Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 33

"Is she really going to be alright?" tanong ni Asta habang nakatayo sa likod ni Ero. Ero stared at Zai's face. She's slightly panting and she's also sweating. She have a high fever that won't go down for three days.

Ero didn't answer. More likely, he can't. Wala rin siyang alam sa nangyayari. This is the first time he encountered an illness like this. They have no clue how she got this weak.

Zai slightly opened her eyes and just stared at the ceiling, "I'm fine. This is normal."

Asta raised her eyebrow, "We have a different view of what's normal, Zai."

Zai groaned, "I'm telling you I'm fine. This'll be over in a few days."

Asta sighed and looked at Ero who's currently fixing his stuffs. Nagkita ang grupo nila at si Ero sa daungan ng barko patungong Northernium. Pagkarating na pagkarating ng lalaki ay ipinatingnan nila rito si Zai na lumala ang kondisyon kaya nawalan rin ng oras ang lalaki para ayusin ang mga gamit nito. Asta spoke, "Thanks old man but she'll be fine, right?"

Ero put his drawstring bag on his shoulder, "Siya na nagsabi. Ayos lang siya. Better trust the patient's words than worry for nothing," he grimaced, "Also, don't call me an old man. You're just 4 years younger than me right? Malapit ka na ring mawala sa kalendaryo."

Asta frowned, "Don't even remind me. You must've had fights with your wife a lot. Mentioning a woman's age to her is quite--"

Ero chuckled, "My wife doesn't mind. For your information, she's older than me," he then started walking to the door of the small room but he stopped and looked back to Asta to smirk, "I don't prefer younger women." he then walked out of the room to go to his.

Asta raised her brow and went out of the room to follow him when she realized what he just meant, "What do you mean by that? Just so you know, I'm not interested..!"

Sumandal si Sinbad sa gilid ng barko at pinagkrus ang dalawang mga braso sa kaniyang dibdib habang dinadama ang simoy ng hangin. The relaxing sound of the wind, ocean, and seagulls was enough to soothe someone's soul.

May ilan ring mga pasahero ang nakasakay sa barko ngunit tahimik lamang din ang mga ito na pinagmamasdan ang asul na karagatan at langit. Mukhang hindi rin sila namumukhaan ng mga ito. The only noise they can hear on the boat is Trois' and Shane's laughter as they play tag. Shane is trying to catch Trois who kept on going around the mast. Rui is also joining them.

Natigil lamang ang pagtitig niya sa mga ito noong makita ang papalapit na babae. Asta stood beside him and also leaned on the side of the ship as she cross her arms just below her chest. Sinbad asked as he glance at the three again, "How's her condition?"

"She said she's fine and it's normal. Obviously, it isn't."

"Is that so?"

Namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan nila pagkatapos non. Both of them have no energy to talk to each other, the ambience was too soothing that they don't want to waste their time talking to someone. But Sinbad spoke after a few minutes, "It'll take ten days before we arrive in Northernium. She has to be in the right condition before we step in their territory."

Tumango naman si Asta, "I've heard that their government is very strict with their laws."

"We must be careful if we want to make it out of there. I don't even know what Zai wants from that kingdom. I've heard that they don't really care about criminals from other countries as long as they won't cause troubles within their territory. However, we mustn't put our guards down."

Asta sarcastically smirked, "That's one odd government they have."

Zai opened her eyes when she felt the ship slightly swayed. It must be because of the waves but Zai felt different. She clicked her tongue and tried to get up. The moment she sit up, she immediately put her hand on her head. The headache is killing her. It was worse than having a normal fever. Every move she makes affect her headache.