Paladin - the path north volume one

Chapter 16

Bordin watched as Tar'gorth approached the throne of the Regent, his hand never leaving the grip of his axe. He looked to the back of the hall, spotting two figures and recognizing Sah'rah from the battlefield. The Elf he didn't know though, and his grip tightened. Tar'gorth approached Languardia without challenge, the old man had become a father figure for her during these past troubling weeks, in turn, her need of him had kept him sober. In a way he was proud of her, he had thought Languardia would be an incompetent ruler, a despot unused to the power she'd come into... but she listened to her advisers greatly. More surprisingly to him though was how hard she'd taken Tar'vid's death, it seemed she had genuinely cared for him, perhaps, even loved him. She spoke with Tar'gorth in whispers as they both occasionally looked toward the back of the hall. Eventually, Tar'gorth stepped back and Languardia stood, seeming like a child beside him.

"The Paladins at the rear of the hall may approach," she called out in a commanding voice.

Bordin stepped forward holding his axe at the ready, Tarquin beside him, blade drawn. The two Paladins came forward as the crowd of petitioners and plaintiffs parted before them.

"Tar'gorth has vouched for you both to be here, his word carries great weight... what is it you come to offer?" Languardia asked, her voice sounding regal and beyond her years.

"I speak only for myself Regent, for Tar'vid, your late husband, was a dear friend of mine. The Paladin army is broken and unlikely to recover. I would offer you my sword in service" Sah'rah said, kneeling before the Regent.

Languardia stepped down off the platform and made her stand, kissing her cheek. "I gladly accept your service Sah'rah. Tar'vid held you in high regard, after all, he said that you and a Paladin named Tar'lin were possibly the only sword fighters near his skill."

Bordin baulked at the comment, Tar'vid was the finest swordsman alive if reports of his duel with Rorgna were to be believed. That a woman could be his equal was preposterous.

"And what of you Tar'gelth? Are you to offer me service as well?" she asked, allowing Sah'rah to stand beside her chair as she sat once more.

"Alas, no, my lady. I wish only to stop here a short time, the Saints have guided me here, yet my path lies farther east" Tar'gelth replied with a bow.

"Further east?" Languardia replied in surprise. "To the east are the forsaken lands, no man has ventured out that far in decades and none have returned."

Tar'gelth shrugged, rising once more. "It is where the Saints have sent me and so for better or worse, I must go."

Languardia looked to Tar'gorth and Sah'rah, both seemed surprised though at the Elf's announcement.

"Very well Tar'gelth, we shall provide you with what we can. I wish you luck on your journey."

Tar'gelth bowed and with that Languardia called an end to the day. Sah'rah joined the guard retinue at Languardia's request and escorted the Regent to her chambers with the others, once Languardia had entered Bordin took Sah'rah aside.

"Did your knight come with you?" he asked, trying to start the conversation pleasantly.

"No, he had his duty, and my destiny lay elsewhere. It was good while it lasted though," she replied rather bluntly, it was one of the things he liked about her.

"How long are you intending on staying then?" Bordin asked her, if it were for only a short time he could hardly be sure of her loyalties.

"Until the Regent has no use for me, the Paladin army is broken in my view, in two years time the other tribes will descend upon them at the behest of the King" she stated plainly.