Sand Scented Jar (Gazellian Series #9)

Chapter 37

Dedicated to: Renzel  (Thank you so much for attending our TOS meet and greet event! )

Chapter 37: The Answer

Nakasimangot na si Kreios habang nakahigang hubad sa lupa na ang tanging latag lamang ay ang kapiraso niyang kasuotan. One of his elbows was leaning on the ground, his cheek on the back of his hand as he watched me picking up the pieces of my clothes on the ground.

Hindi ko na pinansin ang pagtawag niya sa pangalan ko, ang kunot niyang noo at ang nanghahaba niyang nguso habang nagsisimula na akong magdamit.

"Just like that? After you used my body, huh?" reklamo ni Kreios.

Nang matapos kong ilaso ang kasuotan ko ay ako naman ngayon ang nakakunot ang noo na lumingon sa kanya.

"I am just reminding you that we're in the middle of our mission, Your Majesty."

His mouth parted as if I was the one who was being ridiculous right now.

"C-Coming from you? After what we've done? Y-You— at least you have to cuddle with me! Y-You heartless woman!"

I rolled my eyes. "Stop being childish. Get dressed. We need to talk."

Bumangon na si Kreios ngunit hindi man lang ito nabahala sa kahubaran niya sa harapan ko. Mariin akong napapikit. "Kreios... pick up your clothes! We need to talk properly!"

Dahil pansin niya na talagang naiirita na ako ay nakanguso siyang nagbihis sa harapan ko. Nagdadabog siya dahil eksaherado niya nang iwinawasiwas sa hangin iyong kasuotan niya.

Kapag higit pa akong nairita sa kanya ay tuluyan ko nang sisirain iyang kasuotan niya at mahirapan siyang maghanap ng damit bago mag-umaga.

"Saan mo pala iniwanan si Livius?"

"Delilah's with him," matabang niyang sagot.

"Are you sure that—" he cut me off.

Siya naman ngayon ang umikot ang mga mata. "He can't escape, alright? What do you want to talk about? I sensed your uneasiness that's why I came here."

"Have you talked with Delilah?"

Tumango si Kreios.

"She mentioned my father and probably his traces in this place. Since we're trying to find the water that might help Finn, and the connection between the Holy Land, this Entertainment District, and the Fountain of Youth in Asta Wellingzon, I was thinking of someone who could possibly experience..." I purposely hung my words.

Pansin ko na naging seryoso na ang ekspresyon ni Kreios.

"You mean Rosh?"

Mabilis niyang sagot na mukhang hindi na nag-isip. Kahit sino naman ay agad ring mapapangalanan ang nilalang na sinasabi ko.

I nodded at him.

"You want him to join this journey? You want me to ask his help?" mabibigat ang bitaw ng mga salita niya.

Napabuntonghininga na ako. "I am aware of how creatures around Rosh... my brothers, the Viardellons, or anyone hated the idea of asking help from him."

"Hated?"

Mariin akong pumikit. "Not actually hated... well to be fair, everyone hated to admit that in every journey we needed his participation. He's like the living version of my father. It's like Rosh has been tied in every conflict in this world. I might have a conclusion about him but that's for him to discover, but that's not the point here."

"So, why do we need him? Sa tingin mo ba ay hindi abala iyong si Rosh? Ang huling natatandaan ko ay nagkakagulo pa sa Deltora. And did Rosh ever reach the Holy Land?"