"I have not yet had the opportunity to do so." Maric replied sadly. "The path I have chosen is indeed dangerous. There are many vile creatures out there that some have even started to forget; creatures that remain only as legends in the minds of men. It is only because of the efforts of those like myself that this is the case. There has never been an opportunity for me to go, because when I am finished one fight, and have finally re-gathered my strength to go, more evil comes around the corner.<br/>"For the past few years, ever since I parted ways with my master, I have begun to steadily tread back. But I fear that my parent's may grow old by then, and my sister married off. She became of age just a few years ago in fact. Bit I'd not be worried about that. When we were little, and other children picked on her, my father would send them running for the hills, armed with only farm tools. I shiver to imagine to a man that treats her badly"<br/>He sighed once more.<br/>"I wonder if they'd even recognize me... If they'd remember me..."<br/>It felt good to finally speak to someone about this. Back at the guild, though feelings like this were not despised, one would often be mocked if they made themselves out to be so soft.<br/>Upon hearing of the fate of her child, Marics thoughts left that of his own sad past, and to hers. How much had she lost? It seemed like it was everything she had. And yet, she had the strength to move on. The paladin admired her for that, as it would only take a woman of great strength to stay sane through all of that.<br/>"I am glad that I could bring some light into your life." Maric said, placing a gentle kiss upon her head. "I only wish that I could make it brighter somehow. Hopefully, one of my boring stories may help you some. But if there is anything else you wish of my, please. Ask."<br/>The paladin thought for a moment upon what adventure would be the best to tell of, as there had been many. So finally, after clearing his throat, he began to tell a tale.<br/>He described of how he and his squire Sonnen, had come to a large village to find that they were in danger from angry spirits that had awoken from an ancient tomb nearby. After doing some investigating of the surrounding area and finding nothing to cause it, the two of them descended into the barrows. There they met with bodies of the dead, possessed by the wrights of the tomb. The wrights attacked them on sight, and the knight and his squire were barely able to fend them off. They were only able to make their way through by using the tomb's traps to their advantage, and a bit of luck. And then, at the end of the tomb, they found what seemed to be the object disturbing them; a sword. It filled the air around it with a feeling of power, and when Maric took a hold of it, the blade seemed to shiver with an inner flame. They soon discovered that it would in fact burn their enemies when the last of the spirits fell upon them. Maric himself was extremely pleased with the find, for to have an enchanted sword such as this was an amazing thing for a paladin. However, as time passed, he grew more restless, more impatient, and more fierce. Luckily he realized that it was the sword that seemed to be corrupting him, so he had it shut away in a vault, deep under his home.<br/>"Would you tell me of your old home? Before all of this?" Marci asked quietly as he finished, once more giving her a light kiss upon her head. "You need not do so if you don't wish to. If it pains you too much, I will cease to ask, and leave it be until the time comes."