[i]Well... I was right. It was certainly about the Azure Covenant. Though are we really just going to walk up and knock on their front doors? No, surely not. That is a foolish move against this kind of enemy, even with these numbers. I trust the Inquisitor has a better plan than that.[/i] Varkasan thought to himself. His train of thought was broken however when he heard his name as one of the candidates. He certainly did not expect that.

Aradus chuckled. "Well, this answers the question of why you were called here." He said. Varkasan nodded. "I'll do my best if I am given such an honor, though this is very sudden considering my time in service." He said. He wasn't entirely sure if he deserved the title of Inquisitor so soon, but he would try not to let them down. "You'll figure it out. You're a fast learner." Aradus assured him. As Paladins began moving around them, some leaving and others remaining to chat, their conversation was interrupted by a familiar voice from behind him.

"Would you two care to explain what form of sorcery this is?" The annoyed voice said. Turning around, the two greeted another Paladin wearing a set of extravagant golden armor. "Ah, Kagax. We were wondering where you and the others were." Aradus said. "We weren't far. Janus and Reginald are back there. But getting back to the point... How did new blood like Varkasan Trenact be the first of our unit to become a candidate for the Inquisition?!" He said, turning towards the younger Paladin. Varkasan did not know how to reply, but Aradus answered for him. "I don't know. Perhaps he spent more time fighting Mages than trying to kiss the asses of his superiors, like a certain someone we know..." He replied jokingly. "Ngh... Very funny..." Kagax said bitterly, clenching his fists.

Varkasan knew that to be true. Kagax was their squad leader, and he often made sure that every feat he performs is known by others, most especially those above him. The man had quite a thirst for glory, and so seeing Varkasan surpass him suddenly was sure to shake him up. Despite his shortcomings though, he was a very capable leader in the field, and was never satisfied with anything less than victory.

"Cheer up, old friend. You know I didn't mean it that way." Aradus told him, more gently this time. "I know..." Kagax replied. He paused for a moment and released his fists before continuing. "We'll talk later at the stables. We don't have long to prepare. And I want my squad in top shape for this mission." He continued. "Of course, although Varkasan here will be riding with the Inquisitor and the other candidates." Aradus replied. Kagax nodded and left towards their other comrades.

Turning back to Varkasan, Aradus spoke. "Anything you still need to do before we set off?" He asked. "No, I believe I'm prepared. I was expecting a swift departure anyway." Varkasan replied."Alright, you head on to the stables then to meet up with the candidates and the Inquisitior. Best to make a good first impression. I'll go with Kagax and the others. We'll talk to you again at the first village." Aradus instructed. Varkasan nodded. "May the light protect us all in this journey." He said, before leaving to follow the crowd heading towards the stables.

On the way, he thought about the other candidates. Alicia Eternus was a familiar name. Though, almost everyone was familiar with her. He remembered being in the same recruit batch as her when he first started his Paladin training. They weren't exactly friends, but he knew her to a degree. Most people who never saw Alicia in action would doubt her ability to survive without her servants, but Varkasan did, and he knew that she was someone who could beat him in a duel if she really wanted. And that was saying something, considering his own exceptional skill with a blade.

The other candidate, Sylvestra Wyrmire, was a name he had only heard of. But he heard a good deal about it. She was a high-ranking Paladin among the warriors of The Vanguard Covenant. A group who (true to its name) led the battle against the Mage threat by attacking and intercepting them, stamping them out relentlessly wherever they dared reveal themselves. If that wasn't enough, she had a reputation for rapidly ascending the chain of command, as well as a battle-record consisting of numerous victories against Mage uprisings and even clashes against The Azure Covenant's members; her experience surpassed many Paladins. Out of the four candidates, Varkasan thought she was the one who was most likely to be taken in by The Inquisitors.

And the last candidate, Conrad Felden. Varkasan was unfamiliar with him. But he had heard rumors. Some have said that he was some sort of "experiment" by the Inquisition; someone taken in from a young age and indoctrinated with nothing but loyalty to The Inquisitors. He had also heard Aradus speak highly of him before, as they had went on a joint mission together before. His friend had said that he "had never seen a man be able to take so much punishment and still keep fighting, let alone stand straight". Whoever this Paladin was, Varkasan believed he would be a force to be reckoned with.

As they walked, he noticed Alica Eternus ahead of him. [i]"Her white hair is certainly hard to miss even in a crowd like this."[/i] He thought amusedly. However, he noticed that she seemed to be stiff and on edge. He had seen that look among the recruits during the first days of his rigorous training; nervousness and fear. [i]"But nervous for what? The Black Forest is still a long way away, and she's rarely shown such fear during training. What could possibly have her worried?"[/i] He wondered. He decided to ask her about it, and perhaps calm her down.Even if they weren't acquaintances, they were still brothers and sisters in arms.

"Hey!" He called out as he approached her. "You look troubled. Is something the matter?" He spoke through his helmet. Partway through greeting her, he decided now would also be a good time to get to know the other candidates he would most likely be working with for a while.