-Callia-

  “Tch,” Nokin clicked his tongue in disdain the moment Galen introduced the priest. I watched with my arms and legs still numb as the paladin casually lowered himself onto a seat opposite of the couch Nokin and I had been propped up on. The friendly priest, who had been one of the first I was willing to turn to in the citadel, smiled peacefully as Nokin shared his colorful opinion.

  “The diligent old guard finally waking up and realizing something was wrong, huh? Not like there were plenty of cases tainted by the pope’s hand that should have alerted you. How does someone climb to a rank like yours under the regime of a monster? Alex, I don’t trust either of these two! It’s too risky to have them know about my archives!” High priest Norold nods along in agreement for the first half of Nokin’s statement but takes his chance to speak while Nokin urges Galen to reconsider.

  “You’re right, I’ve been blind to an important piece of my responsibilities. When I saw the friction that should’ve alerted me to a deeper issue, I dismissed it as typical human politics and failings. When I saw the abuse of power, I used my position to shield those abused, but I never called out evil for what it was. Unfortunately, it was only in the face of absolute proof that I have seen the truth in the heart of the evil deeds.” Norold shook his head in regret but also maintained his strict bearing as a leader. “You have my complete and sincere apologies for my failures. However, our enemy holds the heart of the citadel, a stronghold within a stronghold that has never fallen. I ask that you set aside your grievances so that we might stand together.” They continued to talk for some time. Nokin remained grumpy and dismissive but helpful when Galen needed the location of various documents. I couldn’t see where Galen went while recovering the documents, but the sound of a secret door activating and the footsteps coming from a hidden staircase were easily audible. It seemed there were no runes or protective measures I could sense because I could hear Galen below shuffling through documents. I won’t deny that the whole conversation sounded like one of Callen's various town leadership strategy planning sessions, which really tended to go in one ear and out the other. I perked up as something that felt relevant came up.

  “The pope has cut off the flow of food to the outer city. I suspect he intends to drive unrest in the population to turn the people against us. Still, his move doesn’t quite make sense. The outer city still has at least three years of food in the granaries as well as access to Shadow Town.” The numbness in my hands was finally beginning to recede, so I weakly held my hand up, contributing to the conversation.

  “That might be my fault. I may have been given a blank check to take as much foodstuff to send to Karia’s army battling the elves as needed, but I was unsure how much to send an army. I sent around a million barrels, which was the majority of the vault's granary.” My words hung in the air as a soft chuckling started to escape from Norold.

  “I suppose that reframes my entire perspective. It’s not a scheme against us but a critical weakness and opportunity to exploit.” A vicious gleam entered Norold’s eyes as he stood up. “It seems prudent that I rally my men and have the fields destroyed.” I force myself up as well, staggering as my body fights the residual traces of potion. In the corner of my eye I notice Nokin’s eyes bulging in shock while he is still completely helpless under the potion’s effects. Galen jumps up from his seat, grabbing and steadying me.

  “If there is going to be a fight, I don’t want to be left behind. Even if I can’t bring my full strength by then, I can still provide support.” I looked Norold in the eyes and saw the fierce spirit of an old warrior, but my will was no less than his. No words were spoken while we locked in silent confrontation, but I noticed his lip twitch upward in a predatory but eager grin. A short nod ends the confrontation. Together we leave Nokin and Galen marching into the dark and quiet streets of the outer city. At first I struggled to get my limbs to keep pace, but the movement seemed like exactly what I needed to shake myself free from the lingering restraints of the potion.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  As we move, I finally get a chance to take a proper evaluation of the city around me. From the distant platforms moving to and from the citadel's important locations, it seemed like a prospering city, but here on the ground it was far more apparent that the city wasn’t prospering anymore. The houses, once exquisitely designed and luxuriously sized, looked like innumerable homeless shelters that should be evicted because of deterioration. In the shadows where the people felt safer, they watched us like we were an apex predator. Whatever support Norold mentioned having among the outer city, it was easy to see that his statement wasn’t entirely truthful. These people were only loyal to their next meal. My gut twisted because these were exactly the conditions most of those who rallied behind Lexia to attack us had come from. I suspect the only thing preventing the pope’s demon from rallying these people was the difference in its nature. It wasn’t a leader but a dealmaker, which is why instead of a rotten and repulsive presence, it had a sticky and nauseating presence. I was almost startled when Norold’s voice spoke softly, breaking the tense silence of the ruinous city around us.

  “Seeing the portions of the city like this, devoid of trust and safety, helped me to understand my failings more than anything. I spent most of my days in my office handling the external affairs of the citadel. Missions, retrievals, hunts, and occasionally representing the citadel in disputes. The pope set the policies, and I obediently did as I was bid, but more than most I saw the deterioration of trust outside the citadel. The dramatic decrease in demons had made me think our sacrifice worthwhile, but visiting the less affluent portions of the city that have been growing like a disease.” He paused and surveyed the nearby buildings with a keen gaze that held a lingering guilt. “It is said that faith both brings people together and is also a divisive force. It was never meant for world peace and unification but to bring salvation. When this is brought to an end, I will be pushing for the faithful to spread our word among the people of the kingdom again. We must not remain a monolith that a single voice can lead astray. Even if that means there is division in our ranks in the future.” He pauses and gives me a careful look before softly asking. “I’ve looked into your home, Port Town, a brave settlement at one of the outermost edges of civilization. Maybe a decent place for a foolish old man like me to retire?” He shakes his head and continues before I can speak. “Never mind me; we’ve got plenty to worry about before I spend my days fantasizing about something as indulgent as retirement.” Our feet continue to ring crisply against the ground as silence again overtakes us.

  “I’m not sure about retirement. Only old men with families to take care of them, or those who’ve carefully saved their money, can do that, but as the sister of the town’s mayor and premier construction planner, I’m sure we can make a small temple for you to teach from.” On some levels I can imagine how much the weight of responsibility was crashing down on Norold. He just found out he had spent the majority of his life enacting the policies of someone working with demons, but at the same time I had a good impression of the man. He was someone who genuinely wanted to do good and hasn’t faltered in his convictions even when facing those he had trusted and obeyed. He gives me a soft but this time genuine smile. Up ahead a wall with an unusual number of paladins straightened up in formation on our arrival.

  “Who knew reporting an unusual concentration of fishermen would lead to me getting pulled into such a mess?” Norold joked, but his posture straightened and his relaxed demeanor faded. Immediately he started barking out orders to the waiting men without hesitation as his steady pace led the way. A formation assembled and marched out into the fields between the central spire and the outer walls. “I have news of a critical weakness. The vault's granary has been stripped bare. We must seize every farmer and destroy every field within reach of the central tower.” As he moved, Joana and Rebecca came alongside. Instead of their usual nun attire, they were dressed in simple armor. Norold scribbled a short message onto a note and sealed it with a stamp. Handing it to Joana, he spoke calmly and concisely: “Joana, take this note to Kael and have him coordinate with our strike. Time is of the essence.” She ran off while Norold prepared another, handing it to Rebecca. “The same, but deliver this to Paladin Victor.” Finally, he turned to me again. “Callia, you may be young, but I can tell you have what is most important in a knight of the divine, in a paladin. You have a spirit that is just and unwavering against evil. Therefore I dub thee Paladin; may your weapons strike down the evil that steals the hearts of the fallen, and your voice redeem the lost.”