Map of the Blazing Hearth (Gazellian Series #8)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Above the train

I never thought that I'd be continually left fascinated...

No... why would I be?

I huffed. I tried to remove my eyes away from him- to that man standing proudly near the prison bars. Tavion's staring back at Howl, like a powerful guest. Instead of an outsider being held captive by the master of the house.

He's really indeed a Gazellian.

Ilang beses na ba akong nakasaksi ng mga ganitong pangyayari na kasama ang mga Gazellian? How could they take situation like this with their heads up?

They are always proud and at ease. Kahit na gaano kabigat at seryoso ang sitwasyon, nagagawa nilang kumilos na tila nasa kanila anumang oras ay sa kanila papanig ang pagkakataon.

And that's one of the famous characteristics of Gazellian family-at hindi iyon lingid sa kaalaman ng buong Nemetio Spiran.

Ngayong nasa harapan ko si Tavion at ang paraan ng pagharap niya sa sitwasyon, hindi nga maipagkakailang isa siyang Gazellian.

Nanatiling magkatitigan ang dalawa. Si Howl na nakakrus ang mga braso at hindi nagpapatalo ng titig at si Tavion na prenteng nakapulma, nakangisi at nakaangat ang kilay.

Howl clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Now, here's the deal."

Bago pa ituloy iyon ni Howl, malalaki ang hakbang kong nagtungo sa may rehas, higit akong lumapit sa kanya. "Answer my question first, have you met another silver-grayed hair like him?"

Bumuntonghininga si Tavion sa likuran ko. "Nadulas na siya. Hindi ba't narinig mo? You are really a woman of confirmation."

"That's necessary."

"Yes. I've met him," matabang na sagot ni Howl.

"Where is he?"

"I don't know. But he's with a woman," nang napansin ni Howl na natigilan ko, siya naman ngayon ang ngumisi.

Narinig kong tumawa si Tavion. "Come here, I'll comfort you."

"Shut up."

"Oh, are they some-sort of?" tanong ni Howl kay Tavion. Bakit biglang ako ang pinag-usapan nila? At sa harapan ko pa.

"Quite a bit," sagot ni Tavion.

"Oh..." naiiling si Howl habang pinagmamasdan ako. He looked at me awfully. Bakit nga ba may babaeng kasama si Caleb?

"That man you called Caleb, right? He's cheating," ani ni Howl.

Suminghap si Tavion. Nanlilit ang mga mata ko nang lumingon ako sa kanya. "That's okay. She's cheating too-" agad kong pinutol ang mga salita niya.

"No!"

"With me..."

Nasapo ko na lang ang sentido ko ng dalawang palad ko. These idiots! How could they possibly switch the conversation to this?

"Now, let's get back to business, shall we? Tell me the deal."

"You see... my train has its own mind. I have nothing to do with its invitation. I can manage everything inside. My train also has its own schedule. So, if you're going to ask me to deliver you to my world, that would be a problem. I still have ten worlds to go before returning to Fevia Attero."

"Your world's name is Fevia Attero," sabat ko.

"Yes. Because you're currently riding on our world's pride, Fevia Attero' Earth Train," Howl proudly said.

Sumipol si Tavion. "Ang ibig mong sabihin kailangan namin manatili rito at hintaying matapos ang paglalakbay ng sasakyang sa sampung mundo bago kami makarating sa mundo mo?"