37 Smart Lad
"I thought you'll never ask", Lord Harlan curved his lips at Haelan's delayed curiosity to ask about the staff. He thought, Haelan didn't care about it so much, that she even agreed to leave the staff in his care.
"I was unsure if I needed to know", Haelan replied.
"What are your thoughts about it, Haelan? I'm curious to know", Lord Callaghan ask as he squint his eyes to Haelan.
"Everyone else got swords and bows. Umbriel told me about someone picking up a staff from the chest, a woman shockingly. but.. it was never clear to me why a woman from Caluso would be in Brandenburg and have the privilege to open the chest", Haelan said without breaking eye contact.
"So you have heard", Lord Harlan said. "She was amazing in all ways. She had the brightest grey eyes, similar to yours.", he added as he tap his temple.
"An apparent resemblance that could make the King's knees tremble", Lord Callaghan smirked as he exhale sharply.
"You said WAS. Is she dead?", Haelan asked.
"She disappeared, like a cloud driven by the wind. After the altercation between soul travelers and warriors, Tris disappeared among all other people of her kind" Lord Callaghan replied.
"Tris was not a part of Brandenburg. She somewhat served Prince Silvius at that time as an advisor and personal healer. Along with Prince Silvius and his favorite companion, they set foot in Brandenburg to meet the new warriors.", Lord Harlan narrated. "Prince Silvius and Tris were roaming around when they come upon the chest. Out of curiosity, Silvius opened the chest and pulled a sword with a dragon hilt.", Lord Harlan continued. Haelan gaped at the lord's narration. She wondered if the dragon hilt that she has is the same as the King Silvius' sword that was pulled from the chest. Hence, if it is, the mystery remains why she have the King's sword and why is it bladeless.
"It was his first sword.", Lord Harlan continued. He started his combat training from then. Then, Tris decided to open the chest too. To our surprise, she picked out something from the chest. You wouldn't imagine our faces when she pulled out a black rod of a sceptre from that box. Brandenburg was thrilled, while the King was very concerned.", Lord Harlan said.
"Through that staff, Tris was able to channel her exceptionally great powers as a healer soul traveler. She was recognized as a Celestial healer, a healer soul traveler who was the strongest of her kind as she could control the power of the earth, wind and sky. She became a personal defender of the prince, as they have trained together… until they have shared something special.", Lord Callaghan said.
"A defender? I thought soul travelers aren't allowed to fight?", Haelan asked. She figured that Tris and King Silvius were former lovers, but still the King ended up marrying Queen Isavelle. What a savage love story, she thought.
"As long as no blood will shed, the healer soul traveler will be fine", Lord Callaghan explained.
"Haelan", Lord Harlan sat at the edge of his seat. "The first time a person found a sceptre from the chest, big and horrible things started to happen. Now that someone took out another sceptre, by a Potential Paladin warrior with eyes of the King's first love, don't you think we all wouldn't worry about it?", Lord Harlan said. "The palace will be alarmed, and your safety is uncertain", he added.
"You're afraid that I may be the knight in the prophecy?", Haelan figured. "That's why you're insisting Stellan to be my personal mentor? To keep your eyes on me?", she asked.
"Smart lad", Lord Harlan said. "My question is.. are you?", Lord Harlan asked as he leave Haelan stare in a complete daze. However, Haelan know for a fact that she isn't the one they are thinking about. She came to Nether for no apparent grudge. And soon, she will go back to Aelmere leave everyone else behind. Haelan kept thinking what the staff is of significance with her. She averted her gaze out the window as she ponder on her thoughts. Haelan realized that she could be a Celestial Healer like Tris, and definitely not the knight that would bring chaos as believed in the prophecy. She can't help but assume that Tris could be her mother, Beatrice. And, could it also be that the sword handle that she has is the King's?
It was a long road back to Brandenburg as the lords watch Haelan's eyes glisten in the moonlight - worried if the boy in front of them brought along chaos to the kingdom or a great paladin to protect each one.
MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE PALACE
After the oath taking and Haelan's proclammation as a new protector of the kingdom, instead of seeing his son or drinking with the palace nobles, the King went out to the palace balcony drowning in his tragic memories as he gaze on the breathtaking night view of the kingdom.
Then, he heard metal clanking footsteps approaching him. Without looking, he immediately recognized the knight who stopped a few meters from him. "Report", the King ordered as he stood by the balustrade.
"My men just returned. Five villages were attacked as we speak, Your Highness. Vesta and the crusaders are still on guard, while Alesso and his archers are still on the run within the borders", General Rowan said.
The King grunted about the dangers of the mysterious unseen enemy forces. Despite having the kingdom heavily guarded, innocent people are still hunted and the lands are being rummaged unendingly. "Have you visited Caluso?", King Silvius asked.
"Yes, your highness. I just came back this evening, Argus is still frozen in the deep snow of the mountains", General Rowan claimed. "There is no way that bastard is ravaging our peaceful lands", he said.
"Then who could the offenders be? Who attacked Galen and Evandrus? Who killed my people? Who murdered my priests? Who is destroying my kingdom!!", The angered and frustrated King shouted with his eyes full of rage at his most trusted General.
"Just some random healer soul travelers, maybe, my King?", General Rowan answered with a hypothetical guess.
"Healer soul travelers do not just float or hide in a cloak, General", the King clenched his teeth.
"I apologize my King. Me and my men will never stop until we find who's doing all these", General Rowan humbly said.
"Father..", Prince Galen said as he and Queen Isavelle draw nearer the head of the royalty. "I survived. Yet I haven't seen a strand of your hair, not even your shadow", he said.
"Leave us, General", King Silvius ordered as he glance at his only son. General Rowan instantly left the balcony, as he bow to the Queen. "A lucky bastard that you are, Galen", King Silvius greeted his son.
Galen hardened his jaw on his father's unlikely remark. Queen Isavelle could only feel outrageously heartbroken for his unloved son.
"What? Do you want to fall in my arms or perhaps a kiss on the cheek?", King Silvius asked. "Just be thankful that you survived, and that I agreed to your mother's horrible plan of celebrating even if it is ironic to drink and eat when tenfold of my people die as we speak", he said. Galen clutched his fist hearing his Father's wounding words that hurts his heart. He tried so hard not to look affected, yet he could feel his face warming up in sadness.
"My King, please do not be unpleasantly rough with Galen. Our son just woke up. Aren't we supposed to be happy about that?", Queen Isavelle clung on the arm of the King.
"He is not my son", King Silvius walked out as he drag his feet leaving Prince Galen and Queen Isavelle in the balcony.
"Don't worry, Galen. Like I always tell you, when you find the woman with the crest, she will be your destiny to gain the love of your father", Queen Isavelle said as she comfort his beloved son in her arms. Galen stood tall as he watch his Father walk away.