James slowly entered the medium sized run down building that everyone insisted was the library but looked more like a long forsaken bookshop. James struggled not to choke on the thick amount of dust in the air as he entered. The floor boards even creaked and squeaked with each and every step.
He slowly looked around when he heard a coughing coming from the back of the store as an elderly male black squirrel anthro hobbled out to him which made James almost wonder if the old man would fall over dead before he made it the short distance from the backroom to where he was standing.
"How can Old Ben help you lad?" asked the squirrel.
"Well sir I'm not really sure. What can you tell me about infant magic?" asked James hoping not to scare the man away or to death.
"Do you mean beginner magic or an infant with magic?" asked Old Ben as a little smile started to form on his face as he hobbled behind the counter to which James approached.
"Umm the second one" sighed James no wanting to speak it out load in case a guard heard him. "Is it common?"
"No, usually those gifted with the a natural ability to use magic don't manifest that magic until the age of five." replied Old Ben "How old is the child?"
"He turns a year next month." replied James even more concerned then before.
"Interesting, very interesting. Tell me lad what color are your son's eyes?" asked Old Ben.
"How do you know he's my son?" asked a defensive James only to get a I'm not an idiot glare from the elderly squirrel which made him sigh before softly adding, "Pure white"
"Tell me lad have you ever heard of the legend of the Paladin?" asked Old Ben which caused James to raise a questioning eyebrow.
"Everyone knows of those old fairytales." replied James as he crossed his arms and asked, "What does it have to do with my son?"
"Well first off they're not just some fairytale or legend they were real and someday they will return." replied Old Ben.
"Sorry but I've seen no evidence to believe that they ever existed so they are a myth." replied James now getting frustrated at this old squirrel wasting his time.
"Well for one that sword you carry once belonged to a warrior of the order perhaps a long dead relative of yours? Either way the prophecy is still the same and your son fulfills part of that prophecy." huffed Old Ben as he started to truffle through one of the cabinets behind the counter.
"What prophecy? Are you talking about that lame poem told at the end of all the Paladin Fairytales?" asked James before quoting the well known part, "In darkness, shame and fear all hope lies, A scared order long broken and shattered, Which shall rise once more into the skies, Upon the wings of those who least matter."
"Good lad you already know the first part just like the rest of this fools that walk around believing the lies that the Paladin never existed. In truth there was a second verse deleted from history so as to not allow the Paladin to rise once more and drive back the evil that rules the land." explained Old Ben as he smiled turning to face James while holding a small rectangular box before adding, "One with god touched eyes and heart, Swift with paws of fire and ice, A samurai, deaf and mute set apart, Stands a champion above all mice!"
"One problem my son would never be trained as a samurai nor is he deaf or mute." replied James with arms crossed.
"And just like all others you assume this speaks of just one creature which was my first assumption but then I realized it had to be speaking of four separate warriors. Your son is the first, the one with god touched eyes. Raise him with a pure heart to match his eyes and when he's ready let him go and find the other three until then have him wear this. It should restrict his magical abilities so as to not give away his secret and yours." replied Old Ben as he opened the box and handed him a silver like bracelet that read 'eyes of the gods'
James slowly took the bracelet and examined it al little closer before turning to face the elderly squirrel and asked, "What do I owe you for this?"
"Just teach the kid to have a pure heart and to care for others." replied Old Ben, "And when he's ready let him go seek out the others and together they will bring peace to this dark world."
"Thank you sir." replied James with a bow before turning to leave.
"Just call me Old Ben everyone else does." replied Old Ben as James started for the door only to stop when a younger squirrel in a white suit stepped into the shop right in his way.
"Old man have you died yet?" snappishly and disrespectfully yelled the rich squirrel not even looking at James.
"No you ungrateful grandson of mine I'm still alive and well you uptight goat!" snapped Old Ben as he hobbled from behind the counter up to the rich squirrel and poked him in the chest with his cane.
"Old man touch me with that cane again and I'll break you frail little neck." growled the rich squirrel.
"Maybe you should leave sir." called James with one paw on his sword hilt as the rich squirrel finally realized James was there and just huffed before turning to leave.
As for James he waited around a bit more and made sure that Old Ben was safe and if he needed anything as well as let him know he'd come by and see him the next time he was in the city. He then left to get the last of his required supplied before making the three day journey home.