A Shade of Midnight

TEN

It was all too sudden and something I hadn't expected. I waited for him to take back what he said ngunit nanatili oang siyang nakatingin sa akin, sign that he said what he said. And that he doesn't plan on changing his mind.

"Raven, are you serious?" Al stepped in but Raven was not looking at her. He was just looking at me.

"I am serious," he said. "I choose Two warriors for the duel tomorrow."

"Raven, I know what we saw earlier was something magnificent but that doesn't mean we should throw her into battle all of a sudden-"

But Bryen was cut off by Raven. "I am merely suggesting, Bryen. At the end of the day, it will be Delta's choice alone. Just because I chose doesn't mean the chosen are not allowed to decline."

He looked at me, really looked at me, waiting for me to give him an answer. I saw the warriors of Alvaros. I saw how good and cutthroat they are. I saw how willing Aliana was to be the warrior of the North Court. And I could see how important this duel is for the coming war. If we lose, the Alvaros wouldn't listen to what we have to say. That is, we won't have their side should the war come. We only have one shot at this and I don't want to mess it up.

Napatingin ako kay Aliana, Raven's third in command, and then I looked at Raven.

"I can only offer my assistance with regards to Aliana's training so I would politely decline the offer. I believe Aliana is more suited to be the North Court's chosen warrior," I said to Raven without breaking eye contact. Tahimik ang paligid and then Raven's lips curved into a smile that made me feel relieved.

"Very well," he said and turned to Al. "You will fight against the Alvaros warrior and we will win."

Ngumisi naman si Al sa gawi niya and said, "We will."

And that's how the warrior was chosen. In all honesty, hindi ko alam kung sino ang mas malakas sa dalawang kalahok. I have never seen Alvaros warrior fight so I couldnt really compare. Ngunit sa hula ko ay magkasing-lakas lang siguro sila ni Aliana.

"Aliana, Az, and Delta are coming with me tomorrow."

Iyon lang ang sinabi ni Rhysand at naglakad ito papalayo. We were left in thr traibibg room and Al looked at me and grinned.

"Another round?"

She shook her head and grinned back. "Sure."

Agad namang tumabi sina Bryen at Az while Mel started reading again.

"Please dont destroy this room," wika ni Az dahilan para mapatawa kami ni Aliana.

And then we spent half the day sparring and training for Aliana's coming duel tomorrow.

***

The Alvaros camp isn't as far as it did yesterday. Maybe because I already know the way.

We arrived in the Alvaros camp on time with Raven and Az in front. Both of them are wearing fitted prince suits embroidered with intricate whorls and designs just like the tattoo on my arm-the Northern design. Raven's suit was colored navy blue while Azrael's was black. They were also wearing tight breeches and paired with boots. They both looked sinfully regal.

Al and I wore breeches too. Mine was colored cream while Al's was black. She wore a black embroidered fitted suit, showing off her tall physique. I wore the same kind of suit only that mine was white. It was comfortable and I was thankful I get to ditch wearing a dress. And besides, wearing a dress would get out of place later.

Maya-maya pa ay nasa harapan na namin si Master Hol. He smiled warmly at us and greeted us one by one. Beside Master Hol was a woman who is as tall as Aliana. Her hair was in a high ponytail and I couldn't get any expression from her. She was only wearing a skirt that looked handwoven and then a short top that matches her skirt. Doon ko naman nakita ang mga alahas niyang gawa sa iba't ibang kulay na mga bato. They looked beautiful on her.

"Let's go," said Master Hol at naglakad papunta sa bahay nito. In front of Master Hol's house is a huge yard- perfect place for the match to happen. Ngunit pinatuloy muna sila ni Master Hol sa loob para uminom ng tsaa and Az, being the most cautius one among us, sniffed his drink secretly before drinking it.

"Tea drinking before a battle is an Alvaros culture," he started and poured us another cup. We followed what the old man was saying it was indeed.

