53 Cut the Act

AUTHOR'S POV

The raindrops were explicitly large and fast-pouring that it easily drenched the warriors with only a few moments after the rain have started. Stellan demanded the presence of three more warriors to spar with Haelan for a friendly swordfight. He specifically chose the men whom he knew were close to the new Paladin. After all, it is greatly heavier to draw a sword to a friend than to a stranger.

Haelan know exactly that she wouldn't stand a chance at a time like this. She may be uplifted to see Atrius and Jacomus, however, not in such circumstance that they had to face in a sword match. The challenge would be absolutely complex in many aspects. With the rain that have started to fall from the darkest clouds, her powers have reposed until the light clears the skies. There's no way that she can draw a sword, and no chance that she could protect herself using her powers.

'How perfect', Stellan thought as the rain become heavier. Puddles appeared everywhere. Unpleasant memories roll by at every drop, until the thunder snapped out of him.

"Are you.. okay?", Alesso asked Stellan who seemed to be displeased with the rainfall. Ever since they were children, Stellan have always hated the rain.

"It's just rain", Stellan convinced himself as he face Haelan which apparently gave him a good memory to brave the rain. The three warriors stood behind him waiting for a signal for the training to start.

"Wait a second…", Vesta interrupted with lines on her forehead. "You're not personally initiating the match?", Vesta asked Stellan. "We're training a Paladin, we shouldn't take it lightly. How could you choose three novice warriors that couldn't even match your strenght and power altogether? I doubt that this one could even lift a sword that straight", Vesta glared at Yiannis who's standing right before Jacomus.

"Vesta is right. What are you up to, Stellan?", Lord Callaghan, who's standing close by, couldn't agree more.

"I may not have great powers like you, but I could surely keep up", Yiannis suddenly reasoned out. Jacomus hit Yiannis with his elbow to shut him up.

"You are not one to speak ", Vesta smashed her labrys down that shook the ground as she glare at Yiannis even more. Yiannis hid behind Jacomus after seeing the Paladin Crusader become furiously agitated.

Stellan creased his brows at the vexed crusader. He have seen Haelan's inability to draw a sword before. When he trained the new Paladin last time, he was completely in awe with Haelan's footwork, and yet, he was devastatingly disappointed with how Haelan poorly held up a sword. As a matter of fact, he's still puzzled why Haelan gave his energy sword to Galen when he could readily kill the mystic healer on his own. "I know what I'm doing", he irritatingly said.

As for Lord Harlan, he trusts Stellan's ways, for he knows that the Paladin Knight would not do something unreasonable. "Let the Paladin Knight do what he wants", Lord Harlan said.

While the Paladins argue, Jacomus noticed Haelan looking unsteady. Her eyes were hanging down limply as she seem to struggle to stand on her both feet. "Hae.. Haelan? Are you alright?", he stuttered as he see Haelan who's lightly swaying side to side.

"I don't think he look good", Atrius worriedly said to Stellan.

When Stellan turned around, his mind went completely blank whe he saw Haelan about to fall on the ground. His heart terribly raced as he worriedly reached for Haelan. Alesso was about to rush over, yet Stellan was nearer and quicker to catch her. He held the tiny Paladin in his arms and blocked the raindrops that flood her face. "I guess we won't have to continue for now", Stellan said as Alesso kneel down to check on Haelan.

"His manna isn't dangerously low. He's just tired", Alesso said as Stellan stood up carrying Haelan. Her body is so thin that he carried her so easily. Atrius and Jacomus offered a hand, yet Stellan ignored the two as he bring Haelan back in Brandenburg.

"We'll work on his endurance tomorrow. No Paladin is this weak", Vesta said as she follow.

"Let's not push him too hard. We'll continue as soon as he have regained his strenght", Lord Harlan said as he notice a white falcon flew to the chancery window.

They all decided to go back in, and went on seperate ways, except for Lady Vesta who chose to ride back to Aria. The lords, together with Alesso, hurriedly went to the chancery to see the urgent message brought about by the King's falcon.

As for Stellan, he made his way to the academy infirmary to have Haelan treated after passing out. He told Jacomus and the other warriors to go back to their chambers and wait for Haelan as soon as the new Paladin have recuperated from her wounds.

