85 Still, you are

"Aren't you too late for that?", Haelan asked blandly as she rest her scepter on the ground beside her.

"Heh. I got caught up in the cellar, and pretty much, paid for everything real hard there", Ottis said with a half smile. As what he called a prison, he was kept in a room where there's only a metal-frame bed and a privy. Under the orders of Lord Callaghan, Ottis was forced to do things as part of his rebirth before being accepted in Brandenburg. He sees it as an emotional and physical turmoil for he could barely go through Lord Callaghan's methods. Ottis was forced to fast his meals with limited drinking water supply. No light could enter his chambers, and no one was allowed to speak to him. He was whipped everyday on his back as the Lord believed that through extreme hunger, thirst, and agonizing pain, Ottis will be reborn to a true warrior of the kingdom. Ottis snapped back to reality as he feel his back sting a little.

Haelan remembered the times Ottis tried to approach her before, but he never managed to come up close. She never saw him after the incident in the armory. Haelan wondered what happened to him thereafter. "What happened to you in there?", Haelan inquisitively asked as she notice Ottis squinching while reaching his back.

"Nothing worth telling, but trust me, what happened there surely made me pay a high price for the things I ought to do.", Ottis answered.

"So, it was for your brother that brought you to Brandenburg?", Haelan asked as she recall Ottis' burst of anger against the Lords of Brandenburg.

"You heard?", Ottis asked.

"It was too loud for a conversation", Haelan replied. "You speak of him in the Forest of the Forgotten", she added as she start to feel the warmth of the fire.

"I don't want to talk about it. It's in the past now. ", Ottis said as he toss more firewood in the pit.

"Hmm..", Haelan thought Ottis doesn't trust her. He remained casual with wariness. Remembering what he said before, Ottis only relies on his own shadow. And that made her think that despite she received an apology from an old acqaintance, she still shouldn't break her walls.

"So, we're headed to Caluso? Jac told me you're a traveler. By the looks of it, I'm guessing, celestial?", Ottis asked. He have observed Haelan's power manifestations before. From his experience and explorations, he is certain that Haelan isn't a typical soul in wanderlust.

"That's what they say", Haelan briefly answered. In fact, she have a lot of questions that needs answers. All her life, she recognized Gaius as her father. Unquestionably, Haelan doesn't want to believe easily that she is the child of King Silvius just because of a dragon hilt.

"A Royal and a traveler, that ain't a good combination", Ottis said as he add more firewood in the pit.

"What made you agree to help be get to Caluso? Can I trust you?", Haelan asked as she squinted her eyes on her only guide to Caluso.

"I owe you one. I know when to repay my debts. Besides, this is way too much better than that hell", Ottis easily answered without batting an eye. "You know… I grew up in a nasty home. With a violent father, with no mother. Just me and my brother looking out for each other. I learned to live life the hard way. I may be an asshole, but despite all, I honor brotherhood", Ottis explained.

Haelan watched the flickering glaze of fire on Ottis' face as he dump more dried leaves on the bonfire. Haelan thought that they started as strangers in a mere competition, and pushing her downriver was Ottis' best and desperate decision to do to get into Brandenburg. Whether it's brotherhood he values, it could also be the opportunity of convenience. She finally starting to understand his ways.

"My question is..", Ottis continued. "What are you going to do with them boys? They risked their lives for you, and missed their chance to become the warriors of this kingdom. Their future is all gone by taking your side. What of them after this journey?", Ottis blurted as he fix his gaze at Haelan. "By the time you're done with me, I can go on. But what of them?", he asked.

It was only then when Haelan realize what Ottis is trying to say. It's true.After she have her crest fixed in Caluso, she'll leave this place and go back home to Aelmere. However, she wondered, what will happen to Atrius and Jacomus by then? What about Umbriel?

"We all make our own choices", she said as she was caught off-guard.

"We do. But, I just hope, you'd man up. Perhaps, take the golden seat in the palace, wear that crown? And maybe, Pardon your friends, and save Umbriel's head?", Ottis said. "That's multiple birds in one stone", he continued.

"I… I can't do that. I do not even know how if I'm really the child of King Silvius", Haelan said as she fidget with her fingers. While she demands the truth from all her uncertainties, she's troubled with the life of Agalea as she stay longer in this body. On the other hand, fretful and concerned, Haelan also dwell on what lies ahead for Atrius, Jac, and most especially Umbriel. Even if she doesn't consider herself as the child of King Silvius, Haelan would still want to reassure the safety of her friends.

"I know you have ways to figure that out. You're smart. And, it's the least you can do. Because if you won't, what kind of friend would that make you?", Ottis asked as he threw one last firewood in the fire.

Confused, Haelan couldn't argue more because Ottis seemed right after all. It was a point well made. She has to do something, however, it's between choosing her life and her friends' future.

"I'll just go get some more firewood.", Ottis said as he stood up in disappointment and decided to leave Haelan deep in her thoughts.

"Ottis", Haelan called as Ottis halted to look back. "You used to call me squirrel, you know", she said.

"And still you are", Ottis replied with a nod.

Alone, Haelan sat in the dusky woods under the purple sky nearby the river. She picked up her wooden scepter of twisted vines and turned it around in circled as the bright clear gem at the top gleam. "What should I do now?", she asked herself.