Axora stood at her window in An'hana looking over the port. The salty sea air would come in on the breeze, blowing between the strands of her hair, and stirred up the old books and parchments that were stacked around her small room in the Holy Order's Headquarters. Having a nickname like Axora the Valkyrie afforded her some small boons around the city, but that was mostly from civilians.
She still had much to prove to the upper echelon of the order. Her general attitude had always been seen as a detriment. Even Guarn had protested when she had been assigned to him, citing her "lack of discipline," and "inability to respect leadership." Their years working together since then have definitely been a learning experience for them both.
There was a knock at her door.
"Yes," she asked, still looking out the window.
"Hendrik is ready to see us," Guarn responded. "He wants full reports from our travels."
Of course he does, she thought.
"Alright, one moment." She called back to him as she closed her window. "I've just got to gather my notes."
She was already wearing the gray formal attire that all Paladins were meant to wear on the grounds of An'hana while not actively on duty. It offered little in terms of protection, but the Holy Order loved its traditions. The silver and gold embroidery wrapped around the neck and arms, and on her chest it formed the Symbol of Helm: a glove with an eye at its center.
She picked up a leather-bound folder full of parchment and opened it quickly to scan its contents. She saw the countless pages of notes she had taken over the past two years away from home. Guarn has insisted they go over the day's events every evening before they turned in, just to make sure they were on the same page. She would miss those nights until they were sent on their next mission.
She tucked the folder under her arm and opened the door. Guarn was wearing the same outfit and was carrying a much thinner folder under his arm. She noticed that he was not wearing the tabard that a Paladin of his rank should be wearing when going to meet with the High Cleric, but it was also something he had stopped doing on their travels together.
"Oh I'm sure he'll love that you're bringing everything," Guarn said with a laugh.
"I just want to make sure there's nothing for him to complain about," she responded with a smile as they took off towards Hendrik's office.
Hendrik's office was dark and adorned with various small sculptures and artifacts. There were candles lit around the room, but the windows were barred shut with cloth hung around them to block out residual light and air, which Hendrik swore degraded the documents that he very often had to review. Hendrik was human, and an old one at that. His white hair and beard were neatly trimmed, and his robes always looked like they sat on a statue, with a fold never out of place. As the candle flickered it caused the shadows to dance on his face, almost looking like they were trying to crawl out of the wrinkles that lined his face like lines on a map.
He took in a deep breath and looked at Guarn as he closed the leather folders.
"When you put in an extension to spend a considerable amount of time and resources at Four Roads, I honestly had thought you had a more lucrative goal than building a temple," Hendrik said, his voice dripping with disappointment. "How is this going to fill the Order's coffers?"
Guarn winced at the criticism. The Holy Order had never been concerned with the profitability of its missions until the last couple of years. While they used to offer protection to all those that would request it, they had begun doing an analysis of what return would be expected.
"Yes, High Cleric. Based on our work in Anor's Post, I felt we had an opportunity to—" Guarn started before he was cut off.
"Yes, and fine work in Anor's Post. By essentially taking over the city guard and merchant inspections, we stand to bring in a considerable amount of coin. But if we go ahead and hand that coin to every hillbilly town, we're left with nothing," Hendrik said with exasperation.
"Coin? We were protecting those who Sawyn, and lest I remind you, The Shadow Lord, attacked," Axora said loudly, stepping forward as she did so. "We set up a temple and offered our services to help guide and protect those who needed it!"
Hendrik's face turned red, and he let out a huff as he turned his gaze to her.
"And where will The Holy Order be without sufficient coin to combat the Shadow Lord when it is necessary? If he were to decide to take our Keep tomorrow, shall we just roll over because we were unable to secure the resources to protect our home and the Free People of the Eastern Kingdoms?" Hendrik snapped. "You should hold your tongue in my presence. In fact, it was only because of Guarn's insistence that you be at this meeting that I'm even allowing you to be here, Axora the Valkyrie."
Guarn straightened and crossed his arms behind his back. His eyes focused on Hendrik. Axora took a step back next to Guarn and assumed the same position.
"My apologies, High Cleric," Axora responded in an even tone. "I only meant to provide context for the decisions of my commanding officer, but he is obviously capable to speak for himself, and I should not have presumed."
Hendrik breathed for a moment before putting his hands on the desk in front of him.
"No matter... The past is in the past now, and we only have the future to attend to," Hendrik said as he turned his gaze back to Guarn. "Our allies in the Titan's Desert have reached out to us because they have located an artifact with ties back to Helm, and may also be a powerful tool to bring the Shadow Lord down once and for all."
"That sounds fantastic," Guarn said with excitement. "Axora and I can get a regiment together and be on our way within the week."
"You misunderstand, Guarn. This is your mission. Alone," Hendrik said, unable to hide the small smirk that formed on his face. "We cannot spare a regiment, and dare not draw attention if this is truly a magical item of significance."
"Sir, surely even if only I went—" Axora started.
"I said to HOLD YOUR TONGUE," Hendrik yelled as he slammed his fist on the table, and Axora pursed her lips. He took another deep breath before continuing. "While Guarn leaves for the Sunfall Wasteland tomorrow, you will be headed for Cold Home for your permanent assignment."
"I am no longer to live in An'hana?" Axora asked as she and Guarn shared a quick glance.
"Did our partnership produce undesirable results, High Cleric?" Guarn asked. "We are one of the most efficient teams the Holy Order has."
"At what cost? You have both spoken out of turn, you're currently questioning my authority, and for Helm's sake where is your tabard, Guarn?" Hendrik said as he stood, his voice getting louder and louder as he continued. "These missions will remind both of you of the bigger picture, and maybe with time you can be partnered again."
Silence lingered between the three of them as the shadows laughed.