“That’s because you’re equating physical love with spiritual love, dear,” she looked over to him, “they’re not the same.”
“What’s the difference?”
“I don’t have attachments or conditions,” she began, “like, I love you as long as you’re young, or pretty, or don’t cheat on me, or can give me the children I want, or other superficial things. I’m not going to stop loving you because you choose to love another. Some might argue that’s not love at all. My love is infinite and unbounded. It’s not formed of jealousy, lust, need, or want. No ifs ands or buts. Something you can’t understand, being bound to the material world. Because you’re mortal you see everything, including love, as something that has a beginning and an end. Since I am immortal, and I am love, it has no beginning and no ending. And,” they were sitting up now, cross—legged, holding hands and looking at each other, she looked him dead in the eyes, “I don’t have to start loving you because you decided to love me. I can choose who love, just like you can.”
“I thought you said there were no ‘ands’ to your love.” Don said smiling at her.
“Shut up and kiss me,” she said.
Don continued to train and soon was a master monk, with his staff he was almost unbeatable. It was as though it was an extension of himself. It never left his side.
Alister continued to do what he did best and escaped the wrath of a few husbands. He and Lucinda continued to see each other. They never talked about that night. He never knew if he got her pregnant or not. She never brought it up. He asked once, but she brushed it off.
Terry and Mickey dated heavily for a while but in the end chose to remain good friends. It was a mutual arrangement. They still partied together and on occasion spent the night together when they were lonely, but marriage was not in the stars for them.
Mordechi continued to monitor the situation. He began to notice that chaos was beginning to spread throughout the lands. Countries were changing hands much faster than before; the need for paladins seemed to be increasing. In offhanded remarks he would inform Obidaan, who didn’t seem worried about it, and knew other paladins could handle it. Still, on occasion he donned his armor and rode out to settle disputes.
What no one was realizing was that when Obidaan went into semi—retirement, he affected the balance. With Obidaan willfully taking himself out of the fight, the balance has tipped slight toward evil. Since he can’t loose his paladin status due to inaction, he can’t be replaced. Further this slight imbalance is imperceptible to everyone, manifest itself in the increased chaos. Crime seemed to be on the rise, abhorrent beings (orcs, trogs, nagas, knolls, etc.) seem to be having higher birthrates than normal.
Obidaan knew he was going to get back into the thick of things in a couple of more years, when his children were a bit older, but this was not good enough for Mordechi. He believed he had to take matters into his own hands, so he did. One thing he did know was that Obidaan could detect lies at will. Don had mentioned that to him several years ago. Everyone close to him knew it, though Obidaan did not know they knew it. So if Mordechi was to hatch a plan to get Obidaan back, he was going to have to deceive him without lying to him. Mordechi would have to carefully formulate his plan.
One day, there came a knock on Obidaan’s door. It was Terry, Don, and Alister and they looked desperate. “We need your help,” Don said.
“What’s wrong?” Obidaan asked, he had the twins at his side and his son over one shoulder. “Come on in. Relina! Vanguard is here.”
“I’ll bring some tea,” she said from the kitchen, “Katrina, Kimberlynd, come help mommy in the kitchen!” The girls ran off to the kitchen. A few moments later they were coming back with stuff as Relina put down a tray, “Good girls, now, take your brother into the other room and go play.” They held his hands as they wandered off.
“Well,” Terry started, she was the de facto leader while Obidaan was gone, “yesterday we got word that the country of Seriland had an artifact stolen from them by their neighbor Maltisland. They attempted to retrieve it but were unable. So they were wondering if a small strike force could go in and get it. I of course said it would be no problem for us. The thing is, it’s almost a week’s travel to get there and we are going to need at least a healer. Perhaps with a paladin we can try to negotiate first.” She was making an argument for both of them to join. As she spoke Obidaan got an uneasy buzz in his head. Not that she was lying or anything but that something was not quite right. He couldn’t put his finger on it but he knew it would be wrong for him to go, he just didn’t know why.
