165 Come, Traveler

AUTHOR'S POV

"But at least let her know what she's dealing with. She can't walk in the dark unaware of what kind of battle she's being sent to. Make her decide on her own fate", Stellan didn't liked the idea of pushing Helena at the forefront of a bloodshed. If he's to be asked, he doesn't want her to be involved in any of these. He prefers for Helena to make the crucial decision of joining the war on her own, and from there, he won't be an obstacle on Iaso's plans anymore, but of course, with a pledge on his life to protect Helena no matter what happens. But truth be told, Iaso is still right. Helena is the only one who can defeat the dark healers. No matter how much power he and the paladins have, none of them can vanquish a single dark healer unlike Helena.

"And what? She'll hide away, and we shall all end up dead? Stellan, she have to do this. She's Tris' daughter after all", Iaso recalled how Tris made an oath to become an ally of the palace including all of her descendants.

"She's on her way to Caluso. She's leaving anyway ", Stellan revealed.

"There's no way, Stellan. The magic casted upon her is so strong, she can't soul travel. Besides, didn't I tell you? There's no more lights in Snow Mountain. If there is, Argus won't be desperately seeking for the stone", Iaso explained as she chug on the bottle of bourbon.

Stellan hardened his jaw after hearing how Iaso continously drew Haelan's fate with her hands. He wanted to get angry at Iaso, for leaving Haelan no choice but to cooperate in her plans. "Can't she soul travel again… ever?", Stellan curiously asked.

"Of course she could, that's her nature. She will soul away once the transition completes.", Iaso explained. By the time Helena is transfered to this world, the hold of Agalea's magic on her soul will vanish, and she'll have her life back once again.

There was a complete silence for a moment. Stellan is angered by the desperation of Iaso. He felt strangled with the secrets of responsibility forcefully placed on Helena's shoulders without her knowing.

"I can see your resistance from here", Iaso said as she rest her head on the table.

"I don't want her to be involved this way. I can't call it desperation, it's more a dominion of autocracy over the innocent, like shackling someone to be your dog", Stellan said as he clench his fist.

"Desperation?", Iaso felt insulted when all she wanted was to find the best solution to save the kingdom. Iaso raised her head and glared at the paladin. "Even if I'm tired of being used by the palace, it never crossed my mind to wake up a monster and kill everyone in my way. This is for the greater good, Stellan", Iaso responded with another slap of truth at the paladin.

Stellan admits Iaso's perfect plan is a chance to live. But with so many enemies and obstacles at hand, Helena might not even be able to save everyone. "Galen will never stop until he gets his hands on Haelan, I'll deal with him", Stellan uttered with certainty.

"I bet he still believe it'll make him invincible with a traveler by his side. What a classic move. Anyhow, that's why the Wiccans will leave tonight, before that delusional prince kill one of us", Iaso thought that the old royals thought of the same way to make themselves more powerful. But then, she just observed Stellan's protectiveness on Haelan, that she almost miss, all throughout the conversation. She could tell that the paladin knight is doubtful and in refusal with her plans. "I can't back down, Stellan. I need the celestial healer to fight Celeste and Argus… even if it means that I have to use my magic on you, or even if I die in the hands of the prince", she said.

"I wish you never told me. It'll be hard to water down Haelan's burning desires to soul travel home. She wants to save Agalea", Stellan lowered his eyes as he sigh softly. He will never gain the liberty to refuse Haelan the truth she deserves. "And how sure are you that Haelan won't side with Argus, who's the same kind as hers?", Stellan considered.

"We'll have to persuade her. There's no other way. Without her, we won't stand a chance. Besides, she doesn't have to worry about Agalea, for she have already made a choice to sacrifice herself", Iaso said as she rested her spinning head completely still on the table.

"As what I've said, I shall take responsibility of the safety of the Wiccans from Prince Galen. I'll dissolve the soaring faction of Celeste and Argus while it still haven't multiplied. I'll gather my men, and ready paladins", Stellan made a plan that won't have to require Helena.

Iaso slowly sat up and gazed at the unfrivolous paladin, who's swerving her plans to avoid the connivance with Haelan. "You like her that much?", Iaso asked with heavy eyes.

Stellan chugged on the bottle of bourbon down to the very last drop. It's bitterness went all the way through his throat, clearing a way for words he could finally admit to himself. "I do… ", Stellan exhaled sharply. "You'll never imagine what I've been through before I could say that", he bit his lower lip as he remember the times he thought he's bewitched by a man.

"Ha! A participant in Brandenburg caught your eye? Really? That must be quite a good show. You must have been so confused", Iaso teased with a smile, as she finally understood Stellan's hostility with her plans and his concern with Helena. "Stellan, do you want to see how she really looks like?", Iaso smiled with a hint of playfulness as the effects of the liquor kicks in.

Stellan was caught off guard. He was flustered at the great possibility of something he never that would come. "I can't say no to that", Stellan openly welcomed a gratifying offer he can't refuse.

Staggering a little from the gulps of bourbon, Iaso led Stellan back to Helena's room, where she's still in deep slumber. He stood at the side of the bed, while Iaso knelt on the floor. "Prodeunt.. animae vagae", Iaso whispered breathlessly. Slowly, the real Helena revealed herself.

Stellan felt electrified seeing her real face. The paleness of her smooth skin, the moles on her face, her long lashes, her feminine snub nose, and her red lips. It was exactly how he imagined her to be. He held her cold hand and caressed each candle-like finger lovingly. Completely smitten, he kept staring at Helena that he can't pull his eyes away. Astonished with her inception of identities, his heart found serenity as it recognize who it entirely beats for. Without blinking, Stellan amorously stare at Helena, as he enduringly see the real woman owning the gray eyes with flecks of green, who wrapped him around her finger.