75 Heads in Pikes

AUTHOR'S POV

Awakened with the sound of water dripping, Haelan woke up with her hands chained and her eyes tightly covered with some black velvet band. Hanging a bit high up, her feet could hardly reach the floor. Without any light seeping through the band covering her eyes, she couldn't see much anything. The reeking putrid smell of the room peeves through her nose that makes it hard to breathe. "Hello!? Anyone there?", Haelan coughed as she wriggle her numbing hands, grappling on the chains wrapped around on her wrists. Her voice easily resonated back like she's in a small room.

"Hello!!", she yelled. She gasped as she remembered that she killed a mystic healer. Wondering if she would transition into one, she feared for the people of Brandenburg that at anytime, she could turn into a mindless killer. In a moment, Haelan stopped shouting when she sensed someone coming. Her senses were very much alive that she could even feel his vibrations more than his footsteps.

"You tricked us, Healer Soul Traveler", a voice blurted out not too far from her.

"Lord Callaghan?", Haelan called. "How could you do this? What have I ever done to you??", Haelan asked.

"You are a threat to our nation. I'm just protecting my people", Lord Callaghan said. He have kept Haelan as a prisoner after finding out that she is a Celestial Healer.

"I just saved your lives!", Haelan said as the chains clink.

"Saved? Who knows.. you've been summoning those mystic healers! Are you also the one who destroyed our apotropaic spells?", Lord Callaghan accused.

"I was here before your spells failed from working. Your kingdom have been bloodied before I even arrive", Haelan clenched her teeth in anger.

"In my mind, I thought you're a Paladin of the new millenia. The prophesied Knight that would bring chaos in this Kingdom. That would be much better to finally end the reign of Silvius", Lord Callaghan said as he draw nearer Haelan. "But when you showed your true power of nature, I was stunned. I refused to believe at first but your powers were very quite similar with Tris, the great Celestial Healer.. And when you healed Harlan, that seals it all. In this Kingdom, we live in a time where your kind are despised. Your heads should be on a pike. Your blood should be spilled. You are the curse of this land! Parasites!!", Lord Callaghan's voice conquered the room as he steam off nothing but hate towards soul travelers.

"I didn't know that my greatness as a healer soul traveler frightens you that much", Haelan replied calmly.

"Frightened?", Lord Callaghan smirked in disdain. "I'm anxious about people like you having limitless powers that when in the hands of the wrong people with demented minds… comes death", he said as he step forward. "I'm furious that you infiltrated our walls and tricked us to teach you" he hardened his jaw as he stop right in front of Haelan "And this arm cuff?", Lord Callaghan threw the damask arm cuff towards Haelan that rolled to the corner of the room. "Entities, creatures and different races search for this stone for years. Who could have imagine it is with you all along?", Lord Callaghan asked.

"It isn't mine", Haelan said. Then, she was caught in surprise when she realized what Lord Callaghan just said. "Wait… Did you say stone?", she asked in bewilderment.

"I'm certain that you used the power of the stone last time in front of me and Harlan, that moment when you brought back time.", Lord Callaghan said. "The funny thing is, this piece of crap is no longer useful.. It's drained and powerless. My question is, where is the stone, Haelan?", he asked.

"I do not understand what you are talking about", Haelan gritted her teeth in disbelief. She didn't do anything that could have possibly drained the energy from the stone.

"Really?", Lord Callaghan exhaled sharply. "I knew you were going to say that, well then, you'll stay here or might as well rot in here", he said as he walk away.

"You know I'll get out", Haelan said.

"I'll love to see you try", Lord Callaghan replied. "This room is contained with a spell that would keep you from leaving.", Lord Callaghan said he walk to the door. "Did I mentioned that the priests are already working with the apotropaic spells? So tell me Haelan, what happens if the containment spell stops you from leaving this room, and the apotropaic spells will kick you out of the walls?", Lord Callaghan said as he left Haelan struggling with the chains.

IN THE CHANCERY

Lord Harlan kept pacing. Trying to put the pieces of his memory together, he sat down on a chair with his eyes closed. There were moments where Haelan's face flashes in his mind. Struggling with his memories, his head started to ache a little. Then, he stood up and decided to take a walk. In every step, he realized his knee doesn't limp anymore. "How odd", he said as he stretch his leg.

Walking through the cold empty corridors, Lord Harlan placed his arms on his back and hummed a song. It keeps his troubled mind at ease. In every step, he thought of his last clearest memories.

Last night, he was on his way to his room when he heard someone talking in the library. He heard Haelan's attestation of her identity clearly. Knowing the truth didn't surprised him, neither he felt betrayal. Instead, he felt honored that he mentored Tris' successor. All along he was right with his intuitions. What worries him and have kept him on his toes is the fact that a healer soul traveler was able to enter the fortress of Brandenburg, which only means, mystic healers may enter anytime soon. He then went to his room and sat on his bed. As he was about to retire, he heard the door creak open. It was then he realized that his fear came when he most expected it. The next thing he knew, he's being strangled in the air until he see nothing but darkness.

Lord Harlan walked by the window and noticed Lord Callaghan exit the underground cellar of Brandenburg. He then met him downstairs as he casually descended the long cobblestoned stairwell.

"What did you do down there?", Lord Harlan asked.

"The spells aren't working, might as well check the cellars for intruders", Lord Callaghan said as he gasp for air.

"I heard Haelan has already been transfered to the palace. The King didn't reconsidered letting him stay here for the training extension, after all", Lord Harlan said.

"It's better that way", Lord Callaghan replied as he lead Harlan to the corridors.

"What time did the boy left? Did you see him off?", Lord Harlan asked.

"Harlan", Lord Callaghan called. "Don't you think you need some more rest? Have you regained your memory from last night?", he asked as he stare intently at Lord Harlan.

"Hardly. I'll get to it soon", Lord Harlan said briefly.

"While you're are on it, I'll be in the chancery if you need me", Lord Callaghan said as he walk away briskly.