Paladin - the path begins

Chapter 19

Tar'vid peered through the slit of the waggon's covering as the caravan rolled passed the mercenary camp, passed the spot where he and Luna had first been together. He couldn't help but notice the owl sleeping on a shelf beside him and he looked over at it curiously. "Are you keeping an eye on me still?" he asked the owl, but it merely ruffled it's feathers and looked at him askew before settling back to sleep.

He looked back through the flap seeing only the other waggon following behind them, Meera tipped her hat to him when she spotted his gaze. Tar'vid waved back as the waggon jolted on a small hole in the road, eliciting an angry hoot from the owl. Tar'vid smiled to himself leaning back on a rather rough sack and closing his eyes, may as well get some rest whilst I can he thought. When he woke the sun was falling behind the tree line and bathing the sky in an orange glow as the waggons slowly pulled into a clearing beside the forest into a crude ring.

"Hope you got enough sleep Tar'vid," Youi Fei said casually, throwing open the canvas of the wagon covering.

"Enough to take first watch, I expect it's still cold at night and well, it doesn't bother me at all" he replied, stretching out his arms and legs then leaping from the back of the waggon.

The sudden movement disturbed the stowaway owl and it took flight, breezing out the waggon gracefully and into the forest.

"What is it with you and owls?" Youi Fei asked, shaking his head.

"I think the saints have plans for me, it's their way of keeping an eye on things I hope" Tar'vid replied, though Youi Fei's question had probably been rhetorical.

His friend grabbed his arm as he tried to leave, pulling him close.

"Be wary, a Paladin hitched a ride with us. He'll only be going as far as Whitecliff so he should be gone in a few days at most" Youi Fei told him quickly, indicating the man with a nod in his general direction.

Tar'vid looked over intrigued and couldn't believe it, he had thought it would be years before he would see his old teacher and friend again. Tar'vid couldn't stop himself running over to Tar'son and embracing him in a bear hug. The other man was visibly shocked at seeing his face.

"Tar'vid, it can't be... you look different with your hair so short!" Tar'son said happily, trying to collect his thoughts.

"I thought it would be many years before I saw you again," Tar'vid said quickly, putting his teacher down.

"You're a full brother already Tar'vid, I had always known you would progress quickly. You must be one of the youngest to be elevated in centuries" Tar'son told him, almost in disbelief.

Tar'vid felt vindicated at the praise, having the saints tell him he was doing them proud was one thing. But to know the man he considered his father tell him of his worth was far greater. Tar'vid undid his sword belt and showed Tar'son the blade that glowed orange with the fading light, Tar'son's face lighting up at the sight and he ran his fingers over the hilt's engraving.

"Tar'vid, this is Torgard... Tar'mine himself must have gifted you this" Tar'son told him, awe on his face.

"He did... at the temple in Fernhaven. He told me I had done the order proud, it was what I needed to hear if I'm being honest" Tar'vid replied, retying his sword belt after Tar'son handed the blade back.

"Tar'vid, Torgard was Tar'mine's closest companion during his trials. He sacrificed himself so that Tar'mine could defeat Lagaros the Great Drake. He has trusted you with his best friend Tar'vid, you must be truly favoured indeed" Tar'son continued with a gaze of respect Tar'vid had wanted to see for years.

They decided to take the first watch together and although they probably had much to share, the initial elation had subsided and Tar'vid wondered whether he should tell his mentor all that had happened to him. It was dangerous to trust another and Luna had chided him several times now over divulging too much information. So they sat in silence for a short time.