Paladins

The caravan bustled with activity, merchants and guards alike moving with urgency to get themselves in order. The pious among them whispered prayers under their breath, their eyes alight with reverence. Others, however, cast wary glances toward the approaching riders.

Knight Captain Gage remained composed, issuing quiet commands to maintain discipline. His presence was a pillar of stability amidst the nervous energy rippling through the caravan. He stood tall, his sharp gaze fixed on the entourage that was now fully visible in the distance.

Twelve Paladins, mounted on powerful white warhorses, approached in a disciplined formation. Their armor gleamed under the light, pristine steel adorned with intricate gold etchings that caught the sunlight in a divine halo. Each carried a longsword at their hip, a golden emblem of the Church embossed on their chest plates. Despite their identical attire, there was no mistaking the natural authority exuded by the leader at the forefront. He bore an ornate shoulder cape of deep crimson, marking him as someone of significant rank.

Twelve Paladins. That was half of Hoshin Bay's Paladin order that had been dispatched. The sheer magnitude of the decision unsettled Gage. What could have compelled the Church in Hoshin to send twelve of its elite warriors to a place like Taisora?

The Paladins flanked the two central carriages, riding in perfect synchronization. One was an ornate, reinforced carriage, likely carrying a high-ranking member of the clergy. The second, a sturdy, well-secured supply wagon, bore the markings of the Church.

As they neared, the golden tint on their armor became more distinct, divine radiance almost emanating from their forms. Their disciplined pace slowed as they reached the caravan.

Gage stepped forward, bowing deeply at a precise ninety-degree angle, his right hand pressed over his heart. In a voice laced with both respect and formality, he recited the traditional Church greeting:

"By the grace of the Mother, who watches over all, and the mercy of Her divine light, may your path be blessed and your purpose righteous."

Behind him, the rest of the caravan followed suit, bowing with reverence. Even those who were not devout knew better than to show disrespect to the Church's enforcers.

Zephyr mimicked the gesture, though his mind whirled with thoughts. How had the Church received word so quickly? Would they be able to sense something different about him? He had been dead—his soul had left his body and another entered...

Was he still the same as everyone else?

Could anyone tell?

No…

No one had noticed anything off about him so far. He was just another face in the crowd. But if their arrival was connected to the Sho Clan's dark rituals, then this was a blessing in disguise. If his pursuers were still out there, they were likely trembling in fear right now. The truth had surfaced despite all their secrecy, and he could almost imagine them scrambling to flee.

Borrowing someone else's knife to solve his problems—what a satisfying feeling.

While Zephyr brooded, Gage answered the Paladin leader's inquiries about Taisora. The knight captain hesitated, searching for any recent occurrences that might interest them. Taisora had its fair share of crime—thieves, gangs, the usual rabble—but nothing particularly out of the ordinary. His eyes flickered toward Zephyr, who seemed intent on blending into the background. Gage frowned slightly, the slightest shift in his expression betraying a moment of suspicion.

The Paladin leader caught the look but gave no indication that he had noticed. Instead, he gestured for his knights to dismount and tend to their horses. Without a word, he approached the ornate carriage and exchanged hushed words with the occupant inside.

Zephyr's stomach twisted.

The Paladin leader had looked at me. Just for a second.

Did he sense something?

Could divine magic reveal traces of the ritual?

He resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably, focusing instead on keeping his breathing even.

Beside him, Cedric's eyes shone with excitement. "Paladins... We're this close to real Paladins! Even Captain Gage is speaking with them! You don't understand, Zephyr, this is a rare sight. Back in Hoshin, I've only ever seen them from afar, and that's mostly during the Mother's Grace Festival!" He lowered his voice, reverence evident in his tone. "They rarely step beyond the Church's walls unless they're escorting a prieste—"

His voice cut off abruptly as realization dawned.

A priestess... A priestess?!

Cedric's wide-eyed stare shot toward the ornate carriage just as the Paladin leader finished speaking and turned back to Gage.

A murmur rippled through the caravan.

"A priestess? Here? That can't be right…"

Gage clenched his jaw. He, too, had suspected as much, but dismissed it as unlikely. What would compel a priestess—along with half of Hoshin's Paladins—to travel to a place like Taisora?

Before the Paladin leader could speak again, a woman from the caravan darted forward.

Chaos erupted.

The Paladin leader moved with inhuman speed, intercepting her effortlessly, his sword remaining sheathed but his stance exuding lethal intent. The other Paladins, alerted by the movement, stepped into formation, their very presence exuding quiet authority.

Terror gripped the caravan. People sank to their knees, overwhelmed by the sheer pressure emanating from the warriors.

Gage struggled to remain standing, his instincts screaming at him in warning.

Tier 4! The Paladin leader is at least Tier 4. The others are likely Tier 3.

This was not a force sent to negotiate. If they were out to seek blood, Taisora could be reduced to cinders.

The woman who had rushed forward stammered desperately, pleading. She only wanted the priestess to bless her water. Her child was sick, barely clinging to life. The holy water she had been using, blessed only by low-ranking acolytes—though keeping him alive, ,could not fully heal him. True holy water—blessed by a priest—was far beyond her means.

She pressed her forehead to the ground, calling upon the priestess's sacred title, her voice raw with emotion.

Silence stretched. Then, delicate hands reached out and lifted her. A soothing voice, gentle as the morning breeze, whispered words of divine scripture.

The priestess.

Even with her face partially veiled, her presence was undeniable. Ethereal beauty, radiant yet serene, exuded from her like a soft glow. She was not a warrior, not a high-tier mage, but something about her presence spoke of life itself. A quiet grace, an air of unquestionable authority wrapped in warmth.

Tears streamed down the woman's face as the priestess placed a small glass vial in her hands. "May the Mother's grace be with you," she said, her voice calm yet unwavering. "No harm shall come to this woman because of this water. It is a gift, not a prize to be stolen."

A soft ripple of murmurs spread through the caravan. Some cast wary glances at one another, while most bowed their heads in silent reverence. A decree from a Priestess was absolute. No one would dare challenge it.

The woman pressed her forehead to the ground, her sobs thick with gratitude.

The Paladin leader moved between them, a silent barrier of steel and authority, his stance instinctively shielding the Priestess. His gaze swept over the gathered caravan before settling on his men. "Enough delays. We move," he ordered, his voice cool and absolute.

As the Paladins tending to their horses hastened to comply, his sharp eyes flickered toward Zephyr, lingering for a fraction too long. Then, with the same unquestionable authority, he spoke.

"You."

Zephyr froze.

"You're coming with us."

There was no room for argument.

A chill crawled up Zephyr's spine.

What the hell!