment, her choice, would make all the difference.



For about ten seconds Coria stared at Tyrend, expression shocked as if she couldn't quite believe he was even suggesting it. Then she scoffed.



"I can't leave! All the fighting – it has to be stopped! And if there are people who would use magic to turn my father against me who knows what they may do next – they have to be if not directly behind then highly involved with the coup against the emperor. It's the only way they would know which advisor came up with the ideas in the first place and thus could trace it back to me through my father." Her voice broke a bit on the last word, but she held herself together. "Even if it's dangerous I – I have to do something to try and make this better. To do the right thing, no matter what risk it brings to my life." Oh, how proud Tyrend felt especially as she finished with, "I can't explain things, but I feel this is what I'm meant to do. I can't stand by and let people suffer anymore! Not when I have the power to stop it." She gave him a smile. "But please, I don't want to put anyone else in danger more than I have already. You should flee yourself, find somewhere far away." Tyrend chuckled and shook his head.



"I cannot do that, Coria. I vowed to protect you and train you, and that vow has not changed. I am with you no matter what roads we take nor how dark they may become." Coria's shoulders relaxed a bit; clearly relieved.



"I admit I didn't like the thought of going it alone," she confessed, softly laughing along with him. "So, now that we both know I'm not running away, what do we do first?"



"First, you eat." He handed her back a strip of jerky. "You will need to keep your strength up. Then we will gather our things and our horses and head out. If we can find someone friendly we can get better information perhaps about what exactly is going on, both in the capital and in the surrounding area. After that we can make our plans." Coria nodded determinedly and finally accepted the food. Tyrend ate with her to keep up appearances, then helped her get their gear out of their temporary shelter and don it. The horses were placidly grazing, seeming quite content though after a night of Solarian tending they had probably had the best rest and meal they ever had, and willingly accepted saddle and bridle. The two walked their steeds out of the woods, exiting on a different side than they had entered from, mounted up, and rode.

Chapter Eight

As the season turned fully into winter, as predicted mild and pleasant enough that with a blanket the pair of 'outlaws' could actually sleep outside when they had need to, Tyrend and Coria continued to work among the community as a kind of 'benevolent ghosts.' They went from friendly home to friendly home as best they could, relying on word of mouth to assure that they would be well-received, and there they would mix with the workers to help prepare the land for next planting season, or enacting needed repairs around the household, or sometimes doing something as small as watching their children while the parents did other tasks or simply took a break. Tyrend saw that Coria had a natural way with children which pleased him quite a bit; she seemed to be able to shed her cares when she was interacting with them.



But as their path was becoming straighter, it was being wrapped in darkness and shadow. Emperor Ikestoko's dictates had gone from simply sadly stagnant to downright oppressive, even cruel. The slightest breaking of a law was punished by imprisonment until the emperor saw fit to release the transgressor or even death. Taxes on the poor raced skyward until they barely could afford to feed themselves, while the rich became more and more decadent and self-indulgent to the point of sinfulness. It was a despairing state of affairs.



Coria also came upon the second part of her plan, and though in its own way it was more straightforward than her subtle means of helping it was just as dangerous: the military essentially had run of the countryside and many had been corrupted by the power. They took what they wanted when they wanted, regardless of what it was or who objected. And it was as they were tending to a family who'd suffered such 'attentions' that Coria had had enough.



"This can't be permitted!" she told Tyrend when they were out of earshot from the suffering family. "Those... Those men burned down half their barn, smashed almost all of their equipment, just about killed the man and his sons, and their poor daughter..." Neither had to say it. It would take many days for her to recover from what they did to her.



"What would you like to do about this?" Tyrend well understood her anger. He felt much the same.



"They cannot be permitted to think they can do this without care for repercussions." She started pacing. "But their superiors won't reprimand them for their deeds; it wouldn't surprise me if they condone it!" Tyrend had the feeling she knew what she wanted to do, but hesitated at taking that leap.



"Possible. Given what we have seen of them and heard of the emperor their tendency towards tyranny is quite evident." She silently paced some more while he just watched, then finally stopped and spoke.



"If they won't protect the people of this land, then someone else will have to. We will have to." Tyrend smiled.



"And you are ready to take that step? Actively fighting against legal servants of the emperor?"



"This had give beyond simple legal or illegal. This is about human decency, about good and evil. There can be no question; I'm ready to fight."



"Then so am I."



Thus the next time the pair were traveling together when they spied a patrol of seven soldiers harassing a merchant they did not slip away, but found a place to dismount their horses and lightly tether then in hiding then carefully approached to observe the situation from concealment. The merchant had climbed down from his wagon and was standing all but at swordpoint along with his own three guards, likely hired mercenaries and no match for the well-trained soldiers. All of them looked understandably nervous. One soldier was holding onto the reins of one of the horses, two more were guarding the men. Three were seemingly ransacking the wagon with careless abandon, tossing crates and bags out the back without regard for what they may contain while the seventh, by the medal or badge on his breastplate some kind of commander, watched on.



"Please be careful with those," begged the merchant as another crate crashed onto the grass. "Some of them are quite fragile - urk!" He backed up as one of the soldiers jabbed his sword in the merchant's direction. The other laughed.



"Just a customary search for contraband," the leader said calmly with a smirk, seeming amused by the whole thing. "In sure you have nothing to worry about, right?"



"N-no! I have nothing illegal!"



"And none of these things are being taken to anyone declared outlaw, correct?"



"No, nothing!" Another crate crashed down, this time with the sound of breaking glass. The merchant cringed, then gave a startled yelp as suddenly the commander crossed to be right in his face, catching the man by the front of his tunic in a fist.



"Good, because as I'm sure you know if we find anything suspicious if be well within my right to kill you on the spot and confiscate everything your have, in the name of our emperor." The poor merchant was too terrified to speak, visibly shaking. Laughing art how easily he cowed the merchant the commander threw him to the ground where he curled up.



That for Coria was the last straw. With a look of grin determination on her face she nodded to Tyrend who reached for his bow, then stood and stepped from the sheltering stones, coming into full view even as she drew her sword and took hold of her shield. The noise was quick to get the attention of the soldiers as they turned to see whom it was, then they saw the commander's eyes widen.



"It's the outlaw woman!" he gasped, adding as Tyrend came into view with bow drawn and nocked, ready to fire and aimed at the soldiers guarding the merchant and his mercenaries.



"You have one chance," Coria called back. "Cease this at once and depart." Clearly they weren't intimidated by the young woman despite Tyrend's presence as well for they burst out laughing. Even the mercenaries looked dubious, and the merchant's expression said he didn't think his fortunes could get any worse - here he was being accosted and searched to ensure he had no connection with Coria and then there she was! The commander sneered.



"Men, kill the archer. Take her alive for...questioning."



And that was all Tyrend needed to hear as without hesitation he released his arrow. The projection flew true and sank deep into the thigh of one of the soldiers guarding the merchant and mercenaries, just above the knee. The soldier cried out in shock and pain, falling to the ground. The Solarian had another arrow to the string in the blink of an eye, but the remaining soldier by the innocents was too close and in his caution the shot was avoided. But at the very least it eliminated the threat to the merchant and the mercenaries, whom proved to be loyal at least to the one who paid them their coin; they grabbed the merchant and scrambled with him to the shelter of a ditch alongside the road where they vanished from sight.



The soldiers were far more interested in this new and more valuable bounty, however, than a merchant. The Commander drew his own sword and shield and, leaving his men to deal with Tyrend, charged Coria. A powerful downward swing crashed into her shield and though her knee bent with the force of it she stayed standing, and in his surprise he left himself open for a counter attack. The training that Tyrend had imparted held her in good stead and she struck without hesitation or second-guessing, a quick slash that opened a small line on the Commander's sword arm.



Sound strategy, the Solarian mused. Weaken your opponent's ability to harm you first, while you are not winded and your defense strong. Yes, he was quite pleased with her.



Of the remaining six, the one Tyrend had shot was still on the ground, trying to see if he could work the arrow out of the muscle without causing further harm. Two sought to play Tyrend's game and rushed to their horses, pulling atlatls and the companion quiver of long darts from the saddles. These two arrayed themselves at a distance, fitting one of the darts into the thrower's cupped end. But Tyrend could only spare them a glance as two others each drew a spear with a leaf-shaped blade for the head and a short spike at the other end as well as pulled their very large shields from their backs, taking position side by side and locking their shields to make an almost impenetrable wall before them. Phalanx fighting, Tyrend's mind supplied, a technique that was favored by several Solarian spear-fighters who also tended to go into combat situation together. They could protect one another and given the sheer size of the shields the archer would have difficulty getting past them; they covered almost all of the men's bodies. They advanced steadily and slowly, clearly intending to be the distraction while their ranged allies concentrated on wounding their opponent. It was a sound strategy, really.



