Differential Treatment

These newcomers carried no banners; their only identifier was the embossed patterns on their armor. Nathanos recognized them; he knew them well, but he didn't like them.

Finally, the seventh knight slowly emerged from the woods. This knight wore more traditional armor. He wore a helmet that concealed less of his armor. The insignia of Lordaeron was not only marked on his shield and breastplate, but also on his helmet. A buckle adorned with a silver lion's head fastened a leather belt to a massive, horned hammer.

"An Elf." The knight ignored Nathanos at the front and rode up to Vareesa, speaking in a low voice. "Your strong arms must be quite popular." The man who appeared to be a leader then glanced at Rhonin and finally commented with frank contempt, "And these damned souls. Keep your hands out of our sight so we don't cut them off."

Rhonin was about to erupt in anger when Nathanos suddenly reached out and stopped him. The mage noticed the human standing before him staring coldly at the knight, and he had a feeling that if Nathanos were to fight him, the impudent Paladin would surely regret his words.

"Who are you?" The knight sensed a threat, but Nathanos didn't look like a mage, nor did he seem like a fighter compared to the fully armed Vareesa.

Nathanos did not answer him, but the warning in his eyes remained undiminished.

The Paladin leader swallowed hard, choosing to avoid Nathanos's gaze.

"We rushed here as soon as we saw the Red Dragon. I think we should take good care of you, beautiful Elf lady, in the name of the Holy Light."

The Paladin led them to a camp that Nathanos remembered. Within this small encampment, surrounded by towering stone walls, there was no unnecessary ostentation; knights, foot soldiers, and commoners alike lived frugally. Banners of the Lordaeron Alliance fluttered in the wind, and the knights of the Silver Hand were its staunch supporters. Had it not been for the large number of ordinary people present, Rhonin would surely have thought it a purely military fortress, where sacred commandments governed everything.

The Paladin were very attentive to Vareesa, with some of the younger knights deliberately showing off their charm when Vareesa spoke to them. But they completely ignored Rhonin and Nathanos when it was not necessary.

"How much longer until we reach Hask Port, Marius?" Rhonin asked, sitting alone in the distance, looking at Vareesa and the Paladin around her with annoyance.

"It wasn't far just now, but now..." Nathanos frowned. He had been staying by Rhonin's side, but his attention was more focused on Vareesa.

"What's going on now?" The red-haired mage clearly had a bad feeling.

"It's probably a bit late now. I remember this place, but it's farther away than the original route."

"What!" Rhonin roared angrily. The Paladin didn't notice his displeasure. "These wretched fellows, I don't have that much time to waste." He said, glancing around again, and then sat down on the ground in frustration. He wasn't the knights' prisoner, but Rhonin still felt out of place among them. The knights' forced politeness towards Rhonin was only at the behest of King Terenas, whom they served, but Rhonin knew he was seen as an outsider.

"We have seen both dragons and Gryphon," Duncan Senturus, the leader of the knights, suddenly said. "Our duty and the honor of being Paladin require us to go and provide assistance immediately."

"Hmph!" Nathanos sneered. The entire battle took place in the air, and these knights were clearly useless. However, this neither dampened their holy enthusiasm nor taught them any common sense. Rhonin couldn't help but find it amusing.

"I've heard that Ranger always keep their responsibilities and missions in mind, but it seems that's not the case at all." Rhonin was annoyed to see Vareesa chatting so enthusiastically with the Paladin, wondering when she would finally end this boring conversation and get on the road.

Unfortunately, Duncan Senturus and his team were also preparing to go to Hask.

"If we cannot get you safely to the port, it will be our dereliction of duty. I understand you have a mission, beautiful lady, but it must be some great the Holy Light that has guided you to us. We know the way to Hask like the back of our hand, so a small team led by myself will accompany you on your journey tomorrow."

These words seemed to please the Ranger, but they did not encourage Rhonin at all.

"These guys!"

Everyone in the camp looked at him as if they had seen Goblins or Orcs.

"You're so helpful," Rhonin suddenly interjected. "However, Vareesa is a very talented Ranger, and the two of us can get to the port in time."

Senturus twitched his nose as if he had smelled something unpleasant. The Paladin maintained his smile and continued to speak to Vareesa, "Let me personally escort you to your resting place." Then, glancing at his men, he said, "Find a place to settle the mage and his retinue."

"This way!" a burly knight shouted. He seemed ready to grab Rhonin's arm immediately, not caring if he broke it. But Nathanos stood in front of him, blocking his Rhonin. The knight clearly showed disdain for the human, who was much thinner than him, and reached out to shove Nathanos aside. Suddenly, a scream erupted from his mouth, and everyone's attention turned to him.

"Max!"

"Let him go!"

Senturus pulled out the mace from his back, and the other Paladin surrounded him, demanding that Nathanos release his grip. The one named Max was bent over, his face contorted in pain. Nathanos held his right hand firmly; with a twist, the sound of bones cracking could be heard.

"Release him!" Senturus shouted again. Nathanos stared at him with wide eyes.

"What right do you have to order me around? You're not just a Paladin; your commandments only bind yourself!" Nathanos said, kicking Max aside and walking slowly toward Senturus, showing no fear whatsoever in the face of the Paladin's angry expression.

