She swirled the remaining wine in her glass. The red liquid lapped at the sides of the clear cup and slowly retreated back to a pool. The Knight sighed and leaned back from her desk, flimsy chair creaking loudly once more under the weight of her armor. Even she was amazed that it still held. She gripped an arm of the chair with one hand while rubbing her forehead with the other.
Another member of the Order was leaving. Pursuing his own code, as it were. The realization of just what it was the Order was made for had been too much for him, and the more she discussed it the more of a strain it left on the others as well. She had gone over it all with Sers Sadowyn and Filangieri, but the two had been of like mind and set against her. Blind zealotry. That is what they called her loyalty. And now, in her heart, she began to realize why she received this promotion; Why she was now in charge of the trial.
It was the separation of Paladin from Sultansworn. This was the problem... one that Captain Jenlyns should have considered more before opening the Order's training to random adventurers. Too many now were wandering Eorzea calling themselves Paladins, following their own codes and ideals. Too few now realize why the Order even existed. To serve and protect the line of Ul. It is what they had done for centuries now, and it is what those true Paladins would continue to do so long as Ul'dah continued to stand.
The question had arisen over the popularity of their current charge, Sultana Nanamo Ul'Namo. She seemed to follow a much gentler and just path than those of her predecessors, and many Paladins of today had been bolstered and encouraged by her spirit. But what if her dispositions soured? What if, Coatleque had argued, Her Grace became as ruthless as say, Sultan Sasagan Ul'Sisigan. The man who razed Sil'dih to the ground for a mere drink of water? Would they still remain with the Order? Could they still perform their duties?
Ser Filangieri could not. And true to his word, he decided to preempt ever having to make this choice by leaving the Order now. A knee-jerk reaction if ever she had seen. He was gone now though, remaining a Free-Paladin and able to live by his own code once more. He had placed the honor of his family's name over the duty of the Oath he had sworn. Still, Coatleque could not fault the man. If she still had family of her own she may be tempted. In her case, however, she had no one to hold her back.
Ser Sadowyn's ideals were much more disturbing to her. The woman had, in no uncertain words, stated that she would protect the city from any form of corrupting influence no matter what form that took. While Ser Filangieri's views were too narrow in Coatleque's eyes, Ser Sadowyn's were too broad. She knew now that if Nymeia intended for things to take that turn, their swords would be at each others necks. She shivered uncomfortably. The prospect of meeting the Azure Falcon in battle was not something she cared to visit.
Her thoughts drifted between the others. Would they be able to hold to their Oaths as well? Natalie? No question, or at least Coatleque had felt she would remain loyal. Kage? Possibly. He would follow whoever was stronger. Roen? No, she would leave as Bartolomeo had. Captain Mynheir? Unknown. And what of the others? So many faces she knew from the Palace. Could she turn her blade upon them in the name of her liege?
Coatleque leaned forward and took up her glass once more, downing what remained. These were not thoughts she should be dwelling on. Nanamo Ul'Namo was a right and just ruler, and the chances were they would all be dead or long retired before her heir would take the throne. She rose and took up her sword once more, strapping the scabbard around her waist. She had not a city, but a dynasty to defend.
Another member of the Order was leaving. Pursuing his own code, as it were. The realization of just what it was the Order was made for had been too much for him, and the more she discussed it the more of a strain it left on the others as well. She had gone over it all with Sers Sadowyn and Filangieri, but the two had been of like mind and set against her. Blind zealotry. That is what they called her loyalty. And now, in her heart, she began to realize why she received this promotion; Why she was now in charge of the trial.
It was the separation of Paladin from Sultansworn. This was the problem... one that Captain Jenlyns should have considered more before opening the Order's training to random adventurers. Too many now were wandering Eorzea calling themselves Paladins, following their own codes and ideals. Too few now realize why the Order even existed. To serve and protect the line of Ul. It is what they had done for centuries now, and it is what those true Paladins would continue to do so long as Ul'dah continued to stand.
The question had arisen over the popularity of their current charge, Sultana Nanamo Ul'Namo. She seemed to follow a much gentler and just path than those of her predecessors, and many Paladins of today had been bolstered and encouraged by her spirit. But what if her dispositions soured? What if, Coatleque had argued, Her Grace became as ruthless as say, Sultan Sasagan Ul'Sisigan. The man who razed Sil'dih to the ground for a mere drink of water? Would they still remain with the Order? Could they still perform their duties?
Ser Filangieri could not. And true to his word, he decided to preempt ever having to make this choice by leaving the Order now. A knee-jerk reaction if ever she had seen. He was gone now though, remaining a Free-Paladin and able to live by his own code once more. He had placed the honor of his family's name over the duty of the Oath he had sworn. Still, Coatleque could not fault the man. If she still had family of her own she may be tempted. In her case, however, she had no one to hold her back.
Ser Sadowyn's ideals were much more disturbing to her. The woman had, in no uncertain words, stated that she would protect the city from any form of corrupting influence no matter what form that took. While Ser Filangieri's views were too narrow in Coatleque's eyes, Ser Sadowyn's were too broad. She knew now that if Nymeia intended for things to take that turn, their swords would be at each others necks. She shivered uncomfortably. The prospect of meeting the Azure Falcon in battle was not something she cared to visit.
Her thoughts drifted between the others. Would they be able to hold to their Oaths as well? Natalie? No question, or at least Coatleque had felt she would remain loyal. Kage? Possibly. He would follow whoever was stronger. Roen? No, she would leave as Bartolomeo had. Captain Mynheir? Unknown. And what of the others? So many faces she knew from the Palace. Could she turn her blade upon them in the name of her liege?
Coatleque leaned forward and took up her glass once more, downing what remained. These were not thoughts she should be dwelling on. Nanamo Ul'Namo was a right and just ruler, and the chances were they would all be dead or long retired before her heir would take the throne. She rose and took up her sword once more, strapping the scabbard around her waist. She had not a city, but a dynasty to defend.
