The Scepter of Marahuyo

Chapter 026

The rays of the sunlight sift through the hospital room, but I don’t have the strength to open my eyes. It’s only been a few hours since I saw Master Orson. I wonder, does Senyor Pablo know about what happened to him? How will they tell him?

“Holly.”

I open my eyes and see Axel beside my bed. He still has the same shoulder-length hair—square face, brown hair, and eyes that seem to see and understand everything. Right now, he’s a year younger than me, and yet, he’s already investigating with a Quill? He became a Caltra Sword when he was eighteen years old. This year would be his third year, and once he becomes twenty-four, he’ll resign as a Sword.

Master Suvayan sits beside him. Like Master Orson, he’s considered old but is still younger than him, around the late fifties, I guess.

I prop myself up on my elbow and sit. I need to show a bit of dignity at least, especially when I had tossed it earlier.

“Hi,” I say. Axel might have been pitying me now. What am I even thinking when I ask him to save Master Orson? 

“I’m sorry about my episode,” I add. Now that I’m back to my usual self. I feel ashamed of how I acted earlier. 

“It’s alright. You lost someone dear to you. How are you now?” Axel asks.

Numb, I’d like to answer, but instead, I say, “I’m okay. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I know I shouldn’t, but I need to ask you about Master Orson.”

I look away. I don’t want to speak and I don’t even want to discuss him.

“I know I’m rushing, but we need to know who the culprit is. So master Suvayan and I are here to investigate it.”

“I don’t know,” I whisper. “I’m not even sure if it’s murder or suicide.”

“It may look like it, but Master Orson is not the type to commit suicide,” Axel says.

“Suicide?” I repeat. There is proof that it's suicide?

“Yes. There are writings around Master Orson’s corpse. Ancient ones.” Master Suvayan answers this time. “It’s a ritual of offering one’s soul.”

“I don’t know.” I don’t even notice the writings on the ground. I was so preoccupied with my grief that I forgot to examine my surroundings. I look at Axel. Is he disappointed?

“Why did you go to Master Orson’s workroom on a Monday?” Master Suvayan asks.

Because I am worried for him. Senyor Pablo gave me the buntot-pagi and gunong because Master Orson told him so. And his worry just rubbed off on me. But why would Senyor Pablo be worried?

“I always clean his workroom every Sunday, but yesterday, I wasn’t able to do it, so I came to apologize.” I lie. No matter how much I admire Axel, I can’t involve Senyor Pablo.

“Some of the students and teachers say you’re close to him.”

“Well, I--” I look at Axel. He knows about it. “He kinda adopted me when I became an orphan,” I whisper.

“Orphan? How do you pay for the education?” he asks.

“Axel did,” I whisper and look at my fingers. “Also, Master Orson got the money from selling my parent’s merchandise when they died as traveling mages.”

“He’s one of the people I’ve saved while I traveled,” Axel supplies.

“Okay, and so Master Orson took you in,” Master Suvayan repeats.

“Kinda,” I answer. “But we’re not as close.”

“Your grief earlier did not suggest that.”

I look away. I should have controlled myself better.

The two are about to leave when Axel says, “If you know anything, no matter how insignificant you think it is, just reach out to any of us.” 

I nod. “Will everyone be questioned like me?”

“Yes,” Axel answers. “Also, I think you have visitors.”

He opens the door, revealing Cara, Ethan, Al, and Aicelle. “Hi,” Cara greets.

I watch Axel wave goodbye, and then my attention goes back to my approaching friends. 

“You in the mood for something?” Aicelle asks.

I shake my head and give them a small smile. 

“We can do some exercise. We can ask Sir Philip to help us with training. The last one we had was a great experience.” Cara says.

“I know! How about books?” Ethan suggests.

“If I may remind you, you don’t read books,” Cara interjects, and Ethan scratches his head.

“We can have a quiet tea time in their room. I can prepare all the snacks,” Al suggests.

“Thank you, but right now, I just need to sleep,” I say and slip behind the covers. 

I hear them whisper to each other, but I don’t have the energy to respond right now. 

*******************

“What did you say?” Olivia asks as she pauses on putting back the books on the shelves.

“I have asked for a week of leave,” I repeat. 

She looks at me and nods. “Do you want to talk about what happened to Master Orson?”

I shake my head. Right now, I can’t find the energy to face it. As per the investigation, suicide was written off. They said it was murder, but there is still no suspect apprehended, no motive to kill him either. There are speculations, but none are proven. 

Like me, Sir Philip was shaken. According to Cara, there are a lot of times that he’ll pause teaching and then just cry. He earlier took a leave for a week as suggested by Ma’am Alvarez, the current school director. 

“How about what you’re feeling now?”

I shake my head. “I'm alright. However, I will need to borrow some books from the library for a week.”

“I can take care of that,” she says. She reaches for my hand and asks, “Are you really sure? If you really need help, you know where to find me.”

“I just need to rest, eat good food, insert a bit of training, and--”

“Read a couple of books,” she mimics. “Where will you stay? Your room with Denise?”

I shake my head. If I stayed there, I wouldn’t get some peace of mind. Cara and the rest will always be there to accompany me. I understand what they’re doing, and I know they’re just worried about leaving me alone. But I need time to be alone. To gather my thoughts, to probably grieve for Master Orson. 

“I’ll be at the inn at the outskirts.” I answer. 

“Should I tell the others?”

“No. Give me time, please. Just a week, and I’ll be back.”

Olivia reaches out to me and hugs me. “And if you ever think that that guy never matches up to your expectations, we’ll always be here waiting.”

I return her hug. I can’t remember if I told her about Aaron, but I am grateful for the understanding. Just one week, and I’ll be back. And whoever needs to pay will pay for killing Master Orson.

To be continued...