25 With Flecks of Green

HAELAN'S POV

The night succumbed to the darkness as the moon completely rose above. The corridors became gloomy, with no noise resonating, not even a soft sound. For hours, I kept hidden nearby the library.. waiting for Umbriel to get out. I was almost half asleep when the young priest depart. Then as quiet as a mouse, I went to the arched door as I must.

I called the wind to move the locks of the doors and help me enter the restricted room. Heaving a soft sigh, I went in and leaned back as I close the heavy door. Then I was stunned at the room for I didn't expected. The library has merely hundreds of books displayed on several book cases.

With the moonlight shining through the six large stoned partially draped windows with colored glass, I could see at least six tall shelves full of books with dusts. I tied the window drapes to the sides so I can see clearly. The walls holds more books up to the ceiling. I wonder if I could find the book that I'm searching.

I wandered around and scanned the books that were properly arranged on the wooden shelves with twisted spindles on the sides. There were no labels as guide about the books' topics per bookcase, and they all look alike. I took some tomes and opened one. To my surprise, I saw zero.. as in none! I took another one, and then another, yet still I got empty pages, not even one letter. "Why are these books empty?", I uttered.

"Wandering at this time of the night?", a voice in the dark spoke. I was so focused on the books, I didn't sensed energies coming forth.

I panicked a little and dropped the books. "I.. I was just..", picking them up quickly as I sense such familiar warm energy that made me feel somehow … secured. Of all the people who'd catch me sneaking, why does it have to be this Paladin?

"Do you know why you can't see the letters on the books?", he said as his footsteps draw nearer. "It's because.. you do not belong here", he said as he walk towards the moonlight.

"As far as I can see, I am alive and I have passed each and every test, Sir Stellan", I said as I put back the empty books on the shelves. I tried to look calm but my hands trembled in nervousness.

"Passed?", he smirked. "You didn't. The egg was supposed to be cooked. You broke it and let it flew. You are supposed to walk on water, not hitch a ride on Kelpie. I don't know what you did on Oizys but, her transformation is boring. And please, the chimera should be dead, and it's not a pet", he said with his hands in his pockets.

"You are not one to speak.", I hardened my jaw at this man's mockery. I'm confused on how this raccoon's presence seems to be warm around me, and yet his tongue is as sharp as the blade that he wields. I faced Stellan as soon as I returned the books on the shelves.

"I say.. you do not belong here. And as the Paladin Knight of Hesam, I will be watching you", Stellan said as he walk towards me.. I find his voice apprehensive, but his presence is surely unthreatening. Or am I mistaken? How could this man get a type of judgment that supports a King who murdered all soul travelers? Or maybe, my father is right, not all are what they seem to be.

He drew nearer at a distance where I can feel his warmth. I was about to take a step back at the uncomfortable proximity, when all of a sudden, he grabbed my arm and pulled me behind the thick drapes of the colored glass windows. With the moon shining on his face, I could see his dark brown eyes glimmer. I certainly hoped that he wouldn't hear my chest pound as my heart race. Staring in a daze, I didn't realized he is this tall. I'll reach his shoulder if I stand on tiptoes. His high-bridge nose is close to perfect, and his sharp jawline with stubbles is too manly. Then, my eyes run down his lips. I gasped as I remember that kiss.

"What are you doing?", I said as I struggle to keep my eyes away from his.

"Quiet, if you don't want to get caught", he whispered with his hands tightly fixed on my arms. Why are my senses a bit cloudy around him?

Later, I sensed someone entering the library, walking around with quick tiny footsteps. "I left it around here, somewhere", I heard a voice who seems like Umbriel.

Listening closely, I noticed Stellan staring at me. "What?", I asked. "Never been this close to a man?", I whispered. "And why are you hiding too? Aren't you a Paladin?", I wondered. Stellan didn't let go of my arm and his eyes fixedly stared on my face.

"I didn't realized your eyes were grey", he suddenly said.

"With flecks of green, a friend said", I answered. Stellan continued to lock his gaze as he lowered his face a bit more. I could feel his breath that gave me butterflies in my belly.

"I see you now", his face became softer as I feel his heart beat.

"What?", I said with an open mouth. Can a Paladin know who am I?

"Nothing, I knew someone who had the same color.. but she's foreign", Stellan let go of my arms and walked out the drapes as soon as Umbriel left.

A woman. How many women are associated with this very daring man? He might be undeniably eye-catching, but, if I get caught lying, this knight may rip my head out. I snapped out of it and recalled what Freya told me - stay away from the Paladins.

I followed him out of the drapes. He was standing by the door as he wait. "I will be testing those short legs of yours tomorrow in the quadrangle. Make sure you show that you deserve your spot in Brandenburg. And I might help you with the books", he said as he leave the library.

THE NEXT DAY

I do not belong here.

