Novels by Ane Daniels

Instead of her grim look during her charge in a battle, Darina rather has a worried scowl. The Agabean Royal Knight is composing within herself what must she say to King Rashal about the recovery of Clapestris. The reason why she hasted on going to the king was to save Prince Thariem’s face. She still brought that same purpose as she finally faced King Rashal. “Father King, Prince Thariem has operated to restore Clapestris not for his name’s sake but for your highness. He never assumed to reside on your throne for he believes that you will return any time sooner.” Unlike the puzzled soldiers who are with King Rashal, the king is not confused about what Darina is referring to. He smiled to convince Darina that he never thinks about Prince Thariem in that manner. “Darina, how can I think with such malice? You and Thariem are the jewels of my crown. I regard the works of the both of you with appreciation and due faithfulness,” he said while looking at her. The k

Some suspicions do not last. They are better off unattended and let consideration do its work. By this, malice subsides to the unrecoverable setting. Perhaps, mercy worked with consideration in excusing the Eran Jamasp from the previous doubts of Prince Thariem. He was, after all, never been an ally of The Falcon even of the time that he received the order concerning Darina. Hence, he is favored to know the pleasant news about Prince Thariem retaking the capital. He also heard that it was Darina who caused the messengers to spread the news. “They utilized the military prowess to the best of their advantage,” Jamasp said. He is glad in himself that he was among those who extended help to the Clapestrisian force. “Seeing how easy it is for them to enter the capital, it seems like they did not rely on the strength in numbers,” Farhad said. Ever since the company of Prince Thariem came to his abode, he became an enthusiast in understanding war. He sought to write a book

After the war is a morning dream still far from that pleasant, bright, and redeeming. Clapestris has met her heroes and her villains. On the part of the heroes is the responsibility to capture all enemies. While there is Shahin and Ardeshir already captured, Tanya Khatun and Minister Hazper are still at large. Ozroes vowed to capture them. Darina insisted on going with him. It is for Prince Thariem to continue his authority in Clapestris, unhinged by any of Darina’s influence. “This is what I can do to compensate Your Majesty for all the troubles you had with me,” Darina said sans the fear that Prince Thariem might envy her again. “But Darina, we helped hand in hand to restore Clapestris. This is not about me neither our aims. Do not go thence just because you think the conflict we had before might come again.” “It is not because of the conflict, Prince Thariem. I want Clapestris to know that a prince is with them. I want them to acknowledge your name. Hence,

In the eyes of almost everyone, Basiliskus was the scheming enemy staying behind the shadows of conspicuous villains. All his actions made them formulate verisimilar conclusions. He was the man always crying to sever Gilan from Clapestris. He looted the armories and equipment stored in the fortified house of Mahagino. He used the information from Shahin for the whereabouts of Darina and Prince Thariem. Eight days past and he returned to the capital of Clapestris with many prisoners of war. Entered with him to the main gates of the city are the wagons of spoils. The one that is highlighted among them was Darina in the cage. There is a blood-stained steel helmet beside her. It is a known helmet always worn by Prince Thariem when mounted for campaigns. The Clapestrisians filled the sides of the streets with their sighs and unexplained hopes. The Agabean Royal Knight has returned but is no better than them. “She has become a prisoner of war,” was among the genera

The luxury of the kingdom is on owning many regions and the luxury of the military is on having prowess that outnumbers the other. However, the camp of Clapestris cannot count the assurance of numbers. The espionage they launched confirms a thousand and half a hundred are loyal to Shahin. There are thousands more serving Ardeshir. In a hazier perspective of what kind of strength Clapestris must confront, a fragmented alliance is reported between the camp of Shahin and Satrap Basiliskus. If they understand their common goal, they might become the bigger enemy that Clapestris must war against. Marsden could barely understand that Darina decided to divide the caravan in two at the increasing strength of their enemies. Prince Thariem will lead the other division towards Gustus in their search for Ozroes’ medicine and military support from the empire. Meanwhile, Darina will lead her division to make war against the satrap of Gilan. While there is still time and th

