A Letter

Dear Liadren:

It's been a long time since I last saw you! I've left Dalaran and been sent to Hearthglen as a special envoy, where I'm handling the affairs of Prince Kael'thas's magic shop. I'm also serving as tutor to Taelan Fordring, son of Hearthglen's Highlord, Tirion Fordring.

You'll probably laugh at me: a legendary spellcaster, reduced to tutoring a human child. What an undignified job.

But I don't see it that way. The Highlord is less a noble than an elder. He never throws his weight around and treats everyone fairly. Even a High Elf!

His wife spoils her child a little, but she's as kind as an angel. As for the Highlord's child, I don't know how to describe him!

He's a strange one. In a month, he mastered the difficult Thalassian language and learned an advanced meditation technique I'd never encountered. He even figured out several unusual Holy Spells on his own. His soul can even make bolts of Holy Light change direction in midair, just like a mage's homing spell.

The Paladin skills he's learned are several times more powerful than those of other knights, yet he can't learn the Seal! I think he'll soon be able to master Divine Shield, a skill only formal Paladins can use.

This child is nothing like the children of those generals. He goes hunting with the farmers' children and helps them rescue lambs stolen by wolves. He beat the clerk Barthilas's younger brother so badly over a shoemaker's daughter that the boy couldn't get out of bed for a month, and forced him to write a confession!

He never forces anyone to do anything they don't want to. He fought Renault Mograine, son of Highlord Mograine, to help a maid. He sent Renault and Bridget Abbendis fleeing in defeat. I saw it with my own eyes: his Holy Bolts curved through the air like magical bombs and blasted Renault, who was three years older than him, head over heels!

He's a lovable little boy, and he looks like an angel. If he has a flaw, it's that he's particularly popular with girls. He always makes people want to get close to him! Me included! I can't help feeling he's much older than he looks!

Lots of girls like him, including the shoemaker's daughter, Bridget, whom he beat soundly, and Sally Whitemane. Renault flew into a rage over it. And, of course, there's Jaina, all the way over in Kul Tiras. Everyone in Dalaran knows! Just yesterday, the Princess sent him a letter.

Technically, my assignment is already finished! But I don't want to leave. Only here do I feel that life is simple and fulfilling. Every day, I teach my student, handle a few affairs, and study magic. There's no fighting here, no jealousy, and no need to watch out for knives in the dark!

I wish these days could go on forever!

But I know they won't last much longer! Human Archbishop Alonsus Faol has already decided to baptize Taelan Fordring at the New Year next year! He'll soon become an Initiate Paladin, then go to Light's Hope Chapel to continue his studies! A brand-new life is waiting for him!

How have you been lately? Is Mentor Vondelor doing well? Have you found your own path?

May this letter find you well.

Your friend, Solarian

After finishing the letter, the Grand Astromancer put it into a magical postbox and sealed it, then cast another spell to keep anyone from reading it. Just then, Karandra called from the living room, "Solarian, Taelan, dinner!"

Then came another round of muttering. Solarian couldn't make it out, but it was probably a complaint about Tirion. She called back in acknowledgment and left the room.

Once everyone was seated at the table, Taelan Fordring poured drinks for them all. It was a Fordring family rule that each day someone served the rest of the family, whether by dishing out food, washing the dishes, or preparing their specialty. Of course, Mrs. Karandra did it most often! Taelan Fordring had been assigned a whole week of serving everyone after saying that Aunt Janice's cooking tasted better!

Looking at the few simple dishes on the table, Solarian first thanked Mrs. Karandra, then began to eat. She'd grown used to this kind of life. Under Taelan Fordring's influence, everyone had given up the rule against talking at meals. The whole point was to take it easy!

Tirion Fordring was the first to speak. "Darling, I have some good news! My teacher, Alonsus Faol, has agreed to baptize Taelan next New Year."

Karandra scoffed. Their son would have to leave her for three whole years! Was that good news? December was still more than five months away, wasn't it? Wasn't he a little early to bring it up?

