A Paladin's Tale (Meep & TCELES)

[TCELESBHSUP]

T'was a bright, warm summer's day in the small church-town of Tarvan Springs- a place where many various religions came together for various purposes. One such purpose was the training of young acolytes, who would be the clerics of their deities, as well as that of paladins who would serve the ideals of goodness and law steadfastly. We follow the story of one such paladin- or at least, one in training, years before her true adventure would begin. At the ripe age of ten years, Lauren Highsong was to begin her training in the ways of goodness. An hour ago. Unfortunately, she was still asleep, the young girl having stayed up far too long the past night studying her scriptures. At the age of four, she'd been orphaned when a bear, corrupted by the powers of evil, attacked her village. Most everyone died that day, along with both of her parents... And she would've joined them had it not been for a wandering warrior of light passing through.

Said warrior of light, an aged paladin, was to be her instructor. She was to be his squire, to learn the ways of a knight, a paragon of all that society should strive for. "Wake up!" She heard through her sleep, feeling her form being rocked back and forth. It was a feminine voice, from what she could tell... And familiar, at that. "Sir Lionmane is waiting!"

How bothersome. You were having the nicest (wet) dream about one of the clergywomen... A pretty young girl, only a few years older...

[Meep Meepersons]

Lauren groggily looked up at the one who shook her awake and groaned before rolling over. After a moment, she sprang to life and actually fell from her bed, faceplanting on the cold hard floor after shouting some gibberish that sounded a bit like "shitfuckdamnit!" Cursing her clumsiness she eventually rises to her feet and realizes she's essentially stark naked. Her body's "secret" had gotten out among her peers a long time ago so she never really tried to hide it. However, modesty and embarassment still applied! She meeped before covering herself and scrambling about to get dressed and gather her things. After getting mostly dressed *a few buttons unfastened etc etc, messy hair yatta yatta* before she beelined to the door. She stopped and looked back at her rouser. "W-where is he!?" She asked hurriedly.

Edit: Also, blotch of goo in her pants xD

[TCELESBHSUP]

Gasp! A dream come true! The young lady of your dreams had come to rouse you, perhaps sent by your mentor himself! From what you could remember, her name was Violet, and it certainly seemed to match her- at least, her eyes, which were such a pretty shade of purple, sadly hidden amidst her golden locks more often than not. Her white robes flowed quite freely, though her curves were quite obvious- a perky C-cup chest and wide hips, smooth, creamy skin... "L-language, Lauren!" She had said as you shouted, her scripture being pulled tight to her chest. "He's waiting in the Courtyard of Iomedae's temple- do you need me to escort you? The town's fairly large..."

[Meep Meepersons]

By the time Lauren had realized who it was a blush had come to her face. She bowed in apology and said, "I-if you would please..." She said softly, standing up straight and scratching the back of her head. As she stood up straight, it made the spreading blotch on her pants a bit more obvious.

[TCELESBHSUP]

"Well... First thing's first..." Violet spoke, approaching you and setting her prayer book down on a side-table. "If you're going to arrive late, at least be prepared." She sighed, before beginning to straighten out your clothes and comb your hair. "And, erm... 'Calm down' too. You're making a bit of a mess." She spoke this last part very quietly, blushing. "I can't walk you through the streets like that."

[Meep Meepersons]

Lauren stood still as Violet tidied up her garb and combed her hair. "Thanks..." Then she mentioned her mess between her legs. "Gods!" She shouted, smacking her face with her palm roughly. Her cheeks were flushed red, and not from the facepalm. She sighed and brushed passed Violet to go change her pants. As she removed them, one could notice the very noticeable strings of off white fluids connecting both her genitals and her pants. She also was not wearing undergarments. Wiping off with the dry part of her sullied pants she put on her spares and returned sluggishly to Violets side. "I-I'm ready..." She said softly once more, drooping her head in embarrassment.

[TCELESBHSUP]

The priestess gave a light sigh, as though she were familiar with this situation- she'd certainly had to deal with Lauren a few times, after all, since she was such a heavy sleeper and stayed up so late. "Alright... Stay close, alright?" She put on a friendly smile, before offering her (very soft and smooth) hand to the young hermaphrodite. Once taken, she would walk with her for some ten minutes, all the way through town, before arriving at a massive courtyard. Various knights of various clergies were gathered around- some simply sitting and relaxing, some studying scripture, others receiving lectures and drills in combat. Some sparred, some discussed, some debated. In the very center of the open area was a large statue- a stylised, golden monolith in the shape of Iomedae's own holy symbol, embedded within a marble stone.

