140 Gone With The Wind

AUTHOR'S POV

Walking through the hallways, Alesso and Vesta traced their way to the antechamber with an aura that made every warrior and servant bow at their presence. Their high vibe and mighty spirits effortlessly oozed with intense invincibility and attraction that all eyes glimmer in wonder - a typical encounter the paladins have gotten used to.

Thus, for Alesso, something deviated from its wonted facade.

Normally, Vesta who obsessively think highly of herself, would walk up ahead the other paladins with her labrys over her shoulder as if she's some high ranking paladin compared to Alesso and Stellan. However, today, Vesta unconsciously gave Alesso quite a peculiar impression, with her sullen eyes and obscure stiffness as the paladin crusader walk a bit far behind. Alesso found it strange, something that the clever paladin archer didn't miss.

"What's wrong with you?", Alesso glanced back at Vesta who's walking at an unfamiliar pace with him. Her aura sensed differently too, he thought. Then, he stopped and turned which startled the paladin crusader. He looked straight in her eyes as he leaned forward. "You seem different today.", Alesso stared directly at Vesta's eyes with his wrinkling forehead.

Vesta avoided Alesso's gaze nervously. Feeling awkward with Alesso's inching face, she pushed him away on his chest and rolled her eyes. "What?! You sensed that I'm much stronger than you now? Move along, you're cutting my time", she said as she made her way ahead.

"Pfft. Please", Alesso followed Vesta along with his growing doubts in his friend's indifference.

As they reach the hall, they were both left dumbfounded seeing it unexpectedly empty. Unimpressed, Vesta instantly knitted her brows seeing the room containing nothing. "Is this some kind of a joke, Alesso? I thought you have the priests with you?", Vesta raised a brow as she felt her precious time was wasted.

"Huh? I told them to stay right here", Alesso looked around with his hands on his waist, wondering where the priests might be. "They couldn't possibly leave.. Perhaps, they wandered off the palace", he nonchalantly shrugged off his shoulders.

"I'll have the guards on standby, they should be around as what you suppose", Vesta said as she turn her back. She couldn't hide her displeasure given the fact that the queen deperately needs the priests to find the traveler's stone. She could already start to hear the queen's voice rummaging through her ears.

Moments later, footsteps were heard coming forth. It was Lord Nero with some escorts who was goggling his eyes on the two paladins. "Uhh Alesso! I saw you coming. I had to meet the King beforehand. Where's the priests?", he rushed towards the paladins.

"Gone with the wind", Vesta pouted flipping her hair as she cross her arms on her chest.

"Oh Lady Vesta", Lord Nero greeted. "I'm glad I have come across you. Your disappearing acts are boring me these days.", Lord Nero said. True enough, Vesta often steers clear from everyone. If not for Alesso taking in the priests from Holy Land, she wouldn't have plans to step out from the dark.

"To what do I owe Lord Nero's attention?", Vesta asked.

"There's a need for a quick sweep in the Northwest of the eastern valley for some trolls. It has been going on for some time", Lord Nero ordered.

"Trolls again? Must have been eating all the berries there", Alesso answered. "While that's Vesta's expertise, I guess you should go and sweep, Vesta, before they shift their diets on the children. I'll keep things tight in here", Alesso smirked until his smile slowly faded at the frowning lady paladin.

"I'm… gonna have to skip. Respectfully, Lord Nero", Vesta straightforwardly replied without hesitations. "I'll send more crusaders, in that case. As you know, I am entrusted to be the palace paladin in Stellan's absence. I do not want to be blamed for any unnecessary fiascos", she explained with a timid smile then turned to Alesso. "If you found the priests, you know where to find me", Vesta waved her hand in the air as she leave the two men.

'That's new', Alesso thought. Dedicated to keep peace in the kingdom, Vesta has been known to be a saber-rattler who never chooses or refuses battles. Of all the paladins, Vesta is the most punctual, always eager and never says no to wars.

With his darkened eyes, Lord Nero shifted his gaze to Alesso, thinking that the paladin archer would accept such duty. "Don't look at me, that's not my business. She should do it, like she always have", Alesso hated dealing with trolls. Such monsters are too smelly that their stench binds to the skin, and their green blood is so sticky that it's hard to get rid off. One time, Alesso led a major raid against trolls who were ravaging the canals. His silver hair became green for days.

Alesso fixed his emerald coat on as he prepare to ditch the lord. "Maybe the new commander is in for it. And while you're at it, please keep an eye out for the priests for me", he winked at the lord who's like a father to him.

"Alesso!! Alesso!! ", Lord Nero called while Alesso snickered as he sprinted quickly away from the raging Lord, without a change of heart to go after Vesta.

MEANWHILE

Lost and going astray in the palace, Father Bertram couldn't make a clear explanation what's going on with the King. He thought there's no certainty who in the palace he could entirely entrust the valuable relic with. As he struggle with his heavy predicament and responsibility, he come across another royal corridor with large white columns and shiny marbled floor, grander than the King's. "Must be the queen's", he whispered. However, he noticed that the guards seemed to be lesser in this side of the corridor, that no one even saw him snooping around.

As he walk further, the largest gold lined door opened all of a sudden. To his surprise, he hurriedly hid behind the thick red tassled curtains. As he give a stealthy peek, he was surprised to see the unconscious body of Father Elijah being taken out. He was too pale to be seemingly alive. With widened eyes, he kept his silent screams using his hand over his trembling lips. He watched the two servants drag the poor priest away until they are out of sight. As soon as the doors shut, Bertram slowly made his way out of the curtains. Unsure where to go, his quivering knees could hardly lift his already weakened body. Almost crawling on the floor, he ran into a woman in a purple silk brocade flared dress with black linings.