198 INTRUDERS

AUTHOR'S POV

Midday where the rebels were sharing a meal, filling the crispy air with rough talks and loud guffaws, Evandrus sat outside in front of one of the tents, contemplating the plan that he have done. Without a doubt, meeting Helena gave him a new perspective in life. To have her, hold her, and make her become his wife. Despite knowing that Stellan have a certain admiration for her, Evandrus thinks that Helena is destined only to be with a soul traveler like him, and not with anyone else. So, Evandrus thought of something atrocious, that he had to involve the rebels to find Helena and claim her. He knew that Stellan would be coming for her. Thereupon, his paladin brother would finish off the rebels for him, including Valdemar who holds a tight grip on his neck. From then, he and Helena would be free to live their lives away from everyone as they build a new empire of soul travelers.

Just when he was about to see Helena, Evandrus noticed a banner approaching their camp. As he look closely, he then recognized Galen and his royal knights coming forth. Evandrus hurriedly made his way to Helena's wagon at the back of the tent, with a decision that he and Helena should dessert the camp. When he arrived at the wagons, he was dumbfounded to see Helena's wagon empty. "Where is she?", Evandrus frantically looked everywhere for Helena. 

"Let me out and I'll tell you", Freya who seemed to have lost her voice from shouting uttered gravelly. 

"Nice try. Where is she?", Evandrus squinted his eyes at the Wiccan.

"Hurry!! He might hurt her!", Freya plead as she held on the metal bars in a tight grip. Leaving Evandrus with not much choice, he opened the doors of the tumbleweed wagon and freed the witch. Freya instantly turned to a black bird and flew way up high, followed by the deeply upset rebel of a soul traveler with a very troubled heart.

After the conversations between King Galen and Valdemar, the rebels cleared the path to where the wagons are parked. The infamous royal was personally escorted by Valdemar to the back of the tents. The commander of the rebels was ready to lose his head the moment Galen sees the woman in the tumbleweed wagon. To their surprise, they arrived to the wagons containing nothing. "She's not here!", Valdemar felt relieved. "We only found wolves at the borders of Caluso", he explained nervously. "In any case that I find your woman, your Royal Highness, I'll be glad to deliver her to you", Valdemar lowered his head at the disgruntled King. 

King Galen clasped his hands in a fist. Looking at the wagons, there were food and water served inside, conveying that Helena could be in there for a while. Without any word, he turned his back and walked away. "Do we do something?" Syria asked lowly.

"Not yet", Galen uttered, riding his stallion moving out with his escorts as the leave the camp. 

Infuriated, Valdemar scowled at his empty wagons, and ordered, "Get Andrew".

MEANWHILE

Hiding behind the bushes, Stellan, Atrius Ottis, Jac and Umbriel watched Galen and his escorts leave the camp. They were about to attack the rebels when His Majesty arrived. Stellan was confused in a lot of ways. Seeing Galen arrive casually in the dangerous camp of the rebels. Galen wearing the King's crown... not to mention the Sword of The Kings on his waist. 

"That's surely the crown of the King", Umbriel claimed. "Why would he wear it?", he wondered. 

"I recognize that sword somewhere", Ottis said as he gawk at the familiar blade in Galen's waist.

"It's the sword of the kings", Stella uttered. "Galen might have rose to the position of the King", he said.

"Why would he be appointed as the King?", Jac thought with furrowed brows. "No King of the right mind with strong virile would surrender his position to his heir, not unless he's dead", he figured that made everyone stare at him, considering that it was a point well made.

"He's still looking for Helena. And did you notice, he looked calm in here… like he is very welcomed", Atrius observed.

"I suppose we found ourselves a greater enemy... We'll get Helena first, and deal with Galen next, if we must.", Stellan uttered. "I counted 30 rebels. Are you all sure you can take them down?". Stellan asked as he glance at each of his inexperienced knights.

"We are outnumbered, far ahead in terms of their skills", Atrius thought. "We'll have to strategize then". 

"They are down on luck to face two paladins today", Jac said with a proud smirk. 

Stellan smiled at Jac's confidence, and Atrius' smart plan. To think that this will be the first battle of these phenom knights, it would be surely a great challenge for them knowing that the rebels may not be professionally trained fighters, but they are surely remarkable self-learned and fearless combatants of distinct skillful fighting techniques sharpened through experience. "Ottis, remember what I told you? The time is now", Stellan blurted out, where Ottis just replied with a serious nod. "Umbriel, if you are afraid...", Stellan wanted Umbriel to stay hidden, but the priest refused.

"No, Sir Stellan. I failed the Princess once. I won't fail her again", Umbriel held a sheathed sword close to his chest.

"Listen up, they are rebels. Exceptional mercenaries and dirty fighters. I know this is your first fight, and it might also be your first time to put blood in your hands. Their intent is to kill you, don't give them that chance. Never hesitate at all times", Stellan said as they go on separate ways. 

One by one, Stellan, Atrius, Jac and Umbriel took every rebel down quietly. Umbriel took care of the bodies, hiding in one hidden spot of the camp until they piled up. From a couple of bodies, down to a dozen, they carefully tear down the rebel camp as stealthily as possible. However, their great plan was heckled when a rebel suddenly walked in Umbriel's hiding spot. Jac immediately came to Umbriel's rescue, tumbling over the thick snow. "Intruders!!", the rebel shouted that he caught the other's attention, before getting stabbed in the chest by Jac. 

"You, check that", Valdemar commanded. "Has anybody seen Andrew, yet?", his annoyance started to heighten at the unexpected turn of events. He wanted to leave now before anything happens. 

The heedful rebels stood on high alert, holding their weapons out. Hearing the sound of the wind, they looked around as they scout high and low where the enemy could be hiding. In a sudden, Stellan jumped out from one of the tents with his sword in a high blaze, burning six rebels in electrocution from the aura coming out of his blade. His bottled anger for losing Helena steamed off at every wield of his blade. Jac entered the battle area, firing arrows on the rebels he aim at, before drawing his sword. From the other direction, Atrius appeared with his hands tightly gripped on the hilt of his sword with a string of beads with a cross around it. It was a fight that forced Atrius and Jac to manifest everything they learned as they watch each other's backs. 

"What's going on?! Who are these people who dared to attack my camp!?", Valdemar franticly uttered as he come out of his tent. 

"It's the paladin knight, Commander! We should fall back", Ember suggested as they watch Stellan and a couple of his knights slaughter their men. 

"HOLD IT!", one rebel held Umbriel at knife point walked in. "Don't move a muscle or this priest dies", he threatened, deepening the blade on Umbriel's skin. Stellan, Ottis and Jac paused without dropping their weapons.

"AHA! Nicely done! Well, Paladin! You can't just come here and do as you please. Weapons down, now", Valdemar ordered vehemently.

"I'm here for Helena. Everyone will walk out alive if you just give her back to me", Stellan made his point very clear as he give chance to the rebels to live.

"Why does everyone look for that woman? She doesn't seem to be too special enough. Well, you're too late, she escaped. Now, I won't do negotiations. Put the weapons down!", Valdemar furiously ordered.

Stellan have lost his patience. He has been madly worried of Helena ever since he lost her this morning. With her being in the hands by the rebels torments his wit. He would never stop until he finds her, and have her back in his arms. Atrius and Jac waited for Stellan's orders to yield. Thus, they already knew he wouldn't. "I gave you your choice", Stellan suddenly flicked a ball of fire with a size of pebble, hitting the rebel holding Umbriel hostage… killing him instantly.