133 Kill him or Leave Him

AUTHOR'S POV

The night was once again peaceful. Haelan spent every last ounce of her powers to lift everyone up, out to the crevice on the roof of the cave using the vines hanging out. Then before passing out, she healed Jac and Andrew after being severely wounded from the dark healer's deadly blasts.

They all decided to go back to the mouth of the cave and continued to camp in there until Haelan wake up from keeling over. Tired and weary, they all slump on the cold ground while Ottis build a fire. No one uttered any word. They were all just… tired.

Atrius, who carried Helena, laid her on the coat Jac prepared on the ground. He let her rest on his lap, and stayed with her to keep Andrew away who's like a vulture, lurking around. Andrew kept his eyes close to Helena, and even sat just right beside her. He gazed upon each men around, and he can't help but get a little jealous and annoyed, especially Atrius who have a special bond with Helena.

Umbriel, who's been keen in Andrew's every move, can't help but get aloof in the rebel's lascivious gestures and leers towards Haelan. If only Andrew's piercing stares on Atrius can kill, the young knight would have been dead by multiple stabs by now.

An hour later, Helena suddenly jolted from her sleep. She had Atrius all worried for she just passed out not too long ago. "We're okay now, go back to sleep", Atrius said. Everyone peered at the traveler, who almost died for saving everyone.

"I'm here, Haelan. I won't leave you", Andrew said as he reach for Haelan's hand.

Umbriel cleared his throat at the awkwardness Andrew initiated. Despite the rebel remained docile, he still sees him as a snake ready to strike with its fangs anytime. "We are all here, Sir Haelan", the priest said.

"I'm fine, really", Helena pushed Andrew away as she sat upright. She stared at each of them and sighed. "You all look awfully tired", she said.

"I smell awful", Jac pouted with a feeling of disgust.

"I see you're back", Helena smiled at Ottis, who's adding more firewood in the pit.

"Good to see you too, squirrel", Ottis lifted his brows at an old friend.

"I saw a stream back there, I think I need to wash a little bit", Jac frowned smelling his filthy clothes and sticky hands.

"Don't mind if I join you", Ottis stood up and went ahead.

"Would you like to come?", Atrius asked Haelan. Actually, he wouldn't want to leave her with Andrew. He was too bothered how Andrew frequently lay his eyes on her.

"Go ahead, I'll be right behind you", Haelan said.

"Are you sure?", Atrius asked as he made a side eye to Andrew. "I can wait for you", he said.

"I'll wait with Sir Haelan, Sir Andrew.", Umbriel offered.

"I'll keep an eye on him", Andrew smirked that gave Umbriel shivers. He wanted to ask why they still have him around, given that he placed their lives in danger.

"Make it fast, alright?", Atrius nodded at Helena and Umbriel.

Helena sat right up and pulled out the damask arm cuff from her pouch. The gem on it, that once have turned dull, is glowing in yellow. "Iaso's stone", she whispered.

The stars barely shone with the few clouds rolling in the sky. With firewoods lighting their way, Jacomus, Atrius and Ottis set off to the nearby stream that they passed by earlier. In the stream bank, they all stood and washed all the dirt and gummy feels away. There was an awkward silence at first, given that there was a previous riff between Atrius and Ottis.

Ottis wanted to break the thin slate of ice to apologize, but he isn't too good with words. However, Atrius, who have always been straightforward, wanted to fix their unsettled issue once and for all.

"Sorry about earlier.. and thanks for saving us back there", Atrius decided to clear things out, given that he's the first to go frenzy and chose violence.

"Nothing big. It's my fault, anyway. Sorry I didn't gave anyone a heads up", Ottis realized that he's good alone but with his new friends, he's better. Besides, he thought that these men weren't like his old friends who betrayed him. And so, stitching their friendship back together would be worth it.

"Like you had a chance. I know we do what we gotta do", Jac replied as he wash his face with cold water.

"Thanks man", Ottis sighed deeply.

"This journey is getting more and more dangerous", Atrius pulled up his sleeves to his elbows. "One of the dark healers said, they will continue to track Haelan and they will never stop", he revealed as he wash his hands.

"We're no match with those entities. Look at what happened to Jac", Ottis look over Jac's chest where he was hit. He cannot forget how almost dead Jac was like when they saw him in the cave.

Headed towards the stream, Helena, Umbriel and Andrew sauntered their way through. When they were near the stream, Helena stopped as she hear her friends talking. Hearing their conversation at a distance, Helena felt like a burden. She thought that her being with her friends endanger their lives. And if she stays with Atrius, Jac, Ottis and Umbriel, they will be in constant danger. That seed of turmoil dug deeper in Helena's conscience, worried for the lives of her friends. Decisively, Helena walked away, followed by Andrew. Umbriel went over the stream, thinking Andrew and Helena were right behind him.

"But I don't mind. Where Haelan goes, we follow.", Jac said with certainty. "Hey Um", he greeted the priest who hurriedly enjoyed the cold waters.

"Keep talking, Paladin", Atrius chuckled as he splash some cold water on Jac.

"You saw that, huh? Huh?", Jac grinned while he lift his hand in a fist. He grunted as he show off his ability, however no power came out. "A little bit more..", he grunted so hard for the power he's keeping within. Atrius and Ottis just laughed at how Jac tried so hard. "Okay, Maybe I need a little bit more practice. Ha! Don't be jealous guys! You'll have your powers awakened soon too", Jac chuckled loudly. They all shared a good laugh that made their nightcap beautiful.

Ottis' laughs then turned to silence. "That's right, it's too dangerous. Haelan can't do it alone", Ottis presumed as he worry for Haelan.

"Then, we'll leave at dawn", Atrius said as he walk out of the water.

"What about the rebel leader?", Jac said as they all exhanged a certain look as if they have the same thing in mind.

"We kill him, or we leave him", Atrius affirmed that made Jac and Ottis nod in approval. As Atrius and Jacomus leave the stream, they looked back at Ottis still standing in the bank of the waters.

"Ottis, you coming?", Jac asked.

"Of course, like you have to ask. I'm your map remember?", Ottis said as he went ahead.

"Umbriel", Atrius just noticed who has been silent washing his face and neck. "Where's Haelan?", he asked the priest while looking around for Helena.

"They were just right behind me", the priest said as he feel his entire face go pale.

MEANWHILE

"That didn't sound good to me", Andrew followed Helena as she drag her feet back to the cave. "Does it sound good to you? Because it sounds like they are afraid of this trip you're leading them to", he said.

"So what are you planning to do?", Andrew continued. "Caluso is a long, long.. long.. very long way", he said as he sat on a rock at the mouth of the cave.

Helena suddenly turned to Andrew that instantly made his heart flutter. "You know the way there?", Helena asked as she stare at his eyes.

"My favorite place", Andrew could hardly keep an eye contact with Helena. She had this certain kind of gaze that mesmerizes him, pulling him in like some kind of hypnosis.

"Take me to Snow Mountain, and don't do anything stupid", Helena have decided to leave her friends for their sake.

"I'm being smart, right this instant", Andrew said with a sparkling smile as he hide excitement.