The worse fall of a kingdom is not by siege but by the internal problems prevailing in its sides, ruining foundations and dividing its people. It is a haunting folk saying that joins the caravan of Clapestris when a commotion erupted in the midst of it. Darina and Prince Thariem emerged out of the carriage to resolve the noise. Many soldiers with their ready swords surrounded the sowers of ruckus. They are the same people sent by Tanya. There are about ten of them with clothes no distinct from the soldiers that work with Ozroes. “Brothers, why do you have to cause this?” asked an Amyrgian soldier to the workers of Tanya. “It is best for us to do this, brothers. For we are not heading for the glory of our house. We are heading to our downfall. Look at Clapestris and how it is ruined now. Even the Clapestrisians have to flee to this desert because of the travails there,” accused by Tanya’s worker. “No one in his right mind would think th

Essi has always believed that meeting people like the Binici Siblings meant a good thing --that be it in business or social partnerships. But what Karina offers to her is quite different. Her words have stronger meaning underneath their simplicity as if Katrina had been always trying to interfere in Essi and Oneil’s lives. “So you people are just engaged. It means there is still a greater possibility for any of you to quit, right?” she asked Essi with a hint of excitement. Her words simply do not respect the relationship between the two. Essi chose to not pay attention to it. But Katrina was bugging her in another way by trying to set Essi up with Wyath for coffee nothings and casual dinner. “I do not have much time. If this meeting does not make any sense, then I won’t go, Miss Binici,” Essi declined. “My brother is willing to marry the girl he likes,” Katrina inserted just to make the phone call go on. “Really? That’s good for him then,” Essi commented but was about to excuse he

When everything got settled, she found herself already bringing the large paper bag filled with the three casings where the jewels in their trinket boxes are placed. Her chauffeur waited for her outside and walked with her down the stairs of the auction house. Her car is also set to conclude her night from the Legalion. But before she took a step, Wyath went to her again. “Essi, since it is rare for us to meet, may I ask for your contact number?” Wyath was implying the personal one. “Okay,” Essi said and gave him her number. “But you should also give yours since my phone automatically sets an unknown number as spam.” When they got done exchanging numbers, Katrina went to Wyath to remind him that they must go home now. “Essi, it was nice to meet you. We’ll go ahead for now,” Katrina bid and dragged her brother to their car. “Will you still proceed to the hotel madame?” her chauffeur asked. “Yes, you can also take your time to enjoy things around,” Essi grinned and reminded him ab

It is the actual bidding night. With the preparation of the lights and the friendly interiors of the Legalion Action House, Essi knows this night shall be friendly to her vision. She takes a simple white dress with puff sleeves and white heels. She takes a silk cloth as her headband. Her appearance for the night is elegance mingled with youth and enthusiasm.“Welcome, Madame Essi,” the guard said upon recognizing her card. “This way please.”Essi followed the red carpet leading them to the Jewel Auction Hall No. 1. It is her first time to join an auction by herself. Oftentimes, she would just accompany a family member when they would like to purchase something from the auction. She continued walking around and not recognizing any familiar faces around the auction hall except Wyath. Wyath quickly noticed her too when he turned around. He approached her with a smile. He even introduced his sister to her.“This is my sister, Katrina. She’s the reason why we’d like to buy some of the Maes

Essi had a simple target in heading to Normandy. The Legalion Auction House announced its 25th jewelry auction. Essi was never attentive towards auctions. But this one sets a great importance in her agenda because it was the jewelry collection made by Maestro Marco. She had two important target items because of the discovery that she arrived upon studying the decoration and details on the jewelry portfolio of her grandmother Priscilla. Two pieces of jewelry are no more in the possession of the Paulsson household. It suddenly became included in the auction series of the Legalion because it is made by Maestro Marco.The first piece was dubbed as Ingrid’s because Essi’s grandfather had especially commissioned the jewel maker to make a bluebird-inspired jewelry as a ready gift for his daughter once she will be brought to the world. And yet the owner, continued sleeping.The second piece was a fancy yellow diamond about 80 carats filled with many more white diamonds on its side, forming l

