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Today I began my weapons training under another member of Lord Bahamut's court, a dragon named Goldhelm. He appears as an old man, mostly, and likes to be called "Header." It is almost like talking to one of the senile old men in the village, except that this one hides the strength to cut my head clean off of my body! He spent the better part of an hour working with the Claw himself to get a good feel for it, complaining all the while about why shinypants couldn't have made it in the shape of something useful, like a sword or a flail. Yet I was amazed at the things he could do with this pole which I find so hard to use. He says I have plenty of strength but lack true talent. The instincts of a warrior are foreign to me. It seems obvious to me that a warrior would be a poor choice to head a church, but Header has no interest in this argument at all; he tells me that I am too young to argue philosophy with and that I should wait for a few hundred years. Goldheart agrees with me, anyway, as does Lord Bahamut, and he knows it. I think he just acts like a crotchety old man for his own amusement. He tells me that once I start spreading Bahamut's word, I must begin to look for men of talent. Another member of the court is to help me in this task, since we will have great need of skilled warriors once the accursed one gathers her strength. He seems to defer to Goldheart but not to like him particularly. Such curious creatures, these dragons! In between sessions, I continue to study magic with Goldheart. Soon, he says, he will finish teaching me the shielding spells and another dragon, Goldeneyes, will teach me information skills. These seem very useful to me, to be sure, but I wonder what I will do to Tiamat's Sorcerers after I block their spells. He says that is not my concern but does not explain why.
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I am slowly gaining proficiency with the Great Claw. Header says I am nimble but lack the skill that comes from the true enjoyment of combat. This seems good to me, and I said so to him, and he grew angry; yet I think he was secretly pleased and that part of this training is really a test of my nature. Dragons are subtle, and I am learning much from having to work with them daily. I think they like me, but their loyalty is clearly to each other. I think they would not hesitate to sacrifice me if it was necessary. I understand this, though; the task Bahamut has set for us is so vast that surely many will die. Goldeneyes has taken over my instruction; she is the seer of Lord Bahamut's court and likes to be called Sage. She says that Tiamat will move great forces against us as soon as we begin to gather strength, and that Lord Bahamut will not interfere directly. In a way, she says, this is a test of all humanity, to see if we are ready to begin the next phase of our Journey. I am unsure how I will handle leading men to their death. I must be true to the faith and the cause, however, so I must find the strength to do what I must. Sage says that this is a good attitude, also, and that I must not become so used to death that I no longer worry about it.
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I have finished my basic instruction from Goldeneyes today. I will call her that, now that I can see her heart, for it suits her better. I can see the hearts of men, piercing through many layers of deception, and am able to shield myself from most attacks. She refuses to teach me many spells of destruction yet, but this I also understand: I must first prove that I can use these powers correctly and gain experience with them. I have much to learn still, so much that I believe I will die still studying, quill clutched in my cold, stiff fingers. I am to begin my ministry soon. Header has left to begin some project. He was very quiet about it, but my new perceptions show me that it is something to help, so I did not irritate him with many questions. This has been like the opening of a great door, the gift of a sight that can pierce any veil, a vision that is staggering. I can see so much good and evil around me, even in the kindly friends of my youth. Goldeneyes has also given me some things to read, scrolls written both by humans and by Dragons. The Dragon tongue, which I call Wyrmish, is like the dragons -- old, large, difficult to understand, and full of hidden meanings. I don't think she appreciated the humor behind the title Old Wyrmish.
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After several weeks in Devonshire, my work is beginning to bear fruit. A young tough from the town guard has taken to following me. He has a great heart and it is filled with a platinum fire. His is clearly the soul of a warrior, as Header would say. I am beginning to draw crowds, and many are listening to the Tale. The Northern territories are the most receptive to Bahamut's word. The Earl of Hampshire has even been to listen, and I think we may be able to start a church near the small port of York with his patronage.
