CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
NAKATAYO kami sa palibot ng lamesa at pina-plano ang mangyayari bukas pagkatapos ng masayang tanghalian kasama ang prinsipe at ang mga sundalo niya. We decided to make buffet under a huge tree in front of the house. We all ate together. It was a view I would remember forever. I watched how they hand each other plates and foods with smiles on their faces. Kapag naging reyna ako, sisiguraduhin kong magiging mapayapa ang pamumuhay ng lahat.
"Ang mga Royal Soldiers ang nasa frontline. Sunod ay kayong grupo at sa huli ay ang hukbo ni Lord Pluvio." Blaze put the pieces all together over the huge map of Ipena. Napansin kong nasa back line ako sa formation katabi ang hari. I inconspicuously took the small wood that symbolises me and gingerly put it in the centre of the frontline.
"What about the people? Baka madamay ang mga nasa malalapit na villages," tanong ni Flint.
"Then we should make a barrier to protect them from any damage," General Findlay said. He's Blaze's general who replaced Raeden.
"What kind of barrier?" tanong ni Phoenix. Whenever I hear that word, barrier, I always remember that time when Blaze put a huge block of ice in front of me to cover me from the lightning bolt when some lightning descendants were bullying me back at the Teatro Ipeniano.
"I have a suggestion!" masigla kong sabi sabay taas pa ng kamay na parang nagre-recite. Seryoso akong tinanguan ni Uncle kaya bigla akong na-conscious.
"Pwede tayong gumamit ng malaking dome na gawa sa yelo," seryoso ko na ring sagot. They all looked at me skeptically. Do I have to explain?
"I once used a thick sheet of ice to shield her from a lightning strike," Blaze said nonchalantly. Tss. Bakit kailangan niya pang sabihin 'yon? Napakayabang.
"Did it work?" Aunt Ember asked. I smiled at her and nodded.
"As you can see, I am not dead," sagot ko. Kung noong mga nakaraan ay naumay na ako kakaiyak, ngayon naman hindi ko na mapigilan ang pagngiti. It's like the storm is finally over and a rainbow came after it. I feel really happy right now.
"Kung gano'n, maglalagay tayo ng pader na gawa sa yelo para hindi madamay ang mga karatig-bayan," pag-uulit ni Flint habang nagsusulat sa isang lumang papel.
"I don't think I could do it. Kailangan ako sa battlefield," sagot ni Blaze.
"I know someone who can do it," I butted in again with a coy smile.
"Sino?" tanong ni Uncle Pyr.
"Brand, of course." Who else could it be? Only the ice descendants with royal blood can do such thing.
"Good idea. I would send him to make sure that no civilian will become a casualty of this war. Ipapasama ko na rin si Warrin sa kaniya," Blaze decided. We all agreed on it so Flint took that down on his notes.
"Dito natin ilalagay ang mga healer— bakit nasa harap ka na? Nilagay kita sa likod ah." Blaze pointed on the wooden piece (it looks like a bishop on the chess piece; all of them) that symbolises me. I shrugged at him.
"I need to be at the front," I replied.
"Why? You are the queen. You should stay on the safe zone," nagsasalubong ang kilay niyang sabi. Napa-cross arms ako at tinignan siya nang seryoso bago sumagot.
