Auric Elvengard, a tall fair-skinned man of 21, stood by a fence post. His eyes were focused on his brother, or rather his half-brother, Erik. He could see his brother's dark hair, hair far darker than his dirty blonde, bobbing up out of the crowd of people at the market. As the older of the 2, it was his job to make sure that his little brother didn't get lost or kidnapped. Not that anyone would want to kidnap a 16-year-old whelp normally, but his brother is the heir apparent to the County of Laris, a burgeoning frontier territory. Scratching his slightly pointed ear, Auric followed his brother for 20 malms before deciding the gig was up. Erik didn't know he was here, and Erik wasn't supposed to be here. Father would be furious, but not at Erik. Auric was supposed to stop these little "adventures" that his brother went on, and ever since he'd returned from the monastery his father had been even harder on him. Erik was the human son after all, and Auric was the half-blood. He was expendable. Nothing could happen to Erik, even if it cost Auric his life. Fair trade, according to his father.

  "Erik, it's time to go home," Auric called into the crowd. His voice echoed along the street, louder than he had intended.

  Erik's head bobbing stopped dead in its tracks. He turned, scanning the crowd, obviously looking for where his brother's voice had come from. Spotting him, he weaved through the crowd, back to Auric.

  "You found me faster this time," Erik said sheepishly. The boy's clothes gave him away as being a noble's son. He didn't even think to wear a disguise. Naïve, but loveable. That summarized his younger brother succinctly.

  "I followed you out of the courtyard. You aren't as stealthy as you think you are, brother." Auric said, exasperated. He could imagine the tongue-lashing his father had in store for him if he didn't get Erik back before they noticed he was gone. "C'mon, before father notices you are gone."

  "But wait!" Erik exclaimed, "Esma is coming for dinner tonight, I came to get her a gift." Ah, that explains the marketplace. Esma is Erik's fiancee, a noblewoman from the northern Barony. She's quite cute too, with long blonde hair, freckles, and tits that a man could suffocate himself with accidentally. Auric smirked at his brother and gestured to the stalls around them. Likely Esma would doll herself up and flirt unabashedly with Erik. Might even pop his cherry soon, all things considered.

"Be quick about it then, I'll cover for you this time."

As they were walking through the courtyard gate, the sun low on the sky behind them setting the sky ablaze with red and oranges, a messenger stopped Auric. "A missive from the bishop, sir." the spindly man said, and handed him a letter. The wax bore the symbol of the egg, the symbol of the Fertility goddess Nathet. Cracking the wax, he pulled the rolled parchment open. The letter was a simple message:

Paladin Auric,

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

You are hereby ordered to return to the monastery with all haste. An Orc incursion is imminent, and all Paladins are being deployed.

Signed,

Bishop Hadlin

  Auric sighed and handed the letter to Erik. At least Father wouldn't get to berate him later.

  The door to his room creaked as he walked through. Room is a strong word for his space, given that it's not much bigger than a broom closet, but it held his armor, bag, and sword with just enough room for his bed. But not by much. If he were just a little taller, he'd have to slump to get in. It only took him a few moments to get himself for the few days it would take to ride to the monastery. He packed some dried meat and cheese he stole from the kitchen, and put on his pale blue egg-shaped sapphire necklace. The necklace is something only Paladins wore, with each one a different color. Auric is a Paladin of the Blue order, sworn to protect those that cannot protect themselves. The orders are Blue, Silver, Red, and Gold. Silver Paladins protected Pilgrims and merchants, Red swore to hunt down all monsters, and Gold protected the Clergy and Royalty. The Bishops always said that for Nethet, having children and starting a family required 4 things, The desire to protect, a safe place to live, the flowing of commerce, and the rules and laws that made community. Auric chose Blue instead of Gold because he wanted to do real good in the world, not be stuck guarding Erik his whole life, and then Erik's children, and their children, and likely their children's children. Half-Elves lived long, long lives if they weren't killed in battle after all. After walking to the stables and mounting his mare, Wind, he brought her to a canter and made for the gates.

  "Leaving so soon, my son?" came a lilting voice from behind.

  "I've been summoned, Mother," Auric said flatly. "You know I can't sit here when the Bishops call."

  "Ahh, but a goodbye to your loving mother would take too much time then?" She said, sounding amused. Nalia Kathrende, Auric's mother, was once a well-known huntress and had been employed by Lord Jacen Elvengard, Auric and Erik's father. Had been employed, until they got very drunk one night and rutted in these very stables, resulting in her being with child. Now she was officially the first consort of Lord Elvengard. Erik's mother on the other hand was Lady Marica Elvengard, Countess of Laris. At least Auric wasn't a bastard. Not that it meant much different treatment, but at least he could use his father's surname. That opened doors sometimes. Turning to his mother, he noticed that she'd been gardening. Keeping an Elf from nature was like keeping a dog from its bone, you turn around and it's back trying to get to it all over again.

  "Of course not Mother, I'm sorry, I was in a rush." He said, trying to placate her so he could just go. He wanted to be far from here, from this place that felt so suffocating and unwelcoming to him. For 18 of his 21 years of life, he's tried to gain the approval of his Father. He'd initially gone to the monastery to try and become a Paladin to show his Father that he could be proud of him, but his Father tried to push Auric to choose the Gold and protect Erik's descendants. He decided then that he was done, and was going to make his way without relying on his family. Auric thought it was a sick joke that the Goddess he worshiped put so much emphasis on family, but had robbed him of one he could be a part of.

  His Mother chuckled at that and made a shooing motion.

  "Begone then, but be safe." She said.

  "I will," He said hopefully.

  Wind made her way leisurely to the gates exiting the stable yard. Auric looked over his shoulder, relieved to be leaving this place. Now to face the other problem in front of him, dealing with the bishops and their demands of him.