Chapter 4- LAND HOO

E L A R I E N

One cold windy night almost chills me to the bone, hugging myself looking at the cloudy night, the ship keeps rocking, enough for me to loose my balance di ko maiwasang mauntog sa mga kahoy. And the seawater keeps splashing through my face and it burns my eyes. It made me awake all night long and i'm soaking wet, shivering in the intense cold.

I went at the forecastle deck mast and keep balancing on a railing holder.

Watching the shallow the night. Inhaling the salted air and theres a flocks of birds flying on top of the ship. Its freezing out here but i'm gonna missed everything. The place keeps rocking and it's making me sick. That girl parang kasing ka edad kolang, still steering the wheel.

Nasa taas naman ng crows nest andun naman ang lalake na nakatingin sa isang bagay sa kalayuan ng karagatan. He slide down from the pole holding the thing I don't know what's called.

"Ano po yan?"-tanong ko

"Binoculars"

"Para saan?"-such strange things. But yet captivating. Wala kami nyan sa probinsya iba na talaga pagmahirap nagiging ignorante.

"Para makita kung malapit na tayo sa destinasyon natin this thing can see anything far away than our naked ey--"

I heard the girl grunt "Actually ram para simple makita yung nasa malayo ganern simple!"

"Ugh pareho din naman spike! I'm just explaining duh"

I heard a flapping wings above my head and I was shock as Ram just jump on a mid air, I heard a slashing sound of blade in the air and landed on his feet-- carrying a head of a bird. Its my very first time to see a bird with a golden head. Its body rot on his arms and just faded into ash and go with the winds and disappeared. I was so stunned to speak this is new to me but its so amazing.

"Show off!"-dinig kong sigaw ni spike sa taas. I heard a few mutter from ram and chuckles and mimic her

He scoff and taunting her "Jealous?"

"Nope"-Spike grunted and roll her eyeballs at him and scoffed. He hand me the head of the bird and I was surprise to find it heavy like one kilos for its tiny size, A flocks of bird stand by at the yardarm for the night to rest. Maingay ang mga ito at nakikita ko ang pag sisidlak nila. My curiosity kills me. What kind of bird family are they? Napaatras ako as both of them just jump up and the bodies of the bird fall to me and buried my heads in my arms.

They landed and they had a lot em. Ram just keep on bickering spike for she had just got two heads and his got more. I try to be inquisitive because this is to much for me. What are they gonna do with those? Why kill birds and why is it gold?

They became no mere strangers to me. Ram gave me food and even borrowed me clothes. Its a nice one, but not a lady type dress. its more like a mix up dress and a tuxedo. Mabilis ko rin naubos ang pagkain at masasabi kong ang sarap ng tinola nila at ang isda naman ay di malansa. Naglibot libot lang ako sa mga kwarto pero diko binubuksan ang mga saradong pinto baka may mabasag ako or may mawala mahirap na. Sumilip lang ako sa mga door na open at may bukas na lampara sa itaas ng lamesa. May malaki rin portrait na nasa wall batid kong pamilya niya iyon

"Trespassing"

"Takte! Tinakot moko!"-sabay kapa kapa ko sa dibdib sa biglaang pagsulpot ng di ko kilalang babae sa tabi ko. Diko alam na may tao rin pala at di lang sina spike. She's tall at may angas na pag iitsura sakto ang tangos ng ilong at morena ang balat at may kwentas siya na agila at napansin niya atang nakatingin ako duon at tinago niya ito sa damit niya "Sensya pero wala akong ginalaw sumilip lang ako pero di ako pumaso--"

"Of course you are.. because-"-she leaves a hint and step on a floor at bumaba ito ng konte at napaatras ako sa pagkabigla ng may lumabas na tinik sa buong sahig pati sa pinto. Nanlalaki lang ang mata ko sa nakita ko "You'll be dead. This is room is loaded with traps dito nilalagay lahat ng mga nakukuha naming hunt and who ever enters here? "-nag sign siya ng slit sa neck at napalunok ako. "No one is allowed to enter captains cabin beside me. This is my ship.. luckily they found you after been attacked by that emerald phantom monster, if spike didnt go there on time... alam mo na. You be digested by now"

"Di ko pa nga talaga oras mamatay. I can't thank you enough. I owed you my life "-halos malagutan ako ng hininga sa takot. Anong klaseng sahig ba yun! muntikan na talaga ako run.

