93 The Scoundrels

MEANWHILE

On the onset of the night, Stellan and Gallanthe watches Galen drink water from the stream they came across. Surrounded by tall pine trees, they still haven't went farther along given that the prince has ever been slowing down their journey. At first they were riding their stallions with determined celerity, but then, Galen took several unecessary stops until the sky loses the day.

"We'll never make it there on time", Gallanthe uttered. "This is what? The 10th stop we've had ever since we left the palace?", They have left at early dawn, and yet, they haven't been farther along. Holding the reins of Galen's stallion, he refused to get off his horse as he watch Prince Galen tend for himself on the nearby stream. To cast light, their horses carried lanterns strapped around their necks as the moon rise above.

"I know that", Stellan said as he feed Areon apricots . If it was only them, they most definitely have gone beyond Nether's borders at least. And now, they needed to camp for it's dangerous in the forest especially now that the skies have already darkened.

"Don't you think we should…", Gallanthe thinks of leaving the young prince for he is slowing down their journey.

"No", Stellan refused at once. The King specifically ordered Galen's presence in this mission. They are to go to Caluso and see if Argus is still buried in the depths of the frozen ice.

"But I want to", Gallanthe insisted as he lose his patience. As one of the most aggressive knights, he prefers to get the job done as quick as possible. "Talk to him, or let's lose the heavy load…", he said. Stellan squinted his eyes on the knight who seemed to order him around. "…with all due respect of course", Gallanthe realized his mistake and grinned at the paladin knight.

"Ahh! I'm so refreshed. Don't you like to wash your face in the waters?", Galen said as he brush his wet hair back.

"Are you ready to go?", Stellan asked as he pat Areon's head.

"Aww, Evandrus. Why in a such hurry? We have all the time in the world", Galen said with his eyes beaming.

"I thought you were so eager to rush this mission. Am I missing something?", Stellan asked he ride his horse.

"Have you ever felt so alive, Evandrus?", Galen asked. "Gallanthe? No?", he noticed how the two were so confused even in very little light from the lanterns. "For the first time ever, my father entrusted me with a mission… a legitimate one. And then, I finally found the woman of my destiny.. I can't believe that I could have all I ever wanted within in my grasp all at once", he said as he hop on his stallion.

"Prince Galen, we need to rush this mission for I have other things to take care of. We need to finish this as fast as we could, even if we needed to fly", Stellan said in a serious tone. Then, he advanced forward as he led the start of their journey.

One of the several reasons why the King doesn't involve Galen in any imperial missions is that his immaturity have always gone his way. Most of the time, the paladins would patch the holes and iron all the tangled things that Galen left off.

"Straight from the heart.", Galen said as he follow the paladin. "Of course you have a wedding to prepare too. And why so serious? I just feel so elated today that even the bees in the flowers are enthralling", he said with a smile fixed on his face.

"I'm serious.", Stellan uttered. "And now we need to find a place to camp. The night is not safe especially with travelers roaming around", he said with conviction.

"Fine, fine. Grumpy old, Evandrus", Galen cheeredz

"By the way, Prince Galen.. you're getting married? Which among the ladies you've been with is it?", Gallanthe said as he keep his horse up with the prince.

"Her name is Helena. She's new in the kingdom. I met her a few days ago. She haven't agreed to it, but I know soon, she will.", Galen said confidently.

"I remember that night vividly. From where is the lady again?", Stellan asked.

"I haven't asked that", Galen dodged Stellan's question.

"Sounds like an arranged marriage. This kingdom is fond of all that", Gallanthe scoffed discretely. "But yes, who will refuse a prince, ha!", he said as he force a smile. "At least Sir Stellan have known Princess Eirah for while. Won't be too awkward for them", he said.

"We don't know of each that much. How could you marry someone you just met?", Stellan blurted out.

"Our heartstrings are connected. Fate brought us together. The moment our eyes met, we knew that we should be together for all eternity. Hya!", Galen said as he kick his stallion to speed up a little.

"Eternity is such a long time", Stellan clicked his tongue at Areon.

"Looks like it's a one-sided love now", Gallanthe whistled a tune of dismay.

"Shut it, Gallanthe", the prince squinted his eyes at the knight mocking him.

On their stallions, the three trudged on the soft ground through the tall pine trees. The dark cloudy night blinded them as the fog have started to emerge. They held the reins of their horses as their fingers get bit by the frosty winds. After a while, they were disturbed by the sound of the birds fleeing. They halted at the ground shaking along with the sound of the trees breaking.

"What was that?", Gallanthe looked around trying to see what's in the dark. He received a hand signal from Stellan as he immediately hopped down and tied the horse on a nearby tree. With his sword drawn, he inspected the vicinity. 

"Be careful.", Stellan uttered at the knight before disappearing in the woods. "Prince Galen, please stay", Stellan ordered as he ride ahead. Carefully, he trusted on his instincts that they are to face danger at hand.

"What? No!", Galen refused as he follow Stellan. He have always been so stubborn. They went ahead. The fog thinned a little. Not too long, they heard loud screams that echoed in the woodlands along with a screech of a creature. Moments later, Gallanthe came back running as he catch his breath. "We have to leave, now!", he told Stellan.

"I don't believe it", Stellan dropped his jaw as he saw a juvenile basilisk slithering in the mushy ground with Jacomus riding on its back. It seemed like Jac was trying to cover it's eyes. He also saw two men hanging by it's tail.

"That's a basilisk!", Galen said with his eyes wide open.

"No matter what happens, never look straight in its eyes", Stellan said as he rip a piece of cloth from his coat and tied it around his head to cover his eyes. Young basilisks are attracted on sudden movements, sound and light. They are not quite fast unlike the adult ones too, however, even at a young age, their gazes are still deadly that with just one look, instant death comes to anyone who stares at its eyes.

Riding Areon with his guts, Stellan chased the basilisk until he matched its speed and drew his sword. Giving his blade a glow of his energy, his sword turned fiery red as it attract the ferocious basilisk with one eye covered. Trusting his senses, he slashed the deadly serpent's head off in perfect unison as when Jacomus jumped off its back. The sound of the bone-chilling death cry of the basilisk was left resounding in the forest before the complete silence returned.

Pulling down the covers on his eyes, Stellan breathe heavily as he turn Areon back to where Jacomus jumped off. Finding the amateur warrior, he could only spur one question. "What are you scoundrels doing here???", Stellan asked with infuriating anger.

"Sir Stellan! Am I so glad to see you", Jacomus gasped as he greeted the paladin knight with wide smiles while slumped on the ground.