Chapter 1

Northshire - The Holy Light

  I was so nervous I couldn't sleep the night before.

  The abbey is never closed, so I wandered the halls of this magnificent place, admiring the large stained-glass windows, and all of the books.

  The windows were dark now at night, but during the day they revealed fantastic images of shining scenes. All bright with multiple colors that depicted people wielding staves, and weapons fighting an unseen foe.  What exactly they were fighting was never portrayed.

  Although my mother taught me how to read at a young age, most of these books had strange languages I had never seen before.

  One of the keepers of the abbey approached me.

   "Couldn't sleep my son?"

  "No sir.  Too nervous I guess."

  "I'm Brother Paxton. Although we here at the abbey do not work for the Guard, we do offer them our grounds for training their new recruits.  It's a mutual benefit for us. They have a safe place to train, and we gain the protection of their continued presence."

  At that moment Brother Paxton smiled at me.  "I see goodness in you..."

  "Turllock Pippen sir"

  "Turllock. I can tell you've had a strong upbringing.  You shouldn't be nervous Turllock. Looking at you, the training will be a walk in the park. Typically the Guard recruit the boys from Stormwind City, and they haven't done any heavy exercise, or work, their entire lives."

  Brother Paxton looked up at one of the stained-glass windows, and as he did a light appeared behind it so that the scene became clearly visible.  How did he do that?

  Not bothering Brother Paxton at all, he continued.

  "What do you see in this window?"

  I looked at the window's brilliant colors.  There was a man dressed in armor holding a brightly shining sword in a defensive stance, and a beautiful forest around him.

  "I see what appears to be one of the Guard defending something.  I like the glowing sword. It must be a sunny day!"  I smiled.

  Brother Paxton took a deep breath.

  "He is a paladin Turllock.  A paladin is not just a Guard, they are THE Guard.  Paladin's are not merely brave warriors, but the truest of the true!"

  That made no sense to me. Brother Paxton didn't notice.  He appeared to be lost in thought.

  "Warriors fight because they enjoy the adrenaline.  They fight for the thrill of becoming powerful and mighty in their craft.  They battle for recognition of their skill.

  "A paladin fights in defense of those who are unable to.  They hold honor above all else.  There is a connection that is within us all.  A Holy Light that burns through and around us.  This Light is what makes nature grow, babies smile, and humans thrive.

  "A warrior who dedicates their lives to not just fighting, but to truly defending others, is doing so with the Holy Light coursing through them.  I feel that you are such a man Turllock."

  A warmth welled within me as he spoke.  Everything I have noticed in the forest, and when speaking with others somehow made sense to me now.  My entire life has been in the service of others.  I watch children as they play to ensure they are safe.  I used to do extra work to ease the burden of our farm hands.  I pitch in anytime I can to assist others, and always ask if I can be of more help.

  "From what you have said Brother Paxton, things I have observed in the world seem to come together and make sense now."

  Brother Paxton smiled.

  "You see Turllock, once you embrace the Holy Light, and understand that we are all interconnected with one another, the mystery of the world fades, and a new understanding grips you."

  We walked to the entrance of the abbey.

  "Now get some rest my son.  It promises to be a busy day for you when you awake."

  Walking out the door I turned around to thank him, but he was no longer by my side.  I headed back to my tent and laid down.  My nervousness had gone, and I felt warm even in this cool night air.  I could finally rest.

* * * * *

  When I woke, it was still dark out, but I could here the clattering noises around the encampment as the cooks were making breakfast for the troops.

  Climbing out of my tent the smell was amazing, and my stomach reminded me that I was hungry.

  "Good morning sleepy head!"  Some woman yelled at me.  "Go on and grab yourself some grub.  Can't battle evil on an empty stomach!"  She giggled.

  Morning grogginess was replaced with clarity as I poured some ice cold water over my head from the horse trough.  Once again I heard that laugh.

  "What are you doing silly?  Where you born in a barn or something?"

  I was about to tell her, Why yes I was born in a barn.  She quickly added to her comment.

  "The wash rack for recruits is over there.  We have showers, soap, and all the comforts of home.  If your home is in a field around an abbey that is."  She smiled.

  I just stood there taking this all in.  The commotion and expediency of everyone preparing for the day.

  "Hello?"  She said.  "You CAN hear me can't you?"

  "Oh yes ma'am.  It's just that this is all new to me."  I stammered.

  "Really?" She said sarcastically.  "Must be why they call you NEW recruits!"

  I'm certain I turned multiple shades of red.

  "I'm Milly.  Milly Osworth.  I own the vineyards just East of the abbey across the stream there."

  She pointed in an Easterly direction past a graveyard.

  Milly was a younger woman, with tightly cropped raven hair, and two rings on her pierced ears.  Her eyes were a deep green, and she seemed to have a continuous smirk on her face.

  "And you are?" She asked.

  "Sorry ma'am.  Turllock Pippen."

  "Well Mr. Pippen, I suggest you get going or you'll be the late Turllock Pippen when the instructors get to you."

  She turned to walk away then looked back.

  "And stop calling me ma'am!  Do I look like a ma'am to you?"  And again with that laugh...

  I watched her leave and snapped out of my morning daze.

  The washing area was sparse, but held clean supplies.  Let's just say it was nicer than the horse trough.  In fact, I noticed that the garrison, as I'm told these places set up by the Guard are called, was teaming with support personnel from weapon smith's, cooks, and other various supplies.

  I sat down with the rest of the recruits for a brief breakfast, then it was right to work.

  Just as were beginning to learn some combat exercises the commander of the Northshire Garrison, Marshal McBride, interrupted.

  "Sorry for the interruption folks, but it seems we have some live training for you."

  Marshal McBride looked over the recruits.

  "You there".  He pointed to me.

  "And you, and you."  Two more recruits were singled out.

  "I need you to go to the West side and report to Sergeant Willem.  He has a job for you to do."