Trials of Knighthood

[Kaden Asen]

Kicking his feet up on a log, the man called Kaden leans back and looks at the fire to his left. It has been a long day, with it's normal nonsense, and duties but he had completed each and it was time to rest. From the bag at his side he removes his black book, and silver quill. . .

My Beloved

I am still gaining my feet in these lands, they are much the same as I remember them from my boyhood, but much has changed. Many evils have flocked here that were not present then. . or perhaps I am more aware. It matters little which is the case, I have returned and now it is my place to carry on my duties here. I watched the sunset this evening whe it I noticed it's red hue. . . He leans his head back and closes his eyes, in rememberance for several moments a small smile crossing his face after just a few seconds. I must say, after being your lover no sunset will ever compare to your hair's color, but still it was nice to see and remember. Anyhow. . Deva and Siveyn are both here, I found it strange at first that we would come to the same place after our last parting, but after some thought it made sense, I am a paladin. .they are protectors in their own right.

Enoungh of that buisness.. . .I have seen some strange people in these lands. Some demand the disarming of those whom they would call upon to defend them and their homes. Others are so caught up in their petty worlds that they don't care for the lasting damage they do. I've met would be guardians of the innocent, and all I have seen or hear them do is cry of their own hardships, and the torments they must suffer. It's troubling, I have come here to see the order that was started so long ago, and as of yet I have not found -one- whom is capable of upholding it's purpose. Then again the only capable studend I ever did have took me a lifetime to find. I suppose a few weeks here shouldn't give me cause to doubt my purpose.. . . .Then again having a lovely, and wise red head to whisper wisdom in my ear goes a long way to calming my nerves.

Though if you do decide to return to the road and join me, remember this name. Tessian, if you encounter a man by this name, strike fist, burn the corpose then ask what his buisness was. He is involved with the hells, do -not- take him for granted, it would seem his skill is in manipulation of the honorable.

I dream of you often, and think of you always. Give the children a hug from me.
TB

[Kaden Asen]

Disreguarding the leaping flames, the man called Kaden charged head long through the burning streets. He would be blamed for this, for stiring evil from it's nest in his crusades, but for the moment he cared little for blame, only to save his treasure. As he rounded the corner he saw the Inn, flames were just starting to leap from the windows as he closed head long with the door.. . .

With a mighty crash, Kaden splintered the door into dozens of pieces by throwing his fully armed and armored body heavily against it. Once inside the Inn, he was greeted by a sight that chillded his blood. His treasure in the hands of the enemy, a man clothed in pure black was his foe, and laughed as Kaden drew his sword and charged!. . . .

The fight seemed to be endless, every skill, spell, or tactic Kaden attempted the man was one step ahead. Still they raged on, the blows of the swords sending sparks into the burning walls of the building that contained their duel. As the fought Kaden tried countless times to reach his treasure, only for his foe to interceed. So on they fought, the knight against the darkness.

Suddenly the man threw his arms wide, and dropped his sword in a attitude of mockery. Daring Kaden to strike him low, to deliever the death bloth against the threat against Kaden's mortal treasure. . .Kaden raised his blade quickly and prepared to drive it into his black heart, when suddenly with a burst of white light, a figure in of light appeared. . .

"Sir Knght! To strike down this foe is to loose whom you are, to deliever a blow of hatred will be the falling of grace, and the end of hope. Choose now!"

With it's warning delievered the being vanished. . .leaving on the darkness and the knight.. . . . Kaden's knee's buckled. . his sword fell from a weak hand, all he could do was kneel before his foe. . and plead with his eyes. . .

With another scornful laugh, the darkness regained his sword. . .stode across the room to Kaden's treaure, with a single deft blow The Darkness removed the head of Kaden's daughter. . .then turned and pointed "Had you left me be! Had you not made yourself my foe! Had you surrendered when offered she would live! This was -your- doing -Knight!-" The last word was added with a clear note of contempt. "If you will not break, then we will shatter your heart with the love you hold dear!. To think. . had you turned away, she would live!"

Kaden jerks awake! A cold sweat coating him. . .and tears leaking down his face. After calming his breathing, he sat up and hugged his knees. . .some wounds time never would heal, but. . .Mystra was his goddess, and he would trust her will in all things. No matter what wounds it offered his feeble heart.

[Kaden Asen]

*Kneeling on one knee before the alter of Torm, the man known as Kaden quietly offers his prayer and respects*

Loyal Fury, Golden Lion, Protector of the People, Mighty Captian. . .

I come before you to ask your favor upon my life, I shall never uphold the example you left before all whom serve, however I pray in time I will be looked upon as a "Honorable" man with the halls of your home. I strayed as a young man and commited crimes of the most vile sort against you and your faith, I beg your forgivness and your penance.

I ask you make my path steep, and my burdends great. Set before me all challenges and tests you endured and above all take from me ease and peace.

*He shifts, and with his head still bowed draws his sword. . and lays it on the floor before him, setting both hands on it as he recites an obvious well rehearsed prayer*

Be the champion of the weak and the defenseless.
Be stern, unyielding and unswerving in your battles with evil.
Obey your masters with alert judgment and anticipation.
Serve the common good and the rule law established by honorable rulers.
Seek prowess and skill in all endeavors.
Stand ever alert against corruption.
Every failure of duty diminishes Torm and every success adds to his luster.
Be ever mindful of the code , and use them in your actions to swiftly enact justice


*After a short pause*

Loyal Fury, I would ask one kindness. . if there must be suffering as an account of my actions, I -beg- thee. .Let me suffer, not others.

