Book 2 Ch 13: Loose Ends

Before they left the village the next morning, Michael took some time to look at his Titles and Deeds.

Titles:

Michael Mann

The Restored

The Wound Man

Godseeker

Champion of Seras

Deeds:

Bridge Holder

Revenge Denier

Run Conqueror

Resilient Competitor

Fort Healer

Righteous Defender

Castle Taker

Baron Breaker

Rift Sealer

Warrior Mender

Blessings:

Healing

Pain Transfer

Smite

There were no new Titles and Deeds, but he’d been expecting that. He focused in on Champion of Seras.

Champion of Seras

Grants:

Minor Durability

Minor Protection

Can be strengthened by accomplishing feats in her name

The durability and protection it granted had both changed from Very Minor to Minor. He was certain that in normal circumstances he’d be granted a deed for what he’d done, but by protecting the village and sealing the portal in her name he’d instead improved the title she’d granted him. The deed would’ve likely granted greater improvements, but they would have been conditional, as all of his deeds were. Having an improved title meant he’d receive the benefits from it no matter what he was doing. That was a more than fair tradeoff. He also felt like her voice was a bit stronger, though that may have just been in his head. There was clearly a connection between the gods and Titles and Deeds even beyond one being the source of the other. He’d have to keep exploring it.

He buckled on his newly repaired armor and shield. The blacksmith had done only rough patches to it as he had before since armor was not his usual focus, but Michael was just grateful to have had it fixed up at all. He was also happy that his new sword had managed to survive his use, even with smite. It had still needed some repair, and maintaining the edge of the thick piece of metal was an enormous chore, but he had less need for sleep than everyone, and he needed to spend his time doing something. He’d still need to locate a lighter sword for fighting agile opponents, but as long as he was fighting with Pyotr nearby he didn’t anticipate having too much trouble.

He stepped out into the village where Marcus was making some last minute trades and Lance was chatting with the village elder. When she saw him she broke away and looked him over.

“Your god that you worship. This thing you say was part of the divine. What is its name?”

Michael smiled. “Seras, goddess of protection.”

She snorted. “Well, she lived up to her title. Maybe I’ll say a prayer to her here and there from now on.”

“I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”

They all took a moment to say their goodbyes and finish packing up all the goods that Marcus had managed to trade for, or was gifted. Once everyone had things together they started to make their way out of the village. Now that the portal was gone things were warming up rapidly and there were a number of small streams flowing from all of the snowmelt. As they got just out of sight of the village, Michael felt a slight pull off the main road and onto a side path.

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“The divine wants me to go this way,” he said. “If you guys don’t mind.”

“It’s fucking weird, but I don’t mind,” said Ollie.

“As long as it’s not another unrelenting fight I’m fine with it,” said Marcus. The others just shrugged.

They went up the side path and Michael saw a small stone slab against a rocky hill. It depicted a man with long wild hair and a tremendous gut smiling ear to ear, a number of beautiful women and men surrounding him and dancing. Just as with the remains of the statue Michael had found in the previous village, this altar seemed to be deliberately facing away from the nearby village. At the bottom of it there was dirt over part of the bottom of the statue, and the only word that was visible was ‘The’ in ornate script. Michael had to keep from groaning as he took his hand and tried to brush away the dirt. Surprisingly, he was able to make out the full set of words.