Talking of aftermaths...

Married Life

Chapter Nineteen: A Knights Tale

Female Knight sat looking into the campfire, deep in thought.

She'd been in a bit of a daze still when she'd been led out of the old Keep, and apparently hadn't even flinched as Mage brought the entire structure crashing down upon itself with a single spell. It wasn't like she'd needed any more evidence of just how powerful a Gold ranked magical user was, especially one who sat upon the orcerer's Council. She'd been relieved to see that the rest of her Party were alive and well, but surprised to see that their injuries were being tended to by none other than Sword Maiden.

But that pailed in comparison to the discovery that the Archbishop was travailing with her newborn son, Lord Paladín, Mage and Minotaur Blacksmith acting as their bodyguard.

Heavy Swordsman had found Druid Girl, Scout Boy and Half-Elf Fighter gossiping about it, and had quickly silenced them: while she may have effectively retired, Sword Maiden was still an Adventurer, and there were certain unwritten rules, things you didn't talk about, and a singled female Adventurer turning up with a child was one of them. Female Knight knew of more than a few Adventurers who'd gotten their maths wrong or forgotten their Moon Tea and found themselves with child. Some had married whoever it was that had gotten them pregnant, or at least was willing to take responsibility for the child, while others had simply handed them over to the nearest temple to be raised as an orphan.

Sword Maiden, by comparison, seemed intent on taking the harder route of raising the child on her own, and made no mention of the father. Given the obviously Elvish ears, it was clear that he had not been human, but unlike some, Female Knight had no problem with interspecies relationships. Still, it was something that would cause her trouble upon her return to Water Town, and her willingness to face the duel stigma only strengthened Female Knights adoration for the older woman.

"And who are you, the proud lord said, that I must bow so low?" Druid Girls soft voice called across the fire as she pluct at a small harp, "Only a cat of a different coat, that's all the truth I know..."

"Oh dead Gods, did you have to choose something so depressing?" Half-Elf Fighter asked, "Don't you know anything more uplifting?"

Druid Girl looked at him for a moment, a somewhat hurt look on her face, then started to strum a quicker tune.

"Deep in the castle and back from the wars, Back with my lady and the fires burned tall." She started to sing, Scout Boy, Heavy Swordsman and Minotaur Blacksmith quickly joining in, "Hooray went the men down below, All outside was the rain and snow."

Female Knight shook her head: it was an old song, but a favourite among Adventurers.

Closing her ears to the singing, Female Knight pondered once again on Lord Paladíns words. He had inducted her into the Paladín Order, fulfilling one of her lifelong dreams, but she felt no different: no braver, stronger or chivalrous. Surely she should have felt something? But then he had told her that the ceremony was pointless, that she'd already been a Paladín, and that was something she didn't understand. Of all the Knightly Orders, none were more revered or respected than the Paladins, and yet he seemed almost dismissive of the honour. At first she had thought that he was mocking her in some way, but his actions since had shown that he truly respected her, something that had made her feel happy, even as she struggled to find the meaning behind his words.

She had hoped that, with the two Parties travelling together as far as Frontier Town, she might have the time to discuss the matter with him. Unfortunately, she found herself simply unable to ask a man of his position and reputation to explain himself. And it wasn't as if he wasn't approachable; aside from the War of the Dragon King, he seemed open to discussing any topic, from the kind of Quests available in the East to his preferred style of sword fighting. She'd hoped that someone would bring up the topic of the Paladins, and was almost at the point of asking one of her Party members to do so.

"Is this seat taken?" Sword Maiden asked softly, appearing beside Female Knight without making a single sound.

"No, my lady." the younger Adventurer almost fell over herself to make room on the fallen tree trunk she was sat on.

"Thank you." Sword Maiden sat, her son sleeping in her arms.

"Forgive me," Female Knight blushed, "I haven't thought to ask his name."

"It took me a while, but in the end I chose Godfrey." Sword Maiden looked down at her son, and Female Knight started to question just how blind she really was, "It means 'Peace of God'."

"I guess I was expecting something more... Elvish."

"His father is unaware that he is a father."

"Oh..."

"You think less of me?"

"No, it's just... I was always very close to my father, growing up. I can't imagine life without him."

"Unfortunately circumstance prohibit such a relationship."

The two fell into an uneasy silence for a while.

"I heard what you did for Goblin Slayer and High Elf Archer." Female Knight spoke softly, "I don't know if you heard, but they had a daughter. Fawn. She has her mother's ears and hair but her father's eyes."

"Interesting." There was something in Sword Maidens tone of voice that made the younger woman beside her feel faintly uncomfortable, but she couldn't tell why.

"May I ask you a question." Female Knight fidgeted, "It's not about your son."

"Of cause, my dear."

"How well do you know Lord Paladín?"

Sword Maiden let out a soft chuckle, taking Female Knight completely by surprise.

"Oh, this has to be about what he said to you back in the ruins." the Archbishop patted her fellow Adventurer on the shoulder, "Mage said he confounded you with that speach of his."

"I've been mulling it over for two days now." Female Knight admitted, "And I'm still no closer to understanding his meaning."

"... When you were knighted, did it make you any more noble? Any braver?"

"No, not really."

"Then why should being made a Paladin be any different?" Sword Maiden asked, then gestured across the camp to where he old friend was sat, "I first met him at the Royal Coronation, and the first thing I noticed about him was how little time he had for those who put their own personal sense of honour ahead of their duty to others. He has an infallible ability to read people, and does not suffer flops or fools. He admitted you into the Order because he saw in you those virtues he holds most dear. And make no mistake: you are a Knight of the Order of Paladins, with all the rights and responsibilities that come with the position. The real test is what you chose to do with it."

Female Knight looked into the fire, lost in thought.

As a member of the Order of Paladins, she had the right to go to their Castle just outside the capital and take up a position in the garrison there, a posting that would bring riches and honour upon her and her family. Or she could go seek out an army outpost in need of a new commander, essentially making herself a minor noble. But she knew that Heavy Swordsman would not follow her, regardless of the love that was blossoming between them. He was an Adventurer, not a soldier, and his place was there on the Frontier, protecting the light of civilisation from what unknown dangers lay beyond.

And, truth be told, that was her place too.

"I think... I think I can do the most good where I am." she admitted softly, "The Capitol has plenty of Knights to guard its walls, but who will watch over those who have chosen to live out in the wilds if all we sort was money and glory?"

"Hum, Minotaur Blacksmith was right about you." Sword Maiden smiled softly "You are one of the Good Ones."

To Be Continued...

The Rains of Castamere by George R. R. Martin/Ramin Djawadi

Swords Of A Thousand Men by Tenpole Tudor