The Mayor of Ravens Bluff shook his head. Heavy set, he was an experienced warrior, and earned his trade as an adventurer before settling down in the city known as a haven for his old profession. He had begun to turn away from the pile of bodies, but movement shook him into action. "Get the carrion away from the bodies! I'll have no more defilement of these poor souls!" The sergeant of the accompanying patrol went into action quickly. He broke his tall chestnut stallion into a trot, and advanced forward to the grave. But no carrion disturbed the corpses.
"Milord! This is no beast! There is… there is someone moving!" A look of horror overcame his features, and his mouth widened in surprise. "You two! Come and help!" The sergeant called to two of his more senior men and they rode quickly to him, trying to find the poor soul buried alive.
Lara's head emerged, blinking in the warm sunlight. She gasped for breath, and thrust a small unconscious boy out before her, and the sergeant grabbed him, giving him to the physician. He checked his breathing and pulse, and satisfied he was alive, began examining the wounds inflicted on the boy of no more than ten years old.
Lara stood on shaky, but proud feet, and demanded to see that the boy was being looked after properly. The sergeant helped her over to the physician, and satisfied with his safety, collapsed to the floor, dehydrated and exhausted with the effort of keeping both alive.
The Mayor dismounted and pressed a canteen of water into her hands, and looked at her gravely as she slowly took of the crisp and cool water. Her thirst temporarily slaked, she looked up and nodded thankfully to O'Kane.
"I thank ye for your help sir, I thought we'd be stuck under there forever! It was lucky you came jus' then, right enough. I thought we'd be done for…" She shivered at the thought, and swallowed a drop more water.
"Slowly dear woman, slowly. Too much water will make you even worse." She nodded appreciatively and plucked at the tattered shirt covering her small frame. "Are you feeling well enough to tell me of your ordeal? What happened here? All we've found is the site of a camp, and this… travesty."
A look of confusion and anger came across Lara's normally placid features. "This, milord, was a slave camp." She said bitterly. "We were all occupants until recently. We were digging in a mine for something, we weren't sure what, but as soon as we found whatever he wanted, he did this…" She jerked her head at the grave in disgust. "The boy and I survived by hiding in the grave. It was horrid. Everyone was confused, and people were just being cut down were they stood, or even worse, burnt alive by spells by his magi. They all died…" Her eyes welled with tears as she remembered the death of those around her.
O'Kane looked on with horror as Lara retold her tale. The fact that it had occurred was bad enough, but it was made even worse by the fact that it was so close to his jurisdiction.
"So we hid until you have found us milord, and what I will do now, I know not. The boy must be looked after, he did not deserve a life such as this." She said sadly. Lara looked up at the man standing above her, and a look of curiosity flickered across her features. "This may seem rude sir, but who are you?" She seemed embarrassed by her question. "I do not recognise your face…"
He smiled wanly, and rubbed his tired eyes. "My name is Charles O'Kane, I am Mayor of Ravens Bluff, the closest city to this… horror." He spat the word with disgust and venom, trying to wipe it from his mouth. "We came across you when we received reports of strange amounts of activity on the roads nearby. Obviously this was what caused the movements. Do not worry though Lara; this act will not go unpunished. Those responsible will be found, and retribution will be swift and just.
"Oh no," she said, "not swift. Make it long and painful…" A steely glint came across her eyes, and she almost shuddered at the thought of the murderers getting their fitting ends.
Dania held tightly onto Marcus' hand as they walked through a lush and beautiful park in Tantras, the sun was warm on the backs, and the soft tinkling of an enchanted waterfall made a pleasant and relaxing setting. She breathed in the clean, fresh air of the park and smiled. She took joy from the sheer simplicity of being with her beloved in a park, lately, they hadn't had the option, her studies being as full and strenuous as his. However, soon they might have to split apart for a while. Marcus had to travel for his period of Squire-ship, and she would either be left to nurse in a hospital, or travel as a wondering Cleric, sharing Ilmater's healing grace with any who required.
But for now, she would walk and be with Marcus, enjoying the life that might be denied to them.
They stopped and sat down on a lush, grassy verge. She lay with her head on his lap, and he played with the blades of grass under his hands, watching as the grass stained his hands green.
Marcus lowered his head and looked into her crystalline eyes, she returned the gaze warmly. No words were said. All they needed to talk to each other was their eyes.
She closed her eyelids and he bent down, taking the sides of her head with his strong hands. He kissed her forehead, the familiar tingle rushed through him again, and he slowly kissed down her nose to her mouth. Their lips joined in a tight embrace, kissing softly at first, and then gaining strength, the rush going through them as their hearts raced and adrenaline rushed. Love blossomed like the flowers in the park. A bee flew into the warm embrace of a white lily. It danced inside and landed on the petals, flicking its wings as it collected the sweet nectar from inside. Marcus pulled away from Dania's loving kiss, and they both looked on as the bee flew from lily to lily, one part of a massive machine-like organisation, oblivious to all apart from that which concerned them.
Marcus stroked Dania's hair as they sat in silence, reflecting on the warm day. He cleared his throat, and Dania turned to look at him, a questioning look on her face. He continued to look out at the park, but licked his lips.
"I think…" He stumbled over the words he wanted to use. Conflicting emotions scattered thoughts to the winds. "I think that by the end of this week we will find out what will happen with our postings." He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead with a free hand. "I'm so nervous about losing you, it's been such a short while since we met. Maybe I should put in a request to Farrel, mayhap he will let us be posted together, or even in the same area…" His eyes flickered down to hers, and their gazes locked. She smiled warmly, her features lighting up, bringing an aching joy to his heart. To lose her would be unthinkable… He thought.
