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Ichabod Seabrook sat comfortably in the chair in front of the desk in the rectory. He briefly glanced out the window at Genalopa, the city he had called home his whole life. He had been in this temple waiting for over an hour, and he knew that was intentional. They were trying to make him anxious, but it didn’t work. It was the dead of winter outside, and warm in here, so he could sit here all day. Just as he was dozing off, Brother Ilkard stepped inside and sat behind the desk.
“Ichabod, I’m very sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Oh, that’s just fine, Ilkard. I don’t have anywhere else I need to be.”
“I have seen you in service from time to time, but I don’t think we’ve had a chance to talk since we lost your father. What was that, a year ago?”
“Closer to two.”
“I hope you are satisfied that I have carried on your father’s work here rebuilding the faith.”
“I’m sure my father would be pleased with your work here.”
“Thank you. So I understand you are interested in becoming a paladin of Fedahar.”
“Yes.”
“Assuredly you must be aware that you are substantially older that our typical novice.”
“Yes, by over 30 years. Is there an age limit?”
“No, not exactly.”
“Then what is the problem?”
“We just want to make sure that you are making a wise decision, and also that you’ll be able to withstand the physical challenges.”
“I have spent some time thinking about this. As for the physical challenges, I assume that’s why you have the trials.”
“Of course, but please humor me. Tell me a little about yourself.”
“You already know me and what I want to do, so what else would you like to know?”
“We have met, of course, but I want to know everything. I knew your father only for a few months, and I need to know more than what he told me. This may take a while. Let’s start at the beginning. Tell me about your childhood. Did you come from a big family?”
“I had two older sisters and two younger brothers. You can tell me whether that’s big or not. My mother died shortly after the youngest was born, and so my father raised us on his own. I remember when this temple was just a shrine, and we all had to help take care of it. My father ensured we all had a good education. It all seemed fine to me.”
“What exactly happened to your mother?”
“I don't know. She was a healer, and she left one morning to check on a pregnant patient. She didn’t come home. Bandits? Orcs? We never discovered anything. She didn’t even make it to her patient.”
“I’m very sorry to hear that. So when you were old enough, you joined the army. Why was that?”
“Why? I don’t think many 16 year olds really have the best reasons for doing anything. I needed a job, and they were hiring.”
“I see. So what did you do in the army?”
“That can be a long answer. I was in the army for over 30 years.”
“We have time.”
“Alright, then. I started out in the 12th Infantry, and we campaigned in the war with Rotanset. I have to admit, I didn’t see much action personally. I held my own in the shield wall, and I had to repair some arrow holes in my shield from time to time. I exchanged a few blows, but it was my comrades who, by luck of the draw, handled most of the fighting. After 10 years, I had made Lieutenant, and my unit was transferred to the 6th Infantry. A few months later the 12th was wiped out at the Battle of Oxbridge.”
“You must have lost a lot of friends then.”
“Too many to count, but we were soldiers. Dying is what we were paid to do.”
“Are you saying it didn’t bother you?”
“Of course I’m not saying that. Being bothered doesn't change anything.”
“I see. Did you finish your time in the army with the 6th?”
“No, I retired as a Captain in the Quartermaster’s office.”
“Quartermasters don’t typically see much action either.”
“No, they do not. Few soldiers live to retire, but if you find one and ask him about his combat experience, he might tell you about his first kill. Maybe the first five or so. Then he may say after that they all blend together. They have forgotten how many have died by their sword. But me, no, not me. In 30 years, two men died by my sword. I remember their faces clearly. They were young. I guess I was too. I wish I could say that they were great duels, but that’s not what happened. The first, I poked through the shield wall. I saw his face widen with shock as my sword cut into his chest. I don’t think he even saw me. The other man was part of a small unit attempting to raid our supplies. He had taken some wounds already when I cut him down. He never even saw me. I’m not sure which of us was more shocked.”
“Did you enjoy the combat?”
“Enjoy? Who would enjoy it? It’s just something that needed to be done.”
“Some do. Tell me, did you follow the faith of Fedahar during this time?”
“More or less.”
“What does that mean?”
“It is the faith my father taught me. It was always with me. That doesn’t mean I attended every service. For that matter, it was often difficult to find a priest of a god so many others consider gone forever. Some days were harder than others.”
“That’s certainly understandable. Are you married?”
“Yes.”
“What’s her name?”
“Arleyna.”
“How did you meet?”
“While stationed in Rediva. She was a waitress in The Red and Blue, and I found myself eating there far more often than I should. It wasn’t too long before we were married.”
“Do you have any children?”
