The Ruler of Westeria

TROW 06| His Tea

Xiomara

"Welcome to Naverside, Xiomara." I opened the window of the carriage and I was amazed when I saw tall maple trees with this leaves dancing on the rhythm of the blowing wind. 

I smiled. Naverside of Howling Plateau is described as the land of autumn where maple trees are very abundant. Maple tree that symbolizes elegance, beauty, and grace. 

I lift my head when I heard a squeaking sound above the tree. From there, I saw two squirrels hopping from one branch to another who are fighting over an acorn. 

I laughed when I remember that one squirrel in Ice Age that always caused the destruction of the world. What was his name again?

"Why are you laughing?" Napatigil ako nang mapansin kong nakatitig na sa akin si Aviel. Napatikhim ako sabay ayos ng upo. 

"The two squirrels are funny." He lean towards the nearest window and watched the squirrels still fighting over some nut. 

"Why are they funny?" Takang tanong nito. 

"Kunwari tayong dalawa 'yong squirrel," Humarap naman siya sa akin para makinig ng maayos kaya pinagpatuloy ko ang sasabihin ko. 

"Tapos nag-aagawan tayo saka sasabihin ko. . ." Tinukod ko ang kaliwang kamay ko sa upuan ng karuwahe upang lumapit sa kaniya para bumulong. 

"Can I eat your nut?"

Malakas itong umubo kaya napaatras ako. Umiwas pa siya ng tingin sa akin pero hindi nakalampas sa mga mata ko ang pamumula ng punuan ng tainga niya. 

I crossed my arms when I saw him leaning his head on the carriage's window as he cover his forehead with his right hand. 

"I have no idea you could speak like that." I heard him said probably, hiding his face. 

"What?" Patay malisya kong tanong sa kawalan habang nakatingin sa mga dahon ng maple tree na nagsisihulugan sa daan. 

"N-nothing." I almost laugh. 

I eyed him sheepishly. Oh my, the Boreas Archon is thinking something lewd, I thought. 

"Open the gates! The carriage of the Boreas Archon has arrived!" One of the knights on top of the fortress' tower shouted as he swung two red flags in the air. 

I closed the window's thin curtain to hide myself. I carefully watched how the knights pulled the lever to open the gates and let us in. 

Nang magbukas ang tarangkahan ay naulunigan ko kaagad ang ingay ng paligid. I can hear the street vendors trying to convince the bystanders to buy their product, children shouting and laughing, and a beating of drum percussions. 

Iginilid ko ang ulo ko upang sumilip sa bintana at nakita kong may grupo ng mga tao na nagsisisayawan habang sinasabayan ang indak ng pinagsabay-sabay na instrumento. I can hear a sound of tambourine, stringed instrument, a drum, and lyre. 

They were dancing in circles, following the rhythm of an epic song. The musicians were wearing a slightly different clothes from the normal commoners. May telang kulay asul, pula, at dilaw na nakatali sa mga braso nito, sa noo, sa pulsuhan, at sa paa. 

That's when I realized, these are people who were performing a play. A traditional opera accompanied by basic instruments, storytellers, and dancers. 

"Stop the carriage." Rinig kong utos ni Aviel. 

I look at him and he raise his left hand in front of me. Tinitigan ko lang ang kamay niyang nakalahad sa harapan ko. I took off the gloves in my hand and gave it to him na siyang ikinatulala niya.