The Paladin's Path: The Paladin's Path, #1

By Jessica M Dawn

He has no name and no home, but the gods still call upon him.

Nameless is a fighter from a small, desolate town. The only one to pay him any attention growing up was his friend, Aneilu Deggiry. But Aneilu has died and Nameless travels to the capital city of Kierwater to deliver the news to his family. There, the God of War charges Nameless with a seemingly impossible task: kill the queen, the one responsible for Aneilu's death.

To complete this task, Nameless takes on his late friend's identity and enters the ranks of the Paladins – an elite force of fighters trained to defend the crowned prince. There he meets the excitable Kres, the mischievous Jest, the serious Aon-Je, and the ethereally beautiful Cheka. His new teammates start to make Nameless question what he knew about himself and the world, and whether he should kill a corrupt monarch or help install a new one.

When the common people are in danger, Nameless uses his strength to defend them. But when a god threatens the prince, will that be enough?

Book 1 in The Paladin's Path duology. ~95k

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica M Dawn
• Release date: Nov 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393555704

Book preview

Chapter 1

Delivering Bad News

The capital city of Kierwater was a great walled behemoth with towering buildings that stretched for miles, from horizon to horizon. It appeared outside the window almost too abruptly as the train exited a mountain tunnel. The imposing stone walls built and rebuilt over hundreds of years by different rulers seemed to glimmer in the afternoon light, changing plain stone into perfect, shining marble. The colorful roofs of the tallest Kierwater buildings would make most people feel they were being welcomed to the capital of Lanivi in style.

For Nameless, sitting alone in a train carriage except for an elderly woman who was fast asleep, the sight was almost too much to bear. A week ago he would have smiled. A week ago he would have been so excited to finally arrive at the capital that he wouldn't have been able to stay in his seat.

When I go back home, to the capital, I promise to take you with me.

Nameless closed his eyes against the sight of the city as heat burned behind them.

There is so much to see and do, Nameless. You can't begin to imagine. You will think you've entered a fairy tale!

Aneilu's voice echoed in his memory. All the plans they had made had turned to ash. Like their house. Like the Gruza Train Station.

They were meant to come to Kierwater together, to experience the wonders of the capital city that Aneilu remembered so fondly, to make a better life for themselves. Instead, Nameless was alone. The only things he had to his name were the clothes on his back—damaged and dirty from weeks of travel, a small purse of coins—nearly empty, the necklace his birth parents had left with him when he was abandoned as a baby, and the leather bracelet Aneilu had always worn. The latter was emblazoned with Aneilu's family crest—a great, wild bird.

With nothing else, not even a friend by his side, could Nameless make it in the capital? Or would he be treated like an outcast, a pariah, and kicked out? If Aneilu's family rejected him, where would he go? What would he do?

As the train moved through the tunnel into the Kierwater Station, Nameless shook his head. Those thoughts were useless. He just needed to focus on one thing: finding the Duveas family. Aneilu's family. Everything else came after that. Everything came after Aneilu.

Everything. Ever since they were kids.

[CAN YOU HEAR ME?]

Aneilu's brown eyes grew wide like dinner plates and a smile blossomed on his face like the awakening of spring. He clapped his hands together in excitement, his leather bracelet bouncing against his wrist. Yes! Yes I can!

The other, younger, boy clapped his hands over his mouth, hiding his gaping expression. But how?! he asked through his fingers. I didn't say anything!

Aneilu shook his head and grabbed his friend by the arms, still beaming. I don't know! Do it again, Nameless. Do it again!

For a moment, Nameless struggled to think of anything to, well, think. Finally he looked into Aneilu's eyes and thought, [What's my favorite food?]

Laughing, loud and bright, Aneilu released Nameless and threw his hands into the air. Beets! You like beets!

Nameless bounced in place, hands still over his face. This was easily the coolest thing that had ever happened in his entire life. Like most eight-year-olds, he was loud and energetic. But Nameless had never had a friend before. It had been only him and his adoptive father for years, up until Aneilu came to join their family a week ago. Unlike the rest of the townspeople, Aneilu paid attention to Nameless. Though he was four years older, Aneilu was quick to join all of Nameless's games and adventures, to listen to him talk, even to get in trouble for silly pranks together.

In fact, they had just finished playing a fast and hard game of tag, with both boys collapsed on the ground and breathing ragged, when Nameless had looked sideways at Aneilu's happy face and thought, [I've never had a friend before. I'm glad you're my friend.]

And then Aneilu had responded, You're kidding! How can I be your first friend? You're so fun!

Seeming to gain some control over himself, Aneilu said, We should tell Mr. Chue about this.

