CodeFlayer
Explorer
Here is a thing -
In the mornings each day the paladin in waiting would carry water for the village in which training was done. It was a good opportunity to practice deep lunges under load, and helped the host village with an otherwise onerous chore. On completing this task one day, a tap and a soft word came, "Paladin, the High Warden of the Forest calls for you. Helm be with you."
Normally the paladin would enter the temple from one of its numerous side doors, but when called by the Warden, only the front door would do. There by the great iron valves stood the Proctor with somber expression. "Paladin, are you prepared to bear arms in the name of the Temple and in protection of its charges?" On his assent the Proctor stood back as the great doors parted. With a sweep of his arm the proctor stood back and looked down, "Helm be with you. The High Warden is anxious to see you."
In an alcove of the Great Temple the High Warden was found.
"Paladin, there has been a wrongful breach of the life and ways of the forest. An Innocent Guardian has been slain, and a tomb pillaged. Having trained all your life for this moment, will you serve?"
With glistening eyes, the paladin kneels.
"Here is your sword peace bound with dire sigils of Helm - break them only at direst need. Here is your shield should you need shelter from the fray - come back with it, or on it. Remember that violence is the last least tool, but that those who would have peace must prepare for war. You are expected to not only live by your oaths, but to die by them if needs must. Helm be with you - the armorer will see you now."
Never would the paladin forget those haunted eyes, brimming with pain, compassion, and sorrow all at the same time. It would prove to be a bastion against the trials to come, a bright memory when all others might fail.
In the mornings each day the paladin in waiting would carry water for the village in which training was done. It was a good opportunity to practice deep lunges under load, and helped the host village with an otherwise onerous chore. On completing this task one day, a tap and a soft word came, "Paladin, the High Warden of the Forest calls for you. Helm be with you."
Normally the paladin would enter the temple from one of its numerous side doors, but when called by the Warden, only the front door would do. There by the great iron valves stood the Proctor with somber expression. "Paladin, are you prepared to bear arms in the name of the Temple and in protection of its charges?" On his assent the Proctor stood back as the great doors parted. With a sweep of his arm the proctor stood back and looked down, "Helm be with you. The High Warden is anxious to see you."
In an alcove of the Great Temple the High Warden was found.
"Paladin, there has been a wrongful breach of the life and ways of the forest. An Innocent Guardian has been slain, and a tomb pillaged. Having trained all your life for this moment, will you serve?"
With glistening eyes, the paladin kneels.
"Here is your sword peace bound with dire sigils of Helm - break them only at direst need. Here is your shield should you need shelter from the fray - come back with it, or on it. Remember that violence is the last least tool, but that those who would have peace must prepare for war. You are expected to not only live by your oaths, but to die by them if needs must. Helm be with you - the armorer will see you now."
Never would the paladin forget those haunted eyes, brimming with pain, compassion, and sorrow all at the same time. It would prove to be a bastion against the trials to come, a bright memory when all others might fail.
