111 Fear of Galen

HAELAN POV

"Where were you?", Stellan was steaming in anger as soon as I and Galen arrived back in the camp. He was already wearing his black armor with his eyes flickering like fire. It fired up even more when he saw blood on Prince Galen.

"We just uhh", I was about to explain when he immediately cut me off.

"You wander carelessly in the company of the Prince. ALONE? That's plain reckless of you Haelan", he said as he drag his feet towards me. "Don't you know it is a capital offense punishable by a hundred lashes if a royal member dies in the presence of a paladin? You'll be stripped off with your title and..", he suddenly stopped with a gasp when he set his eyes on me. Me, a paladin? I remembered Stellan doesn't know who I really am yet.

"I.. uhh..", I was still shaken from what I saw earlier that I couldn't even answer Stellan. I could just clasp my hands together, crushing the herbs that I picked earlier.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?", Stellan demanded as I stare down.

"Cut it out Stellan, we are fine", Galen blurted out as he meet the fiery gaze of the paladin knight. "We found two rebels wandering around and I got them all killed", Galen said like he just earned a trophy. "Clean my sword, please. I'll just wear a change of clothes", he tossed his sheathed blade to Gallanthe as he went straight to his bell tent. He gave me a piercing stare, then grinned that made my entire body freeze.

"Rebels? I didn't know they can enter this part of the kingdom", Gallanthe told Stellan who's eyes are still on me.

"With the travelers around, I'm sure you'll see more of them hanging", Stellan said as he soften his stares. I wonder if he sees my hands shaking like a leaf.

"Please excuse me", I tried to force a smile and act naturally. "I.. I found some herbs. I'll just apply these.. on Priest Elijah", I said as I walk my way to the priests' tent.

Stellan blocked my way as he gently pat my head. "Are you alright?", he asked with these endearing eyes that made me shed a tear.

"I just.. I just need a moment", I said as I walk ahead along with that feeling of fear from Galen while I wipe my tear away.

A couple of hours later, Stellan insisted to start our journey to Beorg Mountains. We all shared a quick meal of maslin and tea before we packed all of our things for our journey. Early on, I prepared the herbs I took from the forest and applied on the different parts of Elijah's inflamed body. Father Bertram helped me wipe Elijah's body to lessen his fever, well enough for the priest to survive the trip to Beorg Mountains. Prince Galen was glaring at me the entire time my hand touched the priest. His presence alone have started to deteriorate my courage that I earned ever since I soul traveled to this place. My fear of Galen started to grow.

The tents were packed, the mattresses were rolled. The horses were being prepared as we finally leave for the mountains. Stellan sent a hawk to deliver a message to Alesso, informing him about our sudden arrival. Something that made me and my friends anxious. With no plans yet, and no assurance of our safety after what happened in Brandenburg, my comrades and I haven't talked about what's next ahead of us.

"We'll start our journey to Beorg Mountains. It's not too far from here. From there, we can regroup, so we can go on with our mission, and you can all go back to Brandenburg or somewhere else you're supposed to be", Stellan said as he shift his gazes on all of us. "I expect each of you to keep up, we won't wait for you. Lastly, the safety of the prince comes first, while you protect yourselves at all times", he said.

The priests rode on the horses. Umbriel rode Areon with Father Elijah who's still unconscious. Prince Galen, of course, had to ride his own horse. Stellan didn't let him travel on foot with us. One of the many royal privileges Stellan seriously carry out. Somehow, I felt relieved to be away from Galen's sight for a while. He gives me some vibe that scared the wits out of me.

The paladin knight led the group upfront, followed by Jacomus and Ottis, while Gallanthe, Atrius and I walked from the rear of the horses as ordered. The journey started with the excitement from Jacomus' voice which was clearly heard in his songs and hums. It was followed by Galen's never-ending stories of his far away travels, hunted rarest treasures and organized grand royal parties. He even boasted about the woman he's betrothed to marry.

It never bothered any of us. In fact, their voices were our diversion from the struggles of climbing up a slope and downhill. We never minded the battle between not slipping to our deaths off the cliff, and staying away from beastly creatures that we come across.

When Stellan said to keep up on the journey, I didn't imagine the hardest climb on a high ridge of a mountain then down the steepest winding steps to a greener forest. The rains didn't stop, the winds blew even harder as we go farther. We never stopped neither for rest, nor for water.

Stellan, Ottis and Jacomus cleared our paths from all the possible dangers there's is, as they assured safe passage as we cross every river, and pass through the trees. As we near the mountains of Beourg, Atrius couldn't help himself but approach me and ask what troubles him.

"Is this a good idea?", Atrius asked me as we follow the trail of the horses in the forest.

"Do you have a better one?", I asked.

"We don't know what could be waiting for us there. A band of arrows, or palace knights and their swords?", Atrius worriedly said. "Haelan, were walking straight to our death sentence", Atrius gritted his teeth as he held my arm.

"Everything all right there?", Prince Galen asked as he look back to me and Atrius.

"We're fine, your Majesty", I replied as I let go of Atrius' hand. I didn't want the Prince to go ballistic with my friend, who have watched my back all the time, just because Atrius was worried for all of us. Galen just went ahead which gave me a sigh of relief.

Moments later, as we trudge through the thick trees, the only music remaining to our ears was Father Elijah groaning in pain. Umbriel could only sing a lullabye, hoping it would ease the aches and cover Elijah's cries that fill the air. With my palm out in the open, I tried to feel any drop of the rain as I look up in the sky. The heavens wasn't too clear, and yet, not that too cloudy, thinking I could use a little magic. I walked past Gallanthe and Atrius, as I draw closer to Father Elijah. Then, I felt a hand that laid on my shoulder, with a tender weight making me stop my aim.

"Don't you think about it", Prince Galen whispered.

"What do you mean?", I asked as if I'm not off to something.

"If you heal this priest, you will reveal yourself. Stellan could behead right where you are standing", Galen threatened me as he stare up ahead.

"He needs my help", I said as I clutch my hand in a fist as I walk beside Galen's horse.

"You've got your herbs. You've done your part. If that priest die, it's fate. Do not be driven by a piece of work that's isn't yours", Galen said as he ride his horse much farther. And that was the very first time the prince took control of my healing capabilities.