27 Eyes on Haelan

HAELAN'S POV

The sun is high up and the weather is scorching. Training until mid-day made us both bloody and sweaty. We all removed our armors, feeling crumbling and deadbeaten. Part of the tiring day was blamed on me. With prying eyes sharp as needles, the squires departed glaring.

"Areon is Stellan's stallion.", I uttered as I drop my armor at the cart near the stables. No wonder he looks familiar. After calming Areon down, Stellan rode out with his favorite stallion."I hope I won't see him again", I said as I wipe the sweat on my forehead. Following Atrius and Jac, I suddenly felt the glorious presence of another Paladin.

"We are not done yet", a dominating voice shouted from the middle of the training grounds. "That's only the first part of your training today. ", Alesso said wearing an emerald green tunic and black trousers. His silver hair stood out beyond the sea of men. Everyone groaned in exasperation. Without much choice, we followed his training orders.

Alesso led us to the shooting range, while his team of archers handed us bows and empty quivers. "I will teach you to be men enough and use a bow and arrow", he said with his hands on his back.

"Where are the arrows?", Jacomus asked as he check the quivers.

"Allow me, Master Jacomus", Alesso took the bow from Jac's hand. I tiptoed in the back as I struggle to see, Alesso will teach to use the bow with… nothing?

Then, about a mile away, an archer threw three cherries in the air. Alesso stood perfectly in an archery stance, as he created three energy arrows releasing it in the air all at the same time. He hit the cherries that were about to hit the ground, with fire mundane arrows of energy-based beams slicing them all in halves.

I dropped my jaw in awe.So, that's what a Paladin does. Seeing it in person is amazing. I wondered how Stellan's powers look like.

No one moved a muscle as we were all greatly surprised, filled with astonishment. "Your turn", Alesso said as he made all of us lined up facing the shooting range.

I found my spot at the farthest line of the shooting range, deliberately trying to make arrows with my energy. For hours standing under the hot weather, no one was able to release even one single arrow.

"Concentrate and level your arms", Alesso said as he watch each of us stand. Jacomus managed to open a small beam of light. Too small for an arrow, big enough for a pen. He grunted as he struggle to lengthen the beam. Drops of sweat appeared as he shakily force the light out of him. We all watched in enthusiasm. Then, in a single thought, it disappeared when he tried to stretch it out.

For hours, we were forced to learn on our own - handle our powers within to make an arrow. Alesso made it look so easy, when none of us could make it effectively.

"Today's one of the many hard days", Alesso said relaxedly, as if he knew no one could perform his challenge. "We'll try this again tomorrow", he added after hours of trying to make energy arrows. He then left along with the other squires.

Later, evveryone cleared the shooting range. I heard some desired to go straight to the dining hall, while some bickered about hitting the showers. On the other hand, Atrius and Jacomus trudged away with their dropped shoulders.

The shooting range is almost half empty. The afternoon warmth cooled down with a soft breeze. Engrossed with the challenge, I decided to stay for a bit with the bow in my hand. Thinking of what should be done to fire an arrow made from great energy, I remembered what Umbriel said about Stellan making a sword out of a tree branch. May it be out of desperation, immense focus or overwhelming emotions, channeling powers is possible. Wondering if I could do the same, I looked at the bow and slowly channeled my powers. Positioning myself in a bow and arrow stance with my eyes closed, I straightened my arm as I clear my mind.

I exhaled slowly through my pursed lips, then I opened my eyes as I calm my senses. Across the quadrangle where a stray cat is limping, I squinted my eyes as I started to draw a magic ammunition. It took me long enough as I maintain my composure. Then, I stretched a blue beaming light… held it in place until I'm ready to fire towards my target. Remarkably at my attempt, I hit it as the cat eventually stood on its four perfectly well legs.

"Oh!", I gasped as my eyes widen in disbelief. Finally! I discovered my very own health booster bolts. My head spinned a little as I used the bow like w cane, but at least, I made it. When I turned my back, I was startled to see an onlooker who witnessed what I just did.

"The rumors are true! You are a rising Paladin", Yiannis was standing right next to me with his eyes so big and cheery.

**********

AUTHOR'S POV

"He can't wield a damn sword!", Stellan yelled in annoyance as he drag his feet back and forth in front of Lord Harlan in the chancery.