“Do you have any more details?” Obidaan asked.
“No,” Terry said, “his message was vague, saying all would be explained at the castle”
“Hmm,” Obidaan contemplated for a moment, still, he couldn’t get the nagging buzz to go away, “Tell you what, Relina can go this time and I’ll stay with the children.”
Everyone was a bit shocked at his decision. “Are you sure?” Alister asked, “You heard what she just said. If anything it should be the other way around.”
“Agreed,” said Don. “Or why not both of you?”
“Just a gut feeling I have,” Obidaan said, “a nagging buzz that I shouldn’t take this trip. I don’t know why but it’s how I feel.” He figured no sense in trying to steer around it, just give it to them straight.
“Very well, then,” Terry said, “Relina, would you like to join us?”
“Sure,” she said, “I’m going to have to pack and it makes no sense for y’all to leave, why don’t you spend the night and we’ll get going in the morning?” They all agreed. That night they had a wonderful dinner, played family games and told stories. The next morning they were ready to go. After much hugging and kissing, they waved goodbye to Obidaan and the children and headed out.
About 30 minutes outside of the gate, there was a figure on a black horse. Terry noted the figure and began to cautiously approach, soon she recognized the lady on the horse; it was Lucinda.
“Greetings, Terry, Vanguard,” she said to Terry as the others approached.
“Hi,” Terry was very suspicious and unsure why Lucinda was even there, much less talking to them.
“I hear you’re going to Seriland. Mind if I tag along?” she smiled at Terry as she asked, not sinisterly, or even slyly but sincerely and friendly.
“Well,” Terry was caught off guard by Lucinda’s sincerity, “technically, I can’t stop you, so sure.”
“Thank you,” Lucinda said, and joined the group.
Alister was a bit anxious. He had been seeing her off and on and here she was now, going to be with them for at least a week. Though normally sure of himself, he wasn’t sure how to broach the subject that he might be a daddy. For the moment, he just watched, and waited.
They traveled in silence for about an hour and finally it was Don who broke the ice. “So, how did you know we were going to Seriland?”
“Pu—leaze. You guys can’t keep your missions secret if you tried. Everyone around town pretty much knows where Vanguard goes and when they get back. You’re the local celebrities.”
“What takes you out there?” Don continued the questioning.
“Business, pleasure, the business of pleasure, the pleasure of business; I have some loose ends to deal with in town.”
Don, who was known for his directness, went for the question on everyone’s mind, “So why join us?”
Lucinda laughed, “I wondered when you were going to finally ask. I know that question’s on everyone’s mind. To be honest, I’m kinda lonely and could use some company, even if it is a bunch of do—gooders,” she laughed at her statement, “Look, I’m not going to harm any of you or jeopardize your mission. I just thought it be nice if we rode together, got to know one another. We see each other enough but do we truly know each other?” Her almost philosophical statement confused them. They didn’t know
if she meant it or was being sarcastic. “Bottom line, it’s a long trip and every now and then I just wanted someone to talk to along the way.”
Alister’s curiosity got the better of him, he rode next to Lucinda. “Hi, honey,” she said to him, “long time, no see. Did you miss me?”
“Yes,” he said a bit timidly, “yes I did. I was wondering, were you? Did you? Are we?”
“Pregnant? Have a baby? Parents?” she finished the sentences for him. “Well, since you don’t do children, I’ll just say you don’t have anything to worry about.”
Alister started to breathe a sigh of relief when he realized what she said, “That doesn’t answer my question.”
“It’s the best you’re going to get, so deal with it.” At that he moved away from her and back to his position.
The next couple of days, were interesting, they spent one night the Hall of Paladins as guests of Lucinda’s. The manager never batted an eye or changed his pitch. He gave the exact same courtesies as when they were escorted by Obidaan. The only difference was Cecelia was not able to meet them, since she had to write about Obidaan. But since he was merely watching the children, she did sneak away for a while to meet up with them, especially Don. So she could spend more time with him, she told him to ask for the book at the front desk. Don was very surprised and pleased to see her name in it, which meant he could have her for the night without her having to back to her desk.
