The abbot looks at the relics with awe.
"You have been truly blessed, my son. This is a sign of Saint Armatt himself."
He reverently takes the ring in his hands, studying it, slowly turning it around in his hands.
"It is written in the annals of the monastery that once every few generations, mere days before the red star lights the heavens, the Saint bestows this gift upon a Knight Aspirant in his wake. It means you are to travel to the temple in the wild lands, and stand among the survivors to fight for the Emperor in the world beyond this one, side by side with Saint Armatt. Wear it always."
He puts down the ring and hesitates, hands hovering over the strange amulet.
"Now this", he says wonderingly. "This I do not recognize. it is crafted in the ways of the eastern world. I traveled there after my own anointment."
Without thought he scratches the long scar that bisects his brow.
"It is a wild and dangerous place. Why the Saint gave this to you I do not know. But wear it you should."
He stand up, and walks over to the armor and weapons stacked against the wall.
"If the crusade is coming, times will be hard. Things have changed in the world beyond these walls. And not in a good way. Greed, lust and gluttony have replaced honor. The High King sits in his castle and plots, eyes only for wealth, power and personal aggrandizement instead of service to the Emperor."
He takes a weapon from the racks, its sheath simple and unadorned, the grip wrapped in coarse leather.
"Here, take this. It has served me well in my time. May it serve you equally well."
"Remember our teachings, my son. Serve the Emperor, and trust that He will provide. Go to the town, prepare for the journey that awaits you."
Once again he pauses, looking at Gabriel as if debating how much to say.
"Beware the Nobles and their knights, for they have lost the way. They will try to use you. Now go."
"You have been truly blessed, my son. This is a sign of Saint Armatt himself."
He reverently takes the ring in his hands, studying it, slowly turning it around in his hands.
"It is written in the annals of the monastery that once every few generations, mere days before the red star lights the heavens, the Saint bestows this gift upon a Knight Aspirant in his wake. It means you are to travel to the temple in the wild lands, and stand among the survivors to fight for the Emperor in the world beyond this one, side by side with Saint Armatt. Wear it always."
He puts down the ring and hesitates, hands hovering over the strange amulet.
"Now this", he says wonderingly. "This I do not recognize. it is crafted in the ways of the eastern world. I traveled there after my own anointment."
Without thought he scratches the long scar that bisects his brow.
"It is a wild and dangerous place. Why the Saint gave this to you I do not know. But wear it you should."
He stand up, and walks over to the armor and weapons stacked against the wall.
"If the crusade is coming, times will be hard. Things have changed in the world beyond these walls. And not in a good way. Greed, lust and gluttony have replaced honor. The High King sits in his castle and plots, eyes only for wealth, power and personal aggrandizement instead of service to the Emperor."
He takes a weapon from the racks, its sheath simple and unadorned, the grip wrapped in coarse leather.
"Here, take this. It has served me well in my time. May it serve you equally well."
"Remember our teachings, my son. Serve the Emperor, and trust that He will provide. Go to the town, prepare for the journey that awaits you."
Once again he pauses, looking at Gabriel as if debating how much to say.
"Beware the Nobles and their knights, for they have lost the way. They will try to use you. Now go."
.
