A Shade of Midnight

NINE

The flight took almost an hour and a half. When I looked outside, there were several islands. Hindi ko alam kung saang parte na kami ng Sandovia but I know this isn't the North's territory anymore. I know that Raven and his circle tend to give back what was done to them but I never expected that they would come here all so suddenly and I wasn't even aware if there was a plan or not.

The chopper landed on one of the islands na walang masyadong puno. Raven mentioned earlier that the Liberian forces know we are coming. Nang makababa kaming lahat sa chopper, agad akong napalingon sa paligid. There were several other islands surrounding where we are and they were densely covered with trees. From a distance, I could see the tents of the soldiers scattered around several islands. 

"Their forces know we are coming and they would be stupid to attack us. We are here for a diplomatic talk, after all," saad ni Al habang inaayos ang mga sandata sa katawan niya. She looked at me and grinned. 

"So where is this military base?" tanong ko naman sa kanila.

It was Raven who stepped beside me and answered. "We will know soon," he said, and as if on cue several armed men came out behind the trees and pointed their weapons on us. Agad naming itinaas ang aming mga kamay just to show them that we are here not to cause trouble. I looked at my companions and they are unbelievably calm about it na para bang walang mga baril na nakatutok sa kanila.

Perhaps it was all owed to their experience and how honed they are when it comes to things on the battlefield. But I wasn't like them kaya naman labis ang kaba ko. But I remained standing and masked my expression in boredom and disinterest as I watched someone approach. Unlike the other armed men, he wasn't carrying any weapons at all. Na para bang sinasabi nitong hindi niya kailangan ng sandata para harapin ang mga miyembro ng North Court. An arrogant bastard. 

"I didn't know you are coming so soon," said the man to none of us in particular but it was Bryen who snorted. 

"Surprise," Bryen grinned dahilan para mapatingin sa kanya ang lalaki.

"When did you prefer for us to come? Before your army attacked our city?" Al gritted his teeth but the man in front of them just grinned and opened his arms wide as if welcoming us. 

"That was just a warning to what would happen if you dare cross the Liberian forces--" 

"And I assume you have received the gift I sent to you, Lord Fidel?" asked Raven, deadly calm. Agad namang nag-iba ang timpla ng mukha ng lalaking nagngangalang Fidel. I don't know what gift Raven was talking about but I am pretty sure it wasn't a pleasant one judging from how the man's expression changed. 

"Judging from his sour face, I think he did," Mel continued and grinned like a snake. And the roles we have to play for today's mission start. I heard Bryen snicker and Al and Az had these mocking grins on their faces. This is the North Court that everyone sees and I intend to play the part. 

"I sent that to you to warn you of what would happen if anyone dares to cross my city again," Raven said, voice still calm and I could see how the man in front of them clenched his jaw. 

"Well, we are not here to talk to you. Take us to the King," Mel ordered dahilan para mapatingin sa kanya ang lalaki. Mel might be shorter than me but she could make any men kneel with her sharp tongue. Kaya naman hindi na ako nagtaka nang tumingin sa main ang lalaki at saka tumalikod at naglakad. Akmang lalapit na ang mga armadong lalaki sa amin nang pinigilan ito ng lalaki. 

"Leave their weapons to them," saad nito at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Agad naman kaming sumunod. The armed men walked with us, hands tight on their weapons. We walked inside the forest and walked for several minutes hanggang sa makarating kami sa isang clearing filled with tents built next to each other. All the soldiers there stared at us, and they became wary as they recognized Raven Lancel and his inner circle. 

But not of them moved as we walked past them. No one snickered, no one uttered a word--not even a whisper. I remained to stare far ahead. Lord Fidel was leading us straight to the biggest tent at the end of the array of smaller ones. I assume that's where the King is. 

Nang makarating kami sa harapan nito ay agad nilang binuksan ang pinto doon. Nang makapasok kami, agad na bumungad sa akin ang magarang loob ng tent. There were golds everywhere. Even the curtains were adorned with golden beads. Sa harapan namin ay may malaking mesa and it was filled with so many food and drinsk that some are spilling on the floor.

