A Shade of Midnight

FOUR

I wasn't able to say anything. Parang nawalan ako ng boses  matapos marinig iyon sa kanya. He could say things like that and get away with it. It was something he is quiet -- no--very good at. 

I didn't say anything but I could tell he was grinning and I wanted to shrink more because of it. 

He stopped at a familiar place and I looked at him scrutinizingly. It was an area at the center of the Sandovian territory which was not ruled by any High Lords. Not even Raven. This area is certainly independent compared to others. But for some reason, Raven managed to befriend some of the groups living in the free territory. And to think that these groups are quite picky, it's saying something with Raven's skills when it comes to making alliances.

"What are we doing here?" I asked him when we're both out of the car. I remember this place very much. It was that time when Raven was preparing me before we went to the West Court. And my cheeks flustered when I saw the very same tree where he taunted me before. 

"I told you there are people living here, right?" he said. I nodded. "Well, these people also involved native warriors. These warriors have been popular for their...unconventional methods when it comes to fighting. I believe they still have it and they have passed it down generations by generations." 

"And...your plan is...?" 

He stuffed his hands inside his pockets and looked at me. "We're going to convince them to fight against Liberia. To fight with us," he said as if he was just announcing that we're going on a holiday. But this is Raven. He could make something so hard sound easy enough. 

"Would that be easy to do?" I asked and he just chuckled. 

"Certainly not," sagot niya bago siya nagsimulang maglakad at agad naman akong sumunod. I don't know how in the world I found myself going into the forest with him when I was just painting tables earlier. 

"Would you be so kind to give me a heads up on what should we do and where should go next time? Say, like a day or two in advance?" I grunted as I followed behind him. I heard him chuckle and look at me over his shoulders. Sa napapansin niya sa lalaki, he likes making spontaneous plans. Or maybe not really spontaneous dahil alam ko naman na pinlano na iyon agad ni Raven. And when he is sure with the plan, saka lang ito magsasabi sa amin.

"Duly noted," he said. I rolled my eyes and continued to walk. The surrounding was peaceful, calming, and relaxing just like that day we last came here to stand on top of a hill and watch the sunrise. I didn't say any houses or any evidence that proved the existence of people living in this place. 

It's untouched. Protected on all sides.

"The courts around here have protected this area from perpetrators. That's why it remained untouched. They don't need protection. They could definitely stand for themselves. But their strategic location doesn't need them to deal with these enemies."

It made sense. Since this territory is at the center, it's surrounded by all of the Courts of Sandovia. Before the enemy could even enter here, dadaan muna sila sa mga nakapalibot na Courts. 

"But once enemies manage to come here, they have already signed their death warrants. Warriors here, they call themselves the Alvaros clan, are brutal when it comes to their enemies." His pace becomes slower and then he held out his hand to help me maneuver over a huge rock. 

"Maxim knew it too that's why he drove those cronies out of his Court and sent them here. He knows Meredith's cronies would not live to see another day once they've stepped inside this territory."

Something that's been making Maxim busy. Iyon ang bagay na pinagkakaabalahan niya na nauwi sa kanyang pagkulong sa 'kin sa loob ng bahay na iyon. 

"The cronies who have fled to your land," I started, "did you drive them out to this territory, too?" 

He was silent for a  moment as he lifted a branch out of my way. He then looked at me and said, "I didn't need to." 

And I know that for a fact. Hindi na niya kailangan iasa sa iba ang pagpaparusa sa kung sino mang mapangahas na nakapasok sa kanyang teritoryo. Because he is capable of giving them the punishment they deserved. And I know for a fact it isn't just a simple punishment. The North Court is known for being merciless and ruthless. Whatever punishment they give, they make sure the perpetrator would regret going against them in the first place. At iyon din ang nagging dahilan kung bakit ganoon ang tingin ng mga taga ibang Court sa kanila. Ngunit sa tingin ko ay nararapat lang iyon. Those monsters took everything they could, leaving the other courts crumbling. Leaving me broken and with a  shattered soul. At hindi ko maisip kung gaano kalakas si Raven para pamunuan ang Court na itinuring din na pinakamalakas sa lahat.

Just the mere mention of his name would make men tremble. Raven Lancel and his Court is powerful enough to do that. And I am now a member of that Court. I don't exactly know if I deserved to be part of it.

We stopped by a clearing kung saan kami huminto noon. The woods are so wide I almost thought it was endless. 

"The natives reside within the woods. They are experts when it comes to making traps or just basically catching their enemies off guard." He looked at me. "They do well by themselves and they don't need help from the other Courts. That's why they don't belong to any Courts," he explained habang nakatingin sa kalawakan ng gubat sa ibaba. 

"Are we going through the forest?" tanong ko. Just thinking about it makes me feel nauseated. Raven looked at me. 

"Don't worry. If we're careful, we won't get caught in their traps," he said with a smile on his face as if what he said wasn't that scary. And he must have read the expression on my face that's why he chuckled a little. 

"They know me. And they won't attack unless we start it," he said. It sounded assuring enough so I followed him down the hill and into the forest. 

Compared to the entrance, this part of the forest was eerily quiet. I don't know if it was just me or what Raven said to me about traps somehow washed on me that I am too scared to step my feet on the ground. 

But the forest was very quiet. As if somebody's watching. I was walking beside Raven. At kahit hindi halata sa kanya, I can tell he has weapons inside his coat. A High Lord must never go without a weapon, after all. I was silent the whole walk, partly because I was waiting for those booby traps he talked about.

Ngunit mahigit isang oras na kaming naglalakad, ngunit wala namang nangyari. Raven would occasionally give a brief history of the place which did not lessen the nervousness I felt at all.

"The NorthEast Court attempted to extend their territory on this part. This land is basically untouched. This land has a lot of resources that could earn them millions. Or even billions." Raven continued walking and occasionally took the branches out of my way.

"What happened?" I dared to ask.

"The Alvaros asked for my assistance, of course," he said as a matter of fact and then he looked at me. "The Alvaros could take down the entire North East Court but they chose to not let it end in  bloodshed and asked me instead."

"What did you do?"

"I made sure the North East will not interfere with this territory again."

It was a vague answer but I did not ask how he did it or how the North Court did it but I am certain—however he'd done it—it didn't go well for the Northeast Court. The result is evident. This territory remained unscathed. 

"What did they ask in return?" 

A small chuckle escaped his lips before he looked at me over his shoulder. 

"I am yet to ask the payment for what my Court has done to their territory years ago." 

Naptigil ako sa paglalakad. "Is that why we're here?" 

"Ah. I would love to think it would be that easy but these people are so loyal to their traditions and returning the favor just because I asked it won't sit well with them." 

Just thinking about what could these traditions be all about made me shiver for some reason. 

"What do you think will they ask?" I asked and before I got a response, Raven stopped walking and I did too. I was about to ask him but then all of a sudden, men started coming out from behind the trees. Raven slowly raised his hands and I did the same. The men have their bodies covered in tattoos of dots and lines. Their ears were covered in piercings. 

But most importantly, they have their weapons pointed towards us. 

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