*His prayer finished he stands and leaves the temple.*

[Kaden Asen]

As the dawn breaks over the southern mountians, it meets the sight of Kaden kneeling before his blade his back to the morning rays. His dark cloak drapes about him, blowing forward in the breeze hiding his frame in a shroud of darkness. From under the black, glints his brilliant armor small glints of pure light reflecting back as the sun touches his armor. His hair loose as he bows his head agianst his sword hilt. . he greets the day as he always does, with his prayer.

"You grant me another day to repent, I give thanks for this gift and my heart sings praise for your mercy. With the same passion that I sought to undo the world in darkness's name, so shall I strive to remdeem it in Your name. I am a vile man, by grace alone have I been redeemed, by grace aong I shall face this new day reguardless of -any- mortal concern.

I ask again my request, should this be my last day, my final hours of mortality. I beg that when I stand to be judged, grace is removed. If my mortal sins are not overcome by my deeds in your service, I ask that I be damned eternaly as befitting of my actions.

Above all else, I ask that I finish. Forgive me goddess, but never pardon me. Love me as I love you, may your glory -always- be my Mystry."

[Kaden Asen]

A entry on Honor

Time will reveal to a man the nature of honor, and it's meaning. I have met men of noble birth, whom aren't worth the air they breath, and I have met common soldiers who are more valiant than paladins. What does it mean to be honorable? In my years I have watched many men whom are "Honorable" and others whom are not. .. . I have learned that honor is found in some of the most unlikely of sources, while lacking where most expected. So the question remains. . -What- is honor?


Some claim it is honesty. . sometimes. Some say it is to be Just. . at times I would agree, but these things are not -always- honorable. From what I have seen honor is to shoulder those burdens that are -not- yours to shoulder. Honorable men will take the suffering, toil, and hardships of those people about them, that they need not know them. Further more they will do so -without- complaint.
---- In doing so, they must uphold a great many virtues. .. to be Just when it is of personal cost, -this- is honorable. So is showing -mercy- when it is fitting, and of personal cost. Soldiers, and knights whom undertake those tasks that hold no chance of survival, yet they undertake them so that -others- need not die, it is -honorable-. Not all honest men are honorable. . not all dishonest men are dishonorable.

Most will never see past the what they are taught, they will never watch, study, or give thought to the actions of people about them. They will see a poorly dressed man, and call him dishonorable. The man with poor social skills is nearly always labeled dishonorable, which is not the case. Those whom walk through this world, and shoulder those burdens which they have no obligation to carry, they are the honorable, they are what all should strive to be. To care more for a stranger, to carry her burden without complaint, this is what it means to be honorable, may honor be given to them in their due time.

[Kaden Asen]

*kneeling before the idol of his goddess in the temple of Mystra, the man known as Kaden holds his sword set before him tip on the ground the hilt resting at face level. His right hand gloved and bound wrapped around the handle, his left bare hand around the blade, both gripping tightly. His head is bowed onto the hilt of his sword, and his eyes closed as he passes time in prayer.*

My goddess give me the strength to complete the tasks you set before me each day, the courage to follow your commands no matter where they may lead me, and the control to command the gift you have allowed so it will only bring glory to your name......

*his hands tighten slightly and his eyes clench shut a bit harder*

I know that only by your will did you allow my daughter to be stolen away by such a cowardly act. I do not yet see your will in this, but I will hold to the oaths, and my faith in your grace that you will in due time show me what it was you wished to be learned by this....I will continue to bear your mark, your light into the darkness, and fight for the innocent in your name, even though they do not wish to fight for themselves...

*clenches down on his sword his hand starting to bleed as a tear rolls down his cheek*

Please give me the courage to complete the task you set before me when you brought me back from the evil I had sunk into. I know not why you let me stray for a time, and I thank you for the chance to balance my great wrong, with even the slightest right before I am judged.

*grips just a bit harder as he starts to cry softly*

I know I am not seen as a kind man....or even a good man by many. I know at times I allow anger to speak before your wisdom. I know you see me in my darkest hours, and the only reason I return is by your grace and will. Please show me the compassion that was stolen from me...I beg you give your paladin a path to follow that will bring joy back into his life, and if not joy then peace through understanding.

Goddess...grant me the strength to continue the fight for the people, allow me the chance to Defend hope. The wisdom to show the innocent there is never a moment without grace, mercy, compassion, love, peace, beauty *cries silently, while gripping his blade tightly* friendship, wonder,..........without hope, there is always hope. Let me bear the light of hope m'lady, teach me how, take my hand and I will follow....*leans his head on his sword hilt for a long while ignoring the small cut on his hand*


By mercy I live, grace I live free, by justice I will pass both onto those who've not the ability to defend themselves... m'lady forgive me my transgressions, and for any moment when I may have strayed from your path.

*He stands quietly wrapping a cloth around his hand, not healing the wound by any means other than time. And sheaths his sword quietly. Bowing on last time he leaves his offering before the statue and turns striding out of the temple his composure returned*

[Kaden Asen]

*kneeling before the statue of Mystra, Trent leans forward to rest his forhead on the stone floor as he prays*

"Goddess I come in your presence to beg your forgiveness. I have failed my family, my order, and most importantly I have failed you in my service. I should have seen the actions of my enemies, but I failed to do so in my haste to save lives.

I beg that you find it in your heart to forgive my failing, I give my oath to finish the course and right the transgression I have committed.

In my place of wrong I would ask your aid in two matters, if a price must be paid for my misdeed, let me pay it alone. As I committed the sin, let me bear the weight alone, if it is possible. Secondly, I ask you withhold no punishment I rightfully deserve, I ask no mercy as I am not worthy of mercy.

By mercy I live, grace I live free, by justice I will pass both onto those who've not the ability to defend themselves... m'lady forgive me my transgressions, and for any moment when I may have strayed from your path.