Ceres Inn, Tamaran, Afternoon.

The Blade Empire had reached the region of Tamaran along with their new companions, Zo Virtue, Jinzy Aerhart, Clara Mannequin and the High Priestess who requested to move Pattou here to be further tended to. Luckily, the room in the inn was vacant and Gerard, Liger and Sayfuro aided the Priestess in bringing Pattou to the bed.

High Priestess: I can see the problem, can you take his armor off? 

Sayfuro was shocked by the request but understood as the healing energy is unable to permeate through armor, so he had to be aided by Liger and Gerard to remove Pattou's armor. Pattou, left in his pants and a light shirt, was laid on the bed with the Priestess asking the companions to leave first and join the others in the tavern.

(A/N: To those thinking there will be a lemon here, latter part of the book or in Book 2, 3 and 4, but not now! Not this early...carry on)

The priestess then removed Pattou's shirt so she can tend to his ribs and torso, which until now showed some bruising from Tierria's assault. As she was healing Pattou, she in her mind was saying, 

High Priestess: (in her mind) Please awaken. Your friends need you. Do not leave them

Tavern, Tamaranean Inn.

Liger, Gerard and Sayfuro joined their other allies and new companions at the table. As soon as Liger sat, Jinzy moved closer to him, feeling all affectionate and appreciative, due to a mix of emotions and early sips of the ale. Riff was kind of jealous saying, 

Riff: Liger, I may be more of the ladies man and lady magnet, but what gives? You got yourself a maiden all over you! 

Clara was appalled by Riff's conduct

Clara: Sir Bard. That is not something to be proud of! 

Riff: The ladies love a man of instrument and rhythm. I mean, with what I do with music, I can swoon over the ladies that they practically beg for more. 

Clara: -disgusted- Sir Bard! How could you say that of your talent. We are both within the realm of rhythm but do not deceive or play with other's hearts!"

Riff: - takes a swig of ale - Alright 'milady' even though you do not own the creativity that I, Riff Chousokabe possess. Is it wrong that my music draws? It is like your dance. To some it may offend, to others, it draws and entices them to watch you perform your craft... 

Rikkou then laughs along but stops as Clara then worriedly asks Sayfuro, 

Clara: Kind sir, do you happen to know how goes your friend who we saved from that ogre?

Sayfuro: He still has yet to come to. But the priestess is still tending to his wounds. Although it had to involve Gerard, Liger and myself removing Lord Patriarch's armor.... 

Riff: - obnoxiously interjects - Disarmored huh? With a woman in that same room? Dear be our Lord Patriarch whilst unconscious has found himself a lucky....

Liger: Riff! Show some restraint!

Jinzy: Oooh, a man of manners and honor, surely this is not the spirits talking huh? 

She says this as she giggles and takes a swig of ale herself, leaning her head towards Liger's shoulder. 

Liger: -to Clara- Lord Patriarch is still being tended to by the Priestess. We have no news yet, but if anything I know of him, he is tough. That ogre of Corrvin really did a number on him.

Sayfuro: You said it Master Liger. Lord Patriarch was caught in surprise by that Tierria Rizing. It is of good fortune that Master Zo, Mistresses Jinzy and Clara, as well as that priestess were around.

Zo: You are quite welcome. My apologies but I have given you all my name. Out of common courtesy, may I know all of yours? 

Sayfuro, seated at the middle then said, 

Sayfuro: Sayfuro Wuyong, assassin and adviser to Lord Patriarch Blade, ruler of the Blade empire. 

Liger: Liger Chance, sniper and close ally of Lord Patriarch Blade. 

Rikkou: Rikkou Slingblade, champion leader of Rikkou's Wreckers and cousin of Lord Patriarch Blade.

Gerard: Gerard Cooke, heir of the Cookes, whitesmith and supply officer of Lord Patriarch Blade. 

Riff, who had two glasses of ale had suddenly began strumming his guitar loud, but still was able to produce a decent rhythmic sound, 

Riff: Riff Chousokabe, rebel bard, but with a golden heart! Serving under the ever great, Lord Patriarch Blade~ -finishes with some more strumming-

Zo: Nice to meet the liberators of the West and I presume some members of the Southern liberations forces?

Sayfuro: Actually, Masters Rikkou, Gerard and Riff here joined our cause to liberate the South, which we did successfully. 

Zo: I see. That explains the welcoming party that we were able to catch and rescue you from.

Tavern Room, Ceres Inn, Tamaran.

The Priestess still held her hands over Pattou's torso, which had lightened after the priestess had been healing him. She had been going on this healing for what seems to be hours and tears are starting to appear near her eyes due to her fervent healing.

Pattou would then begin to stir and as he opened his eyes, he would see this high priestess with the orange hair healing him. Pattou felt some guilt as he saw she had tears and softly told her, 

Pattou: It's okay. You have healed me well enough. I thank you. 

The priestess opened her eyes and saw that the one she had been healing had finally awoken, and out of emotion, she hugged him. Pattou hugged back but still felt some lingering pain. The priestess realized what she did and pulled back quickly, 

High Priestess: My apologies sir knight. I did not intend to be too forward with you. Having healed you up and all. This will make me a disgrace to my people if they find out....

Pattou: Relax, Milady. No one will know of this but I am grateful for you healing my wounds after all that has occurred -notices he is not wearing his armor- D-did you remove my armor by any chance? 

High Priestess: Oh no. I would never be too forward to do such a thing. But your allies that brought you up here took your armor off and left you here for me to heal. 

Pattou: -breathes a sigh of relief- I am glad to have allies like them. -notices his surroundings- But where are we? And most important of all, who are you?"

The High Priestess giggled a bit, her emerald eyes sparkled as Pattou observed and felt a mix of unease and calm. 

Star: It is fair. I healed you up after you were beaten to near death yet I never gave you my name. I am Star Fierrio. Daughter of the Tamaran Chief Priest Solaris Fierrio. And you are now in the region of Tamaran. Oh just me mentioning this without properly showing you around will not do enough justice. 

Pattou was in a trance as Star changed from someone who was worried about his recovery, that of a stranger even, to becoming someone beaming with pride upon introducing herself. 

Pattou: (in his mind) To be saved by a being whose beauty rivals the stars in the celestial plane...

Star: Kind Sir Knight, this is quite embarrassing. Seeing you without your armor and a shirt, how unlike of my station, yet I know not of your name. 

Pattou, broken from his trance, calms her with a smile and said, 

Pattou: No need to worry about me, Lady Star. I am Lord Patriarch Blade. Ruler of the Blade Empire. And again, I thank you for healing me and the gods as well for having us cross paths along with your allies.

Star: -surprised- Actually, we were mere passers by. Mainly myself as I had traveled to the East to tend to some matters between Tamaran and Eastern Torrs. When I saw that Zo Virtue pulled you off of that menace, I saw that you were not going to recover by yourself. That was when I began healing you but for some reason, my white magic was not working. This was when I requested to your assassin to bring you here.

When she said assassin, Pattou knew she meant Sayfuro since his forces and their new allies have yet to be properly introduced, well for Pattou that is. 

Pattou: Oh, this is quite awkward, I have yet to introduce you to my party yet they were able to assist you in your healing. 

Star: (in her mind) The man has some charm. If only he were of my kind, maybe then... 

Pattou: Shall I introduce you to them now? Just so they know of the skilled healer who saved the Blade empire's long lost heir? 

Star agreed and aided Pattou down to the tavern to meet with his allies.

That was Chapter 19. And as early as now, a lot of brewing going on. 

Chapter 20 will be out in a few hours.

Keep safe and stay awesome!