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The youngest member of Lord Bahamut's Court has joined in my travels. She is to help me to choose 4 men from those warriors who follow to receive special teaching. Goldtail, whom I have not yet met, will train them in the Sword. They are to be called Paladins, holy warriors of Bahamut, and four in number to represent the four claws of the Church of Bahamut. This dragon is different, even from all of the others. She is playful, slight of build, taking a youthful appearance that is very attractive. Cute, perky, changing quickly from serious to frivolous. Goldenbreeze, they call her. She has dimples deep enough to slay any young man, yet can suddenly become very serious and mature. She instantly approved of Nordren as the first Paladin, the young man who joined me from the guard of [large ink blob] I cannot remember the name of the town, even! So many places. I have many acolytes now, and the Earl has begun building a Chapterhouse for the Church.
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I can see now why Breezy was chosen to help. Her very attitude reveals whether the man is capable of controlling his passions or is in danger of falling prey to them. A man with a good heart can become corrupt if he is unable to learn this control, and her manner tests this quickly. I can see their souls churn and, by watching for a while, soon tell what the outcome will be. There are fewer candidates turned away from the calling now than at first. The first structures will be roofed in 2 more weeks, then we will have a home. Breezy says that Sage and Header will return soon, and that the first challenges will come after. I am afraid, but I fear more for the slender roots of the Church than for myself. I can see no glory in dying, only how much it will set back this effort which Lord Bahamut has called me to. I must not allow the Church to falter.
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Goldtail had a great ceremony tonight for the four Paladins and presented each with a Greatsword consecrated to Bahamut's Service. They know who he is, now, and they are close to him and to Breezy. The Swords have special powers drawn from the race of Dragons which made each: Copper, Bronze, Silver, and Gold, this last forged by Header and Goldheart together. The Goldensword went to Nordren, the Silversword to Lambier, the Bronzesword to Royston, and the Coppersword to Alberak the Miner, each with matching plate mail. I know little of their powers, but I fear that I will get to see them all too soon. A force is reputedly on the way here from the Kingdom of Devonshire, which claims Hampshire as its lands. Hudson has won some autonomy from the Three Kingdoms and the Duke of Hudson is privately reported to be calling himself King, so he may oppose Devonshire's force in order to lay claim to Hampshire himself. In either case, we must meet the Devonshire army before bloodshed starts. Devonshire claims that Hampshire's action interferes somehow with his titular rights. Goldeneyes believes that human members of Tiamat's Cult have been stirring trouble using mind magics. If so, then if we can get there in time, we can undo the spell and prevent needless death.
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After we stopped the trouble with Devonshire, I thought we would have peace. But yesterday was the saddest day of my life. The Tiamat Cultists were so enraged that they gathered their own force and marched on our Chapterhouse. Their force was small, so we took only a small number to meet them. I was a fool. My mistake was costly, for some of the Cultists were evil dragons in human form, and others magically summoned fell creatures to aid them. A terrible battle was joined. At its height, Lambier was almost overwhelmed by a horde of foul creatures shaped like men but taller, with horrible talons and strange powers of recuperation. He defeated them, but was sorely wounded, and a giant Red dragon cast some sort of spell on him. Breezy interposed herself to save Lambier, who was her favorite, but the spell overcame her and she swooned with a great wailing cry. I turned from the Dragon I had controlled with the Claw and lost my concentration, and the dragon wounded me sorely on the back before Nordren killed it. Then did the Court of Bahamut appear, in great rage, to save or revenge their own. I have seen death before today, but never again do I wish to see such a sight. Seeing Goldenbreeze fallen, Goldenhelm flew into a horrible rage. Almost all of our own people fell to the ground on their bellies, unable to withstand the awe of his presence. He ripped and shredded his way through the dragons of the other side, aided by his fellows, then proceeded to kill almost all of the Cultists before Goldentalon could stop him. The Eldest Dragons, Goldwing and Goldeneyes, stayed back with Goldheart and cast awful magics that rent the earth and sky. I protected those that I could, but I swooned myself before the end and the wild magics killed some of our own people. The spell that struck down Breezy was intended to consume from within, and it has driven her outside the knowledge of herself, filling her with evil thoughts. Goldentalon has placed the form of an Elf upon her, which will help to conceal her true nature, and Goldwing bound most of her power within her. Still, Goldeneyes says that it will take many centuries before she recovers from the psychic damage, and she may do much evil before then; drawn towards good but compelled to express the evil power that rages within her. Goldwing, whom I had not met, restored me from the brink of death. I have kept the talon of the great Dragon to remind me of foolish pride. But it will be many days before Lambier and I are fully recovered, and many of our people died. If our enemies regroup before we do, my pride may be the death of the Church. Lord Bahamut, grant us strength! I almost wish I had died in that fight, for the guilt and pain of it are all that I can withstand, and perhaps more. I must stand, however. I must live to atone for this error, and learn the strength to protect my people.
