74 Where’s Haelan?

THE NEXT MORNING

The day was hazy. The king of the morning sky didn't made its way in between the thick clouds. In the first bell of the cold dawn, the people of Brandenburg gathered in the training grounds in their thickest coats as they exchange their experiences and fears from last night's attack. No one could believe that the pillar of the Kingdom's strenght became a target of intrusion. Luckily, no one got hurt and nothing was stolen.

Today, as requested by Lord Callaghan, all individuals comprise of priests, scholars, servants and novice warriors were asked to collect themselves in the muskly open field of Brandenburg. Many among the servants fear their safety, and that they have put into consideration to leave Brandenburg for good. The priests chose to stay, believing that there are no other safe place in the Kingdown of Nether. Some priests have started to cleanse the entire castle. Umbriel and some of the other scholars inspected the walls, assuming that the apotropaic wall protection may not be in effect.

The people continued to clamour citing their worries. In the middle of the bickering civilians, Jacomus and Atrius kept their prying eyes around. They noticed there were no palace official warriors, not even paladins to investigate the attack.

"Is Haelan back?", Jacomus whispered.

"Not since last night.", Atrius answered. After he and Haelan seperated last night, they never saw each other again.

"Haelan is just around there somewhere", Yiannis blurted out.

"What did Lord Harlan say? I bet the old man know", Jacomus lifted his brows at Atrius.

"He seemed lost. ", Atrius sais as he shook his head.

"And Lord Callaghan?", Jacomus squinted his eyes as he ask.

"No see, no hear", Atrius shrug his shoulders for another deadspot for Haelan.

"Why do you keep on worrying about Haelan? He's a grown man, he can even kill a mystic healer on his own", Yiannis interrupted again as he keep on lending his ear on Atrius and Jac's conversation.

Atrius pushed Jac to the side and whispered. "Look Jac, we need to find Haelan. He might be in danger", Atrius said as they watch Lord Callaghan walk up to the podium.

"Greetings Brandenburg! Last night, our walls have been compromised. Lord Harlan is still in his chambers restoring his strenght after getting face to face with danger itself. Fortunately, no further casualties after that. Thanks to our brave Paladin who fought by himself for the security of the people. Do not fret, for it is all over. ", Lord Callaghan said as he face the people.

"How could those darklings enter our walls?", Madam Eleanor interrupted as she could not contain being worrisome.

"I know you may be asking how the mystic healer breached our sacred walls. Evil have its ways, and we will not be shaken or taken aback by it. Our priests are now in the middle of inspecting our walls, and for that, we shall be safe again", he said with a nod.

"Where's Haelan, my Lord? We haven't seen him since last night. The savior of Brandenburg!", Yiannis blatantly asked that ignited the clamorous crowd to make some verbal noises. Atrius and Jacomus waited for the lord's answer as they stare at him intently.

"We would like to personally thank him", Madam Eleanor said.

"I feel safe when he's around", one servant said.

"I heard Sir Haelan was also the one who saved the prince during the attack in the palace", another servant said.

"For those who are looking for Sir Haelan, he's been assigned today as the new Palace Paladin. He left earlier this morning. Also, since this matter has been well handled independently by Brandenburg alone, there is no need for royal warriors to be involved. This shall remain private, anyhow it has already been solved", Lord Callaghan responded. "For now, you may all go on with your daily activities and routines. May we all be guided with our own light of protection", Lord Callaghan said as he descend the podium and went back inside the castle. The speech didn't lighten the heaviness in the hearts of the people. It only heightened their anxieties that kept their minds from peace, especially knowing that the Paladin who saved them is no longer in Brandenburg.

"Haelan didn't say his goodbyes? What a friend", Yiannis said as he leave.

"What do you think?", Atrius ask Jacomus who's staring blankly.

"I… I… need coffee", Jacomus said as feel his eyes getting droopy. "And no…. he won't leave without a word", he added.

Atrius watched Lord Callaghan leave the premise. He have always had high regard to the lords. However, given that last night, before he and Haelan went on their separate ways, it was clear that she went to the lords' chambers. And after that, she never returned. For the meantime, he couldn't trust any of the lords. Unconvinced with an excuse that feeds his growing impatience and inquisitiveness, Atrius decided to stick his nose on Haelan's whereabouts.

