Book 2 Ch 31: Return to Southwind

They made good time as they walked up the road back toward Southwind. Pyotr may have been flagging a bit for a while, but after they stopped so that he could make some tea, he was moving with quite a bit more pep in his step.

“You’re going to be addicted to that stuff by the end of the week,” said Michael.

“Good! There are far worse things to be addicted to than tea. This way I have already given myself over to one that is not so bad, so I won’t have so much room for those that are.” He took a deep satisfied breath. “You are addicted to your new gods. That is a far more dangerous choice than my new tea.”

“I mean, you prayed with me just this morning.”

“I prayed once, after a night that would lead any man to prayers of gratitude. You pray many times a day. I worry you will start looking desperately for new things to pray to, constantly seeking your next fix.”

Michael frowned. “You might be right… I’m already fiending for my next one.”

“I thought as much… Marcus and I will schedule an intervention. We shall have you blaspheming and whoring as soon as possible.”

“I mean… so far I seem to be able to indulge in the latter without too many problems.”

“These gods may be more just than the ones people pretended at back home.”

“They’re certainly more active.”

They decided to walk a bit into the night with their nighteye spells active in the hopes that they may still be able to catch up to Suraj and the others, then made a simple camp just off the road for the night.

The next day they got up early, had a bowl each of their new tea along with some of the meat from the previous day, then they started off again. In the early evening, just as Southwind was coming into view, they also saw a small group ahead. They ran at a light jog to catch up, and Michael was surprised to be greeted with warm smiles and claps on the back.

“Back just in time,” said Suraj, nodding at them. “Did you find what you were looking for?”

Michael nodded. “My trip brought me closer to the gods, yes.”

“Is that why you both smell of booze and sweat?”

“What’s closer to the gods than that my friend?” asked Pyotr.

Suraj chuckled a little. “Fair enough. You two are going to be fitting in very well with the others.”

They reached the small abandoned farmstead where Gemini had set up and quickly found that they were the first ones to make it back.

“The twins sent a runner back to say their rift was closed, but they have a lot of wounded to move. No contact from the other group.”

That worried Michael, but he took a breath and said a quick prayer for them. They had larger groups and were all well equipped and capable. Davi and Marcus could handle themselves well, and neither would hesitate to flee if they needed to. Lys was with them too and she certainly gave the impression of someone competent to work with.

Michael made his way to his tent to drop off most of his supplies and took a moment to go through his equipment. He drew his new shortsword and found that aside from a few dings it was still in good shape. He pulled out his thicker, heavier sword and frowned. While it had lasted longer than his first sword had when using it for smiting, it was also starting to corrode and blacken. He poked at it a bit and it felt brittle. If he was going to be dealing with rifts regularly he needed a better solution.

He did what he could to fix up his equipment and then took a moment to pull his mirror out of his pack. He wasn’t certain, but he felt as if he’d experienced some changes.

Titles:

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Michael Mann

The Restored

The Wound Man

Godseeker

Champion of Seras

Champion of Nykas

Deeds:

Bridge Holder

Revenge Denier

Run Conqueror

Resilient Competitor

Fort Healer

Righteous Defender

Castle Taker

Baron Breaker

Rift Sealer