Chapter 10: The Paladin Prophecy

Mayor Roundhedge turned and railed against Charlie Cucumber.

“You brought a Paladin into my tavern? And you nearly let me serve her a pint!? This is a lady under holy orders!”

“I didn’t know she was a Paladin, honest!” sputtered Charlie. He looked wide-eyed at Chastity, as if truly seeing her for the first time. “Y-you’re a Paladin?”

Chastity gave a firm nod. That’s what my Character Record says, she thought.

“I’m so sorry, er… Miss… Madam,” the tavernkeep said, doffing his cap and bowing in reverence. “Or is it, Your Holiness?”

Chastity quickly shook her head.

“No, no, no. Call me Chastity. Chastity Morningstar. You don’t need to worry about any honorifics. And it isn’t for religious reasons that I abstain from alcohol–I partake in sacramental wine, after all. But as an athlete… hmmm, how to say this… I try to keep my body in peak condition for… um…”

“For all the evil you have to smite!” Charlie added helpfully. “That’s what Paladins do best, right?” He mimed swinging a sword at some imaginary beast.

“Um… right! Well anyway, the CDC released a report showing that even small amounts of alcohol consumption can increase the risk for several types of cancer. Which is…”

The halflings stared at her blankly.

Chastity, you’re in a fantasy world–you need to play the part, dummy! she scolded herself.

“Which is not to say that your Deep River Ale isn’t wonderful! I’m sure that it is. But today I’ll pass. I must be fully prepared to… smite evil, after all.”

Dizzy from the excitement, Mayor Roundhedge reached for the nearest chair and collapsed onto it.

“Bless the river, a real, live Paladin in my ‘umble tavern. Who would believe a thing like that?” he muttered, pulling out a handkerchief and dabbing his forehead.

Chastity rubbed the back of her neck and sighed. She felt that the purpose of this meeting had gotten wildly off track. Several of the halflings were whispering, and she overheard the word ‘prophecy’ bandied about more than once.

“Anyhow, Mayor… I want to thank you,” she started, then turned to address the whole tavern, “to thank ALL of you for your kindness. I come from a far off land and have gotten lost on the journey. I am a stranger to you, with what I’m sure is a strange appearance and equally strange manners. But you kind-hearted people here in Goldenberry Village have shown me nothing but hospitality.”

She cleared her throat and continued.

“Now I fear that I have intruded on Mrs. Underfoot’s family by taking food that they likely needed for themselves. I would like to repay their generosity before I take my leave.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Leave?” came a creaky voice from the back of the room. “What do you mean… leave?”

All turned as an older halfling, his eyes grown dim from age, hobbled forward from the rear of the tavern, leaning on a gnarled walking stick. He came close, his head reaching no higher than Chastity’s thigh.

“I hope to return to the land I came from,” Chastity explained. “Although I confess I don’t know the way.”

The halfling squinted up at her, wrinkling his nose.

“But what about… the prophecy?”

Chastity was at a loss.

“Mister Barkroot,” the mayor interjected, “you are referring to that old prophecy, yes? The Prophecy of the Three Paladins? The same thought crossed my mind, but what do I know about such things? I’m just a simple tavernkeep.”

“Three Paladins?” Chastity repeated slowly.

The tavern was now completely abuzz with rumor and giddy excitement. The older halfling pulled a small looking glass out of his vest pocket and scrutinized the Holy Symbol worn on Chastity’s hand.

“I’ve seen this symbol before.”

“You have?” Chastity asked. So do they know about that mountain? How much should I tell them? Chastity wondered. They seem like guileless people, but I should listen before I speak.

Chastity held up her gloved hand and displayed the Holy Symbol for all to see.

“Yes! There used to live in our fair village a Seer. Tall Folk, like yourself,” Barkroot said, scratching his chin as his dim eyes searched the corridors of memory. “Don’t know why he ever chose to settle in Goldenberry. Those were ‘appier days, of course. The Riverlands were peaceful. A very learned man, with a library full of scrolls and tomes, secrets and wisdom. He would talk a lot about the prophecy, would tell anyone who would listen. The Prophecy of the Three Paladins. About Realmwalkers too.”

“Realmwalkers!?” Chastity blurted. Now they were getting somewhere!

“Aye. And I could swear on the river I’ve seen that same symbol in that old library of his. He’s gone now, left on a distant journey he said. Many years ago now. Before most ‘ere in this tavern would remember. His place is at the edge of the village, sitting in wait for his return.”

Charlie Cucumber shrugged his shoulders.

“A human Seer? In Goldenberry? I’ve never heard of him!”

Mayor Roundhedge whacked the young halfing with his cap.

“You were a twinkle in your daddy’s eye down on the farm, Master Cucumber, if that! Listen to your elders tell the tale!”

“Oww!” Charlie rubbed his smarting ear.

“I don’t understand, what is so special about these Three Paladins?” Chastity asked. She looked around for a place to sit, but was afraid she would break any chair she tried.

“Yes! Don’t keep us in suspense, Barkroot. Tell us everything you remember!” Mayor Roundhedge encouraged. “Need another ale to wet your whistle?”

“I won’t say no to another pint,” Barkroot said as he shakily pulled out a chair and lowered himself onto it. He leaned forward with two hands clasped on the head of his walking stick while Mayor Roundhedge quickly ran off to pour another drink.

Not waiting for the ale, Barkroot closed his eyes, rocking back and forth and humming to himself.

“Hmmm hmmm. Keep in mind this is just hearsay from the Seer, and long ago hearsay at that. We halflings try not to get involved with the problems of Tall Folk and other races, aside from trading with the dwarves and what not during ‘appier times. Yes… hmm hmm hmm. I distinctly remember… bits and pieces. The Prophecy of the Three Paladins. It goes something like, let’s see ‘ere… ah, yes. Something something Three Paladins… something something Realmwalker… something something Hour of Greatest Need… and something something… Purge Evil from the Land.”

The old halfling opened his eyes and nodded solemnly. “That’s about the gist of it.”