As I step out of the tent, Talon is waiting for me about fifteen feet away. I can see that he is certainly irritated with me, not even trying to hide how mad he is at the moment.

“What do you think you are doing???” He grinds out between clenched teeth. “If anything, you have ever done has made me believe that you are brain damaged, that was it!” He continues to glare at me. “What is wrong with you?” … “Not a sane man would hold a weapon to a priest, but you hold one to a Paladin! At “The Zealot” No Less!!!” People are turning to look. Talon is frustrated and irate, his eyes locking into mine.

He smashes my equipment and the empty scabbard into my chest, holding it there until I bring my free hand up to hold it from falling. He glances at something behind me, then back into my eyes for a moment, turns, and walks away.

I stand there contemplating my actions as I watch Talon leave. I have not been taking any of this seriously. I realize that this would not be much different from holding a gun to somebody’s chest. I need to be more conscious of my actions and how they might affect someone else.

Lost in thought, I realize someone is standing next to me, Inquisitor Lightbringer. “It is good that you reflect on your actions. It leads to repentance and growth into a better person. I have some advantages with being a Paladin and don’t think I don’t know when you’re twisting words, just because you’re not lying. I also know that there was no malice or intent with the sword.”

We stand side by side watching Talon disappear behind some of the people meandering about. “I apologize for pointing the sword at you. I wasn’t thinking about what I was doing, except maybe for proving you wrong about thinking I was lying.”

“I have to admit that I was not expecting that you would be able to use the sword.” Inquisitor Lightbringer comments. “I have to take the blame on this one. You were just following the precedent that I already set. If I hadn’t been prideful in the demonstration of my belief that you could not use the sword, you would not have been led to using the sword against me. I should have been humbler in my investigation of the situation.”

Looking over at him. “That’s not the response I was expecting from someone referred to as The Zealot.” Feeling better and a little smile starting to show on my face.

“I will smooth things over with Officer Trailbreaker.” Looking back at me. “You need to be a little less chaotic. It is not who you are.” With that said, he turns and walks off following after Talon in the direction he had gone.

As I watch the Paladin follows after Officer Trailbreaker, a Priest catches up to him and gives him a sword which he sheathes. Standing there for a few moments, at a loss for what to do next, I make eye contact with the Priest who has turned and is walking back with the Paladin in tow.

*** Inquisitor Lightbringer POV ***

“Bishop Ramos, thank you.” Accepting the sword and sheathing it. “I did not expect you to be so quick. Do my suspicions hold true?”

Bishop Ramos. “Partly old friend. The area is clear of Divine power, but there is evidence of Sorcery. Most likely used to create the tear between sides. It is clear now. Any idea yet why the children were targeted?”

“Nothing has revealed itself.” Looking over at Bishop Ramos. “Why are you smiling like that?”

“Been a while since I’ve seen you humble yourself. Not quite as funny as someone screaming holy battle cries with his new sword at some lost cow that looked all demonic in the dark.” Bishop Ramos smirking and trying to keep a straight face.

“pft…Still not letting that die.” Inquisitor Lightbringer.

“And you still get fired up. I will have something engraved on your tome, o’ mighty slayer of demonic cows, if you ever get yourself killed before I go.” Bishop Ramos still smiling. “What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t.”

“Any thoughts about Doug?” Inquisitor Lightbringer trying to change the subject. “I wanted to do something to thank him, but I’m having issues reconciling him and all the reports. He is unranked and I read nothing off him. If there was a team or someone else there with him. All I get is “good” and no threat level.”

“I had thought that he was the connection I was looking for, but no. Already searched for sorcery and illusions. Even divination revealed no answers. If there’s anything there, it’s real. This brings me to why I didn’t wait for you to return” Bishop Ramos turning to a more serious conversation. “I was thinking I could get the answers I was looking for if we were part of a party together. But now that you have it your heart to gift the man something, what do you think of Awakening Farms?”

“A grand gift, I must admit.” Inquisitor Lightbringer pauses for a moment. “Yes, it is what I would do for someone saving my grandchild.” He stops, thoughts of Office Trailbreaker gone for the moment. “And the level of breakthrough would reveal his strength!”

Turning to face the Paladin, the Bishop offers. “The church wanting to also express its’ appreciation for his service to our community would certainly provide for at least half of the cost.”

Facing each other, there is an unspoken agreement between the two as they turn and walk back to find Doug still standing in the same spot watching their approach.

*** Doug’s POV ***

“Give up on Talon so soon?” I question the Paladin while still looking at the Priest that seems to be too happy to meet me.

