16 Who’s That Boy?

"That is more like it", Vesta nodded with approval as she was impressed with the challenge.

"I walked on the river water during my time", Alesso whistled a happy tune.

"I stopped the rapids", Stellan replied. "...for him to walk on the river. I had to, because the winning team should have a complete number of members from start to finish", he added crossing his steel arms. Alesso let out a soft sigh.

"And so, aside from being quick, it should be a teamwork? Will they ever realize?", Vesta wondered as she watch the participants run carelessly one by one.

Trying so hard to hang on the boulders as they hurriedly move forward, each of Haelan's team were overwhelmed as the current flutter. Their bodies slowly submerge in the deepening water. The other team swam fast individually before the blunder, hoping to get nearer the beds before they face the wrath of the spirits of the river. Haelan tried to control the waters, however the presence of the river spirits were too overpowering. She thought hard on what to do, swimming away may not be the only way to go through. They are a team for a reason, and so ,she thought they should work together. "Hold arms!", Haelan yelled at her team to make sure they won't miss a member in the upcoming stronger gush of river stream. With no other choice, she held onto Ottis. The nine men and Haelan linked arm in arm with grip so tight and legs of might. Then, as much as they can endure, they braced themselves and held on tight, a tough job that's hard to secure. 

"Who's that boy?", Lord Harlan asked Umbriel who just arrived at their side of the river.

Umbriel checked his scroll and then uttered, "He.. he is.. he is the nephew of Tobias of Greco, my lord". Fascinated, Lord Harlan smirked and watched how the tiny participant led the team. He squirmed at his aching right knee as he struggle standing on his both feet.

Faster and stronger they go, the river spirits have one goal - to flush all the men down, and drown the life out of their form. And so the inevitable arrived, the spirits of the river gushed at them and it's not a beautiful sight. The upper team were spruced up like washed out fall foliage - some were flushed away, while some were dreadfully caught up onto some boulders.

Just in time, Haelan's team stood still behind the great boulders. Keeping their stance as the river spirits come across them, they held on to each other like a team in a hive. Some tried to make an energy barrier to keep them from drowning, in aid for non-swimmers to survive. With water depth increasing up to their necks, their faces plastered worry and frowns. In an instant, they immersed underwater and slid a few meters down. The team hit on an expanded boulder river, and strongfully anchored themselves along the hurtful splashes of waters. Haelan held on greatly on the rocks where her body hit heavily, then she felt Ottis grabbed her onto safety. Sensing the river spirits downriver, Haelan tried to make use of her powers to lessen the strength of the current. Luckily, her water magic started to work a little. Upbeat and struggling for she is short, Haelan refused to hold onto Ottis longer, and instead, she climbed up the boulder to see more. From there, Haelan could see that the riverside is just up ahead. There were at least four men from the other team hanging on for their lives who were also quite near. 

Then, Haelan thought of a plan, walk in sync along the boulders as she calm down the waters. "Climb on! Let's walk on the rocks!", Haelan shouted. Each member climbed up the boulders. Jac led the men forward, while Haelan controlled the waters as much as she can. As they reach the end of the walkable sediments, they hopped back down the river one at at time. With Haelan's magic, the water current became bearable and the depth lowered enough for each of them to pass through. Farther they went hand in hand, the team trudged closer to the beds. 

Breathless and weakened from magic use, Haelan's powers started to worn out as she feel her legs exhaust. The waters rose again up to their waists, then back to their chests as they wade their legs. One by one, Haelan's team reach the riverbed until it's down to the last two. The Lords watched on their toes. The winning team should have ten members, or not one will pass. The Paladins were quite impressed, with eyes locked on Haelan who gave them quite a show. 

"This is interesting", Vesta uttered in annoyance. "After all Tiny's hardwork, it seemed like he'll be left out", she said as she look at Haelan and Ottis who were struggling at the rear end. 

"He'll get through", Alesso reassured while the breathless bruised men drag their drenched bodies on the cold rocks of the riverside. 

"Still not giving up on that bet?", Stellan told Alesso as they watch Haelan struggle in the water. 

In the aggressive depths of the flowing river, Haelan remained still as she hold on to a rock formation - a few more steps and she's out of the waters. Following Ottis, Haelan was about to move when she felt something clung on her leg. When she look back, she saw the man in mauve vest from the other team, who came out from the surface running out of his breath. "Don't leave me!", he painstakingly plead. Out of shock, Haelan jump towards Ottis and held on his arm. 

"Kick him away!", Ottis told Haelan as the man started dragging them away.

Haelan can't do that for all the right reason. She'll more likely put the man first in a safe position. While she's taking too long to decide, Ottis had a wild idea as he confide. "Goodbye, squirrel", he said as he let go of Haelan, watching her get washed away down the river. Ottis then took all his might to reach the riverside. Crawling on basalt and schist, Ottis laid down catching his breath. 

"I'll be damned", Vesta smirked at the turn of events. "Heroes never win" she said.

"What the hell, man?", Jac surprisingly run towards the river as he look for Haelan. "That was not cool", he worriedly as he scratched the back oh his head.

The Lords gasped in shock as they watch such unbelievable act. Alesso clasped his fist as he seethed through his teeth. "You need one more participant so all of you could pass this test, moron!", Alesso said.

"Looks like we won't have new warriors this season", Stellan blandly uttered.

The participants looked out the river and tried to look for one more member. Ottis then sat on the riverside, with regret and exasperation. Meanwhile, upriver, there's another man, tired and weary as he hang on for his life. As soon as he go noticed, all nine participants shouted.

"Move here, stupid ass!", Ottis said as he gritted his teeth. The tired man is unsure if he could make it on his feet. Furious and irritated, Ottis said, "When you get here, I'm going to beat you like a pulp. Come on!! ".

