A Shade of Midnight

FIFTEEN

Nang makarating kami sa bahay tahimik lang kami. Although we were mostly silent during the flight. Nang makarating na kami ay nasa bahay na si Mel, naghihintay sa amin. Her clothes were rumpled, her face pale, na para bang galing ito sa away. 

Inaasahan kong tatawagin kaming lahat ni Raven para pag-usapan ang naging pangyayari kanina ngunit nagpatuloy lang siya sa paglalakad sa hallway, papunta sa kusina, hanggang sa makalabas siya sa garden sa likod at saka napaupo sa gilid ng fountain.

The rest of us stayed in the foyer, staring at the High Lord, clearly pissed off. His silence radiating from him and walang isa sa amin ang nagsalita. Mel closed her book and walked in our direction.

"It didn't go well, I take it," she said, grinning na para bang sinasabi niyang kung sinunod namin siya ay hindi iyon mangyayari. It was Bryen who gave Mel a look before he went to the garden to talk to Raven.

Nakaupo si Raven sa gilid ng fountain, his forearms braced on his knees, staring at the grass starting to sprout on the ground.

Naupo naman kami sa upuang naroon sa harap ng fountain. "Those assholes only listen to themselves," saad ni Mel habang hinihigop ang mainit na kape. "They don't want to help other tribes?"

Tumango si Raven.

"Then they are on their own. You have offered and asked for help, High Lord. They have declined it. You know very well why they are doing so. They are greedy and selfish." Mel waved a hand.

"Or they want to prove that they don't need us to survive." Al let out a sarcastic laugh.

Bryen scoffed. "They just said that the other tribes will handle the enemies before the forces of Liberia could even get to them. They are basically saying that they will let the tribes fight while they sit on their thrones."

"I told you they are assholes," Mel said at saka tumingin sa akin. "They have seen Delta--someone from another continent who almost lost her life saving this continent. They did not even feel ashamed of who they were facing? Delta was not enough?"

"She is more than enough," Raven said with that deadly calm. "Those queens are fools."

"There is always a solution to that, High Lord." The corners of Mel's mouth lifted and I instantly knew what she was trying to say.

"No, were are not going there and annihilate them." Raven studied the ground again. Napatingin naman ako kay Mel na nagkibit-balikat nalang.

Silence covered the garden at maya-maya pa ay narinig namin ang mga yabag ng paa. Napatingin kami sa loob ng bahay ay nakita namin si Az na naglalakad papunta sa gawi namin. His face was laced with urgency na para bang may importante itong sasabihin kay Raven. 

Nang makarating siya sa gawi naming at nakita kaming nakaupo lang doon ay alam kita ko agad sa mukha niya na alam na niya ang nangyari.

Raven sighed and stood. And Az took that as a signal to say what he wanted to report.

"The Valyrian camps have started settling. They're all over the borders of Varsis and other strategic location spots we discussed weeks ago. They are also making weapons. The Valyrian warriors are ready, Raven."

Raven stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Then we shall grant them a visit. Ask if they could make extra weapons for the tribes." Tumingin siya kay Al. "Would you like to go to the other Court and warn your father?"

Aliana's face was cold. "He already knows war is coming. But I will send a letter to him to tell him about other details. I want to go with you to the Valyrian camps."

Raven nodded. "Very well. We will go tomorrow."

***

The townhouse was quiet after that. Bumalik na ang iba sa isang bahay ni Raven. Raven has two houses in the city. One is for him but is also accessible to others at ito rin ang bahay kung saan ako natutulog. The other one is the house above the hills--where everyone could sleep. Aside from that, everyone in Raven's inner circle has their own apartment in the city. They could choose where to say but the town house is his private residence. 

Natapos namin ang hapunan namin na walang masyadong nagsasalita. All of us were still thinking about the three queens and their decision to stay out of the business. Matapos ang hapunan ay agad naman na umalis si Al, ignoring Bryen's attempt to speak with her. When Al left, Az comforted Bryen that he will look for her while Mel did not join us for dinner.

And Raven...he seemed like he had enough going on. Hindi siya sumagot sa akin kanina nang nagpaalam akong lumabas at maglakad-lakad sa syudad. Hindi niya ako sinabihan na mag-ingat. Maybe it was because of his absolute faith in the safety of his city or that he knew how badly I would react if he so much stop me from doing what I want, I don't know. And I went out, anyway.

I shook my head. I should relax. I should not think too much. Tomorrow, we are going to the Valyrain war camps. I have never been to a war camp kaya naman hindi ko maiwasang kabahan. At isa pa, ito ang lugar kung saan lumaki sina Raven, Azrael, at Bryen and they have told me that the place was hellish. 

