Light-bound Tome: Crusader Akanth's Confessional
Written in sweeping script the following begins on the very first page of a new leather journal. The contents of the small diary remain hidden by a gold-metal buckle that locks.
Page 1
Today marks my 30th year and earlier my comrades were alive with celebration. I cannot reconcile how they came to be aware of today's meaning for me. I have recalled that only one knew of my birth date and that was Confessor Angelvine. However, I cannot believe she would break my confidence in such a manner. She knows how I feel about such frivolous behavior. With much haste I broke free, but not before I was given this gift. Confessor Angelvine says that I need a safe place to record my thoughts. I protested such vanity in lieu of confession but, she insisted. Something tells me she has found my daily visits to the chapel to be taxing. To offer her relief I surely will try to make use of her present. Indeed, not an hour after I left the party for patrol did I encounter something someone an incident that troubles me.
At the end of my route by the eastern bridge I saw him. He seemed to be waiting or hesitating to cross. I questioned him, for it is rare that you meet one alone in the Plaguelands. If you do then it could be costly to not be on guard. It is good I was, because his armor was like something I saw out of a dream. Only after closer inspection did I realize I was looking at the aegis of a criminal. We exchanged names freely as though he had not a thing to hide. Palenix. A dead man's name. The thought crossed my mind that the man before my charger was a mere thief, desecrating the homes of the lost. However, he remained vigilant in his claim to be the apostate paladin. Through words not of my own I knew him to be an enemy and I stated such. It is only fair that those who are to be judged know they are on trial.
What he said next struck me as if his words were carried by the knuckles of a fist. He would not argue my position if I knew within my heart that he was my enemy. It was as if he already knew I was being held back by doubt. I left him with the promise that I would meditate on the matter and if our paths were to cross again that I would know.
If the lights in the chapel are still on I will stop by Confessor Angelvine's room.
Page 2
Light keep me! I ran into the apostate paladin again. This time he was further westward and he was waiting for someone. He called me, Lady of Hearthglen. Such an odd title to be gifted with! In truth I think he forgot my name. Had I been given the chance at the time to correct him I surely would have. However, he told me that he was being tracked by a dark caster. Something of an ill omen and spells that I dare not think on too much. When the dark magic found him, it was heralded by a very spiteful woman with raven hair and a meek Kirin Tor mage. Such an odd pairing.
Lord Palenix, as I have decided to call him, refused to answer her claims that he was a false paladin of the Light. Instead the two met in combat and before I could even think he had been stabbed and she was bludgeoned by his mastery of holy spells. I did the only thing that was right. I healed them both. After the two women went on their way he scolded me. However, I felt compelled to continue studying him. I have never judged a man for his crimes, but surely the Light wants me to be near him.
Confessor Angelvine said that if I were to meet him again I should lead him to Hearthglen or one of our camps. Instead, here I am locked in the bedroom of an abandoned cottage. I have blocked the door with chairs as well. Light bless me tomorrow for tonight will be sleepless.
Page 3
When I rose from my bed this morning I knew I would be accompanying Lord Palenix to his home-- Palenstrad? (I should ask him tomorrow if that truly is the name of the estate) I do not wish to even set eyes upon him tomorrow. Or ever! By the Light, by tomorrow I will be able to see his face without feeling her presence. I cannot even recall her name, but I remember her pain as if it were my own. It is such an odd thing. I never imagined such a fate would fall upon myself. The ghouls were so easy to take down-- why was my spirit weak? My faith has not faltered and yet, she was able to do with me as she pleased. Never in my life has the unliving affected me so greatly. He spoke of her as though she were a lover yet she felt nothing but hate. If she were his love why would he-- His contrition was genuine and I felt as though the Light has led me to him so that he may find peace, be it in forgiveness or judgement. At the end of this trial the Light will guide him to absolution or justice.
Her voice remains clear in my thoughts even hours after her true death. He will lead you to your own doom...He is hunted, preyed after...
Her warning mirrors Confessor Angelvine's and now when I need her most I cannot seek her guidance. We are camped among dwarves and high elves and there are no clerics among us. I have asked and there is no chapel near either. The Kirin Tor mage under the employ of the crazed woman is also with us. Emelia Hall. As I am to understand it, she along with Lord Palenix have fled one they call Lord Whiteshore. I am told he is a vile creature and Emelia is in grave danger. I have heard that his practice of the dark art is only one abomination among many unspeakable acts that damn him and all that ally themselves with him. I will do my utmost to ensure no harm befalls Emelia. Lord Palenix has also made this promise.
I have never judged a man for his crimes, but if anyone attempts to harm Emelia while she is in our care I will not hesitate to show them the wrath of the Light.
Page 4
Brother Stanbald used to say that the Light shines brightly upon the faithful. As I recall he said it most often while we were in the garden when the sun was beating down our backs and the light of the sun was not only shining it was burning. His faith was so strong that I always felt like I could see it in everything he did. When I meet other faithful, I can see it in them as well. I have never met a dark caster who I could see any Light from and I cannot see the Light in Lord Palenix. I have felt the Light in him.
While Miss Emelia rested I confided in him how the unholy possession of my body caused me great spiritual discomfort. At times I feel as though the wraith still attempts to direct my thoughts. Out of impulse I asked him to meditate with me knowing full well how intimate such an act is and how dangerous he could prove to be. My heart almost stopped when he accepted...though what better way to know a man's faith? It was even pleasing to know he had never meditated with another before. I even had to show him how. It was an honor to show him the holy power of combined meditation.
At the time I did not realize how brightly the Light shines upon him. Now I know that he is more powerful than myself. I know this to be true because I felt the Light within him almost overcome me. In that moment, I saw the Light shining upon him through my own eyes, not before them, but through them. Everything was golden and warm, everything. Even now my fingers glow and I can still feel the fervor of our faith kindling inside of me. It is a warmth unlike anything I have ever felt.
Surely Lord Palenix is a holy man and I understand my duty to judge him better now.
