Paladin the path begins

Tar’vid caught his first glimpse of Fernhaven as they crested Ford’s Ridge, it was more than he’d expected of a port town... though after seeing the glory of Keldran he wasn’t as impressed as he might have once been.

“Your first time here?” Morkin asked as they descended the ridge and down through the patchwork of fields, now sprinkled with the first signs of snow. There was no sign of the plague that had ravaged the south lands for the last few years, as farm hands looked up at the mercenary bands passing. These last people would have to leave soon if they were to avoid the bad snowfall the north was famous for.

“Yes, it’s the first town I’ve seen since I left Whitecliff” he replied after a moment, leaving out his time in Keldran.

Morkin furrowed his brow, stroking his beard triumphantly. “What about Keldran?” he asked suspiciously.

“That was no town, more a gleaming beacon surrounded by fields” Tar’vid replied without missing a beat, he had thought Karhald would tell Morkin eventually and decided there wouldn’t be much point lying when rumbled. “Though when I was there things were... messy” Tar’vid told him sadly, remembering his last moments with Luna.

Morkin clapped his shoulder firmly, any apprehension Tar’vid had about the revelation dissipating. “I know, Karhald filled me in. If it’s of any help, I have known you but a short while and your actions are not those of an assassin... from my limited experience in such matters. Besides, Fernhaven has no love for their elven rulers” Morkin chuckled.

They carried on towards Fernhaven in high spirits, the sky remaining clear as they approached the town gates. A trail of people lining the streets now and Tar’vid could feel their gazes upon him as he heard whispers throughout the crowd. There was a ragged camp of tents and converted waggons near the walls and Tar’vid wondered what was going on.

“It’s worse than when we left” Morkin whispered to him, having drawn his weapon. Tar’vid realised the others had done likewise.

Tar’vid scanned the crowd of men, women and children. They were mostly dirty and ragged, though some seemed as if they had only just arrived, confusion on their faces as well.

“What’s happening here?” Tar’vid asked, wondering why these people weren’t inside the walls of Fernhaven.

“The plague my friend, it hasn’t touched Fernhaven yet and unlike Whitecliff, there is only a small paladin shrine here. None of your order resides here due to some war or other centuries ago” Morkin replied as the waggon came to a slow halt in front of a hastily constructed barricade.

“Greetings master Genstark!” called a well-dressed man from up ahead, his dark beard neatly trimmed like Morkin’s.

“Greetings Lisander, how are the children. I hope your health is steadily improving now?” replied Bruhnel cordially, rummaging for something beside him. Lisander tucked his thumbs into his belt, sauntering up to the side of the cart, his breastplate gleaming in the sun.

“They be doing well, though I’d be happier if this riff raff weren’t here, only got one doctor willing to help out here and he gotta check them one at a time for symptoms... most of ’em will starve before they get in, poor bastards” Lisander told Bruhnel, moving his left hand to the hilt of his sword as the gathered people started moving.

“Well, is it just the usual crew with you master Genstark?” he asked after a moment, his hand moving away from the blades hilt as the crowd stopped once more.

“Afraid not my friend, poor Ulkirk caught an arrow in the gullet and fair Helena took a nasty axe blow to the skull... I always told the girl to wear a helmet... ah, I also acquired a rather handsome young fellow on the road” Bruhnel replied, then indicated towards Tar’vid.

Lisander walked over to him, stopping a few feet short of Tar’vid and looking him up and down. “Afraid you’ll have to wait out here until... wait, you’re one of them, Paladins. If you could spare us some of your time... the process of entry could be... fast tracked” Lisander said, making sure Bruhnel could overhear.

There was a soft chink as a pouch of coins landed at Lisander’s feet.

“I’ll still have to take your weapon lad, your new to master Genstark’s business and you need to have the papers for carrying weapons here you see” Lisander explained, picking up the pouch quickly.

Tar’vid handed over the elven sword without fuss, feeling he wouldn’t be needing it here anyway. Lisander’s face was a picture though.