I walked down the merry streets of Varsis. Sana pinigilan ko si Al na umalis kanina. Perhaps a walk in these merry streets could calm her down too. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa makarating ako sa tulay kung saan kami huminto ni Raven noon. The waters were still as clear as the starless sky. I understood why it was Raven's favorite place. One could clearly see the sky without looking up.

Nanatili akong nakatayo roon, pinagmamasdan ang mga tao sa ginagawa nila. The street musician's music was calming that I found myself closing my eyes while swaying my head with the beat. When I was done, and when I had finally felt the cold seeping into my bones, I decided to walk back to the townhouse.

Raven was waiting in the foyer when I got home, leaning against the stair banister. His face was grim. Napatigil ako sa gitna.

"What's wrong?"

"Do you want to go with me tomorrow?"

The Valyrian war camp.

"I would love to."

Nakita ko naman na naging malumanay ang mukha niya nang sabihin ko iyon. We walked towards the veranda and stood there. For a while, there was only silence. And I knew he was still thinking about the free people being sacrificed by the three queens. And it had been his job to make me feel lighter everytime I feel shitty. Napatingin ako sa kamay niyang nasa railings.

"You have large hands," I said. Napatingin naman siya sa akin na nakakunot ang noo but a hint of smile was on his lips. I went on, "Melisandre and Aliana told me that the size of Valryrian male's hands says a lot about the size of ... other parts."

His eyes slightly narrowed and then he let out a low laugh. "Did they now. Other parts, huh."

I shrugged, trying not to think of the naked body I have seen that night--although I haven't glimpsed much. "They also said that Azrael's hands are the biggest."

Mischief danced in his violet eyes, washing away the coldness earlier. "When we are done with everything, let's get out the measuring stick, shall we?"

I pinched the rock-hard muscle of his forearm. He flashed me a wicked grin before he flicked my forehead.

"Aray ko naman!" Hinawakan ko ang noo ko kung saan niya pinitik.

He laughed.

"You were so brave facing those queens, tackling me, Bryen, and Al to a duel and a flick on the forehead makes you flinch?"

"Hindi na kita lalapitan sa susunod na bangungutin ka. I will leave you to rot on your nightmares," I hissed.

"No, you won't," he crooned. "You liked seeing me naked too much." Laughter danced in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes. "Prick."

And then we spent a few hours on the balcony, talking about things. But mostly, it was just him talking about the Valyrian camps and what should I expect.

Ngunit habang nanatili kami doon ay saka naman narinig ang musika mula sa syudad. It was the music that saved me back when I was in the dungeon. The music that gave me hope. Raven had been the one who played it that night near my cell, making sure I would hear it.

"You know this music," he said. Napatingin naman ako sa kanya. And then he offered his hand dahilan para manlaki ang mga mata ko.

"I'd love to dance with this music with you, Lady Summers." His eyes glinted with a smile. 

I looked at his eyes, his violet gaze penetrating me. I let out a smile before I accepted his hand. I let him take me in his arms and we danced with the faint music. We were silent the whole time and perhaps it was because it was just us and that I have learned to lower my guard down when I am with him that I rested my head on his chest as we swayed slowly with the music. We stayed like that until the music ended. He then walked me to where my room is and when we were already in front of my door, he leaned and kissed my brow.

"Good night, Delta," he said before he walked down the hall to where his room is.

I didn't lie to myself about why I left my door unlocked and waited for thirty minutes to see if my door would open. Or at least a knock. But there was nothing.

So I went to sleep.

***

The next morning, hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ko ang nangyari kagabi. It's not like I havent kissed a guy before. And besides, it was a kiss on the brow. On the brow! Hindi naman iyon sa labi pero bakit hindi iyon mawala sa isip ko?

Nakatayo ako katabi ni Al habang nasa unahan naman namin sina Raven at Bryen. Mel and Azrael had other matters to do kaya naman imbes na sasama si Mel ay nanatili nalang siya sa bahay. And according to Al, Mel doesn’t like this place and might probably end up burning the whole place to the ground. I suppose it was for the best that she stayed at home.

Nang makarating kami sa tuktok ng bundok ay saka namin nakita ang kabuuan ng lupain. It was a vast land near the sea and it was all occupied with the war camps. Behind the camps stood the mountainous range covered with the lushest forest.

The tents were centered around the large fire pits and big space of land was occupied by the training ground. Malaki ang espasyo sa gitna nito. It was where the Valyrian warriors trained and the newer warriors were being thrown to fight. On the training ground are the sparring and training rings. Racks of weapons were being displayed as if they had just been made. And then the Valyrian men of all ages and sizes were training on the training ground. Some were holding sticks, some were holding swords, some were holding guns, daggers, spears, and any other weapons they could choose. Their movements were fast, lethal, brutal. Wala along marinig na reklamo o dumaing sa sakit.

