Lazarus

  Primordial limit.

  Primordial 1.

  Paragon luck.

  Paragon strength 2.

  Presence detection 3.

  Regeneration 11.

  Centaur riding 4.

  Sex 8.

  Sword mastery 1.

  Blink 2.

  Resistance 1.

  Centaur pleaser 10.

  Skill points - 0

  Well this could be either a good thing or a bad. I've now realised I never told Arath I'm a Paragon myself and if she's having this kind of reaction. So much to learn in so little time.

  "It's okay Arath just tell me what you need me to do." I said still trying to break her out of her shocked state.

  She briefly gave me a look before returning her gaze like she was afraid the Paragon would do something but also trying to absorb her very presence. "You must answer the council like normal and not address our Paragon directly. She will interject if she wants but above all else do not say anything that could resemble courting, she is above even our leaders and no one will do anything if she wants you dead. Many stallions have made the mistake of thinking they can woo her and they have all paid with their lives. To this day she remains uncimed."

  So act like she's not there but keep in mind she can order my execution and no one will stop her. When can I get that kind of pull?

  The Paragon y on her pillow on the raised ptform watching. Her shimmering purple hair cascaded in waves down her body easily stealing the light from her many decorations. She was beautiful in an ethereal way like a statue that should never be touched.

  I found myself more curious about her job and if she could help me with my own than seeing if I could court her and the realisation hit me rather hard. I actually thought Arath was more beautiful. Here I was with what I presumed was the most powerful centaur and I if I was allowed to ask her one question it would be, how does a Paragon work? Not how could I court you without dying but how to be a Paragon myself.

  She seemed to notice my internal dilemma and gave me a curious look. Right have to act like she isn't there and answer the councils questions.

  I stepped forward leaving Arath behind giving the four centaurs below the Paragon my full attention. A circle of silver light lit up beneath my feet as I moved from my wife's side.

  I took a breath, now for the part I hate. Politics.

  Rayeffet, the mare with a bck coat rose her head to address me first. "Please answer this first question incorrectly."

  Seems weird but okay.

  "Are you male?"

  "No." I answered and the silver ring around me turned red for a second before returning to silver.

  Got it no lying. This would put so many politicians in my original world out of a job if we could use it on them.

  "Now that you understand." The mare continued. "We have gathered you here as you are the first and only human to be seen in over one hundred years. The purpose of this meeting is to introduce you to the town and squash any false rumours before they spread."

  Seems simple enough but the Paragon being here doesn't seem like an everyday occurrence.

  "Are you really a human?" The first question came from Zemelly the other mare on the council.

  "Yes." I replied and the silver ring didn't change colour. So only if I lie.

  A collection of gasps and murmurs from the audience spread and it was given some time before everyone was silenced.

  "Are you alone or are there more of you?" This was asked by Brult the male stallion in charge of military and evidently the centaur I'd nicknamed Hercules.

  "I am alone in that there are no other humans with me in this world." I answered. No change to the ring. There was some disappointment in the crowd but I noticed the Paragon give me a look like she noticed the small deception in my statement.

  "Are you fertile?" Zemelly asked this one catching everyone's attention as even the side conversations about the other questions stopped.

  "I don't know." I responded honestly.

  "Eborate." Zemelly almost demanded.

  "I haven't fathered my own children in the past and don't know if the curse pced on humans was just for those alive at the time or is still active." The crowd was silent for a moment so I continued. "Should Arath become with child, or with foal that question will have a more definitive answer."

  This got a reaction as there were shill yells and shrieks filling the auditorium and even the council looked surprised. A few members from the audience tried to get closer but a few armoured centaurs had moved in to create a blockade. It still didn't stop them trying however and by pure numbers the audience was almost pushing them back. That was until the Paragon spoke.

  "Enough."

  She did not shout, she did not yell. She simply spoke like we were all right beside her yet her voice sook everyone to the bones. Momentarily looked to Arath judged our distance from each other and how quickly we could get to an exit before calming down along with the crowd. It wasn't missed by Brult however.

  "Did you use to be a soldier?" He asked.

  "Not by choice." I answered the ring fshing red.

  That wasn't a lie. I told myself mentally the council giving me the first looks of distrust since I entered.

  But I didn't lie I told myself. I was stolen from my world told there was a great evil that needed killing and I.

  I stopped my mental monologue.

  I willingly fought for people that fed me lies. Killed because they simply wanted me to. The realisation hit me in full force. The lies I kept telling myself to help me sleep. I was a monster but even they can be chalked up to their instincts. I did it by choice.

  "Forgive me council." I said my eyes downcast as a bit of anger bled into my voice. "I was stolen from my home in my youth. Fed lies and deception to hone me into a weapon they could wield, and sent to kill many who didn't deserve it. I joined at the time of my own volition believing myself to be someone who could make a difference. I regret that choice and have told myself ever since that I was forced but I was willing at the time." The ring remained the unchanged silver colour.

