It may have only been two weeks since his trial, but it was already mid-summer. And that meant one event: Solarifest, the celebration of the life, deeds, and gifts of the Sunfather. And of course it was the day where the oaths of Zelotes and many other newly trained paladins would be consecrated, and there were few places better for this than the Letharin capital of Heliora in the sunrise mountains.
Zelotes had arrived alongside many that had taken the rail for this occasion. He now stood in the atrium before the High Holy Eversun Cathedral. It boasted walls that gleamed a golden yellow, lined with columns that were crowned with floral carvings. The columns held up a golden pediment that displayed the three brothers, the first three apostles of the Sunfather: the king, the warrior and the herdsman, each holding a torch and wearing a wreath. The entryway doors beneath were flanked with angelic statues. The temple itself was capitalized by a mighty tower that soared over the cathedral’s domed center, shining bright sunlight like an eternal lighthouse that held a second sun.
The sight left Zelotes, without words, and the same could be said of the other pre-sworn paladins as well, consisting of maybe a few humans and some elves, but the rest were nearly all made up of young leothien men like himself. He felt privileged to be here. At first, he hoped he had given his mane enough care, but then thought about Lial's tempting offers and if he should even be here.
“Oh? Are you doubting me now, my dear Zelotes?” the aforementioned began whispering in his ear again.
“Leave me alone!” Zelotes shouted, drawing the attention of his fellow students with eyes that gazed upon him as one would’ve looked upon a madman. Zelotes tried to regain his composure.
Just as the sun peaked over the horizon, the great cathedral doors opened, and the ceremony was about to begin and Zelotes began to follow with his fellow students into the cathedral. The windows that lined the clerestory above were divided by statues of sunchild saints that stood a hundred feet high above the procession, letting in glorious yellow sunlight upon the interior, bathing it in a golden hue that matched the exterior walls. Celestial writings lined the triforium of the nave.
The nave led the knights to a great golden statue of the Sunfather that stood nearly a hundred feet, a leothien warrior with a mane like fiery sunrays, standing in proud triumph, a glaive in one hand, with the other stretched upward to the light from the tower above that shone upon him and the clergymen gathered at his feet, as though presenting his great gift of light.
Zelotes, made to feel small by the vastness of the cathedral, and humbled by the great statue knelt with the rest of his fellow student paladins as their mentors each came to stand before them. Razael himself, stood before Zelotes, a smile upon him and his head held high. An expression of pride that brought Zelotes’ a slight comfort.
“Greetings, young students of our great god, the glorious Sunfather!” A white Leothien emerged from the clergy, holding up a staff of gold with a winged ring around a shining sunstone. A wreath of gold hung over his stark white mane, and he was dressed in yellow robes scripted in celestial and a chestplate emblazoned with a gold sunburst.
Zelotes realized he was in the presence of the highest priest to the Sunfather, the Midday Archbishop. He and his fellow students made formation around the golden statue.
The bishop cleared his throat. “Today we gather to again celebrate his gifts and glories, but just as importantly, welcome the arrival and herald in the new glories of his newest torch-bearers! Now, as is tradition, we shall begin as all things have begun, with the Fable of the Father Fragments!”
The room grew silent as priests and paladins hushed themselves in anticipation for this sacred story.
“Now, gathered sunchildren, let us hear the Fable of the Father Fragments!” The high priest began.
The archbishop casted a spell that created many colored lights that danced and swirled around a central, pure white light. “The gods once lived under the Father's watchful presence, dancing freely in flowering displays, but a great darkness shattered the Father into fragments, and used them to build a throne and impose its order of blackness and sleeping servitude onto the gods from as it sat on its throne as their conqueror.” With that, the white bursted and was replaced with a sphere of lightless, black flame. One not dissimilar to the kind used by the inquisitors and chilled Zelotes’ soul. The surrounding lights stopped and turned monochrome.