The place was dry. There's no warmth here. As if the winter season had taken a liking to this place and decided to stay for as long as it wants. Napatingin ako sa mga bahay sa dulo at kahit doon ay hindi ko nakikitang may nakatira. Na para bang ginawa lang iyon doon hindi para tirhan kundi para gawing bodega.

Dito lumaki sina Raven, Azrael, at Bryen. This is where they met. Ito ang lugar kung saan itinapon si Bryen para mabuhay na parang hindi siya nabibilang. He was treated as a cast out and it was Raven's mother who took him in, together with Azrael. 

Since this is located at the northernmost of Sandovia, hindi na nakapagtataka na malamig talaga sa lugar. Kaya naman hindi ko maisip kung paano nagawang mabuhay ni Bryen sa lamig sa loob ng ilang taon. He was not provided with shelter, not even a tent.

Aliana's face was tight as she said, "I hate this place. This should be burned to the ground."

Raven and Bryen were silent as someone was coming in our direction. He was a tall, broad-shouldered older man, flanked by five other Valyrian warriors, hands within easy reach of their weapons.

The man who just approached us said, "Another camp inspection? Your dog," he jerked his chin at Bryen, "was here just last week. The girls are training."

Bryen crossed his arms. "I don't see them in the ring."

"They do chores first. And when they're done, they get to train." The man pushed his shoulders back.

Narinig ko ang mahinang mura ni Aliana sa tabi ko. She hated this place. I hated it too. Nang ikwento nila sa akin ang tungkol sa lugar na ito, I didn't like it. I didn't like how they treat the women, how they treated Raven's mother. How they treated my Valyrian friends. 

Napatingin namn ang lalaki sa gawi namin ni Al and then he stiffened. Aliana flashed a wicked smile. "Hello, Lord Cidran."

Doon ko nalaman na ang lalaking kaharap namin ay ang pinuno ng camp na ito. But he just gave Aliana a dismissive look before he looked back at Raven.

"Pleasant as it always as to see you, Cidran, there are two matters at hand: First, the girls, as I trust you were clearly told by Bryen, are to train before chores, not after. Get them on the training ground. Now." Nanindig ang balahibo ko sa sinabi ni Raven. His voice was laced with pure command that I shuddered. He continued, "Second, we will be staying here for the time being. Clear out my mother's old house. There's no need for a housekeeper. We will look after ourselves."

Cidran stood tall. "But the house is occupied by my top warriors."

"Then un-occupy it," Raven said simply. "And have them clean it before they leave." It was the voice of the High Lord of the North. The one who delights in pain, and made his enemies tremble that Cidran did not dare question the High Lord's orders.

Cidran looked at me. I met his stare. "Another unusual court member."

Another unusual court member. And I supposed the other one is Mel.

"Melisandre," Raven drawled, "sends her regards. And as for this one..." I remained to stare at the leader of the camp. “She’s mine,” Raven said quietly, but viciously enough that Cidran and the warriors nearby heard.

“And if any of you lay a hand on her, you lose that hand. And then you lose your head.” Nanindig ang balahibo ko sa sinabi ni Raven, but Bryen and Aliana showed no reaction at all. “And once Delta is done killing you,” Raven smirked, “then I will be the one to grind your bones to dust.”

I almost laughed. But the Valyrian warriors were now assessing the threat that Raven had established me as. Kaya naman nanatiling blanko ang ekspresyon ko sa mukha bago ko sila nginitian. The kind of smile Mel always gives. Let them wonder what I could do if provoked.

“We’re heading out,” Raven said to Bryen and Al, not even bothering to dismiss Cidran before walking ahead. “We will be back by nightfall.”

Tumingin naman siya kay Al. “Try to stay out of trouble, please. Cidran is the only warlord who hates us the least. And I don’t feel like finding another camp.”

So there are a lot of camps. Valyrian war camps scattered across the North of Sandovia. And If Cidran is the mildest among the warlords then the others must be...utterly unpleasant.

Ngumisi naman si Aliana at saka kumindat sa amin. “I’ll try.”

Napailing nalang si Raven at napatingin kay Bryen, “Check on the forces, then make sure those girls are practicing like they should be. If Cidran objects, do what you have to do.”

Bryen grinned in a way that said he’d be more than happy to do it. Bryen is the High Lord’s general and Cidran called him a dog. I didn’t want to imagine what it had been like for Bryen without that title.

And then Raven finally looked at me. “Let’s go.” I furrowed my brows.

“Where?”

“We’re going to train.”

I swallowed hard. He then gestured to the land beyond the camp, just near the woods. “We’re going to train there, away from here.” He offered his hand for me to take. Napatinging lang ako sa kamay niya as his words earlier kept repeating inside my mind.

She’s mine.

I took his hand and we walked towards the sweeping land he pointed earlier.

Hindi ko alam kung makakaconcentrate ako sa training na ito.

* * *