Discovering Summerland

Chapter 1

Mirror
Mal 13, 2196

Nothing is happening yet, but my body moved frantically— as if I was already burning to ashes.

We travelled in a jaunty red curricle of the Knights. I was honored that they did not drag me by the rope all the way to the execution tower. The time of travel only took an hour or more, for the markets are just near the execution tower. The pale light of Fall streamed through a stand of trees lining the turnpike. A mild wind rustled the leafy branches that the cold air enveloped my body, and I could feel my powers restrained because of some knight doing it.

"Bilisan n'yo," marahas na utos ng katabi kong kabalyero. The coachman nodded and patted the horses' heads. The horses sensed it and doubled their speed earlier, broke stride and started to gallop.

Napatingin ako sa paligid at napansing papalapit na kami sa execution tower, and mind you, this is the first time I've come far. Hindi naman ako pala-labas at iwas ako sa tao. Gayunpaman, alam kong kilala ako nang halos lahat.

"Sayang maganda ka pa naman. Kung hindi mo lang sana pinatay—" Natigilan s'ya nang marahas akong bumaling. Sinigurado kong nakita n'yang nagliwanag ang pula kong mata upang 'di na siya magsalita pa. Hindi naman ako makasagot dahil sa nakataling panyo sa'king bibig. Gusto ko sana s'yang pangaralan, ngunit balewala namang makipagtalo sa mga taong hindi nakaaabot ng lebel ng pag-iisip ko.

Soon, I heard crashing of waves that sent shivers to my spine. The execution tower was located near the sea where the borderlines are closest.

One man whistled from afar. A horn was blown, a sign that the criminal has arrived. Hindi pa nakakatigil ang curricle, nagbukas na kaagad ang pinto sa tabi ko. The curtain flew away, then I saw knights and soldiers lined up.

"As usual, the Mirror shall interrogate you first."

The Mirror was a person who knew the lies and truth of men. It was his power and magic, and it was passed on to his lineage and they shall forever serve the fallen governance. Forever seek the truth and lies of convicts and criminals.

And if someone pays them more, the mirror who was supposed to tell truths would rather tell lies.

D'on palang alam ko na ang mangyayari. It was all predictable— especially when I've learned that it was part of a scheme, that the Knight they claimed I've killed is alive. Kuryos lang ako kung bakit kailangan pa talaga nilang gumastos para patayin ako.

Why am I hunted? Why would they want my existence gone?

Bumaba ako at nagsimulang maglakad at sumunod sa kabalyerong sumalubong sa'kin. Despite the pain and burn in my ankles, I walked with my head high, looking down on everyone that meets my eye.

The door of the round tower flung open. My eyes blinked several times in order to adapt the darkness inside. A wooden table was at the center, and on top of it was two bowls of water. I doubt it's plain water, it must be something else.

The knight pointed at one chair and said, "D'on ka umupo at hintayin mo nalang s'yang bumaba. Walang magbabantay sayo rito sa loob ngunit nakikita namin ang ginagawa mo."

Tinaasan niya rin ang kamay n'ya at kaagad na natanggal ang tali sa'king bibig at kamay. Ah, his power must be connected to telekinesis. Mabuti naman at hindi n'ya na ako kinailangang hawakan pa.

Sinunod ko naman s'ya at umupo na. Pinagmasdan ko ang dalawang bowl ng tubig sa mesa, at nilapit ang mukha ko r'on. My eyes squinted and whispered, "This must be for the truth and this for the lie."

I look slantways when I heard the loose stair on the staircase creaks six times, and moments later, a man appeared. My eyes, then, squinted to take a better look at the man. Ang tanging nakita ko lamang ay ang makapal n'yang taklob sa mukha. My eyes adjusted very well, even in complete darkness. However, I could not seem to see his face amidst darkness. But slowly, the  face became blurry, as if slowly revealing itself to me.