You face your first test

Entering the city of this unfamiliar Kingdom was a new experience for you, though perhaps that shouldn't be such a surprise, given how you spent your whole life in one city. At least on the surface, things were very similar. A very well populated area, encased by large defensive walls, and a huge majority human population. The differences though were noticeable, and disconcerting. There were a lot more armed guards and soldiers walking around here than back home. Making routine patrols rather than idle wandering, they made you uncomfortable, as if at any moment they were going to accost you or your friends. More jarring than that was how seemingly identical the structures were in the city. It wasn't just that the houses were frequently make of the same materials, but that they were built in identical shape with identical proportions, with all the doors and windows all facing the same way as one another. It was much the same for what looked like businesses as well; slight deviations were made in order to apply their skill, but they were still more similar than they were different.

"Dilah" You ask quietly, walking alongside her "What manner of people create such a place? This whole place feels off."

"That's because it's a prison of the mind" Your ranger ally piped in, catching a number of wayward eyes who overheard him.

"Xandria!" The Colonel protested "Mind your tongue. This a land that emphasizes order, discipline, and the public good. They are not bad people."

"Watch what happens if someone deviates from the regimented life that is prescribed for them by an old geezer who thinks he knows better. The king thinks all of his subjects are his children, and he's a shitty father."

The senior paladin swiftly grabs Xandria and stuffs him into an alley, and you follow behind.

"Listen to me. I understand you have an aversion to authority. You're going to have to contain that displeasure until our business is done here. If you are caught breaking a law here, by my code I cannot intervene here." The half-elf took a step back and adjusted his attire. "You certainly make it clear where your alliances are" He said coldly, and took a deep breath. "You are right though, of course. I need to keep my thoughts to myself if I ever hope on leaving this place. Thank you, Colonel, for having my best interests in mind, painful as that might be."

"You're welcome." She turned back to look at you, and returned to him. "The business we have to attend to here is private. There's a colleague here we need to meet, and she isn't privvy to nonbelievers."

"Of course" Xandria said with a smile "No heretics allowed. Not to worry, I will keep myself occupied and out of trouble. I'll wait for you both in the market square, and plan our departure from there." He dipped his hat slightly and excused himself. You waited for there to be some distance before speaking up

"Don't you think you're being rather harsh on him, Colonel?" You ask with some timidity, the last word given in respect. Her face was unflinching and certain as she looked to you.

"All I did was give him a warning." She refuted "If that is too harsh for him, than all the more reason that he is not fit for a land such as this. He's clearly aware of his environment when he's hunting, he should be as aware of it here."

"I understand" You reply meekily. Dilancia started moving before you had even replied, further emphasizing that she really seemed to be two completely different people, depending on the circumstance.

"Where are we going?" You ask as you catch up "You said I was going to be outfitted, but that's rather broad. Are we going to meet one of your blacksmith friends?"

"In a sense, yes" She replied "There's someone here who can create a suit of armor beyond compare, and she'll do it for free."

"Wow" You reply with genuine surprise "That's some charity. Must get a lot of good business if she can let one go like that."

"Not quite. She is a servant of Mastro, one of our order. Supporting those of us who go out to defeat the evils of the world is not only her passion but her obligation. She wouldn't dare give you anything less than the fullest of her talent, which is significant."

"Is she the one who made your armor? Can I have something that impressive?" You ask with a sudden renewed sense of pride and anticipation. "Yes, and no. There are items in my armor that are purely decorative, denoting my experience and my rank. Yours will be purely functional, for now. I imagine, with time, you will show yourself competent enough to earn some artistic flourishes."

You follow her up the stairs to yet another identical row of buildings, although this one was markedly different, in that it had a wrought iron symbol of Mastro bolted to the door. Dilancia stops just outside before knocking.

"I said this comes for free; that is not exactly correct. She will test you to show that you are worthy, and that you are a true believer. She can be harsh and unorthodox, but her heart is pure. Trust her, and more importantly, trust in Mastro. Most of all, put trust in yourself."

"I will" You say with a nod, and Dilah smiles in response "I know you will." Just as she raised her hand to knock the door, it opened from the inside. Filling the jam of the door was an orc woman, standing even taller than Dilah. Her long ponytailed hair had gone gray in old age, but the years of a smith still kept her body in shape. Her face was stern as she scanned you both.

"Harsh, am I?" She demanded an answer as she crossed her arms in front of her chest, holding a blacksmiths hammer.

"You scared an initiate away because of how he tied his boots on." The Colonel responded with a smile "and worse, you enjoyed it."

"Oh come now, I was young and boisterous." She said as she moved out of the doorway allowing you both to come in "Besides, I recall he came back some time later and was one of the best trainees we had" Her eyes linger on you. "And who might this be?"

"This is Demetria, a personal pupil." She replied warmly if vaguely "Demetria, this is Major Vorg. She has a long and varied history in our order. She was one of my earliest teachers."

"You and your projects" Vorg replied, stepping further inside. "I suspect you came to me because you knew anyone still active within the Knights of the Eternal Flame would say no."

"I came here because you were the closest available, to say nothing of the greatest smith within a months travel of here in any direction." The Colonel was stern empathetic "And because you are an old friend."

"Hmmphhh" Vorg motioned you both deeper inside "Don't comment on a woman's age, it's rude" She joked as you filed into her forge. The room was warm and slightly cluttered with tools and projects. "I will say first and foremost that I do not approve," She said as she started stoke the fire of the forge itself "Five minutes in the field would break her, and she knows nothing about our faith."

"We spent an entire night slaying the undead and killing the witch that was responsible."

Vorg shrugged "Well, at least she's brave, and capable, but a common mercenary would stand beside you if the pay is good. She still knows nothing"

"We're working on it." Dilanci refuted. "She has the passion and the will. Anything else can be resolved."

"We'll see." Vorg stepped aside and sat down. "Demetria, undress and step forward."

"Excuse me?" You reply awkwardly, unsure of the point.

"You will be tested" Vorg spoke loudly and with a practiced rhythm similar to a ritual "Present yourself, fully as you are. Stand before the fire."

You look at Dilancia briefly, and don't find any immediate comfort in her face. She simply nods at you in encouragement, which is enough. With a sigh, you begin to remove your clothing and stand just in front of the fire as directed.

"Demetria" Vorg continues as she grabs your clothing on the floor behind you. "Your strength and your dedication will now be tested. Your old life will be submitted to the Eternal Flame, and the fires of what was will forge your new life, if you are found to be worthy." The orc throws your clerical robes into the fire, which surprises you, and causes a hurt in your heart. You wish to do this; this is very much of your choice, but those robes represented a large part of who you were, of your life up until this point. You can't dwell on that, as the flames grow immensely, far more than you would have anticipated, as the test begins in earnest