210 Paladin without a sword

AUTHOR'S POV

Days later, Stellan returned to Hesam alone. He never saw Helena. He wanted to wait more, and search more... however, every waking day gives him a remote chance of finding her. The stars doesn't shine bright anymore, and the moon began to look lonely. Each time he watch the hummingbird come back to its nest right by the tree where he camped, he thought Helena will come back for him too. With a heavy heart, he left his sword with a bloom in the snow, and a hope that Helena would know that he's been here waiting for her return. 

Her frightful eyes before the avalanche buried Helena was the last thing he saw. It haunted him, crushing his heart terribly, blaming himself for not being strong enough to reach her hand. For Helena who chooses other people before herself all the time, Stellan dwell on his misery for not being able to do the same for her. A world without her isn't worth living, he thought. As much as he hated the idea of Helena soul traveling back and forth to Nether at no specific time, Stellan thought that it was so much better than having her gone forever. Convincing himself as he drag his feet back to Hesam, Helena might really have soul traveled away and would return to him safely soon. Constantly, he prayed for a sign... and desperately, he prayed for Helena. 

With enthusiasm, the servants bowed at the presence of the paladin knight ascending from the stairs. The desolate morning suddenly turned warm and cheery. The return of the great knight made each household feel at ease, that their prayers every night have finally answered when their master entered the castle doors. However, their wary eyes squinted at the sullen yet rancid facade of the paladin. His dark blonde hair is longer, and his beard have grown. He no longer looked the same, no life and no glow.

After a quick bath, and putting on his black armor, Stellan immediately reported in the palace. As he arrive in the palace, a black bird was seen flying around following him. Shrugging it off, he passed through the empty castletowne and went straight ahead the great hall. Before he open the doors, a memory of Helena triggered his melancholy as he deeply sigh.

He met eye to eye with the new King seated in the throne. Galen seemed relaxed in the presence of Stellan, despite knowing the paladin knight's admiration towards Helena. Unsure if Helena feels the same way, Galen decided to keep him close. By the sight of the paladin knight's shabby and scruffy look, Galen knew that Helena haven't shown herself to him yet.

"Now this is new! A paladin without a sword? And this look, it's refreshing. Not the Evandrus whom I knew, though", Galen uttered with a shifty smile seeing Stellan devoid of cheer.

"I lost it in the avalanche. It's an honor to see you rise as the new King, your Majesty", Stellan greeted as he kneel before Galen. "I would have offered you my sword, if I have any".

"Oh… enough with the formalities. However, I may need you to get a new sword. There's a war, if you haven't known yet, Evandrus.", Galen uttered as he remain seated on the throne, with the paladin knight kneeled before him. It is exactly where Stellan should always be, he thought. "The sand soldiers of Vierme against my Holy warriors. If you must know, my General died in a snow catasthrophe in Caluso while he was in search for my fiancè, Helena. You remember her, do you?".

"Clearly.", Stellan thought that this meeting is not about him or the king… or the war. He stayed unstirred, keeping his eyes on the floor.

"My Helena, who I love dearly. We shall marry in front of the many altars in my kingdom", Galen fixed his eyes in Stellan who stayed unfazed, kneeling on one knee. "Anyway, as I was saying. I want you to lead my victory and expansion of my kingdom".

"I decline, respectfully", Stellan answered with stern decision. "I am not confident with my current state that I may not give the victory you desire, your Highness. Perhaps, Lady Vesta and her effective tactical war strategies deserve such honorable duty you require".

Galen rested his back on the his throne as he deeply sigh. He have never seen Stellan this dejected, which lightened his low spirits. "I would have thrown you in the furnace of burning fire for disobeying my orders. But since you have so much use to me, I'll let this slide for once". He needed Stellan for so many reasons. One is that he can lure Helena out… a truth that breaks his heart. And most importantly, Stellan can win Galen a war, or most happily, he could die in it. Stellan averted his gaze on the prince who's flashing a cunning smile. It was then he realized, the King must have known something. "I didn't know that my father's mission for you would break you this way. Very well, I expect you to train my warriors and block all the possible ways Vierme could cross the threshold of my kingdom then. A dark healer is around anyway, it can scare them away. I hope that isn't too much of a burden to you, Evandrus. Off you go", he fixed the crown on his head as we watch Stellan leave the great hall. "Oh Evandrus, before I forget... After you win my war, I shall reward you and Princess Eirah with a grand wedding at the abbey. I look forward to it", he said bluntly, whereas Stellan just hardened his jaw at the sly King. 

After a brief meeting with the King, Stellan immediately made his way back to Hesam. He commenced the beginning of the intense training and preparations for war with his knights. Steaming off all the suppressed anger, guilt and longing, Stellan trained hard until it drained the knights. He sparred with everyone carrying a sword, and sharpened all their senses until they bleed. He knew no time, he knew no rest. The paladin knight who have always been savage in the training grounds is inexplicably more furious now more than ever. With darkness in his eyes, and austere tone, he demanded every knight to be quicker and smarter during fights.