BACK IN HESAM CASTLE at AUTHOR'S POV
Stellan woke up with a splitting headache. He sat at the edge of the bed, burying his face in his rough palms. As he lift his face up, he caught a glimpse of his reflection on the glazed glass window. He saw nothing but a sour mien of the empty void of yearning and endless worry for Helena. Last night, his mother had all the Hesam Knights block all the passages in and out of the castle to hold him in and keep Helena out. It was for the betterment of the Hesam household, as what his mother kept telling him over and over. Regardless of his pleas, blazing anger and struggle, Stellan surrendered and faced his defeat while all the doors remained close and guarded. Only his mother's infuriating orders were followed in the castle.
Stellan washed up in the bath, quickly and roughly. He could hardly look at himself in the mirror. Every second, he thinks nothing but of Helena. As he constantly does, a soft pinkish glow suffuse on his cheeks. Smiling inevitably, but miserably. Neatly, he put on his warm clothes and a coat. Before heading out, he took a glance at his ring of promise with Helena that he has been wearing before she left. He gave a a soft sigh, before taking out the eye potion Freya gave him. He put a few drops in each of his eyes, waited for his eyes to clear, and stepped out of his private privy..
A hearty meal was served in his chambers. He only took one bite of bread and jam, and a little sip of wine touched his lips at most. While the gleams of the sun warm his room, he decided to go out, ready to face the wrath of his mother alongside the knights of Hesam restraining him to break free.
In an ash gray gambeson matching his trousers, Stellan opened the door. Four knights in complete armor blocked the doorway, forbiding him to leave. He sighed audibly, shifting glances at each of them. "Step aside", his voice thundered while holding the dragon hilt by his waist, pulling it out a little as it smolder with a bright bluish light. "I do not wish to repeat myself".
The knights choked down a morsel at the threatening stance Stellan made. Without thinking twice, they stepped aside letting the paladin knight pass.
'It worked', he thought, as he put back his hilt.
The knights followed him around as Stellan made his way to the training grounds. About thirty shirtless knights stopped and looked at the towering paladin knight making his way straight to the stables. In there, he found Gallanthe, who's brushing one of the horses' mane. As the paladin knight went inside the mews, he went over each horse in every step. It took him a while to find Areon, with a little help from his comrade who's more than surprised that Stellan couldn't locate Areon's room.
"The Duchess ordered that you aren't supposed to leave Hesam", Gallanthe said as he aid Stellan put the saddles on Areon.
"Will you stop me?", Stellan asked.
Surrendering willingly, Gallanthe sighed. "So where are we headed to?", strapping the saddles well, before patting Areon's back gently.
"I'm going alone", Stellan sternly said, preparing to take Areon out of the stables.
Gallanthe, who isn't the type who can be pushed away easily, clicked his tongue as he open another door taking his personal favorite stallion. "No, I am coming with you", he followed Stellan out to the training grounds. The knights, once again, set their eyes on Stellan, ceasing from parrying their swords. With a straight face Stellan is having, they knew that there's something more serious at hand.
Stellan paused and looked back. "It is dangerous where I'm going". Those words amplified the knights, like some sort of music ringing in their ears.
"We have killed dragons together, slayed all kinds of monsters on land, and even at sea. Flew hundreds of miles on winged beasts, and crawled in deep dungeons chasing slithering critters.. and now you'll tell me I can't tag along?", Gallanthe spewed some air, and walked past Stellan as he grab his armor by the shed near the stables. The other swordsmen discretely gathered their armors and swords, as if preparing for battle.
"Then, how about dark healers?", Stellan uttered that left the knights stupefied. A loud clanging of swords were heard, as the men of Hesam hears an unsettling word from the paladin knight.
"D-dark... healer? Sir Stellan, are you sure?", one knight asked, who knew that there is no sword or paladin powers that could match the dark healers.
"You almost died last time", another said. "We cannot kill a dark healer!", he added with much concern.
"No one can", Gallenthe said. "Except that traveler..", he went on wearing his armor. Looking at Stellan, who doesn't seemed bothered at all, Gallanthe thought that the paladin knight might have a good plan. "Aren't you going with your armor?", he wondered.
"No", Stellan replied as he hop on his stallion.
"Then, we should get going", Gallanthe simpered, feeling pleased. The knights, despite unsure for their safety, bet their lives on their paladin knight as they pulled their horses and followed Stellan towards the portcullis. Knowing that Stellan never gambles unless he knows he'll win, they have decided to fight another impervious battle with no questions asked.
"You left this", a familiar voice halted Stellan by the mouth of the castle. When he turned his back, he saw two men standing nearby - one with an absolutely eye-catching coat with the emblem of the sands, and one in brown tabard, matching trousers and boots. A smile cracked the solid face of the paladin.
Atrius draw closer the paladin and handed him a staff. "You can't be fighting dark healers without us".
"You don't need to come", Stellan took the staff. They have been through so many dangers, and he thought that another perilous journey that could endanger their lives is not necessary.
"We're not asking", Atrius replied with a nod, hitching a ride with Jacomus.
"I've been itching to use my paladin powers", Jacomis smiled, rubbing his hands.
"You can't be all sure", Stellan looked at all the men on horses ready to accompany him despite knowing the great danger they have to face. Supposing, he cannot ensure the safety of too many people. "Listen up! This is like no other fight that you have ever been. You can all still walk away, while were still here".
The soft whooshing sound of the wind passed the nonchalant knights. No one moved a muscle, as they keep a staight face at Stellan.
"I don't think that's what they want to hear", Jacomus whispered.
"You can't be serious. They are the knights of Hesam.", Atrius reiterated how unstoppable these warriors are, even so walking the valley of death.
Stellan looked down, thinking what to say at these war built men, until a certain thought came along. "I don't like you all coming. If you walk with me, your death is on you. So tonight, we'll fight until our last breath!".
"Yeah!!!!!", the knights roared as they hit the road following the lead of the paladin knight.
Meanwhile, as the knights of Hesam leave the home of the swords, the Duchess watched by the window shaking like a leaf in disappointment and growing rage. "Fetch Lord Nero for me.", she leaned her palm on the glass, eyes sharp at Stellan until he is out of sight.