Chapter 3: The History of the Paladin
By the next day, Cain was up and walking around. He visited many places within Sunwater. He strolled through the magnificent gardens, had a tour through the barracks and armory. He walked by Marcus's house and even found out where Aras lived.
It was midday, and it had been a while since he had last had food. So he strolled over to the town market. There were few people around, buying fruits and vegetables. The Market was not too far from the gardens, wells and stables of the town. A strong scent of animals hung in the air. There were stands of fruit, and behind the stand was a single man. He was maybe of the age of Gerald, but a lot more youth seemed to be within him.
"Greetings young man. It is good to see a new, friendly face. I presume you are Cain," the man said.
"Why, yes I am," Cain replied with a grin. "What are you selling?"
"Oh please, I ask for no money. Everyone works hard in this town. They help me grow the food, so you may have anything you see," the man said.
"I don't believe it is fair for me to just take what I want, so I will make you a deal," Cain started. "I see you have large logs that need to be chopped. I will eat, then assist you."
"Well, blimey. Thank-you sir. Call me Daelin. Whatever you need, I am at your service. I am the master of trades in this town. If you need anything, I can tell you where to get it.
Thank-you," Cain said selecting some fruits and vegetables. Walking around back of the Market hut, he began to munch on his food. Hearing a familiar voice around the corner, he peered around and was shocked to find Aras tending to the garden with some local women. Cain hid around the corner, careful not to be seen, as he quietly listened to their conversation.
"The garden is coming along quite nicely, isn't it?" someone said.
"Oh yes. Tonight at the festival, there will be plenty of food for all," Aras said.
"And you know who else will be there?" a voice said slyly.
"Oh Jillian, your not talking about that new boy, are you?" Aras asked restlessly.
"Oh you know it," Jillian said, giggling.
"Come off it. He is too young for you, and he probably has someone waiting for him at home," Aras stated.
"Hey, I'm just glad you are engaged to Kargath. With you taken, I'm next in line," Jillian said.
Cain frowned at that last comment. 'Aras is taken by another. DAMN him. WAIT, what am I thinking.'
Cain shook his head, clearing the thoughts from his mind. He picked up the axe and began to chop.
* * *
After several long hours of chopping, Cain make his way to Gerald's house.
"Ah, there you are," Gerald said. "Did you have a good day? Come here and let me check your wounds."
Cain walked over to Gerald and removed his shirt.
"Mmm," Gerald sounded. "Very curious. The wound has completely healed."
Gerald continue to poke and rub the area where the wound had been to check for anything out of the ordinary.
"Gerald," Cain started. "Something about Marcus's story about the war doesn't make sense. When he said the last of the demons were rounded up. How would that have worked of the angels and humans were recovering from the war? Wouldn't that have cause more bloodshed?"
"Good question lad. Yes, the end of the war.. I remember the stories my grandfather used to tell me. A long time ago.. Good beginning eh?" Gerald chuckled at that comment. "During the end of the war, the angels realized that their numbers were dwindling. They need a way to continue their lines. See, angels don't just form when people die. Specific events must take place at the moment at the moment of a person's death. I'm not quiet sure what they are. Some say the mountains shift, the oceans sigh and the earth trembles. But, anyway, angels are hard to come by. Also, angels are one step above mortality. They don't die of old age, hunger or disease. Through evil killing is the only way know so far to kill an angel.
So, it is the end of the war, and the angels had to find a way to carry on. Find successors to continue their momentum in the war. Since they were at war with humans against demons, their bond with the humans were enough. The angels began to produce offspring. Angels and humans had children together. These were the first Paladins. The Paladins had the best of both worlds, intelligence and strength, magic and holy abilities. Paladins from a young age were trained as knights. Knights that could heal the wounded on the battle field, create magic barriers to defend the helpless. And exorcise evil out of existence. They were given wisdom beyond of their years."
"Yes, I remember my father talking about the Paladins. I thought they were just a myth told to children to make them feel safe at night." Cain said.
"As I thought as well. But Marcus show them to me. But to continue the story.
When the war ended, the Paladin Order was not needed for battle. To prevent the next conflicts from happening, they rounded up the last of the demons. After that was finished, they were no longer needed. The Paladin Order was disbanded. Some continued to serve for Kings and country, and some settled down, either destroyed or hid their weapons and armour, and began families. The Paladin blood has been growing thinner and thinner with the generations passing. But, legends say that the Paladin Order may still be brought back, when evil grins upon the land, and the Paladins will ride again.
But, enough of the Paladins. You better wash and get dressed. If you haven't heard, there is a festival tonight, and you wouldn't want to miss it."