Natawa lang siya sakin at may parang pinindot siya sa wall at nawala sabay sabay ang mga tinik sa sahig at pumasok siya nag alinlangan lang akong sumabay baka maiwan ang katawan kong matusok at gumulong yung ulo ko sa sahig. I shrugged.

Tinawag niya ako at dahan dahan akong humakbang and keep on checking the floor i step in, baka may maapakan na naman ako isang trap. Natatawa lang siya sakin at medyo makulimlim ang paligid dahil iisa lang ang lampara niya natunton ako sa lamesa na may isang papel pero tingin ko ay isang papel na may impormasyong nakalagay nakatutok ang lampara sa papel.

"What this?"-tanong ko at may mga guhit na maraming pulang bilog dito. Masyado akong nacurious dahil pansin kong napakamangmang ko sa mga bagong bagay na nakikita ko. Marami sa mga kagamitan nila ang wala samin. Kaya masyado akong naging matanong.

"Its a map of gaivera. The owner of this map died long ago"

"Map? For what? Oh umm, Sorry i was just curious. Its just, i'm new to this lumaki lang akong tanging iniisip kung pano kami makakakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw"

"I'm sorry to hear that. Never heard of a map well. I Can't blame you, it's your first time to go on a voyage"-tanong niya at bilis akong umiling "Its the map of gaivera. These here is etheria. Where you from girl? Are you from Haeannon or glaceal..?"

I shook my heads rapidly "Etheria. Naruo ang pangalan ng aking nayon."

"Valda? Layo mo naman isa kang valerian. Yung story na may pinatay na reyna diba? Pano ka nakapunta rito? Oh, your joining for the hunter game? You're welcome on my team "-sabay sabay niyang tanong at umiling lang ako sa kanya. I had no clue about what was just came out on her mouth.

"Well actually about that--"

"Wag ka mag alala balita sa buong etheria na dapat jaffari lang ang pwedeng sumama sa hunter game. Nuh. Ram is actually not from jaffa but he still joined hunter game"

Mismo nga ako diko alam pero tanging naalala ko ay si neferlilian ng blackdust. It just hit me "Is neferlilian a hunter?"

She paused for a while and silence was interrupted as she suddenly rausous laugh and i poked to her "Silly no, Blackdust are knownly criminal across etheria. Don't worry the soldier and us bounty will have their heads soon"

Naiwan lang akong lutang sa mga sinabi niya. Even she talks and make it clear; well all I had in mind is. I just wanna go home and forget about these ever happen. Sumagi sa isip ko ang narinig ko nung namamalengke ako. "So kayo nga ba ang naririnig ko na hunter na sumasama bilang kalahok at base rin sa narinig ko may mga pinipiling next heir?"

"Yes, all you heard was all correct. We have bound to enter this game and not just it, we have waited for the lunar eclipse--wait a minute"-she paused and look at me with suspiciously. I looked around maybe she was something from behind my back and i leaned but theres nothing in there.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Your normal aint yah? Are you a spy..? Nope, you dont look like it. You have an innocent aura"-said she. She just scratch her forehead and knock her head "Why did I even talk about it. Even if i tried to explain everything you still wont get it. Ugh stupid.. stupid! Just forget what i said "-umalis siya at may nilagay na box sa kabilang lamesa at bigla namang dumating si ram at inabot sa kanya ang mga nahuli nila kanina. "Wow someone got lucky today. I tell you. I'm a bit envious. What will spike reacts after you got some of these"

Ram smirk and being a braggards  "Malas nga ni spike dalawa lang nahuli niya" iniligpit lang niya ito sa box. After that umalis naman siya and naea put it in the silk and carefully place it in the other box. And ram left after.

Umusod ako ng konte kase diko malinawan yung map na sinasabi niya at inikot nya yung papel at naging malinaw na sakin may mga guhit ito at mga sulat din. Its a world map. Nakita ko mismo ang pangalan ng lugar kung san ang probinsya namin. I was totally amaze because the world is truly big. I didn't knew about this till now.

"Can i ask you. What are doing on Krytian island? Who want that emerald phantom head?"

"Uh no, no you've mistaken. I was been taken away--"

"Kidnapped you meant?"-Medyo natahimik siya ng ilang segundo at pinaningkitan ako ng mata. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya ng diretso dahil diko alam bat niya ako tinitingnan ng ganon medyo naawkward ako at napakibit balikat. I pointed the map from where was my province was located at napailing siya sakin. "Kidnapped ey? That's fishy, i wonder whats got on their mind to Kidnapped a simple village girl....." She added, that I can't go back its too far away and they have an importnat task to do so thats why she can't help me. Malapit din na may paparating na bagyo at maari kaming maubusan ng pagkain sa layo ng paglalayag pauwi. Naiyak nalang ako tila walang magawa at nanghihina ang tuhod ko. Isinubsob ko ang mukha ko saking tuhod at patuloy nalang sa pag iyak.

