95 That’s Us

After Lord Harlan's body was taken away, Alesso roamed the academy to leave no stone unturned. He stumbled upon the open doors of the library and saw how it was a complete mess. As Alesso gandered at the room of the scriptures, he went over the several books scattered on the floor, and a cauldron of wax left used. At first he thought it was just a common scene for scholars burying themselves in their studies. But then, he noticed that the books were about maps, and making apotropaic candles and spells - something that only scholars from the palace do. He grabbed a few candles on the table and thought they were non-powered. "They were making candles.. but they failed", he said as he sniff the candles that smelled like sulfur. As he went over the table, he spotted a paper with random words such as Caluso, scepter, and crest. He then left the room and walked the hallways. Afterwards, Alesso come upon Lord Harlan's bedchamber at the end of the hall. He was surprised with the disheveled condition of the room giving off a vibe where an intense fight took place. He hardened his jaw when he saw black dusts all over the walls. "Lord Harlan was attacked here. But why did he ended up dead on the stairway?", he uttered. Then, he proceeded on the next door - Lord Callaghan's bedchamber. However, it was locked. As he wander in the corridor, he noticed swirls of dusts on the floor. The paintings on the walls were also askew, as if a typhoon passed the hallway. As the paladin archer walk pass, he noticed the areas blown by the explosives through the windows. "It was a diversion", he figured that the explosions weren't meant to destroy Brandenburg, hence, it was done for attention. He continued to roam around until he was back to the stairway where Lord Harlan was murdered. Standing mid-stairs, he squinted his eyes at the spaces where blood didn't shattered. There were no black dusts nor acrid aromas that the mystic healers give off. "There were at least three people here", he uttered. As he was summing up his thoughts, he heard footsteps coming forth.

"The travelers are on the move. We just met one on our way here.", Vesta told Alesso. The paladin archer hurried down the stairs to meet Vesta.

"What happened?", Alesso asked.

"We're just been warned. She said death comes to the bloodline who murdered the travelers in the Holy War.", she answered.

"That's us", Alesso thought. During the war between the palace and soul travelers, Lord Nero of Hesam (Stellan's father), Lady Octavia of Aria (Vesta's mother), and Lord Axis of the Beourg Mountains (Alesso's Uncle) headed the battalions that caused the bloodbath of many soul travelers.

"What's this?", Vesta asked as she notice the blood on the stairway.

"We just lost Lord Harlan. Lord Callaghan is preparing for the funeral", the paladin archer uttered as he led the way to the back of the Academy.

"Lord Harlan? Did the travelers did this?", Vesta asked as she followed Alesso.

"I already made a run through. Things just doesn't make sense", Alesso answered. As the pair of paladin reached the quadrangle at the back of Brandenburg, they saw dozens of knights receiving instructions from General Rowan who seemed infuriated.

"We won't allow this kind of rebellion! This is nothing but treachery and dishonor to the royalty!!", General Rowan, who's in his usual brass armor, said as he walk back and forth in front of the palace knights. "Men of honor! I want all eyes on Haelan, Atrius, Jacomus, and Ottis!! They are all murderers, arsonists and thieves!", he said while a scholar, who's shaking like a leaf, give out some posters among the knights. They contain the drawn faces of the criminals that the Kingdom wanted dead or alive. "They have a priest with them, his name Umbriel", he revealed. "I want them all dead. But, I want the new paladin alive.", he said as he grunted. "Let's save the priest!!", he said as the knights shouted angrily in unison.

After the scholar gave each knight a wanted-for-criminals poster, Alesso took one before he let the scholar leave. He stared at each warrior on the paper. "Unbelievable", he said.

General Rowan dismissed the knights as he leave the quad. Alesso, who couldn't believe what he just heard approached the general. "Haelan? I thought he have left for the palace this early morn?", Alesso said as he showed the paper with Haelan's face.

"That's what everyone thought. But look what he have done! He killed Lord Harlan and even abducted a priest! He has no conscience!", General Rowan answered with so much anger.

"Do we have witnesses? How sure are we that they did those?", Vesta asked.

"I don't think Haelan could do such thing", Alesso uttered positively as he scanned the spatters of blood on the general's armor.

"Then ask the dead body of Harlan", General Rowan said as he make his way between the paladins bumping their shoulders.

"I'd like to make an investigation", Alesso blurted out that halted the general. "Something you refused to be done at the Holy Land", he said.

"Investigation?", Rowan looked back with creased brows.

"We are heavily accusing our warriors of severe crimes without witnesses. They have the right to answer these allegations or prove us wrong, and it is our duty to protect them as one of ours. Besides, they are still considered innocent unless proven guilty.", Alesso explained.

"There's a headless man inside the academy of warriors and you expect me to be civilized?", General Rowan mocked the paladin archer who have hit the General's sensitive nerve.

"I expect you to be lawful and just", Alesso continued as he insist what he aim. Vesta stood aside as she exchange glances on the two towering men.

"I am the General of this Kingdom. You're just one of my warriors.", General Rowan said as he meet the eyes of the paladin archer. "Follow my orders, boy", he said.

"I am a Paladin. I'm not just any other warrior", Alesso said without breaking eye contact.

"Enough!", Vesta shouted as he seperated the two. "Alesso, I said enough", she said at her friend who have no plans of backing down against their superior. "What's wrong with you?", she uttered softly. She has no idea why Alesso has been acting aggressive towards their superior.

"Down, boy.", General Rowan lifted his brows at the paladin archer. "Now, go find me those criminals before you end up like Harlan", he said with a smirk.