Chapter 175

As soon as dawn came Vorbuk woke up like his internal clock was telling him it was time to get up. His eyes fluttering open as he stretched his front legs out across the floor. Beside him the large white tiger was still breathing deeply in his sleep.

There was a lot he had to do today and he was going to have to leave the sleeping princess Isis on the bed in the room. He felt no need to wake her because she could not leave the room on her own. Chase would take care of her as long as he was by her side while he was gone.

Black fog emitted from his body, covering him, as he took on his human form. Stepping closer to the bed he could see the princess fast asleep. His heart thumping in his chest as she looked defenseless and pure. If someone had seen her passionate and wild temperament like he had they would find it hard to imagine she could look as innocent as she did when she slept.

Picking up a piece of paper from the table beside the bed he paused for a moment. Scribbling the words 'stay together' on it in small print. Trusting that she would understand that he meant the tiger.

As he went to place the paper down on the desk his movement stilled. Pulling the paper back he began to fold it. Clean and careful folds were made with the paper. Making it take shape with care.

Before long the white paper took shape of a delicately folded paper flower. Reaching out to place it down beside the princess's head on the pillow.

Heaving a quiet sigh as he stood up and left the room behind. Closing the door tightly behind him as he glanced at the floor to notice that the prince's luggage was gone. During the night the prince must have relocated without much trouble.

Ashley was already waiting for him outside the door without a word. The moment he left the room the vampire bent and bowed respectfully to Vorbuk.

"Where is the pope and priestess right now?" Vorbuk asked him. Uninterested in why the vampire was just standing there waiting for him. From a glance he could tell that Ashley had safely guarded the door the entire time that he had been resting inside the room. Outside of orders given to him that forced Ashley to leave him the vampire seemed to never leave him alone.

"They are currently outside working. Neither of them have been getting proper rest since the state of things is like this." Ashley responded.

Both of them began to make their way outside. Without asking where they were located Vorbuk was able to make his own guess. The priestess would be healing the weak while the Pope would be moving about the temple giving orders to his people. With things that involved the temple going into a state of chaos the two of them could not let themselves seem weak. As the two that lead the temple they did their best to avoid as much morale damage as they could. Taking only enough rest to keep themselves proficient in their duties.

"Do you need me to-" Ashley started to talk when he noticed Vorbuk was not saying anything at first.

"No," Vorbuk cut him off. "I need to talk to Johan Lovette myself. Where is he right now?"

"Probably by the temple's wall watching over the situation." Ashley could only give him a rough guess as to where the pope was. After staying by the door all night long to guard his master he was only aware of rumors and gossip that staff had spoken during passing moments. Chasing down others was not his duty. As a servant of Vorbuk his duty was strictly to protect his master and follow his commands as given.

"Vorbuk!" Prince Leo's voice called out to him from behind as the prince came rushing over.

"Your highness?" Vorbuk turned when he heard the prince calling out to him.

"Why- What-" Leo was flustered and confused after being tossed out of the room last night. He could not think straight on how to ask about what happened.

Did I do something? He questioned himself if something had happened without his knowledge. All night long the prince had been troubled. The wolf had always been touchy with others. Yet this was the first time the wolf had literally forced the prince to sleep in a separate room. He had lots of things he wanted to ask but no way to voice them.

"The princess showed up." Vorbuk whispered the answer to the question he knew the prince was holding back. He had no intention to lye to his own group. In fact he did not want the princess to hide herself like a criminal. It was just that he could not predict how others would react that lived in the temple itself since her father was the one attacking.

"She's in the temple?" Leo was shocked that the princess would have the will to force herself inside the temple.

"Yes," Vorbuk nodded and patted Leo on the shoulder "so we have to be careful those living in the temple don't notice for now. If she is mistaken as an enemy things could get problematic for her more then it already is. I will talk to the pope when I see him."

"Are we trying to bring the temple over?" Leo felt like Vorbuk was intending to approach the temple pope for his support. That would be complicated to accomplish.

"Why would I go so far for something so complicated?" Vorbuk sighed heavily.

"You're not going to try and get the pope to side with us?" Leo felt complicated. It would be hard to accomplish gaining Johan's support. That was something he understood well but if it was possible it would be beneficial in the future.

"There are more ways to gain aid from the temple in the future. A method that doesn't involve conflicting interests since the pope cant go against the gods." Vorbuk started walking again to find Johan.

After watching the girls working so hard at healing the wounded a thought had come to him. There was no reason to try and rope in Johan Lovette directly. He was tasked with gaining aid from the temple. That did not mean he had to directly ask them to aid him in the future wars. It also did not mean that he had to directly gain anything from Johan Lovette.

"What do you mean?" Leo asked while following after Vorbuk to find the pope, Johan Lovette.

"There are many ways to build a connection between people. Whether it is as partners, family, friends, or something else entirely. When it comes to buildings connections there are many kinds. If you want to become close with someone you have to understand what your mutual ground is with that person." Vorbuk stated in a low voice as he thought about what he saw last night.

No matter how heavily the priestess was swamped with working to help those in need of care she never wavered. She was firm to her task even as the exhaustion had consumed her. Pushing her way through. That was not everything she did.

Amongst the crazy weight of healing the wounded she left his mind and heart open. Reaching out her hand to look after and teach Zoe. Helping someone who had much further to grow in her light magic. Priestess Mai never forgot to care for Zoe and guide her.