Matapos ang ilang minuto agad naman kaming dinala sa lugar ba parang arena. It reminded me of Maxim's throne room where I was beaten to death but I pushed the thought down and masked my face in disinterest. Raven, Az, and I sat on the highest seat. Opposite us is Master Hol and beside him was the woman I thought was going to be Alvaros' warrior.

I looked at Raven ngunit walang bahid ng gulat sa mga mukha niya. He looked like he already expected that the woman won't be the Alvaros' warrior. Azrael, on the other hand, looked tense.

The seats were filled with spectators-mostly Alvaros members. They were cheering for none in particular but on the duel itself. It gave me the impression that these people delight in fights and duels-something Al has.

Maya-maya pa ay tumunog ang tambol. Napatingin ako sa kung saan nagmumula ang tunog and I saw three drums with three people behind them beating the drum in a rhythmic manner. It was the warrior's cue to step into the center of the arena.

Ang kalahok ng mga Alvaros ang naunang lumabas. It was a man. He was muscular-almost as muscular as Bryen. Maraming tattoo sa katawan and judging from the brutal scars on his face down to his naked torso, I could tell that the man had spent a fair amount of time on the battlefield. Sanay ito sa digmaan and just thinking about Al fighting against this man-I shook my head. I shouldn't be thinking about it. Aliana is going to win and we are going home, victors.

I glanced at Raven who still has the look of boredom on his face. At the moment, I don't know if that was just a mask or he was really bored because he knew the Alvaros' warrior would not stand a chance.

The spectators cheered and then the drumbeat changed. Ito ang hudyat na lalabas na si Aliana. Maya-maya pa ay lumabas si Al mula sa ibang direksyon. I looked at her as she stood in the middle of the arena, in front of a man who is as big as Bryen. Walang bahid ng kaba sa mukha niya. And just like the Alvaros' warrior, Al stood with confidence and stared the man down. Like the Alvaros warrior, Aliana also had a fair amount of experience when it comes to fighting. She is, after all, the third-in-command to Raven.

Master Hol stood and the crowd went dead quiet. The drums stopped making a sound too. Master Hol looked at us and gave us a warm smile before he turned to the audience and then finally to the two warriors in the middle of the arena.

"This is a duel between the Alvaros and the noble North Court. There shall be no bets placed. There shall be no shaming. Let this be a fair duel and let's end this with only one victor," Master Hol looked at the audience, then to the two warriors, and then he raised his hand.

"Let the duel begin," he said kasabay ang pagbaba mg kamay nito, hudyat ba magsisimula na ang laban.

I gripped the arm restbof my chair tight as both warriors stood in their fighting stance. Mukhang napansin iyon ni Raven dahil lumingon siya sa akin.

"Are you worried?" tanong niya sa akin. I gave him a confused look.

"Are you not worried?" balik na tanong ko. Ngunit ngumiti lang siya sa akin at ibinalik ang tingin sa harap.

"Aliana is strong and I believe she's going to get the North victory. You seem to have forgotten that Aliana always trains with Bryen, the strongest of my warriors, even stronger than me." Tumingin ulit siya sa akin, the smile still playing on his lips. "She will win."

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at agad na tumingin sa harap. The man was definitely stronger than Aliana but then again I have witnessed how Aliana fights against Bryen. Dahil mas malakas ang lalaki kaysa sa kanya, ginagamitan ito ni Aliana ng bilis. Since shes lighter and can move faster, she uses it to her advantage. Idagdag pa ng mga malalakas na atake niya. She could take down Bryen with her kick.

The crowd went wild when their warrior started running towards Aliana'a direction. Al remained standing on her fighting stance, waiting for the man to come to her direction. Hindi ko mabasa kung ano ang gagawin niya at marahil hindi rin iyon nabasa ng kalaban dahil sa isang iglap ay natumba nalang ito bigla.

