The Blood Maiden

Chapter 14 | Heir's Guard

Elaire's POV

"You look like you haven't slept," puna ni Prince Inouen habang naglalakad kami patungo sa weaponry.

Because I suffered. The whole night I suffered from whatever that was. I was a ticking time bomb when I managed to go back to my room. With all my senses heightened, I was dying to scratch the toe-curling itch under my skin.

The touch of my fingers weren't enough but I made it enough. Hindi ko kayang alalahanin ang ginawa ko kagabi— ayokong maalala kung paano ko hinawakan 'yong sarili ko dahil nalaman kong ito lang ang paraan upang mabigyan ko ng ginhawa ang kakaibang sensasyon.

Nagawa kong ilabas ang init na sumakop ng kalooban ko, pero kapalit nito ay ang pagkawala ko sa sarili dahil hindi ko kilala 'yong Elaire kagabi.

I just recently discovered a whole another side of me and I'm still in the process of taking it in.

"Choose a weapon that fits your hand the best," the prince said as we entered a weapon-filled room. "Something that you're most comfortable holding, swinging..."

There were a lot to choose from— swords, daggers, shields, spears, bows...

Isa-isa kong sinuri ang nakahanay na mga sandata, marahang sinasagi ang aking mga daliri sa mga talim at hawakan nito. I grabbed a couple, feeling the weight and balance of each weapon.

"You're not used to carrying weapons, Elle?" Prince Inouen inquired. "You seem to be taking quite some time," pansin niya at mahina akong tinawanan. "Don't take it seriously. Please take your time."

"I can wield any weapon, Your Highness," giit ko na ikinatigil niya. "And I can fight with or without it."

The prince snickered and gestured me to continue looking.

Just when I thought there was nothing that caught my attention, my eyes drifted to a corner of the room. Dumako ako rito at huminto sa harap ng maiikling espada na naka-display sa pader. They were crossed against each other, their thick blades catching the softest light.

Mahinahon kong inabot ang isa sa mga espada at nalamang hindi matulis ang talim nito. It was blunt and short and the handle was also weirdly-shaped. In my hand, it looked like a small trident with a longer blade in the middle.

"Sai swords," sabi ni Prince Inouen pagkarating sa tabi ko. At saka niya ibinaba mula sa pader 'yong isa pang espada. "They actually come in pair, Elle." Inabot niya sa'kin ito. "We can adjust the blade if you want. Make it sharp."

"Why aren't they sharp?" nangunguryuso kong tanong.

"It's a melee weapon," sagot niya. "A weapon used in close combat, or hand-to-hand. The Sai, particularly, is used to to stab, strike, and disarm enemies." Kumuha siya ng isa pang Sai mula sa pader upang suriin ito nang maigi. "You can't cut or slice enemies with this sword so you must be very precise and accurate."

"Hm." An approving hum escaped from my lips.

Inilapag niya ang hawak niyang Sai at inilahad ang kanyang kamay sa'kin. "Let me show those to our royal craftsmen," hingin niya. "I'll have another pair especially made for you."

Binigay ko ang dalawang espada sa kanya.

"So, it's true?" aniya. "'Yong sinasabi nila sa arenas..."

What's true?

"You are known to hit your enemies so hard their blood clots," dugtong ni Prince Inouen na may kasamang tawa. "If that really is the case then a pair of Sai is the perfect weapon for you."

Lumihis ang aking paningin.

How do I tell him that blood clotting is one of my magical abilities? Nasanay na 'yong buong katawan at isipan ko sa palaging paggamit nito kaya kusang bumibisa ang kapangyarihan kong ito sa tuwing may tinatamaan ako. Hindi ko na kailangang magbigkas ng spell at hindi ko na rin kailangang mag-isip pa nito.