Chapter 1: The Bringer
While basking himself in the warm late afternoon sun, Paladin Jack of The Divine Right welcomed it's warmth and relaxed just a bit. "Feels great," he said to himself. "Nothing can ruin this moment" "GET YOUR LAZY BUTT OVER HERE FLEA BAG!" yelled a voice from back inside the manor. Jack growled to himself. "Spoke too soon" he mumbled. Despite the harsh beckoning that was summoning him, Jack took his time anyway. When he finally reached the Lady's room, he took joy in her huffing and crimson, chubby face. She really did look like a steamed tomato. "What took you so long? I could have been having an emergency!" screamed Edna LaRouche. "Thousand apologies oh patient one," said Jack with a mock bow. "You're impossible! When my husband asked for a powerful paladin to protect us, we weren't expecting to get a two legged mutt with funny head wear to be here" Jack rolled his eyes. Edna LaRouche was the wife of Lyle LaRouche, a wealthy investor who was interested in sponsoring several building projects in the world of Merak. Since he had lots of money and was also friends with most of the officials and influential figures in the land, he felt that he should have a bodyguard while in the land, so Jack was dispatched. Lyle and Jack got along great, but Edna was a different story. She lacked her husband's politeness and easygoing nature. Edna was spoiled, demanding and downright intolerable. "Pay attention when I'm talking to you beast! Did you finish those chores I told you to do?" "With all due respect ma'am, I'm not here to be your servant. I am here to protect you and Mr. LaRouche from security threats and to patrol the residence. If it's servants you want, I suggest you find some other agency for that. Although I don't think you could pay anyone enough to put up with you" said Jack with a small smile. "You dare open your mouth at me! Shinato and Lyle will hear about this!" threatened Edna. "Whoops! Look at the time! Paladin Caspers should be here to take the night shift. Got to go "My Lady!" said Jack repeated the same disrespectful bow. "I'm not finished yet!" screamed Edna, looking sillier than ever before. With her feathery hat, straggly graying hair and peculiar dress, she looked more like an ugly, noisy bird. With much satisfaction, Jack closed Edna's doors and made his way out just as Paladin Andrew Caspers arrived. "How is she?" asked Andrew. "Edna? She's just herself today," replied Jack. "Terrific…tonight's going to be a long night," grumbled Andrew. "If you or Lyle need anything, give me a ring, I'll be up late tonight" said Jack while patting Andrew's slouching shoulders.
Jack lived in the woods of Tornel on its outskirts, so it was looking forward to enjoying the twilight sky. The air was already crisp but it was pleasant on his fur. He needed some time anyway to clear his troubled thoughts. Before he got too far though, Balki, the angelic messenger of the angels manifested herself in front of Jack and she didn't look too happy. "Jack, Shinato got word of your confrontation with Edna LaRouche. Your behavior contradicts the professional and resilient demeanor a paladin must demonstrate." "Demeanor my paw" Jack barked back. "Balki, we are the military police of this land. We are the front line to invaders and internal conflicts. Everything we do is for the people. We deserve more respect from those we serve. Plus, I'm not her servant. Shinato knows full well I'm treated the way I am just because I am a humanoid jackal. I've been dealing with it all my life and I sure am not going to be taking those words from a spoiled, sorry excuse for a human being that treats her garden better then she treats her own husband. Tell Shinato that. In fact, while you're there, tell him I want off the assignment." "Jack, you can't do that," groaned Balki. "I just did. I paid my dues. I deserve to have my needs filled every once in a while too Balki. It's not like Shinato's not used to going out of his way for others. Even now, your nickname is still the Dark Witch, but you gained heavenly powers as well as being allowed to keep your old black magic when you gave your life to the church. Well, I want Shinato to give me a break too. Jack walked away highly emotional. He was obviously bothered by Edna's attitude and also Shinato's inconsideration for his own feelings. "Jack…" called Balki. This was not the first time Jack was given a hard time about his looks. He was born and raised in the Bonger Wasteland in the west. It was an arid wasteland where most people wouldn't desire to live. Most of the beast people find their roots in Bonger. Jack was a jackal that could stand upright, speak, had a much more developed body and also had hands instead of paws, yet he retained his beastly features. Beast folk usually stayed in Bonger because there were many acceptance issues in the other countries. Supposedly, Chuzu embraced beast folk, but the country has been sealed off to all commerce and visitation for a very long time. It was said that the harpies left Bonger to live in the mountains but they were all hunted down to extinction. Choosing to ignore the dangers, Jack trained his body and gain asylum from the heavens and joined the church. It was Jack's dream to be a champion to the people in the hopes that the fears people had toward beast folk would disappear. Although the church treated him as an equal, people still didn't like being around him on the outside, despite being a paladin. Shinato and the Agents of Change pained for him but the road to beast folk acceptance would be a long hard process. Balki, who took a personal liking to Jack, always tried keeping his hopes up, but it, was obvious that Jack was thinking of resigning for a while now. Maybe if Shinato realized this, he would give Jack a vacation or perhaps different assignments. She decided to report back and let the Agents know the results.
Jack could finally see his humble cabin in the distance. He quickened his pace, eager to go to bed and try to forget what happened today. He stopped however when he noticed how still the air became as well as the illuminating trees around him. He looked around cautiously and stepped back quickly when he noticed an unknown woman standing behind him with a grown man in her arms. Jack armed himself. "Who are you and what is your business?" said Jack. "Calm yourself, Paladin Jack of the Divine Right. We have much to talk about"