"Alright," Cain said with a grin.
By the next day, Cain was up and walking around. He visited many places within Sunwater. He strolled through the magnificent gardens, had a tour through the barracks and armory. He walked by Marcus's house and even found out where Aras lived.
It was midday, and it had been a while since he had last had food. So he strolled over to the town market. There were few people around, buying fruits and vegetables. The Market was not too far from the gardens, wells and stables of the town. A strong scent of animals hung in the air. There were stands of fruit, and behind the stand was a single man. He was maybe of the age of Gerald, but a lot more youth seemed to be within him.
"Greetings young man. It is good to see a new, friendly face. I presume you are Cain," the man said.
"Why, yes I am," Cain replied with a grin. "What are you selling?"
"Oh please, I ask for no money. Everyone works hard in this town. They help me grow the food, so you may have anything you see," the man said.
"I don't believe it is fair for me to just take what I want, so I will make you a deal," Cain started. "I see you have large logs that need to be chopped. I will eat, then assist you."
"Well, blimey. Thank-you sir. Call me Daelin. Whatever you need, I am at your service. I am the master of trades in this town. If you need anything, I can tell you where to get it.
Thank-you," Cain said selecting some fruits and vegetables. Walking around back of the Market hut, he began to munch on his food. Hearing a familiar voice around the corner, he peered around and was shocked to find Aras tending to the garden with some local women. Cain hid around the corner, careful not to be seen, as he quietly listened to their conversation.
"The garden is coming along quite nicely, isn't it?" someone said.
"Oh yes. Tonight at the festival, there will be plenty of food for all," Aras said.
"And you know who else will be there?" a voice said slyly.
"Oh Jillian, your not talking about that new boy, are you?" Aras asked restlessly.
"Oh you know it," Jillian said, giggling.
"Come off it. He is too young for you, and he probably has someone waiting for him at home," Aras stated.
"Hey, I'm just glad you are engaged to Kargath. With you taken, I'm next in line," Jillian said.
Cain frowned at that last comment. 'Aras is taken by another. DAMN him. WAIT, what am I thinking.'
Cain shook his head, clearing the thoughts from his mind. He picked up the axe and began to chop.
* * *
After several long hours of chopping, Cain make his way to Gerald's house.
"Ah, there you are," Gerald said. "Did you have a good day? Come here and let me check your wounds."
Cain walked over to Gerald and removed his shirt.
"Mmm," Gerald sounded. "Very curious. The wound has completely healed."
Gerald continue to poke and rub the area where the wound had been to check for anything out of the ordinary.
"Gerald," Cain started. "Something about Marcus's story about the war doesn't make sense. When he said the last of the demons were rounded up. How would that have worked of the angels and humans were recovering from the war? Wouldn't that have cause more bloodshed?"
"Good question lad. Yes, the end of the war.. I remember the stories my grandfather used to tell me. A long time ago.. Good beginning eh?" Gerald chuckled at that comment. "During the end of the war, the angels realized that their numbers were dwindling. They need a way to continue their lines. See, angels don't just form when people die. Specific events must take place at the moment at the moment of a person's death. I'm not quiet sure what they are. Some say the mountains shift, the oceans sigh and the earth trembles. But, anyway, angels are hard to come by. Also, angels are one step above mortality. They don't die of old age, hunger or disease. Through evil killing is the only way know so far to kill an angel.
So, it is the end of the war, and the angels had to find a way to carry on. Find successors to continue their momentum in the war. Since they were at war with humans against demons, their bond with the humans were enough. The angels began to produce offspring. Angels and humans had children together. These were the first Paladins. The Paladins had the best of both worlds, intelligence and strength, magic and holy abilities. Paladins from a young age were trained as knights. Knights that could heal the wounded on the battle field, create magic barriers to defend the helpless. And exorcise evil out of existence. They were given wisdom beyond of their years."
"Yes, I remember my father talking about the Paladins. I thought they were just a myth told to children to make them feel safe at night." Cain said.
"As I thought as well. But Marcus show them to me. But to continue the story.
When the war ended, the Paladin Order was not needed for battle. To prevent the next conflicts from happening, they rounded up the last of the demons. After that was finished, they were no longer needed. The Paladin Order was disbanded. Some continued to serve for Kings and country, and some settled down, either destroyed or hid their weapons and armour, and began families. The Paladin blood has been growing thinner and thinner with the generations passing. But, legends say that the Paladin Order may still be brought back, when evil grins upon the land, and the Paladins will ride again.
But, enough of the Paladins. You better wash and get dressed. If you haven't heard, there is a festival tonight, and you wouldn't want to miss it."
"Alright," Cain said with a grin.