47 UNBELIEVABLE!

HAELAN POV

Stellan and I stood by the palace doors as we watch the rain drops fall. I lost count of how many leaves flew by, and how many ravens came in for shelter. In silence, we waited for the last drop to fall until we could go home to Brandenburg. We stayed awfully quiet as we listen to the humming of the wind, and the banging of the wooden window covers. As stubborn as he is, I didn't know Stellan would impertinently talk back to a royal just because he didn't agreed on letting me stay in the palace.

Hours passed by, Stellan seemed to have grown impatient as he have made a decision to travel as soon as the rains went light in fine drizzles. "Let's go", he uttered as we headed to the shed were Areon was waiting. I looked around and noticed there's no other horses for me to ride on when he specifically said that I will ride home to Brandenburg with him.

"I will walk", I said as Stellan prepare his stallion. I guess I better start off the long tiring walk from the palace to Brandenburg.

"You should, I'm your superior", Stellan coldly replied as he effortlessly rode his dark stallion. I walked under the light rain first, for surely, Stellan and Areon would catch up soon.

As I walked on the wet and slippery cobblestone path to the bailey, I felt someone put my hood over my head. Then, I saw Stellan and Areon who were already right beside me. I curved my lips on his little gesture that warms the heart.

Areon galloped slowly, while I tried so hard not to slip. I heard Stellan sighed a couple of times. He shouldn't blame me, he could've borrowed a horse or a carriage at least so we can travel swiftly.

Well, I guess… this is how men should be. A little rain won't hurt, wouldn't it?

As we reach the castle's portcullis, Stellan grunted at the muddy pits and the ankle-deep puddles up ahead. "Sorry Areon", he said before he rode out leaving me behind.

Unbelievable.

Stellan felt sorry for how filthy the hooves of his horse would get, yet here I am, unsure if I could walk my way out of these muddy pits. Worried that I might ruin his night even more after his altercation with the prince, I trudged the trough and tried my best to lift my feet off the sticky mud as fast as I could so I can catch up to the insensitive Paladin. Since the sky isn't clear for my powers to appear, I'll have to endure this mortal difficulty.

As soon as I succesfully passed the grubby trough, Stellan came back galloping with Areon. "We won't make it to Brandenburg quickly like this", Stellan said as he reach for my hand. Then, he strongfully pulled me up Areon to ride in front of him. "There's too much burrows ahead", he said as we gallop away. It seems to me, he went out to check what's ahead of the road for us.

I don't know in this place but.. in Aelmere, only couples ride together on horses.

Do knights travel together like this? He's so close I could feel the rhythm of his heart beating. His arms around me made me forget breathing. As we travel further, the rain poured heavily once more. So strong that the journey to Brandenburg is becoming more difficult, not only for us but also for Areon.

"There's an abandoned hut nearby, we can stay there for a little while", Stellan decided as we are completely drenched out in the cold rain.

As we stir our way not too far from the main road, we arrived in a small hut made of thick logs and poorly strawed roof. We hopped down Areon and hurriedly went in. With the rain bucketing down, it's dangerous to continue our journey home.

I removed Stellan's drenched furcoat which I thought is now heavier than me after getting fully wet. Then, I watched Stellan open his palm as he made a small ball of fire. He pushed it towards the small stone campfire to make a blaze as our only source of warmth and light. The hut is exceedingly dark, that I can't see anything from the door. I guess he does come here all the time.

Above all the natural things that I can control, fire is the ultimate element that I couldn't take hold of. Water is essential, like how the wind is vital. Nature is an untimely proof of life that we sustain and manage. Conversely, fire is lethal as it bring nothing but chaos and harm. In a single spark, it easily burns the skin leaving excruciating pain and sting.

After lighting up the hearth, we could clearly see the hut and its entirety. Looking like it has never been inhabited for a long time, the hut is evidently untidy and all dusty. There's no furniture, not even potteries. Inside, it's just an empty space with a stone hearth in the far right corner, and pieces of balusters dividing the kitchen.

Stellan took his boots off and removed his gambeson as he reveal his well defined physique. There were scars across his chest, and abdomen, probably due to the fights and battles he have join in. "You can remove your wet clothes and hang it over there.", he said as he tossed his gambeson on the baluster near the kitchen. "I do not want to be blamed if you catch a cold.", he added as he lifted his hand to increase the fire, then he slumped on the cold wooden floorboards near the hearth.

If we're both exactly men, I would have done what he said.

If… we're both exactly men.

"I'm fine, Sir", I said as I keep my wet gambeson on and stood near the door. The wraps for my chest were burned in the back when the mystic healer hit me early on. So if I remove my gambeson, I would totally have nothing on. Then, I removed my boots, and massaged my tired feet as I stretch my legs.

"Sit near the fire, I don't bite", he said as he tap the floorboard beside him.