“A mystery is a tribute to another buried mystery people gave up unveiling.”

CHAPTER V: Poisoned Arrows and a Flying Eye; A Sudden Death of a Comrade

   I THOUGHT THESE veins around my brain could rupture from so much anxiety. I have never felt so nervous my entire life—not even in those stupid singing competitions I have participated in at school before. I was known to be a composed person, and if I ever try to goof around (which is rare), I make sure it is only when I am with my very trusted friends.

   But right now? I don’t think I’m still the same person I used to be.

   “Hey, are you alright?” I’ve got no clue about how I could still pull myself together if this situation keeps up. Meredith was making it worse. Since we left my place, she had been startling me a couple of times now and it was giving me heart attacks. I’m going nuts.

   “I am. Please don’t worry about me,” I just said.

   “You’re getting paler.”

   I breathed and maintained my composure. “I’m just starving, Dith.”

   I don’t know if it sounded rude but she seemed to have taken aback by my sentence. “Alright then.” She turned to the door, quieter. “Shall we go inside? They’ve got a good mountain of food for you.”

   The door before my eyes slowly cracked itself open. Helga and Ragen were keeping themselves quite low—like they didn’t want to interrupt whenever I, and Meredith were talking. It got me wondering now. There were several speculations and prejudices I have formulated in my mind about Meredith’s relation with Sigmund though, but I think it would be rude and careless to bring them out all at once—especially if I am yet sure if it was actually true or not.

   By the moment the door revealed the whole room, I straight up saw a sea of eyes. An entire creep of them, looking at us intently as if awaiting our arrival in the first place. And then, everybody stood up and led their arms first, loudly clapping in the air.

   I thought my heart could stop at that moment but I knew I had to collect myself.

   “Yo, Sigmund!”

   Meredith launched him an awful glare. “Watch your manners, Johann Dorfer,” she warned. 

   The guy who called me was just around Sigmund’s age. Black hair, muscly limbs, and evident hard body. He looked cool and alluring—exactly the type that most girls in highschool would go crazy about.

   “Oh come on, Dith.” The Johann guy gave out a playful grin. And I knew the prejudice I had against him’s true. “You keep on defying me just to talk to me—I know your cheap tricks. Do you like me?”

   “Do you want me to stab you?”

   Johann laughed so hard at that. “Fuck it, I’m kidding.”

   “Prince Sigmund.” Suddenly, a buff man came near me this time. He looked calm and collected, atiny taller than the first one who talked to me. He came to the scene like a college professor in Engineering that’s ready to roast you with knowledge anytime. “We’re pleased to have you here again. I am not going to interrogate you any more, but have you found out anything about what you were looking for while you’re on your mission?”

   What was I there for? What does he mean? I think this is beyond my awareness about the prince already.

   I was about to say whatever my mind tells me, good thing, they interrupted again.

   “Shut up, Oswin. And hi, Mister Prince. Would you like a glass?” That time, another woman of an average age—maybe a little ahead of me, offered me wine and clung her arms around mine like a kid wanting an ice cream at a mall. I mean, it didn’t look like she was throwing a fit. She looked more like hitting on me and I didn’t particularly hate that. She was slim and sexy and appealing to me nonetheless.

   The only problem was how I would deal with her.

   “A-ah sure. Thanks—” Have I already mentioned that I suck at girls? If I haven’t, then now you have known.

   “Why don’t you sit already, Salina?” Meredith cut off. “I could offer you a chair if you want. Here.” 

   Meredith didn’t seem to like Salina though. She was starting to wear the cold, blank face again just like what she wore in the King and Queen’s chamber. She didn’t show so much emotion and her words were timid. Like she was not supposed to goof around when she’s in front of a mass audience.

   Anyway, taking that aside, murmurs have started enveloping the room the moment I entered and I felt uncomfortable. It seemed like they’re talking about me—I mean, I knew they were but I just couldn’t help thinking they’re talking ill about me. So I caressed the whole area with a look, testing them. Seriously, everyone’s eyes were on me, though, they were smiling. I just gentled my expression and replied with a small half-grin.

   “Everyone, eyes here!” called Johann. “Prince Sigmund! Back from his yet another successful mission once again, like he always does,” he announced, emphasizing the last phrase. “Now, shall we?”

   Everybody cheered in merriment, tossed a glass of something in the air and shouted, “Kampai!” So I had to, too. At that time, it pushed me to smile wide and I felt my heart mollifying somehow because of it. 

   When we eventually settled on our seats, I noticed somebody’s absence and that was when I realized.

   “By the way, where’s the Queen?”

   They looked at me in bewilderment and I snapped back to my consciousness. “I mean, Mother… and Father.”

   Ragen chose to answer. “I don’t think they would still be able to make it here. I’m not sure, but I saw the maids bring them food to their room, and butlers the wine. I guess they won’t be joining us tonight.”

   “Who knows if someone’s going to have a younger sib here or something…?” Johann teased in the middle of the conversation and I got what he meant just by judging his grin.

