Chereads / The Soul's Wanderlust / Chapter 146 - 146 Who’s Staring?

Chapter 146 - 146 Who’s Staring?

HELENA'S POV

I thought I was in a dream. For a moment, time seemed to have slowed down, and the silence became wondrously music to my ears. When I saw Stellan by the entry way of the ruined shack, I almost wanted to wrap my arms around him in so much bliss. Seeing him at a perfect time like this made me suddenly feel as light as a feather. I was easily relieved by the sudden peace that I found in his yearning eyes looking towards me. And from that, I told to myself I do not need to be afraid anymore.

The rain completely stopped as we all started to trudge the fields of fetid water of marsh on foot for hours. The dark clouds kept rolling in the majestic purple sky, while the lightning continued to dance applauded by several thunder claps. I cannot use my magic anytime soon, but with Stellan, it doesn't worry me at all.

As the night falls, the thick haze slowly covered the forest of large trees with sprawling roots and branches. Without my sharp senses, I have often mistaken its shadows as ghouls haunting the hallow evening. Stellan lighted the saddle lamp attached by Areon's mouth. It was bright enough to see through the tule fog.

A few more hours of dragging our feet from the thick mud, I could no longer feel my legs. With a tight grip on my staff, I breathe heavily as I went on. When needed, I just lean on Areon. At times like this, I hope that I should've taken the physical trainings seriously before.

When I looked at the two, Stellan and Andrew seemed like waltzing in the garden far ahead. None of them break a sweat, not even a puff and blow… like they were made to hike in the terrains. How enviable these brothers are! I wonder if they recognize each other by the blood that runs in their veins.

The journey was getting dreadful. It's only early evening and yet we're breathing in cold air. We must be closing in to the Snow Mountain, I suppose. Moments later, Stellan stopped, turned and went directly towards me. Startled by the way he toil his path to come back for me, he suddenly lowered his head at my level and held my waist. I was so flustered that I instantly felt my ears warm up. "Uh.. yes?", I asked as I held onto his armored arms. Then, he lifted me up and let me ride Areon.

"You're slowing us down", he said.

"Well, It's because my legs are shorter than yours. You take a step, while I run a mile!", I panted. He smiled at me like a twinkling star over a gloomy night sky. He then held on the reins ahead of his dear stallion on the left, while Andrew nonchalantly walk nearby on my right.

Made we wonder, is it possible that Stellan could feel my wearied legs? Was I catching my breath too loudly? I let out a loud sigh of relief as I mount comfortably on Stellan's warhorse. I flinched when I heard someone laughed, though I'm not sure which one was it - Stellan or.. Andrew.

I'm surprised Andrew still chose to lead the journey to Caluso. Nevertheless, I haven't moved on in my disbelief that Stellan was considerate enough to have Andrew stay. Well, why wouldn't I be surprised, right? Stellan took me in too - a soul traveler, and the ultimate arch nemesis of the King. It's such an irony for a loyal paladin to casually be in the presence of the two of the most recognized enemies of this kingdom. Trudging ahead, I watched Stellan's broad back and wondered what could be going on inside that head of his.

He haven't changed. Maybe, he got thinner a little, and the sleepless nights were visible in the darker circles around his eyes. He must be tired. If he were, why would he let me ride Areon wheb he should have? I wonder.

He's as tall as Andrew, but a lot more buff. Maybe that's because of the brutal trainings and battles he man handled. Does he have more scars now? Any wounds that needed to heal? I continued to wonder, when did he last had his good meal…

"Do you know staring is rude?", Andrew who's already standing beside me whispered as he brush Areon's flank. His voice woke my senses which were trapped in a daydream.

"I. AM. NOT. STARING.", I mouthed as I hush him. Stellan might hear.

"Yes, you are", Andrew teased me along with his tantalizing eyes which looked irritating and an exaggerated simper that could unleash the devil in me. I tried to kick him away but he avoided it swiftly. He left out a giggle that got me all rattled. I wanted to sink in the wet marsh in embarassment in that very moment.

Suddenly Areon bowed and lowered down his body. "Whoa!", I panicked a little when the warhorse completely surrendered its body on the ground of fallen leaves. Andrew was about to seize hold of me but Stellan was quicker to catch me right before Areon played dead on the leaf-cushioned ground. "What happened to him?", I worriedly asked as I held onto Stellan.

Andrew checked up on the seemingly burnt out stallion. "I think he just… dropped dead", he said as he crouch down.

"We'll stay here for the night", Stellan declared as he let go of me. Is he mad at something? The tone of his voice seemed upset. Wasn't he fine earlier? He even smiled at me. "The haze is getting thicker, it's harder to travel at this time. Besides, Areon looks tired too", he said as he took the lamp saddle and searched around for a place we can stall.

"What? But, it's only been six hours since we traveled. We might be still too far behind", I disagreed and hoped that we could continue trekking. I gawked at Andrew to side with me.

"We'll…", Andrew looked hesitant as he scratch his head without the possibility of backing me up.

Then, I crouched down to the equine and rested my ear on his flank. "I can't believe you're tired, Areon! You're the fiercest stallion in the entire kingdom!! Who's the good boy? Who's the best? Hello?? Areon??", I shook Areon's lean body yet its eyes were still shut closed, despite his breathing is fine.

"I've never seen anyone pet a horse like that", Stellan said as he hang the saddle lamp on a spawned root.

"Ugh! I don't believe this", I exhaled sharply after realizing I do not have much choice.

"Aww spare the poor horse, Haelan", Andrew placed his arm over my shoulders. I bet he could feel the disappointment in me. "I hate to admit it but the man-din is right. Dark nights shelter different forms of dangers. We better stop here for a while", Andrew insisted as he push me by the growing fire Stellan just made. "Unless you carry the horse", he added as he force me to sit down.

"Fine", I said with a pout. For me, it's still not the wisest decision to stop, but I had to convince myself that these men know better. Camped under an enormous fig tree surrounded by its expansive roots, the three of us surrounded the warmth of the fire with Stellan on my left and Andrew sitting comfortably on my right.

"You rest for a while Haelan. I'll watch", Andrew said as he laid back on the tree. In a moment, he was already fast asleep and snoring draped by the cold. And when I looked at Stellan and he was nodding off his sleepiness. Maybe these two were already too tired, but both had too much pride that no one dared to speak out first.