“This blade is of elven craft, I never thought I’d see one of our kind with one in his possession. Don’t worry I’ll have it taken to master Genstark’s place of business first thing in the morning” he said, nervously holding the sword close. Lisander waved them onwards and Tar’vid saw why the crowd hadn’t rushed the gate, nearly thirty men in mail and helmets stood guard, each carrying a pike, shield and side arm. Tar’vid had no idea things were so bad this far north, his only real experience of the plague had been Whitecliff and the village he had been through... remembering the horror of that place made his skin crawl still. As they passed through the gates the guards closed ranks behind them, a call came out a moment later and a lone girl was allowed through the thicket of pikes. “Perhaps I can help them whilst I’m here, I mean it was part of why they let me in?” Tar’vid said to Morkin awkwardly.

Morkin shook his head, leaning in close to him. “And how long do you think it would take for word of that to reach Keldran lad, guilty or not you’re a wanted man from the sound of things. Besides, it was Bruhnel’s gold that got you in” Morkin told him, merely confirming what Tar’vid already thought.

The waggon rolled under the great gates and through the long gatehouse, he noticed that even should the crowd breach the pike line only certain death awaited them, numerous arrow slits along the walls and murder holes above too much for even a well-armed force. The waggon emerged from the other end of the gatehouse and on down the cobbled streets. Tar’vid could now see dozens of masts and sails protruding over the roofs from the harbour in the lower part of the town, though compared to Whitecliff it seemed a city, for there must have been hundreds of houses as the company moved through the wide streets, easily avoiding the busy foot traffic and vendors stalls and ox-drawn carts. After almost an hour they entered through a thick wooden gate into a large courtyard, dozens of men and women milling around the open area. Tar’vid noted that all were armed, several men and women standing guard in the galleries with crossbows loaded. Bruhnel must have noted his gazing around.

“We live in difficult times my boy, I assure you it’s all necessary,” Bruhnel told him, putting an arm around his shoulders.

“I get it, since I left Whitecliff a few weeks ago I’ve been in at least three fights for my life... the world is a much more dangerous place than I had thought” Tar’vid replied with a sigh, realising he had already killed at least six people. Bruhnel patted him on the shoulder, guiding him across the yard and indoors.

“Look my boy, get some rest. And in the morning we can perhaps discuss your situation. Perhaps you might want to join my band of merry merce... guards. Don’t answer yet though, just sleep on it” Bruhnel told him, cutting Tar’vid off before he could reply.

Tar’vid took a moment as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. “I’ll think about it. I really appreciate all your help, truly I do” he replied, though in truth he would need to take the work, having no money to his name and being hunted by an elven kingdom he’d struggle to afford food let alone survive.

Rest would be good though he thought as one of Bruhnel’s guards showed him to an empty room. It was bare except for a small table and bed... but that suited him just fine, it was what he was used to after all and as he lay down Tar’vid began to think of Whitecliff. How he’d been neglecting his prayers and his duty lately, he started to offer a prayer to Sah’ravel as he lay down, once more feeling a calm he hadn’t had in weeks as he drifted off to sleep.

Tar’vid woke in darkness, rolling out of bed and stretching his arms out. He made his way through the corridors of the building before exiting out into the courtyard.

“Trouble sleeping?” Morkin asked him from a bench beside the door.

“Not really, I just woke up. It’s always hard to tell the hour during the winter months I find” Tar’vid replied, sitting down beside Morkin.

“Before I forget lad, take this” Morkin told him, passing Tar’vid a folded piece of paper. Tar’vid unfolded the paper, it was signed by the town’s governor giving him permission to carry a side arm whilst amongst the general population in Fernhaven. “Genstark knew you’d be coming here around this time, I swear the man’s got magic in him lad” Morkin postulated, rubbing his hands together.

“Did Lisander drop my sword in yet?” Tar’vid asked getting to his feet slowly.

Morkin shook his head and rubbed his hands together again, more furiously this time.

“Not as of yet lad, but don’t worry I’ll pay him a visit if it doesn’t arrive tomorrow” Morkin reassured him.

“It’s not that, I was thinking of visiting the Paladin shrine tonight. Thought I may need a weapon at this time” Tar’vid replied, unsure of how dangerous Fernhaven was after dark.

Morkin chuckled stroking his beard. “No need to worry about that lad, there’s more patrols than ever here, the governor takes public safety very seriously. Anyway, several hedge knights are guarding the paladin shrine since an incident there a few months back, now I’m going inside lad. It’s damned freezing tonight... you need a cloak, it’s too cold for just a shirt” Morkin said as he got to his feet.