The sunsovereign then shifted to a tone of zealous admiration as a new, bright yellow light appeared and moved toward the dark sphere. “But the Sunfather, our great god, resisted the dark conquest and clashed with the darkness’s rule of tyrannical night, pitting his impossible tenacity against impossible power!” The yellow light and black flame began spinning around each other, faster and closer as the white leothien spoke, sending waves of yellow and black outward across the cathedral. “They shook the universe, and allowed his brethren to awaken as the Sunfather’s protest jostled the darkness’s grip on its rule and join his rebellion!” The lights regained their colors and collapsed back in on the spiraling center.
“The gods then banished the darkness and left, using the Father’s fragments to build new kingdoms away from the darkness, but the Sunfather continued to contribute to the infantile realms by lighting the suns of many worlds, ensuring no one would be enslaved to the tyrannical blackness again. Not even ours.” And with that the lights moved up the eversun in the tower above, before bursting in a brilliant display of color like a show of fireworks.
There were cheers from the audience as the speech finished. All except for Zelotes’ metal mouthed mentor looked pleased and emboldened by the high priest’s speech. Zelotes could not help but wonder why, however that thought was interrupted as the priest turned to the audience. “Now shall we raise the sun over your new lives?”
There were nods and affirming statements from the gathered apprentices. Against his current anxiety in the moment, perhaps spurred by inspiration from the high priest’s words or his anticipation of finally becoming a paladin, Zelotes heard the words “Couldn’t be more ready!” escape his mouth in exclamation. Yet he couldn’t have said anything more untrue. But perhaps that didn’t matter, what did was his commencement.
“Very well then! What is your oath to the Sunfather?”
And so, Zelotes joined his fellow students as they prayed in unison, reciting their vows. He felt the brand on his chest warm with each word, as though it was allowing the Sunfather's great power into his soul as he felt a warmth in his heart as well.
“To burn the malevolent, and the unholy in the fires of the sun.
To lead the lost with the shining example of day.
To rise with courage against any hardship that has begun.
To shepherd the weak and those in dismay.
To uphold my faith and the Sunfather’s lessons, even only one.
To live with purpose and die with a blaze.
For this is the oath to the Sunfather, the giver of light, to whom I praise.”
Just as the prayers finished, The paladin mentors lowered their weapons to above their students’ heads. The celestial writings began to glow as the light from the clerestory brightened. The light only got brighter as Zelotes felt a surge of holy energies fill him completely, almost like he was being incinerated by righteous flames as the light brightened to a point of blinding.
“Arise, our new warriors!” The Archbishop commanded as the brightness decreased back to visibility.
The students all stood up as the light dissipated. Zelotes looked at himself. He was finally dressed in celestial-scripted yellow and bronze plate, with the Sunfather's symbol emblazoned upon his cuirass circled by script that translated to "For I bring light, fear no darkness" With his newly colors, Zelotes felt a great amount of power now welled within him.
“Now, today, as our new paladins, your first task is to lead the opening of our Holy Solarifest. Now, go! And lead this day’s beginning! And from this day forward, may the Sunfather bless your paths!” The high priest announced. The newly anointed paladins marched out of the cathedral to be greeted by a gathering parade ready to proceed.
At the side of his fellow paladins, Zelotes led the parade through a city of marble columns and concrete arches and vaults. He felt some sense of pride to be doing this, and that he had finally acquired the yellow armor of a sunchild paladin. He always thought he’d look good in it, and marched with an added force in his stride with his head held high. The parade marched westward through the morning before stopping the Imperial Palace at noon, under the vigil of the emperor himself. The parade concluded and dispersed. Zelotes removed his helmet, and was met with a running pounce from none other than Polos.
“Big bro! I knew you could do it!” he exclaimed. The rest of Zelotes’ siblings weren’t far behind as they reunited their big brother.
“How does it feel to be holy, brother?” Riole asked, teasingly.
“It feels… different.” He said, taking longer to answer the question than he normally would have. “How does my mane look?”
“It’s great as always.” Answered Riole.
“What was the ceremony like, Zelotes?” Agathe asked.
“Yeah, what was it like?” asked Elias.
“I’ll tell you all about it later. Today though, I am going to show you all a great Solarifest!” Zelotes said as he took his family towards the attractions. It was the least he could do for them now. Their day started with playing the various games being held, namely discus throwing.
“Won again!” cried Polos as the clay disc shattered on the red target.
