Paul, Paladin of the Avenger [https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHfHYayWGNGX87JXHEQOIdYTdjqIwz2Al7cEO24sKLKfa3MlAHpG3y-NbzM-REmciO1J5Yv4ttVQD25gJxdX-v-Scf2Eh1MesPaoT0_CtH1tzZvfwC2bYmbLWbqj-0xoNJG-1FUmYKxiv66vLsQspBIC=w621-h931-s-no-gm?authuser=0]
“You’re back sooner than I expected,” Paul said as he closed the door to his study behind Phoenix after she entered, “I thought it would have taken about six weeks to clear that route of monsters.”
The party hadn’t run into any more bandits along the southeastern road and had made it to their last fort delivery without too many monster encounters to slow them down. Once the delivery was complete, she had portaled them all back, each of them looking forward to a hot shower and their own bed. Phoenix had tried to convince their party leader to let her portal them back every morning to sleep, despite Paul wanting her out of the city, but the gemite had argued that they needed to get comfortable with camping out if they ever planned to explore beyond the tundra.
Phoenix sat in the same chair she occupied the last time she was here and said, “Well, we did it in a month. The route wasn’t too bad and the weather stayed pretty clear. Took out quite a few monsters…” she hesitated then added, “And a group of bandits that had ambushed us on the road. It took us a little extra time to burn the bodies so they wouldn’t rot in the open.”
Paul’s eyes narrowed as he sat in his own seat, “Bandits? I hadn’t heard reports but it’s not uncommon, even during a blood moon. There must not have been many if your party alone managed to handle them.”
She watched him carefully but he had seemed unfazed by the knowledge that they had killed other people, “There were eighteen of them. Only three Crystal Casters… Uriel’s powers are most impressive against groups,” she expounded, then decided to ask him bluntly, “You’re not upset at all that we killed actual people?”
The paladin raised an eyebrow, then gave a small sigh as he seemed to realize the issue and now was resigning himself to have ‘the talk’ with her, “It is an inevitability. As an Adventurer, it is our duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Whether that’s from monsters or people. We don’t have the luxury of mercy for those who would prey on the innocent.”
“Doesn’t that just make us monsters in turn?” the Wayfarer asked, still unconvinced.
“We are not cruel, Phoenix. We don’t enjoy hurting or killing others. We only do what must be done. You will understand this eventually. Don't feel guilty about any lives you might have taken in self defense or the defense of your friends.”
Phoenix looked away with shame as she admitted, “I didn’t… I froze. I couldn’t justify killing someone…” her voice became soft as she said, “I don’t want to become like Murinah.”
“You are nothing like her. Those bandits were. Intent matters, Phoenix,” her mentor growled firmly. His expression softened as he said, “A day will come when you have to choose between saving an innocent person or letting a cruel person cause harm. On that day, remember not what might be right or wrong but the person you want to be. Do you want to be the person who didn’t kill a monster in the form of a person? Or do you want to be the person who protected someone from that monster?”
“Do you practice these speeches beforehand?” the Supporter asked sarcastically.
“I hate that I find myself sounding more and more like my parents when I talk with you,” he grumbled, shifting some papers on his desk, “But the point is valid. Some people, whether they meant to or not, become monsters.”
“You make it sound so simple,” she scoffed.
“In that moment, it is,” the older Adventurer stated, leaning forward to get her focused attention, “It is those moments that show us the type of person we truly are, Phoenix. Whether we can become heroes or not.”
She fell silent, mulling over his words. Paul let her think for a few moments as he leaned back in his seat then informed her, “As far as Murinah Ruwena is concerned, you won’t have to worry yourself with her anymore.”
His words reminded Phoenix about the reason she had come straight here after returning from their mission instead of going to her own dorm, “Murinah wants to replace me. Rayna talked with her apparently before the Sirens attacked.”
Paul frowned slightly but said, “It doesn’t matter. She’s been taken care of.”
Phoenix shook her head, “No, she's trying to become the party Supporter, I’m sure she’ll come after me again to empty the position. Even if she’s in jail or something. She hired an assassin before, so what’s going to stop her from doing so behind bars?”
The paladin grimaced and answered bluntly, “She’s dead.”
The Wayfarer froze and just blinked at him, processing the news, before confirming that she had heard him correctly, “Murinah’s dead?”
“Yes, since two weeks ago,” he affirmed, then added, “But her father suspects that my House was involved. If he starts looking into ways to hurt me, he’s going to find out you’re alive and he already knows you're my Protégé. It seems not even Pati could keep that under wraps after I let it slip to Lord Teras.”
