56 A Mission

AUTHOR'S POV

"Your Majesty", Stellan greeted with a bow, droplets of sweat have started to come out on his forehead. The heat inside the chapel is immoderate that it felt like buns inside a brick furn.

"Evandrus", King Silvius said. "How's the training of the new Paladin going?", he asked.

"He over exerted today. And there's still so much to learn, with so little time.", Stellan replied.

"I grew impatient, so I intended to make it three days, I hope you'll meet my requirements", King Silvius said like he didn't hear what Stellan said.

"I hate to break it to you, your Majesty. What you require is truly impossible", Stellan replied.

"Hnmm..", the King grunted as he walk to the devotional candle stand. "But, his presence here is urgently sought after. I know you understand", he said as he light up candle.

"Actually, I don't, my King", Stellan said as he watch the candle light glisten on the King's face. He saw nothing but sadness. "The palace have so many knights already, General Rowan and I are here as well. With Haelan's current competence, he might not fulfill his duties as a palace paladin. It's too rushed", Stellan said as he discourage the King to take in Haelan.

"Then, do the best that you can, Evandrus. You and I both know that he's far more capable", The King placed the candle in one of the empty holders.

"Is that really it, King Silvius?", Stellan asked as he's unconvinced with the King's absurd reasoning.

He watch the King light a few more candles. Stellan can tell the King is very anxious. "He reminds me of Tris.", the king curved his lips as he mention the name of woman who constantly run in his head. "Seeing him makes me remember Tris' promise that she'll come back.", the King said as his eyes glimmer with longing.

"But.. he's not Tris", Stellan briefly replied as he thought that the King's strong facade is just a mask of his intense longing for Tris. "Aren't you waiting for too long? I've always thought you despise healer soul travelers", he said. Stellan could only feel bad for Queen Isavelle and Prince Galen, who have only loved the King tremendously.

Stellan could see the King's lips tremble as he breathe slowly. He haven't entirely moved on as he bear such heaviness in his heart ever since Tris and him parted ways. For the first time, Stellan felt pity for the Queen. All these years, given all the love that the beloved Queen have shown, the King only sees Tris who owns his mind, body and soul.

"We have a child, Evandrus. She was pregnant when she soul traveled. So if you're asking me if I'm waiting way too long.. I'll wait for Tris and our child all the remaining days of my life", the King admitted without hesitation that ultimately surprised Stellan. "Seeing Haelan with his bright gray eyes with flecks of green opened up the most painful scars, forgotten promises that were unkept, broken trust, and lives that were lost. Having him near me would constantly remind me of Tris and the melancholy and euphoric memories that come with her", the King said as he clench his jaw. Indeed it is very difficult to forget a person easily, considering that Tris healed every part of Silvius' wounds, and have watched his back all the days of his glorious life when King Silvius was younger.

"A child?", Stellan now realized why King Silvius has been giving nothing but a cold heart to Galen. He longs for his child that he never held.

"Evandrus, I have a mission for you, but make it discrete. Bring a small group, three or four, doesn't matter to me." , The King said as he face Stellan. "Take Galen with you, go to Caluso and return immediately", he said with burning desire.

"Caluso? I wouldn't risk to take the prince in such perilous journey", Stellan creased his brows at the King's bizarre order.

"His presence will make your journey less suspicious. I don't want anyone to know that I sent another set of warriors to Caluso", the King said as he breathe deeply. Stellan then wondered who were the first ones the King sent to the Snow Mountain. He never knew that the King made such orders, in the first place.

"I know you wanted to cancel your betrothal to Prince Eirah of Vierme. You have canceled your wedding before with Lady Vesta, and if you abandon this second wedding of yours, it would be a complete dishonor to your family and your name.", the King said with a serious tone. "Do this for me, and I'll call off your marital union", he added.

"What do I need to do in Caluso?", Stellan asked.

"I want to know if Argus is still there", King Silvius said. "Leave after you have completed the training with Haelan", he added.

Argus, the divine ruler of the healer soul travelers.

It's been years since he was buried in the deep snow of Caluso. He is the poison that led his own people to face their terrible fate and caused many plaques. His greed caused the downfall of the healer soul travelers as he broke their great bond with the palace. If the intuition of the King is correct that Argus has been awakened and have been causing all the attacks, the entire kingdom once again will face its destruction. And if the soul healer travelers are back, so is Tris.

Stellan left the chapel shortly after meeting the King. Surely, King Silvius do not trust the warriors he sent to Caluso earlier. It will take three nights to travel on horse, and five nights to travel on foot. The journey isn't too easy, for there will be a whirlwind of danger in every realm they'd come across. And to take Prince Galen with him, the journey would be extremely burdensome.

Before leaving the palace, Stellan decided to go through the south hall where Alesso claimed that he saw Haelan went to. He inspected every room, until he dropped by the paint room. He grazed the walls which were the only witness of Haelan and Alesso's encounter. He grunted in irritation how physically close the two would probably were during that night.

As he go along, he kept thinking why Haelan would go in the South Hall. When he went out, he saw the Southwing Tower at the open end of the hallway. "The Healer Soul traveler's keep", he uttered.

As he went to the room next door, he checked every bit of evidence he could get that can be considered useful. The room was just full of clutter, and unecessary things. Nothing much can be done in there that would make General Rowan visit. As he was about to walk out, he noticed the window pane full of black dusts. He wiped it with his finger and took in the scent, only to find out it's something similar to the mystic healers' explosive pigment. Then, he placed his palm on the walls, his eyes widened as he figure out the situation. "The apotropaic walls", he anxiously said.