Skjandar opened his eyes, his reptilian pupils dilated to the light that shone through the window in his small room. High in the Grand Temple of Tyr, the god of law and justice. He moved his tall body off his ridged bed, taking a moment to look outside into the morning world of Revarian. He took a deep breath as he opened his dresser and donned his temple vestments. He exited his room into the hallway, glancing over the lined rooms of other priests, clerics, and paladins of his divine order.

Skjandar had been appointed the position as paladin of Tyr only a year before. His brother, Yfir, had much more recently been appointed as one of the Hands of Tyr, the five leaders of the church. Both of them were trained for years by the church and the Hands of Tyr. Leaving his home in Dragonbed Valley at the age of 16, which is relatively young still for a dragonborn, he found his way into Tyr’s good gracies through hard work and spiritual dedication.

Skjandar made his way through the large garden in the middle of the temple. Looking at the other priests and followers talk and walk by as he made his way to the dinning hall. However, out of instinct he stopped as he heard a familiar voice call to him. The voice of an elderly woman broke through the chatter of the garden as Skjandar turned around.

He watched an old woman, still with the strength and energy as if she was 20, quickly walk to him, the other followers making way for her.

“Skjandar, I am so sorry to be a bother. Especially as you haven’t had breakfast yet, but we have something very important to discuss.” The woman said, patiently waiting for Skjandar to respond.

“Noelia. It’s not a bother speaking to you. But yes I would like to have something to eat before if it is important.” Skjandar responded, adding a half-hearted chuckle.

Noelia laughed.

“Of course, I will need you at your full strength. After you’ve had your breakfast urgently, see me in my office. Alright? Please don’t stress too much about it.” Noelia raised her arm to put it on Skjandar’s shoulder. Even if Skandar was nearly three feet taller than her, Noelia would insist that she needed to be able to place her hand on his shoulder. Stating it was to help her stretch and keep track of her health.

Skjandar nodded.

“Of course Noelia, may Tyr’s hand guide you.” Skjandar responded, turning to continue his walk to the mess hall.

“May Tyr’s hand guide you Skjandar.” Noelia responded. Taking her leave back through the garden.

Skjandar pondered as he ate his breakfast, he always ate outside the temple on top of the outer walls. Staring down into the capital city of Revarian. It helped him think.

He had remembered Noelia telling him not to worry, however he could do nothing but. He had been a student of Noelia since he first was inducted in the church as a child. And for ten long years of learning he had never had Noelia need to speak to him so urgently, not even when he and his brother pulled a prank on a priest by filling his room with bats. 

This was something big, he knew it. But what could it be? Could it be about the Kingdom’s front against the large Orc advance he had heard about for some time? How would he alone help with that? Considering another one of his mentors, Thurdrak, is overseeing the front.

His mind wondered as he ate, the chefs always gave him two servings yet he quickly ate it as if they had only given him a slice of bread.

Skjandar quickly walked to Noelia’s office, a walk he’s taken endless times before. For both things good and bad. He knocked on the door, patiently waiting for a response. To his surprise the door quickly opened as Noelia greeted him.

“That was quick, I hope you didn’t eat your breakfast like an ogre.” She cackled a bit as she moved out of the doorway. 

“Well you said it was urgent.” Skjandar responded. Closing the door behind him as he entered.

“It is, but you need to take care of yourself first, anyway we should head to the actual office room.” Noelia moved down the small hall between the living room and her bedroom to the open doorway at the end of the hall leading into her office.

Skjandar was confused, then concerned, even in his most brutal of punishments and lectures she would never hold them in her office. He stood for a moment pondering.

“Skjandar, well are you coming or is the breakfast setting in?” She laughed as she turned to watch him.

“Sorry Noelia, still a little tired.” Skjandar responded as he moved quickly into the office.

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Noelia entered after him and closed the door. Moving to a comfortable looking furnished chair facing the large widows outside the temple.

Skjandar looked around the room, to him it looked much more like a living room than an office. There might have been a few more bookshelves and relics than normal but otherwise the room seemed comforting. Skjandar saw Noelia motion for him to sit down in a similar chair not far from hers. Skjandar moved his way around her and sat down, taking a moment to look outside in silence as Nolia stared outside.

Nolia sighed as she took a moment to watch the outside world. She spoke in a somber tone as she began her dialogue.

“Skjandar, how long has it been since you’ve been given your role as Paladin of Tyr?” She asked.