Just also one that Tyrend had seen played out a thousand times before, both watching the mortal realm and during practices in the heavens.



Tyrend knew he only had a few moments to act. The effort of getting weapons and shield had given him time to think, time to consider his course of action, and he had a strategy in mind. For the moment he concentrated on the phalanx fighters. If they came within range of him with those spears not only would they greatly hinder his archery, blocking his line of sight and possibly striking out at him when he took time to shoot, but they would be able to protect their allies as well with their shields. The atlatl wielders were troublesome but the Solarian trusted in his armor to help protect him – though they might have thought it was mundane steel it was Solarian Truesteel and thus much stronger than it seemed. The phalanx fighters had to be taken out first.



Like turtles in reverse. Instead of their backs being invulnerable it is their fronts, so... Tyrend surprised them by his actions given he had no visible melee weapon, darting forward in what appeared to be an unarmed charge. As he predicted they braced their legs and locked their shields tightly together, expecting him to futilely hit and bounce off. But at the last second Tyrend sidestepped and tumbled around them quickly, drawing an arrow mid-roll and nocking it, taking aim as he came up to a knee. The arrow flew true, and the phalanx fighter on the left closer to Tyrend cried out and his shield wavered, dropping a fraction and weakening the defense. A second shot grazed his brow, spilling blood into his eyes and blinding him.



A quick glance at his charge told him that Coria was holding her own though the Commander's greater physical strength kept her on the defensive. At that particular moment the man shoved her with his shield to make her stumble back several feet. As the struggled for footing he rapidly slashed her leg and almost her but but for Tyrend utilizing the Mark he'd placed on her in that dark den in the ground, and the blow was turned aside missing by inches. He cursed for the miss never suspecting the truth of the matter. Coria came back up to steady positioning and countered with a shield rush of her own and in the last second Tyrend caught the cunning nature of her attack; in their shifting positions the Commander's feet were adjacent to a small pile of smashed crates. He hit into them and stumbled, stamping through the jagged wood and earning several scratches and cuts on his legs, some quite deep, then fell. A timely or perhaps even happenstance positioning of his shield deflected her downward stab a moment later.



The atlatl wielders let fly their projectiles, having taken careful aim at the Guardian. Tyrend, on a knee still, threw himself once more to the ground in a roll to try and avoid them. He dodged one but the second stuck briefly into his hip; it didn't sink deeply thankfully and fell out of the wound a moment after inflicted. The phalanx warriors had turned around, and just like Tyrend thought they favored the right side, keeping that side further from him and in a sense drifting that direction. He thought he really should have gone for that side but they knew what they were doing, presenting their left side. And now they had coordinated their defense. The one that he had wounded was struggling to keep his shield up, so his partner told him to focus on his defense and thus the spear was dropped to allow both hands to the shield. Well, that was something in Tyrend's favor. The one that had his spear still thrust it forward at Tyrend and it tore the hem of his tunic as he jerked to the side.



Suddenly he heard Coria cry out. Looking over he saw the seventh and final soldier, whom he'd lost track of, had thrown a heavy net over her and it had all but borne her to the ground. She was on a knee and pushing back, but the Commander wasn't going to give her a chance to free herself. Quickly Tyrend jumped to his feet and turned his aim over that way, shooting at the Commander to catch him in the side. He screamed – it was quite a painful wound – and dropped his sword to clutch at it. But Tyrend paid for it as well as the spear pierced the back of his shoulder drawing a cry of his own as he jerked away, spinning back and shooting almost reflexively at the phalanx warrior who'd struck him. He missed, but it did back the pair up.



Distracted by the arrow in his side the Commander gritted his teeth and yanked it out, causing a fresh flow of blood, and took the moment of Coria being tangled up to grab his cloak and unfasten it to wrap around himself in a makeshift bandage. It also gave Coria enough time to pull the net off of herself, and she surprised the soldier who threw it at her by throwing it quickly back at him. It wasn't quite fully unfurled but that turned out to be in her favor as the bulk impact completely bowled the soldier over and he fell flat beneath it. He didn't immediately move so the impact possibly stunned him.



Two more atlatl darts flew, landing just shy of the Solarian as he darted away from the phalanx warrior's spear attack. His Guardian instincts were screaming at him to get to Coria's side to protect her rather than be forced at such a distance. And to do that these four had to be taken care of.



With a quick glance at the one he'd first shot – the man had passed out or was simply laying prone playing dead as it were, not joining into the fight – Tyrend took a risk in a couple of senses. He nocked two arrows at once and, having found a little distance from the paired phalanx warriors, fired both at the same time at the atlatl users. He also, in a breath before the attack, whispered a blessing over the arrows too ensure their flight was true. He knew that if any of these men were carriers for fiends his cover would definitely be in jeopardy. But the arrows flew well and each of the men took it to their throwing arm at the elbow. In almost unison they dropped their throwers with yells of pain. Not killed, perhaps not even down for the fight but for at least a moment not a concern. Then he spun back on the phalanx warriors and rushed them again. They slightly turned towards the left as they thought he was going to try and tumble around them again, but this time the charge was sincere. Tyrend barreled through the place their shields overlapped with all the might he could muster in his body, spinning them and breaking their defense. He only had a moment to muse that they needed more training if that attack got through before he had two more arrows in the air, aimed low for the legs left exposed by their stumbling. Both fell, groaning and clutching at their calves.



"If you are wise," he told them, "remain on the ground and I will tend your wounds after your commander surrenders." Whether or not they paid attention he couldn't say as he hurried to offer support.



The Commander had managed his temporary bandage job and was back on his feet with his sword in hand. He spared a glance at his men along with a derisive glare then focused on the woman warrior. Deciding to forego defense he dropped his shield and drew a thick-bladed dagger, dual-wielding. The sword came in first, provoking Coria to block with her shield and left herself open to the dagger. It caught in the underside of her sword arm, forcing her to drop it with a cry of her own and tuck the wounded limb close. She was being pressed too hard to staunch the blood flow any other way. With gritted teeth Coria snapped her shield forward twice in rapid succession. The first blow hit his sword hand, then the second impacted fully into his chest to leave him sucking air. It was a mere moment of delay, but that was all Tyrend needed as he first shot the commander in the leg, dropping him to a knee, then ran up into melee, grabbing the man's own dropped shield to slam it on the back of his head. He fell face-first onto the ground with a dull groan, eyes fluttering briefly before he fell unconscious.



"Coria," Tyrend asked, coming to her side as she dropped to a knee, a hand holding to her arm. At first glance it was by far the most serious of the wounds she carried. Quickly he knelt beside her, pulling his bag around and seeking out the medical kit there. Soon he was spreading numbing and antiseptic cream on the gashes – to his admittedly limited experience they didn't look like any needed stitches – and winding bandages around them, seeing to her before himself. "Were you seriously wounded?"



"I – I think it's all flesh wounds," she answered, looking him over. "What about you? I saw one of the darts hit you."



"I am fine," he replied. He'd triggered his regeneration during the fight, but now closed that power off even though he was still wounded. It would be very hard to explain to her how he was undamaged despite blood on his clothes and her having seen him being struck. "Minor injuries." Coria sighed in relief, then looked around at the prone men. None were badly hurt either but they seemed to be taking Tyrend at his word.



Suddenly, much to Tyrend's surprise, the Commander lunged up, having seemingly regained consciousness while he'd been tending to Coria's wounds, sword raised to cut Tyrend down.



Coria was a hair faster, grabbing one of Tyrend's arrows and snapping to a knee, thrusting forward before he could even consider getting out of the way or in any sense defending himself. There was the sound of tearing fabric, puncturing flesh, and a snap as the arrow broke in her hand from the force the Commander himself generated. The commander stopped in his tracks, sword upraised in both hands and shock on his face. Tyrend looked up at him in equal shock, then at the place where his arrow was embedded: upwards into his chest.



In striking from such a lowered position Coria had driven the arrow up past his ribcage and into his lungs and heart. He coughed once, weakly, and a trickle of blood ran from his lips. Then his face paled and he fell over. Coria stared at him in horror; she'd trained with Tyrend enough, even now in this new life they still found time to train, so she wasn't blind to the possibility that someday she might take a life. But now it had happened.



"Oh – oh no!" Coria moved to the fallen man, but it was clear there was nothing to be done. Even had Tyrend revealed his true identity and used his touch to try and heal him it was far too late. His ethereal wings ruffled at the presence of death passed over them. Coria knelt frozen for a moment, then sagged. Tyrend moved to kneel next to her, laying a hand on her shoulder.



