In the late afternoon, a solitary traveller comes up to the gates of Golgotha on foot. He has an old, battered suit of armor, partially covered by a cloak that almost seems as old, and armed with a chitin blade sheathed at his side. The lupine guards watch from the time that he makes the bend that brings him into view.

Jarik stops just past the bend and looks toward the gate. { My, they do go for the sinister look on this world. I suppose it's to keep a shroud of mystery to them. Well, it's time to see if they live up to the honorable name of a knight or not. } O o . he thinks. He shifts his cloak backwards and marches toward the gate…

There are other guards visible here and there, but only two stand directly on each side of the large, organic-looking gate. "Halt!" barks the older-looking wolf, grizzled enough to look as if he has a beard. "State your name and your business."

Jarik pulls back the hood of his cloak. "My name is Sir Jarik Fireclaw, late of the Order of Crydon. Knight of the Azure Flame and protector of the travellers of Himar. I seek an audience with a knight of this realm. I wish to see the knights of this world." His ears swivel and his gaze remains impassive.

The younger wolf gives a confused look to the "bearded" one, but it is the older one who responds. "Is there any particular knight you wish to seek audience with? Word of your exploits has reached these gates, brave warrior."

Jarik says, "I have heard of the Champions. I am somewhat new to this world, but I would like an audience with one of them, if possible. I apologize for not knowing a specific name. My travels have kept me from learning more of this place. It is why I am here now."

The older wolf pauses, deep in thought, furrowing his brow.

The older wolf says, "I am sorry, but it is not my place to suggest to you one with whom you should seek audience. If that one would happen to be annoyed at being disturbed, he or she would likely take issue with me for sending someone that way." He gives a faint smirk.

Jarik chuckles, "I see. Then perhaps you could give me a short tour of this place? Or perhaps you could tell me what is the purpose of these knights is?"

The younger wolf offers, "Perhaps we could summon a squire who could accompany him, to see the grounds. At this hour, I see no harm."

Jarik smiles, "That would be fine."

The older wolf nods his approval, at which point the younger guard looks about, spots an even younger wolf (not much more than a cub) in grubby work clothes. A whistle and a shout, and Jarik has a fuzzball of a squire accompanying him through the gate, entering the grounds of Golgotha.

Jarik glances around the grounds, "So, tell me young one. What are the tenets of the knights who dwell here?"

The young wolf proudly barks in reply to Jarik's question, "To serve the Temple with our lives and souls and spirits … to maintain the dignity of the Order of the Bounded Star and Anchor … to uphold justice … to maintain law and order … and to serve as living examples of the virtues espoused by our Order and by the Temple."

Jarik's ear cants, "I see. What about justice? Serving the people?"

The wolf squire nods. "Of course. 'To uphold justice'. That goes along with maintaining law and order."

Jarik looks over at the cub, "Does it? Laws can be corrupted. What would you do if there was a law that went against the safety of the people and harmed society?"

The wolf barks, "I would uphold it, as I have been ordered. It is the responsibility of the Priesthood to maintain laws in the interests of the people. The Knights Templar are the sword in the hand of the Temple. They live and die, trusting in the wisdom of their superiors. If they questioned every order and acted upon their own, there would only be chaos. We must trust in the system – We all err from time to time, but order has been maintained for centuries, and we trust that, on the whole, it is for the better of all society." He smiles proudly at having managed to regurgitate such a long speech.

Jarik sighs to himself, "Society has enough puppets, child. The controllers are not always interested in what is best 'for the people'. What would you do… say… you were ordered to guard oh, an outhouse while nearby a building was burning and inside remained a small child. Would you continue to guard or would you rescue the child?"

The wolf squire answers at length, "That depends upon what … uh … allowances I've been given in my orders. If it is an especially sensitive post to guard, then I should not leave my post unless I am given orders to do so. After all, if I am compelled to abandon my post on account of a child, then criminals may exploit that, putting children needlessly in harm's way."

Jarik chuckles, "My, you'd be a good lawyer. Say, the orders were, do NOT leave this outhouse, for it may burn and the nobles will have to use the commoner one. What would you do? Let a child burn so a few people can keep 'separate' from commoners?"

The squire answers, "If it is a regular duty, then I can surely assist a child with little risk of jeopardizing an 'outhouse'. But if I am ordered to guard the structure at all costs, then I will by all means do so, even at the expense of my own life. It is the way of the Knights Templar."

Jarik chuckles quietly.

Jarik stops and looks around. "Why do you want to be a knight?" he asks, idly.

The wolf frowns at Jarik's laughter, then responds, "Why? Because to be a Knight is one of the highest achievements I could hope for! To further the glory of the Order – to defend Rephidim against all threats!" His tail wags slightly.

The squire leads Jarik up to the smaller buildings here and there, aligned in seemingly random fashion, most of them symmetric in structure, but many not at all. All of them feature at least one stained glass window above the entrance that bears a seal or crest of some sort – A leaping flame, a rose and thorns, a weathered boulder perched on a precipice…

Jarik looks at the entrance, "Who lives here? He smiles slightly, "Ah, you seek adventure and battles?"

