Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 43

"Feniel! Where is that damn Zenlhoir?! I need his report now!" lahat ay napapitlag sa sigaw ng hari habang papasok ito ng hapag-kainan.

Feniel answered him, "He hasn't returned since yesterday, your majesty."

"Damn that Zenlhoir! Doing anything he please! Why did I appoint him as general again?!"

"Because he has skill--"

"Goddammit! Pagbalik na pagbalik ng tarantadong 'yon, sabihin mong pumunta sa akin! I need updates regarding the factory!" ang ibang mga tagapagsilbi ay saglit na napatigil dahil sa biglang pagiging bulgar ng mga salita ng hari.

Bumuntong hininga naman si Feniel dahil nakasanayan na rin naman niya ang ganito. Madalas ganito ang sitwasyon ng dalawa simula noong magtrabaho si Zenlhoir bilang personal guard nito noong hindi pa ito umuupo sa trono. Madalas mag-away ang dalawa ngunit nagkakasundo rin naman minsan. Zenlhoir is an efficient guard that's why the prince can't bring himself to fire him until he has finally become a king. Isang normal na senaryo na lamang tuwing nagkakaroon ng argumento ang dalawa.

"Now, now. You're stil young, Escenier. Don't stress yourself too much unless you want wrinkles to show up in an early age." a classy woman's voice said.

The king sighed and massaged the gap between his eyes while the other servants along with Feniel bowed their head at the woman who suddenly appeared in the dinning room out of nowhere.

She's wearing a fancy dress that women in England wore back then and a huge hat that has a wide brim. She's also holding a fan. Everything about her screams fancy.

"What are you doing here, Mother Lilia?" asked Escenier with a sigh.

"I just came to check some things here and also to share intel with you. However, it seems that I came in a bad time." said the woman with her calm and soothing voice.

Feniel stared at the woman. Lilia Wurtsbech or mostly known as Mother Lilia. The leader of the witch tribe and also the most exceptional of them all. It is said that she has live for thousands of years and yet she looks like a woman only in her 50's.

Hinilot ni Escenier ang kaniyang sintido, "No, it's fine Mother Lilia. It's just the usual problem child."

The woman chuckled, "Zenlhoir is not that troublesome. Hindi lang talaga siya mahilig magpaalam sayo."

"That's why he's troublesome."

Mother Lilia chuckled. Tumayo naman ang hari kahit hindi pa nito nagagalaw ang pagkain. He walked to the door, "Let's talk in my office, Mother Lilia." the witch nodded and followed behind him.

Pagkarating sa opisina ay lumapit ang hari sa lamesa nito at umupo sa upuang nasa likod nito. Lilia sat on the chair in front of his desk. Habang si Feniel naman ay pormal na nakatayo sa gilid ng pinto.

"We have another bad news," sa sinabi pa lamang ng babae ay napahilot si Escenier sa pagitan ng kaniyang mga mata. "Shaera has successfully revived some Hevrions."

Napadilat naman ang mga mata ni Escenier sa narinig, "What?"

"Not only that. What you'll hear next is worse," Escenier sighed and kept quiet to listen to her next words, "Barron is among them."

Shock was seen on Escenier and Feniel's faces when they heard that familiar name from the lady's lips. Tumingin ng direkta si Escenier sa mga mata nito, "Are you sure, Mother Lilia? You mean, that Barron?"

"My senses are never wrong, child."

Escenier cursed under his breath, "But how could that be? Zenlhoir is only a half-blood and moreover, he's not originally a Hevrion. According to you Mother Lilia, Shaera can't revive the Hevrions if she won't use a pure blood. Then how?"