The pages of Richard Deepscar opened the doors to the Chapel of Celes. Glenn followed Richard back out into the square like a man lost in a daze. He felt like he’d been ensorcelled, like some Moss Beast had called him into the woods. He’d been so close to all he ever wanted.

The square remained filled with everyone who lived in Wolfpine, more people than Glenn could count. It had also gone silent as the church, as everyone waited expectantly for the news that the Gods had chosen Glenn Redwood, Blazer candidate, to become an Adventurer. Mayor Coleman stood on the stage from which he’d made his speech, with Jenny Ambersun at his side.

Glenn’s mother, father, Karl, and Becka all stood anxiously as well, yet Glenn did not dare meet their eyes. They’d see his disappointment and think he’d been chosen as Townsfolk. Despite his mother’s fervent assurance she would be proud of him no matter what path the Gods chose for him, he couldn’t bear to see the sympathy in their eyes. And not Becka’s. Especially not hers.

Yet somehow Glenn kept his feet. Somehow he followed Richard, and somehow, he climbed back onto the stage. He took his place as he had before, beside Becka, and felt her hand grip his. She squeezed, yet the tenderness was a pain rather than a blessing.

“We’re both still going with the Blazers, even if the Gods are stupid,” she whispered.

She’d seen his body language as he exited the chapel and concluded the Gods had chosen him as Townsfolk. She was trying to comfort him, to assure him they’d still be together thanks to the fact that the Blazers had approval to take even Townsfolk into their guild, but she didn’t know what had truly happened. She couldn’t know, at least not until Richard Deepscar walked to the mayor’s podium.

Richard cleared his throat. And then, in the same deep, booming voice he used at worship services, he announced the event that had forever brought a halt to Glenn’s dreams.

“The people of Wolfpine have been blessed before by the Gods, but today is truly a day among days,” Richard boomed proudly, with fervor that almost made Glenn believe. “As rare as it is for two of our youth to be offered a position in the Blazers Guild, I have even more wonderful news.”

He paused for effect. The crowd waited in breathless anticipation. What could be more wonderful than having two people of Wolfpine chosen to join the Blazers Guild?

“Thanks to his brave deeds and steadfast desire to protect our town and its people, the Gods have chosen Glenn Redwood for an honor bestowed upon only an elite few. The Gods have chosen Glenn to become our newest Town Guard.”

Beside him, Tania grimaced. Hal gasped. Karl Coldbreaker ruefully shook his head.

Becka’s eyes went wide as she stared at the side of his head. Her hand squeezed his desperately, like she feared he’d be torn from her grip at any moment. And she was right. The current created by the Gods would sweep Becka from Wolfpine tomorrow, not him. She would live their dream alone.

Richard continued proudly. “In but sixteen years, Glenn has proven himself a champion of both Wolfpine and its people. The Pantheon Themselves have decreed that they trust Glenn to keep everyone, Townsfolk and Adventurer alike, safe from harm, and have imbued him with Their own power. Now join me, people in Wolfpine, in honoring our newest Protector of All.”

Richard turned to look at Glenn and clapped his hands high, where everyone could see.

The crowd in the square stood momentarily in stunned silence. Then, they all began cheering, whooping, and clapping at once. Glenn forced a smile for their benefit and stood strong under this torrent of undeserved praise.

The crowd hadn’t even cheered for Becka like this, and she was the reason Azalea Whitetalon was alive. All Glenn had done was be stricken by a Divine job offer. The praise hurt.

Mayor Coleman strode over, beaming with what might be a genuine smile, and touched Glenn’s shoulder. “Congratulations, Redwood!” He sounded like he genuinely meant it. “I’d feared it would be years before I got a full roster again. You truly are a gift from the Gods.”

Such platitudes sounded fake coming from a man like Coleman, and Glenn instantly concluded that a Politician must get some sort of experience bonus from having a full roster of Town Guards. Larger towns had dozens of guards, but the maximum number of Town Guards a town of Wolfpine’s modest size—about 60 people, give or take—could have was limited.

