Her Blade

HB 26

"No one died, tama ba ako?" He nodded.

I sighed in relief matapos kong makumpirma na maayos naman akong nakaalis na walang napapahamak sa mga tauhan ni Dion. He values his people so much, and I can't cause more damage than it should be. "Ibinigay ko Kiel kanina 'yung healing potions para iwan and made sure that no one died during our invasion. Kung mayroon man kaming nagawa ay minimal damages or injuries lamang 'yon."

So that's what the bag is all about. 

"Anyways, ididiretso na ba kita sa Abernathy or you'll stay at the grounds first? Kasi... I haven't inform your family yet."

Hindi ako umimik nang ilang segundo, nagdedebate sa isipan ko kung saan nga ba ako tutungo. Kung lahat ng tao sa Einarian ay naniniwalang patay na ako, malamang ay pinaniniwalaan din ng pamilya ko ang haka-hakang 'yon. But even though they're not aware that I'm still alive and breathing, I would still choose to stay with them on my first day.

"I'm going home. Drop me in Abernathy," I answered and felt him nodded behind my back in response to what I said.

There are times na titigil kami para magpahinga, but all those times that they stopped and do their business, I just remained seated on the horse. Wala akong ganang makipag-usap ngayon na sa tingin ko naman ay nahalata rin ni Kristov at Kiel kaya tanging pakikiramdam lang ang nagawa nito tungo sa 'kin. 

As for me, my conscience is still haunting me after what I did to Dion. That was too cruel of me, and I bet that the aftermath isn't that nice. Iniisip ko rin ang magiging reaksyon ng imperial family dahil paniguradong makakakuha sila ng report tungkol dito.

With the stars lighting up the night sky, there's a hint of sadness building up inside my chest. Along with the galloping noises coming from the horse, chattering of the knights, silent burning of torches, there's nothing more interesting that I could hear on the way to Einarian. A thought about the white mana stone crossed in my mind, but it's inappropriate for me to talk about it right here, especially if the knights can possibly hear our conversation.

"Di..." I pursed my lips squeezed my eyes shut, realizing that I was about to call Gedion's name. "Kristov," mahinang tawag ko rito.

"Mhm? Do you need something?" he asked as he looked from my side to check on me. "May sasabihin ako sa 'yo. I'll just bring it up kapag appropriate na 'yung lugar," sambit ko habang tinignan din ito sa 'king gilid. "That is that confidential?" I nodded.

"Whenever you're ready. Suit yourself, Lady Aesira."

I gave him a small smile and let put a deep breath, "So... Kumusta na ang Einarian Empire? For sure na maraming nagbago sa loob ng ilang buwan." I opened up a topic to reduce the silent atmosphere going on between us. Siguro kasi ay naninibago pa kami pareho dahil ngayon na lang ulit namin nakausap ang isa't isa, o baka naman ay ako lamang ang nakakaramdan n'on.

"Changes... Well, maybe bringing you news would do. The imperial palace held a screening for knighthood training a few months ago due to the amount of loss during the war. I know that you're well-aware about what happened on that battlefield."