41 The Healing Potions
Yereah was all ears, hovering to hear the Prince and Haelan's discrete conversation. "How exemplary!", Galen astonishingly complimented Haelan after witnessing the extent of her powers. Galen took off his embroidered coat and placed it over Haelan's shoulders.
"I'm fine Prince Galen, you don't need to give me your coat.", Haelan respectfully rejected.
"You don't want to show you bare back to everyone, don't you?", Galen asked as he continued to rest his coat on Haelan.
"Alright, Thank you, Prince", Haelan eventually surrendered in the argument and just agreed with the pushy Prince.
Haelan stared at the Yereah's tiny vessels of healing potions on the table. She's amazed on how effective they were, something that she desperately needs considering that her immense power drains her core energy. At the moment, she actually feels better after using most of her powers. She looked at her hands and could hardly believe that she made a sword out of her dragon hilt. As time pass by, she gains more knowledge of her powers which scares her even more.
Suddenly, three knocks were heard from the door that echoed in the entire infirmary. Yereah immediately answered and opened the heavy door. "General", she greeted as she welcome the commander.
"Your Majesty", General Rowan entered as he nodded to Prince Galen.
"General Rowan", Prince Galen stood up and faced him, followed by Haelan as she bow at the presence of her superior.
"We heard about the attacks. Are you alright?", General Rowan asked.
"If not for this warrior, we wouldn't be having this conversation", Prince Galen answered.
"Is that so? Then, I want to applaud the bravery of this Paladin for protecting the prince," General Rowan took a quick glance on Haelan's face. "You were in the right place at the right time", he said as he hardened his jaw.
"A glorious time it is General Rowan", Haelan replied. "But it is not I who wielded the sword. It is the Prince who saved us both. And to be clear, I am not a Paladin", she answered. As much as possible, Haelan didn't want to draw anyone's attention. She only used her powers at the splurge of the moment because the face of death is at her doorstep. However, if the palace would put their eyes on her, it would be harder to mask her true identity.
"Hmm", General grunted at Haelan's response. "Prince Galen, your father, the King, would like to see you. Shall we?", he asked.
"Of course", Galen replied, then he looked back at Haelan with her eyes focused on the General whom she distrust. "I will be back", he told Haelan as he go with General Rowan.
General Rowan together with two palace knights ushered the young prince to the receiving chambers where the King and Queen with Lords Harlan and Callaghan are waiting. "The warrior protected you well, Prince Galen. I am glad", General Rowan said as he walk side by side Galen.
"He surely did. Brandenburg truly choose the bravest and powerful warriors for Nether", Prince Galen replied.
"Why were you in there, anyway? You never visit the palace garden, especially when there's a banquet being held for you", General Rowan asked.
"I thought I needed some fresh air before I get suffocated with people", Galen answered.
"I thought so. It's great that a Paladin was there with you. Luck is on your side", General Rowan said.
"Luck?", Prince Galen stopped. "We almost didn't get out alive from an attack in my actual home, a place where I should be heavily guarded. Shouldn't you be certain of my safety by making sure that all of your warriors, not just one, are always in the right place at the right time? It seemed like the walls have been breached, the spells aren't working", Prince Galen told the General whom he thought failed to protect him. "Luck should not be on my way, hence, certitude to my safety should be assured all the time", he added.
"I take responsibility, Prince", General Rowan apologized as he open the door of the receiving hall. Once Prince Galen entered the room, he softly closed it as he squeezed the passage door knob firmly.
The receiving hall is perfectly warmed up for the unusually chilly night in the kingdom of Nether. A servant placed enough firewood in the hearth to make sure that the room is cordially mellow for the King's comfort. As Prince Galen enters the room, he found the King standing by the window across the room. The moonlight shone on his father's furrowing face, which has always been his expression all the time.
Sitting on a prussian velvet divan, he saw his mother in tears wiping her eyes with a laced kerchief. In his personal point of view, her mother have always been an epitome of grace and elegance no matter what circumstance. Growing up, his mother have always been the first one to weep when he fall on his knees, and the first one to cheer on his combat wins.
In front of his mother were Lords Harlan and Callaghan, his first mentors in sword handling and defense. They were the most patient yet assertive confidante that have pushed him to become a great swordsman. For a prince that holds no power like a Paladin, he corroborated to become skilled in swordfight especially he is the son of a once a great knight.
"Father", Prince Galen bowed as he greet the King. "Mother", then he smiled to his weeping mother as the Queen immediately sprinted to his well loved son.
"My son! How are you?", Queen Isavelle held his son's face as she check him for wounds.
"I am totally fine, mother. Just a few scratches and dirt", Prince Galen smiled as he embrace his mother.
"What happened? Where's your coat? It's chilly. Get my son a coat!", Queen Isavelle ordered to the servant standing by.
"I'm perfectly fine. It's not cold all", Prince Galen said. Then, he looked at the lords and his father as he let go of Queen Isavelle. "We were attacked by a mystic healer. I'm quite certain as they've what I've seen once in the scriptures", Prince Galen said. "Father, my lords, it seemed like the soul travelers are back with a vengeance. They have turned dark", he reported after encountering the deadly entities that have threatened his life twice.
"Our palace isn't safe, our walls are being breached with the dangers of dark forces hungry for blood. They are coming for us!", the queen panicked as she worry for their safety.