Chương 63: Chapter 55. Teasing And Blessing

The walk away from the field reminded me of the fact I forgot to Meditate today. I suppose we were all preoccupied thinking of Crest. Not even Warrick said anything. He must have been even sadder than he let on. Noticing that the sun wasn't leaving the sky anytime soon, I decided to go and try my hand at Meditation. My time Meditating for the past few weeks has been a complete failure. I haven't progressed since meeting Lily.

Anna and I bid our farewells and began the decently long walk to the Meditation field anyways. On the way, Anna stealthily hugged my arm and grabbed my hand when the coast was clear. After we were a good distance away from everyone, Anna started to speak with a serious tone instead of the playful voice she usually had when we were alone or with Friends." Master, are you truly not mad at me for not being able to land my Spell?" I was surprised by Anna's question.

I realized this was a very important topic to her, but I already told her what I thought about it. So, I decided to tease her slightly. I answered while feigning being hurt." Did you think I lied when I said it was fine before? Don't you trust me, Anna?" The look on her face changed from serious to panicked in an instant. She started to trip over her own words while replying to me." N-n-n No, John, I trust you!" She was so panicked she used my name this time.

She had such a desperate look on her face that I couldn't help but laugh. Once she noticed my laughing, she started to pout as we walked. I answered after catching my breath and calming myself." Sorry, Anna, I just couldn't help myself. But in all seriousness, no, I'm not mad at you. Like I stated before, you did everything I could have asked for and you did it perfectly. If it was anyone else besides Warrick and Aqua it would have been the end of the fight. So, no more doubting yourself!

Otherwise, I'll have to tease you even more." Anna listened to what I said, and it seemed to bring her mood back up a bit. The pout on her face stayed, however. She spoke to me in a quiet tone not long after." Master is a meanie."" Only to the people I care about." I replied with a wink and a squeeze of her hand. Anna blushed. It was a pleasant walk in all. We walked to the field without much of a problem.

When we first separated, I thought Anna would want to stay separated, but when the coast was clear, she reclaimed her position with swift precision. Once we arrived at the field, I assumed my position for Meditation and began to focus. My focus was interrupted immediately by Anna sitting next to me. I turn to see her acting like it was completely normal to sit next to me while Meditating. I couldn't help but question her motives." Anna, what are you doing?"

Anna looked at me with an innocent smile and began to reply to me." As a Druid, I can enter a trance and speak to the Goddess that granted me their Favor! I haven't talked much to her in a few months, she had asked me to speak to her today. I figured now would be a good time. I'm not disturbing you, am I, Master?" As I couldn't sense any feeling that she was trying to tease me, I decided to trust her. I replied with a smile." Sure, why not? I wouldn't mind if you Meditated with me every day these past 2 months.

I wish you would've told me about this, I would have made sure you had time every day to talk to your Goddess."" Well, I wouldn't be able to speak to her every day in the first place, Master. The Goddess of Nature has many Followers. Because of this, it's more like waiting in a que to be called upon. When called upon, the Goddess tells you of a time she would like to meet, and you try to make that time."" What if you don't make the meeting?" Anna had a complicated expression on her face when I asked that question.

After a few moments she answered me." Well, it depends on the God or Goddess. For my Goddess, she has always been kind to myself and to her other Followers. This was very apparent in the book Aqua gave me. However, for those who had crossed the line and committed heinous acts. My Goddess has been known to strike them down with a mighty bolt of lightning. for the worst of the worst, she would infect them with one of a variety of poisons that were and are known as fates worse than death."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon." She takes that whole wrath thing quite seriously I see."" From what I've read, the victims of her wrath were all heinous people with a list of crimes that filled pages of the book I read. From unjustified murder, torture and even cannibalism for the sake of it. Those were the lightest crimes." I was honestly shocked at how easily Anna had listed off those crimes.