“Pati?”
“My sister,” the paladin answered with another grimace, “She's been asking non-stop to meet you but I didn’t want you feeling overwhelmed by her particular brand of… caring.”
“So you think if Murinah’s dad finds out about me still being alive that he’ll pick up where she left off?”
“I do,” her mentor said with a nod and tapped idly on his desk as he ordered, “Don’t go anywhere without someone with you. You don’t have to worry about going out into the city anymore since there’s no real secret to hide now but you shouldn’t be alone.”
She nodded, figuring he would come to that kind of conclusion. He surprised her, however, when he added, “You should probably move here too.”
“What? You’re joking right?” Phoenix asked incredulously. When she saw his completely serious face, she shook her head, “No, Paul, please. I know you’re worried but I need my own space. You know I don’t feel comfortable here.”
“Better uncomfortable than dead,” the man growled, “Your ability doesn’t make you completely invulnerable, Phoenix,” he pointed out.
“I know but… I don’t want the others worrying. What will they think of me moving in with you suddenly?” she rebutted.
He nodded acknowledgement, “That you’re either in danger or more involved with me than is considered appropriate.”
Her eyes widened at that last implication. She hadn’t even thought about that point of view. They were so drastically different in age, and he was her teacher; then she realized that those factors probably weren’t as limiting in this world with people living much longer and even in her world those types of relationships weren’t completely unheard of.
“Then definitely not,” she said adamantly, “That is not the kind of relationship we have.”
He gave a small smirk, “I know. It is safer here, however, and it’s not uncommon for Protégés to live with their Mentors,” the Supporter crossed her arms in a silent show of defiance and he gave an annoyed huff, “At least set your Waypoint location here.”
She contemplated that for a moment. It would be smarter to move it to a safer location and then Paul would know immediately if something happened to her again, not to mention offer better protection during her most vulnerable moments. Phoenix reluctantly nodded in acquiescence.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“Thank you. So with the bad news out of the way, any good news?” Paul prompted.
The Wayfarer gave a small smile when she realized what he wanted and she conjured her book for him to see as she showed off her latest haul.
Item: Drifter’s Umbrella
Drifting on the wind. Shaded from the fire. Protected from the water. Dragging along the earth. Singing a traveling song.
Caste: Crystal.
Availability: Rare.
Type: Trinket, umbrella.
Effects:
* For a small mana cost, slow your descent through the air.
* Protects from extreme heat and sunburn from Mundane sources.
* Mundane water cannot pass between this item and the ground.
* Can be used to draw magical diagrams on the ground.
* Slightly enhances the effects of Song Boons.
“That’s an interesting utility item,” the paladin murmured, “Are you planning to use it?”
“Maybe? The slow fall ability is nice but I don’t think I could really use it in combat that much. It actually seems better for simply traveling along the road. There’s no requirement so it might be better just selling it to a Mundane that would get more benefit from it than I would.
“By the way, why is it called ‘Song’ magic instead of ‘Sound’ magic? I’ve been wondering that since seeing some of the twins’ abilities,” she asked curiously.
“Well, legend has it that back when the first Caster began categorizing the different kinds of elements, he was first introduced to that type of magic from a cantrip a small voxen clan would sing every morning to greet the rising sun. The clan only has a few members still around but the Caster labeled the magic as Song in honor of his voxen friend and it just kinda stuck.”
“That’s a neat story,” she said, then read the description of her newest item once more and gave a frustrated sigh, “While loot is always considered ‘good news’, I really wish it had been another Spirit Gem. I still need to unlock two of my class abilities.”
“I’ve told you before that I would help you buy some,” Paul pointed out.
The redhead shook her head, “No, I told you I’d feel weird if you spent that much money on me and I like getting them from my book.”
“The book that you constantly complain about trying to kill you?” he asked with a flat look.
She chuckled, “Yes, that book. It helped me find you; so it’s not all bad.”
That seemed to mollify the golden man slightly. She sighed and admitted, “You know, I probably wouldn’t be so against buying a gem if I knew what I should get to compliment my powerset but it doesn’t seem like it’s made up its mind about what to actually be. Am I a scout? Am I a Striker? Am I a Mage? Am I a Healer? I can’t be all of those things.”
“Why not?” Paul asked with an amused smirk.
“Cause I’ll just suck at all of them rather than being awesome at one,” she said in annoyance, “I’m like one of those jack-of-all-trade characters that nobody likes to play in video games…” she got a look of horror as a thought occurred to her, “I’m like the crappy iteration of the druid in WoW. Never the best DPS, never the best Tank, never the best Healer.”
