“Gods help me,” Atres grins, “I find myself wanting to be the man she needs me to be. I think I might turn myself inside out just to see her smile. I am absolutely besotted with her.”
“I always told you,” Korek says, stepping out of the shadows, “that if you ever fell for a woman, it would be fast and hard and likely forever.”
“And how long have you been lurking?” Atres asks.
“Long enough,” Korek shrugs, “Long enough to hear you making plans to go knocking boots with some dispossessed noble woman who’s a foreign general in the bargain.”
“You know that she can’t lie,” Atres shrugs, “When she says she’d defend Tassatung, I believe her. Honestly, if we were to need such a general, I suspect that the King would be a fool to refuse her aid, and we all know that the current King is no fool.”
Looking between Korek and Argonath, he shrugs, “She is a paladin. Do neither of you understand what that means? Go and get Benger to recite their oath for you then. Once you’ve heard what she’s sworn already, I think you’ll understand better. If she violates any of that, even in the slightest, it impairs her bond to her Goddess until she atones for the infraction. If the infraction is severe enough, it can sever the bond she has with her Goddess. A bond, I might add, that is already quite strong. I’ve heard of paladins placing a Mark on someone, but until today, never seen one that could do it. It’s a rare ability that only the strongest, most pure of heart, even among paladins, can obtain. The strength of that bond and how quickly it has grown tells me a great deal about her.”
“What do you think that means?” Argonath asks.
“Not think, my friend, what I know. What it means,” Atres says heavily, “is that I’m mad about one of the most righteous paladins currently alive. It means that even when she was godless, she was still living by those oaths, even when there was no particular reason for her to have to do so. If she had become dissolute or debauched during her time as a godless wanderer, she’d not be able to forge a new bond with this Goddess as quickly or as deeply as she has. Her bond has grown so quickly because she carries no burdens from any serious past sins that must be expunged. It means to win her that I must be willing to accept her with all her rules. I told her that I knew what she was, and I meant that. I had wondered why neither of you was interested. You truly do not see her for what she is. Go and talk to Benger, listen to her oaths. They’re all required to memorize them, and they recite them rather frequently, so I’m sure he can tell you. Then we’ll discuss this again.”
Taking his items from his saddle bags, Atres starts walking back toward Emlyn.
Korek looks at Argonath, “What do you make of all that?”
“Our resident sinner is chasing a saint, it seems. If he manages to win her,” Argonath says, “then that binds her to Tassatung, and that would be a good thing for the kingdom. I can’t see her allowing a threat near anyone she cared for. She over-extended herself fighting the bandits to keep them from taking her friends. Imagine how far she might go to defend her family. I think we’d best go have a chat with Benger and see what exactly is in these oaths that makes him trust her so much.”
Emlyn looks up to Atres, grinning as he saunters up to her and seats himself at her feet.
“Now then, I’ve got a few things here to share.” Leaning in, he steals a bit of meat and chews for a moment.
“Hmm...” Atres mumbles, “I don’t know if I packed it or not. Ah... there it is.”
He pulls out a small tin and reaches in for a pinch of the contents, sprinkling it over the meat. Stealing another bite, he nods in satisfaction.
“Much better,” Atres pronounces, “Try it now.”
Tentatively, Emlyn takes a bite, and her eyes go wide.
“That’s delicious,” she exclaims, “What is that?”
“It's some seasoning that I carry,” Atres explains, “My grandmother’s mix, if you must know. I’m happy that you like it.”
“What else is in there?” Emlyn peers curiously at the bag in his lap.
“Ah,” Atres grins, “More treats.”
Pulling out a padded bag, he carefully sets it down and opens it to reveal a flask with a stopper. “This stuff is strong, I warn you, so sip it gently.”
Pulling out a small metal cordial glass, he pours a bit into the glass and hands it to her. He watches, entranced, as Emlyn swirls it expertly before sniffing it.
“Mmmm,” Emlyn purrs, “It smells lovely. Honey and.... berries, but I don’t recognize the type.”
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She takes a tentative sip, swirls it around her mouth, and inhales.
“Oooo,” Emlyn sighs and swallows. “That’s lovely, but quite dangerous. It’s got a kick to it. What is it?”
“Honeyed whiskey with Masuka berries,” Atres grins, “You’ve got a good nose. We ferment the whiskey with the berries, and when it's done, we blend it with honey wine and more honey. Now try a bite of the meat. It goes well with the seasoning I put on it.”
Emlyn takes another bite of the meat, and her eyes go wide again. “They’re even better together.”
Wandering over, Korek and Argonath approach Benger. “Might we have a word with you?”
Benger nods but asks Warrick to keep an eye on Atres and Emlyn before he steps away.
“We’re curious about your friend,” Argonath explains, “and wondered what you can tell us about these oaths that she’s taken.”
