The instant Reynard, a Master-level warrior, former Champion Knight of Cormyr's Obarskyr family, and now a Paladin of Torm's Order of the Gold Lion, saw Aaron, he wanted to run.
He truly had no idea how to face his junior schoolmate.
Under his oath of devotion, Reynard had a clear conscience when it came to his public duties. He knew what he was and what he ought to do. Everything he had done had served justice, and Torm had always approved of his path of devotion.
In his private life, however, Reynard had done far less well. He had kept running away. He had failed Lucian, the mentor who had raised him, his fiancée Maria-Lysa, the people of Cormyr, and the Purple Dragon Princess who had entrusted him with great responsibilities.
So when Reynard heard that Aaron and his companions had come to the Sword Coast, he had a very bad feeling.
Sure enough, his worst fear came true.
"Reynard, say something!" Aaron gripped Reynard's cloak tightly, veins bulging on the Cormyrian Viscount's forehead. The Paladin's white cloak, emblazoned with a gold lion, creaked and began to tear under his strength. "You had the nerve to run away, so have the nerve to speak!"
"..." Reynard remained silent. He turned his head aside, not even daring to meet Aaron's eyes from behind his bascinet.
In the end, Keldorn, the Paladin leading the group, stopped Aaron. His weathered, scarred face bore the weight of years without losing its dignity. "Enough, young man. I know you-the Fairy Princess's Flower Knight. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Keldorn of the Order of the Radiant Heart. We have come from Amn, tracking the Bhaalspawn Deathstalkers..."
"..." Aaron released Reynard's cloak and shot him a vicious glare before turning to Keldorn. He raised his