The Paladins stared at each other, Mariel’s eyes holding firm while Jana’s mind wandered to the village. Her body tensed. She wanted to yell at the rogue Paladin for her unacceptable behavior, but she the word wouldn’t come. Jana’s heart wrenched at her college’s treatment and that somehow it slipped through the cracks and continued undetected. Her eyes dropped, the pain twisting on her lips. “I am sorry.”

Mariel raised an eyebrow. “For what?”

“I spoke against you without understanding what you have been through. This is not how a Paladin should be treated...no one should be treated that way. Why would you stay here?”

“My family is here.”

“Why would they choose to stay? When you go through such misery? Why not just move?”

“You must be from Pretha,” Mariel chuckled bitterly.

“Well, yes, but I do not see how that is related.”

“Because you Prethians all forget that without wealth, things are much harder. My family has lived here for generations. They can trust the land here to keep food on the table and roof over them. Moving would mean abandoning that trust, and taking on the chance that they might not find land or work.”

“You could still leave. It is common for children to leave home once they are grown.”

Mariel’s face twisted, crossing her arms. Jana knelt next to Alboda and Mariel. “Maybe you can help me, Great Beast?”

The boar chuckled. 

The young one is not as tough as she looks. She doesn’t want to be alone, and she fears what she doesn’t know.

“I see. Well, you will not be alone. I will stay with you every step of the way,” Jana beamed.

“That sounds terrible.”

Alboda nudged Mariel’s back, sending her forward slightly. 

What do you have to lose?

“Too much.”

“Come with me and give the Capital a chance. If you still want to come home before the Selection, I will not stop you,” Jana said.

Their blue eyes wandered into each other, the storm between them seeming to settle. Jana offered her hand to seal the deal, but Mariel hesitated, hardening her gaze. “Why are you trying so hard? Trying to impress someone?”

Jana hesitated. “At first, I wanted to ensure that I made my king and the gods happy but...but now I show you what it means to be a Paladin. What it really means. You can offer something to this world that no one else can. Are you satisfied being here?”

“It’s not about being satisfied; I just don’t it to be worse.”

Jana leaned in close, making sure she had Mariel’s full attention. “On my honor as a Paladin, I will not leave you, and I will not allow you to be hurt anymore.”

Mariel blinked, face softening. The dark blue of her eyes shined like the sea. Jana’s stomach fluttered.. Suddenly, red filled Mariel’s cheeks. She shifted away from Jana, tearing her eyes away. Alboda was right, Yvonne was right. Mariel was scared. At home, she knew what to expect, even if was terrible. Out there, she didn’t know what her life would be like. Jana wanted so much to show Mariel the real life of a Paladin. A life in the light and glory of the gods.

“If you’re wrong,” Mariel said, holding out her hand. “I won’t hesitate to rub it in your face.”

Jana smiled, clasping her hand in Mariel’s. “Deal.” With an excited laugh, Jana lunged forward. Mariel fell back with an arm out in front of her.

“What are you doing?”

“I intended to embrace you.”

“Why?”

“Is it not customary in Menem to embrace in a moment of celebration?”

“Not for me it isn’t.”

“Oh, of course, I am sorry.” Jana flushed. “Well, now that is resolved, I realized I have not seen you wearing your Paladin armor or weapon. Be sure to have it on when we leave.”

“About that...I don’t have it anymore.”

“You must have it. Losing it is impossible, it will always come back to its owner.”

“Yeah, I learned that lesson after I set it on fire.”

Jana paused, unable to fathom the actions taken. “The Great Ruler, Oarus, created that armor and weapon; a simple fire would not have been enough to destroy it.”

“Yeah, I had to get creative with it.”

“How could you possibly be so irresponsible?!”

“I figured what better way to give the gods the middle finger?”

“How is it even possible?”

“Oh, it’s not possible Paladin Jana.” The pair turned to find Yula standing close by, with a wooden box in his hand. He smiled and opened the lid. There sat the gift that Mariel tried so hard to get rid of. “I just let her think it was destroyed.”

“That was a dick move, Yula,” Mariel said with a frown.

“Language Mariel,” the minor god scolded. “I was waiting for the day you would come around.”

The rough Paladin sighed and stood, begrudgingly taking the box. Major walked over, nudging his rider. “I’m already regretting this. Well, come on Ms. Perfect.”

“You mean for us to ride together?”

“Well yeah, we won’t get back until late if we walk.”

Mariel offered her hand after jumping onto Major’s back. Jana hesitated, chewing on her lip, but nodded, allowing logic to rule over her previous experience.

“You can hold on to my waist if it makes you feel better,” Mariel said.

Jana blushed at the comment. She had never been the additional rider on the horse before, suddenly feeling vulnerable. Still, the security of holding on to her fellow Paladin brought a strange comfort to her.