The next night they spent it in the woods, and Terry used her animal friends to guard. The night passed uneventfully. The next morning though, things would be a lot different.
The group was more relaxed now and talking amongst themselves, including Lucinda, when they came upon a familiar scene. There was a body face down in the road. Terry recognized it right away, “I can’t believe it. You would think they’d have learned their lesson.”
“Friends of yours?” Lucinda asked.
“We encountered them once before. That elf, she’s the half—sister of the leader. Obidaan healed her after we blasted them. He basically stripped them and sent them on their way. A dwarf and half—elf lead them. Seems they just picked a different part of the world to bother.”
“I’m not surprised,” Lucinda said, “Obidaan was always too lenient on people. Though I heard he got better once he got fully trained. Doesn’t matter, I’m going to handle this.” Before anyone could say anything, Lucinda rode ahead. She stopped where the ‘injured’ elf female lay, and had her horse put his hoof right in the small of her back. Lucinda could hear her groan as she did it. “I am not here to play. I’m looking for a dwarf and elf, the leaders of you idiots. Get out here now or she dies,” Lucinda got off her horse, drew her sword and put it at the elf’s neck.
For a moment, everything was quiet; there was no movent by Vanguard, none by the elf, and none by Lucinda. Then Lucinda began to drill her sword into the back of the neck of the elf, she let out a cry of pain. “I don’t repeat myself!” she yelled. This brought the half—elf out of the woods.
“Stop, please,” she said, “Lorm, come on out.” It was obvious she was speaking to the dwarf. Reluctantly the dwarf stepped out. “We’re here,” she said. It was equally obvious she was scared of Lucinda and they were both very uncomfortable as they looked into her eyes.
“200 years we’ve been around and still people don’t recognize us. The ignorance in this land is maddening. I boldly wear my paladin symbol yet still you choose to pull some bullshit stunt. What the hell are you thinking?” No one could tell if she really was angry or if she was putting on an act. The female leader started to answer when Lucinda cut her off. “Rhetorical!” she cried, “In a way, I guess I can’t blame you totally. Where’s your scout? Get him out here now.”
“M—may I ask why?” the half—elf said.
“No!” and at that Lucinda took her sword and thrust it into the back of the half—elf, then in a single motion, moved the sword upward, effectively splitting her in half from the waist up. Everyone looked on horrified at the situation. The elf on the ground screamed. Lucinda whistled and the horse pressed harder on her, quieting her. “If there is one thing I can’t tolerate, it’s back talk. You don’t ask me why, you don’t question me, you don’t fuck with me, got it?” she was looking at the dwarf and pointing the sword in his direction, blood still dripping off it. “I’ve stated my demands.”
Before the dwarf could say or do anything, a volley of arrows came in from both sides, aimed at Lucinda. Had she been just a normal person, they all would have found their mark, instead, they slowed down and fell harmlessly to the ground.
“You’re a real piece of work, Lorm.” She laughed.
He quickly stepped up before she began another attack, “Stop shooting! Gareth, come here now!”
An elf came running out of the woods, extremely scared, especially considering what had happened. “You’re the scout?” Lucinda asked.
“Y—y—y—yes,” he finally spit out.
“You call yourself a scout, don’t even know a paladin symbol. I ought gauge your eyes out and gut you where you stand.”
“By the gods, please,” he was obviously scared and may have wet himself, “I don’t look for symbols, just people. Please.” he began to cry.
“You’re pathetic!” Lucinda said, “You have to the count of 3 to get out of my sight.” Without hesitation he began to run to the woods, but Lucinda wasn’t about to let him off that easily. Just before he made it, she counted very quickly, “1—2—3, not fast enough.” She let loose a spell blasting him into several pieces. She laughed at her handiwork.
