The month had passed and now the dawn of Solarifest was a mere few moments away. Adjusting his life accordingly, Zelotes had left his stint at the stables, now ready for a new life as a holy knight, a paladin of the Sunfather, and had taken the rail to Heliora with his family for both this ceremony and the all-important Solarifest.
Zelotes, and fellow paladin apprentices soon to be anointed, now stood at the Letharin capital city’s pride, the Holy Eversun Cathedral. It was the center of the Solarifest celebration in this city, now moments away. The cathedral itself looked as though it were made of gold with walls that gleamed a sunny yellow and were lined with brilliant white marble columns with inscribed, gold bases and capitals that resembled floral arrangements. At the entryway, the columns held up a gold gable pediment decorated with statues of the Sunfather’s first four saints on either side and a pair of angels flanking the Sunfather himself, at either side, a fire-maned, leothien warrior standing triumphantly. Above this stood the temple’s central tower, a golden lighthouse as the eversun shone from within like a second sun.
“It’s overwhelming” Zelotes thought to himself, not only about the grand cathedral, but also this moment where he would bind himself by word and faith to the sun god.
The morning star was now over the horizon, and as the dawning sun just peeked over, the grand doors opened, and the apprentices entered. Glorious biographic windows poured in golden sunlight that bathed the interior in a richly saturated hue of yellow, and great, golden statues of the Sunfather’s leothien saints lined the gallery walls of the cathedral leading to a gold titan statue of the Sunfather himself, standing proudly in the cathedral’s center above the awaiting priests and paladin mentors present. The apprentices approached the statue and knelt before it.
The high priest stood before all of them, a white leothien in decorated gold and yellow robes, holding a gold staff with a shining, wreathed sun on its upper end. “Are we ready to begin?” he asked solemnly.
There were nods and affirming statements from the gathered apprentices. Against his current anxiety in the moment, Zelotes heard the words “Couldn’t be more ready!” escape his mouth in exclamation.
“Very well.” The high priest continued. “On this day, we gather to welcome our students to a ceremony of anointing where the sun shall rise on a new day of their lives under the great Sunfather’s sunlight as they transition from students to knights!”
The mentors went to their corresponding apprentices, Razael going to approach Zelotes with a proud smile and bright eyes upon his face. They extended their weapons, raising them upwards towards the ceiling.
“Now, apprentices, what is the Oath of the Sunsworn Paladin?” The high priest demanded, knocking the butt of his holy staff on the floor to que the paladins-to-be.
“Oh great Sunfather, I swear to thee:
Leadership, to guide others and light the way.
Rise to Adversity, for as I ignite, dark always turns to day.
Courage, even at death’s border.
Wrath Tempered by Justice, to punish according only to a fair order.
Resolve, to resist temptation to do wrong, and to complete my action.
Kindness to the Weak, the powerless and the oppressed shall have my compassion.
Faith above all, loyalty to the Sunfather’s light, no matter the invite.
The Sunsworn Oath is what I recite.”
They all said in a collective prayer.
“The sun now rises! Mentors, welcome them to their new day!” The high priest ordered.
The paladin mentors lowered their weapons to above their students’ heads, as halos of golden light appeared above their heads. The light entering the cathedral brightened to the point of blinding. Zelotes felt a sensation of empowerment. It felt as though a righteous fire coursed through his very being, causing a sensation of burning and simultaneous healing from within for a moment before the light returned to its normal brightness with halos now over the students’ heads.
“Arise.” The mentors ordered their former students.
The students all stood up, and the halos all dissipated. Zelotes felt as though some part of him was stronger. Their armor had also changed from simple, dull steel to a more glorious gold and yellow plating decorated with holy text.
“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.
Zelotes began leading the parade alongside his fellow paladins through the city. It was a city made of concrete and marble, its largest buildings supported by columns, vaults, and arches. At this time of year, the city was decorated with gold and yellow ornaments and wreaths that gleamed in the sunlight. Behind the newly anointed paladins, priests chanted with drummers and trumpeters playing to match the tune to and clerics set off flashes of holy sunlight from their palms to accompany the chorus. Colorful floats followed behind them, acting as stages for dancers and performers or displays dedicated to the heroics of the Sunfather’s saints, such as the sacrifice of Saint Remyr, and Saint Farkrax, sword in hand, making his stand against the tyranny of the dragon, Kazrizan, the Burning King. Cheering crowds were gathered on either side of the parade, consisting largely of other leothiens, but worshippers of the Sunfather from other races could also be seen, including elves, humans, halflings, minotaurs, even ratfolk. The parade marched westward through the morning before stopping within the central citadel at the royal palace at noon, where the parade would disperse. Zelotes removed his helmet, and was met with a running pounce from Mohak.
“Big bro! I knew you could do it!” he exclaimed. The rest of Zelotes’ siblings weren’t far behind as they met with each other.
“How does it feel to be holy, brother?” Riole asked, teasingly.
“It feels… overwhelming. I can’t begin to describe it, really.” He said, still in awe of the events. “How does my mane look?”
“It’s great as always.” Answered Riole.
