The Paladin of Erra...

[JaeEleutheria]

29 years ago…

She knelt before the makeshift alter, made of things from the land. The earth, twigs, grass and leaves all were woven together to help it stand on its own. Tears streamed down her face as she placed the blood-stained sword on the alter.

“You think this pleases me?” the god stood before the distraught half-elf.

She shook her head.

“If you wish to serve me, revenge is not your duty.”

The half-elf simply nodded.

“To be my servant, what will you give me?”

“My sword, my life, my vow of chastity.”

The god wore a smirk. “I am Erra, the god of fertility and the land. What good is chastity to me?”

“Destroying my chastity would distract my devotion.”

“You are only to be bound to that vow then for 30 years. After that, it would please me more that you do that which makes us fertile.”

The half-elf simply nodded.

“You will then be my paladin. You will go forth and serve justice. In reward for your devotion…”

“I need no reward.”

“Nevertheless, I will give you peace. I will give you the strength to fight. Not for revenge, but for justice.”

The half-elf nodded.

“Who was he, whose blood stains your sword?”

“He tried to rape me, majesty.”

The god waved his hand. The alter where the sword was placed glowed and merged into the sword, changing the design and making it clean and laid upon the ground. “You will now carry my sword. Not one of violence but one of healing. What it touches will be healed, either physically, emotionally or spiritually, within our power.”

She kept her head bowed.

“Ariadne Amon, product of violence, you now fight for I who gave you life. Go forth and no longer go in shame, for my strength carries you.”