“No, thank you. I’m made for this sort of weather” Tar’vid replied with a smile.

Morkin patted him on the shoulder, then went into the building yawning loudly. Tar’vid left through the grated side door of the main gate, stepping out into the nearly deserted street. In the sparsely lit streets, he could see trees blowing gently and supposed it must be bitterly cold with the wind coming off the ocean. He walked at a leisurely pace, encountering patrols of several men quite frequently. He had to ask directions from the patrols a few times and after several hours of walking, he found the Paladin temple. It was smaller than he’d imagined as he walked up the short staircase to the open temple doors. Beside the door stood a knight in chain mail and half plate, a shield slung on his shoulder and an arming sword on his hip. As Tar’vid approached the knight, he raised a gauntleted hand to halt him.

“Halt there friend, what is the purpose of your visit here?” asked the knight, resting his hand on the pommel of his blade.

Tar’vid reached the top of the staircase and the knight squinted his eyes, seeing his face clearly in the torchlight. The knight relaxed his hand on his sword, stepping forward confidently.

“Forgive me master Paladin, there have been unsavoury characters prowling these streets at night, and after the attack, it pays to be cautious,” said the knight, more kindly now.

“Don’t worry yourself over it. You said there was an incident some months ago, what happened?” Tar’vid asked.

The knight nodded lifting the visor of his helmet, which Tar’vid noticed had several dents in it. He was tanned, unusually so for a man of the north and sporting a dark curled moustache.

“It was somewhat worse than an incident master Paladin, ne’er do wells entered the temple and began to loot it. killing the head priestess and several initiates. Only the intervention of myself and Blue knight stopped further bloodshed” he said proudly.

“Then I thank you on behalf of my order, for your actions and your continued defence. I am Tar’vid of Whitecliff” Tar’vid said, offering his hand in greeting.

“Your thanks are welcome but unnecessary. It is within our code to defend those in need, you may call me Red Knight” he replied, shaking the offered hand. “Surely that isn’t your real name?” Tar’vid asked as they walked together into the temple.

“You are correct master Paladin, I have no name now. Not until the great lady shows herself to me and grants me her blessing, for me and Blue Knight gave up our titles and lands to pursue the path of righteousness. Perhaps one day though I shall return to Flamere and see my family again, triumphant as a knight of virtue” the Red Knight told him wistfully.

“Where is Flamere?” Tar’vid asked, “It’s not a place I’ve heard of before”.

“Far to the south and west master Paladin, beyond the elf lands and over the sea. It’s a beautiful place Tar’vid, I hope one day you may see it”.

“I would very much like that” Tar’vid replied with a smile.

“This is as far as I go now, someone needs to keep watch, and tonight it is myself,” Red Knight told him, stopping by the entrance to the inner temple and returning to guard the temples entranceway. Tar’vid continued into the temple’s main chamber alone, it’s high ceiling and collonaded walls reminding him of Whitecliff’s fortress, he wondered if Tar’son had taken a new pupil under his wing yet as he thought of his home. focusing less on his surroundings he saw the warrior known as Blue Knight, her shield a deep ocean blue with a white checker pattern upon it, dressed in full plate and unlike Red Knight she also carried a pole axe. She was in conversation with another woman in white robes and a blue cape, perhaps the new head priestess he thought. Tar’vid made his way down the central passageway, between the sparse wooden benches. The two women noticed him as he passed by the altar, though they had finished their conversation now, Blue Knight gave the other woman a bow, before passing him by.

“Good evening Paladin,” she said, inclining her head slightly to him.

“Good evening to you also Blue Knight” he replied, returning the favour, Tar’vid was sure the woman smiled.

The head priestess came up beside him, so quietly he didn’t even notice.

“So Tar’vid, you certainly took your time coming here!” The head priestess chided him.

Tar’vid rubbed his grubby hair nervously and chuckled. “Well I’ve had a rather hectic few weeks” he replied with a bow.

Tar’vid spent the next several hours explaining his time since leaving Whitecliff to the priestess. He left nothing out, for he had the feeling the high priestess already knew his tale and merely wanted his account of events. She had sat him down in one of the vacant novice chambers, he only very occasionally saw novices and other priestess’ go by, knowing if it weren’t for the knights then most of them would now be dead.

