83 Part of the Plan

Haelan couldn't hardly believe that her plan worked. If not for Agalea's power of time, Atrius and her wouldn't be able to retrieve her hilt and break loose from General Rowan alive. In fact, Haelan felt lucky that despite she's new from using such power, she managed to reverse time impeccably.

In the middle of the chaos, the pair hurriedly break out of Brandenburg easily. Keeping their hoods over their heads, they concealed their identities as they blend in the tumultuous rabble. Scurrying their way out, Atrius led the way to Achelous - their rendezvous for Jac with the map.

As they approach Brandenburg's access to the river, Atrius stopped when he noticed Haelan slowing down. He looked back and was caught by surprise. "Haelan are you alright?", Atrius rushed back to her and brushed the blood trickling down from her nose. 

With knees trembling and in a huff and puff, Haelan wiped the blood with the back of her hand. "It's nothing... let's go", she shrugged it off as she force a smile. Haelan realized that using Agalea's powers also take a great toll on her body. She refused to waste another vial, believing that when they reach the rivers, the danger will be over.

Atrius gave Haelan the scepter and helped her up to aid her in strolling. They trudged carefully on the rocks until they reach the riverside. With Jac still nowhere to be found, Atrius rested Haelan on one of the boulders while he look for the canoe that he prepared early on. Peering in the bushes, he found one as he drag the wooden canoe with all his might. While he was wrapped with pulling out their keelless water ride, Haelan walked herself slowly to the river and dipped her hand in the water. "Kel..pie", she weakly summoned the water spirits. Her friendly river god eagerly answered to her call as the water immediately rise. The current of the waters became more powerful as Kelpie surfaces. 

"This is the fastest way out", Haelan looked back at Atrius who's glowing in sweat after pulling the canoe nearest to the water. 

"I.. I'm not sure about that", Atrius squinted his eyes as he hesitate to ride the river horses. He fears that these river gods could effortlessly drown him at the bottom of the riverbeds if they would want to. " Also, we can't leave Jac, he got the map", Atrius added. "He should be here", he said with a long neck looking back.

Haelan walked through the river, as the water magically carried her to ride the back of Kelpie. "I owe you, again and again", she said as she run her fingers on Kelpie's water mane. 

Not too long, they heard the ground grumbling and some metals clanking. They scanned the area with their eyes until three men appeared running frantically.

"INCOMING!!!", Jacomus yelled as he arrive superbly late. Chased by a dozen of palace knights, his entrance is definitely one of a kind and totally extra. Jac sprinted like bolt with two familiar men on his sides - one in brown cassock, and the other in cream shirt and grey trousers. 

"Looks like he got company.", Haelan shook her head with a smile at the peril chasing Jac. Of all the people being chased, only Jac has a smile on his face who seemed like he's enjoying being in such situation. 

"I think, we should've left him instead", Atrius sighed loudly as he watch Jac scamper from the palace knights. "Isn't that...", he thought as he squinted his eyes on Jac's escorts.

"Ottis and Umbriel. They're part of your plan?", Haelan asked as the men draw near. In a few meters, the palace knights, with their drawn swords, are about reach the escapees. 

"A little help here!", Ottis shouted as his legs start to get tired. Umbriel almost tripped when Ottis caught him by his arm. "Run priest!", he said.

"Kelpie, would you like to play with some water?", she asked. After that, the water rise up like a tornadic waterspout above the water surface. In a perfect time, the water splurged towards the palace knights washing them away. Finally, Jacomus, Ottis and Umbriel freely ran towards the riverside with impunity.

"Jac, what's this?! Why the hell is Ottis with you?", Atrius asked as he confront Jacomus. After the training, Atrius left no amount of trust for Ottis.

"Pleasure to see you too, mate", Ottis greeted as he pant heavily on his knees. 

"I told you to bring the map, not bring a thug along", Atrius said with creased brows.

"Oh sweetheart, don't break my heart. I don't like to be dragged in here too, trust me. It's better in the cell, than a sword on my neck", Ottis said as he cough tirelessly.

"You asked for the map, he is the map!", Jacomus yelled at Atrius' face as he grab his collar. "You don't know what I've been through just to get him out of that damned cellar", he continued to breathe heavily as he let go of Atrius. 

"Looks like I'm the one who matters in this group", Ottis lifted his brows at Atrius.

"If you mess up with us, I'll kill you myself", Atrius warned with his hand on his sword.

"I don't think we have much choice", Haelan said as she meet Ottis' eyes with worry. "And Umbriel? Why is he with you?", she asked as she look at Umbriel shaking like a leaf. She noticed that the young priest have blood on the hem of his cassock, thinking that he might got hurt. Umbriel kept mum with his head down as he wrap his arms around his chest.

"He's a witness to a manslaughter, might as well tag him along for his safety", Jac said as he make a side-eye to Umbriel. 

"Time's up for the chitchat", Ottis nodded towards the palace knights who are back on their feet for the chase. 

"Quick! Hop on the river horses", Haelan suggested as three river horses rose above. Jac hastily rode one of the horses, with no fears and doubts. On the other hand, Atrius had second thoughts, but eventually, he agreed and rode the other. 

"Let's go, Umbriel", Jacomus beckoned Umbriel who's positively reluctant to join. 

"Three? Where am I suppose to ride?", Ottis scoffed at the mockery of the river god. 

"I.. don't know if I.. could do this", Umbriel said tearfully as he clasp his hands together in panic. Traumatized with the sight of Lord Harlan's assassination, never in his wildest dreams that he also wished to be targeted by the palace knights. And as a priest, his life has been devoted in reading scriptures, writing histories and praying in the chapel. "Mayb-be if I promise.. to k-keep.. m-my mouth shut, th-they w-would.. cut m-me loose", he stuttered as he make a difficult choice where to go.

"Umbriel, we can't leave you here. They will kill you on the spot", Jac affirmed.

"You can ride with me, Umbriel", Haelan smiled as she extend her hand to the scared priest. She hoped he would accept immediately, for the palace knights are about to reach the riverside any moment now. 

Before Umbriel could accept her offer, Ottis, who have grown impatient, shove Umbriel in the wooden canoe and pushed its deck towards the river. Then, he hopped in as soon as the canoe floated in the water. He was very concerned for his life if he chooses to ride with the river gods. Besides, in reassuring his safety, Ottis ought to believe that if Umbriel rides with him, Haelan wouldn't let anything happen with the boat.

By the time the palace knights reach the riverside, Haelan and her friends have already drifted downriver - slipping through the fingers of the Kingdom's elite swordsmen.