Chapter 1 - Training Hard

I bring my sword swiftly down and hold it tightly in my hand as I look out across the bay into the distance, the sun softly setting on the horizon in front of me. The wind blows through my hair gently, softly caressing my cheek. I smile warmly then stand "Yeah, that's it" I nod to myself then look down to my blade and nod, affirming it to myself.

I stood there for a moment, still looking out when I heard a noise from behind me, I turn and see a familiar individual approach me "Lorna" I nod to acknowledge her presence and place my sword at my side.

Lorna, a young Mithra of the same age of myself. She was a strong individual, short white hair with dark facial markings, as with all Mithra families. She was taller than most average Mithra but she still had a beautiful and petit figure.

"I see that I can't sneak up on you like I used to" she said, jovially approaching and sitting down on the rock as she also looked out over the horizon, my gaze following hers.

We simply stand silent in each other's presence for a moment before I comment to her, smiling "I thought you had a long training session today?" I then threw a look back to her, the sunrays catching and warming the back of my neck.

"Oh, I did" she grinned in that feline fashion that she did, showing her teeth slightly and then giggled "Lets just say the master had to deal with some 'minor' issues" she then rubbed the back of her neck. It immediately signaled to me she was guilty of something, but then again there wasn't a lot she wasn't guilty of doing, she did have a mischievous streak in her.

"Well, make sure you don't slack…" I look down to my blade and place my hand on the hilt for a moment "I wouldn't want to see you hurt when you go on one of your hunting parties" I look back to her, slightly concerned "I worry, you know, right?" She giggled to this and immediately stood up and walked over to me, patting my shoulder,

"Oh, you worry too much, don't worry, us rangers know how to handle ourselves!" again she grinned and stood at my side, turning on her foot and then look back to me "Anyway! Mr., I-wanna-be-a-paladin! What you doing out here? Huh? Huh?" she was trying to be playful as always, and I smile warmly, she always knew how to cheer me up.

"Oh, I was just getting some training in" I shrugged my shoulders slightly "I still have problems with balance control at times, but! I'm getting there" I nodded and she continued to stare at me for a moment, her eyes glancing directly into mine.

"Your not telling me something…spill the beans!!!" she was been playful as her tail whipped behind her, but I knew she was worried inside, even if she wouldn't openly admit it. I shrugged and sighed lightly, she had caught me out.

"Oh, I was just thinking, you know, things." I tried to not let too much out, but, I knew when Lorna wanted to know something she wouldn't let her claws off with an excuse like that.

"Hey now!" she retaliated and moved closer to me, pressing herself against me "I am basically your sister! If you cant tell me what it is, who else can you tell, huh!" she then playfully licked my cheek and I backed off a little, using the back of my hand and wiping it slightly.

"Hey!" I commented back and smiled a little, "You just don't leave anything alone do you, kitten?"

"Nope!" she replied quickly with a playful smile on her face once more as she walked over to the cliff edge and turned to look back at me "So, come on, what's wrong Jaredin?"

I sighed deeply, I knew I would not be able to get out of this situation and that I would have to answer her questions now, so, taking a deep breath I prepared myself.

"It was just about my past…you know…?" I looked down a little and over to the other side of the overlook, trying not to look at Lorna. She caught onto this and walked to the side, trying to make her presence into my eyesight.

"What about it?" she had let her concern come out more strongly that she would usually do.

She had known about my past. My parents had moved here a long time ago, when I was basically just born, came from Bastok. Even while here thought they really weren't parents to me, they had simply been providers of a bed and warm place to sleep occasionally a meal if I was lucky. I understood they were researches for some important people somewhere but they didn't really speak much about work or anything at all.

It was Lorna's family that had taken me in and looked after me all these years. She had been the first friend I made here, and she had always looked out for me, especially when the others picked on me.

Her family was the first ones to my aid when my parents disappeared. I was only five years old at the times and had no idea what to do. I had no other family I was aware of and I was in threat of been thrown onto the street, but, when it looked back, Lorna and her mother took me in and looked after me.

Since then, they have taken care of me and looked over me, been more of a family to me than my real ones could have ever been. Even trained me in the art of honour, light and protection, inevitably leading to the life of a Paladin for me. I owed so much to Lorna and her family, and more so to Lorna.

She was basically my sister, and the one I would turn to if I had problems, needed someone to talk or just simply a sparring partner. She was kind, caring and very strong on her beliefs. Although she does have a hard time explaining things at times or expressing her emotions, she does mean well.

I had been too busy drifting into though I did not see her come to my side and poke my cheek playfully "Hello~! Anyone in there!?" she poked more and I snapped out of it.

"Hey, Hey!!!" I finally retorted back and stepped back as she leaned over and giggled again,

"Come on, what is it?" I looked back to her and nodded softly,

"I was just wondering…who my parents really were? You know, they disappear one day on what they told me, or what I was told anyway as a routine trip to Tahrongi Canyon, then nothing…I cannot help but wonder…" I sighed, putting my arms behind my head and looking up. All the while, Lorna nodding her head in agreement

"I know, it does seem weird…" she paused for a moment, but then suddenly put a foot forward and grinned "However! You are still here, and you have my mother, and me! And all of your friends! We are all here and we will support you! So come on!!!" She leapt forward and took one of my arms and tugged at me, almost making me fall clean over the cliff.

"Woooo!!!" I get my balance back and stand, taking a deep breath and smile "Your suicidal, you know that!?" I looked to her and she just grinned and nodded in agreement. I sighed and then stood back up "You're right, anyway…" I looked over my shoulder, noticing the sun had long since disappeared over the horizon. Stars coming out, twinkling in the sky as a half moon bright shone down on us, the plains softly sleeping.

"Yeah, lets get back" she nodded in agreement and still held onto my arm as we began walking back into town, the cliff behind us singing its soft song of water lapping at the side…a red feather dropping, unnoticed, into the tall grass.