“Let me try, it’s been a while.” Riole stepped up to the stand, grabbing a disk and throwing it at the target. It hit the edge of the target. “Not bad.” She remarked.
Zelotes stepped up next, a slight grin on his face. He grabbed, aimed and threw the disc as he imagined himself outperforming his siblings. He missed. He tried again. He missed. Once more, he hit the target. “YES!!!” He exclaimed. The rest of the family laughed or shook their heads in amusement before moving on. “Come on, that one had to at least count!”
After a buffalo barbeque, watching sports in the arena was next with Zelotes stocking up for his trip between events. He tried to stick to essentials, but he did eye a certain yellow cape and couldn’t help but want to add it to his inventory. Despite this, he resisted the urge as he looked upon the price tag. Thus, he rejoined to watch a three-way match of Capture the Fleece.
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“Oh come on!” Zelotes and Riole exclaimed in unison, as the fleece was stolen by a rival team member amidst the chaotic fighting.
The festival was all closed at sunset by the all-important play, Sun’s Triumph, depicting the life and legends of the Sunfather and his prophets. Zelotes and his family met outside the theatre.
“Well, that was a Solarifest I will never forget!” Said Riole as the family left the theatre.
“Unfortunately, this is where my first mission begins, and this will be the farthest from home I’ve ever been.” Zelotes announced.
“We’ll miss you big bro!” said Elias.
Riole gave him a tight hug, bringing the other siblings to do the same. “Promise me only that you have a story to tell when you get back, Zee!” she said to Zelotes.
Zelotes returned the hug to all of them. He turned to Riole. “No matter what happens, sister, please keep the family together,”
Riole nodded in return. Zelotes then left for the caravan now gathering in the merchant square. He noticed the cape was not yet taken. He noted he still had a few coins to spare and he could no longer resist. Leaving a note and a set of coins corresponding to the price, Zelotes grabbed and donned the cape and continued on his way. Razael was nearby.
“Zelotes, my boy!” Razael warmly greeted him with a hug. “How does it feel to be one of us, now?”
Zelotes thought for a moment, looking away from Razael. He was glad to be here, glad to finally be in the service of the Sunfather, but he couldn't get Lial's offer out of his mind. A chance to sate his hunger for revenge.
“Zelotes?” Razael snapped his claws in the young leothien’s ear.
“Uh-great! Never better, I’m honored!” Zelotes said, hurriedly.
Razael’s smile dissipated as he cocked his head to the side. “You’ve been acting strange ever since the inquisitors.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve been talking to yourself, or shouting at nothing to shut up.”
Zelotes sighed. “Just-” he considered his phrasing. "I just thought my first task would be more thrilling or prestigious."
“Listen, Zelotes, If I could, I would be taking you up north with me to investigate this new church that sprang up.” Razael spoke. "That would be thrilling and prestigious!"
“New church? Does it have to do with the inquisitors?” Zelotes asked, recalling the events before the trial.
Razael’s smile faded as his metal fangs were again sheathed. He sighed, looking down and crossing his arms. “Zelotes, I’ve been doing some research here, although the church’s lack of action is nothing new to me…” He paused on that sentence, his eyes shone with disappointment. Zelotes could never recall a conversation he had with Razael about the clergy where he talked about them positively. “I have my suspicions on these northern priests, and this supposed forgotten lord.” He paused. “I’d invite you to join me, but this is outside your current ranking, and besides…” He looked back up, spreading his smile back onto his face. “If you’d like to really prove your worthiness, then uphold your tenets,”
“...To shepherd the weak and those in dismay.” Zelotes remembered aloud.
“Exactly! For now, the far north is off limits and the ivory desert is a treacherous place. These merchants could certainly use some muscle and bandits may be the least of their concerns.”
“Indeed, master Razael!”
“I’m your centurion, not your mentor anymore, you’ve proven yourself to me and the Sunfather. Now go, and lead the lost with the shining example of day!”
“Yes, centurion!” Zelotes left his former mentor, off to carry the torch of the Sunfather's light for the first time with both excitement and anticipation of what was ahead.
