107 The Good Spot

Everyone have settled inside their bell tents. Stellan, Gallanthe, and the priests have stayed at one bell tent, and the Prince, Ottis, Atrius and Jacomus slept in the other. Atrius, Ottis and Jacomus all peacefully went into slumber as soon as their backs flattened on the ground. Their loud snores and roars almost scared the creatures nearby.

Fidgetting and tossing around, Galen took a while until he have fallen asleep unintentionaly. In fact, he attempted to call Haelan to bed multiple times, however, each time he tried to get up, Jac would own the only sleeping matress in the tent that he wanted to sleep on with Haelan. He waited for Jac to completely fall asleep, and hoped that Haelan would come in any time soon. But for all that, his eyes became very heavy until he could no longer fight his drowsiness.

The night became deeper. The owls began to hoot, the crickets chirped very loudly. Without much choice, Haelan sat on the log leaning on the tree by the campfire and made herself comfortable to call it a night. Instead of squeezing herself in the men-stuffed bell tents, she chose to stay outdoors alone with the trees and the nightshade. It was her only choice. Besides, how could a girl like her sleep beside men?

The rains in fine drops have lessened. The breeze that blow isn't too biting anymore. Leaning back on the rough trunk of an oak tree, she watched the flames burn the firewood slowly as she lose herself in the abyss of her deepest thoughts. Her wanderlust brought her to so much adventures. She smiled briefly remembering how she discovered more of her abilities, explored beautiful places and meet new friends. In her mind, she had so much reasons to mix her emotions in various valiant experiences, that she already want to go back before she gets used to everything.

Not too long, Haelan closed her eyes bobbing her head in sleepiness. She suddenly felt worn out from running around, and using her magic. She touched the back of her head to which her wound have already healed. Then, she rubbed her leg which no longer aches until she snoozed off to her dreams.

Couple of hours later, a warm hand held her cheek, placing her head on a fairly comfortable textured clothing. A large coat blanketed her small framed body as she impulsively snuggled in that person's arm. She savored the comfort that made her feel like sleeping on a warm cloud.

A while later, Haelan opened her eyes only to grasp the reality she was in. It felt like she was struck by lightning seeing herself clinging on to Stellan who looked so relax in his white tunic and black trousers.

"You found a good spot to sleep on. Why would you sleep out here?", Stellan's low voice awakened her senses. The paladin have been twisting and turning in the stuffy tent which is supposedly for four persons only. He decided to step out of the tent and curved his lips at the lonely sight of Haelan by the fire. Actually, he expected worse. He had all thoughts of Haelan snuggling between Atrius and Galen. Then again, his worries for Haelan sleeping with other men that kept him wide awake were all for nothing after seeing her dozed off outside the tents by the fire.

Haelan cleared her throat as she fix her gambeson. She was caught off guard at the sudden presence of Stellan in the dead of the night. Haelan moved away from the paladin, but, chose to keep Stellan's coat up to her chest.

"No answer? Fine, go back to sleep then", Stellan said as he add more firewood in the pit.

"Who am I not to answer a paladin?", Haelan said as she look at Stellan who's now staring at the fire. "I just thought someone has to stay onguard out here", she said as she wrap her arms around her shoulders.

"On guard? You?", Stellan scoffed at Haelan as he gaze at her gray eyes.

"I'm sorry, did I offend you or anything?", Haelan willfully asked as she utter her confusion.

"Hmm?", Stellan creased his brows at Haelan's blunt question.

"Do you hate me?", Haelan asked with her sincere eyes pleading for an explanation. "Last time I checked, you turned me down… and I'm totally fine with it. What I don't understand, is your topsy-turvy treatment that I do not deserve", she said.

"Am I that torturing?", Stellan asked in return, clueless of what Haelan thinks.

"You are that misleading. Your moods are in quite a spin around me. Sometimes, you're arms reach… then in an instant, you'd act like we're strangers, Sir Evandrus", Haelan said. "Just set your feelings straight and treat me fairly like how you treat everybody else", she added as she lowered her eyes.

Dense at times, Stellan finally understood what Haelan meant. Only, he wasn't sure how to exactly answer it. It's true, he doesn't quite seem to be like himself around Haelan. She's an enigma who shook his world wrecking his sane mind. Everytime their eyes meet, Stellan gets drawn to Haelan for all the confounding reasons. Nonetheless, Stellan thought hate is a strong word.

"Evandrus", Stellan uttered as he wet his lips. "I hate that name", he said as he gaze back to the fires.

"Why would you hate your name? Isn't that the name you are called ever since you were born?", Haelan said as she state the obvious with slight irritation thinking Stellan dodged her question.

"I was born Stellan. Evandrus is my brother.", he revealed.

"Oh… ohhh…", Haelan figured with her eyes widened. "Then… why do they call you Evandrus?", she inquisitively asked as she squint her eyes in wonder.

"It has been ages… but it feels like it was just yesterday that the house of Hesam lost Evandrus", Stellan started. Haelan listened intently as she couldn't faze the truth behind the paladin's name.

"We were young then, when Evandrus and I discovered Cedar Hill. We were so fond of that place, that we snuck out everytime we get the chance. It was the only place where we feel free - no maids, no escorts and no parents.", Stellan gleamed a small smile. "Evandrus built that hut. It was a surprise for his little brother who found an obsession in the Cedar Hill's ambiance", he explained. "One day, I asked him to bring me up there, despite his persistent turndowns. Eventually, I won with my convincing charm, and he decidingly snuck me out when no one was looking", he said as his eyes darkened.

"Then, what happened?", Haelan asked as she leaned forward.