AUTHOR'S POV
With no direction where to go, Helena walked through the cold mist grief-stricken. Freya is one of the first persons who gave her a great definition of what a good friend is. After going through so much together sharing a fine history back in Tobias Inn, Helena can't believe that their friendship didn't go beyond a significant deep level as what she thought to be. She wondered how could it possibly be fragile enough to be shattered into pieces. Looking into Freya's rage-filled eyes, Helena took time to comprehend that Freya regarded her only for a circumstantial friend, who just used her at her advantage.
According to Freya, Helena, who's in the body of Agalea, have a mission which she is not fully aware of. If only Freya clearly told her about it in the first place, she would have at least understood her and have given it a thought. Helena has been transparent on soul traveling back home, she never knew that Freya needed her for something more like saving an entire kingdom. And now that Galen played a cynical card with murderous intentions, giving herself to the prince suddenly became a right thing to do.
Devastated, Helena felt dejected for such undeserved fury that exploded at her face when she knew nothing of what has to be done at all. She treasured Freya, the moments they shared and the times they spent.. And now, her understanding that not all beautiful things are what they seem to be went to a different level. Helena shed a tear as she look up the crescent heavenly body wondering if will she still be able to accept the dark side of the moon as it slowly wanes revealing its other side.
As the haziness cleared, Helena found herself infront of two pyres - one is completely burned down and yet, the other is completely untouched with still a dead body on top of it. The body is wrapped in a black silk, tied with a knotted red cord.
"That's Yereah", Iaso stood beside Helena whom she didn't even hear coming. "We can't burn her yet since she lacks her soul. We believe that a lost soul can't be at peace even if we burn its flesh to ashes", she explained with her hands across her chest.
"How do you find the lost soul of the dead?", Helena asked without removing her eyes from Yereah's body.
"First, we need to find who took it… and release the soul of the dead through death", Iaso pointed out as she made a quick side eye to Helena. It was quite a challenge for the leader of the coven to assume that the person she's speaking with is not Agalea.
"That sounds like revenge. How did the high priestess died?", Helena remembered her short encounter with Yereah. She was bright and shiny, who's hard to miss in the great hall.
"Oh, you know Yereah?", Iaso surprisedly asked.
"I met her once in the palace. She gave me potions, good ones", Helena clasped on her chanery with a few remaining potions she got from the late high priestess. They were helpful for Helena while the power of her crest isn't working at its finest.
"Ahh.. She's best in those". Apparently, Yereah is one of Iaso's students who was excellent in making potions and spells in vials and decanters. Her death is such a waste not only for the palace, but for the entire coven. "Well, we don't exactly know how she was murdered… but as what the palace claim, she died a titled extinction saving the life of Her Highness. She came back soulless with her eyes black as coal. Actually, her entire body was covered with black dust-like particles", Iaso said.
"Just like the priests in Holy Land", Helena thought.. Then Helena remembered the cadavers back in Aelmere that she and her family encountered. She figured it could be the same person who did it. It should be, she positively claimed.
"You've been there, too?", Iaso asked as she face Helena.
"Yes, the aftermath was not a pretty sight. There were survivors though. They must be in the palace now", Helena hoped Father Bertram and Father Elijah were escorted by Beorg back to the palace. Safe and sound.
"May I ask if you heard about the traveler's stone that was kept in there?", Iaso lifted more floating lanterns around them so she could see Helena clearly.
Helena was astonished when the lanterns flew around. It was only then that she was able to see the face of the woman who approached her. Delft in sleep and pain while she was enduring the goblin bites, she immediately recognized Iaso who was there while she was being healed by the shaman. "I wish I do. But the priests were protective of such relic, especially from a soul traveler like me". Iaso was caught off guard with Helena's bluntness, compared to Agalea who just say yes to all of her commands. They are purely different, despite possessing the same body.
"I know you know who I really am. I don't need to conceal it", Helena said.
"I'm not actually thinking it.", Iaso said as she opened her palm in the air. "Walk with me, Agalea? Or should we stick to Haelan?", she asked.
"Please call me Helena", Helena followed Iaso, whom she thought is exuding with elegance and grace. She could sense great power in those stubby fingers of hers.
"Tris chose a beautiful name. I am Iaso, leader of Wicce's coven. You were healed in my home", Iaso kept her hands on her back as the two walk side by side.
"I am not surprised that you know my mother, Beatrice. Seems like everyone in this kingdom does know her", Helena humbly said with pride.
"She is an epitome of strenght and wisdom for women. Everyone loves her", Iaso remembered how Tris fought with the paladins way back.
"The back stories are a mystery to me. We never talked about it as a family. Anyway, it is my pleasure to be welcomed and receive aid from the coven leader herself", Helena stopped and faced Iaso. "I appreciate your hospitality, but I didn't know Wiccans are beknownst to generosity. I'd like to know, what do you want from me that you had to put me in Agalea's body?", Helena straightfowardly asked that impressed Iaso. Helena thought, that as far as a Wiccan is involved, the leader of the coven should be very much aware of her people's actions.
"I'm glad you're not just some insipid and narrow-minded dullard who lacks insight. No wonder Prince Galen thought you are to die for", Iaso smirked, convinced that she made the best decision of summoning Helena to become the savior of their kingdom.
"Galen is ludicrous, his reasoning is as hazy as the atmosphere here. I'm deeply saddened for what he have caused. I won't apologize for his actions, but I'm ready to make amends with him so no one else will have to suffer", Helena said without batting an eye. Certainly, Helena does not prefer to let the Wiccans be involved with the Prince's madness.