Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 37

"Zai! Let us handle this and just go back to the inn!" pangungumbinsi rito ni Ero ngunit tila ba walang naririnig ang dalaga habang pinipilit ang sariling maglakad sa malamig na kalsada. Ero put his hand on his face out of frustration and sighed. "Fine. Do what you want." he sarcastically said and just decided to follow her.

Pinagtitinginan sila ng mga tao and Zai knew those looks very well. She already have a hunch on what's going on inside this country and she only needs to confirm it. If it is true, then she really needs to go to where Shane is.

Shane trembled in fear as the royal soldiers force him to kneel down on the concrete floor. Nanlalamig ito dahil sa nararamdamang pangamba. He's in front of the castle doors and there are two concrete poles on his each side. There are chains attached to each poles and Shane's nervousness increased with what he just thought of.

The double door slowly opened and Shane raised his head to see who was about to come out. A man with a blond hair wearing a royal uniform with the color of blue and white walked out of the palace doors. Sa likod nito ay may nakasunod na isang lalaking nakauniporme rin.

Shane bit his lip. There's no mistaking it. Just by his presence, even an idiot can tell that the man in front of him is the king.

The king looked down at Shane who is kneeling with his hands shackled behind him. Feniel spoke behind him, "He's too young, your majesty." he said with pity in his voice.

Ngunit hindi nagbago ang ekspresyon ng hari, "A thief is a thief. Kids should learn the harsh truth of the world they're living in," he then glared at Shane, "And pain is the best discipline there is."

May isang tauhan ang naglagay ng isang bangko sa likod ng hari. The king sat down and rested his cheek on the knuckles of his right hand.

"Where did you come from?" tanong ng hari. He squinted his eyes when the boy didn't answer, "Should I cut your tongue as well? You're not going to use it anyway."

Shane's eyes widen with his words. Seryoso ito at tila ba gagawin nga nito ang kaniyang sinabi 'pag nanatili siyang tahimik. He opened his mouth to answer, "W-Westernia.."

"And your name?"

"Shane Wault."

The king tapped his finger on the armrest of his chair. "Hmm.. Garp's grandson huh. I'm quite disappointed that his grandson turned out like this. And how old are you?"

"15."

"So young but a dirty little thief. You're well aware that you're going to be punished right? Can you stay alive after this though? Well I wish you goodluck. Tie him up--"

A sword came flying towards the king's head but Feniel appeared in front of the king to deflect it. The king squinted his eyes, "Who dares to interrupt me?"

"Let the boy go." Shane's eyes widen when he saw Zai standing in front of him. The king glared at the unfamiliar woman who just arrived. May ilan rin itong mga kasama ngunit mukhang walang balak makialam ang mga ito.

Shane can only see half of Zai's face but he can tell that Zai isn't feeling well because of her pale complexion, "What are you doing here Zai?! You're supposed to be in bed--"

Natahimik naman ito when Zai looked back at him with a glare, "And aren't you suppose to be following orders?"

Shane gritted his teeth, "Nevermind that! If you stand here under the cold, your body won't--"

Muling ibinalik ni Zai ang kaniyang paningin sa hari, "Shut the f*ck up and behave yourself."

"You can't even see clearly right?! Just let me be! This is my fault so let me handle this! Ero! Take her back!"