The Scarlet Paladin

Surprisingly, Claire was able to get a good night’s rest despite Elsie’s best efforts. She woke up sore, but her mind was clear. Jasmine tightened her grip around her as she tried to stir. She smiled at her sleeping lover as she contemplated getting up. She stared for far too long as Jasmine’s eyes fluttered open. Her hazy grey eyes focused on her as she woke up. She smiled up at Claire as Claire’s face reddened.

“Good morning.” She whispered to Claire. Her morning voice caused Claire to fluster. Claire gulped as her face matched her hair. Jasmine giggled softly before leaning in for a kiss. She left Claire stunned momentarily as she stretched. “Feeling okay?”

Claire watched on as her lover stretched, still stunned before Jasmine’s words registered. “Yeah. Lot better than yesterday… actually got a full night of sleep.” She said, her eyes tracing Jasmine’s curves.

“Good, I was worried by how tired you were last night… and how badly the last time messed you up.” She said, studying the flustered girl.

“The little ones were too goofy to take seriously… maybe if the adults showed up first, but I couldn’t help but laugh.” Claire said, giggling slightly. Just remembering their goofy faces and how they walked made her almost burst out laughing. “It was kind of hard to take them seriously, especially since they were far easier than our last fight.”

“I was concerned at first when you started laughing, but I can see why.” Jasmine said, shaking off the rest of the blankets. “For a split second, I thought you lost it…”

“I bet… I didn’t expect them to look so goofy. By the time the adults showed up, I had shaken off any shock or hesitation.” Claire said, scanning her environment. Elsie and Ana lay nestled up to a disheveled Lily, her skin littered with love bites. “Wish I wasn’t so tired, it looks like they had fun…”@@novelbin@@

Jasmine looked over to the sleeping trio, biting her lip and remembering her agreement with Elsie. “I bet… they were going at it late into the night, woke me up a few times.” Her mouth watered slightly remembering the scenes from last night. She shook her head and refocused. “We should inform May, give her the whole spiel about your Goddess.”

“Our Goddess.” Claire said sharply, correcting her without skipping a beat. “She’s our Goddess.”

“I, uh, guess. Tell her about our holy mission and tell her to spread the word.” Jasmine continued. “This time you won’t miss all the food…”

Claire perked up as she thought about celebrating her Goddess and all the food. Her stomach grumbled softly as she thought about the food. “True… but that might give me divine fatigue again…”

Jasmine shrugged, “Maybe, but it will be worth it… hopefully your body gets used to it more so it stops affecting you so much.”

“Starting from the roots of the country is best.” Elsie said in a sleepy voice. She rose from Lily’s chest, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Build up a following, then move on to denser villagers and cities…”

“Smart… let the villagers communicate and stew when we head back, hope our message spreads, then we have to make due on our promise somehow…” Jasmine said, lightly rubbing her chin.

“Bandits… we go after those human traffickers...” Claire said, her tone sharp. Her eyes focused on Jasmine. “Two birds with one stone.” The cheerfulness had disappeared from Claire’s face as she talked about them. The disdain was evident in her voice. Lily and Ana began to stir, interrupting them. Jasmine watched the joy return to her face as Claire crawled over to her lovers.

Elsie moved to sit beside Jasmine. For a moment, she thought Elsie would ask for her “favor,” but her face was more serious. “Would that be a good idea? Remember how she reacted to the thought of ending another person…” She whispered sharply to Jasmine.

Jasmine shook her head, “No. It’s not. But she’s right. It’d be the easiest way. I just pray I’m fast enough to keep her from having to kill…”

Elsie pursed her lips, conflict evident in her eyes. “I doubt you’re fast enough for both of us… just thinking about it makes me queasy.” Elsie’s eyes zoned out as she spoke, Jasmine was so caught up with her seriousness that she nearly forgot to comfort her. She wrapped her arm around the twin and pulled her close.

“I pray I’m fast enough to protect both of you from that burden…” She whispered softly to Elsie. Elsie’s eyes lit up before her face reddened.

“Smooth… but thanks. I hope it doesn’t have to come to that…” Elsie said, before leaning into Jasmine’s embrace. “Though, I doubt it will be that simple.”

After everyone woke up, Jasmine rounded up the villagers to help with the clean up. May had people on stand by, so the villagers were ready. About fifteen villagers came to help with the clean up, using wheelbarrows to cart the smaller bodies and dragging the adults with horses. It didn’t take long with all their help and the Scarlet Seraphs weren’t even allowed to lift a finger to help.

“Don’t you dare!” May reprimanded Claire as she tried to help with the adult bodies. “You killed the beasts, leave the cleaning up to us.” Claire was left slightly dejected, but also thankful to rest her body.

With the bodies taken care of and the materials sold, the village had gathered to thank the adventurers. Many had lost their pets or cattle to the monsters’ night raids. There were plenty of complaints about the guards and knights to be heard. Claire nearly teared up when a little girl told her about her cat.