"You had no choice; it was my life or his," he assured her. "You saved me, likely." She nodded, but her eyes showed regret.



"I – I know, but I didn't want to kill any of them," she admitted.



"That is admirable, and of them all only one lost their life. Given their full-hearted intent to kill us I would call that a success on your part." She sighed, but nodded.



"We should see to them, and to the merchant and his men."



"I will see to the soldiers. If they try anything I can ensure they stop." And give a tiny bit of healing magic as well. "You see to the merchant, if he is injured." They quickly divided some of the medical supplies and went about their business. While Tyrend removed arrows and even did some quick battlefield stitching Coria assured the merchant and mercenaries that it was safe and discussed what happened to them and began helping them sort out what was salvageable of the damaged trade goods. They just finished – sadly about half a dozen crates had their contents all but destroyed utterly – when Coria heard the sound of horses neighing. Turning she saw all but one of the soldiers riding hard away back towards the capital. The one that remained standing beside Tyrend was the one Tyrend had hit with an arrow right at the start. He was favoring that leg, and it was wrapped both to staunch the bleeding and to give it some strength, and he was looking at Coria with something akin to anxiousness... and...hope?



"Tyrend?" The young woman inquired as she approached, her gaze asking the question. Tyrend smiled.



"This is Nikos Kefalas," the Solarian introduced with a smile. "He has something he would like to say to you." Nikos swallowed heavily and took a breath, then to Coria's clear shock struggled down to a knee.



"Lady Coria, I vow my allegiance to you from here on out."



"Wh-what?" Nikos looked up.



"I vow to you my spear, my shield, and my life in your objectives." He took another shaky breath. "I have been aware of the corruption, the darkness, that has overtaken our land. The emperor is not like his predecessor, who was a good man. I – I never told anyone but I approved the decrees that the emperor, may the gods keep his soul, was going to put into place. My brother... I was decided to be a soldier, but he... when he was born he was different. He can't think the way we can. He's smart, but just in his own way. He works on our uncle's farm, and the changes would have helped them a lot. But now – I've heard how they suffer. And our commanders are corrupt. They permit behaviors that I find disgusting, but I am just a footsoldier. If I were to say anything against them I would be killed, horribly, as a traitor. But when your warrior sent me to the ground I saw a chance to take a different path, to escape and make a change for the better, for everyone. If you will have me." He bowed his head again awaiting her decision. Coria for her part looked utterly baffled by the speech. Tyrend smiled at her.



"You are becoming an inspiration," he explained. "People, those whose hearts are willing to hope, to believe, they will hear of you, Coria, and will rally to your call. Nikos is only the first of what will likely become many if you will accept their strength to compliment and empower your own."



"I don't know if I'm cut out to be a leader," she got out.



"Those called to be leaders rarely are. All they can do it the best they can, try, and continue to do the good they see the opportunity to go." The Solarian smiled. This was another phase in her destiny; Coria was to be a leader to inspire others to look to Solaris. After another moment to consider it, Coria nodded, and Nikos smiled. "Well done. Now, would the merchant and his mercenaries appreciate a little more help along their way?"



"They say they do not have far to go, but the extra protection would be welcome." Both Tyrend and Nikos nodded, the soldier mounting his horse with help from the Solarian and then Tyrend whistling for their horses to come to him, they mounted up, and the entire group continued on the road.

Chapter Ten

The sun was just beginning to set when, as they crested a rise their destination came into view. It was a half-dilapidated fortification with holes in the formerly thick stone walls, in one place being utterly collapsed, and the once-formidable wooden gate was broken planks to either side of the doorway. If it hadn't been for the fact that relatively fresh wagon tracks headed towards it and Tyrend's heavenly keen eyes catching sight of concealed lights within they might have thought it was abandoned.



Probably just what those within wanted outsiders to think.



They retreated back down the hill and found a sheltered place to secure their horses then walked in a circuitous route towards the side of the fort where a gap in the wall would permit entrance. Tyrend kept on the alert, eyes on the wall for guards or snipers, but he saw nothing. Quite likely he reasoned they were deeper within, or perhaps even using magic but he thought he'd sense that if they were. It could be they were even betting on the remoteness of their location and the run-down nature of the fort to help protect them. It certainly was a believable façade.



Their nerves were understandably tense, every sense on alert for the slightest indication of enemy movements. Tyrend spied prints here and there that indicated soldiers had passed – their boots were all identical, regimented as it were – but the prints were over a day old. Together they came up unopposed to one side of the gap, pressing against the stone and listening, taking a moment to ensure safe passage.



No movement, no call of alarm.



The two looked at one another and in unison nodded, then entered the fort's parade grounds, carefully climbing through the fallen stone so as to not cause any to fall and give them away. The parade grounds were much as either of them might have expected at a military fort. The ground was kept level and there were signs of gravel and small stones being used to fill in holes for the sake of soldiers and horses. A stable with corral stood in disrepair opposite them and a blacksmith was to their right, probably the sole structure that had withstood the elements and time. The main fort stood some two stories tall or thereabouts but by the roof the state of the second floor was questionable. By contrast the front door was sturdy-looking and clearly newer. Tyrend pointed to it and Coria nodded in silent agreement. They began to carefully cross the parade grounds when Coria held out a hand to stop her unknown Guardian angel from progressing. At his questioning look she pointed down to a wire just barely visibly in the moonlight; a trap. Tyrend smiled and knelt to better examine it, finding a way around so they could safely proceed. They had to skirt two more such traps further proving that the fort was occupied before they reached the front door. Tyrend examined the door, seeing no trap, then carefully tested the door. Not surprisingly it was locked. This proved to give them some pause. Tyrend could try to force the door but that could make a lot of noise and draw attention. Yet neither of them could pick locks.



"Check around," decided Coria after a bit of thought. Tyrend nodded and they went around the side, then to the back where they found a low window simply blocked by a few planks of wood, likely a temporary repair they had failed to progress further. Listening at it they heard nothing to give indication of a nearby enemy. Though secured from the inside Tyrend knew Coria's sword, given to her by the Solarian, was made of heavenly metal and would defeat mundane wood easily.



"Your blade," he whispered. "Use that." She looked at him skeptically but silently drew it and pressed the point against the wood. The blade easily passed through and she even had to catch herself from forcing it through too far. Her eyes widened but it was far from the time or place for questions. She carefully ran the blade down each side of the planks with Tyrend bracing them so they didn't fall in uncontrolled. They worked together to guide the planks outside as they were cut free and soon the pair had a viable way in. Tyrend boosted Coria through then followed.



The room they found themselves in was small, perhaps a minor office or something of the sort. There were no lights, but the moonlight let them see enough to determine the door was closed and they were alone. A faint light made its way beneath the door. Together they cautiously approached and stood one to a side. When he nodded he was ready Coria reached across and grasped the door handle; it was a very simple affair with no proper latch and likely not even a lock as testified by the remnants of an internal latch-lock, long since broken. She mouthed counting to three then pulled it open and Tyrend advanced into the hallway beyond.



Nothing. There was no one, and no one came running at the sound of the door opening. He pointed his nocked arrow left and right, then whispered the all clear for Coria to advance as well. Now came a choice; which way to go? Coria seemed to believe either way was as good as the other, but just as he was about to agree Tyrend sensed something.



Dark magic. Powerful dark magic. And when combined with the slaves he knew were here somewhere but saw no signs of his stomach fell to his boots.



"Tyrend," whispered the young woman, catching his attention and making him realize she'd been trying to draw his attention for a few moments. "Which way? I can't see any signs of where the slaves may be – this place seems deserted!"



"It is far from deserted," he assured, tone grim. "I believe I can find them." She looked at him questioningly but once more swallowed her curiosity in favor of another time and just nodded, following as the Solarian turned and carefully began leading the way down the right-hand hall. Two turns and still no one, and they came to the kitchen. It was only slight in better condition, and by that it was better organized with crates and boxed in far better state stacked neatly to the side. The hatch leading to the cellar was easily visible and showed signs of recent, and repeated use. The evil aura Tyrend sensed came from there, and it didn't take heavenly senses to detect the smell of blood. After a brief glance at one another Tyrend advanced to reach down and open the hatch – but before he could a muffled, but heart-stopping scream came through! Coria gasped and lunged forward to lean past him, grasping the hatch and flinging it open without care for the bang it made when it hit its apex point. Stone stairs led down and now without the barrier of the hatch in the way the sound of voices raised in both unintelligible chanting and wailing in protest and terror could be heard. Without any further hesitation the two charged down the stairs.



At the bottom of the stairs they came to a chamber that was never intended to be beneath the fort. It perhaps had once been a proper root cellar but it had been expanded several times over into what it was now. The walls were reinforced with heavy-looking stones in some dark color. The only light was from torches set into the wall which cast a reddish glow over a scene that truly didn't need the ambiance to aid with its grim manner.



