30 Umbriel’s Story

"Yes, We call it Snow Mountain", my jaw dropped at his response as I stare at him. "It's a magical place you see.. The night sky there is always dancing and flickering from blue to green. When the soul travelers disappeared, the lights also faded", he said as I he depict my parents' place of origin. I was loss for words. Realizing I am in the kingdom where my parents came from, I felt my heart ache a little.

"We are also the ones who made the chest of armors for Brandenburg. They say, it took twenty high priests to create a form of energy and build a wise chest that gives out weapons to the deserving", he continued.

"Swords or bows", I said.

"No Master Haelan", he disagreed. "It's not just swords and bows. There was once a warrior who took out a staff out of the chest. She's from Caluso", he said.

A staff? What are the odds!

"She? I thought only men are allowed in Brandenburg", I creased my brows in total wonder.

"It's a very long story Master Haelan", he nervously smiled as if it's something shouldn't be shared.

"I'm not going anywhere Umbriel", I said as I tap his shoulder.

"Alright.", he started to speak in a lowly voice. "Well, healer soul travelers and warriors work together long ago. The King, who was a prince at that time worked with a soul traveler. She was very adored by the prince and eventually they have trained together. She is the only woman trained in Brandenburg under the prince's request", he started. "They trained to fight together. The healer soul traveler's role is to make sure the prince survives in the battlefield since, soul travelers cannot cause harm for it disables their powers. And for that, the King ordered every healer soul travelers to pair with the commanders and imperial members every war", he expound.

"Until one day, the queen had a visit from a soul traveler, and fell ill after that. There was a confrontation in the palace with what happened, only to find out that a healer soul traveler became dark as he practice dark magic and sorcery.. His presence threatened the kingdom, and eventually led to the death of the Queen..", Umbriel added.

"The queen died? I'm sure not everyone turned dark", I asked.

"That's what they say. Some soul travelers escaped, but most turned dark. All healers who turned dark went on a killing spree, who didn't mind getting formidable blood on their healing hands. Without much of a choice, the King then, ordered total annihilation of his highly favored warriors, both good and evil, breaking the prince's heart.", he told me in detail.

Honestly, Umbriel's story is a totally different version from what I've heard from father. But, knowing Umbriel, he's not much of a liar. Now I wonder, did my father deceived me to plant a seed of hate? Did he ever knew I'll be in this state? I know for a fact that not all healer soul travelers died because my family and I is a proof for that. Surely, we were running away from something, away from Nether to an isolated place in Aelmere. All along I thought it's from the King my family is running away from, but I guess, it's from something dark and threatening. Dumbfoundingly, one of our own.

"What's the name of the soul traveler who worked with the prince?", I wondered. "And the dark healer who attacked the palace?", I asked.

"Hmm..", Umbriel thought deep and hard. "I totally forgot. It has been a long time and that story has been passed on every priest in the monastery. I'll try to remember, Master Haelan", he said with an apology as he left me hanging.

"Calling all squires, Calling all squires! Formation in the courtyard", a knight said as he roam Brandenburg with a drum.

"Well that's me.", I stood on my feet after learning so much from Umbriel. He's like a walking book, who knows all things. "Umbriel, I can assist you in the monastery to check if the vessels and relics you worry about are taken. Yeah?", I said as I offer a hand for him to stand.

"Thank you Master Haelan, I will bear that in mind", he said as he took my hand.

I swiftly went down to the courtyard, and was received by men who kept shaking hands with me. Some gave me a big tap on the back, and a squeeze on my cheek. A breaking news of an extraordinary event from yesterday spread out like fire in Brandenburg. Anywhere I go, there were squires who kept eyes on me. Kinder and more helpful, the men treated me appropriately when all I just did was drew an energy arrow. I couldn't even do it again successfully.

Unlike before, I was belittled of my size and most of the time, the men's demented eyes kept pining on me. Only Atrius and Jacomus were genuinely protective and concerned of my well being. But today, the tables have turned. The other squires are extra amiable and friendly. All because of what Yiannis has been telling everyone incessantly.

"He really did!", Yiannis said with his bright brown eyes. "Sir Stellan was even there when I told Lord Harlan", he added as we stood in the courtyard making the squires hear his words.

"I almost drew one too. Can I be a Paladin like Haelan?", Jacomus said as he scramble my hair with his large hand.

"Yours is like this small", Yiannis gestured his fingers showing a tiny object. "Haelan's was this big that flew across the quadrangle", he said as he spread his arms exaggeratedly.

"That's amazing Haelan. Maybe you could teach us next time. Don't you think men?", Gio said as he encourage the squires. I replied with an awful smile.

"And what did Lord Stellan said", Atrius asked. I looked at Yiannis, eager to hear his answer.

"He's unconvinced. He even said that Haelan is too weak. Small arms and legs. Eating so much sweets And his voice was even womanly..", Yiannis sadly said. "But Lord Harlan told him to be patient and Haelan should be guided correctly", he said with an uplifting smile.

So... he ate my sweets. That's why the chaneries became lighter.

I glared at Yiannis unknowingly making everyone nervous. So that's what he think? He talks about me with Lord Harlan. What an inconsiderate and nosy Paladin! I was about to walk away when Yiannis continued to tell a story.

"And you know what.. I overheard them talk about the attacks", he spoke lowly. "There are villages that were burned down. They say it's the dark healer Ar..", he was suddenly interrupted with the bell that rang.

A knight come forth for an announcement. "Men of Honor! Tonight we'll head to the palace for your oath. We shall prepare for the King and travel on land by twilight. King's Orders", he said as everyone clamored in recognizable joy.