While on his way to the infirmary, Stellan dragged his soaked boots through the corridors. He have faced so many dangers in his life, yet his heart never raced this much for a single person. When he noticed Haelan's eyes peeking and then tightly shutting back in, he stopped in the middle of the hallway and sighed deeply. "No one's here, so you can cut the act", he softly whispered.

Haelan opened her eyes and beamed a smile. She thought, of all the people in the training grounds who could carry her, why does it have to be Stellan? She hopped down from Stellan's arms and heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry for the trouble, Sir Stellan", she said with a bow.

"I knew you were faking it", Stellan said as he brush his wet hair back with his fingers.

"I wasn't! I literally hurt everywhere", Haelan said as she shook her head, when in fact, she really pretended that she lost consciousness so she can escape the swordfight.

"Looks like you can fight now, I'm down", Stellan pulled out his sword a little as the blade send off a bright golden yellow glow.

"Ohhh, it hurts.. ohhh..", Haelan groaned as she clasp her arm tightly. "Sir Stellan, I think I'm going to lose consciousness again, I should go to the infirmary. Don't follow me!", she said as she walked limply half way to the infirmary.

Stellan swiftly grabbed her by the arm and pushed her against the wall as he held her close. He place his palm on the wall while he lock his gaze on Haelan's gray eyes. "Si..Sir?", Haelan stuttered as she feel terribly uneasy.

Stellan lowered his face as he reach for Haelan's face. He breathe her heartwarming scent that make him lose his mind. Then, he let go of Haelan as he step away from her. "Go to the infirmary, make sure you get your wounds treated.", he said as he sauntered out. Haelan deeply sighed as she couldn't be more certain with Stellan's mixed signals. One day he's distant, then the next he's too pleasantly open. Either way, Haelan thought that she shouldn't give herself false hopes, especially to a man who can never be hers.

MEANWHILE, in the Chancery

Lords Harlan and Callaghan were served with a pot of mulberry tea with chamomile as the servants put more firewood in the hearth to warm up the room. The constant heavy rains seemed neverending, while the cold creeps under the skin. Despite the nuisance that the rain brings to the training and the kingdom's crops, it somewhat give them peace for the mystic healers wouldn't dare attack.

"Harlan, I don't know what you're thinking but it seems to me, the new Paladin is quite special", Lord Callaghan said as he pat the King's white falcon on the head. "Did you saw how he played with the wind? I'm sure it's one of Tris' expertise", he remembered.

"He's in Brandenburg, Callaghan. If he's a soul traveler, he wouldn't get in the walls", Lord Harlan said. Then suddenly, something strike him that made him somewhat have doubts. "A knight with a sword, an archer, a crusader with a labrys, and a Paladin with a sceptre.. This kingdom is surely blessed. What are you thinking?", he asked Callaghan who seemed distraught.

"I've been thinking, who could possibly taught Haelan such strategy? I don't know anyone that good in Greco.", Lord Callaghan said as he sip his tea. He then took the tiny scroll from the falcon's leg.

"I'll have some scholars to investigate on that matter. For now, let Stellan train him more", Lord Harlan said.

"Better yet, keep an eye on him and find more of his powers soon.", Lord Callaghan said as he read the message from the King. Alesso then came in wearing a black leather brocade and furcoat. "The King demands Haelan in less than three days", he said as he put down the letter on the table. "He won't meet Haelan until then", he said as he clicked his tongue. "The King didn't even bothered to personally thank the man who saved his only son, how insensitively peculiar", Lord Callaghan said as Alesso sat beside him.

"That's because, Galen is not the the real son of King Silvius", Alesso lifted his brows at the lord who's felt bad for Galen.

"Surely, but I still hope that he would at least give him an ounce of compassion. The boy have been trying all his life for the King to see him. They adopted him after all", Lord Callaghan said as he write a reply on the scroll, then he slid it back on the the falcon's leg.

"Anyway, Alesso, before you go back to Beorg, please give this to Yereah. She'll know what to do", Lord Harlan said as he handed the archer a small pouch.

"Take Stellan with you, the King wanted to see him", Lord Callaghan said.