The stone floor had a large diagram that glowed with a dull red light on it that made no sense to Coria but filled Tyrend with deepest dread. In the middle of the complex sigil was a block of stone about waist high on an average man with heavy shackles hammered into the narrow ends. A deep grove – a blood channel they both realized – ran down the middle and around the edges to exit above one of the shackles. The entire top of the stone was dark crimson with blood both old and very, very new. A man stood beside this stone alter – Tyrend supposed he should call it what it was – though he wasn't clad as a soldier as the other six men who stood around the perimeter of the sigil were. He wore a hooded cloak and robes, and held a large dagger in a bloodied fist. At his signal given just as Tyrend and Coria paused to take in all this two of the soldiers moved forward to remove the naked body of a woman from the alter; she was clearly dead, pierced through the heart after a myriad of runes had been carved into her skin. Around half a dozen more people, the slaves they'd come to save, huddled in petrified clusters in cages around the perimeter. A pile of bodies testified to this having gone on for quite some time already, at least ten times prior.



For Coria the sight shocked her. She'd never seen anything like this before and it both horrified and repulsed her deeply. Tyrend didn't have to look at her to know this; he simply knew her. But for himself, though he was shocked to find the corruption had gone to this degree he was far less horrified. He'd seen this kind of thing before: the sigil, a dark priest to preside over human sacrifices, terrified and innocent (or at least mostly innocent) victims, and the chanted words that made his celestial ears ache to hear; the fiendish tongue.



It was a summoning, or at least offering, ritual to a power of the darkest sort!



As they came into view the priest stopped chanting, seeing them and realizing they weren't allies. He quickly look in their faces and the sun emblem on Coria's shield – oh Tyrend could feel the fiendish influence from where he stood and knew the priest understood far more than the rest – and they saw his evil grin.



"She will make a superior sacrifice! Get them – kill the male but take the girl alive!"



Not if Solaris or I have anything to say about it! Tyrend quickly had an arrow aimed.



"Coria," he called, seeing her hesitating, "show no mercy – these men are as vile as they come!" Suiting actions to words he let the arrow fly and instead of incapacitating one his aim landed into the man's chest, laying him low. Coria looked at the caged people and that seemed to solidify her conviction. She raised her shield and advanced down the stairs to meet the remaining five soldiers; two of them were able to reach her from the lower stairs and one came at her from the side albeit awkwardly. The other two used atlatls at Tyrend as he remained higher up on the stairs and Coria effectively blocked passage to him. One projectile went low, the other he had to sidestep.



Then the priest made his move. First he chanted more magic in that wicked language and a barrier of reddish light covered him in a dome. Then he began another spell and droplets of the blood on the alter rose up to hover before him. Tyrend had seen this kind of magic before and it always disgusted him: blood magic, power derived from the very life essence of a sentient creature. And oftentimes as now given unwillingly. What worried the Solarian was that whatever spell he'd cast nothing happened immediately...and he was eyeing Coria with focused interest.



I cannot let him use that kind of magic on her! Tyrend thought, ignoring the soldiers for the moment and taking aim. The arrow flew straight and true, hit the veritable curtain of blood droplets, and to Tyrend's sitsurprise the arrow slowed as if it was making through molasses, them tried to catch fire! The blessed arrow resisted the unholy flames but it's momentum was destroyed so the head bounded harmlessly off of the crimson dome.



Then, faster than the Guardian could react, a black bolt of energy was soaring towards him and striking into his shoulder. Tyrend yelled in pain, feeling the fiendish power pulse through him and tearing at his holy nature. It hurt, badly, and feeling it brought home the fact that he was in very real danger in this fight. If the priest managed to kill him, he wouldn't return to Solaris' Heaven - he'd be destroyed! With the combination of protective and retaliation magic, however, handling the priest would be easier said than done. As if fully aware of what was going on the priest grinned at Tyrend though it just as easily could be just pure, uncomplicated maliciousness.



"Tyrend!" Coria's cried, glancing back at hearing his cry to make sure he was okay. The Solarian grit his teeth and lifted his bow again but found as he tried to draw it the arm bracing the bow itself felt weak and shook, the lingering pain causing his trouble. Nor wanting to taste that spell again he aimed for one of the atlatl soldiers, two arrows in the chest sending him to the ground. Hearing a yell and a thud the Solarian looked over to see Coria had downed one of her opponents, looking as if she'd struck the one that had been harassing her from the side with her shield. Truesteel to the temple was never quite a winning combination for the skull involved, and his defeat permitted her to focus on the two before her. Sparing a more thorough glance Tyrend saw her carefully edging back up the stairs step by step. At first he thought she meant to get to him, perhaps thinking he was more hindered than he felt he was and which to him seemed like a bad move, but after only a half dozen steps with the two soldiers following she lunged forward, diving fully onto one of them. Caught off guard he stumbled backwards under the force and went backwards back down to the bottom with Coria on top of him. Before he could recover she sat up straddling his chest and brought the pommel of her sword right between his eyes. He jerked then slumped, unconscious. Even with Tyrend's warning to aim to kill Coria still stuck with her convictions to spare them if she could. The Solarian had to admit he felt a surge of admiration for that and prayed that it wouldn't backfire.



Realizing that Coria was on the bottom floor now and thus starting to pose a potential thread the priest turned his attention to her, chanting once more and gesturing towards her. A small portion of the blood droplets shimmered, then elongated and hardened into ruby-like darts. Coria saw them at the last moment but was struck by several; she shrieked and quickly darted to the far perimeter, at least maintaining sense to stay far away from the cages.



Tyrend began his own descent, not wanting to be too far from his charge's side during the battle. He was still feeling a lingering effect from the first magical assault to hit him but understood he couldn't be afraid. He'd never hesitated before when facing down full-blooded fiends, so this would be no different. Seeing the one Coria had left on the steps turning his way he took careful aim and fired. The arrow caught the soldier in the shoulder and he dropped his shield. Up on him now Tyrend simply lashed out with a fist. The soldier staggered backwards, managing a gash to Tyrend's ribs that drew a hiss of pain but he stumbled on the steps and tumbled all but head over heels to land on his fellow at the bottom. Tyrend leapt off the side of the stairs to land mere feet from the sigil...and right into the path of a dark wave of energy that the priest summoned. He felt like his lungs were constricted by burning iron bands and spots danced before his eyes. He was unaware of it until his knees hit the ground that he was stumbling, and Coria's scream of fury and denial was muffled.



A moment later Tyrend sensed through his Mark that Coria was in grave danger and fought through his disorientation to see what was going on. He found she'd stepped into the area dominated by the sigil to directly challenge the priest. Red and black lightning lashed from the perimeter, almost aiming at him as if to challenge the Solarian's presence or dare him to cross. The priest gestured, throwing lightening at Coria that shocked into her legs, making her stumble even though she deflected much of it with the shield. She recovered quickly and lunged with a horizontal slash. The priest jerked backwards, still grinning cunningly. Tyrend tried to fire another arrow but the lightning turned it to ashes and scorched metal, the unholy nature of it able to counter his sacred weaponry. Were he any being but a Solarian Tyrend might have cursed at his fortunes.



Solaris, please help your Champion and help me find some way to her!



The priest chanted another spell and conjured up more droplets of blood from the alter. This time they formed into serpents that landed on the ground, rising up to stand about as tall as Coria herself was. The young woman backed away cautiously as they hissed and snapped.



"Heh heh heh, your ally can't get to you now," the priest mocked. "It's just you and me, girl." Tyrend grit his teeth at the taunt, aimed as much at him as at Coria, but his charge rebounded quickly enough and lunged at the closer of the two snakes, severing its head in a swing.



"I will not let you continue doing this horrible thing!" She shouted back. Her words were a bit denied as the other serpent bit her in the side, making her shriek and drawing blood.



"Excellent!" The priest laughed aloud with delight. "Excellent! You bleed, and soon your blood will be used for my purposes!" He cast again and made a pulling gesture, and Tyrend saw some of Coria's blood be drawn from the wound to join the droplets around him, strengthening his power. To her credit Coria cringed but didn't cry out again, turning instead to cut down the second serpent with two hacking cuts. Not to be outdone yet the priest chanted again and the blood he'd pulled from his opponent shimmered, then evaporated and a dozen imps materialized. Five threatened Coria while seven appeared outside, all but throwing themselves on Tyrend. The Solarian growled angrily as they scratched and stung at him. The cuts hurt with an acidic burning but overall was more distracting than deadly. Of course Coria had no understanding of this as to Tyrend's knowledge things like fiends and their ilk were myth, things legendary heroes of old faced. She looked over at Tyrend in horror, so to try and boost her morale Tyrend battered his way free of their ganging up on him and grabbed one of the fallen soldier's swords. Though the change was subtle when Tyrend laid his had to it the blade took on a faint luminescence.