Iomedae's Holy Symbol:

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

A few children were seated near this statue, all heads turned towards a single figure. Sir Lionmane. A simple looking and aged human with peppery hair, his features certainly showed his age- the man had to be in his sixties, at the least! Yet, he held himself with a regal, almost militaristic posture, his body broad and powerful. Upon his form was a set of light field plate made of pure mithril, a large cloak of deep crimson flowing down from his shoulders. Around his neck hung a golden symbol of Iomedae, such a symbol also visible upon the steel shield that he carried. A long sword rested within its sheath upon his belt as well.

"Now, run along, Lauren! No doubt he's been holding the lesson for you." With a light pat to your rear, you felt yourself being pushed forward a bit, before Violet turned and left.

[Meep Meepersons]

Lauren staggered a bit from the sudden push forward and turned her head at the woman with puffed cheeks and puckered lips. She only looked for a moment to catch the sight of the girls rump as she turned away and started to leave. Pausing for a brief moment, she turned back and joined the rest of the children, all of which were likely shorter then her. If it weren't for her face and hair she'd probably look more like a boy then a girl with her large size and frame. Not to mention the occasional *usually frequent* bulge in the front of her pants. She crossed her legs and attempted to avoid eye contact with Sir Lionmane for fear of another "your late" lecture.

[TCELESBHSUP]

As you approach, you certainly feel Sir Lionmane's gaze upon you. However, he simply smiles and nods. "Welcome, Lauren. Please, sit." He gestured towards the front of the group. Naturally, you look towards where he had gestured, noticing that everyone had been sitting upon small pillows- and there was a free one almost directly in front of him. The children all kept their gaze upon the knight before them. You take your seat, and he clears his throat lightly. "... Very well. Despite our delay, we still have time to get through everything, I believe. Welcome, all of you, to the Yard of Honour. Here is where you will all be instructed in the ways of one of Iomedae's own ilk- a paladin."

You once more feel his gaze upon you... "You have all studied your scriptures, yes? Who here knows Iomedae's domains?" Though it was a broad statement, it felt as though it were directed at you... Thanks to your studies, you know at least the basics of the Lady of Valour and her domains. Glory, Good, Law, the Sun, and War were her primary domains. Her subdomains, however, you cannot recall... Ah well. Several children raise their hands, as though expecting to be chosen to answer.

Do you speak up, or...?

[Meep Meepersons]

Lauren paused a moment and looked around at the other kids raising there hands. She knew some of them right off the top of her head, but the rest, didn't quite come to mind. "Glory, Good, Law, The Sun, and War, are all her primary domains. I....can't remember the rest..." She explained clearly, looking away from the man again and scratching the back of her head. She looked back at the rest of the children again, then up at Lionmane's face to see his reaction to her speaking up.

[TCELESBHSUP]

Sir Lionmane gave a slow nod, offering a smile to you. It seems you were right. "Correct, Lauren. Those are the primary domains of Iomedae." The other children seemed surprised, a few impressed, and others quite bummed out. For another hour, you're taught all about Iomedae and Her teachings, and before long you and the other students are lead to an empty corner of the courtyard. Several practice dummies line a wall, each one holding a wooden sword and shield, though they were otherwise completely unremarkable. Nearby, a small ring of dirt has been cleanly set out, fencing surrounding it. Seemed like a sparring ring, like the other knights that were practicing live combat were using.

"Now, children... I'd like to begin teaching you all the art of the sword. Or, at least, the very basics. This is merely an aptitude test- those with similar skill will be paired together as training partners. Not to say that you cannot practice with each other otherwise." The wizened man stepped to a barrel, beckoning to you first. "Line up, acolytes." All of the children fell in line behind you, and you were soon given a wooden sword. It felt rather heavy... "Now, take a position in front of a dummy, if you will. Swing at it as much as you'd like- but be careful. Keep a grip of your 'sword'- they can still cause quite a bit of damage, even if they aren't a real weapon."

[Meep Meepersons]

Lauren stepped up to a dummy after receiving her 'sword'. She paused and instead of attacking the dummy right away, she decided it better to look the piece of wood over. It was awfully heavy for a simple wooden sword. During her studies and from stories and such, she heard about monks and others using long pieces of wood called staves as weapons, disabling and even killing things with them. She gripped the handle with both hands and took a few swings at air before striking downwards at the dummy, hoping to crush the bucket it calls a head. "Grah!" She shouted, putting as much force into her swing as she could muster.