Some of the excitement left Nameless. Chue Shen Hya was their adoptive father. He was an old man who always seemed to know what everyone was up to in the town—sometimes before the people involved did. He was the town doctor, so people were always going in and out of their house, or Shen Hya would go to their house instead. And while he was a pretty okay father, Nameless found himself upset that even this happy event wouldn't be a secret to the man for long. He would like knowing something the old man didn't for once.

Aneilu was looking at him expectantly, and it was the first time that Nameless had felt the four year difference between them. It made him feel like a pouting baby. He didn't like it.

Fine, Nameless agreed with only a slight groan. Let's go find him.

Pride shone on Aneilu's face and he gave Nameless a big hug before they began to leave the open field for the town. If he could make Aneilu happy, Nameless could be okay with not having any secrets from Shen Hya.

THE WATER WAS CLEAR. Nameless had never seen water so clear. It was almost as if someone were maintaining the river the way one would a garden.

Those were Nameless's first thoughts upon seeing the river that ran through Kierwater. After exiting the station, he'd been hit by the sight of a city as loud with colors and patterns as it was with the voices of people and animals.

There were half a dozen open buggies and carriages waiting along the roadside to ferry travelers to inns and restaurants and shows, their drivers standing ready and their horses listlessly flicking their tails back and forth and pawing the ground in boredom. Immediately surrounding the train station were countless, multi-storied hotels and quaint inns. Some had flat roofs and some were sharply slanted, ending in points capped by round balls. Their walls were painted with intricate designs showing nature or animals or geometric shapes. Workers in bright uniforms were helping guests carry luggage in through the doors of these buildings, with the flow of people never seeming to ebb for a second.

The streets were packed with even more people wearing so many different styles of clothing that Nameless wasn't sure he was still in Lanivi. His own, worn, dull colored clothing felt inadequate among the flashy, intricate outfits of the capital. Nameless shook his head and moved through the crowds as quickly as possible, hoping to find someone, somewhere, who could help him locate the Duveas family.

The river seemed to divide the busy hotel area around the train station from the slightly-less-busy business district of Kierwater. The stores weren't like the ones back home, however. These were huge specialty shops. Six different stores he passed were selling clothing in various styles. There were jewelry stores and toys stores and hat stores, as well as restaurants and theaters.

My sister's first theater show was Eternal Hope. It was a play about the year when spring ended only a month in. In it, the god of spring, Shaana, shuns the advances of Malaa, the god of war. They fight, and Malaa kills Shaana.

That's a terrible story!

Hahahaha, maybe. But it ends with Shaana becoming a flower and being reborn, like how spring came again the next year. It's not the only play about that year either. Tons of songs and books and such are about 'the year spring died.' And Brealla adored the play.

Nameless turned his head away from the theaters and refused to look at them again.

It took three tries to find someone who would give him directions. When he walked into a restaurant, the wait staff immediately shooed him out, saying that if he couldn't afford to pay then he had no business being there. They didn't even let him explain that he didn't want to buy anything, only ask directions. Nameless left without a fuss but muttered curses under his breath. The judgment left him feeling bitter and wronged. Just because he came from a poor village didn't mean he couldn't afford a meal. Honestly.

The second time, he walked into a clothing store. The woman hanging clothes up greeted him nicely enough, but when she really looked at his scruffy appearance, she frowned and asked if he intended to steal from her store, and then she asked him to leave. Nameless took offense and told her that nothing in her store was even worth stealing. It was all ugly. That started them both screaming at each other about money, taste, and breeding vs manners.

Eventually the woman had threatened to call the constabulary.

The constabulary, Nameless had repeated, suddenly remembering why he had walked into that awful store in the first place. Right, them. Where can I find the constabulary?

The woman had been more than willing to give him directions to the station, if only to get him out of her store faster. Nameless knew he stood out like a sunflower in a field of beets, but did he honestly look so poor that people thought he was a thief? He couldn't leave without one last jab at the rude store owner, and told her, in his most polite tone, that she was right, he did want to steal her clothing. The outfits would look great on the neighborhood's stray dogs. Then he scurried away while she hurled profanities at him.

Following the woman's directions, Nameless soon found himself standing outside the station. Decorative plaques showed the winged serpent of the royal family surrounded by relief carvings of stinging nettle. It looked just like the badges worn by the constabularies back home.

Upon entering the station, Nameless saw a reception officer waiting at a desk to greet people, with an open room full of desks and chairs behind them and twelve on-duty constables ready to react to any distress calls. One was handling a man in the corner of the room who was fighting his restraints, but other than that, the station was remarkably calm. Still, the number of constables made Nameless nervous. Back home, there had only ever been two officers on duty at any given time, since the town was so small. And this was simply one station out of many in Kierwater.

