[i]This was it. This is my chance.[/i] Marceline’s thoughts echoed like a voice lost in the cave. Four years of carrying the burdens of both knights and paladins. Another six years mastering the noblest of blades against her father and hero. 8 years of learning from the priest and nuns about the holy god king and all of his wonders. Every scar, slight, and ache was just for this moment. This moment to prove before the eyes of the god king, her peers, and her father that she belonged to order of Steel and eventually, The Everwatch. The grandest squad within the imperium, the blessed paladin order of the god king. It was her dream ever since Herodon pulled her out of the streets and gave her purpose.

Now, as her leather boots echoed against the marble road approaching the exit of the holy city, her eyes burned with determination. She faced the enemies of the imperium, broke her peers in combat, she would be the one to stop the void deserts. Of course it was with some high mighty mage from the tower. Probably would treat her curiosity as a nuisance, or call her a dumb brute with a sword. There were too many combat mages that thought like that. Fortunately Herodon gave some good tips. [i]“Mages were weaker up close, takes time to channel their spells, and they barely wore any armor. Be quick and certain, and you can defeat any mage.”[/i]

Yet for the briefest of moments, Herodon appeared in her mind again. Not dressed in his golden armor, wielding his great axe Morningdawn, just simply a man. Reaching out with wide arms chanting her name. The father she never had, the father she always dreamed about. Everything he did was for her. She knew it, she felt it. Every time his wooden sword dislocated her shoulder, he was there to heal it back into place. He loved her, and she loved him. This… this was her moment, this was her destiny. To join her father. To be a lesson to heretics and nonbelievers, to be the idea of hope. 

So when she walked passed the exit, her toes tossing past the line of the gate. Stealing one deep breath as she smiled softer now. Her gaze looking back towards the city, her home. When she returned, she will be knighted. A hero that stopped the expansion of the void deserts. She walked forward, one hand carrying her supplies, prayer books, and more. Her other hand kept her sword within it’s holster as her spear relaxed on her back. She walked forwards, her sliver eyes scanning the area. For a wizard, perhaps a human man who was pretty tall, bearded and old. 

Her eyes landed on a man in white. With a dutiful nod she walked towards him, her leather armor stretching slightly as she reached out to grab his shoulder. However she stopped when her eyes landed on his pointed ears. She paused for a moment, she hadn't seen elves since she was nine, in the brothel her mother used to work at. They were always incredibly beautiful and rare. Her breath quickened just slightly before she steadied herself. Offering the standard imperial salute.

“May his light shine on you. Are you the wizard for the desert?” Marceline asked as formal as she could. Soon her determination for this mission was fighting against her childish curiosity. Questions about magic and its wonders echoed in her head.

“My name is Ecuyer Marceline.” She paused for a moment longer. Her current title, soon to be replaced by knight. Then for a moment longer she got lost in his facial features. “You are not what I was expecting.”

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