Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 68

"Why didn't you inform me about this beforehand?" Shane can't help but to show guilt and worry on his face when he heard what Trois said. Halatang hindi nito nagustuhan ang kaniyang ginawa.

And yet, Shane showed an awkward smile, "I thought there was no need to. Hindi mo ba gustong--"

"I don't need an artificial leg!" Shane was startled by Trois' sudden yell. Trois averted his gaze as his forehead furrows.

Bumuntong hininga naman si Shane at tumingin sa lalaking dapat na magsusukat ng binti ng binata. "I'm really sorry. But--"

"No. Trois, don't be stubborn," saad naman ni Ero. "This smith right here will take your measurements and make you an artificial limb."

Trois clenched his jaw, "I said I don't need one."

Asta stepped forward, "'Wag ka ng makulit, Trois! All of us know, including you, that you'll have trouble with just one leg. You are a speed-type fighter. You'll have difficulties in combat if you won't--"

"I can handle myself!"

"Shut your trap and let him take your measurements." lahat sila ay tumingin sa pinto noong marinig ang boses ni Zai. Just like usual, she's wearing her emotionless expression. Zai then squinted her eyes, "You're useless with that condition. I don't need something that has no value."

All felt how sharp her words were pero walang nagsalita. Trois just clenched his jaw once more and looked away as he becomes silent. Shane sighed in relief and nodded at the smith. Lumapit naman na rito ang matandang lalaki para kunin ang sukat ng kaniyang binti.

Zai walked to Ero and stood beside him. Ero spoke, "You should know that he won't be as effective as before. Smiths don't specialize in making prosthetic limbs so expect that the artificial limb won't be that good. Prosthetists and orthotists still doesn't exist in this world. Smiths are the only ones who can make a replacement for a missing body part. He'll have a hard time with his new limb," Ero gave her a sideways glance, "You'll still take him?"

Hindi naman ito nakatanggap ng sagot mula sa dalaga. Pinili na lamang ni Ero na hindi magsalita at hinayaan na lamang ang babae.

Rui stared at Trois' cutoff leg. He then glanced at his hands. He pursed his lips as he closed his both hands tights. He is swimming in a pool of regret. If only he knew how to use his threads to reattached his leg back. His threads are sharp and if it touches Trois' skin, he'll only get worse. If only he can control his threads' sharpness. He might've been a great help.

Claysen immediately noticed what Rui is thinking. He put his hands inside his pockets and his serious expression remained.

Natigilan lamang sa pag-iisip ng malalim si Rui noong biglang magsalita ang batang lalaki na nasa kaniyang gilid, "What's with that face? You look ugly. So uncool." saad nito at muling ibinalik ang tingin kina Trois. Rui sighed then he shook all the bad thoughts away.

Ilang saglit lamang ay natapos ng kunin ng matandang lalaki ang sukat ng binti ni Trois. Nanatiling tahimik ang binata hanggang sa makalabas na ito. Sa hindi malamang dahilan ay hindi nawala ang katahimikan sa kwarto. Lahat ay nanatiling tahimik habang kanilang pinakikiramdaman ang tensyon na nabubuo. They expected that Zai would say something to Trois ngunit tila ba nag-uusap ang mga ito ng tahimik. Understanding each other without words.

The first one who decided to break the awkward silence was Ero, "We'll leave for Southernia after Trois' leg replacement is finished. For the mean time, the injured ones should rest while the others undergo training. That's the only thing we could do for now."

Tumango naman ang iba bilang pagsang-ayon. Ilang saglit lamang ay biglang bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Sinbad. "Zai, the king--" but before he could say the rest, something happened.