How can I help you? the man at the front desk asked.

Nameless approached him. I need the address for the Duveas family.

The officer frowned. Why not look them up in the directory? Nameless just stared at him until the officer actually ran his eyes over Nameless, taking in his dirty appearance. Ah. You wouldn't have a directory then.

Nameless wasn't sure if the man had realized he wasn't from the capital and thus didn't own a directory, or if the officer thought Nameless was simply a homeless man who couldn't afford a directory. Either way, Nameless's blood boiled. What was with these people? The whole of Kierwater was full of arrogant, condescending jerks! Nameless appeased his anger by clenching his fists as tight as possible. If he had been anywhere other than a constable station, he would have decked someone. But getting arrested wouldn't help his situation, so he held back.

The officer began flipping through his own directory on the desk, mumbling the names as he passed them. Finally, the man's finger stopped about halfway down a page and he let out a small 'aha' sound.

Duveas, he said. Chaster District. Doctor Miru Duveas, correct?

Nameless's heart jumped at the title. He remembered, vividly, how Aneilu always used to tell him stories about his mother working as a physician for all the highest ranked families in Lanivi. Some families even traveled for days by train to come see her.

Yes. Doctor Duveas. Yes, he said to the officer, who proceeded to jot the address down on a sheet of paper.

Handing the paper over, the officer said, There you go. Chaster District is rather far from here, though, so you'd probably be best off hailing one of those cabs around the corner. They can drop you off right at the front door if you want.

Nameless nodded his thanks. As he left the station, he heard the officer say, Get well soon! and wondered if poverty was considered a sickness in the capital, or if he honestly looked that bad.

THE BUGGY CAB CAME to a stop on a pleasant, paved road, with tall shade trees lining the road and long paths leading up to the doors of large houses surrounded by short walls and sweeping yards. The cab driver pointed him to the house on the left.

That there's the doctor's place, she said.

Nameless gave the woman all but two coins and one bill from his small purse to pay for the ride, then watched her drive away. She drove quickly, as if running away from him, and Nameless remembered how every buggy driver had avoided his eyes or hidden behind their horses to avoid him when he had tried to ask one for a ride earlier. It was hard to believe, but even the transportation in the capital was full of elitist, money-grubbing jerks!

Whatever. He wouldn't be able to afford another ride anyway. And he didn't mind walking. Few people back home even owned buggies. He simply wouldn't give the buggy drivers any business from now on.

The fence around the Duveas house came to Nameless's shoulders and was made of cherry wood. The house next door had a similar wooden fence, but painted white. The doctor's house had two stories and more windows than Nameless thought safe or practical. The awnings of the house fell wide over the walls, providing ample shade to the wrap-around porch. From the road, Nameless couldn't see into any of the many windows, not only because of distance but because simple, cream colored curtains blocked his view. He didn't see any signs that there were people in the house, but the front gate was open, suggesting the doctor was in and accepting visitors.

This was the house Aneilu had grown up in. The house where his family lived. The house he was torn away from as a child.

A giggle on the air made Nameless turn and face the other way. Directly across the paved street was a three story house with several balconies and a large front porch, but the yard was so expansive that the house was distant and appeared small. There were statues of lions lining the path up to the house, interspersed with hedges also cut into the shape of lions. Around the side of the house, Nameless could see a rich, vibrant garden complete with flowering trees and a small, man-made river. The entire estate was surrounded by a solid, gray stone wall that someone Nameless's height had no trouble seeing over, especially with the house at such a distance.

A short woman with straight black hair pinned up with ruby bejeweled hair sticks was standing just outside the wall. Emeralds dangled on gold tassels from her ears and a gold necklace littered with a dozen small rubies and emeralds hung around her neck.

The shine of the gems reminded Nameless of the mines back home. Shen Hya, his foster parent, had tried to convince him to work in those mines. They could turn a good profit for someone strong, someone like Nameless, but they were dangerous too, and dark. Nameless had shouted at Shen Hya that day, had declared his intention to never work in the mines just for someone else's stupid shiny rocks.

Aneilu had backed him up and offered a peaceful solution to the argument. Nameless could work with Aneilu at the river, sifting gems from the silt that was washed downstream. It didn't pay as well, but at least it was in the sun. Nameless could still see the grin on his friend's face, the way he'd seemed like he wanted to laugh. He could see it reflected in the short woman's jewels, and it made his chest feel tight.