"I'm warning you," he said, glancing at the bewildered Vareesa. "Listen to me, if you and your men continue to harass this mage, I guarantee you'll pay the price, and even the Holy Light won't save you!" Nathanos finished speaking, reaching out to grab him, and in his right hand, he carefully placed something in Senturus's hand, making sure no one saw what it was. Then Nathanos added, "You'd better think it over!"

Vareesa looked at Nathanos, finished speaking, then turned and nodded to Rhonin. The two humans walked towards their assigned quarters. The Female Elf inwardly cursed Marius for being insane. She had finally managed to persuade Senturus to help them reach Hask Port, but Nathanos's words had humiliated the Paladin lord.

"This is it!" Nathanos and Rhonin arrived at their resting place.

"I originally thought I would be assigned to the dampest and dirtiest little hut, but this place is just as simple as the rooms where those rigid Paladin live." Rhonin looked around after entering the room. The room was dry and clean, with stone walls on all four sides and only one small wooden door. It was more comfortable than he had imagined. Two neat wooden beds and a small table were all the furnishings. The room had no windows, and the only source of light was a working oil lamp.

"I guess we'll just have to make do for now." Nathanos checked the door to make sure there was no lock or anything like that.

"It's alright, this place is very nice, much better than many places I've lived before." The monk smiled, leisurely lying on the hard wooden bed, letting out a comfortable sigh.

"Honestly, I thank you, Marius. If there's anyone here who doesn't see me as an outsider, it's you," Rhonin said with his eyes closed.

The human he was referring to glanced at him and replied, "Race doesn't determine everything. Besides, you are a human, just using a different kind of power."

"I agree." Rhonin felt somewhat relieved.

To Paladin, mages were cursed souls. Not only Rhonin, but even Khadgar had faced his share of ridicule. If it weren't for Uther, Nathanos would have long since concluded that the Silver Hand were always hypocritical and feigning compassion.

It wasn't until dinnertime that Rhonin and Nathanos were led to the dining area. The mage was surprised to find that the Paladin seemed to treat him better; although he was still kept at a distance, at least they were no longer staring at him with disgust. He thought it was all thanks to Nathanos; it must be what he had given Senturus that had made the Paladin more restrained. This piqued Rhonin's curiosity—what exactly had Nathanos given him?

The two of them were seated on the other side of the long table, furthest from Vareesa and Senturus. Their food also differed slightly; Rhonin had only bread and cheese in front of him, while Vareesa had delicate pastries and honey wine.

As Nathanos approached, he suddenly laughed and loudly mocked, "See that, Rhonin? There's still some fine wine somewhere on this table. Chapter 5, Article 6 of the Holy Light's Code strictly states that Paladin must never drink alcohol during extraordinary times. It seems Lord Senturus believes there will be no more unusual events here, and our journey ahead will be safe."

Rhonin and he laughed simultaneously; the reverse "praise" was amusing. No one could ignore the fact that the Red Dragon was present today. Some Paladin at the table, who were about to drink heartily, involuntarily put down their wooden goblets upon hearing Nathanos's words. Vareesa's face stiffened, but she still tried to maintain a smile as she spoke to Senturus. Senturus, in turn, appeared completely unconcerned, at least suppressing his anger.

"Then we should celebrate properly." Rhonin smiled, but the food in front of him was indeed rather meager. Although the mage didn't mind, Nathanos still frowned. He decided to teach these Paladin a lesson for Uther, to show them how to respect others.

"Eat these first, I'll be leaving for a while."

Where are you going?

"Wait for me to come back."

Nathanos left those words behind, and no one stopped him; at most, a few people silently cursed him behind his back.

Vareesa, however, has always been influencing the commander's attention, whether she likes it or not.

After Nathanos left, no one spoke a word to Rhonin. If Senturus hadn't brought up the matter of the Red Dragon, Rhonin would have left long ago.

"In recent weeks, the Red Dragon have been appearing more and more frequently and with greater ferocity," Senturus told them. "The Orcs know their days are numbered, and they are trying to put up a last stand before they are destroyed." Taking a sip of his drink, he continued, "Three days ago, Bridgeport was ravaged by the flames of two dragons, and most of the residents perished. The cruel Orcs and their dragons had already fled before the Gryphon Rider arrived."

"That's terrible," Vareesa whispered.

Duncan nodded, a hint of fanaticism flashing in his deep brown eyes. "But soon all of this will be over! Our forces will soon advance into Kaz'Modan, all the way to Grim Batol, ending the last threat posed by the Horde and making the orcs pay for Orcs blood debts!"

"This will sacrifice many people." Rhonin's voice was barely audible.

Senturus overheard this and immediately turned to stare at the mage. "Many will be sacrificed, yes! But we swear to liberate Lordaeron and other territories from the clutches of the Orcs! We will, no matter the cost!"

Rhonin was not moved by his boastful words and retorted, "Then can you defeat those dragons?"

"We will defeat those giant reptiles and send them back to their underground home! If you demons..."

Before he could finish speaking, a three-foot-long log flew out of nowhere and landed right in front of him and Vareesa, knocking all the food off the table. Everyone jumped up in surprise, trying to avoid spilling sauce or wine on themselves.

"Didn't the Paladin's code teach you how to speak? Or perhaps..." Nathanos made no attempt to hide his sarcasm as he walked up to Senturus and continued, "Have you forgotten what I just said?"