The Initiation of Sam [Paladins]

[Verne]

The Saint James Cathedral stood at the edge of the city, nestled amongst an acre of trees. It spires reaching up to peak above the low-bearing cloud cover. It was silent outside, four guards standing watch, each dressed in a white, long, hooded, cloak style jackets that were lined with a blue material, depicting their rank within The Order. Royal blue meant you had been initiated into their secret society, a group of men and women that still believed in the old ways; in serving the Kingdom of God by defending it from evil.

As Verne walked through the large iron doors he passed two men on his way to the stoup. They were speaking in quiet tones as not to interrupt the hymn that filled the bay of the cathedral, one in white and blue, the other in black and red; another form of rank within The Order, much the same as the first, only black meant Vampire. A Vampire who had been purged of his or her sins and didn’t feed on Humans was rare within The Order, but every now and then one would be permitted to join. Verne wore a cloaked jacket exactly the same as the two men he had passed; only his was the third and final combination of colours offered to members, white and red, usually seen worn only by leaders.

He dripped his fingers into the font of holy water and drew the cross over his form before venturing deeper into the cathedral. The man standing in the channel amidst the choir set either side of him was leading the congregation in the hymn Ave Maria, a song that made the skin on the man’s arms goose-bump and the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. The world was not without beauty, not in here at least.

The tall male slipped in beside two men sharing a song booklet in one of the side aisles and joined in for the end of the hymn, the lyrics rolling off his tongue effortlessly. “In hora, hora mortis nostrae, in hora mortis nostrae… Ave Maria.” When the song came to an end everyone was seated. Verne pulled down his hood and sat quietly, awaiting the end of the service. He had been picked to welcome their newest member to The Order this evening and had tried not to think about it, nerves twisting his insides.

“Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

“Thanks be to God,” the assembly of men and women echoed before getting up from their seats to leave the Cathedral and gather outside where a small supper that had been set up.

Verne got to his feet and walked to the front of the room where a young man was sitting, nervously pressing his right thumb into his left palm and then repeating this in the opposite. “Sam?” Verne asked the man when he was closer.

Sam jumped to his feet, a young man in his early twenties, his hair a burning red colour, faint freckles dotted across his nose and cheeks, with blue eyes that knew nothing of the real world. “Yes, Sir?”

“Verne, please,” the Paladin smiled warmly. “I hear you have passed all the initiation tests and seek to join The Order of Saint James?”

“Yes, Sir… I mean Verne,” Sam said quickly and shook the man’s hand.

Verne looked to their hands laced in a firm shake and he wondered, how many more hands like this one he would shake before it was all over… How many hands had Eze shaken; men and women sent to their deaths to defend the innocent from unspoken evils. “Shall we begin?” The Paladin asked, brushing his hand against the side of his jacket discreetly, as if washing his hands of the thoughts that had seconds ago troubled him.

The men that had been standing guard out front entered and two more that had remained near the door stepped forward after closing it. A woman dressed in blue and white also joined them and together they made a semicircle behind Sam. “Kneel,” Verne said and went to the back of the ambulatory to collect the uniform that Sam would wear come dawn.

Sam went to his knees and Verne approached him, setting the uniform down in front of him. He put his hand on the man’s head gently, doing his utmost to calm the nerves the sought to see his fingers quiver involuntarily. Verne filled his lungs slowly before speaking. “Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; defend the weak; relieve the afflicted; honour the living; love and serve the Lord; keep with you the Holy Spirit, and the blessing of God almighty.”

“The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always,” the rest of the Paladins joined in. “Amen.”

“Rise Sam,” Verne smiled, pulling his hand away.

Same shot up, smiling from ear to ear, clutching his crisp white and blue uniform in his hands. Verne nodded to the group of hooded figures behind Sam before turning his gaze on one of them. “Brock… Could you set Sam up with a weapon and show him where he’ll be living for the next three months?” Even as Verne said this he hoped the boy would live that long.

[Verne]

[Brock Michaels]

Brock had been sitting in the office of Auto Doc. The staff had all gone home for the night. He had gotten a call from Verne about a new inductee and wanted people present for it. Now, hours later, He was standing in the cathedral. The white and blue jacket he wore was left open. He had a black corset paired with a black miniskirt. His knee high boots were paired with fishnet stockings. One heeled foot was pressed against the very wall he was leaning on. He was never very spiritual by nature, never had need of it. He found the whole ceremony of getting the jacket rather ridiculous.

Then Verne called his name. He sighed, shaking his head and sashayed up to the young man. Why would Verne want him to show the new kid around? Brock’s job was to build stuff. Granted, The Order never really sent in requests, but that’s what Brock did. Build stuff. He stood there with one hand on his hip, and placed the other on the kid’s shoulder.
“C’mon cutie, let’s get you geared up and put to bed.” He handed the boy a sword and a pocket pistol. He ushered the scared looking young man from the room and to the living quarters.