The woman's outfit was cream colored, with draping green sleeves and a wide sash of green about the waist, topped off with a thin, loose belt of red silk. She was obviously a woman of wealth, bedecked in finery the likes of which no one back home could ever hope to afford.

Nameless instantly disliked her and her extravagance.

She lifted herself up onto her toes, on shoes that were platforms to give her several inches more height, to see over the solid stone wall at the large house beyond. Through effort, her nose barely passed the edge. Curious despite himself, Nameless looked for what had her attention.

In the wide yard, another young woman was playing with a dog. This woman's hair was curly and brown, falling to her shoulders. Her face was gentle but her eyebrows were serious. The dog matched her for curls, though its fur was pale, dirty blond, instead of dark. As Nameless watched, the woman and her dog darted around the topiaries, the dog barking happily and the woman giggling. The dog would almost catch her skirts before she twisted away. She would hide behind a statue and the dog would find her.

Good boy, Zaos! her words drifted over, barely audible by the distance.

As she and the dog continued to play, now moving closer to the house than the road, Nameless became aware of a new sound. The rumble of wheels and the clack of hooves announced the arrival of a carriage, and both Nameless and the short woman turned to watch as an ornate vehicle came down the road. The wood was painted black with gold and purple accents, and the horses were a matching pure black. It pulled to a stop just beyond where the short woman was standing, who now wore the expression of a startled cat, and a footman opened the door to help an older gentleman step out.

Aon-Je, he greeted, and it sounded like the snap of a whip.

Aon-Je bowed. Father.

How did I know you would be here? he asked, dismay in his voice.

I often take walks along this road, Father, Aon-Je said, still bent over. Though she looked like a doll, her voice was somehow commanding, even when lowered in deference.

Her father sniffed and motioned toward the carriage. There's no time for your walks today, girl. That fool Orhi, he cast a withering look at the grand house behind his daughter, has been given the task of choosing the new Paladins. You must prepare.

Aon-Je nodded and stood, though she kept her face lowered, and walked primly to the carriage. The footman helped her inside. Then her father looked around, as if judging the neighborhood and finding it wanting, and saw Nameless.

Can I help you, boy? he asked meanly.

Shaking his head, Nameless began walking calming up the path toward the Duveas home. He heard the carriage pull away behind him.

GOOD AFTERNOON. ARE you here to see the doctor?

The woman standing in the door of the Duveas house was Nameless's own age. She had medium brown hair in a bob cut, a yellow headband across the top of her head, and a sky blue dress with the crossed knives of the god of medicine, Serinu, embroidered in black on the right breast. In her ears were two earrings of nacre that curved up the shell of her ear like vines on the side of a building.

Her eyes were a light brown color that reminded Nameless of a drink Aneilu had bought for him in a town called Doverplem. It was sweet, sweeter than anything he'd tasted before. Aneilu had called it caramel.

Sir?

I'm not—, Nameless began, but then shook his head to let go of any irritation he held. I do need to see Dr. Duveas. Yes.

The smile on the young woman's face was gentle, if a bit patronizing, as she moved aside to welcome him into the house.

The front foyer's main focus was the staircase that curved up along one wall, leading to the second floor of the home. The floor was polished wood, and the same type of wood was visible in the doorways and the support beams of the walls, and even in the rafters of the ceiling high above. The rest of the walls were a soft white and, combined with the many herbal plants set on small tables around the room or hanging from the ceiling, the house felt like a welcome and soothing place. Through the open door to Nameless's right was a long dining room with a table that could fit over a dozen people. Through the doorway on the left was a hallway, and next to the staircase was a third door, which the woman ushered him through.

You can have a seat anywhere, the woman said, motioning to the several couches and chairs positioned around the large open space. Like the dining room, this sitting room was clearly designed to comfortably fit over a dozen people. Dr. Duveas is with a patient at the moment, but I'll let her know you're waiting. If I could get your name?

Nameless could only stare at her. A name? No one had ever asked his name before. From his earliest memories, the people of Cabochon Village had simply called him 'Nameless.' A child without parents, who would have been left on its own if the odd Dr. Chue hadn't claimed him. But even Chue Shen Hya hadn't given him a name. What name could he give now?

I—

The young woman let out a hum, encouraging him, and Nameless dropped his eyes from her face to her shoulder. Blue. The dress was blue. And her headband was yellow.

The first clothes my sister ever picked out for herself were a light blue dress with a yellow ribbon around the waist, Aneilu said, smiling and playing idly with the smooth stone in his hand. She was so cute that my parents immediately took her to get professional photos taken, just to remember that moment. Then he tossed the stone and they watched it skip three times across the surface of the lake before sinking.

Brealla, Nameless let out on a shocked breath.