The squire soberly answers, "It is not proper to seek battles and adventure for their own sake. But if they come … then I will certainly be ready for them!" His tail wags slightly again, despite his serious expression.

The squire then adds, "These are the Sanctuaries of the various Champions and their aligned Lances. Many of the Champions, the most elite of the Knights Templar, have a Lance of Knights beneath them, often four in number, and matched to their style of combat."

"This is the Sanctuary of Roses," the squire says, gesturing to a building that looks like an overly fortified greenhouse. "It's home to the Champion of Roses and the Magenta Lance. They are all Khattas and Katthas, fighting with paired blades – Sword-dancers." He gestures to another building, this one looking scorched, with its stained glass broken, bearing no seal. "This is the Sanctuary of the Champion of Ashes, leader of the Black Lance. They are all Jupani, and masters of the lance and saddle."

Jarik nods slightly, "Have you ever been in a battle? Would you like to know what it is like?"

Jarik glances at the buildings, "Hm. I wonder if any would welcome a short visit… "

The squire frowns. "I'm not quite ready for my first battle. I have much training to do. I will be tested by my elder brethren many a time before I see my first real battle. As for visits … Hmm … Well … as long as you keep quiet … and if we see anyone and it looks like we're disturbing, we'd best make an exit."

Jarik nods and smiles at the cub, "That would be fine. I'd like a chance to meet one of the champions. But, we don't need to get into trouble." He adds, "If you want to know what a battle is like, spend a day at a butcher's shop."

The wolf ponders, and looks around. "Well … finding a Champion might be risky. Besides, I don't think you'd like meeting them very much. Many of them take vows of silence. And the rest just don't like to talk much. You see, well, you can't say something stupid and lessen the dignity of the Order if you don't say anything at all!"

Jarik says, "Or you can appear stupid by saying nothing."

Jarik says, "Well, lead on… "

The squire frowns again, at Jarik's comment. "You'd better be careful, sir, talking like that around any Champions. They might take offense." He peers into the Sanctuary of Roses. "Ah," says he. "I think I see one of the Magenta Lancers, over next to the white roses." He points further into the structure. "Many of the Lances are out on errands, but the Champion of Roses has been kept very busy on solo missions, so her Lance is usually either here or in the Bazaar on voluntary patrol."

Where the wolf points, a warrioress in white armor can be seen in the garden, her face masked, and a magenta cape hanging from her shoulders. A pair of swords are sheathed across her back, partially hidden by her long tresses.

Jarik looks at the cub, then back to the lancer, "Shall we approach?"

The squire says, "Well, you may, if you wish. But I had best stay here."

Jarik nods, "As you wish." He steps forward and toward the warrioress. "Good day, M'lady."

Inside the Sanctuary, large translucent panels make it appear more garden than castle, especially what with bushes bearing all sorts of roses on each side of the tiled path, which leads up to a pool in which swim tiny, golden fish. The warrioress stands next to this pool, turning to face Jarik and then nodding her head in greeting.

Jarik looks around, admiring the flowers. "Forgive the intrusion. I'm visiting for a short time. I'm Sir Fireclaw, Knight of the Azure flame." He stops to admire a rose, "This place is impressive in appearance."

The warrioress nods, and then speaks aloud, evidencing that she must NOT be one of those with a vow of silence … "Greetings, Sir Fireclaw. Congratulations on your defeat of numerous brigands and criminals in Himar. You have done a great service to the people of that region and those doing business with them."

She then adds, "I am Rosebud, Knight of the Magenta Lance."

Jarik smiles a bit, "It wasn't all my doing. Those who fought with me deserve equal credit. It is a pleasure to meet you, Rosebud. I was just having a short tour of this place with one of the squires. Interesting lad. Good at memorizing, short on free thought."

Jarik looks up, "How long has this order existed?"

"Free thought can be a dangerous thing," Rosebud answers drily. "Existed? It has existed long beyond reliable records. I would venture that it has been in its present form for at least one millennium."

Jarik's eyebrow raises, "Free thought also brings chance and ends stagnation. But, I shall not get into a belief's war with you. Over one thousand years? Impressive. What is your purpose?"

Rosebud says, "Free thought is necessary, of course. But it is best to be exercised in its proper place, by those learned in their duties. The Knights Templar are the sword arm of the Temple. We are primarily warriors, though we are also required to know the law and to uphold it. We cannot be complete automatons, or else we would be useless."

Jarik says, "Ah, you are the military muscle of the temple, so to speak. My Order was autonomous on Crydon. We sought justice and peace, answering to no one but honor. You seen to have a much different view towards duty."

Rosebud pauses… "Without knowing more about your concept of autonomy, I cannot know how to reply. We take our duty seriously, and we certainly care for honor."

