My vision went black for a millisecond until we exited the other end in a very large Teachers office, it was very full yet very organised with room to move giving it a very spacious yet full feeling. "Welcome my children." The Deputy Headmistress greeted us.
"Good morning Deputy Head Mistress." We all answered in unison like children in school.
"Rowan, Will that is all for now." She smiled making them both bow their head in respect and left the office.
"Please, sit down sit down," The Deputy Headmistress instructed us with a wave of her wand making three chairs from around the room and pulled up in front of her desk.
We all cautiously and quietly took a seat, not knowing how to correctly behave or what to say. "Marvelous students." She smiled leaning back on her chair. "So I assume you're wondering why I called you in so early? Miss Daisy Packwood." She smiled.
"Umm Yes Ma'am." Daisy quietly answered with a hint of nervousness in her voice.
"Hmmm if you don't mind me asking your family name is rather quite different then one would expect." She asked Daisy curiously.
"Yes Ma'am I was adopted by humans." Daisy quietly answered.
"Ohhhh, that makes so much more sense now." She smiled back to Daisy, "Anyways back on task, I am told that you're a Paladin or Serra?" She asked Daisy trying to sound friendlier but looked like it had no effect on her.
"Yes," Daisy carried on answering her sheepishly.
"So we've been contacted by the Church of Serra, they have requested you to make a showing in Catavan's funeral processions if you don't mind...." The Deputy Headmistress informed her opening a draw and pulling out a rather nice looking enveloped with a opened wax seal.
"May I ask why?" Daisy quietly questioned still looking very uneasy.
"They heard that a Paladin of Serra helped in the defense of the city so they wanted you to attend to heal the spirits and morale of the city, it's also very beneficial for Atlantis as well." She answered Daisy.
"Okay, when do I need to be ready..." Daisy quietly agreed.
"Preferably in the morning, the processions don't start until the afternoon, I assume you'd need to be briefed and things beforehand." She answered.
"Okay... there are a few things I would need to take with me and prepare if you don't mind." Daisy informed her.
"Take as much times as you need." The Deputy Headmistress nodded.
"It's mainly my armour, I'll need to clean and polish it up," Daisy tried to explain.
"Let me help with that..." The Deputy Headmistress offered and with a flick of her wand made Daisy's armour look completely new without dents and scruffs perfectly polished making Daisy look like an outstanding knight.
"Thank you." She quietly replied.
"Ohhh and both of you accompany her as well, she seems a little sheepish maybe some friends will help calm her nerves." She ordered us.
"What about our classes?" Grace questioned.
"Never mind about your classes, I'll notify your teachers of your absence." She smiled.
"Sure." We both smiled at Daisy.
"I'll clear you three to travel today, there will be students waiting for your arrival at the world tree she smiled.
"Thank you." We thanked the Deputy Headmistress standing up and began making our way our for her office.
"You okay Daisy?" We asked her as we left the building making our way back to our dorms.
"Yeah, I just don't do well with authority," Daisy answered us clearly still a little shaken.
"I understand, I was a lot like that when I was younger." I smiled trying to comfort her.
"So what are the funeral processions like for Serra followers?" Grace questioned.
"Generally we would offer prayers and bury those who passed in hallowed ground, but the general procedure for arctic regions is burning of the bodies because the areas are so cold it stops the natural process," Daisy answered.
"Hallowed ground?" I questioned.
"Yes, it's holy ground that will stop anyone messing with the dead," Daisy answered.
"We're talking about necromancy right?" I questioned a little shocked.
"Yes, being buried in Hallowed ground stops any magical tampering and also allows the soul to travel to its rightful place in the afterlife," Daisy answered.
"And not being properly buried or ceremony has implications?" I questioned.
"Yes, but only for individuals who weren't ready or feel they were wrong or cheated, whereby they stay in this world and their souls become vengeful wraiths, ghosts or other ghostly beings." She answered.
"Ohhh..." I nodded in understanding.
"So we'll meet up here when we've gathers our things?" Grace asked as we arrived back at the dorm building.
"Sure, I'll go let everyone know we've got other plans today," I informed everyone.
