Under Fallen Stars - Mel Odom [105]
"He speaks to you?"
"Not in words," Glawinn admitted. "He found me when I was lost and brought me into his temple. I was not always as you see. As a young man I was uncertain and lacking. My love and understanding of the Morninglord, and my eventual dedication to him has made me what you see now. Not that you should be impressed. A paladin's life isn't exactly what you read in those romances." He chuckled.
"But to serve a god," Jherek said. "That would be-"
"A humbling experience, let me assure you. Though I serve him with my convictions, my teaching, and my sword arm every day, we don't converse. He fills my heart with a wanderlust that is as true as any compass, and I ride. When I arrive, then I discover where I'm supposed to be. It doesn't take long before I figure out what it is I'm supposed to do."
"Now you're bound for Westgate."
"Yes, and perhaps beyond. I don't know yet. I only know that I itch to travel, and that's the direction I must go."
Jherek tried to fathom that. "But you don't know why?"
"Not yet." Glawinn gave more of the apple to his horse. "What are you to do then?" Jherek asked, not really expecting an answer.
"I'm no teller of fortunes, young warrior. I'm much more a man of action. Like yourself."
Jherek shook his head. "I'm no man of action."
"Sure you are," Glawinn said. "I can see it in the way you hold your eyes, the way you balance yourself on your feet when you move. You're no stranger to the sword, are you?"
"I've had some training," Jherek admitted.
"You must have to have survived the wounds I see on you now."
"I've only a mean skill at best." Jherek felt bad about that because it undercut all the training Malorrie had given him over the years.
"Then strip out of that wet armor and let's have a look at it." Glawinn got lithely to his feet.
"Now?"
The knight took a long sword from his saddle and tossed it to Jherek. "Of course now. There's no better time. When we arrive in Westgate either your quest or mine may see us crossing sword blades with others. Perhaps I'll even need someone to stand at my back."
Jherek flushed with the honor he was being given. He took off the leather armor and hung it carefully from a tree so it would better dry. He also took off his wet shirt, not wanting it to slow his movements and so that it wouldn't get torn any more than it was because he had no other clothes. He also took off the kerchief he'd had tied around his head, being careful not to let the paladin see his tattoo when he lifted his arm.
"You've a wound on your head," Glawinn said. "Have you had it tended?"
"Aye."
"It doesn't appear to be healing well."
Jherek felt self-conscious, remembering that the wound was the reason Sabyna was there. "Circumstances haven't allowed it to heal at its best."
"Let me see it." Glawinn crossed over to him and examined it more closely. "It's healed some, but I can help still more if you'll allow me."
Jherek remembered the tales he'd been told, of how a paladin could heal and cure diseases with but a touch. He smiled and said, "I guess not everything in those romances are fantasy."
"A gift from Lathander, young warrior, and no doing of my own." Glawinn placed his hands on Jherek's head.
The young sailor experienced a moment of disorientation, a flicker of pain, then he immediately felt better than he had in days.
Glawinn stepped back. "How's that?"
"Good," Jherek answered. "Thank you."
"Your thanks may be premature, young warrior." Glawinn grinned and paced back to the center of the clearing. He raised his broadsword into an en garde position. "Move too slowly or awkwardly and I may bequeath you another rap on the skull for your trouble."
Jherek saluted him, then cut with the long sword to get the heft of it. The balance was good and it moved well, like it had been made for his hand. "All right," he said.
The paladin came at him without a word, and the sound of steel on steel rang out. Hesitant at first, Jherek held up a defense, then he started in with his attack, pushing at Glawinn's defenses.
After