Book 3. Chapter 25: Druid of Brigid

Book 3. Chapter 25: Druid of Brigid

Jake and Fhesiah cleaned up the table, listening to Ophelia gab with Tanda over at the computer, with Bloodberri watching in interest and giving their input. Ophelia really enjoyed the ritual, not only Tandas meeting him half-way, but also Jakes modification. Rather than him dancing, he used his Hearthfire and magic to make a unique presentation of his capability.

He had practiced both the song and his magic dance prior, and had actually moved forward in his understanding of the Hearthfire as a result. It wasnt enough to bring the skill to level four, but he was excited about what he would eventually be able to do.

While Ophelia had the Hearth of Hestia ability, she was converting her health, mana, and stamina, and being assisted by the Framework in order to create the effect. Jakes hearth flames from his divine hearth were essentially the same thing, but they were not being assisted by the Framework or the goddess.

One could see hearth control as a sort of energy manipulation, but for his divine hearth only. For that reason, using the flames was sort of like spell-forms, for him.

By shaping the hearth flames a certain way, he could essentially recreate the spear of Hestia ability, except: it was like the spear of Jakes hearth, ability.

With only level 3 in Hearth Control, he really could not produce a spear nearly as rapidly or with as much effectiveness as the spear of Hestia ability, but with enough practice, he knew that he could. He could even improve upon it, and, his could be even more efficient. This was a little doubtful, though, as Ophelias skill in valkyrie magic would continue to improve her own ability as well.

For now, he was working on recreating his Sacrificial Barrier ability, since he could easily cast it and observe it with his [Arcane Eye], as he tried to recreate it. He already learned that as he got his hearth control skill up, he could substitute the health cost of the spell with his hearth flames, and the ability could be even stronger.

Converting the mana to different types had a cost, even if someone like Ophelia had amazing affinity with it. His hearth flames were already divine, and thus had little to no conversion, Hestias having slightly different properties.

Not all of his mana was the divine flames of his hearth, especially in combat. When his mana regenerated, it took time for his core to form more divine flames out of what he recovered.

He finished his kitchen cleanup, and found the two girls had already created the room and the clearing. They had attached it to their side of the hallway, wrapping it around their rooms. They spent a bit of funds for some saplings and many plants, but it was nothing substantial aside from the shrine-related fixtures.

He was lucky that the latter were affordable, likely subsidized in some way for the Refuge in general, as only his family and rare guests could access it.

The ones in the city cost large amounts of CP and Credits, as they provided many services and aided empowering a god with their faith. They were a war resource capable of producing paladins and clerics, and as such had a significant cost.

The five of them went to their new nature sanctuary, and Jake felt that the place actually seemed similar to the jungle of Highlands. The energy density in the refuge from their hearth filled the room with the vitality energy it absorbed from the void, Ophelia having paid a bit more for this option for the large room.

There was a sun in the sky that wasnt too bright, and it truly felt like they were outside in the jungle.

Tanda had tears of joy in her eyes. Inever imagined I could feel so at home here. This refuge of yours is a wonder. Maybecan my room can just be in here?

Ophelia nodded. We could just do like a hammock in here, if you like? That extra room can just be for your wardrobe and other things, for the stuff you dont need to fit in a storage bracelet. The reality is, once we reach Tier 2 things like that will hardly matter, as a single storage ring will be able to fit half a warehouse full of items.

Tanda nodded, and they all walked towards the center, where the altar or shrine was created. When they arrived, Jake was quite surprised.

Uh, whats all this stuff?

Ophelia laughed. Brigid and Cernunnos have a lot of symbolism associated with them, so we kind of went a little crazy. I figured I could use even a portion of this, so I spent some of the funds I had earned from practicing my smithing lately.

There was a strange tree, that the branches and leaves almost looked like it was on fire, along with an anvil in front of it. The leaves were filled with red and orange lights, and there was an alcove inside the base of the trunk that was lit aflame, not much more than a candle.

Jake could tell that it was in fact connected to their divine hearth, a Hearthtree. The life and warmth emanating from the tree was slight, as the tree was quite young, from what Jake could tell.

There was also a well, and two statues, much like Hestias. Behind Cernunnos statue were two large trees, one that looked like it was more from a swamp that reeked of death, and another, the largest tree, filled with life in their sanctuary. The tree did look young, and it was only large in comparison to the other saplings.

Cernunnos was more or less like he expected, looking like a satyr man with stag horns on his head, and a plant-like beard. But Brigid looked like three women, each a different race of beastkin, or demi-human.

One was a minotress, or cow parentage beastkin. The second, some sort of avian beastkin, perhaps an owl. The final one appeared to be some sort of reptile parentage beastkin, Jake guessing that of a snake.

