The Lion's Wrath

The Tiva Incident Part 2

   As they walked towards Tien's home they couldn't help but notice an unusual silence. Tien was slow in his ace and turned to look at Oskar. With a somber expression on his face he said "It's been so very long since I've last spied my eyes upon her Oskar, I don't know what to say to her about the things I have done, what am I to do?" His voice quivering as he shook with all the muscles straining in his body fighting back the months of blood he had spilt in his duties he had forcibly carried out. Oskar tightened his jaw and smiled. His blue eyes sharp and smiled while he cocked his head sideway and flicked his thumb off his thin sharp nose saying "Tell her what your heart yearns to tell her my friend. I may not know much but I can see you love her." He reach his hand out and clapped it on Tien's shoulder "You're not a machine Tien she knows you better than anyone so she can see you and know when you hurt. Just be who you really are." Tien smiled as tears began to fall. "Oskar you truly are wise. You sell yourself short my friend. You may not be as big and powerful as I but you're a fierce warrior one hell of a smart man."

   Tien looked at Oskar and asked. "How long has it been since you las seen your family Oskar?" This made Oskar freeze for a second before he shrugged. "My parents died years ago in Stevkan's dungeon and I don't even know if my sister is even still alive." Tien suddenly regretted asking but before he could apologize Oskar smiled and said not to worry as they kept walking. Soon they had come to Tien's home and walked up to the blood red door. Tien marched up the wooden steps and took a deep breath. He knocked on the door from inside a lilting voice could be heard calling "Who is it?" Tien replied "T-Tis me my love Tien." The door flew open as if hit by a squall. "Tien thank the gods you live! My prayers have been heard!" His wife with tears streaming down her clutched him to her with all her might. "Shira I missed you with all my heart." Said Tien with equal amounts of tears pouring down. "Where are my manners Shira allow me to introduce my friend Oskar, Oskar this is my wife Shira." Shira curtsied as Oskar made an unusual attempt of a bow and they shook hands. "I see now why you spoke so often of wishing to return home my friend" said Oskar with a huge grin making both Tien and Shira burn red with embarrassment. "Oh please come this way I have someone you both should meet." Said Shira vaguely as she went inside. Both Tien and Oskar went within Tien's home and followed Shira. "Tien you have an amazingly beautiful home." Said Oskar as he was admiring the woodwork as it was all handcrafted with even images of warriors battling ancient extinct demons and some rare furniture's he'd never seen before. "Thank you Oskar. I spent many hours doing it since childhood with my Father." He said with a touch of nostalgia in his voice.

  As they walked into another room of the house Shira stepped towards a small crib saying. "Come here Tien" Tien approached the crib releasing a small gasp as he looked inside seeing a beautiful blonde haired green eyed baby girl looking back at him. Tears began to well up "Is this my daughter?" He asked his gorgeous blonde haired wife. Yes said Shira as her brown water filled eyes began to sparkle, " her name is Quista." Tien couldn't help but release his joyous tears. Quista had his eyes but his wife's hair and cute button nose. "She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!" Said Tien as he cried out in joy. After two hours time had passed Oskar announced he was going to see if Dr. Seon had returned and left. Tien sat holding Quista "Shira, I met the great Tresbullian warrior and commander Wolve's-Claw. Actually he saved our lives from our very own commander Gevin. He saw him as the evil man he truly was and instead of slaughtering us he spared us and killed him without mercy. Afterwards he gave us an offer. To fight with him or let us go home. I've never known a warrior so powerful yet so meek as well." Shira simply looked at Tien's face as he continued "At first I thought it was only a ploy then when I said I wanted to return to home he offered too not only let me but to accompany me as well. On our way her the trading village of Kios was attacked, over two hundred barbarians had attacked slaying many. Fast as the wind he flew across the battlefield and launched into the town over the walls without fear. Single handedly he slew nearly all of the combatants after the battle we only lost one man but the village had lost three hundred and many more are being lost as we speak. That's why Oskar is looking for Dr. Seon. However it was Wolve's-Claw's very idea to have us search for her in the first place. On our way here we were set upon by hundreds of Stevkan's men and his general Lord Trogun himself and it was only Me, Oskar, and three other men to face them all. Luckily Wolve's-Claw had followed us or we'd all have died long before ever reaching Tiva. The speed of Wolve's-Claw was so fast and his strength inhuman. During the battle we all saw Trogun slice through Wolve's-Claw and Oskar overcoming his stutter had fully lost his temper and attacked Trogun only to be stopped mid blow by none other than Wolve's-Claw himself."

   Shira looked at Tien quizzically and asked. "How is that possible Tien?" Smiling Tien looked from Quista to Shira and said "Trogun had merely sliced through an afterimage of Wolve's-Claw who bested him shortly thereafter allowing us the time to reach Tiva safely." Shira was amazed by Tien's tale it was almost as if it was magic. Tien through a suddenly somber expression looked at his wife. "Shira I've a query for you and do not wish to sound selfish but can I ask it?" Shira looked at Quista and smiled "Yes you can fight with him to end this chaos Tien my love." Confused Tien's jaw dropped "How did you know I was going to ask that my darling?" Shira burst into a singing laugh. "You're my husband and have been for a long time. I'd be a terrible wife if I didn't know what you were thinking by now wouldn't I?" Tien stood up still holding Quista as Shira rose to stand on her tiptoes as they hugged and shared a long passionate kiss. "I vow I shall return Shira. For you and for Quista. I will aid Wolve's-Claw and end this violent bloodshed filled era once and for all." Shira taking Quista from Tien smiled as she put her in her crib and Tien started towards the door. "Wait she said and she quickly stepped towards a dresser pulling out a small pendant made of ruby. I side the pendant was an ankh carved from a topaz " I originally designed this for Quista but this will be your reminder of what you fight for and that we are always here for you." Tien took the pendant and out it on then hugged and kissed Shira yet again. Saying their goodbyes he rushed off toward Dr. Seon's clinic.

  Upon reaching the clinic he saw Oskar talking to the nurses "Oskar where pray tell is the doctor?" He asked Oskar who had a stern expression on his face. "She's been kidnapped by ba fits while collecting herbs at her grotto. This nurse just found the ransom note. I was just about to go in search of their hideout but tell me Tien why are you here?" Tien stood tall pounding his fist to his big barrel shaped chest. "I have always wanted to fights alongside you but now that I have seen my wife and daughter I have found I can fight alongside you all. But in the meantime we need to get to this hideout and rescue the doctor." Oskar perked up knowing that the mighty Tien would be fighting at his side from now on "Thank you for your help now we need to head for this grotto but let's visit the blacksmiths and get some new armor and weaponry cos this stuffs about to fall apart." He said pouring out the many dents and chips in both their weapons and armor.

  Tien took Oskar to a local blacksmith he knew and explained everything to him about both Dr. Seon and him joining Wolve's-Claw in the fight against Stevkan. In his elation at this news the blacksmith let them take any weapons and armor for a very low price. Oskar chose two standard katanas and some chainmail armor with plate leggings as Tien chose a great sword, a standard katana, and some full plate armor. Fully armed they set out on the four mile journey to Dr. Seon's grotto. Thy arrived their shortly and saw the obvious signs of a struggle. Following them they could see they led to a forest. Looking at each other they knew tracking the bandits through the forest would be tough but into the thick woods they went.