The man jumped in the water and tried to swim. He tried to reached for Ottis' hand but then he slip. "No no no!!!!", Ottis widened his eyes as he stare in terror. There goes their chance as they all watch the man get swept away downriver.

With only nine members who made it on the shore, Lord Callahan sadly said, "Looks like Stellan's right. There will be no squires to train this season".

"Your bet almost made it", Stellan said as he turn his back.

"Why are you always impatient?", Alesso replied as he saw something coming from downriver. He chuckled lowly and held Lord Harlan's shoulder. "There's your tenth participant.", Alesso said as they all watch Haelan riding Kelpie, the red-eyed god of the horse river spirits.

Everyone watched to their surprise, even the Lords couldn't believe their eyes. For centuries, Kelpie has been known as an evil colt. Anyone who cross his river, he'll drag their bodies down to the bottom. Yet here he is, helping a man as he safely take Haelan to the cold rocky ground.

The red eyed god of the river spirit looked at Haelan, who's gasping for air as she bow her head down to her saviour. "You did well", Haelan whispered as she catch her breath.

"Unbelievable", Stellan's brows furrowed in disbelief. "That river spirit is cold and mean", he said as Kelpie splashed cold water on him before going back to the stream. "See! See?", he said as Alesso and Vesta tried to hide their laugh at Kelpie's foe.

Drenched and exhausted, Haelan stood on her feet as she meet the participants in awe. As she walk by, she come across Ottis. "Squirrels are good swimmers", Haelan told Ottis as she gave him a side eye, while the rest of the exhausted team cheered for her epic arrival.

"Squirrels are the best", Jac said as he run his large palm on Haelan's hair. "We can be bestfriends, squirrel", he said with a very wide smile.

"And now we got ten", Lord Callaghan said as flick his hand at the scholars. The scholars immediately gave the change of clothes for the participants and helped them warm up for the next test. For obvious reasons, Haelan just changed her coat for warmth. She felt eyes focused on her so she kept hidden behind Jac.

Indeed, the Lords couldn't help but look at Haelan who they were starting to favor, especially Alesso who made bets. Stellan on the other hand raised his curiosity on how such a mere squire could tame a beast like Kelpie. 

"Congratulations, Men of Honor.", Umbriel said. "We'll now continue the tests because there's three more.", he added without further ado. "In front of you is not an ordinary forest. Your task today is to fight your demons and you have an hour to go through this. For the ones who can make it, they will meet you at the foot of the mountains", Umbriel said as the Lords and the Paladins went in first.

"They?", Ottis asked.

"We can't pass this place.", Umbriel said with a nervous smile. "Dry yourselves. Your time will start, as soon as you step inside.", he added.

The Lords were about to enter the forest, when a low voice of a participant asked a question. "Wait, are we still on teams?", a man in carmine surcoat with ornated trims asked. The emblem on his coat define his status as a son of a royal heir, a name he couldn't bear.

"No, Atrius of Vierme", Harlan answered.

"I am of Nether my Lord.", Atrius respectfully replied.

"Hmm..", Harlan creased his brows as he wonder. "I am certain that emblem of the sands on your surcoat is of King Desmun of Vierme, is it not?", he asked.

"King Desmun? I thought he has an only child, a daughter betrothed to a great knight. Isn't it, Stellan?", Alesso asked as he made a side eye to the seemingly annoyed friend. The said princess is set to marry the Paladin knight of Hesam.

Haelan felt a tingle in her heart as she bit her lip. 'He's getting married...', she thought in her head. As she take a brief hurried look at Stellan, she was startled to meet his eyes which were already pinned on her.

"What I heard, the King of the sands have an illegitimate son he chose to be a successor", Stellan replied dryly. He then shifted his gaze towards Alesso. "As for the wedding, you're not invited", he said as the archer grinned.

"My father is a humble gatherer of lumber from Nether, Sir Stellan. While my mother is a loving wife and a baker", Atrius uttered with hardened jaw.

"Is that so?", Stellan replied.

"Such a shame for the King not to have the son he have always wanted. The Kingdom of Vierme would've found a great protector in you", Lord Callaghan said.

"Looks like the King got busy", Alesso whispered to Vesta.

"Betrothed to Stellan? Reallly? Again? What's in that man?!", Vesta replied so loud that Stellan can hear. Stellan could just grunt at the two.

"Maybe something you saw, too", Alesso jokingly said as he get smacked in the head by the blonde henchwoman.

"Well… Vierme does have great men. Greco is in Vierme too, is it not?", Lord Callaghan assumed as he refer to the acts of leadership and bravery the nephew of Tobias of Greco have shown, especially the powers he possessed and performed.

"I think they are talking about you now, Haelan. Greco is in Vierme, eh?", Jac elbowed Haelan who's dumbfounded about the places being mentioned.

"You think so?", having no idea where Greco or Vierme is, she just slowly nodded in approval. Haelan avoided to meet the Paladins gazes as she move behind Ottis.

"Goodluck", Alesso said directly to Haelan. "We look forward to your presence", he said with a smile.

Lord Callaghan made a quick eye-to-eye glance at Umbriel for the test to proceed. "If there's no any more concerns, let's start the test", Umbriel said as he made a way to the forest.

Haelan watched the Lords and the Paladins disappear in the dark and misty forest. It seems to her, it is protected by a field of power. When the ten remaining men were all ready, they all lined up and went inside anticipating all the possible dangers there is. As Haelan set foot on the moist ground of the mysterious forest, she noticed that the other men she went in with were instantly gone. Alone, she just went on, until she realized her powers aren't working. She couldn't sense anyone, not the wind or water to answer her calls. "This place looks like it disables our powers..", Haelan said as she look back at the energy walls.