28 The Stone

The sky was graced with a half moon and thousands of stars. The night is cool as the breeze blew hard. The day was long - exhausting and draining. As assumed, the training was more than difficult for Haelan to take part of. Thereafter, the squires refreshed themselves at the showers. No one was allowed in the healing spring as a punishment. Then, they proceeded to the dining hall without one word. Defeat was written all over their faces, considering no one proved great power except for the tiny squire, Haelan.

After sneaking in the bath and skipping dinner, Haelan stepped away from the crowd because of too much attention. Feeling bloated with some kind of a heartburn, Haelan found a good spot to rest on top of Brandenburg's rarely visited tower. Sitting in between the battlements, she rested back with her hand behind her head. Tending to her deep thoughts, weariness, and sadness, she watched the brightest stars twinkle in the darkness. She lifted her other hand up against the stars, fazed at the powers her tiny hand can make. "Incredible", she whispered.

Resting her hand on her lap, Haelan sighed loudly as the wind blew strands of her hair covering her face. "If I can't read those books, I won't be able to find my way home. If only I can have someone from Brandenburg who can read those books for me.. I'd have no problem at all..", she said monologuing with a long sigh as she worry for her possibly perished mother and undetermined situation of her father. She closed her eyes as she feel the air moving around. Then, a glimpse of Stellan considering his assistance came to her mind. She opened her eyes in shock and denial. "No, anyone but not him!", she exclaimed as she shook her head.

"I can read", a man who's already sitting not too far from Haelan uttered. This isn't the first time she failed to sense someone nearby.

Surprised at his sudden appearance, Haelan then realized that overusing her powers without an effective crest might have suspend her senses for a time. The more she uses her powers, the more physical side effects she experiences. It all comes back to normal when she relaxes and ceases use of any more of her magic and powers. Most of all, Haelan wondered how much Alesso have heard from her personal sentiments.

"The Paladin archer", Haelan said tilting her head to see Alesso, who's looking raffish in his olive green high-collared long sleeved tabard, with the top of his silver hair tied back. The clothes he wear are usually vibrant, complimenting the color of his hair and most especially his amber eyes. Haelan was about to position herself on the battlement to sit upright, when she slipped forward.

"Whoops! Be careful there.", Alesso hurriedly caught Haelan by her shoulders almost inching his face to hers, making Haelan blush a little. "I am just a simple archer", he humbly said as he push Haelan back on the battlement and leaned on the stone wall near Haelan. Clearing her throat as she feel awkward, Haelan forced a smile as she get weirded on Alesso's actuations.

Then she thought, 'We're men here. Nothing to be strained about'. Despite the archer's inconvenient advances, Haelan still thought that Alesso is far more divergent from Stellan. Both may be absolutely gorgeous men, but, she finds Alesso more unpresuming and well disposed.

"Sorry, instincts", Alesso casually said as he have noticed Haelan's flushed cheeks.

"Uh.. no. The cool winds are biting", Haelan said as she rub her face. 

"You said you have books to read?", he asked as if what he did was nothing. Haelan thought it might be just in her head because of her judgment as a woman.

"Ah.. yes. But I couldn't read them in the library. The books were all empty", Haelan said abruptly. Realizing her mistake to admit she entered a restricted area, she tried to divert the idea. "Oh I didn't really entered the library, I just heard about it from one of the squires", she tried to tell a lie.

"Oh I get it", Alesso said. "Well, that of course, your friend may only read the books after he have taken the oath from the King. Any books in particular?", he asked.

"Ohhh.. of course. Well, it's nothing that's interesting, I guess", Haelan lowered her head, unsure of Alesso can be trusted. Paladins have stronger powers. They might figure out that she's not just a woman, but a soul traveler.

"You know, the people from Beorg mountains have a certain power that reads people's strongest desires", Alesso said as he cross his arms.

"I never heard of such power. Sounds intimidating", Haelan sarcastically answered.

"Let's see..", Alesso placed his finger on his chin. "I can tell.. that you have a will to get into Brandenburg.. but nothing compares the strongest desire that you have for going home", he said with a wink after hearing Haelan's loud antics earlier.

