A Calling to Faith

by Stuart Ferris

Jean-Paul had had a happy childhood. His parents had loved and cherished him, his brother had been a loving and loyal companion and playmate. Yet somehow, he felt that he did not belong. Perhaps it was the fact that his brother was being groomed by his father to take over the family lands, and as a result Jean-Paul spent a lot of his time with his mother and her hand-maidens. He was a gentle child of a scholarly nature and his mother taught him in the ways of medicine and books.

It was during his late teens that one of his mothers younger handmaidens took an interest in Jean-Paul. He was not yet knowledgable in the ways of love, and did not know or particularly have the urges to react. This was much to the annoyance of the maid, who, after several brazen attempts at seducing him gave up, deciding he was either a monk or gay. The maiden's attention did not go unoticed, however, by one of his fathers squires, who did have a desire for her favours.

One evening the squire cornered Jean-Paul in the courtyard of his fathers keep and started to tease him about the maid's intentions, and his apparent inability to act upon them. Jean-Paul was not a violent child, but this ruffian's goadings and uncaring attitude towards a maiden's reputation infuriated him, and he launched himself into an uprecedented attack on the squire.

After several minutes the fight was broken up by his father's servants, but not before Jean-Paul had severely beaten the squire to within an inch of his life. His family, shocked at their sons outburst (although his father was somewhat proud at his sons handling of the affair), and as a means to pacify the family of the badly injured squire, met with the monks of the Monastery D'Appignon with a view of enrolling Jean-Paul as an initiate within their circle.

Jean-Paul was not upset by this and spoke to his father, stating that he would quite happily enter the church, and that he hoped it might be a way in furthering his knowledge of medicine and healing. So it was agreed, Jean-Paul's father provided the monastery with a small cash sum in order to assist in their workings with the poor, and in return Jean-Paul was taken in as an initiate of the order.

Life at the monastery was hard work for Jean-Paul, but he found it rewarding. The other monks were kind to him, even though he was often late for prayers and sometimes forgot his duties. The other monks would often pray that brother Jean-Paul would become more focused upon his duties and would spend less time day-dreaming.

One person that showed Jean-Paul great kindness during his time at the monastery was Sir Mallandrey D'Appignon, a Knight of the Shield and Knight Protector of the Monastery D'appignon. Jean-Paul waited with great anticipation for the return of Mallandrey from his adventures, for there was always a great story to be told, and a welcome change from gruel and bread at suppertime. Mallandrey had noticed Jean-Paul and the young man fascinated him. He saw some potential in him, something that no one else had. He came to believe that perhaps Jean-Paul could one day become a great warrior, and take over his duties as the Knight Protector.

This was something that Mallandrey kept to himself, as if the other monks knew his thoughts they would not be happy. For an initiate monk to even to think of becoming a Knight was preposterous, a monk put himself to more heavenly and godly pursuits.

However, this was all to change on one ill-fated winter night.

The winter that year had been particularly harsh. Food was scarce and the timber wolves were coming closer into the towns and built up areas in need of food. There was also talk of strange creatures and monsters in the woods. The people of the surrounding area were nervous, and looked towards the monastery for assistance. Sir Mallandrey had returned to the monastery after receiving a message from the monks voicing their concerns. He had arrived at the head of a merchants' caravan which had carried many welcome goods for the monastery and surrounding area. Jean-Paul as ever was glad to see Mallandrey and was happy to be regaled with his tales of adventure and daring-do.

It was then that a terrible noise was heard coming out of the woods. Running to the gates of the monastery the monks were horrified to see a warband of orcs charging towards them, headed by a very large ogre wilding a terrifiying war axe. Mallandrey gathered together his equipment, mounted his horse and was handed his holy sword and lance by his squire. He then rode out with several soldiers from merchants' caravan to do battle with the foul creatures.

"By Heironeous they will fall!" Mallandrey cried.

With this he spurred on his mount, levelled his lance and charged the ogre, with the other soldiers chargingd the orcs. Mallandrey approached the ogre at speed, and just as he braced his lance for impact the ogre stepped out of his way, and swung his axe, catching Mallandrey in the small of the back. The Knight fell, mortally wounded, from his horse. The ogre laughed and ran towards the ensuing battle.

Jean-Paul cried out in anguish at the fall of his friend and started running into the battle field toward Mallandrey. He reached the fallen Knight and looked down upon him. Mallandrey raised his hand out and Jean-Paul took it. Mallandrey's other hand moved to his sword and clasped its hilt.

"Take this sword" he whispered, "By Heironeous it will protect you. Save the monastery or we all shall be damned".

His last breath escaped his lips as he spoke these words. With tears streaming down his face Jean-Paul took the sword, a strange, soothing feeling filled his head. From the sword a calmness overcame him, and he knew then what he must do.

Jean-Paul turned towards the Ogre, a snarl crossing his face as he lifted the sword above his head.

"D'Appignon, D'Appignon!" he shouted, as he started to run at great speed towards the ogre. The ogre turned at the commotion and smiled as he saw the young man running towards him. "Fresh meat!" it thought, raising its axe, poised to strike the boy as he approached.

However, as he brought the blade down the boy ducked underneath it and stuck the blade of the sword into the ogres belly up to the hilt, twisting and turning the blade as it went. The ogre lurched for a few seconds, astonished at its wound, before falling to the ground, dead. The orc, seeing their stricken leader fall, were routed and fled back into the woods pursued by the remaining soldiers.

Jean-Paul was hailed as a hero and the monks overwhelmingly voted that he should be proclaimed their new Knight Protector to replace the noble Sir Mallandrey. Following several intense months training with the Knights of the Shield Jean-Paul was bound into the cricle of the Knights of the Shield. But that, as the saying goes, is another story...