"Wherever you go, and wherever I go, we will find each other love…" She clutched his hand and entwined her fingers in his. He took up their locked embrace and kissed the back of her hand. She smiled again. "We've become much too strong to let distance separate us. Let us enjoy the rest of this week, and take memories from it. For if we are parted, our return will be all the sweeter." She clutched his hand again and sat up, daintily kissing his forehead.
"Come, let us return to the Order house. You must prepare for your ceremony tomorrow!" She poked him in the chest and got up, laughing. He grinned widely and got up from the floor. They walked down the cobbled pathway, Marcus' boots ringing out a consistent beat, Dania's light steps with nary a sound. They reached the gate and walked out of the park, out into Tantras proper.
The heavy, echoing bang of a metal shod, oaken staff rang through the hallway. The Chaplain of the Order looked proud and imperious in heavy blue and gold robes. A bald palate signified aging, but lively grey eyes flickered from face to face, as if he dared them to speak after he had called them to silence. He smiled briefly, lines under his eyes flashing and showing his true age, but they disappeared quickly as his stony resolve returned, etched into his features.
The assembled gathering looked on intently, those serving Paladins and Knights of the Order dressed in shining armour, plate or otherwise dazzled the low lantern light that was required. The other guests in more 'ordinary' clothing still cut an impressive figure, ecclesiastical attire, fanciful nobleman, even the occasional merchant showed up dressed in fine silks and clothe. Fashion statement, and fashion horrors were in equal abundance.
The door of the temple flew open, and Farrel, dressed once again in his martial armour stood proud as the waning daylight filtered in from behind his back, lighting half his features, leaving the other half in shade. His noble bearing stiffened as he called the students from behind him into the hall with a short bark of command, he took up the pace, and they followed him.
They marched down the aisle of the temple 2 by 2, military precision marking every footfall, a regular and even pace their only timekeeper. They came in impeccably, lined up before the Chaplain. Farrel barked another word of command, and they all sank to one knee, looks of determination on some faces, others a mixture of awe and excitement.
The Chaplain again banged his staff on the floor and asked the congregation to sit.
"Today," he began in a loud echoing voice, "you finally become that which you have wished to achieve for the past years. You were all destined to become one of Torm's faithful, and so you shall. Your life is dedicated to His service, as he dedicates Himself to you." He paused for effect, letting his words sink into the crowd and his students. He revelled in this situation; he almost shuddered in delight. "You know of your tenets of faith: duty, loyalty, honour and dedication to your flock. You will tend them, and you will guide them, and if they err, it is your job to return them to the side that is good and lawful. Bow your heads in prayer."
As one, the congregation lowered their heads in supplication, uttering prayers. The Chaplain moved through the Paladins in training and blessed them with Holy Water, and soft prayers.
"Go now, my children, and spread the word of Torm, The True Deity."
The watching crowd burst into applause as Farrel called the about-turn and the new Squires left the temple as they entered, organised and marching. As they exited they all turned, grinning widely. Shaking each other's hands, promising that they would keep in contact, old enmities forgotten. In the Order's eyes, they were new Paladins, low ranking, but Paladin's none-the-less.
Marcus' last opponent in the house fencing competition sidled up to him.
"Sorry about the misunderstanding, old boy. I'm just not used to be being beaten is all." He laughed warmly and stuck out his hand. "You know, in all my time training here I never knew your name…" He tailed off in a question and Marcus smiled in reply.
"Marcus, and believe it or not, I know you James. I watched you practice, I learned a few techniques from you." James looked on in shock and then burst out in laughter, slapping Marcus on the back.
"Well Marcus, I was beaten fair and square. How's about we find out what we're going to be doing?" He jerked his head in the direction of Farrel; scroll in hand, telling the Paladins their new assignments.
"Why not?"
They ambled over to the dwindling crowd and waited at the back. James and Marcus ended up being last in the queue. Farrel grinned when he saw them, and jumped from the step he was using as a pedestal.
"I'm glad you two boys found each other! Looks like you're off to Raven's Bluff boys! Now, a word of advice; it's a baptism of fire, don't get me wrong, but you two'll do fine, the only reason you were given the assignment is because you can handle yourselves, and you're not idiots." He grinned and punched James on the arm who looked shocked at first, then laughed. Marcus just smiled. "It seems that there's been some disturbances in the area in and around Raven's Bluff, and you've got to look into the problems. The Mayor, Charles O'Kane, Torm bless his soul, is an old adventurer I knew, and I got in contact with him when I found it was you going. He's had the local Mage guild front up a Wizard for you, so you'll have some support at least. As it stands though, you'll essentially be wondering the woodlands around it, trying to find some clues as to what happened. They've got no idea at all…"
He grinned again and rolled his eyes, and then grabbed the two boys, one hand on each shoulder, his face took on a serious note. "Don't do anything stupid and run off after something, you're to report anything you find to the Mayor, who can take it from there. Be careful." He emphasised that, and then smiled. Reassuring them. "Come on then, there's a few drinks that shouldn't be drunk in the common room. How about we dispose of them?" He winked.
"I'm all for that!" Laughed James.
One hand around each Paladin's shoulder, Farrel guided the boys to the ale.