Memoirs of a Paladin

[Godric]

(Closed: This solo quest is a written document.)

The scripts of Godric are aged, covered in dust from the years of sitting on a shelf, hoping to be forgotten. What was once a galiant paladin only now stands as a tortured soul. A Death Knight some would call him. This tattered parchment sooled into a hard black cover, reveals what used to be the knight's hummanity.

Godric Vrowl'Ravanosk

Years have passed since I was a scholar, a student learning in schools on the history of Albion, wars, and legendary Paladins before me. Now i stand as a Paladin, no longer dreaming, hoping one day of becoming what I am now. I am the protector of King Derringer the 7th, and my life and allegience is to his will. Never will I betray him. That is the Paladin Code.

'I will uphold the four cornerstones of the ethos Honour, Law, Order, and Justice to the best of my ability.

I will always work diligently at showing respect, honour and patience when dealing with others.

I will maintain my citizenship within the Empire, and will diligently assist in the defense of the King and his will.

I will not worship any other God or Goddess other than our Father, or Immortal whose ideals and beliefs conflict with that of my Faith.

I shall not hold membership in any other Clan, Faction or Guild; nor any Military or Militia whose ideals are in conflict with those of the King.

I will obey all Paladin rules and policies.

I will show the utmost respect to the Father of our Earth, for his will and say is beyond a King's.

I understand that violating any of the Knights’ Creed and the Laws of the Albion Kingdom shall result in removal of the position Paladin.

In agreeing to this, I feel that my calling is to the King of Albion, King Derringer the 7th. I Godric Vrowl'Ravanosk will always carry myself in a manner befitting my Knighthood, my city, and my god. I am a Knight first and foremost, with my word being as important as my deed. I will never bring discredit upon myself, my Knighthood, my city, my king, or my god. I will set the example through my actions and mannerisms for my subordinates, peers, and superiors to follow. I take this pledge voluntarily, realizing that the life of a Knight of Albion is not simple. I understand that should I fail to uphold the tenets of our creed, I can and will be removed from the Knighthood. I also understand that should I ever bring harm to a brother or sister of the Church, except in self-defense, that action will be taken against me. For my disloyalty, an aggressive stance can and will be taken against me by any current Knight of Albion for dishonouring the pledge I make now. An attack upon any Knight of Albion is tantamount to an attack upon us all and the ideals upon which we stand.'

I will forever be loyal to these words I spoke. It is my Oath, my creed to the people of Albion. As well as my king and my God. I will always be true to my wife Elizabeth.
***

As I set here alone in my quarters, writing under the dim lantern light in my tent, thinking memories of my dear Elizabeth, I hear her voice speaking to me. Her words are as delicate as her divine beauty, her long brunett hair oiled with the scent of lavander that's so sweet to my senses. 'Be brave, Godric, for the will of the Father will bring us back together. Promise me you'll return to my hands. You are the King's Knight, and I am your wife. I will always respect yours and his wishes. Promise me you'll be safe, and be the brave warrior that guarded off that dog when I was a helpless young girl.'

'I promise, Elizabeth. I will return to you.'

We were children when that dog had attacked her. She was an innocent little flower girl, making her way around the village when a ravage dog had attacked her. Till this day I am unsure of the dog's intentions, but I had attacked the curlly haired mut with my wooden sword, causing it to run off in a whimper. I remember my first day of feeling the harsh adrenalin fuel my strength, and so did my father, who was watching from a corner. I hadn't realized he was there until I made sure the young Elizabeth was alright.

'Thank you for saving me, sir knight.'

'heh, uhm. You're welcome..uh..er ..my lady.'

Have to say it was the first time I've ever had the butterfly affect they say you feel when you've met the woman of your dreams. I was only seven, I lacked the knowledge of a thing called love, but what an old Monk had said once to me brought me reality 'A young love may just be a simple seed of life, but like any other seed, it posses the ability to grow into something tremendously beautiful. A woman is like a seed as a Man is water. Without one or the other, the world would never grow.'