Haelan's bed is properly made up. Thus, Atrius thought it's always been like that knowing Haelan never sleep on it. Her chest box and other personal belongings were no longer there, implying that she really have already left. Afterwards, Atrius secretly went to the library. Greatly, everything was still the way he left them last night. The books that they all gathered were still scattered on the floor, the bed cushion where they sat on was still there, and most especially, Haelan's pouches were still by the door where he last saw them. "She's definitely here", Atrius uttered.

Atrius tried to search for clues along the hallway. He unsuspiciously looked for signs that could lead him on. As he go along, he snuck in the first door that he passed by. It happened to be Lord Harlan's chambers. No one's in, and the room is in complete disarray. All its furniture were broken, seemingly blasted severely. The walls have pits, the floors have rough grooves, and there were black dusts all over.

As he inspect carefully, Atrius is amazed how Haelan was able to get through such unimaginable attack in a small room saving Lord Harlan along the way. Moving some of the broken pieces of furniture at bedside, Atrius found Haelan's crest that she bring with her all the time, another affirmation that she never left.

"What are you doing here?", Lord Harlan asked who was standing by the door. Atrius was startled as he stood back on his feet. He then kept the crest on his back as he face Lord Harlan. "Sir Atrius, I'm asking a question", Lord Harlan said.

"Lord Harlan, apologies for coming without notice. I'm here to ask for your well being and also… offer my assistance to clean up this heap of clutter caused by the attack", Atrius said as he try to keep it casual as much as possible.

"I'm fine lad.", Lord Harlan replied as he walk in. "I couldn't remember a lot, but a part of it was like a dream, very unlikely to be true", Lord Harlan said as he stood in the middle of the room. The last thing he could remember was being strangled by the mystic healer. Seeing his room in total mess doesn't remind him of what took place that night.

"Are you referring to the attack.. or something else, my lord?", Atrius asked.

"I can't be more sure", Lord Harlan replied as if they were both talking about the same thing. Then he looked at Atrius who seemed to be very bothered with all the lines on his forehead. "Do you have something you wish to tell me?", he asked.

"Nothing, my lord", Atrius said, as he walk towards the door. "By the way Lord Harlan, I heard Haelan already left for the palace. Did he dropped by your chancery to say goodbye?", Atrius asked.

"He left? I haven't seen him, Sir Atrius", Lord Harlan looked confused. In fact, some say Harlan saved his life, however he could hardly remember.

"I see, I'll be off my lord", Atrius said as he forced a smile. Now certain that Haelan didn't leave Brandenburg, Atrius hurriedly went out and rushed back to the library. On his way, he met Jacomus with a cup of brewed coffee.

"Did you find Haelan?", Jacomus asked as he follow Atrius.

"No", Atrius briefly replied as he walk down the corridor.

"So what are we going to do?", Jacomus asked as he trail his friend.

"Were going to perform the apotropaic incantation", Atrius said as he enter the library. He realized that one thing that would force Haelan out is the apotropaic spell for healer soul travelers. However, he knew it's easier said than done. He had to make the apotropaic candles and chant the spells towards the walls of Brandenburg.

"We're knights Atrius! We don't mess with spells. Let me remind you that. Why don't you call Umbriel, let him do his job", Jacomus scoffed.

Atrius knew that if Yereah is involved in disabling the apotropaic spell, she wouldn't come around to fix the wall protection. He replied to Jac with silence as he stare at the library floor with so many books scattered on the floor. "Hey Jac… Do you know the way to Snow Mountain?", Atrius asked as he kneel down the bed cushion picking up the books.

"No", Jacomus sat on one of the divan as he sip his hot coffee. "But I know someone who know the way to Caluso down to his core", he said.

Atrius froze as he look at Jacomus. "Like a walking map?", he asked as he lifted his brows.

"Like a navigating compass", Jacomus said. "Why?", he asked as he gaped at Atrius. "Fill me in Atrius, what's your plan?", he asked.

"Let's get that friend of yours after we make the apotropaic candles", Atrius said with a smirk.