Through all this all Vanguard could do was just watch. They thought Obidaan had gotten cruel; they were getting a taste of true cruelty. Alister though repulsed by her actions was still attracted to her.
“And as for you dwarf, since you can’t seem to see what course of action you should have taken, you won’t need these anymore.” She lunged at his face and proceeded to gouge his eyes out, taking a dagger and plucking them from the sockets and dropping them on the ground. The agonizing screams the dwarf gave off made everyone around shudder. “And as for the rest of you maggots, you better remember this symbol!” She held it up over her head, “The next time you see a paladin coming down the road, get the fuck out of the way, or else.” She hopped back on her horse, clomped over the elf, leaving her bleeding, and continued down the road. Vanguard just stood there, stunned by the scene. “I hate riding alone,” Lucinda yelled back.
They began to move forward. Relina stopped to help the elf and the dwarf. She could not regrow his eyes, Lucinda saw to that, but she could ease the pain, and heal the elf.
“Come on, sis, we have to get going.” Alister said.
“Don’t worry, I’ll catch up, besides, Lucinda won’t do anything to us.” Alister rode ahead. Relina began applying healing to Lorm, “I sorry,” she said in a serious tone.
Recovered slightly from the pain, he replied, “I hope I never encounter another paladin again. Couldn’t you do anything to stop her?”
“We’re pretty much at her mercy, just like you. The fact that my husband is a paladin is the only thing keeping her in check.”
“Lucky you,” he said.
Finishing up and leaving him to his group, she got on her horse, “Yeah, lucky me,” she said sadly.
The rest of the trip was much more subdued. When they could they spent time in the woods. No one bothered them. Lucinda got obnoxious only one more time, when they stopped in an expensive restaurant at Lucinda’s insistence. After the meal was over, the fireworks started.
“Your bill,” the waiter said to each of them. When he got to Lucinda she grabbed his hand.
“This is a joke, right?” Lucinda stared at him with her pitch black eyes, “You do know who I am, don’t you.”
“Yes, madam, you are the paladin of death. I am sorry but all of our patrons pay their bill. We have had
many paladins and anti—paladins in here, they all pay.”
“They’re all fools. The rest of them, I don’t care, but get this bill out of my face before I make you eat it,” she said.
Avoiding conflict, the waiter began to leave, “Yes, madam,” he said, bowed and began to leave.
“Wait,” she said and the waiter stopped. Smiling she looked around the group, “give me your bills,” they did as they were told, “tell you what, since you’re such a dumb—ass, here’s some fiber. Open up.”
He hesitated, closed his eyes and opened his mouth. She then proceeded to shove all of the bills into his mouth. And he had to stand there till he swallowed them. She then got up and headed upstairs. “I suppose you’re going to do some goodie—goodie stuff. I don’t need to see it, Alister, hurry your butt up.”
All of the members, even Alister, pitched in and tipped him the value of 3 times all the meals.
As they made for their rooms for the night, Relina grabbed Alister and pulled him to the side. “You saw what she did earlier, and what she did just now, I can’t believe you’re going to sleep with her!” she said in a loud whisper.
“Neither can I, but let’s face it, I’ve always been attracted to the oddballs,” he said in a whisper, “and they don’t get any better than her. Plus, I can tell you one thing, you won’t believe me, but just trust me,” he paused and took a deep breath, “she’s not lying when she says she hates to ride alone. You are looking at the loneliest person on the planet.”
“That doesn’t give her the right to act like such a jerk!” Relina retorted.
“True, it’s her paladin ability that gives her that right,” Alister said with a bit of a chuckle, Relina was not amused, and showed it. Alister coughed away his smile, “Anyway, she’s a different person in bed. Look, let me go to her, I’ll be fine. Believe it or not, she actually loves me.”
“Are you serious?” Relina had never imagined their relationship as anything more than another Alister conquest.
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