"I got some stuff I need to gather." Daisy smiled at us looking like shes back to normal.
"I'll explain it to Helen and bring some supplies," Grace added.
As soon as we split, I began making my way to Jay's room. "Umm Scarlet?" I asked using my badge.
"Morning sis!" Scarlet greeted me as sound cheerful as ever.
"Umm we were given a special assignment today, the Deputy Head Mistress wants Daisy, Grace and I to head to Catavan to represent Atlantis," I explained to her.
"Ohh... so you won't be here for training?" She asked sounding a little down at the news.
"Sadly we need to leave as soon as we can," I answered her.
"Okay then.... we'll be sure to see Paul, I think he's in Catavan today and he's always happy to see you." She smiled.
"Thanks, Scarlet," I replied to her.
"Take care!" She smiled and cut the conversation.
Arriving at Jay's door I instinctively reached out to knock on the door until I heard Jay's voice having a conversation with someone. 'Wait what?' I questioned leaning my ear to the door to listen closely.
"What do you mean we can't trust them?..... wait a second I think someone is at the door." Jay said stopping his sentence.
'Crap' I thought to myself and began knocking on the door.
"Who is it?" Jay asked.
"It's Emilia..." I informed him.
"Ohh good morning." He smiled opening the door like he had nothing to hide.
"Hey..... you okay?" I questioned.
"Of course why?" He asked in return a little confused.
"No reason, anyways I came to tell you that Daisy, Grace and I have a trip to Catavan to represent the school, so we won't be in class today," I explained to him.
"Wait what?! You get to skip classes?!" Jay asked in shock.
"Yeah apparently," I answered.
"Aww man, you guys are so lucky...." He replied a little jealous.
"Can I come in?" I asked politely trying to find out who he was talking to.
"Sure come in." He smiled opening the door letting me walk in.
"You're room's a little bare like mine." I chuckled walking around noticing it has hardly anything personal inside.
"Yeah you know, I didn't grow up with much." He said scratching his head.
"I tell you what, next time we head out together, we'll buy some stuff to make our rooms feel more homely." I smiled.
"Sure." He smiled back.
"Also I'm sure Grace would have told her, but can you explain to Helen for us as well?" I asked.
"Sure no problems, I'll also tell Morgana." He smiled.
"Ah yeah, Morgana too." I nodded.
"Well, I better start heading out." I smiled.
"Sure, make sure you take care." He smiled back nodding.
"Yeah we'll be fine, I also think Paul's in town anyway so it should be safe." I smiled.
"That's great." He smiled as I exited the room.
Making my way back to meet the others, Daisy was wearing her armour but this time with a tabard on top of her breastplate with a robed angel on the front. It looked beautifully intricate like it took a masters hand to even make such a thing, the condition looking almost unused extremely clean with no loose threads or hint of wear. "What's that?" I questioned Daisy taking a closer look.
"This is Tabard of Serra, the winged angel on the front and the back is Serra, all Paladins of Serra have one." She answered.
"That's awesome. What else do you have there?" I questioned noticing she had a small pouch.
"Just some offerings to Serra." Daisy smiled.
"Hey, guys!" Grace smiled walking out with her bow and quiver and a large side bag. "I brought some food and drinks and supplies just in case." She smiled.
"Let's head out. It's gonna be a long day." Daisy informed us.
"So what do we have to do once we get there?" I questioned.
"Well, I'll probably be taken away to help prepare the bodies for the ceremony and perform prayers to Serra. If you guys want to help I'm sure a sister would have a task or two they would need help in." Daisy answered.
"Is thins going to be your first time?" I questioned.
"I've participated in a few smaller ones, but never one this large." She answered.
As we made our way to the world tree we were meet with three students with a large box beside them. "Daisy Packwood and friends?" They questioned as we arrived.
"Yes, that's us," I answered.
"Great, We've got supplies and clothes for you to wear." They smiled.
"Oh?" I questioned.