“Is that all?” Benger shrugs, “I can recite them for you if you like. We all take the same oaths. We’re required to memorize them, and it's a common practice to be called on to recite them.”
“Would you mind?” Argonath asks, so Benger launches into the recitation.
I swear, in the presence of Morrighu and in this holy temple, witnessed by my Goddess and these holy priests, do solemnly, unreservedly, and sincerely, swear to:
Seek excellence in all endeavors expected of a holy knight of the Order of the Storm Crow, martial and otherwise, gaining strength to be used in the service of justice, rather than in personal aggrandizement.
Seek great stature of character by holding to the virtues and duties of a holy knight, realizing though one can never reach such ideals, the quality of striving toward them makes one truly worthy.
Seek always the path of good, unencumbered by personal interest and outside opinion.
Seek moderation in all things and preserve my balance so that I may not be deceived into doing evil in the name of good.
Seek to be generous insofar as my resources allow, placing the needs of others before my own.
Always do what I can to strengthen the forces of good and weaken evil, remembering that there is too little good in the multiverse and too much evil.
Always hold onto my faith, for it roots me and offers hope against despair.
Always make the courageous choices to serve others and uphold virtue, regardless of the personal sacrifice required.
Always serve the truth, never uttering an expedient lie.
Always value the contributions of others, never boasting of my own accomplishments.
Remember always that the extremes of even the greatest of virtues, can become the greatest of vices, and offer a point of frailty that can allow evil to gain a foothold.
Remember always that the sword of justice can be a terrible thing, so it must be tempered by humanity and mercy.
Remember always that Morrighu does not, and will not, abandon me in any hour, that there is no darkness beyond the reach of her light, no pit of despair beyond her comfort.
Strive to offer a compelling example of what one can accomplish in the service of good through my worthiness.
Strive to infuse each moment and aspect of my life with the virtues of Truth, Purity, Fidelity, and Honor, not for personal gain, but because it is right.
Show wisdom in my actions and commit no act without due consideration, but when in doubt, do what is right and good for its own sake.
Tell the virtuous deeds of others before my own, according to them the renown rightfully earned.
Should I betray my oaths willingly, I will have become the most evil of villains, and the damnation that awaits me at the hands of Morrighu and all her servants is wholly justified and deserved.
“Hmm,” Argonath nods, “Now I think I begin to understand why Atres is willing to trust her and why he thinks so highly of her. If he’s right and she was living by all of this while being godless, she’s truly something special.”
“He’s right about her not being able to lie,” Korek shrugs, “If she had, she wouldn’t have been able to set that Mark on that little twit.”
“If she’d lied about anything,” Benger shrugs, “she would have been forced to atone for it before being able to do something like that. If there is something we need to atone for, our powers do not work. The more serious the infraction, the more our powers cease to operate. Something like theft or murder might leave us unable even to heal ourselves. Something less serious, like a lie, might only impair some of the more complex powers, like a Mark.”
“I see now why she refuses to join us,” Argonath says, “Why she said she couldn’t act in ways that she knows we must. Like sending you, Korek, to join up with those bandits last year so we could wipe them out. She couldn’t have done it and kept to this.”
“Not at all,” Benger laughs, “Don’t mistake me. She’d find a way to get the job done, just a bit more directly.”
“What are your thoughts on Atres courting Nia?” Argonath asks Benger.
“She’s been quite sheltered for most of her life, and he seems a bit old for her to me,” Benger shrugs. “He also seems like a womanizer, but I’ve also noticed that his eyes haven’t strayed from my sister, even when other women have come around trying to tempt him. He no longer seems to even notice they exist. He’s promised to wait for her to come of age.”
“You seem intent on calling her your sister,” Argonath asks. “Why?”
“Our bond is forged in steel and blood,” Benger shrugs. “She’s saved my life at least three times. I am in awe of her, and she’s a good friend, but I’d prefer my future wife to be someone less driven. Nor do I think I’d meet her requirements for a spouse, so friends it is for the two of us.”
“And the rest of your cohort?” Korek asks. “What do they think of her?”
“Much the same,” Benger shrugs. “We are all in awe of her skill. She’s liked and respected by all of us. Atres will still need to convince the others that he’s both serious and worthy. So far, I’m convinced, but I’m still wary, for her sake. We know this is an area where she has no experience at all, and being men ourselves....”
“I... see,” Argonath nods and chuckles. “Thank you for taking the time to explain.”
“If you want to know more about us,” Benger suggests, “Why not come to the Temple? I’m sure that Master Ember or Father Gethin would be happy to answer any of your questions.”
“I might just do that,” Argonath grins. “Do you let others train with you?”
“We do,” Benger nods. “If you want to do that, you’re most welcome.”
Would you swear those oaths? Let me know in the comments!
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