Melody of the Summer Solstice (Gauntlet Series 3)

Chapter 1. Abducted

My sister's death is widely reported, and Poras and I have been on the run for years. We traveled from one place to the next like a wandering nomads in the scorching desert. Our only option is a run-down house in the middle of a pristine forest, which my brother found for us.

Running for so long has taught me that fear is the single thing I can't run away from. We're trying to get past the safe side of this country, which is being destroyed by the day and being destroyed by night. Days have passed, but our fate's reminder remains: we can run, but we can never hide.

Tahimik na nakasandal sa lumang upuan si Poras habang hinihintay namin ang pagkagat ng dilim. Sira na ang isang paa ng kahoy na kinauupuan nito kaya tanging ang kahoy na tabing na lang ang sumasalo sa bigat nito. Naglangit-ngit pa ang pader na nasa likuran nito nang sumandal ito upang ipahinga ang pagod niyang likod.

Nakahiga naman ako sa maalikabok na higaan kung saan umaalingasaw ang amag at alikabok na nasa paligid. Binalot ko ang sarili gamit ang punit-punit na kumot habang pabalik-balik ang tingin ko mula sa liwanag ng nakasilip na buwan sa basag na bintana ng lumang bahay at sa kapatid kong tila malalim ang iniisip.

As long as I'm asleep, Poras will keep watch, and I'll be able to catch up on some sleep. As soon as I've had a chance to recuperate, I'll give him some space. As long as I had the watch, my brother would let me take it over the night and do things independently. I know for sure in this scary world that my brother will do everything to keep me safe and secure from harm. Even though he's been downcast ever since we lost Idrish, I feel that if he sees me in danger, he'll summon all his grit and determination to keep us both alive. Because he knows that I'm young and vulnerable, he appears to be taking advantage of me.

"Cali, go to bed. Tomorrow will be a long one, but we'll get through it. "While leaning forward in the old house, he whispers."I miss Idrish, Poras. Kung nandito lang siya, sana hindi tauo nahihirapan ng ganito."

Bahagyang natigilan ang kapatid ko. Pakiwari ko'y sa loob ng ilang segundong hindi ito umiimik sa lilim ng madilim na anino ng bahay ay dinama din nito ang kalungkutang nararamdaman ko.

Ilang taon na simula noong kumalat ang balitang patay na ang ikon ng House Calore, pero ganoon pa rin ang bigat at sakit na nasa dibdib naming sa pagkawala ng panganay naming kapatid.

A long time passed before Prince Killan told me tales of how he had betrayed our sister to avenge the queen's death and marry Princess Lanuza of the second area, until one day, Poras came home from a foraging hunt and began telling me the truth about the prince. It didn't take long for Poras to develop a plan to get out of the situation.

Yes, some mysterious entities are on the prowl for us for reasons I cannot fathom. My brother, for one, is well aware of the challenges we face. He's been skulking around to gather information about my sister and the various ties that bind her to the tragedy.

My brother's advice is something I can rely on. I heeded his commands and fled from the perils that only he could see since he was more capable than I was.

We spent several birthdays in the forests, streets of the second region. Naalala ko pa noon kung paano kami nag-away dahil nagawa niyang magnakaw ng tinapay sa isang pastry shop ng Pudding Street habang abala ang mga nagkumpulang tao sa gitna ng kalye dahil sa isang lalaking nahampas ng tubo at nawalan ng malay.

Kamuntikan na siyang mahuli ng mga kawal ng prinsipe noon pero dahil maabilidad siya at maliksi ay natakasan niya ang mga ito. Umuwi itong may dalang isang malaking tinapay kung saan nakatusok ang maliit na kandila habang maluha-luhang kumakanta ng Dies Natales Canticum o birthday song sa lilim ng pinagtagpi-tagping mga karton at punit-punit na telang ginawa niyang silungan naming sa gitna ng abandonadong minahan ng ikatlong rehiyon. Iyon ang ika-labimpitong kaarawan ko.