40 Burial?
"It's too early to celebrate", Alesso said with his arms crossed on his chest. "We still don't even know who we are up against", he added.
"Mystic healers", Stellan said. "I spoke with high priests and they identified them as the dark soul travellers. Someone has been practicing dark magic.", he added as he sip his glass of wine.
"Deadly bastards.", Alesso said as he flip his silver hair back. "Then we have a perfect reason to get out of here. I'm sure Lord Nero would agree with me, is he coming?", Alesso asked.
"Just make the Queen happy for her son at the moment", Stellan replied as he leaned on the pillar. "She have earned it after her silent cries, daily prayers and.. sleepless nights", he said. "My father is not interested in these kinds of ocassions. A waste of time, he'd tell", Stellan said as he searched around for Alesso's uncle. "Is Lord Axis here?", he asked.
"No. Uncle Axis is mining for gold as always", Alesso said with a sharp sigh. "I'm happy for Galen… but, shouldn't we guard our kingdom at this time? We even haven't had our small wins." Alesso worriedly said knowing that the kingdom have failed to protect their people. "Have you heard? Five villages were already burnt down", he added.
"Gold", Stellan uttered. "Gold for the Queen, drinks for the Prince... and blood for the king. I couldn't agree more, Alesso", Stellan briefly replied as the two walk past the royals who seemed to have forgotten the threats in the kingdom. A princess in yellow ruffled gown was about to approach, yet Stellan completely ignored her.
"I would like to propose a drink for my son", Queen Isavelle stood up with a goblet of wine on her hand. "Wh.. where's the man of the hour?", she asked as she look around. Despite surrounded by the most beautiful women, her radiance and elegance cannot be endured beyond. "This celebration is meant for him, not for anybody else", she added.
"He was just right here, My Queen", General Rowan stared at the Prince's empty throne.
"Your stubborn son will come around. He never listens, no wonder he gets in difficult situations all the time", King Silvius uttered bitterly, showing not much affection to his successor as he gulp his wine.
"He's your son too", Queen Isavelle said as she call a servant to look for Galeb.
Then, a palace knight came in rushing to the great hall sweaty and trembling. His sudden appearance disturbed the royals and their guests, halting them to take a few more ale. "What happened?!", General Rowan asked.
"There has been an intrusion, General. Prince Galen was attacked. ", the knight said. Everyone gasped in shock after hearing the terrible news.
"The Prince? Oh Dear Lord! How's my son!?", Queen Isavelle frantically said.
"Was anyone with him? We have warriors everywhere and men all around", the King said as he stood from his throne.
"The kingdom is not prepared for a burial!", General Rowan angrily replied.
"Burial? The prince is fine, General.", the knight said. "I'm here to report that everything is stable and a Paladin was with the Prince during the attack", he added.
"Which Paladin?", General Rowan glanced at Stellan and Alesso who were standing right beside Lords Harlan and Callaghan. "I didn't know Vesta is here?", he wondered.
"I forgot the name, General. I apologize. Certainly, it is not Paladin Crusader Vesta. But they are in the infirmary now", the knight said.
"We were not informed that there is another Paladin that Brandenburg found", General Rowan said as he glance at the lords. The royals clamored in mixed reactions of fear from the attack and fascination of the presence of another Paladin in Nether.
"Look for Haelan", Lord Harlan whispered to the Paladins standing by, worried that the royals have found out Haelan's potential. "Not yet an official Paladin, but a potential one", he answered the furious General.
"Secure the palace", General Rowan ordered as he led the King and Queen out of the great hall.
IN THE PALACE INFIRMARY
Haelan woke up feeling a sting on her back. Smelling the incense of chamomile and sandalwood, she wondered if it has magic for in every breath with the vapor, she feels better. She smiled at the soft clean bed she's laying on. It has been a long time since she ever laid on one. Lying on her stomach, the first thing she saw was Prince Galen holding her hand.
"Thank goodness! Have you been well? I'm so worried about you", Prince Galen squeezed Haelan's hand as she try to get up. "You've been knocked out for a bit", he worriedly said while helping Haelan sit up.
Haelan could smell the burnt fabric she's wearing. A large tore on her thick gambeson revealed her bare back that have started healing. "What happened?", she asked as she try to remember. As she look around, she was astounded with the trefoil arched lumber ceiling, white walls with wooden planks, a couple of white beds embedded on the walls covered with white curtains. There's also an oakwood table in the middle of the room where Yereah was standing by, holding a tray of vials.
"We're in the southern part of the palace, in the infirmary in particular", Galen said as Haelan felt enlightened knowing that the Southwing Tower could be nearby. "You lost consciousness in the courtyard, we were attacked by some dark entities", Galen explained. It's Haelan's first time to see dark creatures that attacked them. She can't believe how powerful and deadly they were, as if violence is the only thing they know.
"Do not try to stand, you're still weak. You're manna almost depleted", Yereah said as she put down the tray and decided to prepare a glass of water.
"Manna? What's manna? And what are those?", Haelan ask as she stare at a red liquid in tiny vials Yereah placed on the table. She sipped a little water handed by Yereah.
"Manna is your spiritual strength, Yereah said your body is impressively strong, you healed immediately at a drop of her healing potions", Galen explained. "I was hit by one of those, and ended up in a death bed for days", he added.
"That's because Paladins are indeed remarkably and extraordinarily gallant, in strength and in spirit. No wonder why Sir Haelan was able to survive that heavy blast, and heal quickly after", Yereah said as she blush. Haelan shook her head sideways as she look down with a sigh. She knows for a fact that she is definitely not a Paladin, besides, Stellan would've died from that dark magic before too.
"You didn't tell me you're a Celestial.. ahh. Healer." Galen whispered with caution as he call Helena a Celestial Healer.
"I am? I didn't know", Haelan said as stared at Galen cluelessly.