   “No way,” I replied. Somehow, their energy put me a bit at ease. As it happened, they weren’t too shabby in chatting unlike I thought.

   “By the way, I have heard something about you having amnesia, Prince Sigmund? Will you care to confirm that? I know people are romancers though, and that they tend to exaggerate things. So I had to hear it from you.” The guy named Oswin Bryman formally cut in.

   “I don’t even know your name, or his, or her.” I pointed to Johann and Salina. Though, I had the slightest clue since they kept on exchanging their names when talking.

   Johann obviously didn’t let that pass. “What the fucking hell, man—how could you not tell someone as bewitching as me?”

   “I don’t know you,” I repeated.

   “I’ll burn you alive.”

   “Wait so, oh my God. Even I was not recognized by you earlier, Mister Prince? I’ve always wondered why you didn’t react so rudely to me like you used to before. Oh my God, what a spell cast.” Salina said in surprise and I nodded.

   “You’re overreacting.” Johann peppered.

   “You’re stupid,” she replied.

   I had to speak to stop them from diving into anything worse, bottling up my chuckle and amusement. “What was I like to you before, Salina?”

   “You always give me a scary look on your face—like, you hate being with me. Or you hate my existence itself. Nonetheless, you’re like that to all girls you meet so I didn’t mind. Anyways, I really thought there was something up with you a while back, and I was right! What elegance I have.”

   “How could I possibly hate someone as stunning as you? I don’t understand.”

   There! Shit, I said it. I was just trying to play my role but I literally said it.

   From that, I sensed Meredith stopped chugging her glass a few inches away from me but I didn’t turn to her. She remained like that for seconds before managing to recover, her actions took a little longer this time. She didn’t speak however.

   “Oh my, you don’t mean it.”

   “I do,” I replied. “I always do.”

   Before Salina could say any more words back to me, Meredith quickly stood up and we had to give her a glance. She wiped her lips in a millisecond and excused herself for a moment, giving us no reason why. She was nowhere in the room in a jiff.

   Johann seemed to have observed the awkward air so he spoke again, “Anyway, shall I take this chance to introduce you to the Opex Saints Army again, Prince Sigmund?”

   We proceeded to turn back to our own businesses, and I quieted looking at the food served before my eyes. Tons of them. I don’t think we could finish these all at once. It suddenly triggered a memory when I, Joel, and Jones used to consume a fair amount of bread a day. It was one of the most deprived moments we shared—I could still clearly remember how our stomach rumbles when we smell or see something delightful. I wish I could share this meal with them like how they generously did to me.

   “Everyone’s not here yet though.” Oswin started to cut his meat.

   “Tilton, Wayne and Keterlind,” Johann replied. “Two of them are still probably making out right now.”

   “Huh?” Confusion arose in me.

   “Who knows who.” He shrugged. “Why don’t we ask? Salina, where’s your commander?”

   She scoffed, suddenly sounding annoyed. “He’s still probably admiring the stars at the archery field again—I don’t know. Let him be. I couldn’t care any less.”

   “You’re rude.”

   “He’s rude. He doesn’t pay attention to me when I’m talking. He’s always writing this poetry about wildflowers whatsoever he thinks is beautiful. I don’t know him.”

   “But he’s your commander—”

   “I don’t know him.”

   “Anyway, we’re ten leaders all in all.” Johann informed me in particular. “Commanders and Vice Commanders, with forty skilled armies under each division as special forces, and three-hundred rookies more. We didn’t have that big army populace but it’s not like we would be in a war for now anyway. The three kingdoms are friends. The only threat we overlook is the presence of Atondês.”

   I halted on my bite. “Atondês...?” I asked. “Who are they?”

   “It’s not who. It is what.”

   “Let’s say, they’re the monsters of this country, Mister Prince.” Salina butted in. “They’re unnatural specimens with fiery eyes and long spiral horns possessing half-human, half-beastly features. Rumors say that they were once humans, and that they sold their souls to Lucifer in exchange for wealth—which they failed to protect. Now, they have nothing. They look almost exactly like they’re from the underworld. Let’s say, a little more powerful than us. Most citizens mention that they’re extremely strong though so I can’t really tell you the exact information.”

   “I couldn’t believe you forgot even about that. You seem to have been very interested in them before though,” Oswin said.

   Oh, the prince did? Well, I have to admit it got me curious too, but if that means I would have to meet them, I’d rather eat my shit—especially basing on the descriptions they have given to me. No, there’s just no way.

   “Where do they reside?”

   “Are you serious?” Johann appealed. “Just straight up tell me if you want us to repeat the whole story for you.”

   “Shut up, Johann. He’s got memory loss, remember? At least, try to be considerate.” Salina tried again and answered me instead. “Anyway, they’re said to be in the far South, Mister Prince. You see, the whole country is separated into five fractions of land. Three, wait… yes, three of those are main towns where citizens are presently living in peace and quiet. Given the names... our town Kokoshi, the biggest town in the center; Decreto, on the West; and Morvis, on the East part of the country. These three towns are separated by high stone walls—for the purpose of welfare for the three kingdoms.”