That's what Stellan said. What does he mean? Does he know I'm a soul traveler or a woman under the armor? However, I need to read the books, for the answers that I seek about the stone are surely written there. But if I'm not from here, because I'm literally from Aelmere.. then, definitely, I would need someone to decipher the empty books. If based on Stellan's judgment, I failed the admission tests.. why would I pick up a staff from the chest? Was it me who deserve the staff or Agalea who's literally my behalf? Indeed, I am torn with so many mysteries and quests just to come home.

Last night, Stellan gave me a threat that kept me up all night. I should be out of his radar, and yet, what's happening is otherwise. After a few twists and turns on the bed, the sun have already peaked when I dozed off. If it wasn't for the complete silence in the room, I wouldn't wake up. I stood up only to realize, I'm late for the training and I am more than a dead meat for that damn Paladin.

I hurriedly washed my face and put on a clean set of clothes before heading out. I followed the sound men talking and their filthy smell who were already in the training grounds. In fact, I was the last squire to arrive in the quadrangle. Noticingly, there's a white line on the grass that seemed to go around the quadrangle. 'Must be part of the training', I thought.

The squires clamoured at the center of the quadrangle, under the morning sun. Gladly, the training haven't started. As I walk in, I saw Atrius waving at me with a big smile. I squeezed myself in between the muscly men until I reach Atrius and Jac.

"You're late", Atrius said.

"I know", I said with a nervous smile. As I look around, I caught a glimpse of Stellan who seemed to be already giving me an eye. Then I remembered his threat about testing me today. Looks like this Paladin wouldn't bend his words.

In a while, he walked upfront revealing his white chest-bared tunic and a pair of black trousers. He seemed not in the mood with the lines on his forehead. A little while, a scholar made the bells sound that silenced the quadrangle. Then, a cart of steel armors was pulled in.

"Today, you will run in three laps around the training grounds. Watch out for the white dust on the grass as your guide", Stellan shouted as he glance at each of us. "Gear up with your armors first and we'll start", he added as he point to the steel armors prepared on the side. "And… thanks to your tiny squire, you'll have an additional two more laps. Punishments will be given after 300 counts", Stellan ordered with an intimidating smirk. The crowd murmured curses and looked at me with a glower. So… this is how Stellan will punish me either from getting caught in the library… or for being late today for the training.

Eventfully, everyone grabbed their armors in no time. Since I'm short, I could hardly grab one for myself as I get caught in the middle of these rough men. As hard as I can, I pushed one to get a clear way to the armors. However, Yiannnis was too deliberate to bump my shoulders with his arm to which I fell on back on the ground.

"Oops, sorry", he sarcastically said with a grin as he move out.

I sighed as I fold my lips. I shrugged it off and stood back up on my both feet. Then I felt someone grabbed my shoulder from behind. "Here", Atrius said as he handed me a set of armor. It seemed like he took the liberty to find me the smallest gear I can wear which grately fit me. Jac, who was just beside him, helped me put on the steel body covers. At some point, I thought having brothers ain't that bad.

"On your feet!", Stellan said as we all gathered on one side. Covered in metal from neck to toe, I sighed with much anticipation. We positioned ourselves as we start to run on our steel feet. I was thinking, knowing that I'm small and light, running around in complete steel armor might not be that much of a difficulty.

"Go!", Stellan shouted as the run began. He started counting from one. Most started quickly in a rush. I, on the other hand, kept my agility in moderate - saving my energy for last. Running in circles in one.. two.. three laps, I gasped for air slowly and focused on running without falling with the heavy steel body protection..

As I run, I heard nothing but grunts, pants and metals clinking. The upcoming sunshine made our armors start to warm a bit. On the fifth run-about, every squire breathed heavily through their mouths as they fix their evil eyes on me. Sweat was outpouring like the river flowing. Some looked a little tired, and some look deadbeat. Then one by one, the squires finished the 5-laps run as they fall on their knees near Stellan.

Reaching the end of the run, I heard Stellan was about to finish counting. I was near the finish line when I tripped over someone's leg. Gladly, Atrius, who was upfront, extended his arms to catch me. I instantly fell flat on his chest with a loud clank from our metal bodies. When I looked back, I saw Yiannis pretending he did nothing.

"Thanks", I panted heavily as I stood back up on my feet. I offered a hand to Atrius who looked flustered on the ground.

"Anytime", he said as he grab my hand and get up. "At least you made it", Atrius replied as he made a side eye to Yiannis who just passed by.

"That's only a warm up.", Stellan said as he signal us to form a circle. This time he look more annoyed. He didn't even bothered to let us rest or at least drink some water. We dragged ourselves around Stellan as pant like dogs.

"Now, let's see the best that you have", Stellan said as he unsheathed a metal blade. "Any volunteers?", he asked.