"Hold strong, Coria!" he called, charging aft the imps and cutting two of them down; they vanished into puffs of noxious smoke. "These creatures are weak - remember what I taught you! Don't hesitate!" Even though she was surrounded Coria rallied, especially when she saw the imps falling back in fear from Tyrend's sword. But even as she removed one from the battlefield the priest showed he wasn't about to let her fight them undistracted. He unleashed another volley of shards that damaged her armor and cut into her back. Tyrend had trained her well, however, and by the third volley she'd learned there was a faint sound that preceded the spell which gave her time to grab one of the imps and flung it into the path of the oncoming projectiles, taking the brunt of the damage. The rest of the imps soon followed the other in banishment leaving just Coria and the priest. But she was wounded and he was still unharmed, making the match unbalanced in her disfavor.



I have to get in there! Tyrend stomped on his last imp to destroy it, mind racing for a plan and coming up with only a desperate one that he knew would leave him greatly weakened but seemed to be the best. Bracing himself for the pain to come he lunged forward, forcing his way through the lightning even though it made him drop to a knee on the other side. Discreetly he used some of his healing powers to mend what wounds and exhaustion he could though with regret it would do nothing for the majority of injuries he was suffering at the moment. Fiend wounds couldn't even be divinely mended by a Seraphim! The inside of the sigil was hard to breathe in, like the air was thick with heat or smoke, and every sense Tyrend had was screaming that the danger had increased exponentially. He forced himself to stand and drew his bow, preparing to fire another shot. The arrow didn't speed through the air as much as shoved its way through it, and once more the barrier caught the weakened projectile and Tyrend was punished for his attempt.



"Don't attack!" Coria shouted at him. "You're only hurting yourself. I'll handle him."



"So you think!" The Priest lunged, grappling Coria's shield wrist and working to pull it wide.



"Aaah, let go!" Coria demanded back, kicking with a boot and clipping his calf. The priest stumbled but his grip on the woman herself brought her down as well with him even as she gasped from the counterattacking magic. They grappled, rolling back and forth as each fought for superiority. Tyrend forced himself to his feel, galvanized as he heard the scrape of the sacrificial knife against the ground. He came around the alter to see the priest sitting on top of Coria and pushing down with both hands to the hilt of the knife, trying to drive it into her chest, and Coria with her hands up around his trying to keep the deadly weapon at bay. Tyrend lunged, grabbing at the priest's arms and pulling back with all his might, putting his whole weight behind it. The priest was forced to lean back, one hand coming away from the knife to claw at Tyrned's hands, and that was all the opening Coria needed to grab her sword and, with a loud battle shout that to Tyrend's ears almost sounded like a proper Templar's cry, plunged it into the priest's chest as hard as she could. The man sputtered, his blood fell down upon her, then as she withdrew the weapon Tyrend pulled the man back and flung him to the side. Even as the priest's breath gave its final rattle in his lungs the lighting barrier have a last feeble crackle and faded, the glow from the sigil following soon after.



It was over.



Tyrend dropped to his knees beside his charge, looking over her injuries. It was hard to say his badly she was hurt given the amount of blood covering her front but when he used his Mark to sense her state he found her tired, sickened, and with a myriad of cuts, scrapes, and other injuries none of which were incredibly dangerous to her life. Even the summoned serpent bite though easily the most serious had failed to puncture anything vital thanks to her armor.



"Are you alright?" he asked anyways, meaning mentally as much as physically. Coria looked at him uncomprehending for a long moment, then blinked and nodded slowly, cringing as she became aware of her wounds.



"Are – are you?" She hesitantly asked back, looking him over. Her eyes reflected worry, then she scowled at him. "If you didn't look so pale I would hit you, Tyrend!" Tyrend recoiled slightly, eyes widening a bit as she continued and he realized her scolding was based out of fear for his well-being. "I saw how much his magic was hurting you, but you forced your way through the lightning anyways!" Tyrend smiled kindly at her and gently pulled her to lean against him for a moment.



"I was not going to let you challenge such a dangerous foe alone. Fear not, for my wounds are not serious. Perhaps painful, but not serious." She nodded, and he gave her a small squeeze before sitting her back up. "Now, you go sit on the stairs and tend to your injuries as best you can, and I will release these poor souls from imprisonment and begin tending to their hurts."



"My injuries!? What about yours?"



"Sadly the majority of mine are far more internal than external. Bandages and poultices will do little to aid. But you have far more bodily wounds." At that she couldn't argue and merely nodded, letting the Solarian help her to her feet so she could begin limping towards the stairs, handing her his bag with all the medical supplies in it. By this time all the slaves had realized they were not only now going to be freed but saved from a grizzly fate and were on their feet if able, and one man pressed towards the bars of his cage, sticking one arm through and waving to get Tyrend's attention.



"Sir! Sir Warrior!" Tyrend looked his direction. "I am a healer from the town of Chiori. I can help her with her injuries." The Solarian's eyes narrowed briefly as he scrutinized the man's sincerity. But in all ways he felt the healer was being truthful as to his occupation. Tyrend smiled, moving towards the guards to begin searching for a key. He reasoned that one of them would have had the key since the priest remained at the alter for his ritual sacrifice. It was easily found and collected, and he moved first to the cage with the healer. He'd seen how Coria was having trouble tending to the bites on her side thought she'd been able to remove her breastplate.



"You need not have tried to ensure your rescue," he said, both to the healer and to them all as he saw and heard other prisoners starting to speak of their own worth in a worried bid for freedom. "We will set you all free, and lead you to safety, this I vow." The key worked quite well and with a murmur of gratitude the healer went to Coria's side to examine the bite marks.



Tyrend went from cage to cage and unlocked them all. Of the remaining six prisoners all of them had injuries and were in want of water and food. Only one was too weak to stand though Tyrend was able to assist with that as he aided her to drink from his waterskin, filtering healing magic into her weary body. Her eyes were dim and somewhat vacant, a self-defense against the horrors they'd all survived. As the others were eating and drinking what was available of their rescuers' supplies he let the woman lean against him as well, offering heavenly comfort and wrapping an ethereal wing around her shoulders.



Tyrend looked over when he heard Coria moving once more and saw her gingerly holding her tunic closed, the side having been sliced over the bite wound so it could be treated. She was trying to work her breastplate over the bandages and though Tyrend was concerned about how that would irritate the injury he decided to trust that the healer wouldn't have let her put it back on if there was any danger, not any more than Valariel would permit him to fly with a sprained wing! The healer, thinking of the man, was heading towards Tyrend with a patient smile.



"I believe Lady Coria had this for me to say to you: your turn now." Tyrend chuckled softly, but knew his charge wouldn't permit anything until he was checked out.



"I feel there will be little you can do for me, but very well." Coria continued to minister to the people as the healer looked at Tyrend's injuries, but agreed that as he saw no cuts or scrapes that weren't caused by magic – namely all the fiendish spells – the best thing for Tyrend to do was take it easy, rest up, and be sure to eat and drink plenty over the next few days while he healed.



Finally, Coria came to Tyrend with a question that had been on his mind as well, and by her expression she didn't really want the answer the expected.



"Tyrend... what do we do about..." She couldn't say it, instead turning her gaze to the bodies. Tyrend sighed softly, putting a hand on her shoulder.



"Lead the survivors out – I will take care of the departed souls." She likely had some questions in some corner of her mind but chose to focus on the simple. After encountering the imps and blood magic and having to kill the priest all but right on top of her Tyrend figured she could use a little simplicity. He waited until she and the innocents had left, the woman he'd comforted being carried by one of the men who was a bit less weakened, then turned to the bodies. Their souls were long since gone, he knew, though he could only hope and pray to Solaris that their souls had gone into the heavens rather than be consumed by the foul magic. Hurting, weary, he was relieved when he saw two Seraphim and three Guardians appear in the chamber.



"Sit, brother," one of the Guardians urged as the Seraphim moved towards him. "We will see to them, as you are seen to." He nodded and sat down where Coria had a few minutes before and let the Seraphim bathe his wounds. Though they couldn't physically heal his injuries their medicine and even mere presence eased the pain considerably. While this was going on the Guardians were laying out the bodies and speaking prayers over them, purifying them with divine blessings and doing what they could to lessen the grotesque nature of their death wounds as well as performing rites for the fallen soldiers and moving the surviving two outside the back of the fortress where they would be safe from what was to come. Both groups finished just about in tandem, and with a nod Tyrend moved back up the stairs. He knew what was going to happen, and he needed to return to Coria's side; she would be waiting.



