Threads of Fate

Chapter 64 ~ A Final Departure

    Tissaia woke during Azael's absence and after taking some time to make herself presentable, she set to work aiding in the remaining preparations for their departure. Every inch of the temple was combed over once more in search of any supplies they might have missed.

    Tissaia was pleasantly surprised to find that the temple had actually provided them with more supplies than they needed. They would not have to worry about stopping before they reached Lochren, and they would all have the strength they needed for the fight ahead.

    Kahari had placed herself in charge of gathering any medical supplies they might need and she assured Tissaia that she would be able to help any warriors who were injured. The warriors themselves had been busy sharpening and cleaning their weapons.

    There were no additional ones to be claimed from the temple, not that they had expected otherwise. A temple dedicated to the Mother of their world certainly wouldn't harbor weapons of its own, and the priestesses and acolytes who once lived there likely never had need for them.

    Out of respect for the goddess, Tissaia had ensured that the warriors were cleaning up after themselves and the temple would be no less worse for wear than when they had arrived. She'd double checked all the rooms where fighting had occurred to see that all signs of blood had been sufficiently scrubbed away.

    There were no remaining bodies to contend with thankfully as they had been dealt with by the Cahirim. From what she'd gathered, those who aided her father and had fallen were not given the same respect Kaius was. The Cahirim warriors had condemned them even in death for their roles in the Phoenix's demise, and they had let their actions reflect that.

    All Tissaia was able to pry from Vael was that most of their bodies had been dragged outside and covered with stones, save for the corpse of the Mindseeker. He now lay at the bottom of a cliff, his body even more mangled than before, and likely buried in snow if it hadn't been devoured by animals yet.

    That had then sparked a small question in the back of Tissaia's mind. She hadn't seen Kaius's strange shackles since his body was burned, though she knew the shackles had remained untouched by the flames. She had kept an eye out for them, guessing she shouldn't leave such a dark relic in the temple, but by evening she still hadn't found them and had begun to believe they'd been disposed of.

    The night passed swiftly as she turned her attention back to her other remaining tasks, and when Tissaia finally retired, she was asleep in minutes, though it was anything but restful.

•༻☽☾༺•

    Tissaia breezed down the hall and rubbed her eyes with another yawn, wishing she'd been allowed to sleep longer, but the time had come to depart. Azael and Gaelen were already gathering the Cahirim outside, and she was in search of her brother. She'd already checked the secluded room where he had been staying, but there had been no sign of him or his belongings.

    She had asked the few warriors she passed if they'd seen him, but none had, and she was beginning to feel worried. Perhaps he had grown impatient and left early. They might meet him on the road...but no, surely he wouldn't be so reckless. He knew how dangerous the path would be. He'd told her himself after returning from scouting yesterday.

    Tissaia turned into the temple's main corridor and paused briefly, looking back towards the sanctum. She had checked it earlier, but it couldn't hurt to check again before she informed Azael that her brother was missing. She started towards the chamber and just outside it, caught a fresh trace of his scent.

    Relief cascaded through her as she passed through the entrance and spied Talarion's lithe frame. He stood before the altar, his dark head bowed as though he were praying, but his lips didn't move. Tissaia let her footsteps fall louder and Talarion's gaze slid to hers. "I've been looking for you. Everyone else is gathering outside."