Paladin the path begins

Tar’vid peered through the slit of the waggon’s covering as the caravan rolled passed the mercenary camp, passed the spot where he and Luna had first been together. He couldn’t help but notice the owl sleeping on a shelf beside him and he looked over at it curiously. “Are you keeping an eye on me still?” he asked the owl, but it merely ruffled it’s feathers and looked at him askew before settling back to sleep.

He looked back through the flap seeing only the other waggon following behind them, Meera tipped her hat to him when she spotted his gaze. Tar’vid waved back as the waggon jolted on a small hole in the road, eliciting an angry hoot from the owl. Tar’vid smiled to himself leaning back on a rather rough sack and closing his eyes, may as well get some rest whilst I can he thought. When he woke the sun was falling behind the tree line and bathing the sky in an orange glow as the waggons slowly pulled into a clearing beside the forest into a crude ring.

“Hope you got enough sleep Tar’vid,” Youi Fei said casually, throwing open the canvas of the wagon covering.

“Enough to take first watch, I expect it’s still cold at night and well, it doesn’t bother me at all” he replied, stretching out his arms and legs then leaping from the back of the waggon.

The sudden movement disturbed the stowaway owl and it took flight, breezing out the waggon gracefully and into the forest.

“What is it with you and owls?” Youi Fei asked, shaking his head.

“I think the saints have plans for me, it’s their way of keeping an eye on things I hope” Tar’vid replied, though Youi Fei’s question had probably been rhetorical.

His friend grabbed his arm as he tried to leave, pulling him close.

“Be wary, a Paladin hitched a ride with us. He’ll only be going as far as Whitecliff so he should be gone in a few days at most” Youi Fei told him quickly, indicating the man with a nod in his general direction.

Tar’vid looked over intrigued and couldn’t believe it, he had thought it would be years before he would see his old teacher and friend again. Tar’vid couldn’t stop himself running over to Tar’son and embracing him in a bear hug. The other man was visibly shocked at seeing his face.

“Tar’vid, it can’t be... you look different with your hair so short!” Tar’son said happily, trying to collect his thoughts.

“I thought it would be many years before I saw you again,” Tar’vid said quickly, putting his teacher down.

“You’re a full brother already Tar’vid, I had always known you would progress quickly. You must be one of the youngest to be elevated in centuries” Tar’son told him, almost in disbelief.

Tar’vid felt vindicated at the praise, having the saints tell him he was doing them proud was one thing. But to know the man he considered his father tell him of his worth was far greater. Tar’vid undid his sword belt and showed Tar’son the blade that glowed orange with the fading light, Tar’son’s face lighting up at the sight and he ran his fingers over the hilt’s engraving.

“Tar’vid, this is Torgard... Tar’mine himself must have gifted you this” Tar’son told him, awe on his face.

“He did... at the temple in Fernhaven. He told me I had done the order proud, it was what I needed to hear if I’m being honest” Tar’vid replied, retying his sword belt after Tar’son handed the blade back.

“Tar’vid, Torgard was Tar’mine’s closest companion during his trials. He sacrificed himself so that Tar’mine could defeat Lagaros the Great Drake. He has trusted you with his best friend Tar’vid, you must be truly favoured indeed” Tar’son continued with a gaze of respect Tar’vid had wanted to see for years.

They decided to take the first watch together and although they probably had much to share, the initial elation had subsided and Tar’vid wondered whether he should tell his mentor all that had happened to him. It was dangerous to trust another and Luna had chided him several times now over divulging too much information. So they sat in silence for a short time.

“I hear you helped save many from the snows at Fernhaven” Tar’son said awkwardly, trying to make conversation.

“I did, though I fear I could have saved so many more. If only I’d had more power... like Youi Fei” he replied, tossing some fallen branches onto the fire.

“More power isn’t necessarily a good thing... many have been corrupted by such desires. Many fallen to darkness...” Tar’son responded trailing off as long forgotten memories seemed to resurface.

He didn’t like keeping secrets from Tar’son and it was making him more uncomfortable than he thought it might.

“What is it you want to say Tar’vid, I see the conflict on your face” Tar’son asked, turning to look into the fire.

“I have done... been through so much in such a short time and I think I just need to talk to someone about it that doesn’t already know it all” he answered, rubbing his temples.

“Well, you know you can always talk with me. I may be you mentor, but you have always been like a son Tar’vid” Tar’son responded after a moment with a smile and Tar’vid couldn’t help reciprocating.

For the rest of their watch, Tar’vid relayed his story up until the point of their meeting, Tar’son’s facial expressions a welcome change from the head priestess’ calm demeanour.

“Well, you certainly have been busy!” Tar’son said with a smile.

“Be careful with Luna though Tar’vid, elves regardless of race are different to humans in thought and perspective... I don’t want you to be hurt is what I’m trying to say” Tar’son relayed. Tar’vid realised what he meant, even if it had come out wrong

Toren arrived a few hours later to relieve them and Tar’vid lay down beside Luna, a weight off his mind at last.