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Goldeneyes has stayed with me throughout the last fortnight while I healed in body and mind. I shall never be able to repay her for her strength, nor Goldwing for the gift of my life. An excess of pride led to an equal excess of remorse and self-pity. I did not eat for three days, and nearly lost myself. Such emotions will destroy if left uncontrolled, as surely as the magic which killed so many young priests. The cultists are regathering, but this time we will meet them with our full force. If it be the Creator's Will, then Bahamut's Church will overcome the Cult now and forever. They have moved quickly, too quickly, to attack again. They will have more Cultists and dragons, but fewer summoned creatures, for Goldheart has told me that great summonings first weaken the wall between worlds, but then strengthen them, like water rushing away from a stone and then back again. We will meet them on the same battleground, and their reinforcements will be few.
Of Goldwing, little else is to be said. He is very old, even for a dragon, which means that his power is great and the cost to him for using it is also great, according to Goldheart. After all had been done, he departed to rest again in his home in southeastern Pendleton, and Goldeneyes said that I will not see him again during this life. There is such grandeur and also such sadness about him. What it must be like to bear the burdens of so many battles... They call him Grandfather, and well I can believe it, for such is his manner. Talking to him filled me with a sense of pride and sorrow that I cannot explain. I wish I had had a chance to know him better.
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Praise Bahamut! Never would I have thought to praise such slaughter, but praise it I must. The cost was great, but we have broken the power of the Cult to face us in battle. It will be many centuries before the young evil dragons left behind will gain enough power to try such an assault again. The Golden Paladin proved to be all that I believed, and Lambier was well-recovered enough to do great deeds. Less than half the dragons that came to fight lived to flee, and less than half of the Cultists, while our losses were one in three. Now we must move to raise more churches, win the hearts of the people while the cult is unable to oppose us. After the battle, Lambier and I held a memorial service for Goldenbreeze, for we will not live to see her restored unto herself. He is the most handsome of the Paladins, but also the kindest and gentlest warrior that ever I have known. I understand why she was so fond of him, for I think he is a better man than I in many ways. Long may his family wield the Silver Sword of Sibilar in her memory
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Events move apace, as they say! The Three Kingdoms probably felt that once they had recognized Hudson and Hampshire as kingdoms, they would have some peace for a while. But today, John McKitrick managed to maneuver a cute bit of diplomatic trickery to get Hampshire and Chesterton to both recognize him as an equal. The King of Hampshire came to talk to me about it, and I must say I am very impressed with King McKitrick's approach. A simple matter of protocol involving having his envoys recognized as Ambassadors, followed by a request to establish formal relations -- pure, devious genius. I consoled the poor King, of course, but he really doesn't have much choice now. He was simply outclassed. It seems likely that both Lethbridge and McMannon will, eventually, win recognition as well, if only to help end the constant bickering over borders, rights, and expansion.
