“Trying to swell your ranks are you Vladmere? You have already chosen seven to my one. Let’s let Garret decide his future and loyalties shall we?” Sirus stated more as an order than a request and he watched them as they nodded their agreement. “So what of you Garret? Would you like to continue your path and join the knights of Valdadore, or would you choose another path to become a powerful mage fighting your battles from afar?” Sirus asked already knowing Garret’s answer having gleaned the information from his wife.
“I should like to join the knights of Valdadore if they would have me Lord Sirus.” Garret replied trying his best to sound noble.
“We should indeed be happy to embrace you young master Garret. Now if you will see Heath and then go stand with Zorbin Ironfist the dwarf there I will see you again shortly.”
Garret nodded with a smile and strode happily to meet with Heath glancing over his shoulder briefly to his brother. Seth was next in line and composed himself as best as he was able, un-wanting to join with any portion of the army be it common soldier or knight, and as such coming to terms with his current situation. Giving Sara’s hand one last squeeze he released it to face those coming before him alone. As the four main members of the procession stopped in front of Seth he realized that Sirus was again smiling, this time at him. Seth did not return the man’s smile. Instead he waited patiently for someone to speak to him, trying as he waited to keep his composure.
“You must be Seth.” Sirus stated mater-of-factly. “My wife mentioned that Garret and you were twins.”
Seth nodded his understanding still unsure of his ability to speak through his nervousness.
“Seth I must ask, as is my duty, do you have any particular talents and do you yet worship any of the gods?” Sirus asked in his mock ceremonious tone.
Mustering his courage Seth chose his words carefully before he spoke.
“I too have the talent to control magic, but I have yet to align my soul with a god.” Seth stated coolly trying to emphasis his distaste on the religion subject.
“I see.” Sirus stated understanding Seth’s tone. “Have you put much thought into what station you had hoped to be chosen for?” He asked seeking Seth’s intentions further.
“I have indeed sire, however I have only just recently learned of my ability to wield magic, and although I am not inclined to take another's life, it feels as if it is something I need to pursue. Other than that M’lord I am afraid I am unsure what positions exactly that I might best be suited for.” Seth answered trying to see if he might be offered options rather than being picked for a particular duty.
“Well young Seth let’s see if we can’t discern a couple possible paths for you shall we?” Sirus again asked him waiting to continue until Seth nodded in agreement. “With the ability to wield magic your options are several, and all of them lead to a path with possibilities of great power and great rewards. Let’s see if we can dwindle down the choices a bit shall we?” Sirus asked rhetorically before continuing. “The druids seek those who are one with the land, those who would not harm plant nor animal unless there was no other option. The path of the druid is one of patients, for their craft sometimes takes years to bear fruit. Are you so inclined to live from the land and not harm the animals that live there?” Sirus again asked.
“I enjoy hunting sire.” Seth stated simply.
“In that case perhaps like your young friend should like to heal those that have been injured or become sick. The healers whose souls are sworn to Lorentia live a life of servitude to others. Their sole purpose and calling is to those who require healing. They give no preference, they deny no one, and so if asked for their service they shall give it. Are you so inclined Seth?” Sirus asked raising one of his bushy red eyebrows.
“It is an honorable position for sure sire, however I do not feel so inclined and I am afraid I would be poorly suited for that station.” Seth answered honestly.
This piqued Sirus’ interest so he then offered the position he hoped Seth, like his brother, would choose.
“Perhaps then you should like to remain by your brother’s side and join the elite ranks of the Knights of Valdadore. All of us within the ranks possess the gift, though our wise god Gorandor chooses to give the ones he blesses each a single blessing to help them perform in battle. The blessings vary slightly, but usually they are for the same purpose. We are a small portion of the Kingdom’s vast armies, choosing only the best. We live by a code of honor at all costs, even at the cost of our own lives. Is this the path that you can foresee yourself venturing down? Sirus again asked Seth.
“I would like to stay with my brother.” Seth stated while thinking of the other person he refused to be away from. With the though Seth accidentally let his eyes wander to Sara where he viewed her for a fraction of a second in his peripheral vision before returning his gaze to Sirus and continuing his response. “Though I do not feel any drive to join the army I am afraid.” Seth finished
With Seth’s answer Sirus’ eyebrows knotted in the middle of his head and he nodded solemnly. He had noticed Seth’s sideways glance and already understood its meaning. Sasha had told him of the young love affair, and even if the boy did not want to be a knight he would try to see to it that he could carry out his wife’s wishes.
“I see.” Sirus stated coolly once again. “Perhaps then you wish to wield magic as one of the powerful battle mages who don the red robes. They fight with the army though they live and train separately. Most of them worship Zeranthil though some have been known to worship other lesser gods in times past. Their powers are quite formidable and their blessings vary from person to person. Some have many abilities yet others are limited to just one or two abilities. They live by their own set of rules, though I do not know them precisely. If that does not suit you then perhaps you might find interest in the gray robed mages. They specialize in defensive magics. They too help the army though they do not fight. They instead use their power to protect those of us who do fight. Their abilities vary as well, some of them can bless armor to make it impenetrable, and others can form invisible shields to deflect blows. Gray robes are a rare enough sight as most with the ability choose to join the red robes. Judilanthaliz is the head of the Gray robes and he teaches a life of discipline and honor much akin to that of the knights. All who don the gray robes throughout history have worshiped Saranadia. Those are the two primary options left to you young Seth, however I warn you. Should you choose to join the ranks of the mages you are given a limited time to choose a god to swear yourself to, and then if you do not receive a blessing from your chosen god in a reasonable amount of time you will be removed from their ranks and given a position elsewhere. The same goes for my knights, however I choose them carefully and have never had to turn one away after I have chosen them. Does either of these positions seem a likely choice to you?” Sirus asked for the final time.
“M’lord I think if I am being given a choice then I feel I am best suited for a gray robe. I like to help others, and I do try and protect them if I am able. I feel this would be the best option for me.” Seth stated honestly, thinking a guardian role suited him nicely.
Sirus turned to the man in the gray robe and nodded to him.
“It seems he is all yours then Judilanthaliz.” Sirus said to the man.
The man in gray nodded his cowled head and took a step forward towards Seth. Stopping after a single step the man pulled back his cowl revealing his face. Seth inhaled sharply at the sight though composed himself as quickly as he was able to face the man. The man was older than Seth had imagined him to be. In fact the man’s hair was the same shade of gray as his robes. This however was not what had shocked Seth. The man’s face was split in two by a wide jagged scar that started as his left temple, straight through his sightless left eye, across his nose and down the opposite cheek all the way to his neck. His mangled features were the first thing that Seth registered however they were not the only thing that had caught him off guard. The man was also not human, at least not completely so. His face was narrow and slightly elongated. His cheekbones were a bit too high under his almond shaped eyes that slanted slightly. This however was not what readily gave the man away as nonhuman. It was the man’s long pointed ears that labeled him unmistakably as an elf. All this Seth was able to take note of in the time it took for a single intake of breath. Composing himself immediately he waited for the man to address him.