There were other small lessons that he had told me once as well. I feel if there were more like this man, there would be less war and more understanding and wisdom.

'You can't have the sun without the Moon, for the Earth would grow weary and overburdened by the heat, but without heat, the Moon's chills would overwhelm us. You can't have the one without the other. There can't be love without hate, light without dark. There must be equal in this world, or we would all be nothing. The world, the heaveans, and even the hells would not exist. So there must be War to bring Peace and Harmony'

***

[Godric]

The cold is blistering here in the moutains as the wind blows through our tents. What fires we do have aren't enough for comfort or warmth, but manages to warm our meals. The soup was hot enough to warm my hands to write on this parchment. I fear that this writing could be my last, for many have already fallen to the embrace of this horrible Winter. We weren't properly prepared for such a climate change. Something doesn't feel right, it doesn't feel like normal snow... And the wind remains constant, never ceasing or showing any signs of end.

(The rest of the writing turns into scribbles from the wind blowing out his candles.)

***

Bitterness has taken over me. I've fallen into my tent weak and weary from a vicious illness that conintues to attack my breath, bringing me to my knees in ache. A few days have passed and I fear for my health as well as others. I'd never doubt my faith in the hands of the lord, but hath thou forsaken us my father? Are we forgotten on this iced mountain? Is this your test, your will for me to prove my loyalty to you? If so, I pray that you take not the lives of more innocent men, so that they may return to their families and homes. My words and promises are growing lesser meaning by the days, our food is scarce and these soldiers grow barbaric, fighting amongst themselves. Have mercy on us.

***

Such a fowl being, for it is the fault of the Ice Giant Osirus for the fall of my men. His whistles and blows is what layed snow on our shoulders for all of these weeks. It was him that caused the avalance to kill thriteen men in its tremendous down pour, nearly taking me with him. Most of my supplies were lost and nowhere to be found. The only equipment I bare is my sword, sheild, armor and sack. Food, rations, and my bow are gone, buried by the wintery surface. I trenched three miles up the landscape, finding this tunnel to rest. I don't have anything to build fire, only the light of my magic, which its twilight grows weak from my lack of nutrition. This blizzard only grows stronger...

Justice will be served. Osirus will pay for his crime and assault on the King's men in his kingdom. The booming voice of the giant's words still confuses me. Though his wrath was furious and powerful, he mentioned the King of knowing this was his mountain and that no one could ever pass. Why would my King tell us to take this voyage knowing we'd be confronted by Osirus with such agression?

[Godric]

The battle waged for what seemed centuries as I fought the ice giant, his mighty trident penetrating through even my shield with the force of many men. His power was far superior over mine, and his magic was blessed as a wizard's. I nearly cowered away as I heaved in restlessness, my sword becoming heavier with each thrust, seeming unable to slash through his cold armored flesh. And the winds of his lungs flailed me back, causing me to desperately stay on my feet, the degrees of its winters chill making me feel chilled to the bone. Each breath only brought hot pain, and my face grew blisters as the life was drained away by the seconds, my armor fracturing, disintegrating.
Thoughts of Elizabeth continued me to fight against the odds eventhough they weren't standing on my side of the line between me and this great warrior Osirus. Her love and beauty kept my heart warm, enabled my blood to run hot, to fuel my body with the urge to move forward.

As I remained there on my knees, a crystal spear through my chest, my sword by my side, lifeless on the surface, she remained infront of me. Her smile continued to warm me as my gaze fluttered, but the light continued to shine before me. Was it time? Was it my time to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

'Get up, Godric, it is not yet your time. Come home to me.'

As I screamed, blood painted my hands as the spear ripped away from my flesh, landing by my side as I remained almost lifeless on my knees. Though instead of finishing me off in this battle, the giant stepped back in fear. A bright, overwhelming aura released from my every limb, large magical wings expanded from my shoulder blades. All I could remember was how warm I felt, how free while the giant dropped his trident in defeat.

'no!' he roared in his overpowering voice, 'I can not believe what I see! Anrolinius!?'

And Mercy I was given.

***