110 The Warmonger
HAELAN POV
"My magic is shrouded by the dark clouds, your Majesty.", I answered. "Anyway, I don't think that you coming with me is a good idea. There's danger everywhere here", I said as he continued to follow me. Royals should have personal guards to assure their safety and I'm absolutely not capable of doing that.
"What else could happen? I doubt bad things take place in such an early morn", he replied as he held my arm as we trudge down a slippery slope.
"Suit yourself, then", I said as I shrug my shoulders. I walked ahead of him until he lose his grasp on me. His touch was gentle, and yet, it didn't felt comfortable.
"So where did you sleep last night? I waited and even fixed your bed for you", Galen asked. "I woke up beside that beastly Jacomus. Ugh!", he continued to complain as he follow around.
"I decided to stay onguard while everyone's asleep", I said as I look every corner for herbs.
"That's dangerous, Helena. Don't ever do that again", Prince Galen said my name out loud, as if he knew me very well.
"Please don't call me that. Someone might hear you", I hushed Prince Galen as I worriedly look around hoping no one's nearby.
"There's no one here", Galen playfully chuckled. "Come on, let's go over there", Galen led the way through the short trees lined with uniformity until we reached a range of stunning rock boulders.
Pouting my lips at the Prince, I decided to endure his presence and went on to search around for some useful herbs. Thereafter, I found a few symphytums, a purple flowered plant that I can use for Elijah's aching body. My mother brightens her face whenever we see one in Aelmere. These herbs lessen all the pain in every part of the body. After picking some, I immediately looked around for more herbs that I can find nearby the boulders. Through the bushes and by the rocks, I was fueled with determination in finding more.
By a large slate of rock, I was so serious checking for herbs when Galen cornered me. "Haelan", he called with a serious tone that made me pause from looking. He placed his hand on the rock as I leaned back, leaving me with no place to go. Galen gave me an intimidating look that made me swallow my tongue in fear. Brushing my eye with his finger, down to my cheeks, then to my lips, he then held my hand with the leaves and flowers that I just picked. "Just so you know, what I told you about you being my destiny… it's bound to its fulfillment", Galen said with his grip tightening. "You are mine", Galen smirked that gave me chills. He said it like a curse bestowed on me. What Galen said was supposed to be full of sweetness, something that should be overwhelming. However, I took it as a threat, a warning of a fated bond that he claims.
"Prince Galen, I respect you as the crowned prince of Nether. But, I am no one's property.", I bravely said as I let go of his hand. I tried to push him away with my hands on his hard chest as I give myself some space.
"I doubt that", he said as he held me by my arms. "Fate led you to me, and so, I will make you mine", he insisted. It was then I realized that I had to leave Nether before Galen put a leash on me.
"You know I can't..", Galen suddenly covered my mouth as he pull me behind the boulders.
"Shh… keep quiet", Galen said as we kept ourselves hidden behind the rocks. There were two men wearing brown hoods made of wool, long-sleeved tunic with metal plates and leather on their chest and arms, and leather trousers and a pair of black boots. They carry with them lots of daggers, in front of their chests, on their backs and even on the side of their legs. They have this marking on their necks that looked like fire wings of a bird.
"Who are they?", I whispered as soon as Galen released me. The two men speak a different language that I fail recognize.
"Rebels", Galen uttered softly as he stood close to me. "Palace's foolish enemies, highly skilled mercenaries who knows nothing but become a constant pain in the arse", he said as Galen drew his sword and set me aside.
"Wait, you're going onto them?", I stopped Galen as I grab him by his shoulder. "Are you crazy?", my eyes widened in worry as Galen prepare himself to fight the pair of men that he just described as proficient killers.
"Just half crazy", Galen said as he gave me a wink. In a blink of an eye, Galen jumped onto the rebels with his sword and guts. For an ordinary man with no paladin magic, the prince got so much spirits despite attacking on his impulsive acts.
I stood by watching Galen fight. Galen showed me what kind of warmonger he is. He handled his blade so well that he didn't even gave the rebels a chance to fight back. I lost count of how many times his sword plunged into their bodies. His eyes were cold, and empty, way too far from the Galen I knew.
"Tha.. that's enough Prince Galen", I said as he continued to stab the men even when their dead cold on the ground.
"Ha!", Galen sighed deeply and loudly as he catch his breath. "That's one hell of an exercise, I apologize for this Helena", he said with a smile as he took out a bluish kerchief and wiped his bloody face. "Shall we go now? You got what you needed, yeah?", he raised his brows at me as he wipe the blade of his sword next.
I was too stunned to speak that I could only reply with a slight nod.
"It's a lovely morning isn't it?", he said with that cunning smile again as if nothing happened. I clutched on the herbs in my hand as I perceived what's really happening. Galen is showing me what he is capable of. And then I knew, he saw me and Stellan in each other's arms this morning.