Chapter 9: Reversed
Ako ang nanguna sa paghahanap kay Brienne. Wala kaming ginawa magdamag kung hindi ang halughugin ang loob at labas ng Mansion. Kasama ko rin si Lord Wenson.
I was not too confident that our plan was a success. Hindi ako makapakali habang naghahanap kaya mas naging kapani-paniwala na apektado talaga ako sa pagkawala niya.
My concerns vanished when dawn came, and we still hadn't found her. Nauna nang sumuko sa paghahanap ang pangkat ni Lord Varnes.
"Lord Oscar." Lord Wenson tapped my shoulder. Napahinto ako sa paglalakad at napalingon sa kanya. He looked so disappointed. "I think it's reasonable to say we've already lost her."
Napatingin ako sa sapatos ko na puno ng putik. Ngayon ko lang napansin na nakaawang na ang ibabang parte nito. Mukhang hindi kinaya ang magdamagang paglalakad sa masukal na lugar.
"We didn't simply lose her." He sighed and appeared defeated. "We lost the first part of the war. Mukhang nabawi na siya ng Caligo Clan."
"Maybe she escaped on her own?" I shrugged and released a heavy sigh. "Baka nabawi na niya ang nawalang lakas kaya nagawa na niyang makatakas."
"That makes more sense. Ayon sa balita ng mga kawal na nagbabantay sa kanyang selda ay wala raw silang maalala sa mga pangyayari."
I nodded. "I think we should get back now."
Bumalik na kami ni Lord Wenson, kasama ang grupo namin. Pagkabalik namin ay napansin ko na may mga hinihilang bangkay ang mga kawal.
"What happened?" I muttered. "Iyon ba ang mga kawal na nagbantay sa selda ng manggagamot?"
"Mukhang si Lord Reggar ang may kagagawan nito."
"Where were you the entire night?" I heard a familiar voice from behind.
Sabay kami ni Lord Wenson na napalingon sa likod. Naabutan naming nagpupunas ng dugo sa labi si Lord Reggar. His blazing crimson eyes gradually returned to their normal hues.
So... he really did slaughter them.
Lord Wenson cleared his throat. "Bumuo kami ng pwersa para hanapin ang nakatakas na manggagamot. Unfortunately, we failed to find any trace of her."
Nanatili sa akin ang mga mapanuring mata ni Lord Reggar. He did nothing but stare at me with intensity. He was not asking Lord Wenson. That question was obviously directed at me.
"Lord Oscar was in his room when the incident happened. I am a witness," sagot muli ni Lord Wenson.
"Why would you do the job if you could get someone to do it for you?" he gave me a sardonic grin.
"Are you accusing me of treason, Lord Reggar? Na ako ang nagpatakas sa kanya?" pagbabanta kong tanong sa kanya. "I think you are frustrated, just like I am. But that's not enough reason for you to assume that I have something to do with this."
"Lord Oscar is right. You don't have any basis to accuse him, Lord Reggar," pagsang-ayon sa akin ni Lord Wenson. "Mas mabuting huwag na tayong magsisihan dahil may mas mabigat pa tayong dapat na alalahanin."
Lord Reggar nodded. "I am not accusing anyone. I'm simply asking." Then, he smiled. "So, we really lost her. It's not like I was surprised. Maybe frustrated. I could have beheaded her sooner."
"Mas mabuting umuwi ka muna, Lord Reggar. We will have a meeting before lunch," sambit ko bago tumalikod at iniwan silang dalawa ni Lord Wenson.
It was hard to suppress a smile while walking. Naging malaya na lang ako sa pagngiti nung makapasok ako sa loob ng kwarto ko. Mahina pa akong natawa.
