Paladins: Meetings and Considerations

Werendril followed Tarric into the tea house, which was unlocked despite giving every sign of being closed. The girl must have been watching for them: she was waiting just inside the door, and immediately closed it behind them.

None of that surprised him especially. What did surprise him was the human sitting at a table in the center of the shop. The man was larger and heavier than Tarric, and wore full plate armor with the sunburst sigil of Helios on it. There was a sword at his hip and a shield on his back. 

The girl gestured them over to the table, and Werendril realized with some embarrassment that they still didn't actually know her name. 

"So," said the paladin at the table, "an elvish spy and his human companion, come to Aldpond in the service of the False King." His voice was viciously bitter, but he made no move to rise. 

There was an uncertain moment, then Tarric spoke: "Tarric Marshwarden, of the Order of the Titan King, come down from Caristhium to investigate rumors of vampires in Aldpond." He walked over to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat. 

"Werendril Al'veLithulrei -- it doesn't translate very well. Born of the Arriving Sun. Dawnborn, more or less. Of the Order of the Golden Bow, but also come down from Caristhium to investigate rumors of vampires in Aldpond." Following Tarric's example, he walked over to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat. 

"Laina Heartling, of the Order of Serving Tea for a gods-damned living," said the girl, and walked over and sat down with them. "So now that I know you're not going to murder each other, what are you going to do about the gods-damned vampires?" She looked at the larger human paladin. "How long have you known about them, prelate White?"

The Paladin of Helios gave her a disapproving look, but when she raised her eyebrows in response he lowered his head. "Tanovir White, of the Order of the Golden Sun," he said, glancing at the other paladins, and then said: "For about nine months now. Not long after they arrived." He looked over at Tarric and Werendril and said, "There were only two, at first. Both women, and clearly refugees. But they moved in at the boarding house, and before long it wasn't a boarding house anymore. I brought the matter to the attention of Archon Le'Straide, but he told me it was fine and ordered me not to act against them or investigate further. I asked again when the boarding house became the Honeypot Inn, and received the same orders." His jaw tightened. "I offered to protect my master against their influence, but he told me it wasn't necessary and ordered me not to. I hold to my honor before Helios. I could not disobey." He looked at Werendril, and then at Tarric. "But you could."

You fucking idiot, Werendril thought. That's not how honor works. He managed to keep the words off his tongue, but feared that Tanovir could read them from his face. Beside him, Tarric had stiffened, but he offered no objection either. Instead, he said: "Perhaps you should remain here with Werendil, to question him as to his loyalties and his purposes here in Sol Povos, while I visit Archon Le'Straide on a matter of utmost importance." He glanced back at Werendril and his lips quirked. "You never know what a true elf outside of Duendewood might be getting up to."

"Indeed not," agreed Tanovir somberly, and gave Tarric directions to the Archon's dwelling.