He felt the heat of holy fire against his ethereal wings, and the bodies quickly began to burn.



As dust you once were, so to dust we render you. Rest in peace, and I am sorry we did not arrive in time to rescue you. May you find joy and peace in the hereafter.

Chapter Twelve

A whisper was floating on the wind, over despair and trial and suffering. It was hope. It was promise. It was a name: Solaris.



Tyrend finally was free to speak of Solaris to Coria at length and she soaked up every word and verse with enthusiasm. And she in turn began speaking Solaris' name as a believer not just in Tyrend's presence but to others around them. The transformation Tyrend saw in her was amazing, even dazzling. Whereas before he'd witnessed her revering the old gods of the land there was a hollowness in her. Actions and words without her full heart behind it. But after the Solarian began speaking of his god openly it was like she came to life. Then Tyrend on impulse one evening checked deeply into his bag and found a Solaris doctrine, leather bound with an impression of the sun matching Coria's shield on the cover and metal brabrackets on the cover's corners for added strength. Without hesitation he gave it to Coria and soon every chance she got she had the doctrine out to study the word. After that point it was like a light glowed from within for all to see.



And see they did. Just as Coria herself had stated in the barn the present state of affairs as well as a lack of visible change despite fervent prayers and offerings had turned many against their former gods. They were desperate for hope and saw in Coria that hope. With every deed she did - giving to the unfortunate, freeing slaves, stopping the brutality of the soldiers - she offered that hope and as she praised Solaris' name so did others.



Nikos, unsurprisingly, was the first proper convert to Solaris' faith. He saw up close and personal how Coria changed after she began following Solaris, and by his own words wanted that same presence as he put it for himself. So he joined in when Coria and Tyrend would discuss the faith, then asked what he had do to be acknowledged. Had Tyrend not spent so much time among them seeing their religious customs he might not have understood. But he'd heard that if someone was dedicated to one of their pantheon they would usually have to prove themselves should they desire a different patron, sometimes by a specific offering, other times a trial or other testing. It was with great pleasure that Coria was the one to answer and without hesitation.



"You already did what you need to, Nikos. You told Solaris that you desired to be his. Thus he acknowledges you as his. For those that will claim me before the world so shall I claim before the world." It took a bit of convincing before Nikos fully believed it, that it was so simple a thing, but soon he was fully entering into their discussions and the Guardian saw their faith growing. After Nikos others followed, and evenings in allied farmhouses, or huddled in a cave, or even out on the open plains with Tyrend keeping watch would turn into worship.



Right before his eyes his charge was becoming the Champion Solaris had intended her to be from the start, in all ways.



As the name of Solaris grew, however, and word of the Champion spread things became even more dangerous. A bounty was placed on all three of their heads high enough to prove tempting to those who were the most desperate for a change in fortunes, and twice those who once allied with Coria's cause proved themselves false, trying to turn on them while they would rest in supposed safety. Coria never wavered, however.



"And thus he shows the hearts of man for all to see in his timing."



"Though the way be as dark as moonless night Solaris will always provide guidance for those he calls his children."



"His promises are as sure as the dawn's rising and thus I safely trust in him."



These words reassured those who became fearful. Tyrend couldn't help the almost paternal pride he felt in her with each quote spoken in the right timing.



It was with great joy that word reached them as spring was just reaching its peak that the promised base had finally been found. Located deep in the mountains it was an abandoned manor, likely one owned by a nobleman that his family had either forgotten about our they had fallen into misfortune and thus had no wealth to tend to the place, leaving it to the elements. A winding path that was only wide enough for a single line of horses or two very carefully walking men to traverse safely. There were some holes to patch and the gardens were all but non-existent, but when they laid eyes on the place Coria pronounced it their sanctuary, where any who were in need could retreat to...and where she would lead the change Solaris had started through her though she had not known it at the time. Word carefully spread and bit by bit the rebels gathered bringing with them their families and any lost, hurting souls they could always in Solaris name. What was once a ballroom became a temple for worship and though Coria made it very clear that all were to be welcomed in regardless of faith conversions were a daily occurrence.



The gathered rebel forces - who'd nicknamed themselves 'Rays of the Sun' much to Tyrend's amusement at the appropriate wit - were a force to be reckoned with as well. With her new faith to give her strength Coria finally took charge of them, organizing the willing warriors into a small but passable army. They happily accepted her leadership in lieu of their own, believing Solaris directly guided her steps and had all but physically anointed her for the victory. With maps pinpointing targets they began to chip away at the Emperor's control. It would be a war, all understood, a slow one of hit-and-run tactics and attrition. The military had all the funds and equipment, and better training.



The Rays weren't worried; they had Solaris. They had Coria. Unknown too any but Tyrend they had a veritable host of Guardians standing safeguard over their sanctuary day and night. And they were willing to do what it took to end the rein of darkness.



"End it all," Coria said, a touch of whimsy in her voice. She and Tyrend were standing on an outcropping of stone nearby to the manor that overlooked the trail leading up, enjoying being caught in the last golden beams of the setting sun. "That is what they call for us to do. You understand what that means, don't you?" Tyrend nodded.



"They agree that the Emperor is the source of all the trails, and to put things right he must be cast from his throne, if not executed. It is a sentiment you and I have shared as well."



"Yes, daunting as it sounds!" She gave a short laugh. "Kill the Emperor... I can scarcely imagine how such a thing can be accomplished."



"We need not imagine, for Solaris already knows how the deliverance shall be done."



"Thank you, Tyrend. You always know just how to put my thoughts back on the right path." The young champion smiled at her companion. "When we first met I thought it was a miracle that someone could finally challenge me in the ring, but now I consider it a miracle for so much more. I don't know what I'd do without you."



"I believe I told you once before, Coria; I shall not leave your side until light returns to this land. I meant that." She grinned at him.



"One of these days when things are peaceful again, I'll ask you about how you know so much about Solaris, how it seems as if you've followed him your while life, yet I'd never heard of him until you spoke his name." Tyrend grinned back.



"When that day comes, if it does, I pray I will be able to answer you in full. Though do not be surprised if you come to the answer yourself in time."



"Challenge accepted!" She laughed out loud, provoking a laugh from the Solarian as well. In truth while he wanted to be fully candid with her about himself another part of him wanted her to reason through it herself, if for no better purpose than to see that oh-so-rare yet treasured look of dawning wonder and understanding on her face. For many Solarians especially Guardians that expression was a kind of reward for their efforts, and as fond as he felt of Coria by this point he wanted to know how she would react to the thought.



Perhaps someday she will stumble upon the verse speaking of how Solaris sends his heavenly servants to mortals and they wander unknown in the world... His mental musing was interrupted as Coria sat up a bit more on her rock perch, peering down at the trail.



"Tyrend – there's a group on the trail." Without either saying anything to one another they both dropped down to lay flat on the stone, inching to the edge to look over hopefully unseen. Indeed there was a small party making their way up the trail. From what Tyrend could see there was perhaps at most a dozen people. Most were women and children, though a quartet were menfolk, and none of them looked like warriors. The keen-eyed Solarian saw at most three weapons among them and those looked in very poor condition. All of them save for one, a woman riding a donkey, were on foot and one of the men was leading it.



"More refugees?" He whispered to her. She gave a small shrug.



"Seems likely." She leaned out a bit more, then smiled sidelong at her Guardian. "Shall we go greet them?" He nodded, and they carefully slipped from their outcropping and moved back around towards the manor as well, winding around to come upon the group in an intercept path. There was a place where they had set up stones intentionally to make a choke point, a measure of defense for the manor itself that Nikos had come up with. As per usual there was a guard, one of the rebels who had training as a town watchman and was equipped with a crossbow and a sword and shield, as well as a horn he was to blow if a serious threat appeared. The man glanced back at them, and Coria just indicated the trail. He nodded and readied his crossbow. Coria went to hide herself behind one boulder and Tyrend went to the opposite side; from the trail none of the three were visible to the group as they rounded the bend and approached the choke point. They wouldn't be aware of it but at one point their footsteps and the horse's hooves hit a strategically-placed patch of gravel that made quite a bit of noise, both telling the group of their position and also marking them as being in range of the crossbow.



"Hold!" The crossbowman called, startling the group into audible gasps and stopping in their tracks. He leaned up where they could see him, crossbow in clear view and aimed at one of the armed men. The children instantly huddled in the back and the men came forward though they were clearly less-than-confident, facing down a more-skilled combatant with the advantage of a ranged weapon. "Where are you bound for, and who are you?" There was a pause as the men quietly discussed, perhaps deciding on a speaker, then one stepped forward.