“You have certainly had a rough time of it haven’t you Tar’vid. Most people live their whole lives and experience but a fraction of what you have?” the priestess said, her face expressionless as it had been throughout his recounting.

He stayed silent for a while, before finding the words he was looking for.

“Where does my path go from here?” he asked.

He was feeling lost, away from home and cruelly parted from Luna it was hard to see a silver lining.

“You continue your path Tar’vid, Sah’For Evel is a life long journey. For even when you return to Whitecliff the path will still be walked. Remember Tar’vid, the saints watch over you and give you strength. You need only trust in them” she said, motioning for him to stand. “Now come with me Tar’vid, your last trial is here in this temple”

Tar’vid followed her back into the main hall and into a side chapel, where a statue of Tar’mine stood prominently over a font that had seemingly survived the attack completely unscathed. In the rafters of the room sat tawny owls observing him shrewdly. The high priestess stood beside the font as he stood beside her. She said a prayer he hadn’t heard before and the water began to ripple, shimmering with light.

“I leave you here Tar’vid, keep your faith and you will be fine,” she told him, leaving him alone in the room with the owls.

“Come closer Tar’vid” a voice whispered from the font.

He stepped closer, tentatively peering into the fonts now still water.

The light from its depths suddenly blinded him and he felt a hand grip his face, stifling a cry as he felt his face burn, bright light filling his vision until he closed his eyes to it.

When he opened his eyes again the temple was now bathed in a white hue, before him stood Tar’mine himself, radiating a bright light from within, though not painfully so as before.

“We meet once more Tar’vid, when last we saw each other you were given our blessing to walk the path. Tell me, how is the path so far?” Tar’mine asked him, his voice warm and friendly.

Tar’vid fell to his knees dejectedly, feeling he had failed in his duty. “I have failed the order, I am potentially responsible for a second Paladin war with the elves” he responded, angry at himself.

“Truly?” Tar’mine responded with disbelief.

Tar’vid merely nodded in response, lowering his eyes from the venerated saint. Tar’mine lifted his head back up, making a motion with his hand. A gallery of faces swirled around until there were too many to look at, though Tar’vid caught a glimpse of Luna, perhaps Lillian as well.

“You say you have failed the order, yet your actions speak otherwise. How many of these people would be dead, how many lives have you touched for the better. No Tar’vid, you have not failed the order and nor have you failed me. You are a shining example of what a Paladin should be and so I grant you your status as a brother of the order” Tar’mine waved his hand once more, the gallery vanishing.

Tar’mine stood him on his feet and as he adjusted his belt unnecessarily, Tar’vid felt the pommel of a sword against his arm.

“This blade is Torgard, in life he was known as the avenger. In death, he will now aid you Tar’vid” Tar’mine said as Tar’vid drew the blade from its scabbard.

Light surrounded him, and as it faded away he was encased in armour, though he felt no extra weight upon him.

“This is the spirit of Torgard, protecting you Tar’vid, and as long as you wield the blade he will stay with you”.

Tar’vid sheathed the blade, the armour of Torgard fading away.

“Go now Tar’vid, and know I am proud of you,” Tar’mine told him as the room began to burn brightly with light once more. Tar’vid closed his eyes, a new profound calm sweeping over him.

As he opened his eyes the chapel was back to normal, though the font had drained and the owls had vanished. He felt by his side, Torgard was still there and he once again felt content, knowing he had Tar’mine’s blessing confirmed once more. Tar’vid left the chapel, finding the high priestess knelt in prayer before the altar. He knelt down beside her, though before he could speak she hushed him to silence.

“What was said is between you and the saints Tar’vid, now you may leave this place and continue your path,” she told him, though he was sure there was a tinge of sadness in her voice.

He stood and left the temple, passing the now silent forms of the Blue and Red Knight standing either side of the temple entrance.

“Did you find your answers Tar’vid?” Red Knight asked.

“I did, I feel my purpose now... my path is finally clear to me” he replied with a smile.

“That is good to hear, perhaps my own path will become clear to me soon,” Red Knight said, twirling his moustache.

Emerging back into the darkness of early morning Tar’vid descended the stairs onto the street, he knew what he had to do now. Reinvigorated with purpose he headed towards the main gate and the medical station, there he would make the order proud of him and save those outside.