Marachius Ainsley

Reassignment

Marachius stopped at the door leading to the trainers’ office and took a deep breath. Steadying his nerves, the young man let out the deep breath and then knocked on the door. It was a moment before there was a response from within.

“Enter.”

Marachius opened the door and stepped in. Then he stopped short. Inside the room were several people wearing different tabards and armor. At the main desk sat Lord Shadowbreaker, flanked on either side by Arthur the Faithful and Katherine the Pure. Around the sides of the room sat several other men and women, some were the trainers that Marachius had been working with, others he had only seen in passing.

“We’ve had a complaint lodged about you, Ainsley,” Katherine the Pure said plainly.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You know what its about?” the paladin trainer asked.

“I believe so, ma’am.”

“Mr. Fletcher claims that you insulted his family and threatened him,” Arthur the Faithful added.

“With respect, sir, I never threatened him,” Marachius replied, making a mental note that at least now he knew the man’s name.

“Duly noted,” Arthur said. “Regardless, Mr. Fletcher has a number of powerful friends, it seems. He can make things awkward if he chooses to.”

“I am sorry, sir. I will apologize to Mr. Fletcher right away and promise to stay away from him and his family in the future.”

“We have already spoken with him,” said Lord Shadowbreaker. “You will be reassigned.”

“Reassigned?” Marachius repeated, failing to keep the surprise out of his voice.

“Yes,” Shadowbreaker nodded. Then his attention turned to the side of the room. “When should he be ready to go?” the trainer asked. An older man along the side of the room looked up. His once blonde hair was greying and was tied into two braids that fell over his shoulders.

“As soon as he’s ready. We could leave now,” he added as he stood up from the bench.

“Fine,” Shadowbreaker said, then turned to look at Marachius again. “Collect your things Ainsley.”

Marachius nodded, obviously shocked by what had just happened. The older paladin walked past him and opened the door, stepping out into the hallway. Numbly, Marachius saluted and then followed him outside.

In the hallway, the older paladin was waiting for him. Marachius let out a quick sigh and looked up.

“May I ask where we’re going?” Marc asked cautiously.

“Darkshire.”