32 Deaths and War
Still sweating and cold, Stellan loosened a few buttons of Haelan's gambeson, and opened the window slightly for the cold breeze to come in. He noticed that Haelan started to relax and her skin have slowly returned to it's colour. Her laboured breathing normalized, as she rest in the warm and airy official palace wagon.
Stellan swept Haelan's hair and grazed her cold face with his finger. Then he softly held Haelan's small wrist with a damask arm cuff, which he remembered got hurt from yesterday's swordfight. "Too small and weak for a man", he whispered. He noticed the crest and a hilt hanging out of Haelan's coat. Not too long, Haelan's important items fell on the floor.
Stellan picked them up and took time to check on them carefully. He squinted his eyes seeing two items that he recognize - a crest similar to something he come across before, and a hilt with a palace emblem. He then placed them on Haelan's hands and waited for the squire to come around. "It couldn't be.. I know this hilt from one of the palace's paintings", he said as the two stayed close in the carriage throughout the entire journey.
Moments later, the squire battalion have finally reached the King's castle. The knights on the battlements of the high-rise castle walls waved to open the passageway for the incoming squires. The portcullis immediately opened for the new batch of protectors of the kingdom. The squires stood tall with overconfidence as they enter the bailey, excited to see people cheering for the future warriors of the kingdom.
Marching in, their shoulders dropped down at the sight of people in dreary.
Unexpectedly, they were welcomed by a grieving castle town, where every resident wore black cloaks with lighted candles. No children running around happily, and no women with warm smiles to greet them… just sad, weeping eyes of old people standing close by.
Their houses were unlit, the pathways were gloomy. The castle town refuse to commemorate a heretic gesture for the future protectors of the kingdom. Sadness swarmed the palace as the darkness owned the sky.
As the squires enter deep into the castle town, the people closed their doors softly, unwanting to see the expected guests. The Men of Honor instantly felt unwelcomed. The townspeople's piercing eyes flopped the squire's elation. "I don't think they like to see us here", Jacomus whispered to Atrius.
Without an initial response, Atrius hardened his jaw as he look at the sorrow in the people's eyes. "They are tired of deaths and war", he eventually said.
"The Prince haven't woken up yet, what do you expect?", Yiannis said as he tread.
Marching up ahead towards the King's white palace, the battalion bring to a halt as the lords' carriage stopped by the entrance of the castle's grand gallery. Lord Harlan and Lord Callaghan came down the carriage and entered the steel doors followed by the squires.
The grand gallery, a hall for the palace's big banquets and celebrations, was dark and hollow. Despite having sophisticated and opulent decoration of thick deep red velvet curtains and gold trims tied with gold tassels, shiny marbled floors, oil paintings of previous monarchs on the walls, and colored glass ceilings, the gallery looked unfestive for the current event. Compared to the oath takings for squires that were held before, this season lacked fun atmosphere and spirit.
As the lords draw closer towards the three luxurious empty thrones, the chandeliers flickered as it lit open effusing a warm yellow light in the entire gallery. Two high priests, and a few knights welcomed the squires while the scholars of the palace started to fill the room with steam coming from their gold pot of incense.
"Men of Honor from Brandenburg! Stand guard for the King, together with General Rowan. They have already been summoned for your arrival. We shall start the oath taking for our new warriors in a few moments. I am high priestess, Yereah, and I will baptize you all as the King's protectors of the kingdom", a woman wearing white tunic and gold plated arm bands said.
Meanwhile, back in the carriage, Haelan tried to open her heavy eyes. She was startled to see Stellan who was resting his head back with his eyes closed. Confused, she found herself laying on his lap in an unfamiliar carriage. 'How did I get here?', she thought as she remove Stellan's hand on her abdomen. 'Where's my armor?!', she wondered in her mind. She shut her eyes again when she noticed Stellan was about to wake. Pretending to be asleep, Haelan closed her eyes tightly once again.
"It's time to wake up, don't you think??", Stellan annoyingly asked. Haelan peeked with one eye and looked at the Paladin with a nervous laugh.
Stellan felt awkward with the proximity he has from the recuperated squire. Haelan's grey eyes sting his chest a little making him feel uneasy. In this perfect timing, his leg started to numb as he non-intentionally kicked Haelan off the leather seat. "Sorry! I just can't feel my leg entirely", he said as he massage his leg.
"No, it's totally my fault! I apologize Sir Stellan, for being a cause of trouble", Haelan said as she get up and opened the door carriage.
Stellan followed her out and held her slender arm. "Are you fine now?", he asked.
"Ye..yes Sir", Haelan stuttered as she held her crest and hilt close to her.
"You know", Stellan said as he held Haelan's precious items. "There's a strap and a hidden pocket in a warrior's gambeson. You can keep these in there", he said as he point the compartments, one on the side, and another on the chest area.
Instinctively, Haelan stepped back and covered her chest as the Paladin was about to tap her chest. "I got it Sir, Thank you", she nervously said.
"Dont push yourself too hard..", Stellan said as he rest his arms on his side.
Haelan smiled a little as she keep her items in her gambeson. Realizing they are already in the King's palace, she wondered where the squire battalion have entered as she look around.
"Haelan!! Find your armor and suit up!!", Gallanthe said as he stood by the gallery's steel door pointing in one of the castle doors made of steel and oakwood.