"We seek the base of Coria Sun-Shield, and are refugees from the Emperor."



The instant she heard the voice Tyrend saw Coria go stiff in shock, her mouth falling open, then before the crossbowman could make some retort about dropping their weapons or anything of that nature she rounded the boulder with a cry.



"Ilias!" The speaker – indeed Coria's long-separated fiancé - was standing at the fore. He was clad in a long cloak with the hood pulled up so from their previous vantage point it had been impossible to identify him. Ilias' eyes widened seeing her suddenly there before him, and Tyrend saw him pale a bit as he as well stepped around to be visible, but finally he shook himself free from his surprise and rushed towards her.



"Coria!" They all but flung themselves into the other's arms, embracing tightly and speaking at the same time but as their faces were all but buried in one another's shoulders it was impossible for even Tyrend with his heavenly hearing to understand them. But he was smiling nevertheless. Coria had missed her beloved greatly over the months, her mind often turning to him and hoping he was well, and now here he was in her arms. How could he not be pleased for this reunion?



Granted, after about a straight minute of their simply standing there he cleared his throat to remind Coria that they had an audience and were standing on the very narrow trail with refugees waiting to get to safety. Coria and Ilias sheepishly pulled apart, chuckling though by the others' expressions they didn't mind either. Solaris' Champion cleared her throat then turned to them.



"Please, follow us and we will lead you to safety. Be welcome in Solaris' name and come in peace."



****



The new refugees reached the manor with audible sighs of relief, especially on the part of the woman on donkeyback; she was visibly with child and quite far along. For a few minutes after their arrival everything was a whirlwind of verification attempts for safety's sake (most everyone knew everyone for those Coria and Tyrend didn't know themselves) and finding places for them to rest and get food and water. There were few bedrooms that could be considered habitable as the rebels had been more concerned with securing their base than luxury and most of them were quite comfortable in pallets on the floor. But a sofa was deemed in good enough condition for the mother-to-be to settle upon and Tyrend himself checked her and her unborn for undue strain from the journey. Thankfully they seemed in good condition and though only he was aware of it soon a Seraphim was kneeling at her side with a hand on her belly and the other laid over hers. He smiled; they would be well looked after.



It was well into evening by the time that Coria and Ilias had more than a moment to speak to one another. They met after the evening meal had concluded out in the vegetable gardens some of the more agricultural rebels had started to aid their food supplies. Tyrend had escorted them so far before pausing as if to let them go on alone, giving privacy, until both of them looked back at him in confusion.



Even with all this going on, and how much has changed, they still desire to maintain propriety before their wedding, should it still come to pass. It was both endearing and inspiring to see such virtuous behavior on clear display and without another hesitation Tyrend resumed his old role of chaperone.



For a time as they walked they caught up on what had happened to one another after Ilias had delivered his midnight warning and Coria had fled her home. Finally they wound around to the present.



"How did you find us?" asked Coria. "Usually one of ours has to guide others here."



"Well..." Ilias looked a bit sheepish, and ashamed at the same time. "I admit, after you vanished the Emperor's men came looking for you at my home. I suppose they thought that as we are betrothed you might have fled to us for sanctuary." His eyes turned troubled. "Their interrogation took days, after they had thoroughly searched the villa, and at times I feared for our lives. It was a good thing that we couldn't say where you were in full sincerity!" Coria shivered sympathetically, and Tyrend agreed with Ilias' sentiment! He was even more pleased that he prevented them from speaking that night.



"I'm sorry that your family went through that," whispered Coria. Ilias squeezed her hand.



"It is in no way your fault! But after we finally convinced them that we knew nothing, my father..." Here Ilias sighed. "He revealed his true colors."



"What do you mean? I thought he liked me."



"At the very least he claimed he did not, and offered to personally gather information on you for the Emperor. Where you might be, sightings, any information he could provide. And my father offered myself as aid, to prove our loyalty to the Emperor." The young man lost his morose thoughts we he grinned. "I gathered information, but the facts I reported to the Emperor's men were not quite as accurate as the information I kept to myself. So I was able to track your movements and see where you had been and sometimes figure out where you were going. And when I finally came to the decision that I'd had enough I made some estimations on your recent movements, used that to guess you were in the mountains, gathered what I could manage and fled to find you. On my way I found others who were looking for you, seeking safety, and after I heard their stories I decided to lead them to you if I could." He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. "My father has become as corrupt as the Emperor himself if I dare speak so ill of my kin, but you have always had my heart. Where you go I want to go, and I want to support you any way I can." Coria hugged him.



"I am very glad you're here. I worried for you quite a bit. I wanted to come to your home but I was afraid to draw attention to you."



"It is more fair you would have drawn attention to yourself." Ilias looked over at Tyrend, casually leaning against an old statue and watching about for any eavesdroppers. "Thank you, Tyrend, for protecting her." The Solarian smiled at them.



"It is my pleasure." He inclined his head kindly. "As I have told her, until the darkness is chased from this realm I shall remain by her side."



"You are truer than even a brother to us both," Coria finished. Tyrend cleared his throat softly, not used to such compliments and certain several of his Solarian siblings would tease him about it later, but smiled nevertheless. For a few moments they simply sat in comfortable, companionable silence, then Ilias turned to Coria.



"So, perhaps you can answer one thing that all of my investigations could never quite fully determine, my beloved?"



"What is that?"



"Who exactly is Solaris?" Coria smiled brightly.



"To answer that I have to explain quite a bit, but in short he is my god."



"I'd love to hear."



It was no surprise to Tyrend that soon Ilias joined the list of converts to Solaris' name, and Coria couldn't be happier.



And even though Tyrend was happy, even thrilled for them both, seeing their love blossoming in Solaris' blessing, but a part of him feared. Things were becoming more intense with each skirmish and with each dawning he almost heard Raferties' voice whispering to him of impending sacrifice. He could only pray for protection on them both and their future, and hope.

Chapter Fourteen



Spring began creeping towards summer, and Coria and her rebels continued to interrupt the supply lines going to their target fort among other missions. They suffered some losses, both in terms of failures and in lives given to Solaris for the cause, and enjoyed victories the same.



Tyrend had been examining the supplies nearly daily, trying to piece together what they could be for. While some might have considered such an attempt impossible for a person admittedly untrained in the arcane arts the Solarian did have one thing on his side: the Chorus. As he examined and tallied he communicated all the information back to brothers and sisters in the Chorus who were assisting with the research. Even Raferties stepped in to help with his endless knowledge. They were narrowing things down but there were still some holes that had to be filled before anything definite could be said.



Be on the lookout for amber dust, any rusted items or rust dust, or black onyx stones, be on the lookout for amber dust, any rusted items or rust dust, or black onyx stones, be on the lookout for amber dust, any rusted items or rust dust, or black onyx stones.... Tyrend repeated the instructions over and over to himself as he searched quickly in the war room for something to write with and to write on. Blast it! I know there was at least chalk around here somewh -



Abruptly his mental run cut off as if it had hit a three-foot thick wall. His heart had clenched so tightly is almost bent him double, and that could only mean one thing – his Mark!



Coria! Tyrend could tell she wasn't in mortal physical danger herself, and he knew she was on the manor grounds as she was still resting after a successful wagon ambush herself earlier that morning. But her emotions were careening in all directions wildly, from rage to horror and terror combined to grief and back again. It was enough to make him dizzy, and he wasn't even the one directly experiencing it!



Quickly making himself ethereal just as he'd done before he willed himself to her side and found he 'appeared' on the parade grounds of the manor. A crowd of rebels stood in a ring, some murmuring to themselves, some standing in mute fury with fists clenched, and a few looked sickened or distraught to the point of having to take a knee to avoid falling. Tyrend stood in the center of this ring, as that was where Coria was herself, on her knees beside a rebel who was laying prone on his back in the dirt and trying to staunch blood flow with her hands. At one glance Tyrend understood why the reactions of the others ran such a spectrum: he was torn between rage and shock himself.



The man had suffered some terrible calamity. He had numerous stab and slash wounds on his body and was missing fingers on his right hand. One eye was blacksmith and swollen closed. Burns reddened and blistered his skin on several places and the same fires had scorched away his clothing, revealing the burns went across his chest and slightly into his stomach. His breathing was ragged and a trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth. Tyrend thought the man's name was Dimitrios.



"Dear Solaris," Coria prayed, "please don't take him from us." She raised her head to look around her, of course not seeing Tyrend in the Ethereal plane. "Tyrend! Someone find Tyrend!" Several rebels ran off towards the manor, so Tyrend quickly stepped to the back of the crowd and materialized.



"I am already here, Coria." They parted to let him through and he came to kneel at Dimitrios' side with his charge. "What happened?" Dimitrios tried to speak but was unable.