“Right, I think it’s time.” Jasmine said to Claire as she wiped her tears. The little girl held her hand tightly as she retold the story. Claire nodded and parted from the girl. She cleared her throat and mentally prepared herself.

“Hello! As you may have heard, my name is Claire and I’m the leader of this party. We come from a village a bit smaller than this one, but with similar issues. The guard neglecting their duties, our Lady’s corruption, and the abduction of our boys…” She paused, her memories flooding into her as she lost her composure slightly. Her voice cracked as she continued. “M-my brother was taken when I was younger… I felt so hopeless back then.”

She wiped her tears and did her best to clear her throat. She took a deep breath to compose herself again. “But then I turned 18 and received a vision from a Goddess. One without a name. One who granted me the power to get him back… We, the Scarlet Seraphs, have accepted Her holy mission to liberate our men… return them to their families and rid this land of nobles’ corruption.”

She paused to let the villagers digest what she said. “All we ask from you is support. Either verbal or physical support, it does not matter. Spread our message and our name, or aid us when the time comes.” 

It was silent for a moment, Claire shakily scanned the villagers. Their faces filled with shock as she chided herself for her delivery. May was the first to speak up, “Claire… I’m sorry to hear about your brother. I lost mine so long ago that I don’t even remember his voice…”

Almost all of the older villagers bowed their heads in unison. Their thoughts on May’s brother as the younger women nodded. “How do you expect to accomplish this?” A voice cried out.

Claire hesitated for a moment too long, Jasmine stepped in to help her. She grabbed her hand and spoke for her. “Our Goddess has empowered our classes. We also have a web of villagers ready to aid us already. We only need you to spread our message and our name right now.”

“Can you promise to return them?” May asked. Her sadness was evident in her eyes. “I-I can’t get my hopes up again…”

Claire walked up to her and grasped her hand in hers. Her party shifted, knowing what was coming. Red light poured out of Claire’s body as she knelt before the village mayor. “I swear to you on my honor as a paladin, I will return the men back. I pray to my Goddess that we find your brother. If we do, I promise to bring him back, to bring them all back.”

The following silence deafened the crowd. It was evident that the light radiating from Claire was no normal magic. They could all feel Her presence as Claire stood up to meet May’s eyes. She wiped a tear from the elder’s cheek and then looked around to the villagers. “I make this oath to all of you. I will bring them home.”

May embraced Claire in a hug as the village erupted into a mix of cheers and wails. They had long since given up hope and it was evident. They surrounded the Scarlet Seraphs as they reached out to them. Grasping at the hope that they’d get to see their brothers, sons or uncles again.

“Please… please keep your promise… and Vicky, prepare a meal. We need to celebrate our saviors.” May said, choking back her tears as she wiped her face. A younger woman nodded and headed away from the crowd. The rest of the villagers got to work setting up, they brought tables, chairs and silverware for the party. All five waited as the village prepared their thanks.

Elsie soaked in the attention, retelling their previous tales to any who would listen. Ana hid behind Claire as Claire talked with the older woman about May’s brother. He was very similar to Ryley, taken at a young age and never heard from again. It broke her heart to hear. Jasmine was taking care of the administrative tasks while May recovered and Lily was conversing with the local doctor.

By the time the meal was prepared, the sun was setting and the villagers' fervor was slowing down. Claire sat at the head of the makeshift table as Vicky and a few other villagers brought out roasted ham and vegetables. Claire’s mouth watered as they set the food down, aching to dig in. All eyes were on her as she snapped out of the haze.

“Thank you… All of you for this meal. I ask that you bow your heads as I say a few prayers…” Claire said. A certain refinement in her voice that she wasn’t used to yet. The villagers bowed their heads as Claire dedicated this meal to her Goddess and Bennos. After a long, silent pause, Claire took another deep breath.

“Thank you… I love sweet potatoes.” She said before reaching for the platter. The villagers erupted in laughter before joining her in digging in. Claire was too busy stuffing her face to answer any questions, so Elsie and Jasmine stepped in. Jasmine made sure details were kept vague, but gave an outline of Elizabeth’s plan. What cities and villages were on board already and Elsie retold the tale of fighting the troll, adding in the lies Jasmine told.

The atmosphere was light and joyful as the village celebrated being rid of the cockatrices and of a possible better future. Claire got to bask in the praise until dinner ended, then she was hit with that familiar fatigue. Her eyes blurred slightly as her body grew heavier. Ana and Lily caught on quickly, supporting her back to the carriage. It brought a natural end to the celebration as the clean up started.

“Give this to your mayor… It's a letter giving our full support.” May said, her eyes determined as she handed a letter to Jasmine. “We’ve sat around hoping for change for too long, I just hope you have the strength necessary.”