Far ahead, id a dais decorated with more gold and other fancy things I couldnt name. And on top of the dais is a golden throne. Seated on the throne is a man with a tilted crown. Abala siya sa pakikipaghalikan sa isang babaeng nakaupo sa arm rest ng trono niya. Sa isang gilid naman ay isang babae na abala sa paghaplos sa katawan ng hari. The man named Fidel left us and went out of the tent although kitang-kita ko na hindi niya gustong lumabas.

Then Raven started walking to the table and poured himself a drink. The sound of the glass cluttering caught the attention of the King that it stopped kissing the woman.

The King smiled as he beheld us and wrapped his arms around the women beside him.

"If it isnt the notorious High Lord of the North, Raven Lancel," the King said and grinned as he looked at us. Tiningnan niya kami isa-isa. Then his gaze stopped and lingered at me na para bang may alam siya na hindi ko alam. A smile crept on his face before he looked at Raven once again.

"Did you like my surprise?" tanong ng hari at alam ko kung ano ang tinutukoy niya.

But Raven and the rest remained calm and I knew it took all of their self-control not to run to the King's direction and snap his neck. Lalong-lao na si Aliana at si Bryen.

"The men you sent gave us pretty important knowledge so I guess I should say yes. But then again, I didn't like what you did to my city."

The King chuckled and Raven sipped on his wine and grimaced before he poured the contents of it on the floor. The king eyed him as he did it and Raven let out a feline smile as he placed the goblet back to the table.

Raven walked towards the dais at huminto siya sa ibaba nito. His hands were on his pockets as he stared the King down. It was a silent challenge. A challenge who bows to whom first.

"I came here to tell you that if you touch my city again, it wouldn't be pleasant for you and your kingdom. And that those severed heads I sent, let that be a reminder of what's going to happen if any of your men set foot in my territory."

The tent went silent with that cold and brutal statement. At napalunok naman ako ng laway sa sinabi niya. Severed heads. He beheaded those men na umatake sa Varsis at ipinadala iyon pabalik sa hari ng  Liberia. Nanayo ang mga balahibo ko sa narinig.

"Threatening me on my territory, I see."

It was Raven's turn to chuckle. "I don't do threats. It's a promise."

The king of Liberia looked at us one by one before his gaze went back to Raven once again. A smile plastered on his lips.

"We shall see each other again, soon," saad ng hari at ngumisi sa amin.

Agad naman kaming lumabas ng tent and everyone was staring at us as if they have been waiting for us to get out of there. Lord Fidel came and guided us out of the clearing back to where our chopper was.

"This is the last time you are allowed to come here, High Lord," saad nito kay Raven.

Mel snorted but it was enough message for the man to let him know that we didbt like going here either. Theb without another word, the mab turned to walk ubtil they were gone. Napatingin naman ako sa mga kasamahan ko. A hint of wicked smile were plastered across their faces. Na para bang may nalaman sila na ako lang annd hindi nakakaalam. I jow there ia somethibg more that what they did. I know there is somethibt I didbt know about.

Ngunit hindi na ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na makapagtanong when the choper started to fly. And when we were far enough, yumanig ang lupa pati na rin ang sinasakyan naming chopper nang may bigla nalang sumabog. And then as if it wasnt enough, another explosoon followed and then another, and another.

Agad akong napatingin sa ibaba and I gasped at the smoke and fire coming from the several islands where the explosion happen. All the smaller islands were bombed and even the biggest one where the King was staying was on fire. Rinig na rinig ko ang sigawan ng mga naroon trying to stop thr fire from spreading even more. I looked at Raven and the others and saw their stone-cold faces. They have given Liberian forces a taste of their own medicine. It was a warning. A warning that nobody messes with the North Court and gets out unscathed. 

*** 

Kinabukasan, I found myself in the foyer of the house. What happened yesterday was something that they never wanted to happen but something they needed to do. Nakaupo sa sofa sina Al at Mel habang sina Bryen at Az naman ay naglalaro ng baraha. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan si Raven. 

Ilang minute pa at bigla namang napatayo si Al dahilan para mapatingin kaming lahat sa kanya. 

"I'm going to train. Delta, do you want to come?"