We have decided to create new chapters to help cover this quick expansion. Nordren will remain in Pendleton with Father Hanson, where they are still picking up from the border war between Pendleton and Chesterton. This matter remains unsettled, of course, but the amazing thing about it is that the two Kings are actually fairly close personally. An odd situation where two friends work hard to annihilate one another's armies over "affairs of State", as they say. Lambier and Father Harkan will go to Southern McKitrick, where a border conflict is fast shaping between McKitrick and McMannon. Both kingdoms are so large that neither is able to defend the land adequately, so they are taking a large group of priests and teachers to help. Royston will go to Lethbridge with Father Bertram, and Alberak will remain here with me. The only bad thing is that Father Harkan will now be several weeks away, which will slow down the exchange we have started. A brilliant man. I'll miss our frequent debates.
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Alberak was killed today, along with his wife and children. He stumbled upon a cult in a small village west of here while traveling back from a visit with his wife's family. Just a few hours from here! I felt his death through the Claw somehow... he died in pain and fear, knowing that his family would die with him. I left with a small party within minutes, and we arrived just in time to stop them from throwing his body onto a pyre with the rest of his family. For the first time in my life, I killed in anger. One foolish cultist had tried to take the Coppersword and did not survive the experience. He stood transfixed by the Sword, unable to move, talk, or release the sword, and I struck his head from his body without any feeling of remorse. I personally burned much of the village with the Fire of Bahamut, for the cult had coerced and corrupted many there. They have been terrorizing the villagers for years, holding hostages and having infrequent sacrifices. Alberak has no surviving children to carry on his oath of service, and Breezy is no longer here to help me decide on a replacement. I am tired and filled with a sickness of heart. I know that the cultists had to be killed, but the sick joy of it sticks in my throat like bile, gagging me every time I try to smile, or laugh, or pray. I must rest.
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We have buried Alberak in a tomb in a cave near the village, and charged the elders with its upkeep to atone for their role in this evil. Better that many of them had died rather than to help to hide this evil for so long, for so many were lost over the years the cult was concealed there. There is no glory in death, but there is evil in avoiding it at such a price. I spoke to them for some time, and I think many understood me at last. The cave was a thing of great beauty. Knowing of Alberak's past, one of the villagers guided us to it to offer it as a tomb, and I think he would have liked it. The Coppersword I have concealed elsewhere, for Lord Bahamut has told me that its work is done for the moment. I have left a marker in the tomb. At the proper time, a new Paladin will arise to seek the sword. He will be guided by one with knowledge of the Court and the wisdom to understand the marker, in the lull before the next great storm. The vision burns yet in my mind. For it will not be our children, or even their children, who must face the thrice-damned bitch and her evil spawn, but many generations from now. And yet one more of my Paladins must die so that his destiny may be fulfilled by one not yet born, whose coming is already foretold. Surely we knew that our lives were forfeit, called to a path fraught with danger, yet these men have become close friends. Who else has met the Old Ones and can understand the burdens I carry? There is no one else in whom I can confide, and now I cannot even confide in them. How can I tell a man that he is destined to die alone and expect him to march gaily to his death? How can I tell his comrades-in-arms that this is to happen? The church grows by leaps and bounds, I am surrounded by priests and acolytes, yet I grow more and more alone.
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Goldheart came to visit me today. He had a bit of trouble getting past my assistants, which gave us both a good laugh. I am to take a month's sabbatical and go with him to An Nafid, to study higher magic with he and Goldeneyes. His very presence is reassuring. He tells me that my vision is yet incomplete, but that all will be made clear in time. In An Nafid, near the crucible of the world, my vision will become more clear. He talked to me for a while of his life and the lives of the Court. It helped me to get over my attack of self-pity. His magic he has learned over ages, but his intuition and compassion are simply part of his nature. It is humbling, really, to think of all of the centuries he has endured as a compassionate creature. I must remember to get a fresh book in the morning before we leave, since this one is full, and he says that I will have much to take notes on. I must leave a copy of my vision on paper somewhere to serve as a prophecy for those to come.
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