Tandas tail was wagging. This is amazing! She looked at Ophelia. Thank you so much for helping me with this

Ophelia hugged her from the side. Of course, sister! We all want you to feel welcome, to feel at home. We know how important that is.

Jake laughed. Thats right. She wouldnt have given her oath, or I wouldnt have become a champion to a goddess of hearth and home, if we didnt. The beastkin see the world as their home, unwilling to harm it, even for their children to not have to brave dangers. I dont know how much time well truly spend here, but we do want you to feel at home with us.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

Tanda nodded with a beaming smile and her tail wagging, and they started to set up her ritual. Jake provided a dead raptor he had personally killed, but also a boar from the battlefield to be placed on the altar.

Tanda began to pray, and then she stood, singing a song of no words, as she danced around the trees. She swung her polearm around, and the gist Jake got was it was a song praising life, and about protecting it. A few minutes into it, the sacrifices lit ablaze disappearing in a puff of smoke, and both Cernunnos and Brigids statues lit up.

I accept your oath, Daughter of Timon and Dahlia. May you protect nature and life, forevermore. My husband is here, but only in spirit, so to speak. Greetings, Hart family. Thank you so much for protecting my wayward daughter, both indirectly and directly! And you, Tanda. You truly saved my husband, just like your ancestor those generations before you. For that, I have a gift.

The Hearthtree grew, and Jake bet that it had aged dozens of years at once. What was only six or seven meters tall before, was now ten or eleven meters high now. The base of the trunk had tripled in size or more, and now the hearth inside the tree could almost compare to their hearth in other rooms.

A single seed formed on one of the branches, and it shot towards Tandas heart. It entered through her chest as if it wasnt there, and Jake could see it attached itself to her heart with his [Arcane Eye].

There. Now, you shall have a hearth of your own should you feed that seed and allow it to grow. I bet your new mate will be able to help with that, along with his others? Until it grows, your druidic powers will be quite limited in that you will require seeds in order to use them.

Jake reviewed the notification she received over their bond.

[Druidic Magic: Rampant Growth]

[Powered By Auril or Mana, infuse seeds with rampant growth. Different seeds produce different results.]

He saw that she had a new skill for [Druidic Magic] just like Ophelia and Bloodberris valkyrie and priestess magic respectively, though with only one spell it felt like a challenge for her to improve it. Perhaps, shell get better at using the life force. He wondered how she could use mana, perhaps once she had her hearth tree she could?

Brigid continued, The beastkin will be able to become paladins, druids, clerics, priestesses and more, so the sooner you can get the temple with the many shrines created, the better. It wont be the same as the classers get, but they will usually receive an iconic ability like Tanda here did, depending on the god or goddess they choose to give their oath to.

Jake nodded. His plan was to form them as soon as he recaptured the Alliance HQ, which was only days away. He wondered when there could be actual class templates instead of specializations, and thought it had to do with the race not having completed their trial yet, but he wasnt sure.

That information was out of their reach, for now. Humans were ubiquitous across the multiverse, among many other races like the valkyrie. They did not have the problem of being unable to select a class, even on a fringe world.

I thought my dad was dead, but Cernunnos said a strange thing. That he picked the Affliction specialization. But how could that be possible? Theres no way he initiated into the Framework, or hed have told me.

Fhesiah said, Arent you proof there are other ways to reach out to the god? Perhaps, they can pay a price to reach out to you, instead. Bloodberri wasnt initiated into the Framework, but she prayed at a shrine to Hestia, and was initiated in the process.

Ophelia nodded. When I was younger, I had read about cases where gods and goddesses did approach those on the verge of death. Youll find that the gods related to death can make a connection in that way, too. Maybe he did die, but his soul was collected before Tartarus could get to it? Its hard to know, but all that can be possible, if that god or goddess has a special connection to the world. Among the Celtic gods, theres Arawn and Cernunnos himself, isnt there?

Tanda scratched her head in frustration. Theres also Aisling, who infuriatingly is acting like his death isnt a big deal! Even from the beginning! She probably knew something

Blood said, Prophecies are like that, arent they? By saying too much, sometimes you can harm or change the path away from the best one. Perhaps she had a reason?

Tanda sighed. I know. My clan-mother does often know best. Perhaps, thats why she survived, letting my dad wound the enemy so, but its just frustrating.

Jake said, Well, I hope in the end hes okay, and you werent given false hope. Thats one fight I look forward to, even if I know it will be difficult, from what Ive heard.

Tanda and Ophelia grinned in excitement. Both were looking forward to seeing Jakes fight.

Tanda laughed a little awkwardly, I would say you dont need to fight, your potential was shown differently, but Im not so sure if hell see it that way He might just fight you because he wants?

Ophelia said, Oh, I cant wait to meet him! Think hed fight me?

Tanda beamed. My dad, my mom, and my other clan-mothers love to fight! Theyll be more than ready to brawl! Aisling is just a little different, since her manifestation is as it is.

