Insurrection - The Making of a Grand Paladin Part VI
The two Grand Paladin candidates stood on a huge stage, hands behind their backs, feet shoulder-width apart, chins held high and proud. They had already given each other their congratulations and well-wishes, but knew only one of them would be walking off this stage with a third star on their rank. Before them sat the cheering soldiers of the Prime, who were ready to see a new Grand Paladin take their place today. Everyone was dressed in their formal uniforms--paladins wearing their sharp, wrinkle-free army-green uniforms with the magi matching them in their navy-blue uniforms. Looking across the crowd, there were huge groupings of green or blue, but occassionally there was a bit of mingling of the two colors. Standing at every entrance and patrolling around the room were the Deathwatch Guardians in their obsidian-black armor.
The Dealer walked out onto the stage, flanked by a pair of Guardians who made him look tiny. There were few moments where the Dealer did not wear his costume and wore his official uniform instead. This was fortunately one of those moments. Unlike his subordinates, the Dealerâs uniform was cool grey, with his rank stiched onto each of his shoulders. He chose a simple column of four stars for his insignia, much less grandiose than the stars and bars his subordinates chose (that he helped design). Behind the Dealer walked out Synoth, also flanked by a pair of large Guardians. His uniform was just a slightly lighter blue version of his subordinatesâ. The Dealer walked up to a podium on the stage,
âLadies and gentlemen, thank you for attending this ceremony today. Three days ago, we held a general vote among the entire Paladin Corps to select their new Grand Paladin. Two days ago, we had the first count of all the votes, where Archmage Synoth certified the results. Yesterday, we had the recount, where I certified the results. Today, I am here to present our new Grand Paladin.â The Dealer turned to Orvyn and Sheamus. âGrand Marshall Sigurd Orvyn, Grand Marshall Keaton Sheamus, please step forward.â
The two of them stepped forward, saluted the Dealer, and shook his hand. He turned back to the audience, âAnd now, the moment you have all been waiting for!â He held up his hands and put one on their right shoulders. A bright light shone underneath his palms. A dramatic pause. The Dealer pulled his hands back and turned around, a pair of banners unrolling behind him.
Grand Paladin Orvyn was greeted with a roar of applause. The Dealer didnât even bother with announcing his name; he already knew they would be excited. He looked back and saw Orvyn and Sheamus shaking hands once again. He stepped aside, âWould you like to make a speech, Grand Paladin Orvyn?â Orvyn graciously accepted and stepped up to the podium,
âThank you! Thank you!â He raised his hands, calling for the crowd to calm down. âThank you, everyone! I could not have made it here without you. And today, we make history. Today is a new beginning for the Prime! We may have lost Grand Paladin Mira, may her spirit lay at rest, but I assure you that I will do my best to honor her memory and carry out her vision for this rebellion! We will stand in fear of no one--not Retribution, not Alexander, not even the devil himself! We will stand strong and united with our brothers-and-sisters-in-arms, and we will bring down the terror of the Black Empire! For the Dealer!â The crowd joined him once again, âFor Synoth! For Orvyn! For Ellis! FOR THE PRIME!â The crowd broke out in cheers and applause, and Orvyn looked to the Dealer, who was nodding in amusement.
âWell, Grand Paladin Orvyn,â he shook his hand again, âI look forward to working with you.â
A heavy stack of papers fell onto the Dealerâs desk. He looked up at the stack, and then up to Orvyn, who dropped them. âOh, you were serious about the restructuring thing?â
âAbsolutely, sir. The Paladin Corps needs a facelift. Weâre much larger than the force you and Mira started with. We need to adapt to the times.â Orvyn stood at attention with his hands behind his back.
âAt ease, Grand Paladin,â the Dealer started to thumb through the thick document, âAnd, for future reference, there is no need to be so professional in my office. Not while weâre alone, or in the company of Synoth or Ellis, anyway.â He saw a chart and started to look at it intensely. After a few seconds, he nodded and continued looking through the document. âYou managed to get this done in three days?â
âNo sir, this has actually been a project of mine for months now. I intended on presenting this final copy to Mira, but then, well--â
âYes, thatâs unforunate.â The Dealer started scratching the back of his neck, âAm I reading this correctly, Orvyn?â
âYou want to break off the Deathwatch Guardians from the Paladin Corps?â He looked up to Orvyn concernedly.
âThat is correct. I think Deathwatch would be more effective at their jobs if they didnât have the unnecessary overhead of having to constantly report back to me or one of the Grand Marshalls while theyâre conducting their investigations.â
âI see,â the Dealer was now invested in the document, âWell itâs a good thing youâre Grand Paladin. Mira could never have gotten this kind of change passed.â
âDonât worry about it. Some of these we can push through review easily enough. Others will take a little more work,â he opened up to the proposal to split the Deathwatch from the Paladins, âDonât hold your breath for this, however.â Orvyn nodded and the Dealer went back to reading, âIs there anything else, Orvyn?â The Grand Paladin shook his head, âWell donât let me keep you. Iâm sure youâve got a lot of acquainting to do with your new office.â
Orvyn nodded and started walking out, âThank you, sir.â
The Dealer waved, not looking up from his reading, âNo problem.â
Orvyn stepped out of the office and walked down to the hall. He saw Ellis the Damned walking towards him, engrossed in some kind of report. The death knight almost didnât notice Orvyn, who was saluting him. Ellis slowly returned the salute, âGrand Paladin Orvyn, congratulations.â He offered his hand, and Orvyn took it. âI donât know if youâve made my acquaintance before, but Iâm--â
âNot to be rude,â Orvyn interrupted, âBut we all know who you are, Ellis.â
âOh thank Iblis,â Ellis was immediately relieved, âI hate all the damned pleasantries that come with a change of command. I canât wait to see what you do with the Paladin Corps, Grand Paladin.â
âActually, I wanted to know if you could help me with that, Ellis.â The death knight was intrigued, âI just submitted my proposal to restructure the Paladin Corps to the Dealer, and I was wondering if you could help me design the new training regimen for the lower ranks. I think your expertise would be invaluable.â
Ellis was quiet, unsure of how to respond. âIâd love to help you, Grand Paladin, but Iâm afraid your subordinates will not be as open as you are to the idea.â
"Youâre right, they wonât just listen to Ellis the Damned,â Orvyn shrugged, âBut they will listen to Sur Paladin Ellis.â Ellis was once again stunned. âI included a special provision for your position in my proposal to the Dealer. He has it right now, if youâd like to talk with him about it.â
âI-Iâll be sure to talk with him about. Thank you, Grand Paladin.â The two saluted again and went their separate ways. Grand Paladin Orvyn was ready to move forward into a grand new age for the Prime.
{And thatâs where the story ends. Grand Paladin Orvynâs story continues in Insurrection. Whatâs coming next? I have no idea, but Iâm sure itâll be great. Thanks for reading, and I hope you join me next time!}