  A stray tear ran down my face but I let it slide sucking down the lump in my throat. I screwed them over as they banished me. Hope their all panicking in their ugly stone churches. I could hear Arath behind me wanting to console me but didn't make a move to upset the council.

  "Next question." I said a little more forcefully than I ment to.

  The four council members each gave me different looks but it was Brult that came to my rescue.

  "I can understand the effects that war can have on the mind. I have seen I first hand but I need to ask you one st question then we will drop it. Are you a threat to this city?"

  That one was easy to answer.

  "Not to the city as a whole but I will defend Arath or anyone in my family without hesitation as I've proven with Sabet."

  There was some agreement from the council that my answer would suffice and they would move on.

  "Is Arath your head mare and are you aware of centaur family traditions?" Zemelly asked the next question trying to bring the subject from it's current course.

  I let out a breath hoping all my anger left with it. They didn't deserve this reaction from me. My anger was directed at my own kind not anyone in this city and I was letting this anger consume me because I was terrified how I would really feel when the faces of those I killed came back to haunt me. It took me longer than I'd like to finally be able to answer without my voice breaking. Luckily no one commented on my pause.

  "Yes Arath is my head mare and as of right now Willow is also part of my family. As for how much I know about centaur family traditions, I don't know as much as I'd like to but Arath is doing a great job of teaching me."

  Both the mares seemed happy with that answer and the stallions opinion of me didn't change. Although Brult did give me a nod at the Willow part.

  "What is your css and job?" Rayeffet asked this time.

  "I would prefer not to answer that one." I replied knowing this was going to be asked at some point.

  "You will need to unfortunately." Rayeffet replied.

  "Then I will leave this city before nightfall. I apologise but it is not something I will share outside of my family."

  My original pn was to say I was a swordsman as my css but this ring made that hard. I also trusted Araths judgement about not telling everyone. Better to have everyone trying to figure out what my css was than trying to kill me for knowing what it truly was.

  This set the audience into a fit. Many demanding I tell them some even yelling to Arath that she should tell them. The council seemed torn Zemelly and Brult seemed fine with my decision but Rayeffet and Rufal didn't like the ck of knowledge.

  "He has a right not to say." Brult began only to be interrupted by Rufal.

  "And if he has some type of css that benifits from causing chaos. What then?"

  This was more what I expected from all the meetings I've been apart of. I have a truth ring on me and instead of asking how my css works they just throw random accusations that would be so much simpler to ask me about. I would try to dodge certain questions of course but they already asked if I'm a threat and yet this is still their argument.

  Maybe I'm best on the road travelling. It's what I've been doing most my life so I'm sure I could make it work. Arath could join if she wants to or I could visit her every now and then. I've never been good with long distance but for her I'll try.

  "Enough." The Paragon spoke again. "If you really are stupid enough to argue over if he is suitable for our community when he has clearly shown his commitment to one of our own then you should rethink your position. I shouldn't have to even say this. Lazarus I believe. You are welcome in our town and I look forward to seeing you progress."

  There was a stunned silence after that in which no one wanted to break. The look Rayna gave me said everything I needed to know. She knew I was a Paragon myself and wanted me close for whatever reason. I wasn't opposed to this as it actually benefited me the most short term. What she wanted long term would require me to find out how the Paragon job worked.

  Taking a gamble I did the one thing Arath told me not to do. I addressed Rayna. "Thank you Paragon Rayna." There was a collection of gasps most notably from the council. "I hope this proves fruitful to us all."

  For the first time since we entered the auditorium the Paragon let a smile grace her face. I could have started some type of rivalry but she was my best source of information and if we could help each other I was all for being friendly.

  I still thought Arath was prettier but she wasn't bad to look at either. Just as I thought that a wave of mental energy washed over everyone forcing most to their knees, a few started to foam at the mouth. I stayed standing only due to previous experience fighting succubi.

  Got it still no courting.

  'Not till you're stronger.' Raynas voice whispered into my mind.

  Well that was a better outcome than I could have expected. She could read minds that was definitely not going to bite me in the butt at a ter date. I shouldn't be surprised that she has an ability like that yet I strangely was. I wonder if she'll teach me the requirements.

  I got no response but there was still a chance in the future.

  "Okay Lazarus we welcome you wholeheartedly to our city, may your foals roam for generations." Brult addressed me trying to shake off the effects of the wave and get back on track.

  The silver ring disappeared and I took that as my cue to step away from the middle. I joined Arath and my wife wrapped me in a hug.

  "Well done my love." She praised wiping away an unshed tear from my eye.

  "Arath please step forward." Zemelly said.

  Oh yeah my acceptance was the easy part of this meeting. I gave Arath a kiss.

  "No matter what happens my heart I'll be with you." I whispered into her ear then pulled back. She gave me a strong smile then took a breath.

  "I will always be with you my love. Weather that is here or far away." She whispered back before taking her pce in the middle where I had just left.

  Time to find out if she gets accepted as well.