Seeing my questioning look, the Bishop explained, “This gift is also very rare. I can cast it only once per month and even then, only under certain circumstances. It is known as Greater Prayer Request, and it grants heroes like yourself the ability to learn new skills or spells rapidly. I do not control the number, but it ranges from one to three points awarded. Let me pray first, and then we will see what happens.”

  He prayed quietly, and I was unable to catch many words other than my name and a plea for mercy and aid. The Bishop cast it upon me, and the next thing I knew, I was looking up into the face of Bella, who looked down on me in sincere concern.

  “Gwydion, can you hear me?” She said in a way that suggested she had been repeating it for some time.

  I mumbled something incoherent, and she helped me up and into my chair as if I weighed no more than a pillow to her.

  I looked over at the Bishop, who was likewise dazed and, in his case, leaning to the side of the chair.

  “I will be fine, see to the Bishop,” I asked her.

  If he died in my shop trying to help me, I just didn’t know what I would do. He was such a fixture in our city that even thinking about facing the oncoming darkness without him was painful.

  He roused himself a minute or two later and sipped at some water.

  The AL whispered into my ear. Enchanter Gwydion earns three spell or skill points to be placed as desired for receiving the Greater Prayer Request spell. Spell and skill points must be reclaimed at a guild hall or sanctuary. You have five points remaining. Additions and notes have been added to your Book of Quests that remain unread.

  Whoa. Three points just as a gift. No wonder it knocked us both for a loop.

  The Bishop drank some more water and gathered his strength quickly. “It’s been a while since I used that spell. I don’t recall it affecting me so severely.” He said.

  “Well, I passed out on the floor, so I have no idea what happened to you,” I said with a weak laugh.

  Bella said, “You were both near death. It was reckless of you both.” She replied testily.

  “Ah, the best of intentions sometimes go astray. But it worked, Gwydion?” He asked.

  “Yes, Bishop. Three points awarded.”

  “Oh, wonderful!” He declared. “That’s as good as it gets. No wonder we both suffered a little in the process.”

  “Now, where was I?” He asked. “Did I give you your rings and gems?”

  “Yes, Bishop.”

  “And I gave you this chest and the letter for Paternus?”

  “You gave me the chest, although I did not open it. You did not give me a letter.”

  “That’s right. I was doing this all out of order. Okay, go ahead and open it.” He requested.

  “It’s not locked?” I asked.

  “No, it's just a chest.” He answered.

  I opened it and I saw a suit of dark blue metal plate armor. It must have been the armor I saw him wearing on the day of the Deathlight.

  On top of the armor was a sealed envelope and a small blue cloth bag like the one he gave me.

  “The armor, letter, and gems in the bag are for Paternus. I believe you said you could store them for him in your vault.”

  “And my promise to give them to him when he returns from his dungeon adventures,” I said.

  “Oh, is that where he is, playing in some dungeon, somewhere?” He asked.

  I looked at Bella, who was still standing next to us. She had a look of sadness on her face and was far less hostile toward the Bishop than she was a few minutes ago.

  “Yes, Bishop. He should be back in a few days.” I said.

  “Good.” He said, slapping his leg.

  He paused and looked off at a distance. “I had some advice for you, but I don’t seem to remember what it was.”

  I remained silent, giving him time to think.

  “Hmm?” He said, looking briefly over his right shoulder. “Oh. Of course.”

  He straightened in his chair and stared at me with a serious look. “You have embarked upon a very challenging journey. I knew, of course, that you were meant to serve others. Your mother and father set that in motion before you were born. But even I was surprised that the Way of Light was opened to you. It has been a very long time indeed since a mage was so embraced.”

  I didn’t really know what he was talking about, and I began to ask him when Bella sent to me, Be patient. Listen to him and then follow his lead.

  Okay. I replied to her.

  He continued. “While not required, it is customary to choose a path among the three Holy Orders to support your journey.”

  I began to panic. Was he asking me to relinquish my life as a mage in favor of the life of a religious brother?

  He must have understood my thoughts or at least my body language, because he smiled and raised a hand and motioned for me to relax and settle my anxiety.

  “The path chosen by paladins is not required, nor are you obligated to pursue or follow any vows other than those you make in the silence of your own heart. No, what is offered is meant to provide you with strength for your journey.”

  Various emotions and thoughts rushed through my mind. I was both relieved and disappointed, confused and eager to learn more about what he had begun to lay out before me. On top of all of that confusion in my mind was the wonder at what was expected of me as a paladin. I was not a warrior or a knight.

  “Each paladin is granted the ability to learn some spells or skills from the three Holy Orders: clerics, evangelicals, and inquisitors. You commit to a path once you learn the third such spell or skill from one of the orders. It is common to choose two from each and then commit to one path with a third choice.”

  He sat back and asked, “Are you following me so far?”

  I sat back as well, not realizing I had leaned forward until his relaxed movement led me to follow suit.

  “I am not exactly sure what I am supposed to do as a paladin. It was not something I had chosen to pursue, and I don’t know much about it.” I admitted.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “That is typical and hardly surprising given your chosen vocation. Unfortunately, I am not here today to offer clarity for you in your journey. That must unfold by itself. But I can offer some advice about paths.”

  “I appreciate any help you can provide,” I replied as much out of courtesy as appreciation. I knew I was being offered gifts, but I did not understand why or what obligations came with them.

  He said there were no obligations. Bella corrected me.

  I trust him. I’m just confused why this is happening to me and why I should be given gifts to help my journey without obligations to use them on that journey. Whatever the journey is. I confided in her.