The camp broke early the next morning, Tar’son didn’t bring up their conversation of the previous night and the caravan pressed on only stopping around midday to water and feed the oxen. Tar’vid taught Youi Fei several sword fighting techniques under Tar’son’s practised eye. Gauging how well he could handle the flow of power now Tar’vid had to say he was impressed at the swiftness of his friends learning. Within only a few days Youi Fei had mastered Tah’vindrel, a feat that had taken himself years to do.

“I fear I have taught you all I can in regards to magic. In sword fighting there isn’t enough time left should we be on the road for months” he told Youi Fei as they sat beside a waggon eating a quick meal of salted pork and stunt bread.

“This bread is vile, how in the hells do you people have teeth left?” Youi Fei commented, creating a small flame to try and soften it.

“It is, but it lasts nigh on forever and it’s cheap to make” Tar’vid replied with a smile, though he wondered what the mountain folk would think of the name humans had given it.

“Do you intend to stop at Whitecliff?” Youi Fei asked after a moment.

Tar’vid had considered it, but Luna was right. If her uncle was indeed still after him, then Whitecliff would be a logical place to look.

“No, I think the further south we go the better. Once we leave Cerdic I’m sure Keldran won’t pursue me further, not without annoying the other kingdoms at least” Tar’vid replied, though going south had its own problems. Mainly it would be that of Luna’s pregnancy and the possibility of having a young half-elf in an elven territory.

“Well, I cannot lie that I am happy of your company and that of Luna’s of course. I think she is warming to me Tar’vid” Youi Fei said happily, stuffing the last bit of bread down his throat quickly. Tar’vid was glad they were getting on now.

The oxen were hitched back to the waggons in quick time and their journey resumed. During the next few days, they passed by the old ruins where he had first met Luna, then passed by the forest village that had already started to rot away, most of the palisade having collapsed with the snows. With no one to fix it the village was already looking like a ghost town.

“It was decided to leave the village to decay, perhaps rebuild it in a few years. No one’s sure quite how long the plague can last or truly what its lifespan is. So the place has been left just in case” Tar’son told him when he’d seen Tar’vid’s face.

Tar’son also let him know that Lilian had made it to Whitecliff safely and was quite well indeed. Though she did talk about him rather too fondly he added out of Luna’s earshot. It was early morning when they finally reached the crossroads to Whitecliff, Tar’son asked them if they would stay there but a few days. Though he deep down knew they could not. He did offer one last present to them before they moved on, he would bind Tar’vid and Luna together in the eyes of the saints and the gods. Though he knew only the seven members of the caravan could ever know of it.

Luna went giddy at the thought, crying a little even before the ceremony had begun. Tar’son placed his sword hilt between them both as they each placed a hand upon it and with a binding oath they swore loyalty to each other under the gods. Without the need for further theatrics that was all and they were joined in both the eyes of Tar’vid’s gods and Lunas. Tar’son watched them go as he and Luna lay back together in the furthest waggon and waved goodbye, though Tar’vid hoped it wasn’t for the last time. For the next four days, they travelled south along the great Vieldon road that would eventually take them to Veldren, where Luna’s father’s soldiers policed the border. It was there that any problems may happen, but that was still a day away. Youi Fei continued to progress at an alarming rate and by the time they reached Veldren he was becoming proficient enough for Tar’vid to take him seriously in sparring, it made him feel proud in his abilities as a teacher. When he eventually returned to Whitecliff perhaps he would become a master-at-arms. He couldn’t wait to one day do as Tar’son had and guide a new generation of Paladins.

Upon reaching Veldren though their hearts sank, the town was heavily fortified. With great stone walls and a long wooden palisade stretching further than the eye could see.

“What do we do?” Luna asked concerned from the back of the waggon. Tar’vid wasn’t sure and wondered whether he would be recognised.

“Luna, I think we can just pass by. Your father’s soldiers will be looking for a young thin man with long hair and a tattoo on his eye” he said, feeling excited at having such a clever thought.

“I agree on that front and my papers from the conclave should grant us passage through Veldren. After that I’m not sure how far the conclaves influence stretches” Youi Fei said confidently, producing the document.

They reached the town gates with bated breath, waiting as the guard captain approached and asked about their business in Veldren. Youi Fei produced his papers and after a moments held breath they were waved through without further question.

“I think I need one of those passes” Tar’vid whispered as the caravan entered the town.

Youi Fei said nothing in response as they surveyed the town, there were hundreds of soldiers here, perhaps thousands. Tar’vid heard Luna rustling in the back as she leant over to look.

“I think going south may be off the table,” she said, scanning the streets and clearly noticing something he didn’t.

“It seems like war could be on the cards, my uncle mentioned Vieldon was weak last year. I guess my father is using the plague’s destruction of Vieldon to expand the kingdom. Damn it all, are we ever going to be safe Tar’vid” she sighed, sitting back down again.

“Look, we’ll stay at an inn for a few days and plan our next move. Perhaps an opportunity will present itself to us” Youi Fei chipped in, breaking up the negative conversation.