“A year, Noelia.” Skjandar responded, confused on how that question related to the apparent urgent matter she spoke about.

“A year and more? Less? I’m surprised usually when I ask that question I either get the date to the exact hour or no answer at all.” Noelia laughed as she grabbed a small glass cup from the table between the two chairs.

A moment of laughter then silence hit the room, before Noelia spoke again.

“And your duty as a Paladin of the church of Tyr is what?” Noelia asked.

“To Protect those who can not protect themselves, to bring hope to the good of the world and bring righteous justice to evil wherever it hides.” Skjandar responds.

“Yes, which is why I choose you specifically for this task. So please, from now on, we keep a serious tone, even if that’s only harder for me.” Noelia laughed.

Skjandar nodded as she continued.

“Skjandar, I’ve felt it, Firvan has two, there’s a darkness that is falling over this kingdom. Or perhaps, more rooted behind the darkest corners. This Orc advance has strained the kingdom and the church, and with it comes those who wish to take advantage of the disorganization. But I can’t have you be another poor young soul lost to the endless battle against those tusked brutes. You must be someone who brings order from within.”

Skjandar did not respond, he only nodded. Allowing Noelia to continue.

“That is where the important thing I must tell you comes in. I have a mission for you. And you alone. This mission may be dangerous, you may be putting your life at risk by simply stepping outside these walls. Are you prepared to do that for the people of Revarian, Skjandar?” Noelia asked, for the first time in the conversation she turned to look at Skjandar, staring into his red eyes.

“Yes, I would be willing to do anything for the church.” Skjandar responded without haste.

“As I knew you would say, now for what I am assigning you to do. Please remember all of this if you can, although I could have a scribe write it down for you if you need.” Noelia responded.

“No need, my memory has not failed me yet.” Skjandar responded. Taking note of the serious look on Noelia’s face.

“Good. How much do you know about the Kingdom of Revarian. If I recall you come from Dragonbed Valley. Quite far from here. Across that horrid desert. But that is beside the point. Do you know where Stone Pass is Skjandar?” Noelia asked.

“It’s in the west, north of Shriak, west of Trillage.” Skjandar responded. Happy he paid attention to his geography lessons that his brother slept through.

“Good. I see you’re better at that than your brother. First I need you to go to Stone Pass, some strange event has happened in the hills and wilderness between Stone Pass and Shriak. I have only heard rumors, however it seems that a great magical frost has overtaken the area. If you could find the cause of this, report back to me in any way you choose. I will instruct you further on what to do.” Noelia instructed.

“And the second thing?” Skjandar asked.

“Yes, I was nearly there, the reason I put this second is because I believe there may be some connection between that strange happening and something that has happened in Shriak recently. You are aware we have temples across the Kingdom, correct?” Noelia asked.

Skjandar nodded, however he had never personally been to another temple except the one in Vrans, however that was years ago.

“Well, if what I heard is true, and I have every hope it isn’t, but from what I heard the temple there was burned down in a blazing fire that started from inside. Now this normally would be ruled off as an accident, but then we heard no word from the local priests and clerics of the temple. We sent a messenger inside the city but they have not returned for far too long. We fear there may be something, or someone, targeting our church and driving them out of Shriak. You must find what or who this is, report back to us, and if at all possible, stop them with the proper amount of justice. Does that sound reasonable enough for you Skjandar?” She looked at Skjandar again, waiting for his response.

Skjandar took a moment, it seemed like a lot for him alone to handle, however he had made his vows long before to lay his life in any way down to the church.

“Yes, I believe I can do that.” He responded, keeping his response simple as he usually did.

“Perfect, now we will have you leave early in the morning tomorrow to Stone Pass. We will have one of our clerics give you a ride. From there you will be on your own. Before then we will have you get your armor and weapons checked, and maybe I’ll give you a bit of spending money, feel no need to return any of it. For now you should enjoy this day, but please speak of this meeting to no one, we don’t want rumors to spread further about this matter. There is enough panic in the church as it is.” Noelia stated, standing up from her chair.

“Yes Noelia.” Skjandar stood up from his chair. Taking a moment to breathe as he walked to the door out of the office.

“May Tyr’s hand guide you, Skjandar.” Noelia said as Skjandar opened the door.

“May Tyr’s hand guide you, Noelia.” Skjandar responded. Closing the door to her office.