Victor has to weigh many company concerns. First, for the Amyrgia-Gautarza. Second, to Essi’s Gautarza Company and third, to the Mercator Group. Concerning the first two, he can see the clear directions on how the owners would take their future paths. But for the Mercator Group, he couldn’t see exactly where it even errs or go on correctly.He became an instant breadwinner with a clear source of income because the other Mercators in their humble barn house have to lie low for a while. His great ally on the discussion for the Mercator Group was his father.“Our hope in raising this alarm is to the interim chairman himself,” Paulo said. “If only he could also be cooperative to us.”“I don’t see any reason though that he wouldn’t,” Victor stated. “That is why I talked to him about the deliberation of a new policy concerning the selling and purchase of shares.”“What do you see is the problem about the shares then?”“I see some problems of the old policy. It may allow the shareholders to

Sometimes, amid all trials, one couldn’t help but wonder how others felt for them. It was in Victor especially when he regarded how Mr. Arlelle must have reacted to the fate that chased the Mercators. Yet, hoping to be always in his favor, Victor could only remain in silent and work with perseverance. It must have been a good asset that he was not heard as a Mercator because no one would chase him in the hopes to scoop out a splice of an information that can serve a cup of tea. Victor was on his way back to Arlelle’s office, bringing the reports about the recent confirmations he received on his email. But while he was outside the office, he heard some key people of Amyrgia-Gautarza.“How come that you still keep him sir? Is he not a member of the Mercators? It is quite unsettling.”“How can I not when he is still officially a part of the Amyrgia-Gautarza? And what has he done then that he should be fired out?”“But he is a Mercator.”Victor couldn’t deny that maybe in the business wor

Parang kung sinong ibang tao si Yuhan nang dinaanan niya lang kami. Pero bakit parang ako lang naiinis? Itong si Ian, binanatan pa itong katamtamang height ko na kesyo ay sa liit ko raw kumpara kay Yuhan ay talagang di ako pasok sa vision niya. But I’m not buying any of his teasing today. Inagahan ko pa ang paggising tapos ganito lang.“Ba’t ka naman ganiyan makatitig? Chill ka lang. Hindi naman ‘to katapusan ng friendship natin sa kaniya ah,” seryosong tugon ni Ian sa akin.Kitang-kita sa mga mata ni Ian na kahit siya nagulumihanan din sa ginawa ni Yuhan. Sa amin pa namang dalawa, siya itong malakas humila ng komedya at sa parehong pagkakataon ay ang pinakanaaapektohan. Nang minsan kaming nag-away ni Ian at hindi nagkapansinan, inamin niyang siya itong hindi mapalagay na ilang araw na kaming hindi nagkabati. Kaya kahit kaunting hindi pagkakaunawaan ay kaagad na naming nilulutas.“At huwag ka nang mag-imagine diyan ng kung ano-ano. Subukan natin ulit mamaya na lapitan siya.”Napanatag

Napanaginipan ko na isa raw akong hero sa isang historical setting. Marami raw akong mga nailigtas na mga mamamayan dahil sa martial arts skills ko. Takot daw ang mga Gokturks sa akin at maraming mga refugees at mga prinsesa ang naging kaibigan ko. Matindi ang bakbakan sa gabing iyon. Marami silang mga dinala ko sa ligtas na lugar. Akala ko ay tapos na ang pagrescue ko sa kanila. Pero may isa pa palang tao ang nanghihina na dahil sa matinding usok at nag-aalab na apoy na winawasak sa kaniyang opisina. Kinailangan ko siyang akapin gamit ang kaliwang kamay ko habang bitbit ang sandata ko sa kanan. Tumalon kami patungo sa tuktok ng pavilion. Tumingin ako sa lalaking ito na isa palang iskolar ng imperyo. Mas lalo siyang natakot dahil natanaw niya ang lalim ng pagitan ng pinagkakatayuan namin mula sa lupa. Mas lalo pa siyang kumapit sa akin kaya sinabi kong ayos lang ang lahat.Pero sa lahat ng maaari niyang sabihin ay ganito lang, “May exam tayo bukas.”Gulat akong napamulat kasi nasa kal

Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit sa karami-raming araw na pwedeng maflat yung gulong ng bike ko ay ngayon pang sinimulan na ang mas striktong panukala at parusa para sa mga nalate. Hindi naman sa hindi ako pabor doon. Kasi yun naman talaga ang kapansin-pansin na issue sa school namin. Pero para sa katulad kong ayaw na ayaw malate, eh isang malaking sampal talaga na isa ako sa mga nasarhan ng gate. "Hindi na ba talaga pwede?" First period pa naman namin si Sir Quijano na sa malamang sa malamang ay kilala sa mga biglaang pagsusulit. Mukhang naawa naman yung secretary ng student council hindi lamang siguro sa akin kundi para sa iba rin na nasarhan ng gate. Umagang-umaga ay mainit na at mas lalong nag-iinit yung hindi makikitang tensyon sa pagitan ng mga schoolmates ko. Sa ilang ulit na pakikipagnegosasyon ng mga ibang nalate, at siguro'y sa awa na rin ng mga gurong nakikita kaming naiwan sa labas, ay pinatuloy na lang kami. Kapalit nga lang ay ang pagbunot ng damo at kailangan

Kahit tapos na ang dance performance namin noong nakaraang araw, ay may bago na namang kaganapan para sa PE namin. Kumpara sa ibang subjects, ito talaga ang may napakaraming mga gawain. Pagpapraktisan na naman daw namin ang badminton. Kagaya ng dati ay pinagsama ang Class A at Class B. Hindi ko mapigilang maalala ulit yung nangyaring palitan. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi nga ako sigurado kung si Shinyi ba talaga ang naging kasayaw ni Yuhan. Habang inaayos ang shoelaces ko ay dumating si Shinyi na may dalang class attendance. “Hi, Amber.” Mahinhin ang boses niya at makikilala mo kaagad na ito si Shinyi kasi formal siyang magsalita. Hindi naman naiiba yung mga vocabs niya. Pero naiiba talaga yung paraan ng pananalita niya. “Hi, ano yun?” tugon ko habang hindi nakatingin sa kaniya. Baka sa ganda nito’y makumbinsi ako na gusto nga ni Yuhan na siya na lang ang kapartner niya. Hindi ko nga rin maintindihan ang sarili ko kung bakit kailangan ko pang maramdaman na averag

Minsan, ay ganito ang takbo na pag-aaral. Sa tuwing malapit na ang araw ng performance ay doon na natin maalala ang ibang pang dapat na gawin. Suot-suot ang dress at naka-heels pa ay nagmadali akong tumakbo sa hallway upang mahanap ang teacher namin sa PE. Hinihingal man ay nakayanan ko namang ilahad ang sadya sa kaniya. "Amber, buti na lang at nandito ka na." "Sorry po talaga at nakaligtaan kong pumunta para bumunot." Sinabihan na kami noong nakaraang araw na pumunta sa office niya upang malaman kung pang-ilan kami na magtatanghal. Walang ni isa sa amin nina Ian at Yuhan ang nakapunta dahil sa dami ng gawain na iniatas din sa amin. Madalas ang pagrereview ni Yuhan sa school at si Ian ay pinatatawag para magcoordinate sa Sports Fest namin. Wala sana akong gagawin pero isinulat pala ni Rica ang pangalan ko sa mga reserved players ng Football team. May preliminary match mamaya kaya para akong pinalilibutan ng mga oras, numero at init dahil hindi k

Kung masaya ang umaga ay malungkot daw ang hapon -- na sana'y hindi naman. Kasi sapat ba itong sabihing dahilan kung bakit nakasimangot si Yuhan? Niyaya kami ni Ian sa bahay nila dahil may mga padala raw na mga regalo at chocolates ang Tita niyang nakabase sa Basel. Bahagya namang ngumiti si Yuhan nang binahagian siya ng ilang pirasong chocolates. Kung tutuusin, mas marami pa ang kaniya kesa sa akin. "Ayos ka lang ba?" tanong ko kay Yuhan. "Kanina ka pa kasi nakasimangot."Nakatulala lamang kasi siya habang nakatitig sa apoy kung saan ay nagbabarbeque ang mama ni Ian. “Tungkol ba yan sa school? Sa nalalapit na Quiz Bee o sa klase niyo?” sunod-sunod kong tanong habang mas lalong lumalapit sa kaniya. Umiiwas naman siya kada lapit ko. “Paano naman makasasagot si Yuhan niyan kung sinisingitan mo siya?” sabat ni Ian at pinilit pa akong umusog sa dulo ng swinging chair. “Ano ka ba, Ian? Hindi na tayo kasya,” sabi ko pero tumalima na rin sa paggal