Jarik hms, "You seem to teach your squires more about following orders than listening to honor, from my questions to him." He moves closer to the pool, "We did not serve any one group. We were nomads, working from the hall of the Shadowed Mountain. It was our duty to insure peace throughout the land. Each of us would travel alone to parts of the world. There were never many of us, but we made a difference."

"You said that you are a knight, correct?" asks Rosebud.

Jarik nods, "Correct. We were a group of Knight-Mages. By the definition of my world, a paladin."

"Who, then, would be your liege?" asks Rosebud.

Jarik says, "Honor and justice was, and still is, our allegiance. There was a head of the order, of course. Whom we served. My mentor was T'Aris. He was the head and a great warrior. He fell in battle several years ago. The leadership then passed to me. But, a leader of a group of three isn't impressive. I wasn't ready, but there was no choice."

Rosebud turns her attentions back to the flowers. "I may judge too quickly, but I am given the impression you are used to answering to none other than yourself, and your interpretation of 'honor' and 'justice'. It strikes me as terribly chaotic."

Jarik nods, "It could be, yes. We didn't answer to anyone. Power can be corrupting and dangerous. But, there was the code between the members. If any member went 'rogue' and began to harm life that he or she was sworn to protect, a hunt would be called and he/she would be brought to trial for the crimes against the sanctity of life. Death tended to be the verdict if found guilty. We fought abuse of power with a swift and deadly hand."

Rosebud holds one of the flowers in her hand, not pulling it from the bush. "So, Sir Fireclaw, what would happen if you went rogue? To whom would you answer?"

Jarik hmms, "That is a good question. I would have to answer to my students, if they were here." His ear twitches, "That is a request I need to make of Envoy and Zephyr, if I get the chance. No power should be unchecked."

Rosebud nods. "Of course."

Jarik says, "Who do you answer to?"

Rosebud answers, "I am under the immediate supervision of the Champion of Roses, who is in turn under the authority of the Order as a whole, which answers to the authority of the Temple."

Jarik says, "And what would you do if one of the above was corrupt?"

"Our duties fall primarily under the jurisdiction of the Guard and of the Inquisition. Our liaison with the Temple was the former Arch-Inquisitor Raphael Melchizedek, but as you have no doubt heard, he was found to be corrupt and unsuitable for such a position. It did not require our action to remedy the situation," says Rosebud. "Once again, the system has proven itself."

Jarik circles the pool, "Has it? There are far more corrupt individuals in the tower than he."

Rosebud says, "I see a trend here. You are evidently dissatisfied with our performance."

Jarik says, "Mildly dissatisfied, yes. Your order could have ended the raids in Himar far easier than I. Corruption festers in the temple and your order stands by, still at their call."

Jarik says, "You allowed the Temple to burn part of the city. Leaving three children no older than eight trapped in a burning building to die."

Jarik says, "Your order seems more concerned with protecting the status quo than the people of this world."

Rosebud says, "But Himar is not Rephidim. Rephidim is dominant in the matters of Sinai, but we do not claim authority over all lands. It is not our place to send a military expedition into Himar. To do such a thing might start a war."

"If Himar should ask for our assistance, and should those above us choose to send us after the criminals, then we would fight and be glad to rid the land of such a menace. But such has not been the case. As for Darkside … we 'let' nothing. I myself marched upon the 'Naked Vixen'," she adds with a hint of distaste.

Jarik chuckles, "I see. You see yourself as superior. Quite brave of you to attack an unarmed group of children."

"You choose a poor time to laugh. I certainly am not in the business of attacking children. What – do you think I put an orphanage to the sword?" Rosebud turns back toward Jarik. "I will not waste my time trying to 'politely' insult you with such accusations. I will say bluntly that I take you for an undisciplined fool."

Jarik nods, "Only undisciplined in your beliefs. I simply try to get people to truly think about a situation. Your actions in Darkside were similar to stopping a disease by killing the patient. I didn't come to trade insults or start some pointless fight. I came to discover your belief structure. You follow law and order. I follow justice and honor. Two different things. We have the same end goals, different means to get there."

The warrioress says, "Perhaps. But if it were not for your demonstrated abilities and accomplishments in Himar, I would have been forced to test your skills for such comments as those you have made."

Jarik nods slightly, "I do offer an apology. I sought to get you to notice the damage caused outside of stamping out some of the more base groups. My methods aren't always the most tactful, for that I do apologize."

The warrioress only nods in response.

Jarik says, "I may have become a bit quick in judgement. My experiences on this world have not been pleasant, nor have I encountered many people who value honor."

The warrioress pauses a bit more, then says, "Apology accepted." She turns her attentions back to some nearby roses.

Jarik looks to the sky, "I should be on my way. The day grows to an end. Honorable journeys to you, M'lady." He turns and walks back toward the spot he left the squire. He stops and glances back, "Your order may wish to watch the Temple closely. I have a suspicion the assassination was ordered from someone in the Temple, not the Darkside. But, they're only suspicions." He bows slightly and disappears from view.