“What was the ceremony like, Zelotes?” one of his younger sisters, Olypso asked.
“Yeah, what was it like?” asked another, Ithe.
“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.
The day started with playing the various games being held, namely discus throwing. “Won again!” cried Mohak 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. 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!” Zelotes exclaimed.
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After a buffalo barbeque, watching sports in the arena was next with Zelotes stocking up for his trip between events trying to stick to essentials. He did eye a certain yellow and purple cape however. Notably among these sporting events was a three-way match of Capture the Fleece.
“Oh come on!” Zelotes and Riole exclaimed in unison, as the fleece was stolen by a competing team member amidst the chaotic fighting between the teams.
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!” One of Zelotes’ brothers, Ardus, said.
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, Z!” 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. 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! I was wondering when you’d show!” he said, happy to see him.
“Even though I feel like this is beneath me, I shall complete this charge, master Razael.” Zelotes replied.
“Please, please, I’m no longer your mentor. However, I am still your superior as a paladin, so you may address me as commander!” said Razael.
“Very well, Commander, have you found anything on that thing we faced a month ago?” Zelotes asked.
The usual delight and joviality that was present on Razael’s face left, being replaced with one of concern. “I don’t know If I should share that information right now. I did some digging in the Cache of Prior Days last night and I found some information that leads me to concern.”
“Do you think the Masters of Hell are planning another full-scale invasion?” Zelotes asked, puzzled.
“I’m sure they are, but this has nothing to do with demons, which concerns me more than any hellish invasion.” Razael answered. He looked at Zelotes for a minute. “You’re wanting to join me on finding out what exactly we may have faced that night aren’t you?”
“It’s just that I feel like I’m not being used to my potential. I feel that I am ready for more than just keeping bandits away from a caravan of parrotfolk.” Zelotes responded. “Others were assigned quests like retrieving a lost dragon’s hoard, or traveling south to deliver aid. And I got stuck with watch duty.”
Razael answered “I’m sorry, Zelotes, but what I’m doing is above your rank. However, you’ve progressed and with that, comes new possibilities, but you first have to prove your ability and your character. Besides, remember one of your tenets.”
“Kindness to the Weak.” Zelotes responded.
“If doing this doesn’t live up to your oath, nothing would. Now, begin your journey. And may the Sunfather’s light bless your path, Zelotes.” Razael finished.
“Yes, Commander.” Zelotes answered. He then walked off to join the caravan as they were readying to leave.
As he entered the ranks of the caravan, the sounds of work entered his ears, the whinnying of horses, and the sounds of heavy loads placed into the carts with audible “thuds”. Scents of the animals mixed with those of strong, woody odors of oak and pine and tanned leather. In front of a plain wagon, he noticed a short and stout figure that barely cracked the height of the wagon. He was shaved bald, and had a thick, braided black beard. This was a dwarf, Zelotes realized. He was dressed in dirty leathers that looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in weeks. The rims of circular glasses hung over the remainder of his face, with a big belt around his waist, lined with tools. His right hand was covered by a gauntlet of complex mechanical design, holding a large maul-hammer and in the other, he held a bottle of whiskey. The dwarf took a drink from it, downing nearly a quarter of it.
“Are you the paladin we sent for?” one of the caravan leaders asked.
“Yes.” Zelotes answered.
“Well then, put your rations in this wagon. Make sure you know which one is yours.”
“Understood!” Zelotes said. From what he could smell on the cart, Zelotes would have no trouble knowing which package of food was his. The scent of dried meat contrasted starkly with the seeds, dried fruit, nuts, and hard tack.
He then approached the dwarf. The dwarf looked up at him, after finishing a sip from his bottle. “Are ya the paladin these guys asked for?” the dwarf asked in a heavy accent marked by weak vowels and harder consonants.
“Can you repeat that?” Zelotes asked, unable to fully understand the dwarf’s thick accent.
“Are ya the paladin, they was askin’ for?” the dwarf repeated.
“Y-yes?” Zelotes responded, still unsure if he heard that right.
The dwarf took another swig from his bottle, and shifted his hammer, leaning it to his shoulder. He opened the palm of his gauntlet, and with a free finger from his other hand pressed a series of buttons on the section below the gauntlet, revealing a map that was being projected from the hand of his gauntlet.
“Looks like we've got a bit of a long journey ahead of us. Hope ya like walkin’, lad!” the dwarf said. He dissipated the map, and extended his gauntlet hand to shake Zelotes’ hand. “Name’s Tulbrik.”
“Zelotes Nemean.” He returned the gesture, shaking his hand. “What’s a dwarf doing outside of his mountain home?” Zelotes asked.
“Tryin’ to find the world's hardest liquor of course! Besides, it's not like you’ve had to share a single house with ten o’ter relatives.” Tulbrik answered as started to down the rest of the bottle.
“Ten? I had to share my home with fifteen other siblings when I was a cub, plus five parents.”
Tulbrik spat out his drink as heard that number. “I’ve got nothin’ on ya then!”
The two laughed and proceeded with the caravan out of Heliora for the remainder of dusk that evening.