13 A Healer’s Virtue

On a carriage going back to Tobias Inn, Freya rode with the new member of the family. From the hidden beauty of an innocent servant, comes a young-looking lad that surprisingly head turned quite a few women.

Freya understood her assignment well, as she complete Agalea's major transformation in detail. She initiated manly strolls and even brawny struts, all kinds of laddish stuff except gripping swords to kill a behemoth. All day, Agalea studied how to strike the right attitudes of a man, as she observe how one eat, talk or simply stand.

Agalea's long black hair was chopped to a short wavy locks that partly covers her eyes, and at the same time making sure that it doesn't compliment her feminine facial features. She wore a white silk chemise shirt, under a high-collared tabard with gold feather stitches all over and a thick leather waistband. She also fit a pair white trousers and brown leather boots, not to forget the damask arm cuff and the bag that keeps her precious crest and her one of a kind hilt. Freya did a great job to project derived masculinity on Agalea's looks.

The people in Tobias Inn can't hardly wait, to meet the special guest who arrived a bit late. For every carriage that pass by, their long necks sought after their master's nephew in a while. Finally, in about half past sundown, the most awaited special guest arrived.

"I didn't know you have a nephew, Sir Tobias", Madame Emilia said as she pout, with a fixed eye on the carriage as the guest come out.

"He's a very special boy kept away by his mother in Greco, Emilia", Tobias replied.

"Which among your sisters does this lad belongs to?", but when Emilia asked, Tobias have already made his way to his nephew. For the longest time that she have served the inn, she knew each family member kin to kin. Seeing the lad she hardly knew, comes her suspicion she thought might be true.

"Ha! Well, well. It's so wonderful to see you", Tobias welcomed Agalea with open arms as he welcome his nephew who just went down from the carriage. She smiled and tapped the back of her pretend uncle gently, then nodded on the servants, who were staring intently. The servants gaped at her looks, for she is too perfect for a man's look. On the other hand, Lady Emilia kept help but wonder, the lad in front of her looks so familiar.

"Haelan is going to stay only for tonight, Uncle Tobias. He's set to leave tomorrow for Brandenburg", Freya said.

"Haelan? Oh Haelan! Of course", it's Tobias's first time to hear Agalea's acquired name as a man. He smoothly acknowledged it with a gentle smile. "The trip might be long, you must be tired. Shall we go in?", he asked as he push the two in the tavern.

"Look what we have here", a pale tall thin man in dark green and black stockings interrupted the pretense reunion. 

"It looks like Tobias is in a good mood to pay us back tonight", another short man with a large hat said as he toy a stem of barley in his mouth.

Tobias was stunned to see the same men who beat him up like a pulp then. He trembled in shock and fear as he greet the uninvited with displeasure. "What? Nonsense! I just paid you yesterday!", Tobias fearfully said at the shylocks asking for money again. 

"Yesterday.. today.. tomorrow.. Tobias, you owe us money, it doesn't matter when we get it. That's our money.", the thin man said as he gesture in the wind.

"I don't have money to pay you right now", Tobias worriedly said. "I already gave you every pence I have", he added.

"I think, someone needs a beating", the short man said as he spit the stem he's chewing. "Or you can lend us your niece, if you know what I mean", he stared at Freya, full of malice. Tobias instinctively pulled Freya back.

"Hey you foolish pig!", Freya threw a pebble on the thin man who's about to approach. "My cousin will soon be a Knight of Hesam and we'll make sure you'll drop dead when you keep on threatening us", Freya proudly presented.

"That lad?", the thin man laughed in mockery, failing to believe Freya's prophecy. "I don't think he can even kill a tiny insect! Ha!", both shylocks laughed hysterically at the unbelievable remark.

"Let's see what your boy have", the thin man said as he took out a knife.