Zelotes passed into the caravan of parrotfolk, placing his bag of rations into the wagon with the rest. However, his ears were able to pick up on other things than conversation and squawking. He heard the harmonic resonance of strings and the humming that flowed with it.
He couldn’t help but follow it, like the tune was calling him, and it led him to the violinist behind it. His eyes were first drawn to the butterfly wings tatooed around her eyes. She had lengthy curls of red hair and had a tanned complexion. She wore a dress consisting of a green corset resembling leaves that highlighted the ample curves of her figure, while rings of floral decoration wrapped around pastel purple, frilled sleeves, a skirt and her neck. Then he noticed knife-shaped ears. Zelotes realized his eyes had fallen upon an elf.
She smiled as her eyes gazed upon join her already established audience of psittari that had stopped to listen, in fact she seemed delighted that she had an audience. A round of applause sounded as she stopped playing, and Zelotes joined.
“Merci, mes amis! Merci!” She spoke in a fluvial, euphonic accent.
There was something vaguely familiar about her voice however, like he had heard it somewhere years ago. He knew there was an elf girl he used to play with as a cub, briefly, but this couldn’t be her, could it? Then he thought of how much she talked about mastering the violin during their fleeting games together. Zelotes stepped forward to the knife-eared bardess, catching her attention. “You’re a wonderful violinist,”
“Oh? The noble knight wishes me praise!” She blushed, sweeping her hair back, and leaning toward Zelotes. “S’il vous plaît, keep going,”
“I remember an elf that I played with once. She wanted to master the violin too.” Zelotes reminisced
“Vraiment? I recall that there was a certain leothien that I played with...” The elf knit her eyebrows as she looked at the leothien, puzzled.
Zelotes smirked, and observed the dispersing crowd. “Tag, you're it!” He recalled the last time they were together as he tapped her shoulder.
“Zelotes? non, ce n’est pas possible,” She paused, to examine him. “Zelotes! Mes deux! It has been so long!” She placed her hands on his face. “Of course we never finished that little game! Oh and that mane of yours, I’m jealous, vraiment!” She looked down at the holy runes on his armor. “Oh! You are a paladin now! How fitting-” She stopped, pausing as she looked at the left side his face with the curtain of hair pulled back. She frowned.
“What? Is there something wrong with my mane?” Zelotes pulled himself away, concealing his scar once more.
“Non! Je l’adore! Mais, you have a scar,” She went to put her hand on it, only for Zelotes to swat it away like a fly.
“I’m fine,” Zelotes turned away from her.
Jacquae placed a hand on Zelotes’ shoulder. “Zelotes, s'il vous plaît, what happened to you?”
Zelotes refused to answer. He thought back to that terrible, fiery night long ago, but just recreating the image in his mind, he couldn’t. It was his worst shame, his greatest failure. He could never go back that time, willingly at least. “Jacquae, there are things I am unable to discuss,”
The elf woman placed herself in front of Zelotes, turning his gaze to hers. She paused as she considered her words, looking away from Zelotes for a moment “Bien, you and I have that in common,”
“Just-just forget it, you wouldn’t understand, besides, I’ve got a job to do, protecting this caravan that is...” He paused.
“Bien, if you have need of more work after this, I could use a body-guard!” she smiled.
Zelotes thought for a moment, traveling with an old friend for a while might be fun, but he still had duties to the Sunfather. He then also thought of the risks he might put her in with the demons he might face, and the one that lingered in his ear. “I apologize, but I have other responsibilities, and acting as a musician’s muscle is not really one of them.”
Her smile turned into a smirk and her eyes narrowed at him. “Trop mal, if you won’t leave me, I just won’t leave you!”
“Jacquae, please, the life of a paladin is not for those without conviction, you have no idea what kind of shadow might spring from the darkness!” Zelotes tried to discourage her.
Jacquae laughed. “Bien, consider me a shadow then! And much like a shadow, you can’t get rid of me!”
Zelotes sighed, realizing there was no way to dissuade her. “You’re just as I remember, worse than my sister,”
“Vraiment, mon petit plushie?” Jacquae asked, her smile widening, as she referenced their last encounter.
The two looked at each other for a minute. They both laughed.