Sumagi sa isipan ko pano na si papa at ng mga kapatid ko lalo na't wala ako. Makakain ba sila wala pa namang kahit anong trabaho si papa na napasukan dahil bagong lipat lang kami sa city at may sakit pa siya. Ano ba tong kamalasang dumating sa buhay ko. She pat me slowly and I face her. Inabutan niya ako ng panyo and wipe my tears and blow my running nose.

"If only I can help. Its just, I should've done my task first because it'll be difficult for me. I'm really sorry girl i can't help you this time. I have an important mission and also where heading to jaffa its really far away from valda"

"Its okay I had hope I can go home to papa. And you can call me ela"-

pagpapakilala ko at ngumiti siya "I am just a farmer. Hopely you wont be offended kase alam kong mababang uri ako na dalaga dahil magsasaka lang ako

"Sira don't say that. My family use to be a farmers too ela don't ever doubt it. Its a sin. And also Have faith makakauwi karin sa inyo but today i'm gonna promote you to be part of us and join us to embark a journey. Wanna come? Because, i can't just leave someone like you. Your just a kid tsaka mahirap na baka mapagtripan ka ng mga jaffari "-Tumango lang ako at tumayo sabay ayos ng aking damit.

"Pwede ba iyon sumama lang ako? Wala akong abilidad at tanging alam kolang pagsasaka"

"Nuh, farmers or not its okay. I just made you a bounty. I'm naea blacksmith "- pagpapakilala niya at inabutan ako ng kamay at tinanggap ko naman. I'm very comfortable of the clothes maganda ang tela niya malamig sa balat. For now I have no trouble of walking with a dress.

She walked me to a room and she said I need to take some rest and its long night before we reach the land. Medyo maganda naman ang kwarto at inayos kolang ang isang blanket para matulog its not much pero okay lang.

➖➖➖

"LAND HOO!!"

Nagising ako sa lakas ng sigaw ni Ram sa labas. Kinusot ko ang mata ko at bumangon tsaka lumabas ng room. Pansin kong wala si naea sa room kung saan kami unang nagkita. Lumakad lang ako at umakyat pataas ng hagdan.

Binuksan ko na ang double door at napapikit ako sa liwanag ng araw na bumati sa umaga ko. Tinakpan ko naman ng braso ang mukha ko para maaninang ko ang daan at napasinghap ako dahil papalapit na kame sa isang lugar.

Nakikita ko ang mga bahay sa kalayuan at mga barkong nasa tabi ng pantalan.

Ilang oras ang nagdaan at nakarating na kami ang daming mga barko at may mga mas malaki pa sa barkong sakay ko. Men are working hard carrying an alot of barrel on them and haul every boxes and barrel to the boat and sailed away.

Ang gaganda ng mga palengke nila walang kalat. Everything was organize.

Bumaba na kaming apat at tinatali ni Ram ang barko matapos ibaba ni spike ang akla. May mga dala silang mga gamit at binuhat ko naman ang iba para may maitulong ako. I have to do something to not just sitting like a princess. They save me and feed me and I must pay my dept.

Chattering indistincly and busy--bustling of crowds on street--para akong baliw dahil tutok na tutok talaga akong tumingin sa mga kakaiba nilang pananamit ang gaganda May mga barko din na papaalis na.

Diko maiwasan mapa amaze sa lugar

Wala akong kaideideya na makakita ako ng ganitong klaseng lugar this place is breath taking.

"Ela come on you'll be left behind"-tawag ni Naea sakin na kakababa lang na may dalang box at sumabay na ako lumakad kasama sila.

Can't keep my eyes off it. Keep on turning my head i felt that my neck crack. Nakatunganga sa buong lugar na dinaanan namin na parang sira ulo. Naea close my jaw kaya natawa ako sa hiya. May tinuro rin siya sa nadaanan naming tindahan at may nakasulat sa taas "BU-TI-KI"

"HAHAHA!! No kaba pagkapronounce niya boutique di butiki walang butiking nakadisplay"

"Sorry wrong mistake"

Napailing lang sakin si naea sabay tawa. Nilingon ko ulit ang iba pang tindahan maraming butiki-- boutique may mga mannequin na nakadisplay ang gaganda din ng mga suot nila parang kagaya sa mga suot nina naea

Dun sa baryo ko dress ang mga kababaihan at nakatuxedo naman ang kalalakihan. Nasasakupan kame ng kaharian valeria ng dating pinatay na reyna. And I don't know what kingdom but I want to learn before I gone home.

