Thieves Of Olympus

51

MASON

The winery vineyard looks picturesque. Luscious vines of green, red, and violet grapes are cultivated until they are fermented into the classic beverages. Katabi nito ang isang lumang mansion kung saan matatagpuan ang main office at fermentation room.

The first family that cultivated this land are the aristocratic Roero family in the 18th century. During the late 1950's, the Oliveros family took over it's management. Their wines are known in the province of Cuneo.

Mr. Oliver greets us when we enter his office, "Benvenuti Semidei."

Hindi agad kami nakabawi sa narinig. Nabato kami sa kinatatayuan namin. He knows that we are not the normal. Is he a monster?

"Oh no, Sir. We are tourists looking for the finest wine in the country. That's why we are here," I said, denying the truth.

"I'm no fool children. My grandfather  told me already." he said smiling. His thinning gray hair is the same color as his facial hair. He wears a denim over-all and a checkered shirt. He is tan and tall with a big belly.

We don't sit until we know that we are safe. Baka trap ang isang ito.

"We don't come here to intrude. We're looking for something that's all," Lilith explains.

He nods, "Just as he said."

"Who's your grandfather?" Lionel asks him.

Kaito is on defensive stance, "Right. Who is he?"

"Dionysus. I apologize if I scared you. I am of his descent. A quarter God, a quarter mortal, and a half nymph," he chuckles at our shocked faces.

"Mother...." gulat na sabi ni Kaito.

"No cursing, child. My grandchild is nearby," he warned. "Take your seats. She's coming in."

Totoo ngang malapit lang sa opisina ang apo niya. A giggling child is behind the door. Pagbukas ng pinto ay may border collie na pumasok kasunod ang batang babae. She's in a work boots and jumper over her t-shirt. The dog wags it's tail at us and lick our knees. Pinatong niya ang ulo niya sa hita ni Lilith. She pats it's head and stays there.

"Nonno! Guardate cosa ho trovato!" she skips towards him. May hawak siya sa kamay niya.

"Incredible, amore mio!" he smiles and kisses her cheek. He whispers something on her ear. She nods and takes her dog with her.

Noong nakalabas na ang apo ay hinarap niya ulit kami, "Sorry about that. She's an adventurous kid."

"About what we are looking for..." Lionel begins explaining.

After a long explanation he let's us explore the vineyard. Baka kasi andito ang thyrsus ni Dionysus. I don't want to have high hopes that's why I silently search. Iniwan namin si Lilith sa opisina para kami na lang ang maghanap. Plus, Mr. Olivero's mother—a flower nymph—wants her to stay with her for tea. Martha—the little girl—wants to meet her, too.

I wipe my sweat on my forehead. Naghiwa-hiwalay kami nila Lionel at Kaito. We can't destroy this place kaya kailangan tignan maigi ang mga halaman.

Some Anthousai, the flower nymphs and Meliae, the honey and ash-tree nymphs are watching me. Because a neighboring farm cultivates different flowers and rears some honey bees.

"Wala akong pagkain. Back off!" Kaito shouts at the flock of sheeps he saw. Lumalapit ang mga ito sa kanya.

Lionel wanders off somewhere and silently looks at the grape vines too. Kanina pa humahagikgik ang mga nymphs na nanonood sa akin. I sighed when another line of vines is empty.

This is finding a needle in a haystack!

Baka kami na naman ang maghabol sa gamit. Ayaw ko nang maulit ang nangyari sa Japan.

A pine cone topped staff with a ribbon. That's all I needs to see... but I am still empty handed and sweaty. Kumakapit na din ang mga dahon sa akin.

"Hihihi..." I heard a muffled giggle.

"Aha! I found it!" Kaito shouts.

Lionel waves a crooked wooden stem from a distance. His voice can be heard through out the yard, "Raise it above your head!"

"I can't!" he shouts back. "Give it to me!" para siyang nakikipaghilahan sa tono ng boses niya.

"Why not?!" sigaw ko sa kanya.

"Hey! Masakit iyan ha! Let go and we won't get hurt. Aghhhh!" nadidinig kong hinga na siya.

"Hihihi..." lumayo ang tawa sa pwesto niya.

"Anong nang-Don't run! Damn it," Lionel says.

"Where are you, guys?" tanong ko sa sa kanila.

"5 o'clock Mason. Look up! It's behind the bushy vines! "

That's Lionel's vioce! Pag-angat ko ng tingin ay nakita ko ang thyrsus. The ribbon is waving like a flag in the wind.

"Kaito this is not a good joke!" I warned. Nagsimula kong sundan ito. I can't see the it's bearer. Hindi ko pa nakikita yung dulo ng taniman sa pwesto ko.

"Bakit ako?! I am not going to raise that if that's me!" pasigaw niyang sagot.

"Eh, sino?! Don't play with us!" Lionel said.

"I'm not!" he answers with a strained voice, "Kinuha iyon ng nymph sa akin!"

Tumatakbo ako papunta sa dulo ng taniman. Almost there! I run faster pero hindi ko nakita kung sino ang may dala noon paglabas ko. It quickly disappeared before I see it.

"Fuck..." I gasp for air.

Umangat ulit ang thyrsus sa ibabaw ng halamanan. Papunta ito sa direksyon ni Kaito.

"Kaito. It's coming at you. Look up!" utos ko.

He shouts back, "Got it!"

"Can't you use water?" tanong ni Lionel.

"Hindi pwede nasa ilalim yung pipeline. Masisira ang taniman!" sagot niya.

Hindi ito nahuli ni Kaito at papunta ito sa gitna ng taniman. It slows down na parang kumakandirit dahil taas baba ang thyrsus.

"This way... Hihihi."

"No, that way..."

"Hihihi... Here"

Small voices and giggles form around us. They were distracting us where to go. Iba-iba ang tinuturo nilang daan papunta sa gitna ng vineyard. Both Anthousai and Meliae are speaking to us. They are amused with our struggle.

"Shut up!" sigaw ni Lionel.

"Hihihi... In here."

"This way."

"Turn right!"

"Go to the left."

They didn't stop. Lalo kaming nalito sa sinasabi nila. The thyrsus stopped in the. It made a circular motion when the bearer turns around.

This chase is making me dizzy and angry!

TRANSLATIONS:

Benvenuti Semidei - Welcome Demigods.

Nonno! Guardate cosa ho trovato -
Grandpa! Look what I found.

Incredibile amore mio - Amazing my love.