"Your people have an impressive gift, Sir Alesso", Haelan chuckled at Alesso's practical joke.

"There's that smile. I haven't seen that ever since you entered the gates of Brandenburg.. and skip the Sir.", Alesso smiled, then he sucked his teeth and heaved a sigh. "You miss home?", he asked. Haelan nodded slightly. She misses her family more than a little. "Maybe you could request a permission so you could take a quick trip home and suffice that unbearable longing", Alesso said noticing the pensive sadness on Haelan's glistening grey eyes and red face. "Isn't Greco too far from Nether?", he asked.

"Not at all", Haelan shrugged with a wild guess.

Alesso knew that Greco is the farthest land of the kingdom of Vierme. Haelan's answer confused the Paladin archer. "You are from Greco? Are you not?", he thought Haelan isn't really from Greco as what the scholars entail.

"Not quite", Haelan answered as she look up the stars. "I'm foreign", she uttered.

"That explains the grey eyes. I miss home too. The mountains are home for archers. You know, we were taught that home is where you heart isn't restless. So we try to seek reasons to make a certain place home", Alesso said.

Haelan was surprised to hear such phrase from Alesso, something that she have heard before from her dearest mother. "I'm sorry, who taught you that?", she asked.

"The King. King Silvius always say that", Alesso said. He noticed how Haelan became perplexed in silence. In her mind, she's thinking it might be just a coincidence.

Her stillness made Alesso wrongfully assume that Haelan's stay in Brandenburg requires more adjustment. "Brandenburg is boring when there's no more training. Reading books is one way to kill time. So what book are we reading again?", he asked.

"I was just puzzled about the existence of.. soul travelers? The healers? And about a certain stone", Haelan honestly said.

"We don't have those in Brandenburg. Those forbidden books, scriptures and scrolls about soul travelers were all brought to the palace… Including all kinds of stones.",he answered casually.

"Forbidden? Why are they forbidden?", Haelan wondered.

"They hold secrets of a horrible past. They have the untold forms of sorcery and all sorts of dark magic", he said. "May I know why are you interested in such?", he asked.

"Just to kill my curiosity, other squires speaks of it", Haelan replied.

"Hmm.. funny. No one in the kingdom dares to speak of soul travelers.. just today", Alesso made a serious face. Haelan thought she made a mistake telling Alesso. But at least now she knows that the books she's looking for are in the palace.

Concerned that the wise Paladin might discover her for being inquisitive about soul travelers, she decided to drive away the conversation. "The training lacks thrills and drills. I suggest Brandenburg to have more body building and physical extertion next time", she blurted out as she flex her arm.

Alesso laughed out loud uncontrollably, one of the few laughs he have all week. "That's a good one! I'm sure Stellan would make it more arduous. Honestly speaking, you did well today, Haelan.", Alesso said with strands of his hair running across his fair face.

"I'm doing my best.. despite someone telling me that I do not deserve to be here", Haelan admitted after hearing Stellan's name.

"The moment I saw you, I knew you are different. I won't be surprised anymore if I see you doing much more", Alesso said as he stare at Haelan's grey eyes.

"Hey Champ!", Stellan said as he break the conversation of the two in the tower. "Time to go", he said as he squinted his eyes at the both of them. Haelan kept her head down as she avoid showing how swept away she is at the sight of Stellan, who's looking exceptional in his black armor and fur coat. On the other hand, Stellan avoided and ignored Haelan, like he never saw anyone in the tower except his friend, Alesso.

"Sure… Don't stay out too long, Tiny", Alesso smiled at Haelan and walked away with Stellan. Then he looked back again at the squire that's he fond of, who's now looking up the stellar sky. "Beautiful man", he whispered.

The pair of Paladin warriors swiftly climbed down the stairs, like in a hurry. Then they hopped on their horses up front the tower, where a dozen of their troops are waiting.

"Getting cozy with your new friend?", Stellan said dryly as he brush Areon's mane.

Alesso smirked at Stellan's remark. "You will never be replaced in my cold heart, Stellan. Don't be jealous", he clicked his tongue and kicked his horse as they all

leave Brandenburg.

"Piece of arse", Stellan said as he spit on the ground. He took a quick glance up the tower before he followed the warriors.