The young woman wrinkled her nose with a little grin. Brealla? That's a bit of an odd name for— and she stopped. Her eyes widened, realizing exactly what Nameless had just said, and then narrowed in suspicion. Who are you? How do you know my name?

It looked like she might punch him if he gave the wrong answer. Luckily, before he could come up with an answer, any answer, a door to the left opened and another woman entered the sitting room. She looked like an older version of Brealla, except with green eyes instead of brown. Also like her daughter, her dress bore the symbol of Serinu on the left breast, and she wore nacre earrings. Though there were lines on her face to show the stress she suffered as a doctor and her age, she still looked remarkably young. The pleased smile on her face helped.

And Mr. Dampsay is resting comfortably, she announced, pride and teasing both in her tone as she pulled off her gloves. Not that he took his medicine without a fight, but he has always been quite the character, hasn't h—Oh. Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize we had a visitor, she said as she neared her daughter. Brealla, why didn't you come fetch me?

Brealla didn't take her eyes off Nameless even as she spoke to her mother. I was about to, Mother, but I find him suspicious. He knows my name but refuses to give his own.

The accusation made anger ignite in Nameless's chest. I never refused, he defended, glaring at Aneilu's beloved little sister. He had never told Nameless she was rude.

Then tell us, Brealla challenged, crossing her arms. Who are you? How do you know me? Why are you here?

Brealla, her mother chastised, but even she looked to Nameless for the answer to her daughter's questions.

This was it. This was why Nameless had come to the capital, even by himself. This was his reason. He was there to tell them about Aneilu. That was the only reason he'd finished this journey.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out Aneilu's bracelet, holding it out toward Dr. Duveas. She accepted it and ran her fingers over the wild bird inscribed in the leather. Brealla leaned in close to look at it too. When Dr. Duveas lifted her eyes back up to Nameless, he found he could not meet her gaze.

I grew up with him as Aneilu Deggiry, he said, and the doctor nodded, already with misty eyes, but he told me a few weeks ago that his real name was Peleb Duveas.

Yes, Dr. Duveas said. Peleb. You...You know where my son is?

You know where my brother is? Brealla asked, more impatiently than her mother.

Nameless nodded and lowered his gaze to the floor. He lived with me in Cabochon Village, by the gemstone mountains, for most of my life. Then, a few weeks ago, we decided to come here and find you. He...He missed you all so much. He talked about you all the time, he said, and tears welled up in his eyes.

You'll love my family, Aneilu said, when Nameless was only eighteen. I'll introduce you sometime. You'll love them.

You've told me so many stories that they almost seem like my family already, Nameless teased.

Aneilu beamed. Really? That's wonderful! They'll feel the same way about you too. I just know it!

The Duveas family would not love him. Nameless knew it to be true. How could they love him after this?

There was trouble in Gruza, Nameless continued, his voice thick. Rebels fought against the Queen's Wardens. A train exploded.

He could still hear the shouts of the people in the station that day, the clang of metal as the rebels and the Wardens fought, the roar of the explosion just before he lost consciousness. Aneilu's hand was on his arm, and then suddenly it wasn't.

Was he badly injured? Dr. Duveas asked, her hands clenching tight around the bracelet. What hospital is he at? Gruza Regional, right? That's the largest hospital in that area. The news said the survivors' wounds were terrible. Is he conscious yet? What did the doctors say?

Nameless swallowed and it felt like his throat was full of cotton. He shook his head. We were in the middle of it. Aneilu was trying to get me out. I'm stronger than him, always have been, but he...He was trying to protect me and...he didn't make it. When I woke up...h—he was already gone.

Moving slowly, as if moving any faster would break it or her or both, Dr. Duveas went to the nearest couch and sank down onto its cushions. Brealla shook her head once.

You mean he's...dead? she asked. Peleb is...He's not coming back? Ever?

Throat tight, Nameless only managed to shake his head. His eyes burned.

You're lying. The anger in Brealla's voice made Nameless finally look up and meet her gaze. You are. You didn't grow up with my brother. He wasn't with you in Gruza, she said, her tone growing more desperate by the sentence. You—You stole that bracelet from him. He was always too trusting, even when we were kids. You did something to him. My brother—Where is my brother? She closed the distance between them and grabbed Nameless by the arm. Tell me the truth!

Brealla, the doctor said quietly.

Brealla shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes. No! I can't believe it! she shouted. She jabbed a finger in Nameless's direction. Look at him! He's fine! There isn't a mark on him! How could he have survived that explosion unharmed and my—my brother be dead?!

There had been cuts, lacerations, and burns across Nameless's body when he woke up.