The Last of the Paladins

Subject: The Last of the Paladins Sat May 10, 2014 10:56 pm

For those who might not know, my name (Nottu) has been given to many different incarnations, almost as if it were the name of a Timelord. The first was the half-elf wizard who never knew his mother and father and with the aid of his companions defeated the arch devil of the eighth hell.

Another incarnation was a Duel Academy OC who made a mark in the school for his skills with Magicians. Although that work of fan-fiction never played out or finished.

There are many others I have yet to mention, but this particular incarnation is known as Sir Nathaniel Nottu III of the Paladin Order of Erste.

Following in the footsteps of his late father, Nathaniel trained in the order and became a paladin, a warrior of light and justice, a symbol of good and of hope. During his eighteenth year, Nathaniel, not yet ordained an official paladin officer, is given a task by order of the king's court mage William Varilian. the princess, Elin of Grelania, has decided to venture out and see the neighbouring countires. Nathaniel's task is to join her and a small squad of royal guards on her journey and ensure no harm befalls her.

Along their way into the Alliance Territory, on the opposite side of the continent of Grelania, their caravan is attacked by soldiers from Amaril. Amaril was the kingdom to the direct east of Grelania, southwest of the Alliance.

Only Nathaniel, Princess Elin and one other soldier survived the ambush. After retreating into a cave, the lone soldier passed away from his critical wounds, despite Nathaniel's best efforts to save him. He and Elin cautiously ventured to the next town. Once there, he wrote a letter and sent it back to the court mage, informing him of the attack and who was responsible. It would be here in this small, desert town, that his life would change forever.

Subject: Re: The Last of the Paladins Sat May 10, 2014 11:28 pm

Not steeve Sad

he was my favourite character.

anways this seems like an interesting start to a bigger story i hope ull continue it

Subject: Re: The Last of the Paladins Sat May 10, 2014 11:33 pm

I'll post more of it once I write it into a more story style.

Subject: Re: The Last of the Paladins Thu May 15, 2014 8:39 pm

Prologue
Six Years Ago.

The Alliance Territory. So named for the ten nomadic tribes that dwelt here and lived in uneasy peace. Three of the larger tribes made up the majority of the area, and now Nathaniel and Elin had found themselves entering a small town in one of them. It was a quiet place in the desert, mostly run down looking but still a proper town. There were buildings on either side of the main thoroughfare, with a few side lanes for homes.

Elin was holding up surprisingly well for someone who had just witnessed her entire troop of royal guards slaughtered in an ambush, though she was staying very silent as Nathaniel led her to the town. He was doing well, but was now fearful for their lives more than he had been upon accepting this assignment. What he needed now was to get in contact with the Grandmaster and with William, the court mage.

"Lady Elin," he spoke to her softly as the drew closer to this small, hal abandoned place, "I will send word back home of what has happened. We will need to stay here and keep out of danger until they can send help."

Elin turned to him, her soft hazel eyes only half open as she tried her best not to look distraught. She didn't speak but nodded at the paladin-in-training, causing her slightly soiled brown hair to fall over her shoulder.

Nathaniel kept close to her, vigilant and expecting another attack at any time. His sapphire eyes scanned all the buildings over before finding a tavern and an inn. 'Perfect,' he thought. With a small wave of his hand, he led Elin to the inn. The princess finally spoke up, "Father is never letting me leave again, is he?"

The holy knight shook his head, "I cannot say for sure milady, but I wouldn't be at all surprised."
She sighed, "Then I'll have to make the best of it while I'm still out."

Elin tilted her head from left to right, sending a series of pops and cracks down her neck, "Oh much better. Still have that kink in my neck but that feels better."

Nathaniel was a bit surprised by her, never expected a proper lady to do such a thing. It made him chuckle a little as they entered the shabby looking inn. A middle aged man awaited them at his desk, "Oh dear me, customers?"

"Good day sir, we wish to stay for the night, and hopefully be able to take a bath at some time as well. We've been travelling for quite a while," Nathaniel replied.

"Ah, one room and two baths then? I only have rooms with one bed however. Is that a problem?" the man in his forties asked as he opened his books.

He turned to look at the princess. She nodded with a reassuring smile, showing it wasn't a problem for her. Nathaniel returned the smile and turned back to the innkeeper, "That's fine with us sir."

The innkeeper took down their names and once they had paid for their services, were given a single bronze key with a number "3" on its tag. The rooms were all in the same hallway just past the main desk. Only four rooms in total. Apparently there were already two others staying here tonight, else Nathaniel and Elin wouldn't be in room three.

He inserted the key and entered the room. It was the bare necessities for living. A single bed, almost too small for two people, a small chest for storing things and a chair with an old wooden table that looked like one of its legs had been replaced with a wagon spoke. He looked around as Elin entered the quaint setting and sat on the rather worn out bed.

"Its no palace, but it'll do," she said, "At least the bed's comfy."

"The innkeeper said there is a bath house around back ma'am," Nathaniel replied.

"Oh good, I have dirt in places I didn't even know I had."

They deposited there travelling items in the room and headed around back. The sun getting closer to setting now, but was still at least a few hours away. Dust was flying about in the not so gentle wind outside. Desert towns. Always a mess.

The bathhouse was a small shed attached to the inn's back walls. It looked more like a fenced in area with two sides. Elin found the woman side and entered but turned back to the paladin, "I suppose you'll be standing out here until I finish hmm?"

"Yes ma'am. I'm still on the job after all, and I can't exactly follow you in either."

"No, otherwise I'd slit your throat," replied another woman from within the bath area.

Nathaniel drew his longsword and took a step forward, blocking Elin from the possible enemy. From inside, a girl peered around the corner. Her hair was a bright orange and drawn back into a ponytail. Her eyes were covered by a black blindfold and her expression was dull and uninterested. Her head tilted down, as though she was looking at the sword he was holding, "Put it away pal, I'm not even armed."

Nathaniel tilted his head to the side confused, "How can you even tell I'm armed?"
She scoffed, "I'm cursed not blind. Now if you'll excuse me, I paid for this bath and I intend to take it. You set a metal-clad foot in here for even a second and," she used her thumb to imitate a knife across her throat.

"I'll be outside miss," he replied through gritted teeth. This girl was threatening him and it didn't sit right with him.

"I hope you don't plan to hurt me then," Elin piped up.

"For what, getting clean?" the blindfolded woman answered back as she disappeared back into the bathing area.

"I'll be fine," Elin said to Nathaniel, "I'm good at reading people and she's not going to just kill me for no reason."

The soon to be paladin shook his head, "I don't like this ma'am, not one bit."

Subject: Re: The Last of the Paladins Thu May 15, 2014 8:46 pm

*applause*

Subject: Re: The Last of the Paladins Thu May 15, 2014 8:47 pm

Fluff Fluff wrote:: *applause*

And that's not the entire Prologue yet. I'm trying to get a feel for how people enjoy it first.

Subject: Re: The Last of the Paladins Thu May 15, 2014 8:48 pm

I like it though it looks good n_n

Subject: Re: The Last of the Paladins Thu May 15, 2014 8:48 pm

Well thank you

Subject: Re: The Last of the Paladins Fri May 16, 2014 3:02 pm

Great story. The main character's name makes me wanna read The Bartimaeus Trilogy again.

Subject: Re: The Last of the Paladins Fri May 16, 2014 8:06 pm

In fairness, the story will focus on three main characters, but I'll only be telling the story as it happened to Nathaniel.