92 A Quick Wanderlust

HAELAN POV

"She took her fill, but she was never satisfied… Then two of the escorts started to act different.. like they were in so much pain. Then, they were covered with a dark power exuding from their bodies as their feet defy gravity. It was the very first time I saw the mystic healers spring to life from the words on the books", he said with fear written all over his face. I sensed in him a kind of terror that can't be put into words. "All priests who tried to escape were blasted off with a dark power giving off an acrid smell that when it touch the skin, it burns.They started putting everything ablaze, fires that seemed from hell. It was only then I took the courage to run out for my life. Until now, I can still hear their screams and pleads", he said as tears flood his face without his eyes blinking. "I remembered the tunnels to be the safest place from travelers. On my way there, I saved some of the priests as I got myself hurt in the process. The High Priest and Elijah were already there. Being the last person to get in the tunnel, I caught a glimpse of the attackers before closing the floorboards.", he said as he wipe his tears with the back of his hand.

"Who were they?", I asked.

"I thought she's a woman. She dressed like one, and her voice sounded like one. However, they called her by a man's name.", he said.

"Is it… Argus?", I guessed.

Bertram gave me a look that sent shivers to my spine. It was the same name of a boy who I healed in Aelmere. "I couldn't believe it at first. Argus has been frozen in Caluso for years. But if you imagine, it could be true. As much as I don't want to say it, I think he's back", he said anxiously.

"But why? Why now?", I asked. Well if he is frozen, most definitely someone dug him from the Snow Mountain. The fact that he is a Celestial Healer like me, he possesses great magic. However, he needed me to heal him so he can restore his powers after being dormant for years - something an ordinary healer cannot do. "And why would he feed on people's souls? I never knew travelers can do that", I asked. Argus is some kind of a monster.

"I am not quite sure about that. But, Argus is a celestial healer, and ruler of travelers in Caluso. He fought for the freedom of his people because for years, he believed that the palace have a tight grip on their necks, serving the royals as healers. He promised a vengeance that one day he will come back to retrieve the freedom they deserve. One day he just attacked the palace with dark force in his magic", Bertram explained.

"Well they can just soul travel away", I said.

"My Prince, their crests are locked away in the palace. They are forbidden to do a lot of things. They are not even allowed to procreate without the palace knowing. The travelers' population are limited to how many royals are there. All travelers who doesn't comply are simply killed", he said. So, that explains the crest in the hall.

"Argus used Tris as a worm to get into Prince Silvius' head for a chance that the royals could free the travelers. However, tables have turned when they fell madly in love with each other", Bertram stated.

The king and my mother were madly in love? My mother and father were the ones in love. I saw how my father valued her from the roots of her hair to the tips of her fingers. He always made sure we lived in comfort despite the uneasiness our lives have been in Aelmere.

Wait.

What was it for my mother? Did she loved him the way he worshipped her? Did she look at him the way he gets lost in her eyes? I doubted my memories for I know, I never saw her head over heels in love for my father.

"What does.. Argus want here?", I asked. I didn't want to hear the story of love between the king and my mother.

"I think he's after the Traveler's stone. The reason? I do not know.", he shrugged his shoulders.

"What does the stone do?", I asked.

I noticed Bertram's lips upturned. Probably, he's wondering why I wouldn't know what that stone can do since it's from my kind of people. "It's the source of a traveler's power - healing and wanderlust. It's the gift of the gods to your people", he said. "Prince Haelan, there's a prophecy about a Knight from Hesam who will bring chaos to the land. With a sword that controls every man..", Bertam continued but then I cut him off after I uttered the words coming out of his mouth.

"…he will put innocent blood on his blade when the moon eats the sun, and the land turns to sand.. Yes, I've heard that before", I said as I remember what Yereah said about the prophecy of the Knight.

"… And that one day, a staff will be pulled once again from the chest to claim its throne to save Nether. Led by the heart, and by tragedy, the healer soul traveler will come back and destroy the sword that have claimed the land", Bertram stared fixedly on my eyes as if he's convincing me something I refuse to acknowledge. There has been too much burden being placed on my shoulder from a supposed to be a quick wanderlust.

"And what are you imposing?", I asked straightforwardly.

"King Silvius has been waiting for you. The day that we all fear has finally arrived", Bertram said.

"Bertram, why do you know so much?", I asked. It's unusual for a priest of Bertram's age to know so much about healer soul travelers and our history.

"There was a merchant who comes by here in Holy Land at night. He's a soul traveler and a good friend. He read the journals of the soul travelers for me. We often exchange stories", Bertram said with a smile.

Of course, the journals are written in our own language not naked to their eyes. However, I'm still puzzled why Bertram is fond of my kind when the travelers he knew were deadly and hurtful. Grabbing hold of my scepter, I stood up but Bertram held my arm with forlorn eyes.

"Prince Haelan, Are you any different from the ones who attacked us? Or are you kind to me so you could have access to the traveler's stone?", Bertram as he tighten his grip on my arm.

"I'm just a soul passing by, Bertram. ", I said as I remove his hand. "And please don't call me that", I said as I walk away.

"But, you can't runaway from your fate. I guess, this is why Lord Harlan have trust in your good faith. He sacrificed his life for you!", he said loudly.

"I knew it!", High Priest Onias appeared in the shadows of the dark inside the relic hall.

"High Priest", I uttered.

"I've met the paladins before, and not one have started fire with a bark of a tree. You were too careful to even touch the flames!! I already had a hunch when I saw you carry that scepter around. Knights carry swords, and not drag around useless staff!", High Priest Onias said furiously with his face reddened in anger. "Why have you come? Did Tris sent you? Are you working together for your vengeful acts in Nether? Are you back to have us all killed?", he said as he walk towards me. I back away a little at his every step.

"No, High Priest Onias! You are mistaken", Bertram stood up as he try to take my side.

"I have no business here, I'm just a trapped soul.", I said.

"Lies! Bertram stay away from that filthy leech!!", the high priest yelled in so much rage. As he was about to lift a hand on me, I feel the ground shake as if there's an earthquake. Then, Ottis and the others were rushing out frantically like they are being chased by something.

"Don't look!!! It's a basilisk!! Run!!", Atrius yelled as we all run in separate directions without looking back.