[TCELESBHSUP]

With all of your strength, you swing your 'blade' down upon the dummy, smacking the heavy wooden weapon right into its metallic head. To your surprise, you manage to strike the dummy hard enough to dent the bucket! The other children swing for the body, it seems, or the arms. Only a few go right for the head. But, of course, they keep swinging as well. After a few minutes, the knight calls for everyone to cease their practice, and you all gather around. "Very well. I think I have a rough idea of who will be practicing with who. Everyone, gather into the groups I assign."

Soon enough, after most of the children have been dealt with, you find yourself paired up with an older girl- or at least, you believe her to be older... She's certainly bigger and stronger looking, her skin slightly more ashen than what a regular person would have. A pair of sharp canines protrude slightly from her lips, almost cute from how short they were, ears slightly pointed. Oddly purple hair was tied back into a ponytail behind the girl's head, and her pink eyes had almost feline slits for pupils. Kinda cute despite how 'animal' her features were. "Hey. Name's Shazi Wolfhorn. Guess we're partners for a while, huh?"

[Meep Meepersons]

Lauren couldn't help but look the bigger girl over, soaking in her animal like features. She was bigger then her, and leaner looking to. She was gunna be a tough training partner, it almost made her sigh, given her currently lazy demeanor. Maybe it was just the puberty talking. She put her arm out towards Shazi with a stern expression. "Lauren Highsong, a pleasure." After exchanging greetings *assuming that happens* Lauren would ask a rather personal question. "If you don't mind me asking, what race are you? I don't mean to be rude or anything, I am just curious..." She rubbed the back of her head after speaking, the wood sword in her off hand, idlely dangling from it, tip tapping the ground occasionally.

[TCELESBHSUP]

Shazi firmly took your hand, giving it a quick shake- Gods, she had a grip on her! There was no doubt in your mind at this point that she wasn't pure human. And her look betrayed as much as well once you questioned. A look of displeasure, which she quickly covered up, giving a low sigh. Her face resumed its neutral position, eyes fluttering a moment before she grinned. "I'm a half-orc. Y'know what an orc is, right?" She teased, before resting her wooden sword over her shoulder. Apparently, she'd picked out one of the bigger and heavier sticks of the bunch, to match her strength. As a result of her resting her training weapon in such a way, you noticed the visible musculature on her arms, emphasised more by how her arm was positioned.

Kinda nice, really.

"I'll go easy on ya, don't worry."

[Meep Meepersons]

Lauren smiled and nodded when she asked if she knew what an orc was. "I am aware. Nothing as scary as what gave me this." She said with a reassuring grin, pointing a thumb at the grizzly scar on her face. Lauren shook her head when Shazi mentioned going easy. "Don't, If I'm so weak that I can't stand up to you I deserve to get beaten up. Give me all of it or give me none!" She exclaimed with a large grin on her face, half challenging half encouraging.

[TCELESBHSUP]

"Idiot. We're supposed to be getting better, not making each other bedridden." Shazi grinned, shaking her head a bit. It seemed that everyone had been dismissed for now- just an introductory session to start with, apparently. So, now it was free time to do whatever you pleased. The sun was still high in the air, leaving you with plenty of hours to get to know your new partner or get into some mischief. Perhaps even continue trying to train or learn from the senior knights. "So, whatcha wanna do?" The half-orc girl asked, boot tapping lightly against the stone beneath you. Either she was impatient or simply full of energy.

[Meep Meepersons]

Lauren giggled and scratched the back of her head. When asked what next well, she hadn't a clue. "I'm not sure, what do you wanna do?" Not really caring one way or another, she yawned, still a bit tired from staying up late. "I'm up for anything really. We could spar or something if you wish." She said with her finger up as if to make a point.

[TCELESBHSUP]

"Well, by the sounds of it, you're more likely to just pass out in the middle of our sparring match if we do that." Shazi laughed, shaking her head. "We can just go relax or somethin' if you want. I know a pretty good place for napping." Sleeping sounded like a very nice idea right now to your young and sleepy mind. The half-orc slipped her sword into her belt, as though she were sheathing it- a temporary fix for the problem of holding it. "Otherwise, I dunno what to do."

[Meep Meepersons]

Lauren smiled and rubbed her hands together, doing the same with her wooden sword. "That sounds like a fine plan indeed! Lets do that, I am always up for a good nap and new napping places! I think we are going to get along rather well together Shazi!" She exclaimed happily. She stood up straight and nodded her readiness, all Shazi needed to do was lead away.