Bleh, long week of work. I'll have a post up soooooon!

@Fatal Error 1337: Welcome! Regarding your questions...
No problem that you're a late comer. We've barely started interacting as a group as everyone has been 'getting their bearings' after suddenly waking up after the alarm bells sounded and finding everyone they've known and loved has vanished. There is no problem with you writing in as if you're just now leaving your hiding place, thereby assuming that you've been in/around the town the entire time (and for time previous to the event). 
Regarding the lack of a proper paladin, remember that you're really [i]not[/i] a paladin... Your character simply wants to become one in the future, they are striving towards it for one personal reason or another. This would mean they would likely be split-training with the town priest (who has thus far been unnamed, i believe) for all his holy needs and the militia captain, Serath Trannyth, for all his combat needs.
As for an answer to whether your character can join from somewhere else... I'll need to discuss with Asta and we'll get back to you!