Tar’vid and Luna agreed, more level heads would prevail and they stopped in at ‘the Yoke’, a large establishment that could accommodate three waggons and accompanying oxen. By the time they were settled and coin exchanged it was late in the evening. So they retired to their rooms, Tar’vid only hoped there would be good tidings come the morning.

Tar’vid woke early, slipping out of bed slowly so as not to disturb Luna. She wrapped herself in the thick sheets as soon as he was out of bed. Tar’vid pulled on his clothes quickly, going downstairs and hoping to catch some breakfast even at this hour for the sun had barely started to rise. Instead of an empty dining area though, he found a full contingent of Keldran soldiers in the blue plate of the royal army carrying spears, shields and short swords. Tar’vid patted his hip, realising too late that he had left Torgard in his room with Luna. The elves stared at him as he started to back out the room slowly, even if he’d had his sword he couldn’t hope to defeat even a couple of soldiers. He bumped into someone as he was backing out and he heard several of the elves gasp. He turned around to see a tall elf in crimson armour, their face obscured by a helmet that didn’t fit with the rest of the gathered elves. The elf said nothing and just grabbed his arm and tossed him aside like a child. He hit the door frame and landed in a heap on the floor with a crash. Tar’vid heard a scraping of chairs and the clatter of armour, he looked up to see the hall deserted except for the elf in red. She removed her helmet and it was Deadra, her long hair cascading down her back.

“You should watch your step human, others will not be so lenient as I,” she said, looking down on him.

Tar’vid stood up, rubbing his stinging shoulder.

“I thought you’d be a bit kinder to the man that saved you” he jested, Deadra stared at him for a moment before it clicked in her mind who he was.

“How is this possible, you look completely different Tar’vid!” she said in disbelief.

“What’s going on down here?” he heard Luna call down as she descended the stairs.

Deadra looked at Luna’s belly, then at Tar’vid with a disapproving look, shaking her head.

“You two have really fouled this up haven’t you?” she scolded them, shepherding them both back to their room.

“My last intelligence report put you heading north,” she said angrily, slamming the door and cursing under her breath.

“And you princess, really. You let yourself get with child... by a human no less. If your father ever found out!” she sighed, head in her hands.

Luna hugged her and kissed her cheek.

“I’ve missed you Deadra, how are my sister and father?” she asked, unperturbed by Deadra’s angry outburst.

“They’re both as fine as can be expected. Your sister had a minor illness a month back, but she recovers well. And your father, well he misses you greatly though he will never admit it. But things are turbulent south of Veldren Luna. The prince there has called on Keldran for aid, perhaps at the cost of his kingdom” Deadra told her, a lot more calmly having vented her frustration.

“But we’ve amassed an army, what aid are we giving exactly?” Luna asked unsurely, Tar’vid had a feeling she wouldn’t like the answer.

“Before the winter three Paladins went south to aid in the containment of the plague, but we’ve heard nothing from them since. We fear they have been killed and now there is nothing we can do but use force to stop the spread north. Do not look so horrified Luna, what else can the king do. Should this plague fully break out what would happen, it was only Tar’vid’s intervention that saved anyone at all in Fernhaven. There are no more Paladins in South Cerdic. Their Order has called every spare man and woman east to Brownfield Keep and we know not why. Please, Luna, I know Tar’vid understands” she pleaded, holding Luna’s hand.

“I do understand, but it sits ill with me. Though I know that even three Paladins would take years to clear a plague like this, how many have died in the south so far Deadra?” he asked with trepidation.

“Hundreds of thousands Tar’vid, our scouts haven’t found a single living person for thirty miles. Several of them have vanished altogether, we only have two paladins here ourselves in the case of a plague breakout, though I fear they will not be enough” Deadra replied, sitting down on a wooden stool beside the dresser.

“Anyway, these are my problems. As for yours, I have a plan for you both as I said before. Have you heard of a village named Randell?” Deadra asked in a whisper, leaning forwards in a conspiratorial manner.

“No, should I have?” Luna replied, Tar’vid was intrigued at the question himself.

“If you go east from here following the Keldran highway you will find a small road leading through the forest, just after you pass the Keldran sea. Follow that road to its conclusion and you will find Randell. It’s a half-elf colony for the children and parents. I have kept its location secret from your father for over a hundred years now, no one will find you there. Now go as quickly as you can, things are going to get hectic here in the next few days. If I don’t see you again, live a good life... all three of you” Deadra said, tears in her eyes.

“Don’t die out there Deadra, I know my father cares for you greatly. He will need you more than ever I fear in the coming years” Luna replied, weeping openly.

Tar’vid merely gave her a nod of respect. Within a couple of hours, Youi Fei had been filled in on the situation and the caravan was on its way northeast towards Randell, but first, they would have to go through Reten. Though it was a farming town and according to Luna it shouldn’t pose a threat, Tar’vid had a bad feeling making sure he had Torgard strapped on as they left Veldren behind.