“To be honest, I have been wanting to express my thanks for saving my granddaughter. Speaking with Bishop Ramous, the church also wants to express its gratitude for the service that you have provided. Bishop Ramos,” Gesturing to the Priest. “has suggested a most excellent gift that in my heart, I had to present to you now.”

Looking between the two, I can see in their faces that what they want to give must be something they believe I will also be very excited about. The Inquisitor pausing to let the moment build before continuing. “We would like to take you to Awakening Farms. There is one just a short distance from here at the edge of Greens Brook. Did you know that there was one here in town?”

“Thank you,” I reply, not knowing how excited I should be about this. It can’t be like a real farm, can it? Like with crops and livestock?

Seeing my confusion, Bishop Ramos asks. “You do know of Awakening Farms?”

“Sorry, I do not” I reply.

Both of them looking at me with a slightly disbelieving grin, the Bishop continues. “For adventures?” I subtly shake my head no with a shrug of my shoulders.

“Where someone with enough gold can pay for the resources to become Tin Rank and obtain a class without the dangers of dying in the attempt? Surely even where you are from, you have heard of such places?” The Bishop asks with a grin.

“Never heard it. Didn’t know a place like that existed.” Fantasy world fiction and possibilities running through my mind. “Let’s go. Let’s go now!”

The Bishop and Paladin looking at each other, considering, the Paladin wavering with the approval first, then the Bishop nods in agreement. “Why not?”

Inquisitor Lightbringer raises a hand to signal one of his aids. Once he has his attention, “Wagon” he calls out. With a nod of acknowledgment, the aid is gone, only to return in a moment to where he was positioned. There is some quiet small talk between Bishop Ramous and Inquisitor Lightbringer as we stand waiting, I don’t quite catch the subject, but a rider is sent out towards the town. A couple of minutes later, we are boarding a wagon that looks the same as I traveled in before. There is a driver and I am riding shotgun with my sponsors riding together behind me, continuing their conversation. We haven’t traveled a football field's distance before I notice the sound of horses pacing behind us. Turning to look, I see about a dozen armed guards, a single file line set back and pacing each side of the wagon. I face back forward, watch as we approach Greens Brook. I have not traveled this direction, although I have seen it in the distance. I have not been out of Community Farms before.

After about 20 minutes I’m realizing that this ‘Town’ Greens Brook, must be more like the size of a small city. I could always see it in the distance, but we are not there yet. Maybe I’m just overestimating how fast I think we are traveling and comparing it to how long it would take with a car. Looking down at the road moving underneath us, I feel like it’s about as fast as a bicycle.

Looking around and staring up at the clouds, I’m guesstimating that it isn’t even noon yet when I hear the Bishop behind me says, “I have a confession if you would hear it?”

“I’m not sure what I could do to help, but I’ll listen.” I reply without turning to look back at them.

“Part of the reason I suggested Awakening Farms and the church covering part of the cost is not only for what you have done but also because we are curious about you.” The Bishop goes on to explain. “Not only is this considered a grand gift, but I was also hoping that somewhere in this process we would find more answers about who you are. I was thinking that it would be best to say something to you now, so in case there are any issues later, there is no cause for anger or retribution. It is the perceived offense that can sometimes cause bitterness in one's heart if we are not careful. We wanted you to know our thoughts and our hearts in this matter so that you do not feel manipulated and the gift does not cause bitterness, diminish the value, or gratitude we have for what you have done.”

“hmm, Thank you. It wasn’t something I was thinking about, but I can see how I might have been offended if I thought you were just doing this for what you would get out of it.” I turn back to face them. “Thank you for letting me know”.

We turn off to the right, not heading into the town, but skirting around the outside edge as we make the rest of the trip in silence.

Greens Brook is not a walled city or town. We are too close to see now, but I get the feeling that it is more densely populated either in the center or other edge. This side seems to be varying homes of families, about the size of a small single-family house.

I find myself staring into the yards and homes of a diversity of people that I was not prepared for. The sections seem to alternate and change between humans, and then human-like people. I am not close enough to see their features, but close enough to know not quite human. More apparent is how the housings change. The scale of the doors and roofline changes between some sections. Couple of times the architectural style just changes like different sections of a theme park. Round like huts from some indigenous tribe. Mounds that are scattered in an area. One, a larger hill with openings randomly all around giving me the impression it was hollow inside. I watch in silence, trying to process what I see.

Turning to the right again, it breaks me out of my thoughts. It has probably been about another fifteen or twenty minutes and we are heading up to a building that looks like a wilderness lodge hall.

The men dismount, there are plenty of hands to take the horses as they form up to each of our sides. I leave my things in the wagon and like some grand hotel, the three of us head inside.