Coleman wouldn’t be this pleased simply for Glenn’s benefit. He was pleased for himself. And while Becka still gripped his hand, he felt the tremble in her grip.

She, like him, was adjusting to the fact that the one event they’d both assured themselves would never happen had happened. Becka would be leaving Wolfpine, with Jenny, alone, to start her new life as a Blazer. Glenn would be staying behind.

The love and life they’d been so certain they’d have would never be, now, because of the Gods. In that moment, Glenn almost dared hate Them. Yet this was an honor, wasn’t it? This honor was bestowed upon only a chosen few.

“Now, people of Wolfpine, drink and be merry!” Mayor Coleman shouted, once again using [-Be Heard-] to cast his voice across the square. “More mead and food will arrive shortly. Please join me in congratulating our newest Town Guard, Glenn Redwood, on his remarkable accomplishments. This truly is a day to remember!”

Glenn’s mother arrived then, yet before she could hug him, Hal hugged him first. Glenn didn’t protest, yet he barely summoned the resolve to hug Hal back. He loved his father, he truly did … yet he couldn’t help but resent the fact that Hal was likely thrilled by the choice of the Gods. Glenn knew his father had secretly been worried Glenn would go off to Adventurer and meet the forever death.

Now, there was literally nothing in all of Grassea that could kill him.

“I’m so impossibly proud of you,” Hal said quietly, and thumped Glenn’s back. “We both are. I know this isn’t what you wanted, but I hope you’ll see, one day, it isn’t as bad as you think.” Hal’s eyes glistened in the light. “And you’ll have a home with us for as long as you wish it.”

His father did love him. Glenn couldn’t resent that. Despite his fears for Glenn’s safety, Hal had done everything he could to ensure Glenn became an Adventurer, from ensuring he could wear Adventurer gear while he Leveled to supporting him in every way. Glenn couldn’t hold the fact that the Gods had chosen differently against his father. Hal had simply wanted him safe.

His mother arrived next, and instead of hugging him, she simply set one hand on his shoulder and held his gaze. As her eyes stared into his, Glenn saw the mixture of pride and sadness in her gaze. He knew Tania Redwood, at least, understood. She’d suffered the same disappointment eighteen years ago, yet she hadn’t even been chosen as a Town Guard.

His mother gained nothing when the Gods denied her wish to become an Adventurer, nothing except a career Enchanting weapons for others. Glenn had gained a steady salary, a pension, free food and mead, and room and board. And power. Gods, he was so impossibly strong now, yet the Gods had given him this power. He hadn’t earned it. It felt undeserved.

Karl came next. He gripped Glenn’s shoulders. “Any time you need a drink, my house is open,” Karl said softly. “You’re a strong man with a kind heart, and one I’d be proud to call my friend.”

Glenn could only nod silently. Karl must also understand how much this boon hurt him, knowing how Glenn cared for Becka, yet having the genuine respect of such a good man helped ease the sting.

Perhaps it did not matter to Karl that Glenn would not be Adventuring with his daughter. Perhaps it only mattered that Glenn had offered to do so.

“Come, Redwood!” Mayor Coleman shouted, from below. “Enjoy the festivities! The night is young and you’ll have much work to do soon, but not tonight. Tonight, we celebrate your blessing!”

Yet Jenny Ambersun, Blazer Rank Four, moved between Mayor Coleman and Glenn. Once again, she inclined her head before her gaze rose. She, too, seemed to understand the mixture of emotions Glenn was feeling at being simultaneously granted such a blessing and such a disappointment.

“To be chosen to wield the power of a Town Guard is among the rarest role bestowed by the Gods,” Jenny said softly. “That They would trust you with their divine gear and Blessings speaks volumes for your character and worth. We would have welcomed you as a Blazer, but the Gods need you here. Protect Wolfpine like you protected me. The Blazers will handle the rest.”

