Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 17

"What are we doing here?" tanong ni Sinbad habang naglalakad sila sa gitna ng hindi masyadong mataong kalsada. "Shouldn't we be heading to the northern port?"

Zai kept on walking, "We need money."

Sinbad became confused, "Money? What for? And how are we gonna get some?" his expression turned dark when he suddenly came up with a conclusion, "Are you planning to steal from this village?"

"What else?"

Sinbad gritted his teeth, "Don't you dare. This village is already poor enough. Don't make it worse, Zai."

"I can see that. Don't jump into wrong conclusions." Zai said, still looking ahead without giving him a glance. Sinbad looked around and he noticed there are men who are causing trouble in some stores.

"Hoy ano na?! Magbayad na kayo ng buwis niyo!" sigaw ng isang lalaki habang marahan na hinahampas-hampas ng kahoy ang sariling balikat. May mga kasama ito habang hinaharap nila ang isang mag-asawa na may edad na at mukhang may-ari ng tindahan ng mga prutas.

Natatakot naman na sinagot ito ng matandang lalaki, "P-Pero wala pa kaming pambayad.. Kaunti lamang ang kinikita namin sa--"

"Ha?! Hindi ka magbabayad tanda?! Ginagalit niyo ba si Sir Rocio?"

"H-Hindi!"

"Kung gano'n, magbayad na kayo!" sigaw ng lalaki at hinampas ng kahoy ang lalagyanan ng mga prutas, dahilan para kumalat ito sa lupa.

Akmang susugurin na ito ni Sinbad ngunit hinawakan ni Zai ang kaniyang braso. He looked back and saw the girl shook her head, "Don't get involved."

Sinbad gritted his teeth and whispered, "You think I can endure this? They're collecting taxes even though it's not due yet. They also have no rights to collect taxes and force them to."

Zai squinted her eyes at him but Sinbad didn't avert his gaze when he felt that Zai is trying to intimidate him. "I told you to back down, didn't I?"

Sinbad clicked his tongue and had no choice but to obey her. They continued walking but Sinbad's eyes slightly widened when Zai threw a cup, that she grabbed from the table they just passed by, on the air. Trois jumped, twisted his body on air and kicked the cup to the 'tax collectors' in an incredible speed. The cup hit the guy's head, making him drop on the dusty road. Sinbad looked at the two's back like they just didn't do anything. Shane sighed and shook his head.

Zai smirked, "This guy named Rocio is our target. We need a loaded wallet to steal from after all."

They continued walking until Zai stopped when they saw a group of men laughing and mocking the people as they walk by. Mukhang kasamahan rin ito ng mga lalaki kanina. Naghiwalay ang mga ito sa dalawang grupo.

Zai squinted her eyes, "Sinbad, I'll leave Shane to you," Sinbad nodded habang naguguluhan naman si Shane. "Trois, let's go."

Bigla namang tumalon ang dalawa sa bubong at tuluyan ng umalis para sundan ang isang grupo. Shane looked at Sinbad with a confused expression, "Ano daw?"

"C'mon, we have a group to follow." Sinbad said and walked passed him.

"Teka! Ano daw?! Lintek. Eto na! Wait lang! Hindi ako biniyayaan ng mahabang binti, okay?! Hoy! Sinbad! HOY!"

Sinundan nina Shane at Sinbad ang isang grupo ng lalaki. They made sure that they weren't noticed. Tumigil ang grupo ng mga lalaki sa isang mamahaling kainan. Ilang saglit lamang ay may tumigil na isang karwahe sa tapat nito at binuksan naman ng isa ang pinto para makababa ang sakay ng itim na karwahe.

Bumaba ang isang payat na lalaki. Mamahalin ang kasuotan, sapatos at ang buhok ay maayos. Sinbad squinted his eyes. He's pretty sure that the man who just arrived is the son of one wealthy Patrician that lives in the capital of Westernia. Sinamahan ito ng mga lalaki na pumasok sa restaurant.