Queen of the Amazon

Chapter 3

***

The next day, I tried to be normal. Kahit na kinukulit ako nina Aello at Anaea kung anong nangyari sa'kin matapos nila akong iwan, I just gave them a lame excuse which (obviously) did not convince them.

Kailangan kong alisin ang usapan namin ni Nick, este Prince Nick, sa utak ko kung ayaw kong bumagsak sa ensayo namin ngayon.

Since I still do not have a shaman, I'm still a trainee Amazonian. I need to train myself hard so that by the time I reach 18 years old, I will be ready to face the animal which will be my war companion. Also, I should be fully equipped both physically and mentally in receiving the power possessed by my shaman.

Aello and Anaea have a different training ground. Mas matanda kasi sila sa'kin ng isang taon kaya mas maaga nilang nakuha ang shaman nila. They're in Camp Marathon somewhere near the Dark Forest, a camp for aspiring Generals.

While I'm here stuck in Camp Arena, a camp near the wide river, built for Amazon trainees, or those who still do not have a shaman. All Amazon women are required to train here by the time they reach 5 years old. They can only choose a different path by age 10.

Finally there is Camp Amenity, this is for Amazon women who want to be trained in cooking, cleaning, house management, and the like so that they can work in the castle. They don't want to have a shaman or they are shamanless. Konti lang naman ang mga Amazonian na pumipili sa kampong ito, ngunit karamihan ng sumasali dito ay gustong mapalapit sa mga prinsipe, inaasam na maging susunod na reyna.

Simula bata pa ako, hindi sumagi sa isip ko ang mapabilang sa Camp Amenity. That is not my calling. Even though I will have a high chance of being close to Prince Luke.

I have only one dream, and that is to be a General.

"The King is here!"

That lost my focus which made my dagger missed its target on the board. Bakit nandito ang hari?

"You are easily distracted, Brielle."

"Sorry, General Lysippe."

She sighed. Hanggang ngayon namamangha pa rin ako sa tangkad niya. She's the tallest General I have ever encountered. It was complemented by her dark long hair. "Double the number of your throws later." Her dark orbs stared at mine, they scream obedience. "Let's meet the King first."

I started walking towards the gate of Camp Arena when someone bumped me from the back. Damn! That hurts! Ang tulis pa ng balikat.

"Nakaharang ka kasi sa daan."

I stopped myself from cursing her. Argh! That bitch Doris always gets into my nerves! Kung wala lang ang Hari dito kanina ko pa 'yan hinamon eh. Akala mo naman nanalo na siya ng isang beses sa'kin. Just wait there, Doris.

We lined up horizontally, making twenty lines of seven warriors each.

Ang inaasahan ko lang ay ang Hari. Hindi ko akalaing sasama ang dalawang Prinsipe. Buti na lang nasa may pangatlong linya ako, hindi naman siguro nila ako makikita.

Shucks. Hindi ko pa nakakalma ang sarili ko tungkol sa nalaman ko tapos makikita ko na siya agad?!

This is so not happening.

Sabay - sabay kaming naglagay ng kanang kamay sa kaliwang dibdib. Tinanguan niya kami sabay ng pagsenyas na ibaba na namin iyon.

"Mukhang marami tayong trainees ngayon." I heard the King said in his raspy voice.

General Lysippe, the main supervisor of our Camp, replied to him. "Yes, King Rafael. Ano ang sinadya niyo rito?"

I heard him hummed. "I would like to know who will have their First Battle."

First Battle meaning... a battle to determine one's shaman.

K-kasama ako dun, 'diba?

I raised my hand, along with six women warriors. Siguro ay katulad ko din sila ng edad kaya ngayong taon nila malalaman ang shaman nila.

Hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa tuluyang tinitingnan ang dalawang prinsipe. Ayokong makita nila ako.

"Can you please come forward?" General Lysippe commanded.

Malalim ang buntong – hiningang ginawa ko. Mukhang wala na talaga akong kawala.

Nakatungong pumunta ako sa harapan. Luminya kasama ng iba kong kasamahan.

Tumikhim ang Hari. "There's a bit of a problem. I need only three trainees."

"With due respect, King Rafael, but what is the purpose of this?" General Lysippe asked.

"You see, General. If you would allow me, I want three trainees to guard my three sons in my upcoming birthday."

Tumatambol na naman ang puso ko. Delikado 'to.

"Is that okay with you?" kalmadong turan ng Hari.

"I think it's fine. Yours and your sons security are our priority. But, why not ask those in Camp Marathon? They're more trained and equipped."

"I made my Father choose this Camp, General." That voice.

Umangat ako ng tingin nang marinig ang kanyang boses. I was dumbfounded when I saw that he's already looking at me. Has he been staring ever since?

"I chose this." Malalim ito at buo. Determinadong – determinado.

Tila hindi lang ata ako ang hindi nakapagsalita kundi pati din si General Lysippe. Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang gulat ang mukha niya. She's always been so composed, but Prince Luke shook her.

"Now, I guess our sons will just choose from the seven of you."

Nang pipili na si Prince Nicholas, umambang aalis naman si Prince Luke.

"Where are you going, bro?" habol pa ni Prince Nicholas sa papalayong kapatid niya.

Bakit siya aalis na lang?

"Just pick for me, it will make no difference."

What's with that?!

A/N

Character Pronunciation:

Lysippe = Lay-sip

Amazon Vocabulary:

Tia = Auntie

Because she's back in Wattpad, I'll dedicate this chapter to her! Hi Ate Ela!