196 Hello Helena

AUTHOR'S POV

"HOW COULD YOU BE SO GOOD IN THIS, ANDREW?", Valdemar exclaimed as the rebels usher the tumbleweed wagon to their camp, a few miles down the treehouse. "I am totally speechless. How did you know that a princess would come around Caluso?", the proud commander of the rebels enthusiastically shouldered his adopted son.

"Well, what did I tell you? I have a gift of premonition, and good things always come my way", Evandrus was pleased. He told his foster father that a princess shall be escorted to Caluso anytime, influencing an army of rebels to surround the borders of the Snow mountain to catch the rare chance of getting a princess to divest at a high price.

"Ha!! You are really my son! Let me take a look at that pretty thing", the big old man with bald hair and full white moustache and beard looked earnestly at the princess. "Wow.. Welcome Your Majesty! I am Valdemar, Commander of this great army of..", he was cut off at the sudden remark of Helena.

"Pigs!", Helena yelled, glaring.

"Ha!! Sharp tongue, eh?", Valdemar was even more delighted at Helena's bluntness. "Hurry and set the wagon in the back. I want this pretty young thing near my tent", Valdemar ordered.

With glint in his eyes, Evandrus casually stared at Helena as the wagon goes in the back, keeping himself as calm as he should be. Deep inside, he couldn't be more jovial to finally be reunited with her after separating in the waterfalls. As a matter of course, Helena expected to see Evandrus in the midst of her capture by the rebels. She went on without saying any word.

The camp had two bonfires lit up with a large fire, where a cauldron is placed over one of the flames and a skinned wolf roasting in the other. There were six large black tents pitted on the snowy ground, and about thirty rebels in dark belted smocks, kirtles and hooded capes walking all around. 'It's getting harder to escape now', Helena thought. Her wagon was immediately brought in the back of the only coned tent. The snow was thicker there, with so much snow topped pine trees. As the wagon carefully park behind Valdemar's tent, Helena noticed another tumbleweed wagon covered with a black mantle. She thought that these group of dangerous men might be in some kind of other missions for having two large wagons with them, until she heard a faint cough and sneeze from the covered wagon. 

Helena crawled back on the innermost part of the wagon, as the rebel with red scarf approached and casted a look on her. "It's almost lunch time, Princess. We shall serve your meal in awhile. You may call me Ember", he said and left.

Helena leaned back on the metal bars and gave a long heavy sigh. Thinking of smarter ways to bolt for freedom, these rebels will surely get hands on her as soon as they notice her gone. She thought of making an avalanche to bury these men under the snow, buying her time to flee. Thus, she worries on the captives in the other wagon. 

Moments after, Evandrus arrived with a plate of bread and a piece of somewhat meat, and a cup of water. "Hello Helena", he greeted as he push the plate inside the wagon through a small hole, together with her drink. "You have changed so much after we got separated. Actually, I like this better", he smiled.

Helena took the cup and splashed it at the "Damn you, Evandrus!", she gritted her teeth in fury. 

Evandrus chuckled as he wipe his wet face, licking his lips. "You left me with no choice! This is my way to get you from Stellan", he said. "Can't you see? We are the future of our own kind. Together, we can rebuild another world of soul travelers and continue the great lineage of celestials healers".

"What?", Helena exhaled sharply in disgust. "You and me? Are you insane? Have the goblin venom got in that tiny head of yours?", she said, furiously. 

"Call me whatever you want. As long as you're mine, I wouldn't care.", Evandrus gave a straight face as he gaze at Helena. "Eat your meal, you'll need energy for later. I'll send another cup of water", he then left. 

Desperation got into her. Helena thought of the most impossible ways to breakout. If the wagon is spellbound, she wouldn't even get one step out of her solitary confinement. Helena walked to the gate and tried to open the door. It won't budge, with the chains and lock fastened in its hasp. She slumped on the floor with a heavy sigh, pushing away the food Evandrus gave her. It didn't tempted her appetite, as she yearn to get away. While figuring out what to do, the mantle covering the other wagon slid down. Her eyes widened at the sight of the woman locked inside. 

"Freya? Is that you?", Helena was astounded to find an old friend in the other wagon. Freya held the cold metal bars and squinted her eyes, trying to recognize the woman opposite her.

As she recognize the Wiccan clothing on Helena, she then knew who the girl in the other wagon is. "He.. Helena? Is it really you?" her eyes softened in an instant. 

Helena nodded with an appeased smile. "Why are you here?".

"Wicce is gone, Helena. King Galen returned and burned the entire village down. I don't think there are any other survivors", the pale Wiccan uttered in a raspy voice. 

"Are you… are you sure?", Helena asked in disbelief. 

"I was there… out in the woods.. Helplessly hearing their cries as the fires swallow my home…", Freya bursted into silent tears, that put a faint blush on her nose and cheeks. 

"I'm sorry Freya… I truly am", Helena sympathized with the loss if Freya's entire clan.

"No, Helena. I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to get mad at you", Freya lowered her gaze.

"Forget about it", Helena shook her head. "I'll find a way to get us out of here, I promise. Can you remove the spellbound in my cage?".

"I'll try", Freya answered, glancing in Helena's wagon. Feeling in indebted to Helena's kindness, Freya decided to tell Helena what Iaso gave her. "Helena, there's something most important that I need to tell you", she took out the talisman from her pack. "Your mother's soul, I have it right here", she slipped her hand through the bars, handling to Helena the King's Talisman where Tris' soul is trapped. Helena extended her hand to reach it, struggling to come into possession of her mother's soul enclosure.