Quiramis

Alison Wisse's Point of View

Under the starry sky, screams of terror filled the small village of Dulcan as fire set by the soldiers engulfed the wooden houses. The thralls were being harshly dragged out of their home and tied down by the soldiers of the Idner kingdom. Some thralls who showed defiance against the soldiers were killed mercilessly. Even from distance I could clearly see that everything is in chaos.

I was rooted to the spot while my tears were continously flowing from my eyes. I just got home from hunting and this tragedy welcomes me. Napuno ako ng sakit at pighati habang pinagmamasdan ang kinalakihan kong tahanan na unti-unting sinisira at ang mga mabubuting tao na nakilala ko ay pinahihirapan. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa aking pana. I shouldn't just stand here watching their misery. I have to help them.

Tatakbo na sana ako palapit para pigilan ang mga kawal nang biglang may humablot sa braso ko.

"You shouldn't go there."

My eyes widened upon seeing him. He has blood on his face and a scratch on his arm. His ragged clothes were full of blood.

"Carlo!" I sighed in relief. My best friend is safe.

"The Idnerians are condemning us to slavery. We can't let them see us. Tumakas na tayo!" His voice sounded urgent.

I bit my lip.

"No. We have to help them!" I opposed.

Carlo heaved a sigh.

"Do you think we can beat all of them, Ali?! Don't be impulsive! The best choice for now is to escape, Ali.. Babalikan natin sila, okay?" Parang hinang-hina na sabi niya. I noticed that he was holding back his tears. He must've experienced hell when I wasn't here. Parang tinusok ang puso ko nang makita ko iyon.

Labag sa loob na tumango na lamang ako sa sinabi niya.

Carlo held my hand and we both ran away from the village. Sa gubat kami dumaan para hindi kami madaling makita ng mga kawal.

Hindi pa man kami nakakalayo nang biglang may lalaking sumulpot sa harap namin at winasiwas ang espada sa 'min. Agad ko naman naiharang ang pana ko para gawing proteksyon ngunit naputol ito sa lakas ng pwersa ng espada.

"Now, now. Two rats were about to escape. Do you think I will let you?" He said, full of arrogance. Because of the moonlight, I could see that he's a middle-aged man, and based from the golden badge on his uniform. He must be the general.

Damn it. Sa dami-rami ng makakasalubong, bakit ang heneral pa?

"Ali, you go first. Ako na bahala dito." Seryosong wika ni Carlo. Napakunot-noo ako. Carlos has no experience when it comes to fighting. He won't stand a chance against the general!

"No! Don't be stupid!" Tutol ko sa gusto niyang mangyari.

Narinig ko ang nakakainsultong tawa ng heneral.

"Young man. I like the foolish courage you have to save your friend, but no one could ever escape me alive." Nang-uuyam na wika nito at mabilis na sinugod kami.

Agad ko namang hinatak si Carlo para maiwasan ang espada.

Damn. We have no chance of winning. Ang tanging paraan lang ay tumakas.

Tinulak ko si Carlo palayo at mabilis na sinipa ang heneral sa dibdib nito ngunit nahuli nito ang paa ko at hinawakan nang mahigpit.

I smirked. I already anticipated that he'd do that. Kumuha ako ng pwersa sa paa ko na hawak niya at inangat ang katawan ko para tuhurin siya sa ulo. Napaatras siya sa ginawa ko at nabitawan ako.

Tumalim ang tingin niya sa 'kin. I knew he didn't expect that move. Did I hurt his ego as a general?

He clenched his jaw and smirked.

"I underestimated you. I didn't know a slave and woman like you knows how to fight." He said, smirking.

In just a swift, he appeared in front of me and thrust his sword but I immediately dodge it. I jumped backwards to get away from him. Alam kong dehado ako. Bukod sa bihasa na siya sa pakikipaglaban, may armas pa siya habang ako wala. Wala akong ibang ginawa kundi iwasan lahat ng atake niya.

My eyes widen when he caught my arm and twisted it, then he kicked me on the back.

"Ahhh!" I shouted in pain.

"Farewell." He said with a smirk as he aimed his sword at me.

I closed my eyes, waiting for death to embrace me. But I was wrong. A pair of warm arms enveloped me.

I opened my eyes. Only to see Carlo hugging me, with a sword pierced on his back.

"R-run, my princess.."

I felt something like liquid dripping on my shoulder and I screamed of horror when I realized it was Carlo's blood, coming out from his mouth.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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