Berri said, Who cares about fighting, I want to build a snowman! Jake, tell me theres a way to get snow in here!

Ophelia said, Snowball fight!

Tanda beamed. We always do that on Harmony Peaks! Theres plenty of snow in the winter.

Jake laughed. Maybe next time, well set up some snow to play with.

Berri was sad. Oh cmon, I dont need to sleep, Blood can do it for me. Lets play!

Tanda frowned at Berri. What?

Ophelia shook her head, clasping Tandas shoulder.

Dont mind it, or youll lose. Just accept shes different.

Tanda sighed. Its so much fun here, thank you so much Im so glad my heart and mind finally matched, Im so relieved. I kind of want to stay the night, but I realize I should talk to Aisling, even if I have to wake her up.

Everyone stood up, escorting her to the door.

Jake said, Before you go, one more thing. Now that youre my bonded, it means you can receive my buff, even if youre a great distance away.

Jake cast his [Divine Reinforcement] on her, which improved everything that she was by 75%. She was filled with golden light, but it faded into her, her body, mind, and soul being covered by divine empowerment.

She shivered, and seemed to bask in the feeling with her eyes closed for a moment. Tanda fluttered her wings for a moment, and seemed to look at herself with wonder, then all the girls and Jake.

Wow! Thats really amazing. I can even feel your hearts songs even better. I feel so great, it feels a little like Jakes aura.

This way, I can protect you a bit while youre not with us. Youll feel some flashes of my emotions while youre gone too, no doubt. I can call you at a moments notice if youre in danger, using my [Call Summon] spell.

Tanda perked up a bit. Thats so reassuring. Your power is really special!

Jake sang, Soar high and free, dear mate. With your winds at your back and the sky as your home. Our hearts will miss your presence among us.

Tanda grinned, and leaped at Jake, him catching her in his arms. She planted a quick kiss on his lips, and sang, Farewell, I am grateful for your songs, my heart will remember and be filled with joy and peace. My heart yearns to be in your presence once more.

The girls all waved at Tanda, and she left through the portal. Jake realized that the Bond had already increased to level two, surprising him.

Fhesiah shrugged. Those beastkin move fast, in tune with their hearts. Someone like Tanda only joining a mate when she believed they more or less found her soulmate. Brock sealed the deal with Serena and Bria on the first night. If you just gave her a necklace, you couldve been in the bedroom by now.

Ophelia rolled her eyes, knowing that Fhesiah was just exaggerating.

Ophelia said, I think Tanda already knows in her heart that she will be your mate in truth, but this courtship is like a human womans wedding, to a beastkin woman. While if the mood matched well enough for her to go forward she would have, I think she wants to cherish this time similarly. Besides, we all know Jake would rather woo her and build up to it.

Jake laughed. I do, I think. Its kind of hard to know until youre at the moment, but when I read the first, mostly inaccurate, information about their customs, I was a bit worried. It was almost made to sound like Id beat the girl up and take her to the bedroom. Im sure some men might enjoy the idea, but it feels wrong to me. That it has a component of listening to their song and making sure their hearts can beat as one, like finding their soul mate, helps.

Blood said, I heard the more warrior or domestic type beastkin women do almost just get beaten up and taken home. They desire to have children with a strong, dominant mate. I see the appeal. Before we met Jake, I had hoped to be the one doing the beating up and taking home.

Berri laughed nervously. Im really glad Jake is so sturdy! I think we would have been through a few potential husbands before we didnt break them.

Ophelia said, Well, I think that went really well! Tanda feels like one of us already. So shell be flying south to near Kenwodi or Lifes Haven with her flock, those that are ready and able to fly along. Some will stay protecting Harmony Peaks, like Aisling. They will split up some, to deliver more nodes to different areas, trying to delegate some nodes being carried out across the continent. Theyll be targeting the largest villages and cities.

Jake said, And we will finish the path to reclaim the primary Alliance HQ, Lifes Haven. Well be cutting off as many Rifts surrounding it as we can, and rally all the warriors on foot. When Tandas flock arrives, well assault it not long after. We should have some extra time to craft, getting all beastkin armed. Between Rookards pack, Vesuvius tribe, and Tandas flock, well have quite the varied force.

Ophelia said, Im a little worried that Tartarus will have enough time to move pieces such as another Champion, but it hasnt been overly long. They had hoped to cut us off on Ariminum from making it here on time, but they failed. My understanding is it takes time for them to move their resources, just like us, so I do think our best shot at getting this HQ back is now. Going for this one instead of the smaller one is probably for the better, thats my gut feeling.

I think youre right, sister. Now come, husband. Let me remove the sleep from you, just a few more nights of this to go. The rest of having a good time as a family has come to an end, unfortunately.