Against a healer's virtue, Agalea cannot let a single blood drop against any opponent, whether a friend or an enemy. Remembering what her mother taught her, she thought of performing the disarming techniques when threatened. She was taught how to control the wind, water and ground, for protection... especially when she can't no longer run. Agalea hoped that she could at least scare them a little, or else, they will all be in trouble. As the men go near, Agalea lifted her hand and called the wind. With darkened eyes, she flicked her hand towards the men as the strong gush of wind blew out of nowhere. The strong winds were manipulated carefully that led the men to spin and twirl in a marvelous speed. The men helplessly cried for help as they spin around uncontrollably, as Tobias and Freya watch in disbelief. Lady Emilia and the other staff held the hems of the gowns with their eyes shut as the gush of wind blew around. And in one flick, Agalea blew the uninvited fools away from the inn.

"You see that!! This is my nephew! Ha-ha!", Tobias cheered as he jumped for joy. "Come back next full moon! I'll pay ya!", he shouted as the shylocks run in tune.

"I didn't know you could do that", Freya whispered to Agalea. She just smiled and went in with the cheering crowd. While everybody is celebrating, Madame Emilia couldn't stop thinking that the boy who arrived, may be hiding something.

This is the first time that Agalea has her own bedroom. She enjoyed the courses of the sumptuous dinner, and hot floral teas as laughed out loud with these good people. Despite how warm and happy it is, she understood that it's really not intended for her. She's been treated nice only because of the trade. In her mind where it is set, she'll find the stone and leave the Kingdom of Nether. With her crest not working, and parents still aren't summoning, her chance to go home is through the stone. So, to Brandenburg she will go, even if it is very troublesome. Tossing and turning on the bed, Agalea could hardly wait for another day to come. 

Hours before sunrise, the carriage to Brandenburg has been waiting for Agalea upfront the tavern. She made a one last look in the mirror as she made a loud sigh. "I can do this", she whispered. Agalea hurriedly went down and saw Freya ordering to arrange the baggage in the compartment. There was a hard steel case for Agaleas clothes and chaneries packed with some caramelized apple tarts and a bunch of berries. Agalea tapped Freya on the shoulder and greeted her with a smile. 

"Remember the Paladin? Keep them in mind and stay away from them. They might easily find out your identity", Freya warned as she tie the chaneries close and handed them over to the coachman. "I don't think this could be a good use to you" Freya said as she hold Agalea's hilt.

"I'll keep it with me for a while", she took the hilt and placed it in her pocket with her crest. "Freya, why are you helping me?", she suddenly asked as she fix the damask cuff slipping on her wrist.

"I've never had a friend my entire life.", Freya answered. "Before... I had no reason to stay alive.. When I met you, I found a purpose.. a reason to make my life be of use", Freya answered with a teary eye.

Agalea held Freya's wrists revealing her old wounds and painful scars. The slashes on her skin are so many and deep, even Freya couldn't stare at it. Agalea then started to heal each scar of self-harm. "No need to go back to what you used to be.", then she touched Freya's heart as she propel all the sadness and misery.

Freya's eyes started to swell, her nose turned red for all she cares. She took a deep breath and curved a smile, thankful for the girl who became her friend for a while. "What's your real name, Agalea?", Freya asked.

Agalea paused and caught her off guard. "Ho.. how did you know?", Agalea asked.

Freya held Agalea's right ear and smiled. "Agalea lost her right ear when she and Madame Emilia had a confrontation. There are days that you have it back, and there are days you don't", she said. "And your eyes.. they were brown like honey when you first arrived at the inn. But sometimes, like this time, you have sparkling bright grey eyes with flecks of green.", Freya said with a sigh as the front doors open wide. Agalea became more enlightened why Emilia always stares at her, and deals with her every time.

Agalea was about to tell her real name but Clemen and Madame Emilia suddenly came out. The two were distraught to see Freya and her cousin in a seemingly intimate position. However, Freya didn't mind them, and just went on.

"I'll tell you when I get back", Agalea whispered as a reply.

Agalea get in the carriage for it is time. The sky has started to turn blue, and in a few minutes the sun will shine. Freya held the door as her cousin is about to go. "Remember, all of the tests is about brotherhood, faith and valiance. Also, keep in mind, when you are in Brandenburg, your name is Haelan", Freya whispered before closing the door of the inn's wooden carriage.