   “And? Where are the other two?”

   Salina leaned in to me this time, giving me a focused look. “That’s when these Atondês come to the frame,” she whispered. She was making it appear like these monsters they call Atondês are extremely spooky and dangerous—which I think is true anyhow.

   “On the very center of the country, is a dome. A big dome protecting a city. It’s the unity of the three kingdoms. Therefore, everyone from these three towns can go in and out here since this city is relatively connected to each part of the country. However, security is very tight,” she explained. “Usually, this part of the island is where marketing takes place. Products from all land fractions come here—it is the source of our necessities, let’s just say. I could consider it a bit advanced and crowded but fun anyway. And there are a lot of nice things anywhere you look… hot guys and ladies too, of course.” She whispered the last part. “But yeah, that pretty sums up the good parts. Now let’s talk about the last, most dangerous fraction the country happened to have been punished for. It is the most extensive land fraction amongst the rest. And exactly like you thought, this division is where these monsters are inhabiting. It is a nameless land—no kingdom dared to label it. It is where Atondês live.”

   “I’ll show you the map.” Johann spread a thick sheet of paper on the table near my plate that he have taken from his pocket. It was crumpled and ragged and showed a lot of folded lines. Nevertheless, the texts written were still readable at the very least. “This is the country of Donn Heriota. An island away from the world where people are friends and the only threat we expect is the populace of these monsters so-called.”

   I examined the map. First time that I’ve ever seen one.

   “Honestly, you two should stop provoking the Prince to go on another mission. He’s not even healed yet.”

   “Don’t be like that, Ragen. He’s fine and we all know he always seeks adventure. It’s the joy of a sponge person. Might as well remind him how beautiful and bizarre this country is.”

   “Stop that, Commander. Ragen’s right. If we let Prince Sigmund wander around again, I don’t think things will stay the same no more. Something worse might happen than amnesia.” Oswin seconded, chewing his steak without looking at us. I thought he wasn’t paying attention but he was actually listening to our chat.

   “Seriously, are you twins?”

   “But still, he should know the details at least.” Salina seconded to Johann.

   I focused on the map. Indeed, it was an island divided into five unequal divisions. There was a great space in the South, almost devouring fifty percent of the entirety of the land. In the middle was an average-sized circle, which I expected was the dome—the city they told me about. Then, the other fifty percent was divided by lines into three sections: the kingdoms this time. And I noticed that all these properties where citizens settle themselves were secluded by the same stone walls represented by thick lines of ink on the map, safe from the other half.

   Somehow, it looked fine and guarded. But it got me wondering more. Questions answered by more questions.

   How come Atondês’ land was too big?

   What’s there? What’s beyond?

   There’s a lot more to know.

   But at the bare minimum, slowly, I have learned something about them; Donn Heriota’s people, history, culture, and topography. It was weird, and I was still not used to dealing with such peculiarities, but I needed to cope up as quickly as possible or I could never escape this mess forever. Heck, I didn’t even know where in the world this country was.

   But as the night dissolved the sky, our conversation was getting deeper too. Nothing could go wrong… I pampered myself. 

   Not until we heard a sudden sharp shattering of glasses. A big window in the hall broke loose and two arrows came flying in the air, trespassing the room. One of the armies dining in unprepared fell victim and it shot him right on the arm and leg, deep within his flesh. He squirmed in pain promptly and everyone freaked out henceforth.

   “Oswin!” Johann Dorfer, the 2nd Division Commander as I’ve heard earlier, yelled and together with his right hand, Oswin, approached the victim. Unlike what I had seen before, they looked serious and terrifying.

   “He’s under Wayne,” he answered.

   Salina was surprised and couldn’t take an initial action, while Helga, who was on the far left side of the table, immediately made her move and hastened. “I will call Commander Meredith right away!” Then sprinted off the room.

   The other commanders weren’t here.

   And I didn’t know what to do.

   “Commander,” again, Ragen called.

   I reluctantly stood up. Everybody was shifting on their feet, talking and panicking. I ignored the tension and when I reached the victim, he was already pronounced dead so fast that I don’t believe it. With his eyes rolling toward the back of his head, his mouth effusing something in purple color, and his wounds where the arrows stuck swelling like a grape, I propose he was poisoned.

   I shifted my attention to the window, I walked my way toward it. And by the time I looked down, on the far dark part of the woods, I thought I saw something glowing.

   No, I was sure. I saw something.

   I could hear Meredith shouting in the background moments later, diving into the scene. But I was too focused on the oddities in front of me that I could not pay attention to them anymore. It was gawking back at me. My knees began to tremble in fear.

   It was far, and I didn’t know how I did it.

   But I was sure I saw an eyeball with its glowing iris, together with a bow that seemed to be the source of attack. Both materials were floating in the air, with no person to possibly handle it. I felt several shivers creeping up to my nape. And I fell down to my knees.

***

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