"What do you mean?", Lord Harlan closed the scroll that he was reading. He's sitting on his red velvet chair in front of his plain varnished table full of scrolls, books and parchments.

"Your potential Paladin? Haelan.", Stellan said as stopped and looked out the window. "He can't wield a sword. He was terrified of it.", he furrowed his brows at his observation of Haelan in the training grounds this morning. He clasped his throbbing hand with a fresh wound from protecting the tiny squire from being stabbed by Yiannis.

"It took you a while to release your energy and become a Paladin, is it not Stellan?", Lord Harlan said as he smack his lips on his impatient knight.

"But I am not afraid to hold a blade. Did you see him out there? He stared at the sword like it's going to bite him. I'll give him credits on the chimera and Kelpie.", he said as he lifted his brows trying to make a point. "But, are you sure he's of Brandenburg? And most especially… a Paladin?", he asked.

"Be patient, Stellan. Good things take time. His footworks are amazing though. And he's great on Areon.", Lord Harlan replied as he have personally observed the training discretely. He knew that Stellan did let Haelan ride Areon, whom he never let just anyone touch his favorite stallion.

"He is. But it's not enough.", he groaned audibly as he sat on the leather seat, resting is head back with his eyes closed. "His arms are weak, his legs are short. His voice is too womanly! And he eats sweets", Stellan complained, remembering how sweet the apple tarts and berries in Haelan's chaneries when the servants delivered their stuff last time in the quarters. "He should train somewhere else.. like in a monastery", he added.

Lord Harlan chuckled at the Paladin. "Not everyone's like you and Alesso..", Lord Harlan said as he open the scroll that he was reading. "By the way, the oath taking will be tomorrow evening. Please let the squires know", he said.

"That soon? They are not ready", Stellan objected as he stared at Lord Harlan full of doubts and uncertainties. "I'd rather stand with a few skilled men than an army of amateur knights", he said.

"King's orders, Stellan. We follow King's orders without complain all the time", he replied as he show the scroll to Stellan. "A terrible news came in. Another small town that's being guarded by a few crusaders in the west of the kingdom was wiped out. Vesta is there as we speak. All dead bodies were mutilated and appeared to have a black powderish substance.", he worriedly said.

"All?", Stellan took scroll as read the letter.

"All", Lord Harlan pertained to the massacred village people including the skilled crusaders of Aria guarding the place. "So I suppose, it's better to stand with someone else than no one at all. Ready or not, the king needs more men. Please inform Hesam", Lord Harlan said.

"Anyone in mind who could be behind all these?", Stellan asked as he sit back.

"I've seen those before but, It's hard to say because Argus has been frozen in Caluso for years. Healers and Soul travelers are long gone, and I'm quite sure no one like him could do that", Lord Harlan explained.

"Yet here we are, Lord Harlan", Stellan replied.

A knock on the door interrupted the two. Standing already inside, Yiannis bowed in respect to the head of Brandenburg and the Paladin knight. "Lord Harlan, may I speak with you?", he asked.

"Can't it wait? How long have you been standing there?", Stellan voiced in authority.

"Not too long, Sir. This will take an ample of

time", Yiannis replied with a nervous smile.

"You may speak", Lord Harlan let him in to hear what the squire have to say.

"It is true, my Lord. Haelan is a rising Paladin", Yiannis said with much excitement.

"What did you say? What sort of travesty is this", Stellan asked.

"I'm not lying Sir Stellan. And it's true! I saw him drew an arrow. A blue beaming light arrow!", Yiannis couldn't hide his astonishment on what he have witnessed earlier. He convinced the Paladin ardently with his earnest eyes full of elation.

"Thank you, squire. You may go back to your quarters", Lord Harlan casually said as if he's unbothered.

"Thank you, my lord, ", Yiannis bowed and left the chancery immediately.

"So, you have eyes on Haelan?", Stellan asked as he stared at Lord Harlan.

"It was just a random report", he replied. "An arrow.. isn't it amazing? A tiny Paladin he is", Lord Harlan replied with a curve on his lips. "So… do you still want to send him in the monastery?", he asked as he stood up enjoying Stellan's incredulity.

"Looks like we have an interesting squire this season", Stellan said as he unwillingly agree to teach Haelan.