Better Late Than Never

It had been a full day, and when Tirion Fordring returned from inspecting his lands that afternoon, he went straight to the study to find his son!

Facing Old Fordring, Taelan didn't ask that famous question. Instead, he asked his father how to become a proper Paladin.

He learned that anyone who wanted to become a Paladin first had to train in various combat skills. After proving themselves, they would enter the Silver Hand's training grounds and complete three years of training before becoming a knight's squire.

Then they would serve in the Order of the Silver Hand, and finally undergo a Baptism of the Holy Light. Only those who successfully awakened the power of the Holy Light could be promoted to Paladins.

The process was necessary, but it took too long. For Taelan Fordring, that could even be fatal. By the time he became a Paladin by following the usual path, he would have no choice but to join the Scarlet Crusade.

He asked Tirion Fordring, "Father, if I awaken the Holy Light on my own, can I join the Silver Hand and become a Paladin early?"

"Of course," Tirion Fordring replied. "Such people are called Initiate Paladins, and we call them the Awakened. They have an innate Affinity for the Holy Light, but they're exceedingly rare. Even the mighty Lightbringer Uther wasn't one of them. As far as I remember, the only person who awakened the power of the Holy Light on his own was my teacher, Archbishop Faol. He's a Priest, one of the clergy."

Taelan Fordring knew that, according to the lore, Nephalem were natural spellcasters. Once he reached level 6 and learned Holy Bolt, he could find someone to give him the Baptism. Then he could become an Initiate Paladin early, train with the Order of the Silver Hand, and find a way to distinguish himself so he could make a difference in the coming Third War!

Early the next morning, at his wife's urging, Tirion Fordring took his son and set out on horseback on his journey to Dalaran in search of a healer!

The father and son soon left Hearthglen behind. Zhou Shen—no, Taelan Fordring—was quite familiar with the Western Plaguelands! But for now, it was still a lush, green forest known as the Eastern Weald.

The region was divided in two: one part was administered by Stratholme, and the other belonged to Andorhal. Hearthglen was a valley in the Eastern Weald, surrounded by mountains and blessed with fertile soil. It was the Kingdom of Lordaeron's main breadbasket.

The region was dotted with vast farms. During the Third War, Kel'Thuzad's subordinate Heigan would taint the crops in these farms with the plague. Andorhal, the grain distribution hub for all of Lordaeron, would become the starting point from which the plague swept across the kingdom.

The father and son rode the same horse down the main road. Tirion then handed Taelan Fordring a shield and short sword from his Magic Backpack.

Taelan had begged Tirion to bring him the equipment the day before. Tirion Fordring knew his son longed to become a Paladin like him, and that the boy had a gift for it. He could already use weapons and a shield.

What Tirion didn't know was that his son wanted to go to Dalaran for more than just a cure for his amnesia. Watching the boy strap on the shield and wear the short sword with an air of confidence, Tirion smiled like a proud father. "Son, why are you so eager to gain power?"

Taelan Fordring replied, "Only by becoming strong can I protect my family and our people.

"I read a book yesterday that said our world is full of dangers. The north is swarming with Murlocs, and Trolls lurk in the mountains. The forests are full of wild beasts and Gnolls, while Kobolds rule the underground world in the mines. If I'm not strong, how can I keep Mother safe?"

Tirion Fordring had been about to say, "You're still young. I'll take responsibility for protecting your mother and our people." But then he remembered how much time he spent away, fighting for the Alliance, and how he had neglected his wife and son.

"Son, there's nothing wrong with seeking strength, but never seek it for its own sake. What makes us human is having a kind and honest heart, and strength exists to protect all the good things in this world!"

Taelan Fordring nodded. "I understand, Father. I will."

"Ding! Felstone Farm discovered!

You gained 200 experience points. Congratulations, you've reached level 3!"

"You gained a skill point. Your physical attributes have improved."

It was already noon, and Tirion decided to take his son to visit the owner of Felstone Farm, John Felstone. John was Tirion Fordring's childhood friend, and later married Janice Felstone. When a servant ushered the father and son into the parlor, Tirion Fordring learned that John had gone to Andorhal to discuss this year's grain purchases. Their host was Janice, a beautiful woman in a blue dress who still looked young.

That's right: this was the quest giver for "Better Late Than Never," Janice Felstone. The plague would kill her, and she would become a ghost, but she would never forget her husband and family. She would ask players to deliver a package she had prepared to her sister!

Her sister, too, would become a little unhinged. That terrible plague had hurt so many people and changed so many lives. Back then, everyone had focused on Lordaeron's prince, Arthas, and the Archmage Kel'Thuzad. Who remembered the loving couple from those days?

Taelan Fordring was young, but he had the soul of an adult. He politely greeted Janice Felstone. "Hello, Aunt Janice!"

Janice clearly adored the adorable Taelan Fordring. She happily took his hand. "Taelan, you've grown so tall! Your uncle told me yesterday that you'd been hurt. Are you feeling better now?"

Tirion Fordring answered for him. "Taelan's body is fine. He's always been strong. But he hit his head and lost some of his memories. He doesn't even recognize his childhood friends, and he gets headaches often.

"I'm taking him to visit an Archmage in Dalaran to see if he can help."

"Poor thing!" Janice said. "A person's childhood memories are a precious treasure. It's so sad to lose them!"

As she spoke, she took a pendant from her pocket and put it around Taelan Fordring's neck.

"Ding! You received Janice Felstone's Blessing Pendant."

Janice's Blessing Pendant

Necklace

Quality: Rare

+2 Stamina

+2 Strength

Equip: Increases your hit chance by 1%.

"Quest discovered: Better Late Than Never!

Janice likes you very much and has given you her keepsake! She hopes you can recover your childhood memories. But you know what will happen to her. You feel you should do something for this kind woman. When that deadly danger comes, you can protect her.

Accept the quest?"

"I accept," Taelan Fordring said silently.

Then he looked at Janice and said earnestly, "Aunt Janice, thank you! I think we'll see each other often from now on. You can come visit me in Hearthglen whenever you have time."

Janice beamed. "What a thoughtful boy!"

Tirion Fordring watched his son speak with Janice like a little adult and felt happy, too. He suddenly thought of the two brats in the Mograine family, and the corners of his mouth gradually curled upward.

That's my son, all right! Heh heh. Poor Old Mograine!

Janice soon prepared a lavish meal and spent a long time chatting with Taelan about the interesting things on the farm.

There was a huge boar near her house named Gentleman. Whenever he snuck in to eat the farm's grain, he would eat one row at a time, following the ridge. He wouldn't touch another row until he had finished the first, and when he came back another day, he would pick up where he had left off.

He was quite particular and always ate only the best, so everyone had named him "Gentleman."

He was very strong and clever. Whenever Lordaeron's constables came to catch him, he would run into the woods and hide, never coming out. Once the constables returned empty-handed, he would come back and wreak twice as much havoc on the Felstones' crops.

Gentleman really was too much!

Two chapters in a row! Please vote for the story! Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave a comment!