✓ | REBIRTH OF THE REBEL [Book One]

CHAPTER 26

[ C H A P T E R 26 ]

LATISHA VALENTINE

The Knights immediately scattered in the whole state to look for the young lady of Riedensteigh. This is not a joke anymore, Annika is indeed missing. Ever since that little quest that the Duke made for me, I had asked Wince and Logan to escort Annika whenever she leaves for school and fetch her back once it is over.

I thought it would be safe because it is two of the Four Clover Knights, but when I saw the two of them got badly injured, I thought to myself that this is not a random attack. I recognized those sword marks very well because I've always seen it with my own two eyes. A double sided sword that leaves thin but deep marks in every stroke. There is only one person I know who can match the Four Clove Knight that easily. Dapat pala si Nethys ang pinabantay ko sa bata para mapantayan niya ang lalaking 'yon. Because of how bad the two got injured, I now realized who took Annika.

My father made a move. This is not just an abduction but a message. Ibig sabihin alam niya ang tungkol kay Annika at kung gaano kahalaga ang bata sa akin. He took her as a warning, and my movements are being watched. Hindi ako pwedeng kumilos na lang basta-basta kahit labis ang aking pag-aalala sa bata. I cannot tell Roshan about it, but I am hundred percent sure that this is a message from my father since Celot is dead.

I was left in the mansion because of my situation, and the Duke together with the Knights are out there looking for her. Yet, I cannot sit and wait, I need to talk to that person who attacked Wince and Logan. Kailangan kong makaalis at hanapin si Annika mag-isa dahil tiyak akong mabubulgar ang lahat ng tinatago ko kung malalaman ni Roshan ang totoo.

This is not for him, this is for me. My father wanted to see me, and use the child as a message that he is not accepting any excuses. My father has always been authoritative and precise, he doesn't listen to anyone just like my husband. I am surrounded by two problematic men with different ideals.

Dahil kaunti lang ang kabalyero sa mansyon, nakatakas ako. I wore a thin black cloak that would hide my entire body and face. Ginamit ko ang itim na kabayo na siyang pagmamay-ari ni Blessime. She always hid a few horses in a public stable for emergency purposes, and tonight is an emergency.

I went to the tavern where Blessime usually went. Alam ko rin na ito ang lugar kung saan nagpapalit-palit sila ng mga mensahe. Hindi natutukoy ang mga ito dahil ang tavern ang isa sa mga lugar na dinadaanan ng chismiss at mga dayo. Wearing a cloak is normal here, because there are other people who just want to drink and eat without caring about other people.

May biglang bumangga sa akin at kilala ko kung sino 'yon. I followed him after seeing him entering a pad. Pagpasok ko pa lang ay naramdaman ko kaagad ang matulis nitong espada na nakatuktuk sa leeg ko.

"As expected, you found out who almost killed those weak rascals, cousin." Without even looking, I know he is smirking. "Gusto ko sana silang patayin, pero ang sabi ng Lord ay kunin lang ang bata. I never knew you were fond of children, since you massacred all the children in a small town before, right?"

I twist my sword and let the scabbard hit his. Winaksi ko ang tinutuk niya gamit 'yon at nilakad ang pinakamalapit na upuan saka umupo. I put my sword on the table before I looked at him without removing my cloak. "Where is my daughter, Magnus?"

Bigla siyang tumawa ng malakas na parang nakakatawa ang sinabi ko. Tiningnan niya pa ako na parang isa akong baliw sa utak niya. He didn't stop laughing which made me wield my sword and aimed it at him. Agad siyang dumipensa gamit ang kanya. Magnus flashed a grin as he saw my anger burning the entire pad.

"That is not your daughter, Tish."

I turned my hand in a right angle swiftly enough but he immediately moved his sword to defend. I used both of my hands to hold the sword and pinned him against the wall. Hanggang ngayon ay tumatawa pa rin ito na parang baliw.