Paladin - the path north volume one

Chapter 5

Tar'vid watched on as the first wave departed, Tar'gelth had been the first to cross through the portal with a hundred Paladins and several thousand soldiers. Tarquin sat beside him sharpening his sword and though he didn't show it, Tar'vid was sure he was impressed at the display.

"So, they are not to engage in battle until everyone's through?" Tarquin asked, rolling a coin across his knuckles as he placed his sword down carefully.

"That's what I've heard, makes tactical sense to me. No point engaging the enemy when we're not at full strength" Tar'vid replied, trying to see anyone he might know as the Paladins began to pass through the gate.

"Ah, Tar'vid, I was hoping to see you before leaving," Tar'gon said happily, appearing from behind him as he buckled on his sword belt.

"Late rising?" Tarquin asked with a wry smile.

"Something like that... and you are?" Tar'gon replied, looking Tarquin up and down.

"I am Tarquin, formerly of the Genstark company," he said happily with a flourish of his hands.

"The Genstark company... you must be formidable then," Tar'gon said, his eyebrows rising and a smile curling his lips.

"I am, though I have not, as of yet bested my friend here... it is only a matter of time though," Tarquin replied as the coin stopped spinning between his thumb and forefinger.

"One fight at a time you two, just stay sharp out there... who knows what's on the other side of that portal" Tar'vid butted in, placing a hand on Tar'gon's shoulder.

"Who could stand up to us Tar'vid? We're the most powerful army in Cerdic. Any northern army will shake in fear before us" he replied with a laugh, his voice raising so others nearby heard him.

Many did so as well, to great cheers from the soldiers and Paladins alike. Tarquin looked up at him warily, afraid of this untested confidence in their abilities. Tar'gon strode through the ranks of soldiers, passing through the portal a few minutes later. Tarquin picked his blade, standing up and moving beside Tar'vid.

"Putting so many of the younger Paladins in the vanguard is a mistake," Tarquin stated with a look of concern.

Tar'gelth led the vanguard and Tar'vid was confident he would keep them safe. He had seemed level-headed and sensible on their journey here after all, with a cold detachment almost.

"Tar'gelth won't lead them astray, he seemed more than competent from what I've seen" Tar'vid said in response and trying, perhaps, to reassure himself.

"I don't know him, but the young Paladins that cheered Tar'gon are too eager for battle, so are all these soldiers... how many of them have even seen combat do you think?" Tarquin responded quickly, watching the last soldiers and Paladins pass through the portal.

Tar'vid couldn't say, but the soldiers he thought were battle tested sat around making ready to follow with the second wave. The last soldiers eventually passed through the portal gate and it stood there shimmering for a moment longer before dissipating. Tarquin had already left by the time he turned around, instead, Tar'gorth waited for him, a stern look on the older man's face.

"You ready for this lad?" he asked, Tar'vid noticing he wore mail under his tabard.

"As ready as I can be, but in truth I'm not sure what to expect" Tar'vid replied, looking quizzically at Tar'gorth.

"Always be ready lad, the Saints gifted weapons aren't always the best option in battle," Tar'gorth said unhooking a helmet from his belt. "The first wave isn't prepared for battle, make sure you've properly armed Tar'vid, you drop that blade during a battle and the Saints armour is gone, there's no shame in being prepared."