Tirion Fordring was too excited to notice his wife's expression. He continued, "Since becoming an Initiate Paladin means studying and living at Light's Hope Chapel for three years, Daelin has decided to visit Hearthglen next month and join us on a trip to Caer Darrow. We'll vacation there! Jaina will be coming, too! And I heard her mother, Lady Katherine Proudmoore, will be there as well!"

Then he turned to Solarian. "Solarian, you've been invited, too!" As the Prince's advisor, a Grand Astromancer, and Taelan's tutor, she was indeed invited. Besides, Lady Illucia Barov and her daughter, Jandice Barov, were both mages, so it was no surprise that Solarian had received an invitation.

And as a supplier, she'd already opened up a sizable market. The Barovs of Caer Darrow were among her customers.

Solarian nodded. Just then, Karandra suddenly grew curious. "Jaina's coming, too? That's wonderful! Taelan, do you have anything to say?"

No! Absolutely nothing!

Taelan Fordring didn't say a word, which greatly annoyed Karandra. Tirion picked up the conversation. "Actually, it was Jaina's suggestion. After all, the Silver Hand's training is strict, and absences aren't allowed! That means you'll have a hard time seeing each other for three years!"

Taelan Fordring was obviously more concerned about his trials. He still didn't dare spend too much time around Jaina. If he triggered a quest involving this Daughter of the World, it would surely cost him half his life. His little body couldn't handle that yet!

Tirion knew his son cared more about Paladin training. "The examination to advance from Initiate Paladin to full-fledged knight has three parts.

"The first is a written exam. You have to write out the Paladin's tenets and answer questions on basic military knowledge.

"The second part tests your combat skills. Of course, someone like you, who has already awakened the power of the Holy Light, can go straight to the practical exam. As long as you can use a Holy Light skill, even Holy Light Spell, you'll pass!

"Natural users of the Holy Light are rare. Once you awaken the Holy Light, the worst you can expect is to gain a basic talent skill. With the Holy Light, you're already a transcendent! Learn a few essential combat skills, and you can take the next part of the exam!

"The last part is a hunt. You'll take part in a clearing mission, and this year's target will most likely be Forest Trolls. Pass all three stages, and congratulations! You'll become a full-fledged Paladin of the Silver Hand!"

"Recently, the trolls of Zul'Mashar have grown restless again. They may have joined forces with the Amani Trolls of Quel'Thalas. That's why the Forest Trolls of Eastern Weald have repeatedly attacked the Stratholme outpost and Darrowshire."

"Taelan, how are your studies coming along?"

Taelan Fordring said, "Father, I mastered Divine Shield yesterday. I shouldn't have any problems. I just don't know why I still can't use the Seal."

Tirion Fordring said, "You've only just awakened, so it's natural that your understanding of the Holy Light is still limited. The Paladin skill system hasn't fully matured yet.

"But it can broadly be divided into three specializations: Holy, Retribution, and Protection. The Paladin is actually an advanced class, as you know.

"The first generation of Paladins, with the exception of Uther, were all Retribution Paladins. That's because before advancing, our main class was Warrior. Judgment and the Seal both call upon the Holy Light through devout faith, then channel it into a Warrior's attacks to deal additional Holy damage.

"You're a natural spellcaster, so your base class is actually Priest. That's why you can use Holy Bolts like a mage. You'll quickly learn spells that simply manipulate the Holy Light, such as Hammer of Justice and Divine Shield. I believe you'll master blessing spells soon, too."

"You've pretty much mastered your weapon techniques. Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you blessings, especially Blessing of Freedom. It'll greatly improve your chances of survival."

Well, I just really like control skills and defensive abilities! It's not because I'm afraid of dying!

Taelan Fordring would soon reach level 12. Then he'd learn Charge, too! Combined with Blessing of Freedom, it would make him even more formidable!

Please vote! Thanks for joining the discussion! Help me find any typos!