“Yes, we have four children and three grandchildren. One girl and three boys. A soldier, a smith, and a merchant.”
“That sounds wonderful. Have they kept you busy?”
“Oh yes. Since retiring, I have been busier than ever before. I think those little ones are faster than their parents ever were. I help out with them most days.”
“How long have you been retired now?”
“Just about 3 years.”
“And so that brings us back to your father. Were you close to him?”
“As much as a traveling soldier can be. We kept in touch, and he also helped Arleyna when I was away.”
“And then he died shortly after you retired. How did that make you feel?”
“Make me feel? My father died. I would say I was sad.”
“Yes, but I mean… did you trust that Fedahar received him?”
“He was a good man and a righteous priest. I have no doubt of that.”
“Did you feel any closer to Fedahar?”
“I suppose I did, but it also made me feel closer to my father. Looking at his body, I considered all that he had done during his life. He raised five children on his own while changing a shrine into a temple. He brought so many more to the faith. I don’t know whether he was content, but I hope he was.”
“Are you content?”
“No. I have worked very hard, and I love my family. But I think of what I have done with my life and I realize I have killed two men and handed out supplies to soldiers. It’s not enough. At this stage in my life my contributions should be done as I lay back to enjoy my golden years, but that’s not happening. My father kept working until the day he died in this temple. I have more to do.”
“Is that why you are here?”
“Yes.”
“Have you considered becoming a priest like your father? The paladin’s path does not make it easy to spend evenings with your family.”
“I considered it, but the truth is I am trained to wield a sword. I may not have used it much, but the training has stayed with me. The problem has been why I wield it. I am loyal to the king, but I do not feel comfortable fighting in his name. To fight in service of a god, though, that’s a different story. I have talked to my family about this decision, and they understand. I think they can see that I miss the road. Look, I know I’m older than most, but I have a lot left in me. I still have a lot to give.”
“Are you sure you have no reservations? We can wait.”
“I am confident.”
“Very well. I see no reason that you may not attempt the training and trials, but please understand your age will not give you any special consideration. However, your training will. I’m sure we will be able to skip much of the combat training. In three days, we will send you to our temple in Pindalos.”
“Thank you. I’ll see myself out.”
Ichabod spent the next year in the city of Pindalos learning more about the faith of Fedahar. His teachers were a half blind priest named Brother Dorrell, and a paladin (about the same age as Ichabod) named Sir Osric Kelton. Ichabod found many of the younger recruits looking up to him as if he knew the answers simply from his age. Even so, he didn’t mind looking out for them too much.
After a year in the mother temple of Fedahar, Ichabod was sent to spend three days and nights in meditation in the highest tower of the temple. He was provided only water and a small pillow on which he was expected to kneel for most of the time. Ichabod wasn’t so great with the meditation. He was supposed to contemplate the nature of Fedahar, the meaning of faith, and the reasons to serve his fellow man. He certainly did that, but after the first hour his thoughts turned to his family and his time in the army. He thought of his father, and wondered what happened to his mother. He thought of his grandchildren and wondered what places they might find in the world. He thought about how much his knees hurt kneeling with just that small pillow. In the end, however, at the end of the third night he was confident he was making the right decision. Still, he did plan on asking to visit his family for a while when this was done.
Just before dawn, he was led down to the main sanctuary by Sir Osric and Brother Dorrell. He knelt before Lord Cowan Talmadge, the Lord Commander of all paladins of Fedahar.
“Ichabod Seabrook, have you spent three days and three knights in medication?”
“I have, Lord.”
“And have you decided you wish to join the paladins of Fedahar?”
“I have, Lord.”
“Then speak the oath.”
“From this day forward, my life is pledged to Fedahar. I shall seek no riches nor personal glory. I shall defend the weak, uphold the law, and submit to the will of Fedahar. Through honor and service to my fellow man, I will bring glory to Fedahar. I swear this in his name and mine.”
Lord Cowan brought his sword down on Ichabod’s shoulders.
“Then rise, Sir Ichabod Seabrook, as a full Knight of the Order Attomarei. Join your brothers.”
Father Gunther Seabrook (D)
Mother Melecia Seabrook (D)
Wife Arleyna Seabrook
Brother Wardly Seabrook
Brother Calvert Seabrook
Sister Natara Cynan
Sister Rolene Gladwin
Son Baldric Seabrook Smith Father of Kalea
Son Daegen Seabrook Soldier
Son Obert Seabrook Merchant
Daughter Helda Frindis
Grandson Hector Frindis
GrDaughter Galina Cynan
GrDaughter Kalea Seabrook
_________________
Do the asparagus look threatening?
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