31 I’m Going Mad

The squires who are all bound to take the oath to the King spent the entire day for the preparations. Regarded as likely to happen too soon, the oath taking for the squires has been decided to take place tonight in the palace. No one wondered, no one asked. The squires were to polish the armors, sharpen the swords and arrowheads, and saddle up the groomed horses. Dressed up in their black gambeson with gold trim linings, the squires looked ceremonious for the orthodox palace affair. Indeed, an excessively great deal to do in a day.

Haelan kept herself simple, not forgetting her crest and hilt under her coat and the damask arm cuff on her wrist. She used the same rose soap and essential oils, but this time lesser to avoid attention. With her black hair swept to the side revealing Agalea's angelic face and Helena's grey eyes, the men in the quarters still couldn't help but notice her charm.

Jacomus gaped at her incomparable distinct appeal among other men. "If you're not in Brandenburg, I might have mistaken you for a lady, Haelan. Though, you look a little different, today", Jac squinted his eyes on Haelan's face. Then he grabbed Haelan's rose-scented essential oil and placed generous amounts behind his ears. "At least we smell alike now", he smiled.

"You do look different", Atrius approached Haelan and ruffled her hair to cover her eyes. "Now you look less handsome", he chuckled a little. Despite looking dainty in his detailed ornamented black brocade, Atrius didn't made much more physical preparations for he preferred to look the same as always - black short hair that matches his black eyes, clean-shaven beard and one gold stud on his right ear.

Gio was about to approach Haelan too, but Jacomus and Atrius guarded the charming squire like barricade and pillars. "Where do you think you're going?", Jacomus threatened. "Scram!", he said as he scare him away.

Haelan found comfort in these men. They were like big brothers to her. She thought that these men seemed like good people, who can be trusted. After a while, she pushed them aside and yelled, "Race to the quadrangle!". The three ran down like small children.

Atrius was first. Followed by Haelan, then Jacomus, who was gasping for air. They started to wear their armors and then, picked out their weapons after. Haelan's armor was a bit loose and big, for she couldn't find one that's good-fitting. Then, the trio joined everyone else in the battalion formation.

The sky have started to glaze from orange to red. It's vivid hues gleaned on the men's armors as the squires prepare to flee. Holding onto their helms in their arms of steel, about fifty squires formed in the quadrangle ready to march their way to the palace surrounded by Knights and Archers on their great horses. One black carriage with books-and-weapons emblem is positioned in front of the squire battalion, and another with the palace's emblem positioned the back.

Not too long, Lords Harlan and Callaghan stepped out of Brandenburg and rode the carriage in front. "Ready!", Gallanthe, who led the battalion, yelled to prepare for the squires. At the perfect moment when the sun touched the horizon, the squires started to march.

Standing last in line between her friends at the back of the battalion, Haelan stood refined. A little later, she started to feel unwell. Asking herself if it is because of the armor that's heavy, or for the fact that she used her healing powers this morning. However, she keeps on rationalizing her doings as she debate with herself in her head that it might be just because of another debilitating day. Also, there's not much choice in using her powers, for she lives a difficult life as a man and a squire that pushes her to use them freely.

As the march commence, Haelan thought she swayed a little. Walking in regular measured tread, she tried to keep up as they reach the cobblestone roads, sloped footpath and curved tracks. She stumbled a couple of times as tiny droplets of sweat appear on her forehead dripping down to her neck.

Haelan could feel her hands tingle under her thick armor. Her lips became dry, as she catch her breath. "What's going on", she uttered to herself.

"Are you alright, squirrel?", Jacomus asked after noticing Haelan getting pale.

"Do you want to rest?", Atrius worriedly whispered without interrupting the march.

Unknowingly, Haelan leaned on Jacomus as they march on the stony portways. Her head started spinning and her nape became heavier. "I.. I think I'm… ", she stuttered weakly as her eyes became blurry and fell on Jacomus arms. Atrius immediately waved his hand to pause the march.

The squires in the back gathered around to watch the commotion. "Step back!!", Atrius said while Jacomus knelt down and laid Haelan on the ground. She's completely white as a sheet, and cold as clay. Atrius listened to her breathing. Realized that it was rapid and labored, he looked at Jacomus worriedly. "Remove his armor, Jac", he said. Jacomus immediately followed what's asked of him by his friend.

Suddenly, a man, who's wearing a knee-length gold brocade with gold trim linings and pinned palace brooches on his chest, came out from the black carriage at the back. The squires in armors made way for him to see what took place. "Take him to my carriage", Stellan ordered as soon as Haelan's armor was removed. "Proceed march!", he shouted.

Atrius opened the black gilded door of the carriage while Jacomus carried Haelan inside and let her lay on the leather seat. Jac crouched on the floorboards as he worry for his tiny friend. Stellan cleared his throat to interrupt Jacomus who was about to touch Haelan's face. "I'll take it from here. Join everyone in the battalion march", Stellan ordered.

"Yes, Sir!" Jacomus quickly went down and run after the leaving battalion followed by Atrius. Expecting that the Paladin will ride his stallion instead, Atrius widened his eyes to see Stellan get in the carriage too when he looked back.

Inside the carriage, Stellan exhaled sharply as he kneel on one knee, staring at Haelan's unconscious body. He grazed the squire's forehead. He stared at Haelan's delicate face as her scent linger in his senses. He sighed as he clenched his jaw. "I think I'm going mad", he whispered. The Paladin sat on the end of the leather seat, as the carriage started to move. As they travel on bumpy roads, the carriage shook making Haelan move side to side. Stellan decided to rest Haelan's head on his lap uneasily and cradled Haelan's small body in his arms, concerned that the squire would hit the floorboards. "Never have I ever felt this nervous beside any man, nor Alesso", he said.