Excelium III: End Point

Kabanata 20

The bell chimes upon the opening of the door and caught the shop owner's attention. A yellow-haired man walked in and looked around the shelves of pottery and mugs. Mula sa likod ng reception desk ay lumapit ang balbas-saradong matanda at ngumiti. With a stiff sing-song accent, he speaks. "Good day, laddie. What kinda pot you lookin' for, aye?" He taps on his big belly.

Looking at the mug he's holding, Trois replied. "The Leprechaun's pot," Inihagis niya ang tasa sa lalaki at sinalo naman ito. "I got a coin."

Tinitigan siyang maigi ng matanda bago nito ibinalik ang tasa sa lagayan at ni-gesture ang ulo. "Follow me."

They went through the backdoor at pagpasok nila ay ang paglabas din ng isang tao na kamukhang-kamukha ng matanda. Trois watched as the double station himself at the reception desk and act like the original. Ibinalik ni Trois ang tingin sa unahan at pinagmasdan ang mga trabahador na humuhulma ng mga palayok at iba pang mga kagamitan, acting like your normal potters.

Pumasok ulit sila sa isa pang maluwang na silid kung saan naroon rin ang ibang mga trabahador. The big man lead him to a workspace where a man is currently shaping a clay on top of a pottery wheel. "This man is lookin' for ya."

"Yeah, thanks Jim." Tumango ang matanda at umalis din. The seated man's peachy eyes gave Trois a glance, "May kailangan ka?"

Umupo si Trois sa lamesa at inabot ang isang tasa. "Zai wants to see you." Inilagay niya ang tasa sa box na dala-dala ng staff na dumaan at nilingon ang binata. "You."

Tinigil ng binata ang pag-ikot ng pottery wheel at tumayo habang pinupunasan ang mga kamay ng isang tela. "Err yeah, we got a bit of an issue on that," Tinanggal nito ang suot na dusk mask. "I am not currently in Centrio right now, pakisabi kay Zai wait lang. I'll inform him right away." Saad niya habang nagsisimulang matunaw ang gilid ng ulo nito.

Trois raised his brow at the clone. "Where you at?"

"Why the fuck is he here?" Escenier frowned at the sight of a smiling man who was just sitting at the other side of his desk.

"Well, we can't exactly reject his request for an audience." Discomfortingly, Feniel answered. "Aside from being one of our best informants, he is one of hers."

Lalo lamang lumala ang ekspresyon ng hari. "It was Zaivrin Hevrion whom I gave permission to enter my palace as she pleases. Not this swindler." Bumuntong-hininga ito bago binalingan ang bisita. "What do you want?"

"You're as uptight as ever, Your Majesty." The young man removed the furry hood off his head revealing his peachy-pink-colored hair. Mas tumaas ang gilid ng mga labi nito and he spoke with a cheerful tone. "By the way, naalala mo yung time na muntikan mo na akong latiguhin? I actually stashed some few valuables, konti~ lang naman. But still, papalagpasin mo naman diba? Hala, salamat~ gagi bait." 

"Shane Wault." Zenlhoir called his name firmly.

Maikling tawa ang nagmula ay Shane. "Man... you lot are not skilled in small talks huh? Nobles are fond of them." Sumandal ito at nagkibit-balikat. "Alright, let's get straight to the point."

Shane smiled as he put one leg on top of the other and clasps his fingers together. "It's easy. Break your allegiance with the East, and I'll be on my way."

" 'Easy' my ass, you piece of shit. While it is concerning that they sent us a threat, hindi pwedeng basta-basta ko na lang putulin ang koneksyon namin. Don't your school teach you how to use your basic intelligence?" Escenier raised a brow.

"Excuse my lack of common sense in politics but I did survive a war and I traveled to all countries many times now." Shane bobbed his head to the side and nodded as he returns his gaze to the king. "My experiences can be put into consideration. I'm certain you need to listen because Your Majesty, the east isn't really that far from here and I don't see Hydria's the type to procrastinate on a Monday."