I looked at the two guys playing cards and then to Mel who was reading books. Ako lang ang walang ginagawa kaya naman tumango at sinundan siya sa training ground. Aliana started changing into her training clothes at ganoon na rin ang ginawa ko. She went to the ring at sumunod naman ako doon. 

"What kind of fight will it be?" I asked her while standing in my fighting stance. Aliana's face changed and I knew she's not going to hold back against me. 

"I'm fine with fists or with daggers," she answered and then landed a kick on my side. But I was quick enough to shield myself from it but too slow to dodge her coming attack. 

I staggered back when her fist hit my left cheek. It stung but I have got no time to deal with it because she was coming at me again. Nasangga ko ang isang suntok niya and I managed to twist it behind her at saka siya sinipa sa likuran. Aliana groaned but she was quick to face me again. I saw her punch coming at nasangga ko iyon gamit ang braso ko. I winced in pain and winced even more when I felt her punch my gut. And as if it wasn't enough, she turned and gave me a backhand slap causing me to stagger backward. 

"Come on, Summers," she said and stood in her fighting stance, challenging me. A wicked smile plastered across my lips as I twisted my neck. Ganoon din ang ginawa niya. 

Agad akong tumakbo sa gawi niya and tried to land a punch ngunit madali lang niya iyong nasangga. And when I tried to kick her side, nahawakan niya ang binti ko and she had complete hold over me. And tanging magagawa ko lang ay sanggain ang patuloy niyang pag-atake. She started raining punches on me ngunit nasangga ko iyon ng kaliwang kamay. And when she tried landing the fifth punch, nawakawan ko ang kamao niya and I twisted it hard enough that we both rolled to the ground. I looked up and she did the same. Both of us had wicked smiles on our faces. 

Mabilis akong tumayo at tumakbo papunta sa kanya. I tried landing a punch ngunit nasangga niya iyon and she twisted my arm dahilan para mapadaing ako sa sakit. Then I felt her kick my back and I fell on the floor. I blew the strand of hair on my face and stood. 

It was her turn to run towards me and tried landing a punch and I barely stopped it. I pushed her away and fast as I could, hinawakan ko ang magkabilang balikat niya at tinuhod siya sa sikmura. She staggered back, holding her stomach while grinning at me. 

"When did you start getting this good?" tanong niya sa akin to which I answered with a shrug. 

She then ran towards me and rained punches, something I managed to dodge. Al is still faster and more experienced than me kaya naman natamaan ako ng suntok niya sa mukha and then another on the gut. Her knee hit the side of my face but before I could fall to the floor, I twisted my leg and placed all of my strength there to hit the side of her face too.

We both fell. Pareho kaming naghahabol ng hinihininga. I looked at her and she was looking at me too. 

"You're damn good, Delta Summers," she said and laughed. 

I was about to say something when we heard someone clapping by the door. Agad naman kaming napabangon at doon ko nakita sina Raven, Bryen, Az, at Mel na nakatingin sa gaming dalawa. The look of awe was visible on their faces. Bryen in particular had his mouth open wide habang nakatingin sa akin. 

"How long have you been there?" tanong ni Al sa kanila. 

"From the very beginning," sagot naman ni Mel. 

I looked at Raven and there was the proud smile plastered on his lips. I couldn't help the blush the crept my cheeks. Ngunit nagulat nalang ako nang nasa loob na ng ring si Bryen at walang sabi-sabing niyakap ako nang mahigpit. I hitched my breath and my eyes darted towards Raven who was looking at Bryen with narrowed eyes. 

Bumitaw naman agad si Bryen and held both my shoulders. 

"You are the best student I've ever had," saad niya at akmang yayakapin ako ulit nang pigilan siya ni Al sa balikat. 

"She's not just your student. She's everybody's student. Every one of us here trained her, you dimwit." 

Bryen snorted and just ruffled my hair at saka tumingin kay Raven na para bang inaasar niya ito. But Raven just shook his head and walked towards her. The proud smile was still on his face. 

"You're almost on par with Aliana when it comes to fighting," he started. "That being said, I have decided you and Al would become North Court's chosen warrior to fight against the Alvaros clan." 

* * *