After using some of his gold and silver to purchase some provisions for the journey while in the marketplace situated in the outskirts of town, Nathan got onto his horse and rides eastwards through the open, grassy fields coated with pointed evergreens and luscious fruit-bearing bushes.
Having decided that the best place to start his adventure would be in the deep forests of Aedrahath, where some lower-class monsters that have been harassing the local peasants as of late seem to be coming from.
Aedrahath, named after the fertility goddess of a religion that all but died with its followers some 1268 years ago during The Age of Haers the Wise, was nothing short of beautiful, hence why it was named after such a deity. Tall trees, almost tall enough to block out the sun (but not quite) dances in the winds as beautiful patches of moss grew at their stumps, with ferns and lively shrubbery weaving their way across the ground. It was an exceptionally large forest, and these descriptors (which Nathan had only heard about while drinking with friends at taverns during his years as a squire) were but a fraction of what the tapestry of the woods had to offer. Many didn’t venture into it, few came back to tell of what they saw. For Nathan, though he figured he could handle what was awaiting him, he knew very well this was uncharted territory. However, this aspect thrilled him.
“Pity,” he thought. “It seems such a beautiful spot. If only it weren’t for these wicked beasts. Could make for a great spot to build a log cabin when I retire. Maybe bring a few whores there, treat them to the scenery before I treat them to Nathan Junior.....”
One thing to note about Nathan, though he was mostly a kind and well-meaning young man, he had an affinity for sex. As a Paladin, he knew that marriage out of wedlock was one of the twelve grand sins of The Order, but he couldn’t help himself. It all just felt too good. Besides, he knew he would be forgiven for these minor perversions in the eyes of the Gods for his righteous crusade against evil. And nobody else had yet found out about his occasional escapades, and the women he had slept with were sworn to secrecy as well, since to lay with a Knight if the king’s army was seen as a crime in and of itself.
Nathan chuckled, reminiscing on that one time will De’alli, a Wood Elf who he had met and had a very fun time with three years ago in a barnhouse, and journeyed onwards. After about ten minutes of riding, he made it to the outskirts of the forest, and began to ride in. The area was just as beautiful as he had been told, with birds chirping and leaves rustling all around him. He stayed focused, eyes attentive for anything, and kept his ears open. He knew there had been reports of monsters coming from here, though the reports were various and muddled. Orcs, Goblins, Trolls, Ogres, Half-Giants, Minotaurs, Draugr, et cetera. Nathan had no idea what he would find, but he knew that he would be strong enough to beat any of them in the name of The Order, the king and his holy realm.