34 The General
HAELAN'S POV
"Yes Prince Galen. I am a squire of Brandenburg", I widened my eyes at the prince to elaborate who I really am here.
"Oh", he must have figured out my act and started to blend in. "A squire", he said as he look at my face.
"My squire needs to be some place in the palace. The oath taking is happening as we speak", Stellan walked toward us. "I won't let Haelan or any other squire needlessly disturb you any moment from here until we leave", Stellan said as he extend his hand to me from the prince's bedside.
Unexpectedly, the prince grabbed my hand and pulled me close to him."No, Haelan can visit me anytime", the prince said as his eyes disappear while he smiles.
"Come along, Haelan", I could hear thunder in Stellan's voice. Tapping Prince Galen's hand on me, I let go of his hand and bowed goodbye to him.
Then I left the prince in his room as told. A priestess, who called herself Yereah, was perfectly on time to enter the prince's chambers. Stellan just whispered a few words that gave Yereah goosebumps and happy tears.
In the corridors of the palace, I followed the angry raccoon like an obedient squirrel. With my hands in my pockets, I made sure Stellan wouldn't notice my stone hands that have started to weaken.
The Paladin suddenly stopped and looked back. Not looking ahead, I hit my nose on his hard chest before I stepped back. "How did you wake him up?", he asked.
"Maybe the sound of my voice was too womanly, it irritated him", I said as I rub my nose with my palm.
Stellan looked to his side looking guilty. He was being nosy about me with Lord Harlan. Even so, it's obvious that this Paladin don't like me anywhere in Brandenburg. He cleared his throat and maintained his domineering composure, the pride and ego of the great Paladin knight. "What were you doing in the prince's chambers?", he asked as he stepped closer.
"Someone took my armor and placed it somewhere out of my sight. I got lost in the palace and found my way to the Prince's chambers, Sir Stellan", I explained like a scolded child.
"What's… of this?", Stellan asked as he shifted his gaze at my hands. I quickly hid my hands in my pockets and looked to the side.
"Nothing", I said.
Stellan was about to reach for my face yet he stopped midair. "Do not wander around the palace", he said as he turn his back. "You won't make it to the gallery, the oath taking have already started", he said.
"What?!", I shockingly exclaimed. Sprinting ahead of Stellan, I made my way out of the castle door towards the gallery. Struggling to open the heavy steel doors, I sensed a threatening dark aura near me.
"Excuse me. Do you belong here?", a large voice blurted out. "I am talking to you, boy. Do you belong here?", he repeatedly asked as I hear a metal sword being unsheathed.
I looked back and saw this man in a brass armor. He held his long, great claymore down, with the tip of the blade touching the floor. His hair is white, like his beard and moustache, and his face looked bitter as it looked tight. He stood high and tall, but not more than Stellan. I saw his sword's sheath, it says General.
"Yes, Sir. I am of Brandenburg", I answered as I face the man who seemed unkind. How strange, this man in brass armor wearing the palace's medallions have a dark aura surrounding him.
"It's General Rowan for you", he said as he harden his jaw. "I despise unpunctual and unscrupulous squires!", he said with piercing eyes.
General Rowan.
As claimed by Freya, General Rowan is the most trusted warrior of the King. He holds full authority among the Paladins, archers, knights and crusaders. The general works directly for the royalty in service for the security of the King. Thus, why is this man clouded with a dark aura? Basically, the aura is not coming from within but just surrounding his body? Something that I have never seen before.
"What? Can't catch your tongue? Are you deaf or dumb?", he gritted his teeth as I stare at his dark light.
"No need to be too harsh, General", Stellan came to the rescue, the very first time I'm glad to see him.
"The Paladin Knight, Stellan. What brings you here?", the general asked as he made a side eye to the Paladin. "Oh, you have a puppy to fetch?", he said as he spit on the ground.
"More like a squirrel running around.. The prince have woken up, and we just found out", Stellan walked near the General, as he face him eye to eye.
"He's what? Waken up?", General Rowan asked as if it was more like a bad news to him. "Don't be ridiculous", he said with a mocking laugh.
"Eyes wide open.. woke up", Stellan casually said that made General Rowan shift to a serious face. "The priestess is already tending to his needs. I'm on my way to tell the King", Stellan added.
General Rowan was stunned at Stellan's news. He sheathed his claymore back and glared at me. "The King is about to make his speech. You cannot enter as you please.", he said with creased brows. "Bring your squire to the loge, Stellan, and request for a private oath taking with the King", he ordered. "I'll see the prince myself first" he added as he walk in the castle.
Stellan watched the General walk away. I couldn't tell if he like him or not. However, I'm positive there's something about that General that's cloudy and bad.
The Paladin led me the way up to the loge. And left me there with a warning, "Do not go anywhere".
The open room is so small and could only seat two to three persons. It overlooks the entire gallery from left to right. The walls have hanging portraits of still paintings and mirrors, and a small chandelier made of colored glass and silvery foils. I sighed heavily as I slumped over the ballustrade, watching the forty nine squires waiting in line to drink the King's wine. Then, I spotted Jacomus and Atrius lifting their thumbs up to me. "I should've been there too", I whispered with a pout.
Then I shifted my eyes towards the front. I could see the King in black mantle paired with a cobalt blue gambeson, gold belt, and a black crown on his head that's overly studded with diamonds of different colors. Surrounded with great warriors, high priests and servants, the King of the monarch definitely live a lavish life. As what I've seen in the emblem in Agora, the King looks pretty much the same. With his full beard and thin hair, he might be the same age as my mother.