"I hope you're all wearing your best armor, because you're about meet an Inquisitor!" A Paladin shouted towards the group that he was leading. He wore large, grand armor, with golden edges around a shiny silver plating. Behind him, followed four other Paladins with less eye-catching looks, but impressive nonetheless due to the reputation of their organization. Among this group was Varkasan Trenact, Paladin of The Covenant of Guardians.
As the group marched through the streets of Liria (passing by other groups as well), Varkasan thought back to the events that had transpired at their headquarters a few towns away from the capital.
Their commanding officer had received a letter detailing the names of five Paladins that were to be sent to Liria, and become a part of a small army being gathered by a member of The Inquisitors. Varkasan did not really understand why a new initiate such as himself was included on that list, but it was wrong, nay, foolish to disobey a direct order from the highest branch of Paladins in Meldiniar. He assumed it was his loyalty that got him selected. After all, he did hear his superiors remark about his incorruptibility often.
Varkasan was snapped out of his flashback by the voice of one of the Paladins next to him. "Anything here seem familiar to you, Varkasan?" The Paladin said. "Not much, Aradus. The only time I was in the capital was for my Paladin training. And with such a huge responsibility, you tend not to notice anything else." Varkasan replied. "Heh, I wouldn't call it a responsibility, as much as it was a test, but you have a point." Aradus replied from underneath his golden, spherical helmet. "Still... No amount testing nor training will ever prepare you for the real thing, as I'm sure you'll learn soon enough." Aradus continued. "I am anticipating that, sir. You need not worry." Varkasan answered. "Ha! Just don't get yourself killed. I'm not going to risk myself just to drag your corpse back home." Aradus replied jokingly. Despite the darkness of the topic, Varkasan simply nodded, and smiled from under his helmet. Inside, he was always waiting for a chance to prove himself to the others, and serving under an Inquisitor was as perfect an opportunity as any.
Eventually, they reached a checkpoint guarded by Paladins.The one leading the group of Guardians reached into his bag. "Men, papers ready" He ordered. The group retrieved their own papers as well. "We don't need you to tell us that, Kagax!" One of the Paladins piped up. Kagax simply shook his head and presented his paper to the checkpoint guard. Varkasan chuckled. Kagax was always trying to impress the higher-ups by showing how well he was in a commanding position, so it didn't help that he was the highest ranked Paladin in the group.
Once the guard had checked all of their papers, they were allowed entry into the Grand Square.
There was a large crowd gathered in the Square. Paladins of different groups and Covenants were gathered together, and their large variety of armor and equipment made for quite a sight. Varkasan was looking around, admiring all of the veteran Paladins, when he spotted a familiar sight. "I know that woman." Varkasan said out loud. "Hm? Who?" Aradus said, turning to him. Varkasan pointed towards a white-haired girl who had just entered the Square through another checkpoint. "Her. I remember her during my training." He said. Aradus turned towards the woman. "That's... That's Deliah Eternus' daughter." Aradus said as he looked at her. "Yes, I've seen her before as well." Aradus continued.
"Looks like father's little princess is finally going to war!" Kagax said loudly and mockingly. "Where are her caretakers? Trenact, did she not have caretakers even back during training?" Kagax continued as he turned towards the younger Paladin. "I believe so. There were several maid-uniformed women entering and exiting the female barracks often. I think I even saw them when she was out during field exercises. It is... strange to not see her with them." Varkasan commented, noticing she seemed rather lost without them. "She cannot bring them into battle, obviously. She'll either learn to get by without help, or die helplessly like a pampered brat." Kagax said. Aradus interrupted. "Hold your tongue, Kagax. Noble or not, she is still a Paladin, and she should be treated with the same respect as one." Aradus lectured.
Varkasan joined in. "Becoming a Paladin is hard, as I'm sure we all know. And even if she did have caretakers, they cannot take her place during training or The Ritual. Besides, I have seen her strength first-hand. She is not any less capable." He added, trying to think back to his training days. "Hmph... As long as she makes sure not to get in our way." Kagax said as he turned away.
Varkasan looked down shook his head. Despite being their leader, Kagax failed at understanding others, a skill that Varkasan was, on the other hand, good at. He still respected him as his superior, but it didn't make his ways any less unlikeable. He just hoped that this mission (whatever it was) would be able to whip him into shape. He turned back towards the white-haired girl. He could not remember her name, and he wondered if he should approach her as she seemed confused. But then again, he did not want to involve his team, nor The Guardians with whatever controversy might be surrounding the Eternus family name at the moment. For now, he remained with his group, and awaited whatever announcement The Inquisitor who had gathered them might make.
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