I barely saw what Al did pero nakita ko kung paano siya umilag sa gilid, braced her hands on the man's shoulder, at gamit ang tuhod niya ay tinamaan ang kalaban sa tiyan. It was strong kaya naman napaluhod ang kalaban, clutchibg his stomach. The crowd cheered. Wala silang pinapanigan. Like I said earlier, they were cheering for the battle itself, not the warriors.

But the Alvaros warrior was quick to stand again and face Al. Aliana was grinning from ear to ear as she circled her enemy. I could tell Aliana was enjoying it too much-the duel.

Then it was Aliana's turn to attack first. He landed a kick on the warrior's neck ngunit madali lang iyong nasangga ng kalaban. Before the Alvaros warrior could even do something about it, Al used all her strength to use the warrior as her leverage. She lifted herself and swift as lightning, Al wrapped her other leg on the warriors neck at alam komg mahigpit ang pagkakapit ni Aliana sa leeg ng lalaki dahil kita kong nasasakal ito. He was trying to remove Al's leg at sinusuntok ito. But Al was also hitting the head of thr warrior using his shoulder.

But the warrior had grabbed Al's leg at agad nitong natanggal sa leeg ng kalaban. I could hear Al grunting as the warrior threw her off the ground. The Alvaros warrior was gaining advantage. Ngunit agad namang nakabawi si Al at nakatayo. I braced my hand on the arm rest as I saw the Alvaros warrior coming to Al and choked her using an arm. Al tried to remove the man's arm but it was futile dahil mas malakas ang lalaki sa kanya.

Napatingin ako kay Raven and he was calm as ever. And when I looked back at the arena, I saw Aliana elbowing the man continuously hanggang sa bumitaw na ito. Before the man could even recover, Al turned and twisted, her feet landing on the man's neck. The Alvaros warrior dropped instantly on the ground, unconscious.

Tahimik ang paligid and Aliana stood straight before she faced us and grinned widely. The side of her mouth was bloody but she didn't seem to mind. I smiled back and it was when the crow roared in applause as the duel has been concluded.

Master Hol stood from his seat at ganoon din ang ginawa namin. Master gave us his warmest smile at bahagyang yumuko, congratulating us on the battle won.

A few minutes after the duel, we found ourselves back in Master Hol's house.

"It was a fair fight and I congratulate your Court, High Lord, especially Lady Aliana Lancel for winning against our chosen warrior."

Agad namang namula ang pisngi ni Al sa papuri ng matanda. Then the old man looked at us.

"I shall give you my assistance in this coming war you were talking about. I will give you the help you need from our tribe. And as the leading clan in Central Sandovia, I shall promise to you, High Lord, that all the other clans will submit to you in this coming war. You have my word."

Raven gave his warm smile to Master Hol. "I shall lead you and Sandovia to victory. Thank you for lending your help."

But Master Hol became silent as he stared at us. He still has something to say.

"Although I am afraid there is one stubborn ruler who does not abide with us and the other clans," Master Hol said. Napatingin naman ako kina Raven and they don't look surprise. If anything, it was as if they already know what Master Hol was talking about.

"The rulers who call themselves Queen of the Free People. I am afraid I can't convince them to fight alongside us. They are what they call themselves. They don't follow other clans but their Queens."

Napakunot naman ang noo ko. Queens? Ilang reyna ba mayroon sila?

"It is for you to decide, High Lord, whether or not you want to have them in our alliance. But let me warn you, the sister Queens are deceitful. They couldn't be trusted. However, they may have something that could prove useful to us should the war come. Think carefully about it."

Raven was silent for a moment before he took his cup and sipped on his tea. Then he said, "I will."

And it was perhaps the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. An alliance was formed. I can't wait for all the High Lords of Sandovia to have their alliance to fight against the looming war. But then again, that means we have to convince Maxim to side with us.

And knowing Maxim, his history with Raven, and the fact that I left his court to side with Raven-his enemy-I don't think that it would be easy.

And I couldn't help but get curious about these sister Queens Master Hol was talking about. Napatingin naman ako kay Raven.

I wonder what his decision will be.

* * *