The older warrior chuckled, “Versatility can be a more useful benefit at times.”
She rolled her eyes at him, “I’m an addendum. A nice-to-have to fill a hole that might show up.”
“You’ll never find yourself with nothing to do and can adapt to any situation. Adaptability can be the difference between victory and defeat for most parties.”
“That’s what all the druids said,” the Wayfarer grumbled.
Her mentor gave a rare full laugh and, as it died down, she decided to ask the question that had been floating in the back of her mind that she wasn’t sure she wanted the answer to, “How did Murinah die?”
Paul’s eyes locked on her as he seemed to analyze her again, something he hadn’t done for a while, and he answered evenly, “Killed by monsters on a solo scouting mission.”
Despite her better judgment she questioned, “What kind of monsters?”
He pursed his lips for only a moment before saying, “Miserlings.”
Phoenix fell silent at that mental flashback then braced herself as she reiterated, “You said that her dad suspected House Wayland’s involvement.”
Her mentor only nodded solemnly and she inquired, “Were you?”
----------------------------------------
Paul knew what was coming, despite the limited information he tried giving her without lying, she wouldn’t seem to skirt around or drop the issue as Phoenix asked the question directly, “Were you?”
‘Wayland should tell Little Miss the truth,’ Orebela prodded him, ‘It will only get harder later. Remember what Lady Marian told Wayland about deception in the name of protection?’
He mentally rolled his eyes, ‘That the one being protected won’t thank me for being kept ignorant. This is different though.’
‘Wayland says that every time,’ the monotone voice replied and Paul could swear there was snark despite the lack of verbal inflections, ‘If Wayland is serious about being Little Miss’ mentor, then teach the truth.’
The paladin sighed aloud and finally answered his Protégé, “Yes.”
She gave him a disapproving frown and almost whined at him as she buried her face in her hands, “Paauul… I specifically said not to kill them.”
“It wasn’t your request to make,” he replied flatly. He didn’t need to justify his actions to a child.
“But it’s like it’s my fault she’s dead now! If I hadn’t told you then-”
“Then she would still be dead because I would have done the same thing I did in order to find and kill her with the same purpose as before,” the lord interjected.
“What are you talking about?” the Wayfarer asked in confusion as she looked back up at him.
Paul gave another huff of annoyance and stood from his chair and moved around his desk so Phoenix could fully take in his appearance as he conjured his armor around himself to show her how it had changed.
Passive Ability: Rage Regalia
Type: Utility (construct, magical, arcane)
Current Caste: Emerald 10
Crystal Effect: Construct a suit of armor that increases physical and Magical resistances.
Sapphire Effect: Constructed armor also increases Elemental resistance and any Construct weapons inflict additional physical damage.
Emerald Effect: Constructed armor grants the wearer the [Thorned] boon.
* Thorned (boon, magical, retribution): Attacks against you inflict retributive damage back to the attacker.
He mentally dismissed the ethereal scrap of paper that only he could see, having spent the last few weeks becoming more accustomed to the little notes popping up and he made a mental note to not show that particular one anymore.
Phoenix stared at him with wide eyes and a slack jaw before asking, “It changed? Why?”
“Because I became a Paladin again. I swore allegiance to another god and was raised to my old position and blessed. Part of my blessing made it more obvious whose will I serve now,” he explained, watching her closely for any negative reaction.
“And… which dark god has a raven as its symbol? The god of murdering?” she asked, staring at the sigil in the center of his chest.
“It’s a crow,” he corrected.
“A murder of crows,” she pointed out.
Paul couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head, “Crows are known to hold grudges,” he expounded, “I am a Paladin of Avenger now.”
“What does that mean? You’re some kind of superhero vigilante now?” the Wayfarer questioned in confusion.
“It means that when I kill someone, it's because they did the same to someone else. If I hurt someone, it’s because my god knows they hurt another. I deal in retribution now, Phoenix, those who find themselves in the path of my god are not innocent,” the paladin stated firmly and dismissed the armor, kneeling down beside her to look eye to eye and placed a hand on hers, “I may not be able to always protect you, but I’ll make sure that people will pay for hurting you. Knowing that I’m standing by your side can offer you protection in itself. Those who might target you will know what awaits them.”
“So people will fear you now?!” she cried in obvious concern for him.
He gave her a soft smile, “Better to fear me than harm you, my young one.”