For one reason or another, I had a feeling that it wouldn't be a bad idea to thank her Goddess. Maybe an offering would be good? I decided to ask. Anna replied quickly." You could offer something like mana for instance, I'm sure the mana of a Paladin would please any God, do that with a prayer to them and I'm sure it would reach them. However, there is another way. A good way to thank the Goddess is to treat their Druids with reverence."" Hm, I see. So, I just need to pray and offer mana."

I pretended to ignore Anna's 2nd suggestion. She began to pout and get a little teary-eyed at that. I didn't want her to be too sad, so I quickly explained why." Hang on Anna, no need to feel sad. After all, I already have great reverence for you, Anna. From your Skills as a Fighter, as a Maid as well. Most importantly though, I respect you as a person." She wasn't expecting an answer like that it seems. I decided to allow her to calm down for a moment before suggesting that we start Meditating.

Anna agreed and off we went. Before long, I was in that great dark world again. I simply spun my mana around and around. I had been doing this since Lily, with no real results to show for it, today was a bit different though. I felt 3 different presences today. They were all too far away to really concentrate on them though. So, I poured what mana I had left and simply continued until I was empty. I awoke to Anna sleeping on my lap. She looked peaceful.

I almost didn't want to disturb her, but sunset had arrived, so I figured I should wake her, lest she caught a cold. I started to tickle her ear. Seemed it was effective judging by the grimace on her face before she opened her eyes. She awoke without much of a hassle strangely. Seems her ears are sensitive... I'll make a mental note of that. I started to speak to Anna who was currently rubbing her eyes." Anna, how did your meeting go?"

Anna, who seemed to have fully awakened now, looked at me and began to speak of her meeting with the Goddess." We talked about many things. She was most pleased with my progress and growth in my Abilities as a Druid. She said I was making her proud of her decision to grant me her Favor. She even granted me a Boon. A Blessing to be exact." Anna began to blush. I looked at her puzzled by her current state. I began to speak." Did I do something wrong, Anna? Or did I surprise you somehow?

Anna shook her head from side to side. She then proceeded to speak in a quiet voice after a few moments." Well, you see... As a Goddess of Nature, My Goddess's power ranges far in all types of Magic... One of those areas is.... Well.... lity...."" What was that?" I couldn't hear her at the end, so I asked her to repeat herself and moved my ear closer to her. She shook before she finally answered in a loud voice." She... She gave me a Boon of Fertility!" Anna shouted at me with a look of embarrassment.

I quickly spoke to her." I see! Uhmm... In the end. I think it's a good thing for you. I mean... Not for right now. But in the future, you know?" Anna looked down at the ground and began to point at me." She also said she would give you the same Blessing." I was shocked by this information. I had some questions as well. I asked Anna the most important one in my eyes." How exactly did she give me a Blessing? I don't even feel different from before my Meditation?""

Usually, someone would have to pray with sincerity for at least a year for a God to think of bestowing a Blessing. But you see, my Goddess has been keeping a close eye on me these past few months. She has seen most everything that has occurred since then. And she has decided that from the way you treat Sarah and me. As well as the fact that you are a Paladin, that you are worthy of the Blessing. As for the feeling part of it. As was explained to me, you will only feel the Blessing activate during the "Act"."

Anna and I both stared at each other. We then both looked away from each other. After a few moments, I noticed the moon was coming out, so I decided to speak." Anna, we should go to the Dining Hall for dinner with everyone. As for the Blessing, I want you to know that I am happy to receive the Blessing from your Goddess. As for now though, it will not be in use. I plan on not crossing that line until marriage. I will reiterate, after I defeat the Hero. I truly hope you and Sarah will lend me some of your time.""

I will always keep that appointment for you, John. I promise. Just as Sarah will. We will not allow you to be late to it however!"" I won't be. I've already kept you waiting for long enough. I plan on making that up to you in time, so for just a little longer... Anna, please don't get fed up with me."" Sarah and I won't, John. We won't ever." We stared at each other for a few moments, just smiling and then we laughed together. After taking a moment to calm down.

Anna and I walked back to the Palace and proceeded to make our way to the Dining Hall. We walked hand in hand when we found the moments when we were alone.