"Yes, we have winter coats for you. These are official Atlantis robes," They all pulled out a very beautiful large thick hooded robe lined with a sort of natural fur with a red inner lining and helped us put it on. "We also have Atlantis badges," they said pulling out medium-sized badge shaped like a shield split into three equal sections with a very artistic representation of each house of Atlantis. "And finally some supplies and leaflets." They said pulling out a small satchel for us to wear.
"Thanks, we all smiled." accepting them and putting them on.
"When you're ready to leave we'll have the Portal activate for you." They smiled.
Thank you again sam107 for your ongoing constant support!!! many many thanks!
Stepping through into Catavan we were instantly hit by the cold climate, each of us instinctively clutching onto our robes a bit tighter. "I forgot how cold it was here," I said to everyone as we arrived at the town square like before.
"Yeah, let's quickly head to the Church of Serra and get some shelter," Daisy said leading the way.
Looking around, it was the first time I've ever seen the effects of a city ravaged by conflict. "I hope the Church is safe, the lower district was hit the worst right?" I asked.
"I think so, it was on the other side of most the conflict," Daisy answered and began leading the way.
As we made our way to church, the general townsfolk gave us a mixture of looks ranging from anger to admiration. "Why do I feel we're not so liked here," I asked Daisy and Grace.
"No idea, but we can ask once we get to the Church," Daisy answered as we made our way through the city, despite being on the other side of the conflict it still showed small signs of battle.
"Please Please, can you spare some silver?" I lost my house and husband in the attack." A begged walking up to use with gathered up rags to shield her from the cold.
"Here take this," I instinctively handed her five gold and took off the school badge taking off my winter robe to give to her. My body instantly began shiver not realizing how cold it actually was here.
"Thank you, Thank you." She bowed repeatedly as we carried on making our way to the church.
A few more beggars bravely approached us asking for help. "Take this, I'm sorry but it will only last for three hours," Grace said performing some form of magic on a rock making it heat up magically, as well as giving them rations of food.
"The people here are living in absolute poverty," I said in shock.
"Sadly and the harsh climate conditions don't help either." Grace nodded.
"Please anyone else that needs help please make your way to the Church of Serra, regardless of your faith or beliefs, we will help anyone," Daisy called out to everyone.
As the church emerged there was an absolutely overwhelming amount of citizens that needed help and lots of Priests of Serra helping hand out food and blankets, "My lord," I instinctively uttered lost for words.
We began slowly making our way through the crowd to the closest priest. "Excuses me brother," Daisy said to a teen boy wearing a very bland thin robe that did little to keep him warm.
"One second." He said finishing up helping a small family. "Yes?" He questioned looking at the three of us for a second and suddenly his expression changed to shock.
"Hi, we came from Atlantis to help with the processions today." Daisy smiled.
"Oh my... yes, yes come this way." He said leading us into the church explaining who we were to some other priests stopping the general public entering the church.
"My name is Reece I've been a follower of sera for two years now." He smiled at us.
"Hello brother Reece, I'm Daisy and these are my two friends Emilia and Grace." She answered him with a smile.
"Sister Daisy, Sister Emilia, Sister Grace." He smiled bowing his head in respect.
"Oh.. We're not." Grace and I instinctively began to explain.
"It's okay, we're all children of Serra." Daisy explained to us with a smile.
"So right now most of us are out helping the sick and homeless while the Head Priestess Verena and Arch Bishop Francis are with the City councils and Royals in a meeting." He explained to us.
"Oh, what is the meeting for?" I questioned trying to find out more on what Paul is up to.
"It's a meeting to determine how much Black Dragon Slayer compensates the city for damages, He answered.
"Damages?" I questioned surprised how he answered.
"Of course, he practically decimated almost half the lower district into dust, it was due to him we have such a large homeless population now, not including all the damages and lost livelihoods as well. He explained to us.
"Yeah, but he saved the city," I argued back finding the whole thing preposterous.
"Is that why some of the citizens have been giving us dirty looks?" Grace questioned.
"Yes, he's made many families homeless, jobless literally erasing everything they had." He carried on explaining his position.
"Brother Reece that will be all for now, I'll look after our guests." A maturer female voice joined the conversation.
"Sister Seraphine." Reece turned to nod to her and made his leave, as a young human woman appeared donning a full set of chain-mail armour similar to Daisy's but not as bulky.
