Intruded Trails (Van Doren Series #1)

Chapter Forty-seven

Hymns

To redeem the crown.

"What's a ruler who sits on a throne but doesn't have a crown?!" Humampas ng malakas ang paa ni Oya sa itaas ng mahabang lamesa.

"Ano? Ganoon nalang iyon, Devisee?! Haharap ka sa kanila ng walang may ipinagmamalaki?" Sermon pa niya at nagdamog ulit. "Hindi ako papayag! I'm sure they'll be at their grandest attires with pride to show you! Labanan ang paghaharap niyo sa isa't isa. Think of it, six powerful kingdoms come face to face with one another... Napakalaking kasaysayan ito kung tutuusin. At kailangan mong mangibabaw ngayon pa lang!"

"Hindi pa ba nangingibabaw sayo ang Devisee?" One of the preceptors asked.

"Pwede bang simulan muna natin ang pag-uusap na ito sa pagpaplano? We need to lay our forces surrounding the place where the gathering will be held." Pagsasalita naman ng hari.

Oya faced the preceptor. "Matagal nang nangingibabaw sa lahat para sakin ang Devisee. I'm just concerned of how her claim to a throne would be perceived in the eyes of the five kingdoms... and Astraea's heir. Sino siyang nakaupo sa trono ng Ravenhelm kung wala siyang korona?" Sagot nito.

Napatikhim ang hari sa kinauupuan at napahimas ng sintido. Ganoon rin si Sullivan na napasandal nalang sa baston nito at napailing-iling. Ang iba ay napabuga ng hininga at napasandal sa kani-kanilang mga upuan.

Oya has a point. But that shouldn't be our concern right now. Alam na alam ko kung paano iangat ang sarili at mangibabaw. I know the kind of beauty I have, I know how to use it well. Ang higit kong mas pinag-aalala ay ang pagpaplano sa bagay na ito. "Oya..." Tawag ko.

"Mamaya na ang bagay na iyan." Sambit ko nalang.

I still don't have the strength for this discussion. But a ruler has her responsibilities no matter what her condition is. I must face them. I decided to face them for good to avoid getting ourselves in more conflict and wages. Napapalibutan na nila kami at sa huli kong naalala ay hindi lang isa ang dragon nila. May tatlo pang bumabaybay sa langit kagabi. Even if I didn’t saw them close enough, I can feel their grief upon their cries.

I thought of everything they could do on their power and it is invincible as mine. I’ve realized that the safety of Ravenhelm is more important than my pride. I don’t want to put them in risk just because their Devisee is afraid to see someone again.

“Fine! What do you have in mind, once king?” Bumaling si Oya sa hari at nagtaas ng kilay.

The king stood up and fixed his sleeves. His stares examined the map of Ravenhelm including the farthest deserts and highlands of Le Erasauvian and Vastramere paved above the long table where Oya loves to walk by. Itinuro ng hari ang ikalawang patag na lupain ng buhangin sa gitna ng dalawang talampas na may kalayuan mula sa mga silyadong pader.

“This is where they are staying.” He said.

“Sinabi nila sayo? Paano ka nakakasigurado? Hindi ba’t wala na silang tiwala sayo? Why would they gave you that information when you’re now an enemy to them?” bwelta ni Oya. “Baka isa ka ngang impostor!” she accused.

The king cursed in frustration. “Does this oracle ever shut up?” tanong niya kay Sullivan na nagkabit-balikat lang at kalaunang tumango-tango.

“Sa totoo lang ay hindi. Masasanay ka rin sa kanya balang araw,” he gave him smirk. “The Le Erasauvian tongue is really hard to get along with. For a king who has never been in a poor and rotten life, it will be much harder for you to understand them.”

The king just chuckled. "I'm glad I'm not interested to understand this loud pest."

Napadaing ang lahat sa isinagot pa niya. Oya did immediately fired back and their quarrel continued from there.