as written by Script
The next day...
The second day of the Aurellae was in full swing, as preparations were being made for the fencing tournament’s first round. For many of the festival-goers, the fencing was one of the ‘main events’ of the week, and so the crowds were even thicker than they had been the previous day, despite the events at St Caron’s.
Consequently, Noah found the affair even more unpleasant that he might otherwise have done. It was all far too loud, both literally and in a spiritual sense. There were downsides to being attuned to the lives of all those around you - a crowd like this was like a constant buzz of white noise in the back of his head.
Don’t be so grouchy, boy. I used to love the Aurellae when I was a girl. Even after that, it was still one of my favourite times of the year.
Noah rolled his eyes. Of course you did. You were one of them. This is your festival, not mine.
It’s everyone’s, Noah. That’s the point.
Is it? Or is it just an opportunity for a thinly veiled show of strength on your part?
An unnecessarily cynical viewpoint. I know for a fact that the majority of the order don’t view it that way.
And the Ecclesiarchy? Can you speak for them? You don’t actually believe they organise this out of charity, do you?
I don’t know. I don’t remember how well I knew of their ways. I … don’t think I thought very highly of them, I’ll admit.
At least she was honest. Aurore had been a paladin in life, that much she knew. She had vague recollections of her time alive, but the details eluded her. Details such as her full name, or how she’d died. It had made trying to figure out who she had been quite difficult, especially without access to Monastery records. Noah sighed. I understand that for most people, it’s just a fun week or two. But if you read between the lines… For one thing, I don’t believe for a second that all of the money raised here goes anywhere but into the Ecclesiarchy’s coffers.
I suppose that is likely, but the Ecclesiarchy funds many good works.
And many gilded armchairs.
The Ecclesiarchal Thrones are not gilded armchairs, Noah.
Might as well be. But like I said… part of this is the Church getting a chance to show the people that they’re still powerful. To posture, and pretend they have everything under control.
Would you rather have the people panic?
I suppose not. But it still doesn’t sit well with me. It’s just more lies, dressed up prettier.
And yet, you’ve entered their tournament.
Noah frowned. That paladin goaded me into it, implying that I couldn’t even stand up to one of their students without animancy.
“Noah?”
Blinking, Noah turned his attention towards the voice that had called his name. He realised belatedly that he’d been standing in the same spot, having a mental exchange with Aurore, for some time. The crowd had parted around him, many recognising his lengthy white cloak and uniform for what they were, and giving him a wide berth. Peregrine was stood with another paladin, eyebrow raised. As Noah turned to look at him, he smirked. “Daydreaming?”
Noah flicked his hair dismissively as he stepped across to Lacroix and his companion - a taller, broader paladin, with similarly fair blonde hair. He had a strong jaw, and an easy smile, but he seemed somehow weary despite his straight-backed posture. Something in his eyes, and in the aura Noah detected on him. Pain. That was it. Something ate at his heart behind the smile. “I was merely thinking,” he answered, shrugging his shoulders.
“You must be Noah,” the tall paladin said. “My name’s Aurelion. Aurelion Nuvellon” He offered a hand in greeting.
Nuvellon. Noah did his best to keep the shock from showing on his face, but Aurelion picked up on it. His smile faltered briefly in a wince. “Yes, that Nuvellon,” he added, more solemnly.
“I… I’m sorry, Sir Nuvellon. I did not mean to-”
“It’s fine.” The paladin smiled again, re-offering his hand. “I appreciate your sympathy, but my life and my duty continue. We don’t need to speak of recent events.”
Noah took his hand and shook it, marvelling at the strength of the man’s conviction. Despite the aching pain that Noah had detected, the rest of him was… resolute. Strong. Not what he would have expected of a man who had just lost most of his family.
“Noah,” Peregrine interjected quickly to change the subject. “I was just telling Aurelion about you! It’s the first time in … well, it’s the first time I’ve ever heard of an animancer taking part in the Aurellae. I can’t wait to hear what the judges will make of it.”
Noah shrugged. “Since I won’t be using my powers in the sparring, it should not matter.” He paused, considering. He wouldn’t put it past the Church’s judges to disqualify him on a single false accusation.
“But you’re worried someone will accuse you of it?” Noah raised an eyebrow, looking across at Aurelion. Had he been that obvious? “I wouldn’t worry too much. Our proselytes are good kids. They won’t throw any false accusations around.”
“That’s another point… I hadn’t realised I’d be matched up against… well, children.”
“You are only twenty,” Peregrine pointed out. “At least one of the proselytes is older than you, so…”
Noah grimaced. The tournament was age bracketed, true, but it still felt demeaning to be placed in the same category as students. Even considering his age. He supposed he would just have to make clear their misjudgement of his capabilities.
“If you get matched up against him - Izaic, is his name. Do me a favour, and give him a few bruises for me,” Aurelion said, folding his arms with a humourless chuckle. When Noah shot him a questioning look, he shrugged. “I’ve owed him a few from my brother for years now, but being a paladin… I can’t deliver on that debt. At least, not until next year, when he’s in my bracket of the sparring.”