"Sister Daisy, I presume?" She asked looking at Daisy.
"Yes that would be me," Daisy bowed to her with respect.
"I'm Sister Seraphine, Daughter of High Priestess Verena. Odd mother told me to expect only one visitor today." She said looking at Grace and me.
"They are my friends Grace and Emilia." She said pointing to us, making me give a very awkward wave while Grace bowed her head in respect.
"Greetings," Giving us a nod of acknowledgement. "I am told you bravely fought in defense of the city." She said looking at Daisy.
"Yes we all did, most of Atlantis was deployed that day." She answered.
"Thank you for your assistance, we would most likely have lost the city have you not accepted our request for aid." She smiled.
"I was told that my presence was requested to assist in the ceremony today," Daisy answered.
"Yes, the city will be holding a special day in remembrance for all tho passed in defense of the city. As you probably already know, all bodies here need to be cremated and properly and buried in hallowed ground." Seraphine answered.
"Yes, I assumed I'd be helping in prayers today." She answered.
"Sadly we have more of a hands-on task today." She answered issuing us to follow her.
"Really?" Daisy questioned.
"Yes, we're gonna meet up with the rest of my squad. Our task today is to sanctify the land where the cremation and burials will take place." She explained.
"Ohh, it's not being done in the church?" Daisy questioned.
"Sadly there are too many bodies to hold individual ceremonies," She explained walking up to a large set of double doors and pushing them aside revealing a very large prayer room.
"You found our guest." An older man with a set of thick white hair and white stubble wearing plate armour similar to Daisy's smiled at us as we entered.
"The famed Paladin that enrolled in Atlantis." A younger girl, maybe a little older then Daisy with golden yellow locks grinned as if she ready to compare herself to Daisy.
"We weren't expecting extra visitors," A young adult male with dark black hair and a clean shave smiled towards Grace and I.
"You all know Atlantis students are never alone," Seraphine joked walking towards them.
"Welcome, I'm Paladin Pichard." The older gentleman smiled holding out a hand to greet us.
"I'm Daisy, and these are my friends Emilia and Grace." Dasiy smiled shaking his hand.
"Hi." Grace and I waved back.
"Thank you for your help in defending our city, I'm Brother Ezechiel and the other young one is Sister Laila don't pay any mind to her rudeness." He smiled shaking our hands.
"Who are you calling rude!" Laila objected.
"Settle down, judging by the look of you two, we have a ranger and a caster," Seraphine questioned.
"Yes, Emilia is a sorceress," Grace added.
"Well, it might be a little boring for the both of you today," Pichard apologized.
"I'm actually rather interested." I smiled.
"Well it is kinda a spectacle but there won't be much action," Laila explained.
"So you all were also defending the town?" I asked politely.
"Yes, we were deployed to defend the inner city districts." They answered.
"We were pretty lucky that day that the Black Dragon Slayer and Scarlet were deployed, I heard they alone decimated the entire Dark Elf army and the nearby reinforcements." Seraphine nodded.
"Why does the general public dislike his actions then?" I questioned curiously how they saw him in a different light.
"You know politicians, they are the best when it comes to passing blame." Seraphine smiled.
"He did it to himself, not only did he not speak up to defend his actions. He openly attended this meeting to finalise the costs. He practically made himself look guilty." Laila laughed.
"You should be more grateful that he actually came and defended the city, I was told he wasn't even on the initial roster of Atlantis students sent to help us," Pichard warned Laila.
"Yeah he wasn't initially meant to come that day, but he did once he heard the city was under attack, he also almost sacrificed himself to save the refugees outside the city gates," I answered.
"Oh, that's why the council are so out to get him" Seraphine chuckled.
"Right, let's make a move on, everyone ready?" Pichard asked arming himself with a sword.
"Yeah, I don't want to get scolded again." Laila sighed picking up one-handed flail from a nearby table.
"Are we expecting trouble?" I noticed Seraphine equipping herself with a short spear and a large shield.
"Nothing should happen, maybe a few vengeful spirits and things but nothing too dangerous," Seraphine answered.
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