"Don't try to talk," Coria ordered before she looked at Tyrend. "The lookout said he all but crawled up the trail. He was part of of of our ambush patrols – I think he was a part of Nikos’ group today - but he came alone. We don't know what or who did this, or where the others are." One bloodied hand grasped Tyrend's. "Tyrend, your medicine! I've seen it - felt it! - ease wounds as bad as this, pull people from the edge of death. You must get it!" Tyrend nodded and started you stand but a gurgle from Dimitrios told him that by the time he got it and returned, even should he use his angelic speed, the man might not be alive.

He needs holy healing, he thought, and in his heart was a reply.



So shall she give it to him. Guide her.



"There is not time for me to get it; his wounds are far too severe." Coria along with those closest cried out in dismay but Tyrend went on, taking the hand Coria had on him in his own and pressing it back to Dimitrios' chest. "But there may be another way. Pray, Coria! Pray to Solaris for his wounds to close, for his sun-bright power to flow through you and into Dimitrios and restore health to our comrade!" Coria blinked at him but then he saw in her eyes faith conquer the logic that what Tyrend asked was impossible. She bowed her head and began praying. At first uncertain soon the words fell from her lips like flowing water, ententreating Solaris to intervene, to use her as a conduit or however he saw fit on behalf of Dimitrios. Her eyes were closed and the rest were either praying as well for a miracle or simply too far away, but Tyrend's eyes remained on the man whose life hovered on a knife's edge. He kept his hands over Coria's, vowing to himself to only step in if absolutely need be.



As such Tyrend was the only one to really see the end results as Dimitrios' gashes ceased bleeding so severely, his burns easily ran their course to leave new, healthy skin behind, the places where his fingers had been severed healed over to smooth nubs, and his face lost its deathly palour. Coria only knew of her success when the rebel took a deep, somewhat rough but much clearer than before, breath. Instantly her eyes opened and her prayer ceased in surprise.



"Dimitrios! Oh, thank Solaris!"



"Now I think he can wait for me to get my bag." Tyrend looked over his shoulder. "Someone fetch a blanket, something that we can use to carry him inside!" His words broke the spell that held the others and most scattered to find something to use. A touch upon his arm turned his attention back to Coria. He saw her eyes were distant and partially unfocused with exhaustion.



"Tyrend...what happened here? What did I do?" Tyrend smiled at her.



"I will explain later. For now -" The Solarian looked around and found Ilias. "Ilias, take her inside and ensure she rests. I am certain that tired her greatly." To Coria he finished, "We will talk after you have rested." She seemed about to protest but then thought better of it, especially when other returned with a blanket folded double, laying out beside the dazed man. Ilias helped her stand as Tyrend focused on Dimitrios, carefully moving him into the blanket and with a man to each corner carrying him inside to be further tended to.



Will he ever grasp, Tyrend mused in his Song, just how you used his wounds to awaken yet more power in your Champion, Solaris? I hope he does. And thank you and your wisdom for giving her the healing touch of a templar - I have an unsettling feeling she will need it. May your will be done.



***



Tyrend uses the mundane means from his kit - along with a bit of heavenly healing balms discretely applied - over the next few hours. By his estimation Dimitrios would live, though he would bear a few scars and the fingers of his hand would never return barring a greater healing magic than even Tyrend himself had. But the man was simply thrilled to be alive and often during the treatment praised Solaris and thanked the god for Coria.



When Tyrend left Dimitrios under the watchful eyes of his fellows he was met by Ilias who told him Coria was having a small meal after a restorative nap and greatly wanted to speak with him. Tyrend said to relay that he would be outside at the training grounds, then headed there to wait. He was barely there ten minutes - it was probably Ilias' insistence that kept Coria from seeking the Guardian out at once - when she joined him.



"Are you feeling better?" he asked. Coria nodded.



"Yes, thank you. But Tyrend - what happened? I know I healed Dimitrios, or rather Solaris did through me, but I don't understand."



Solaris, please guide me on what to say to explain.



"What happened is you have gone even deeper in your faith and have become a channel for Solaris' divine healing powers."



"A channel...for healing powers?" Tyrend nodded.



"It is a power gifted to his mortal champions, those often called Templar." Saying the proper title while looking at Coria, mentally applying it to her, felt good. It felt right.



"A Templar," echoed the woman as if testing out the term.



"Yes. A holy warrior possessing divine powers. You have already used one before today."



"The blessing."



"Exactly. That is a gift given both to Solaris' Templar and priests, as is a healing touch. But there are powers that separate them from one another, some if not many of which you yourself will eventually master."



"Can you show me?" Tyrend thought, seeking Solaris' guidance, then came under the impression that to give her some idea of what he was taking about would be beneficial.



"Give me your sword." Without hesitation she handed it over and Tyrend motioned her to stand to one side. He moved towards a practice dummy and set into a combat stance. He glanced at her to make sure she was attentive, then lunged forward to strike. As he made the attack he called upon pure righteous strength, the blade ignited in white flames, and on impact the dummy all but shattered from the force.



"Amazing!" gasped Coria when Tyrend turned to her, the sword normal once again.



"There are many names for that power, though most refer to it as a holy smite. For the other I will demonstrate we will spar." He gave her back her weapon - admittedly by now even in his own head it was hers instead of his - and took up a practice blade, and they began sparring. Tyrend waited until they were fully into the rhythm of the mock-conflict before he began speaking again, and just as when he'd been training her in swordplay before Coria listened without dropping her defense.



"Now, Coria, I will not tell you when I shall utilize this power, but you will know I have because I will shout loudly. As I have instructed you many times when we are sparring I am considering you an enemy at this moment. When I shout I want you to try instead of attacking myself attacking the training dummy to your right of you to the best of your ability."



"I understand." Tyrend let their back and forth continue on a bit more, then abruptly gave a quick, fierce clash of blades with her, then shoved her back. Coria stumbled only a couple of steps before regaining her footing but that was all the time Tyrend needed to issue a loud, challenging shout at her. Coria blinked, almost dazed a split second before she charged back at him with even greater ferocity. The Solarian let her batter at him for a few moments before he decided he should remind her of her instructions.



"The training dummy, Coria! Try and attack it!" Again the Champion blinked and turned aside – for the purpose of this demonstration Tyrend didn't attempt to dissuade her in any manner – and readied to strike the dummy as if it was a second opponent. But her eyes kept trying to turn back to Tyrend and her body seemed to almost not respond to her will, or perhaps it was that her will was to continue pressing her swordmaster rather than the other target and she was trying to fight against it. The attack she did make was thus clumsy and one a foe would easily be able to dodge or parry. Thankfully for her the effect was very temporary and a couple of moments later she shook it off as Tyrend stopped the match.



"A potent magic!" she praised, impressed again. "I felt like I couldn't turn aside from you."



"The very purpose of that power: to ensure that your foes will focus their attention on the Templar challenging them rather than his allies or innocent bystanders. There are even heightened versions where should they still strike at another they will be punished for it, either by Solaris' divinity or your blade. But it is a dangerous power. Imagine what would happen should you be in a crowd of twenty foes that all come at you at once?" Coria nodded understanding.



"And I can do these things, eventually?"



"Perhaps." Tyrend could tell the gifts, especially that one that would permit her to protect others even better, appealed to her. "A healing touch and blessings are powers that all Templar share, though beyond that the gifts Solaris' bestows are by his divine judgement and discernment. He gives nothing that the Templar cannot master successfully, and some never gain abilities that others learn quickly."



"Again Solaris proves his wisdom." Coria wasn't upset by the thought that she may never wield either of the powers Tyrend had demonstrated. "I am honored that Solaris deems me worthy to wield even a fraction of these gifts! I have to confess I'm still awed at what happened earlier." Tyrend chuckled at her wonderstruck expression in memory. "Healing such dire wounds at a touch!"



"Yes, it is quite rewarding to ease the pain of others. Given how you have always enjoyed such even when divine healing was not involved I am not surprised you acquired that gift so quickly. It is I would suspect natural to you and as you use it more it will grow in power. But there are limits to even what it can do, and it can never restore the dead to life. No priest or templar of Solaris, no matter how powerful, can do such."



"Because the decision of life and death are his domain alone," she completed, paraphrasing one of the verses. "I don't think I would want that power, really. To choose when someone should return to grieving family, but at the same time potentially ripping them from paradise..." She shuddered. Tyrend patted her shoulder.



"You have more wisdom than many in the world. Never lose that understanding." Again Coria nodded, then they both turned as Ilias called out from none too far away, approaching at a jog.



"Dimitrios says he's up to reporting," he called. Quickly Coria sheathed her blade and Tyrend returned his practice blade to the shed and they headed inside.