The White Chronicle

Chapter 20 - Refuge underneath the dark night

As the sun settles, Jasmine was anxious to see the return of Gil, Kislap, and Kulog. She thinks that the guardians are pushing their selves too much to protect the realm but then again, they are the ones given the titles of guardians; if they are not defending the guardian they are sure to defend the realm in her absence – at least that's what Leshin told her before.

Jasmine and the other guardians at Vale have taken their dinner at the Inn – they all have an agreement to take shifts on watching over the town – they never know when the next batch of Aswang will arrive or if there is anything else that can make their stay a rowdy than usual, is better they are prepared.

Amihan flies up to the ship and decided to have the ship in check and spend the night with her crew – as she jokingly said "The crew might start mutiny if I am not with my ship". The rest decided to take a rest on the Inn.

Leshin decided he will take the first watch and let the others rest. As the rest of the team tucks in their bed, Jasmine prayed for Gil, Kulog, and Kislap's safety, it's been hours since they left and they haven't returned yet. She mutters in her bed, mumbling her wishes to keep those 3 safe at all times. She shuts her eyes and imagines the 3 guardians will return to them safe and sound. Her woes kept her awake but not more than a few minutes as she eventually falls asleep but still mumbling to herself.

"Chronicler?" Shamir wakes up after hearing the girl speaking to in her sleep. She sits up and sees Tala sleeping soundly on the other end of the room. Shamir looks over at Jasmine sees that she is irritated and troubled in her sleep. Shamir gets up and moves closer to Jasmine. She opens her pouch and sprinkles golden sands on Jasmine's head. After awhile Jasmine stops mumbling and returns to sleep soundly as possible.

"May Bathala watch over you dear. Have a good night." Shamir returns to her bed and resumed her sleep.

As the team began to take a moment of respite, Leshin strolls on the empty streets ever vigilant to see anything that might stand out. He checks in with the guards regularly and checks in with the refugees.

"Leshin? May I have a word?" Mayor Nicanor appears behind him with a guard carrying his mound of dirt. Leshin turns and greets the mayor, he asked what is the matter and the mayor replied "It's about a trouble we have even before you or the Chronicler visited us."

"What must be the issue Mayor? Maybe it is something that we can help you with?"

The mayor bit his lip; he gave a pause before letting a word out. He thinks of the horror that this issue ensues if the guardians and Chronicler know but he admits to himself that he needs help. "Leshin, kidnappings are happening lately on Vale."

Leshin knew of this, he knew due to Juan and Jasmine's visit to the underworld. Where Masiken informs them that the dead of Antrians is mostly killed via sacrifices in front of an Anito of a snake. He kept silent and let the mayor finish.

"The incident first started a few months ago where the drunken patrons of the Inn started to disappear in the forest. I first didn't look into the matter as given the situation – they are drunk and they might stumble into a hole or river and drown themselves. Eventually, the elderly and the young ones too started disappearing during the night." The mayor's eye began to widen and looks like he is ready to tell Leshin the worst part.

"We investigated this matter but none of us are sure who took them. Tikbalang, Kapre, Syokoy, my men from the Nuno, and other races are all victims to this." Mayor Nicanor waves at the guard carrying him. The guard put Nicanor's mound to the ground. Nicanor touches his mound, the magic travels from his hands to his hand and into the ground. The magic began to morph the ground and it transformed into a miniature map of the Vale.