Sa ilang oras na paglalakad natunton kami sa isang malaking puting gusali na may nakalagay na HUNTER BANK. Syempre sumabay din akong pumasok at napajaw drop din ako dahil hanep ang ganda sa loob! The floor is a bit slippery. The place was polish in white marble and there's lots of gold and gems too. Mag ikot ikot ako ng tingin hanggang sa tumambling ako dahil sa pagkahilo

"Sira, ano kaba get up"-naea, inabutan niya ako ng kamay at natatawa na siya sakin sorry di ko maiwasang maabnoy. "Careful!"- at bilis niya akong hinablot ng muntikan akong matamaan ng dalawang tao na may dalang old clock, not just that di lang kami ang may dalang mga box kundi lahat ng tao sa loob.

"Ela! Come on. Maiiwan ka talaga"-tawag sakin ni ram at tumakbo ako papunta sa kanila naiwan na pala ako. Kung di lang ako napansin nila baka mawala ako sa laki ng lugar. Ang taas niya grabe at may kumikislap din na bagay sa bandang itaas na nakapalagitna ng ceiling.

Huminto sila sa isang ginintuang double door at kumatok naman si naea at may sumagot naman sa loob. Pumasok na kami at may nakita akong mahabang lamesa at may sampung tao dun na nakaupo. They look so bazar. Galing daming palamuti nila. Makikita mo talaga ang pinagkaiba ng mahirap sa mayaman.

Lumapit silang lahat sa mga taong iyon at ako naman ang nakabuntot sa kanila. Spike unbox something that is covered in a cloth at napasigaw ako sandali dahil ulo yung nasa loob napaatensyon lahat sakin at humingi ako ng kapatawaran by bowing my head rapidly feeling ko nga mahulog na ulo ko and when I stop the world move, nahihilo ako putek

Hinawakan nila ito at pinapasa pasa ito at tiningnan ng maayos

Ito yung ulo ng gagamba duon sa kweba diko pansin na ang mga pangil nito ay isang green na kulay

"Emerald. Nice job bounty. You had gone through that island again.."

"And its a success this time" proud na tugon ni spike "last time its a bummer"

"Well funny thing though, she was been eaten alive" ram just made the crowd laugh and i glance at spike and she just not offended. Napakakulit nga ni ram mabuti di madaling magalit si spike.

Marami silang inanbox at napataas kilay lang ako. I'm really curious about those things like where did they even get those? Natuwa naman sina naea sa puri ng mga tao sa na nakaupo at may mga lalakeng pormal ang panunuot at inalis sa lamesa ang mga gamit nadala dala namin at nagtango ang mga taong iyon at inabot nila kina Ram isat isa ang isang tela na may lamang gold coin.

"Thank you po"-sabay nila

Akmang lalabas kami ng may papasok din naman na may walong o sampu pataas na katao. Apat ang babae nabilang ko may isang babae na nagtagpo pa ang tingin namin napakunot noo lang ako when she slightly grin at me.

"Wag mo silang titigan"-babala sakin naea

"Why?"

"Basta kagrupo sila ni madame Rina. Rose hunter, magaling din ang mga iyan. But still just ignore them. Don't try to make eye contact. Alam mo kase ang Kingdom of jaffa-- is where all hunters fight for power."

Looks to me that this isn't my place. I've never thought of joining some of this stuff and just like she said fighting for power...

"Have you seen madame Rina?"-tanong ko kay spike na lumingon naman sakin

"Nope she wore white mask on, half on her face covered. No one had ever seen her whole face but only her sister. All i know she had a scar on her face that's why she hid them after been attacked by a monster on her mission"-aniya at kumuha ng mani sa kanya bulsa

"What about neferlilian. Kilala ba siya?"

"Yup, her face are all posted across etheria for her crime. She steal and kills her victim. All I know she feed on blood. Us bounty had terrible history for hunting her"-aniya sabay nguya ng mani. Shees! Mabuti di niya ako tinapos nung araw nayun. Kinakabahan ako at medyo natatakot sa mga tao na kalaban ng grupo namin.

☆LI