Thieves Of Olympus

49

SOLEIL

"It's not stealing if they give it to us."

Bumulong si Erina para hindi marinig ng ibang tao. We can't leave the quiver of arrows here. It will attract more thieves and monsters. Tinignan ko ang compass at dito lang nakatutok ng karayom na ako lang ang nakakakita. The pull of magic and mist is so strong even from afar.

It's magic is too powerful. The silver glow of mirror like arrows caught my attention, too.

"I can use the mist..." dagdag ko sa sinabi niya, "Change the scenario in our advantage."

Para kaming magnanakaw na din sa ginagawa namin. Nagpaplano kung paano nanakawin ang ninakaw sa amin. Deceive this people that the quiver is still there after we get out of here.

Sorry in advance Mr. Birken. This is also our job. The owner wants her item back.

"How about the Griffin?" tanong ni Milo.

She looks at him and decides, "He can wait. Bigyan natin sila ng fifteen minutes para mamangha sa gamit ni Artemis."

I don't need to look at them to plan a scenario. Alam na nila ang kaya kong gawin. I just need one more person to execute my plan.

Milo counted the time with his watch. I wait for the right timing to do a theatrical act. Erina waits for our signal.

Saktong pagtunog ng relo ni Milo ay lumapit sa amin si Mr. Birken. He waves at us and I nod at them. Hinila siya ni Erina papunta sa pwesto namin while I slowly spread the mist around us. Milo talks to a random person kunyari ay walang alam sa gagawin namin.

"Give me the quiver," Erina commands him.

He slowly walks over the item but what the people sees is that he gives some information to them. Discussing the history of archery and the tribe. What they don't know is that it's not there anymore.

"I'll get going. Nice meeting you Sandy!" Milo waves at her.

"Good job," I commend at them.

I changed the quiver into a floor plan portfolio holder. We walk out like nothing happened inside. Hindi na namin alam ang nangyari pag-alis doon. Nakihalubilo kami sa mga taong pa palayo sa heritage center.

"We got it, now what?" tanong ni Milo.

"Let's see the Griffin. We can borrow him from the nymphs," she sweetly smiles at us. But her eyes glints with mischief.

I think I know what she wants us to do.

"Sure, pero hindi natin iyon pwedeng hiramin. Dito iyon nakatira kaya hindi natin siya pwedeng i-alis sa lugar na ito," he agreed to visit the griffin but not remove it from it's niche.

"I would feel lost if I am unfamiliar with my surroundings. Alam kong alam niyo iyan," payo niya na parang nakakatandang kapatid. He is actually a year older than us.

Erina tried to sway him, "You're right. But still-"

"No more buts. Tara na! Anong oras na, o. Let's eat lunch when we leave this place," inakbayan niya kami para hindi kami makalayo sa kanya.

The girls leer and ogle him from head to foot. He is a bit shorter than Lunox and kind. He has the softest features among the boys in their group.

I want to tell them that he has a wife already. Pero hindi halata dahil sanay-sanay siya sa pakikipagusap sa ibang tao. Foreigner, Pilipino, Demigods baka tumalab din sa mga Nymphs ang style niya.

The nymphs stare at us na para kaming may ginawang masama. Who wouldn't when we have a Goddess' item with us. Sa madalas pa nilang makita sa gubat.

"We did not steal it!" depensa ni Erina.

The griffin is still with them. Nagpapahinga nga lang ito ngayon dahil nakaupo sa lupa at nakatupi ang mga pakpak. The canopies of the trees filter the sunshine for him. He opens his eyes when we came back then closes it after seeing us.

Basta busog laging tulog.

Tuluyang nagising ang hayop dahil sa tunog ng sirena. I can also hear whispers and voices through the wind. Some were curious but what alarmed me the most is the panicking Mr. Birkens and some of the agents.

Nagtago din ang mga Dryad na kasama namin. They can feel the vibration on the ground.

"Any plans? Kahit may mist ay hindi tayo sigurado kung normal silang lahat," Milo asks.

"Lay low in the forest. I'll cover us some mist. Just in case na may pumunta dito. But you know the easiest way out?" I look at Erina.

Her eyes shine when it met mine, "We fly."

"No, no, no... NO! I told you before-"

Hindi na siya pinakinggan ni Erina at lumapit sa Griffin. She caress it's feathers and baby talks to it, "Beck! We'll call you Beck. Is that okay with you?"

"I can hear them coming. Mga dalawang kilometro ang layo sa atin." seryoso kong sabi sa kanila.

"Can we-" hindi na niya natapos ang itatanong noong tumango ang isang Hamadryad.

"They are getting closer," I can tell that my eyes has a hint of gold already.

"Thank you!" sabi niya sa mga ito. "Ladies first," paubaya niya sa amin.

I can actually fly but it will be dangerous for them. Lalo na't sasakay sila sa Griffin. I can't risk their safety kaya sumakay ako pagkatapos ni Erina. She holds the quiver in front of her. Milo rides after I am seated on it's back.

"Fly, Beck!" utos ni Erina.

Nagsaboy ako ng mist sa amin. Sa lakas ng pagaspas ng pakpak nito ay humalo agad sa hangin ang mist. He surged against the canopies and soar through to the clouds. Nakikita ko ang facility at mga agent na pa gala-gala sa buong lugar. Kahit ang lupon ng mga turista ay naging abala.

Boreas-the God of the north winds-greeted us with cool air. Caressing our cheeks and blowing our hairs.

Erina wipes her sweat, "I feel their fast heartbeats. Thank goodness we left the forest immediately."

"Thanks to this big guy! Right, Beck?" nakangiti kong tapik sa kanya. He screeched back to me kaya natawa kami ni Erina.

"Milo! Where's Milo? Naiwan ba siya?" nagpanic si Erina.

"He's here behind me. Hindi lang nagsasalita," I giggled.

Just like Icarus we are flying without wings... But with a griffin.