122 The Breakfast

HAELAN POV

It was one intense breakout I've ever done in my life. The one we did in Brandenburg was nothing compared to this. For a moment, I thought my fate has been sealed to become a felon who'll forever be imprisoned in the oubliettes. Many times that I've read in the books, that all people whom were thrown in the bastille are forgotten. I'm glad we were able to get out. All thanks to Umbriel.

Beorg castle is one rustic citadel. Incomparable to the palace which is vulgar in luxury in all vivid colors, and Brandenburg that is spewing with simplicity in woods and rocks, Beorg castle was all natural, aged and rugged yet still flashing such great sense of styling.

I was amazed at how the old trees of the mountains became part of the castle itself. Alesso's home is brimming with elegance in nature. Birds fly by here and there, and vines creep in beautiful spirals. And the smell! I love the hallmark smell of spring flowers, verdant greens and musky air. That paladin archer being sleek and polished just matched the life he's been living. It's truly fascinating and endearing.

As we breakfree, I took my time admiring Beorg castle. In fact, I toured in every turn as I satisfy my extreme fondness in this dainty castle. Everyone else just followed my footsteps. Sadly, it was not for long. Seconds away from our liberty, we came across our nemesis who seemed to have a sole mission in life - to spill our blood. Ottis was too aggressive, since all of his emotions have bottled up from the time we were imprisoned. He released all fired up energy he got to fight against those knights who looked like they were made for war. Atrius and Jac were both undeniably masterly, but honestly, we're nothing compared to these palace knights even when we're all combined all together. Luckily, they yield to the brightness of my power. If only they knew that the light of my sword heals ordinary people, they would bask in it until their wounds close, and bruises fade.

When I was told that Ottis, Umbriel and Jacomus jumped off the cliff, I thought Atrius was fooling around connoting our desperation to escape Beorg. However, when I felt some creatures flying around, I agreed on setting out in the dark cliff following our other friends who were already somewhere down.

Moments before I leave Beorg, I saw Stellan. In fact, when I sensed him nearby… I waited for him to find me. Before diving into the clouds, I turned to hin and uttered a promise.. a vow that I have no intentions to break. That was the most gratifying split second that we ever shared. Before I jumped, it was his dazzling eyes that gave me courage to plunge into the unknown.

As expected, Atrius and I landed on griffins, such friendly enormous birds that hitched us a ride. Atrius was too squirmy, that one griffin snatched him secured in its talon. He was quiet all throughout our flight. They say griffins protect Beorg Mountains knowing it is a vault of the greatest treasures one can find. And then I wondered, will there be any chance I'd come back to see the beauty of these mountains one more time?

We safely landed in the heart of the dead woods, just at the foot of Beorg. Everyone were already waiting there. With a hope that the archers and knights won't catch up on us, we stayed hidden under the pile of dried leaves, not minding its smell. And that's how we spent the cold, dark night in the thrill of danger.

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of some food being roasted. The warmth from the growing campfire in the misty morning enveloped me like a warm embrace. When I got up, Atrius was washing himself in the streaming water nearby, while Ottis is roasting some rabbits over the open flame. Jac and Umbriel were still dozed off under the pile of leaves of different shapes. Just when everyone is up, the food was already being served.

"How did you know that there's a flight of griffins around the mountains?", Atrius asked Ottis who continued to roast some more rabbits. I can tell the distrust in Atrius' piercing stare.

"I didn't, I thought we'll land on trees.", Ottis surprisingly said. All along I thought it was so brilliant of him to lead everyone off the cliffs and safely land on griffins. "Much better than being held up in that jail in Beorg", he said in a serious tone. I guess, he'd prefer to lose a limb than to be chained in a prison. Crazy man, he is.

"Right…", Jac nodded slowly. I'm guessing, he find that insane too. However for Atrius, it seemed like Ottis' boldness angered him more.

"So, what do you all plan to do next?", Ottis asked as he hand over rabbit meat to each of us.

"We're bound to Snow Mountain as planned. And you are still going to take us there", Atrius bluntly said.

"And what about the preacher?", Ottis asked. We all looked at Umbriel munching on rabbit bones. Come to think of it, he have problems to deal on his own.

"I.. I asked Bertram to tell the King about our situation.", Umbriel wiped his mouth as he swallow a chunk of meat. "That way, your names shall be clean as a slate, and I can be spared too", he said with such innocence as he entrust our fate to Bertram.

"Sounds like a good plan, Umbriel", I acknowledged his intentions.

"For now, I'll go with you", Umbriel said as he grab another rabbit leg. Seeing how much he liked rabbit meat, I gave him a few of my share of the rabbit meat. "I didn't know you like rabbit meat that much", I said.

Umbriel was left dumbfounded for a few moments. Then, he spat out the food stuffed in his mouth slowly. "Ack!! This is rabbit?? Ohh my goodness… you poor thing!", he cried as he gag all the food he ate. We all sniggered in breathy way seeing how red Umbriel's face turned to.