Again, Glenn could only nod. He hadn’t actually done much protecting after Vulpor knocked him over, though … he had bought Jenny the distance and time she needed to cast [-Inferno-]. And he had helped save Zack from those Shaitan outside town.

And with his new Strength, Vitality, and [God Armor], Glenn suspected he might actually be able to beat Vulpor in a fight. The fact that he could now likely solo Grassea’s Elite wolf was difficult to believe. No Monster in all of Grassea could stand against him now.

Finally, at least, it was just he and Becka, standing on the stage. She stared up at him, eyes glistening. She took both his hands, then pulled him close.

“Kiss me like you mean it,” she whispered.

Here? In front of the whole town, on stage? In front of their parents? Yet why shouldn’t he, and Gods, how could he not? This might be the last time he ever had this opportunity. Glenn pulled her close and kissed her with all the emotion flowing out of him. She kissed him back desperately.

The crowd cheered again. Some shouted bawdy or congratulatory comments, having seemingly forgotten that this kiss would be among the last Glenn ever shared with the woman he … cared for. A woman to whom he would now bid goodbye.

Becka broke their kiss, hugged him, and then rose on tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “Meet me in the park tonight as soon as you get free. I’ll wait until morning. Find me.”

She squeezed his hands, stepped aside, and motioned to the stairs.

“Now let’s celebrate!” Becka shouted proudly, for the crowd’s benefit, with fervor that would have convinced him had he not known her so well. “My man’s been chosen by the Gods! Make sure he remembers that, Wolfpine!” She gripped Glenn’s hand and pulled.

Numbly, Glenn allowed her to lead him down into a cheering crowd. People began congratulating him on his great accomplishment almost at once, slapping him on the shoulder or on the back. At some point, Becka vanished.

Yet while Glenn might have known all these people by face and name another day—Wolfpine was a rather small town—this day they all became a blur. Someone pressed a filled cup of mead into his hands. Glenn drank it all without thinking. Where was Zack? He hadn’t seen Zack tonight, or his new girlfriend.

Another mug of mead quickly arrived. Despite his dazed state, Glenn knew better than to lose himself in his cups. This was the last night he’d have with Becka, and he was going to find her in the park as soon as he found some way to extricate himself from the impossibly awkward inconvenience of being congratulated by the entire town.

More food arrived. While Glenn had no appetite remaining, he did eat. Some. He was almost to the point of feigning illness when the crowd gasped and parted.

Glenn turned and stared. Four Town Guards in full armor arrived, led by Captain Logain Cliffbreeze. Glenn also recognized Joanne from the shape of her female armor, and there was another man and another woman with them, though he didn’t know who these two were. The crowd stood in awed silence at the rare sight of four Town Guards in the middle of the square.

Under normal circumstances, even seeing one Town Guard meant a crime had occurred. Four Town Guards was almost unheard of. Had they really come all this way just for him?

Still wearing his full-face helm, Logain beckoned. “Glenn Redwood. Come with us.”

====

Known to the world as Protectors of All, Town Guards are the last line of defense between Monsters and the towns they protect. Unlike when a mortal is chosen as Adventurer or Townsfolk, Town Guard is not a Class available to anyone. No mortal can choose to become a Town Guard. The Gods choose them, and they only choose the most selfless, brave, and talented mortals in Balarel.

To be chosen as a Town Guard is an honor only a tiny number of mortals ever receive. It is a sign of the Gods’ favor, a mark of a mortal’s worth, and a promise of lifelong prosperity. No Monster, Demon, or Desouled can stand against a Town Guard for long.

Yet Town Guards need not always remain with the town’s walls. With permission of the town mayor, they may complete Quests and even travel to other zones so long as such travel is officially sanctioned. Many Town Guards relish their role as protectors and fiercely guard their flock.

And their barracks hold secrets known only to the most accomplished of Adventurers.