  The Bishop nodded at my reply and said, “You are permitted one first and one second power spell or skill from each of the Holy Orders. When you choose a third, you commit to that path, but you still retain the powers you chose from the others. For instance, if you asked for my advice about clerical options, I would encourage you to choose the first circle spell Holy Light and the second circle spell Lesser Heal Other. The choice is yours, and there are many other worthy spell options, but being able to provide light in the darkness and healing to the wounded are abilities aligned with the Servants of the Light down countless generations.”

  “I have been choosing those abilities in gemstones for both myself and others,” I admitted.

  He nodded in satisfaction as if I had confirmed something he had already known or suspected.

  “What of the other Holy Orders?” I asked.

  He paused in thought. “As bishop, I can offer you that advice, but I sense that you need to seek out others for such counsel. I will say, however, it is in your best interest not to commit to any path until you have acquired all six spells or skills and know in your heart which path is right for you.”

  “How do I learn the clerical spells you suggested?”

  “You commit to them and they will be yours.”

  I did not understand what he meant. Spells took time to learn. As a grandmaster, perhaps he meant that he could teach me quickly. And so I asked, “Can you teach them to me, Bishop?”

  He laughed. “I truly meant what I said. If you commit to them, you will receive them. It is part of the gift of being a paladin. Much of your journey I cannot even guess, and the stories I could share with you if we had time would seem to contradict each other. Paladins are chosen. That much is certain. But what this means for you, I really do not know.”

  My confusion seemed to deepen rather than become clear. But I said, “I appreciate your advice and agree that those choices are the best. I have been trying to build those same benefits in my own defenses and among the journeymen and soldiers who we are trying to protect.”

  He stared at me and did not reply.

  Commit. Bella urged.

  “I confirm that I choose the First Circle spell Holy Light and Second Circle spell Lesser Heal Other in my cleric path.”

  The AL whispered into my ear. Congratulations paladin Gwydion, you successfully acquired the first circle spell Holy Light, and second circle spell Lesser Heal Other. You have opened the paladin journey cleric pathway. Additions and notes have been added to your Book of Quests that remain unread.

  “Whoa,” I said, as full knowledge and awareness of these new spells filled me.

  The Bishop laughed again. “I felt the same way when I received my first divine gift. All the others came the hard way after long hours, days, or weeks of studying.”

  “I am overwhelmed by the gift,” I said, and truly meant it.

  “With great power…” He began.

  “Comes great responsibility.” I completed, and then couldn’t help myself as I added, “so much for no obligations.”

  His face became serious, but he was not angered by my words. “It is important that you understand a difference, Gwydion. Many wise men and women go their whole life without truly understanding that it is by our choices that obligations are made and abandoned. You have great expectations placed upon you, but you are obligated to do nothing more than what your heart tells you. A pure heart chooses actions of light. A corrupted heart chooses actions of darkness. A confused heart chooses actions muddled and gray, neither and both of light and darkness. Seek the light and know that on your journey, you are never alone.”

  It was a lot to absorb.

  Tell him thank you and that you will ponder his words. Bella suggested.

  “Thank you, Bishop. I do not fully understand, but I will think about what you have said and do my best to seek decisions that lead to goodness.”

  “That is all anyone can ever hope for, Gwydion. Now, let’s tackle the last of the tasks I had planned for you.” He pulled out another blue cloth bag from his robes, and Bella took it and handed it to me.

  “Inside are twenty-five, 7pt diamonds. These are unfilled, but can be used in your work with magical rings. In addition, I am here for the next half hour and plan to fill as many gold, silver, and copper rings as you bring me and as long as your potions and my stamina hold out.”

  I sent Bella to get more rings and potions. He stayed a good bit longer than half an hour and enchanted SUS rings for the defense of the city. He drank my entire supply of potions and several others, but when the dust settled, he had given us:

  Spells for gold rings, which he said were for special occasions, and included:

  Bestow Life (works during the first 5 minutes of death) [5th Circle]

  Three, Heal Other, Greater (25pts each) [6th Circle]

  Know the Truth  [6th Circle]

  Part Water  [6th Circle]

  Regeneration  [5th Circle]

  Storm  [5th Circle]

  Thwart Plague  [5th Circle]

  Wrath, Greater  [6th Circle]

  Spells for Silver Rings:

  Angel’s Wings  [4th Circle]

  Group Immobilize  [4th Circle]

  Holy Blast  [4th Circle]

  Lightning Strike  [4th Circle]

  Remove Curse  [3rd Circle]

  Remove Magic  [4th Circle]

  Water Walk  [3rd Circle]

  20 Group Heal, Lesser @ 5pts per individual (7 in a group) [3rd Circle]

  Spells for Copper Rings:

  40, Heal Other, Lesser @ 3pts = 6 health) [2nd Circle]

  It was a crazy number of spell rings filled, but in war, they might all be used in the first ten minutes. There was no way to know for sure. Still, his effort was amazing, and when the team found out, they would be thrilled.

  He wanted no fanfare or fuss. He insisted that he needed to leave, and if I could send along Steven for him to lean against, he would be fine.

  Steven gave me a frightened look when he saw the Bishop’s condition, but went with him silently.

  “Why would he do this?” I asked Bella, who had appeared next to me.

  She did not reply.

  “Were you ever able to read him?” I asked her.

  “Just once, briefly, when he passed out. He was not alone and was watched over by a white spirit that was far more powerful than I am. I was asked politely to step away. And I did.”

  “Did you sense anything?”

  “Just joy, Gwydion. Just joy.”