CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
TWO of his soldiers were standing right behind him as he sit with his legs crossed. A steaming tea was served in front of him but he's not drinking it and just playing with his fingers. He still don't have any emotion in his impeccably handsome face. His general (the one who replaced Raeden) is sitting right next to him. We are inside the dining room to have a closed door meeting with his majesty and there is this eerie silence that is reverberating inside this room that makes me feel awkward. The king is inside of the rebels' territory. How's that?
"I'm sorry for asking this but what are you doing here, your majesty?" Uncle Pyr finally asked. Kanina pa tahimik ang buong kwarto at walang nagsasalita. Hindi na nakapagtago pa ang mga kailangang magtago dahil biglaan ang pagdating ng hari. Kasama niya ang maraming mga sundalo niya at inakala naming ipinapahuli na niya kami pero nang makita niya si Uncle ay sinabi niyang gusto niya itong makausap. Agad namang pinaunlakan ni Uncle ang aming bisita.
"I am here to ask for your help on the war," Blaze replied as he slowly raise his eyes to meet my uncle's. Walang mababakas na emosyon sa kaniyang mata habang nakatitig ako sa kaniya. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nasa harap ko siya ngayon at nasa loob siya ng headquarters namin.
"But how did you found us?" Aunt Ember asked. Kami-kami lang ang nandito ngayon at naghihintay sa labas ang ibang mga miyembro ng samahan. Ang nandito lang ay ako, si Flint, Aunt Ember, Uncle Pyr and Uncle Hayden.
"My brother, Brand, told me your location. It was his plan that I go here to meet you myself and ask for your support," sagot ni Blaze. Umayos siya ng upo at nag-cross arms.
"Why would you need our help?" Uncle Pyr asked. Muling natuon ang tingin ni Blaze sa katabi ko. Humugot siya ng malalim na buntong hininga bago sumagot.
"As you already know, Albus Aeronwen is threatening the monarch and declared a war against us if we won't obey the conditions he has set. Unfortunately, that treacherous bastard already got the sympathy and support of the whole Royal Court. Nothing has been left to my side other than the duke and duchess of Granja and the Blackwells. He also have a battalion of army who are ready to fight for him. Most of them were lightning descendants and some Royal Soldiers who are faithful to that general I disowned," he spitted bitterly with despise on his tone. Mukhang desperado na talaga siya kaya naisipan na niyang humingi ng tulong sa amin at pumunta pa talaga siya rito. There is a long silence after that and no one dared to speak again.
"Actually, Albus Aeronwen was a member of the rebels before," pagbasag ni Uncle sa katahimikan. Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Blaze habang matamang naghihintay ng sagot mula sa commander.
"But he betrayed us, leading to the death of my sister and her husband. On the other hand, your father was the one who killed them. We cannot support both parties because both are accountable for my niece's parent's demise. But if we are to lend our help, what would we get in return?" Uncle asked which made everyone of us look at him in disbelief. Akala ko ba ay iniisip niya ang kapakanan ng mga tauhan niya kaya neutral lang kami? Bakit nanghihingi na siya ng kapalit?
"Are you asking about the benefits for lending us your help?" paglilinaw ni Blaze habang nakataas and dalawang kilay niya. Tumango si Uncle sa naging tanong ng hari.
"Indeed. The lives of our members would be on the line here and we want to make sure that their sacrifices won't go in vain. We want to know what would we get in exchange of our help and support," Uncle replied. Naninigurado lang kami. Marami kasi kaming hinaing sa gobyerno na hindi naman nila binibigyan ng pansin. Kaya lang naman sila nagrerebelde ay dahil gusto nilang mapakinggan. At iyon lang ang gusto naming mangyari; ang magkaroon ng boses sa lipunan.