“I’ll... “ Noah hesitated. He wasn’t sure that agreeing to deliver vicarious petty vengeance was an entirely appropriate arrangement for a Warden.
Picking up on his hesitation, Aurelion laughed, more genuinely this time. “I wasn’t being altogether serious, Warden. But do keep an eye out for him. He doesn’t know the meaning of the word restraint.”
“That’s if he’s even in the tournament,” Peregrine said. “Did you hear what happened yesterday?”
Noah hadn’t, but Aurelion spoke up before he could ask. “I did. Inarin was there when it happened. The twins are … I hesitate to say his friends, but they’ve met before. He told me everything after I got back to Florianne’s.”
“Izaic managed to pick probably the worst possible person to punch, except for maybe the Archbishop,” Peregrine explained to Noah, “one of the Castellane twins, the kids of Castellane International’s CEO. They’re the kind of rich that have a team of lawyers on hand for if you so much as sneeze at them. I’m told they’re not pressing charges, but...” He sighed. “The idiot could have gotten himself kicked out of the monastery, if he’d gotten convicted. And he would have done.”
“Did he have a reason to lash out?” Noah asked, more amused than anything. By the sounds of it, it would have been no great loss if Izaic had lost out on his chances at paladinhood. The last thing the city needed was more paladins like him.
“Nothing good,” Aurelion remarked, scowling. “Inarin said it was something that the Castellane kid had been about to say, but short of being physically threatened, there’s no good reason for a member of the order to strike a civilian. He could have done a lot more damage than he did.”
Noah nodded his head in agreement. “Well, if I do find myself as this Izaic’s opponent tomorrow, I’ll do my best to deliver on your request,” he gave Aurelion a wry smile. “To an extent that is appropriate, of course.”
“Of course,” Aurelion returned the smile.
“I hold out hopes for a thorough trouncing,” Peregrine remarked, waving a finger at him. “If, that is, you’re everything that your Master Warden says you are.”
He shot the paladin a glare. “Much of Master Devereaux’s opinion on me is based on my animantic prowess. But I don’t doubt I will be more than a match for him without it, regardless. But bravado is meaningless - until we actually meet in the ring, there’s no point in speculating.”
“He’s on the defensive now,” Peregrine stage-whispered across to Aurelion. “Hedging his bets, in case he’s the one that gets embarrassed in front of a crowd.”
“Uhg,” Noah huffed indignantly. “Must you try and mock me at every turn?”
“Must is a very strong word…” Peregrine rolled back on his heels, shrugging his shoulders.
“Don’t worry, he does this to everyone,” Aurelion remarked, nudging Peregrine - enough to put him off balance, and cause him to stumble. Noah couldn’t help but snicker. The long-haired paladin shot both him and Aurelion a glare as he regained his balance. “If anything, it’s a sign of affection.”
“I’m not sure if that’s comforting, or alarming,” Noah stated dryly.
“The pair of you simply wouldn’t know charm if it slapped you in the face,” Peregrine retorted with exaggerated pomposity. “And charm is quite tempted to do just that.”
Before their mocked up argument could continue any further, a voice blared across on the festival loudspeaker, requesting that the entrants for the fencing tournament report to the officials.
“That time already?” Aurelion glanced at his watch, raising an eyebrow. “So it is. Well, shall we go and watch?”
As the trio made their way towards the tournament staging grounds, Aurore’s voice piped up once more.
I can’t help but notice you’re getting along well with Sir Lacroix, and now Sir Nuvellon.
Noah frowned. I’m working with Lacroix, it would be foolish to be antagonisti-
Oh, pith. You’re not that cold, boy. Can it hurt to admit that not all of the church represent the arrogance and corruption you see in every shadow? You already accept me, after all.
You’re different, Aurore. You’re from another time, and you don’t remember everything anyway. But of course you’re right, they may well be as genuine as they seem. But for every paladin like them, no doubt there’s another like Him. Noah could not forgive the church for that. No matter what friendly faces it wore.
You’d do well not to push them away. Even if the Church is as black as you fear it is, allies within would be valuable, would they not?
He paused to consider for a moment. That’s true.
Friends, even more so. That’s not to mention how sorely you lack those. I worry, you know.
A grimace. Thanks, Aurore. But you’re not my-
And I do not pretend to be. Nonetheless, my concern is genuine. Your wellbeing is connected intrinsically to my own, after all. All I’m saying is … stop trying to catch yourself enjoying their company, and pushing that away. A little laughter won’t hurt you.
I’ll take your words under advisement.
With that, he firmly turned his mind from the exchange, and back to avoiding tripping over any of the crowd. Aurore could have pushed through if she wanted to, but she did not.
Aurelion and Peregrine were engaged in discussion of their prospective opponents in the tournament, and Noah happily allowed himself to fade into the background of the conversation. The idea of being here, walking amongst the Church’s favoured dogs as though he belonged, would have been preposterous to him a week ago.
No, it still was preposterous. But here he was.
Aurore was wrong on at least one count. He didn’t need friends amongst these people. But perhaps she had a point regarding allies. Perhaps with their help, he might find justice.
First, however, he had to find Him.
