AUTHOR'S POV
EARLIER IN BEORG MOUNTAINS
The captives escaped with no traces. Lord Axis had all archers comb all the pathways where they might have snuck out to. They can't believe that novice knights slipped through their fingers, pointing Haelan as a notorious wanted prisoner.
Stellan stood right where Haelan jumped off. It is clear to him that Umbriel isn't taken as a hostage, hence he helped Haelan and the others escape. Surely, Stellan decided to set off and spoor the escapees.
"I'll track them down", Stellan said as he wear his black armor. "I think I have an idea where they are headed to", the paladin knight refused to admit to Alesso that he let Helena get away.
"I'll go with you", Alesso offered as he wear his emerald cloak.
"No", Stellan refused. "I need an eye in the palace. You and Vesta are the only ones I can trust.", he said affirmatively. The pair of paladins walked their way to the exit door where Areon is waiting.
"Do you think Haelan is innocent?", Alesso asked with an ounce of doubt.
"He is something, but not a murderer. You're too smart to know that", Stellan knew that Alesso is just trying to figure out what he thinks. The paladin archer surely have no doubts on Haelan being innocent. "Keep an eye on Callaghan. He and Rowan cannot do all of these on their own. I'm sure there's a witch, and someone… with much more authority to back them up", he told Alesso who happened to have the same assumption.
"Where are you going?", Alesso asked as Stellan check on Areon's saddle.
"I'm going to Caluso. If Haelan is a traveler, he'll go there. Also, the King ordered me to find Argus in the Snow Mountain. If he isn't…", Stellan sighed deeply at the possibility that Argus may still be alive.
"He could be somewhere in this kingdom", Alesso completed Stellan's thought.
"Specifically in the palace", Stellan mounted effortlessly on Areon as he prepare to leave.
"How about the prince? Will you still be taking Galen with you?", Alesso asked.
"Sir Alesso", an archer approached the paladins with an important news to report. "The prince have left with the palace knights. He insisted to start the search for Haelan himself", the archer said. Alesso and Stellan stared at each other, with a thinking that Argus may be in the prince's body given he had a special liking towards Haelan.
"I'll leave now, before Galen finds Haelan", Stellan held on the reins and galloped away.
"Ride safe, Stellan", Alesso watched Stellan ride his stallion swiftly down the mountains.
BACK IN THE PALACE
Lord Nero continued to take over the palace affairs in the absence of the King. King Silvius remained in his chambers, until the witches have been figured out about the talisman found under his bed. Every morning is a bore to him, and the silence of the night makes him go insane. He wanted to get out, for at least a few moments to see his people, manage his lands and strenghten his army. However, given that the apotropaic spells in the entire castle and some parts of the kingdom hasn't been completelyrestored, the council insisted to keep the safe in the spell bound room against the King's will. Besides, the soul travelers are anywhere now, waiting for the perfect time to attack.
Syria, who came back in the palace right after sending Yereah's corpse to Wicce, struggled in restoring the apotropaic spells in the castle. Each time she envelope a part of castle with a defensive shield, a stronger counterattack blocks her attempts to seal it with her protection spell. Reportedly, she requested some aid from her sisters in Wicce to perform a much stronger spell to fight whoever is blocking her magic. However, General Aether and Lady Vesta always declines.
General Aether restored peace and put cessation on hostilities in the Kingdom. Ever since he was elected as the new general, he made sure every town in the kingdom is guarded, and civilized with no crimes. He wakes up at dawn, and ends his rounds at midnight. The non-paladin general, who had very few words, offered limitless possibilities. He was easily loved by the people, as he effortlessly earned respect amongst the nobles. The queen watched him take over the kingdom just like she planned.
Lady Vesta remained within the castle walls. She refused any combat, monster onslaughts… even the emergent calls of Aria. Lady Octavia started to worry, knowing that Vesta always comes home no matter how long the day is. Hence, Lady Vesta committed herself in her duty as the royal paladin until Stellan comes back.
With Vesta's strict rules, no one goes near the queen. She kept everything in control without raising anyone's suspicions. They say that the paladin crusader has gone more stern, especially with the queen whom she protects more. Calling the King's land Queendom, Vesta showed her extreme loyalty to Isavelle beyond anyone's expectations. She's even called the queen's puppy, for guarding her too much and for doing all of Her Majesty's commands. Today, she invited Lord Nero to come in the queen's chambers… under the orders of the queen.
"The soul travelers and the royals were once living together in perfect harmony. Jointly, they maintained peace and order in the kingdom. Long ago, a small group of people was discovered during one of the voyages of the palace warriors in a village in Snow Mountain. Blessed with healing abilities and soul projection, the soul travelers who has an unknown history caught the eye of the royals. The palace penetrated Caluso. Then eventually, they learned that not all of the village people of Caluso were blessed with amazing gifts. Their mutation is bestowed to their deserving descendants by the lights dazzling over the snow mountain. Moreover, the chosen ones come with a crest that takes the dominion of their powers. Thus, in every generation, one celestial healer rise up among the soul travelers. They move the earth, swirl the seas, and bend the winds. Decidingly, the royals kept a close eye on them, until they found a way how to make use of their new found ally. That time, Argus, a celestial healer who's the ruler of the soul travelers, swore allegiance with the royals in exchange for a high-ranking position, literacy and gold. His son, Callum whose powers haven't awakened yet, wanted to remain unobtrusive in seclusion in Snow Mountain. However, Argus was too hyped up to explore outside the frozen slates of Caluso, with an impulse to make their way of living much better. Everything was in their perfect order at first. Each soul traveler matched with a royal to protect. Wherever the royals go, the soul travelers follow. They were called upon during wars, serving as spies whennever they soul travel. They stayed close during monster attacks. At some point, the soul travelers found purpose in their healing abilities and soul traveling. On the contrary, Callum never liked the idea. Argus and the others never saw what Callum did. Callum thought that his race was belittled and exploited by the royals, when they are stronger and more powerful in actual. Little by little, Callum was piqued with displeasure and his insecurity multiplied especially when his father paid more attention to the royals and their people with powers. Seeking for his father's attention, Callum pretended that his magic of soul traveling and healing have finally awakened. With delight and bursting in pride, Argus ordered for the presence of Callum to accompany him to the palace and make him known among the royals that his only son has finally have gained the magic of the soul travelers. As soon as Callum stepped in the palace, he had other things in mind. Every day, Callum slips into the palace and pours toxicants in the queen's food and drinks that slowly killed her majesty from the inside. It was an easy task for Callum, for King Edmore and his wife had a particular fondness in him. Argus' son uses an explicit wordplay who can easily build friendly companionship with anyone. Then one day, the inevitable arrived. The Queen wouldn't wake up. Argus and the other soul travelers were called to the palace to heal the queen. However, there's an outrageous monster attack that everyone was given orders to be in the borders. Callum, the only healer available during that time, was called to heal the queen instead. Upon checking the Queen, he specifically entailed that it's too late to heal her and that her majesty is at the end stage of her life, coming from a person with no healing abilities. Disheartened, the King couldn't take no for an answer and was ultimately desperate for the life of his beloved. However, Callum cannot do anything about it until the Queen died in the arms of the King. It was then the King found out that Callum had no powers at all. It was also revealed by one of the servants that day by day, Callum poisoned the queen. King Edmore went ballistic, and put on an honorable revenge for the death of Her Majesty. He took his claymore and lunged through the heart of the soul traveler who deceived the royals and killed the queen. Rightfully, he initiated an all out war in the soul travelers whom he treated as family….. And they all lived happily ever after", Queen Isavelle read an old book that she found in the queen's chancery.