54 A Letter from Freya

Haelan led herself to the infirmary. Even so having most of her wounds have started to heal, she still chose to have her self treated to avoid other people's suspicions and intrusive questions. She also drank a vial of Yereah's potion which she thought have instantly increased her spiritual strenght. After one drink, she doesn't feel burnout like she always does whenever she overuse her powers.

Then, Haelan changed to a new set of warm clothes, and eventually found herself eating alone in the dining hall. Served with some hot pottage, roasted veal, and some custard tarts, Haelan enjoyed one of the finest meals she had in her life. She took a good beating in today's training, which she thought she'd never want to go through again. It was so intense, that she had no idea how she was able to pull it through. She even feared for her life when Vesta nonhesitantly hit her with a force of her labrys that would surely shred a normal person's body into pieces.

While having a spoonful of pottage, she was approached by a servant and handed her a folded white parchment paper that's says 'To Haelan of Greco'. "This was mailed yesterday, Sir Haelan", the servant said as he leave the dining hall.

It was a letter from Freya.

Haelan opened it and read it silently. Freya wrote to ask Haelan to come home whenever possible. There were mysterious hooded men who kept looking for Agalea. The unknown men never said anything, however, there's something in their vibe that's frightening. They usually arrive in the middle of the night, when everyone is already in deep slumber.

Then, in the last part of the letter, Freya reminded Haelan about his promise to look after them when he get into Brandenburg.

While reading the letter, Atrius and Jacomus suddenly jumped in front of Haelan with loaves of bread, a jar of jam, a loadful of nuts and a plate full of apricots. Startled, Haelan gasped as she sees the two men who are genuinely happy to see her.

"How's our Paladin Squirrel?", Jacomus said with grin. "You were knocked out for a while", the gentle giant in a sleeveless black fur tabard said. He placed his elbows on the table that showed a complete view of his tight arm muscles.

"How do you feel Haelan?", Atrius who's wearing a mustard yellow brocade asked as he pour some ale on Haelan's cup.

"I'm fine now, I didn't know the Paladins have much power", Haelan said as she grab some of Jacomus' nuts.

"Nahh, I know you'd be like them soon", Jacomus smirked in excitement as he drink some ale. "Ah! Our squirrel have grown in just a few days", he said.

For Haelan, getting all the attention isn't what she really wanted. She doesn't take pleasure in any of it for in reality, she's not a real Paladin. And no matter how hard she'll ever try, she's far from being one. Hence, she wondered, if these men would still have her back if they would know who she truly is. "It's nice to see you both here, I thought you already left for Beorg and Hesam", Haelan said as she finish eating her pottage.

"We're already on our way to Hesam, when Sir Stellan asked us to stay for a couple more days to assist in your training", Atrius replied.

"Hesam? Both of you? I thought Jac got a bow from the armory? Aren't you going to Beorg?", Haelan asked as she lifted her brows.

"I did… but, ever since I was little.. I have always wanted to be a knight", Jacomus said as he munch on some apricots. "And with Sir Stellan, my Paladin strenght would work up there…. As for you, we heard you're going to the palace after your training. Too much responsibility, don't you think?", he asked.

"That's what they say.", Haelan said briefly. "Oh, Atrius, I saw you sister this morning. I didn't know she's getting married to Sir Stellan", she said.

"I am an only child, Haelan", Atrius shortly replied as he lower his eyes.

Surprised with his quick answer, she didn't bother to know more. "Oh, I see", Haelan kept it down as she instantly notice Atrius' refusal to open up.

"What's this squirrel? ", Jacomus asked as he grab the piece of paper on the table near Haelan. He opened it and found the name of the sender. "Who's Freya?", he asked.

Haelan tried to take it back, but Jacomus was too far from her reach. "Stop it, Give it back", she said as she extend her arms more.

"Wait!", Jacomus push Haelan's face to keep her from reaching the letter. Then he creased his brows as he read it out loud. He can't help but sense danger written all over the letter. "Hey Squirrel, this sounds dangerous", he said as he give the letter back.

"I heard the attacks in the villages were caused by people in dark cloak. Do you think they could be the same people?", Atrius asked. "And the fact that they are looking for that Agalea, she must mean something to them", he added.

"Who's Agalea, squirrel?", Jacomus asked.

"Just someone I know, don't worry, I can handle this", Haelan assured the two worried knights.

"Don't say you're a Paladin, I'm going to smash this bread on your face.. with jam", Jacomus said as they all had a good laugh together.

Jacomus and Atrius were more like family to her. If her friends sense danger even from the written words on the piece of paper, she wouldn't exactly bother them to involve her friends in such unforseeable peril. Thus, why would some men of mysterious identity look for an orphan like Agalea, she wondered.

LATER

The hands of time seemed to turn fast as the day turn to night. With all the rains that poured from morning until afternoon, the clouds may have drained out every bit of drop of water it preserved. The cloudy sky tonight brought darkness that not one star was able to shine.

With a permission from Lord Harlan, Haelan decided to make a quick trip to Tobias Inn and meet Freya. Wearing a full black brocade and a thick hooded cloak with Brandenburg's emblem, she prepared herself as she pocket a vial of Yereah's healing potion. She left the last four potions in her chancery for her journey to Caluso, just in case.

Along with her crest and hilt, Haelan couldn't leave without the fear as she sigh deeply. Then, she hurriedly made her way out of Brandenburg with high hopes that nothing would turn out badly.

The cool breeze blew as the fresh musky scent of the trees fill the air. The leaves rustle softly as Haelan walk down the moist cobblestoned pathway. While walking down the path to Agora, she sensed two auras following her. Before she could even look at their faces, she can already tell who exactly it was as they one smell of nuts and fruits, and the other tobacco and musk. "Come out now", she said.

"My Goodness Haelan! You really are a Paladin! How did you know it's us??", Jacomus said as he appeared from the thick setting of trees.

"I can smell jam coming out from your fingers!", Haelan said as she face her stalkers. They were still in the same clothes they were wearing earlier, just with a thick hooded cloak with Brandenburg's emblem for protection from the cold weather.

"I washed them with your soap", Jacomus said he sniff his sausage fingers.

"Why are you here? I told you, you don't need to come", Haelan said as she continued walking down. "You can go back while we're still not that far", she said as she wave her hand.

"Haelan, we're brothers", Atrius said as he follow Haelan with his hands behind his head. "We can't just leave you out there on your own", he added.

"He's right, besides, if anything happens.. at least you have us", Jacomus said as he follow the two down the the path.

"Fine, fine fine. Let's go", Haelan said with a smile realizing that her friends are absolutely right.