Moyan Lubaw nodded in approval. He could sense the live and excited aura that is immited by the elite warriors in front of him. Like a caged beast being set free for the first time.
"Kuban, please lead the Pintados into the inner hall, Their mission is a bit confidential." Moyan Lubaw said, addressing The man beside him, before turning around to walked back inside.
"Sure, certainly." Kuban Pasimo answered crisply. He walked towards the kneeling warriors. He grabbed a gold medallion that is tied by a thin rope in his neck and raise it high above his head. "My warrior brothers, I am Kuban Pasimo, commander of a Hundred. A Pintado just like the rest of you." He stood in front of the kneeling warriors, letting them see clearly the medallion he held above his head. As well as to let them recognize the patterns printed in his skin, designating his rank.
Being a full pledged member of the elite warriors of Pintados, A member's skin will be ink-printed with the supervision of the Royal court. The process can only last a little more than an hour but the person being branded will be in intense pain. The ink being used comes from secret magic herbs that reinforces magical viens, allowing the Pintados member to grow stronger. It was a rite of passage. A certain pattern designates an individual's rank in the warrior forces, his status in society and the number of battles he has won, as well as enemy kills. The more prints there is in your skin means the more battles that you have been. The ranking system of the Pintados is rather straight forward, everyone will start being a regular elite. Then he can be promoted to be a leader of 10, then become leather of 20, leather of 30 and so in with the increment of 10 until he become promoted to be a commander of a Hundred.
Being a member of the Pintados can sometimes be more prestigious than being born to a noble family. There are even nobles that tries to inlist in the Pintados only to fail miserably. And there a commoners and mere servants that rise on its ranks. Seeing that the man before them has the rank to command a hundred, the warriors stood up, and made a salute fit for a commander.
Kuban Pasimo nodded in aknowledgement. "Follow me inside, you will be briefed for your mission in the inner hall." He said.
The Pintados rearranged their group orderly an followed Kuban Pasimo inside in a single file.
Lingmu and the other Timawa class warriors can only look in envy at the show of order and discipline shown by the elete warriors. They all have the same thoughts, how cool would it be to be a member of the Pintados.
-----
In the inner hall, Moyan Lubaw was just about to start writing on a scroll when he saw Kuban Pasimo enter with the elite warriors following him close. He gestured to Kuban Pasimo to carry on. He was the warrior anyways and he was only here for administrative duties. He continued writing on the scroll.
"The old Babaylan predicted that this village will be under demonic attack few days from now. It will happen in the duration of the harvest season." Kuban Pasimo said, without beating around the bush. As expected from the Pintados, they stayed standing erect without showing any emotion. Kuban Pasimo's word's echoed within the inner hall.
Kuban Pasimo nodded again and continued. "The number of the attacking demons is unknown to us from now but our estimate that it will number up to a few dozens."
The elite warriors still remain quiet, but internally they are already planning for counter strategies in their minds.
"One of your mantra as a warrior is not to needlessly die in battle. Your mission is not to directly engage the demons. The lady enchantress of the Green is to arrive two days from now. It will be her job to deal with the demons. Your original mission was supposed to meet up with the lady enchantress on the road and ensure her safe arrival here." Kuban Pasimo's voice hang for a second, letting the warriors absorb all the details first before speaking again.
"Last night, we had a confirmed encounter with a single demon in the outskirts of the village. It did not engage our patrolling warriors so we concluded that it was here to scout around. We believe that the demon from last night is here inside the village hiding, waiting to strike."
"There are 50 of you here, Divide among yourselves to groups of 10. The first group will patrol inner village during the day while the second group will patrol on the perimeters. The third group will patrol the inner village at night, while the forth group will patrol the perimeters. The last group will go and meet up with the lady enchantress and ensure her safe arrival here. also the last group will stand as the lady enchantress's personal sheild in the duration of her stay."
"The Timawa class warriors will work with the same general goal with you, But you are free to take your own initative as the situation evolves. The Royal family will take responsibility of all your actions. We can expect nothing less from you. Promotion will be based on merits" Kuban Pasimo paused again. waiting for some reaction. The warriors in front of him stayed in full attention.
"The rules of engagement, commander!" Kuban Pasimo heard someone ask.
'Of course, the most important rule.' Kuban Pasimo, chuckled to himself, fighting off a smile.
"You are allowed to use physical force, offensive magic and anything on your arsenal as you see fit, and you can engage the demon and kill it on sight." He said with a strong voice. Making clear the goal that they have on hand.
"Yes, as you command!" The Pintados said before saluting again.
Kuban Pasimo nodded. "You are dismissed now, take some rest and recover the energy you lost from your journey." He said.
The elite warriors left the hall in a file, and the entire room feel quiet again.
"Let's go outside, We will make the public announcement now." Moyan Lubaw said. He stood up and roll up the scroll he just wrote. He gestured to the elder on the side and handed the scroll over.
"Make the announcement." He said and walked outside with Kuban Pasimo.
-----
"The Harvest season is upon us. Our small village will be the center of trade and it will be so for a few days." An elder's said with a loud voice.
The sun was already above the horizon. People are starting to come out of their houses to go to their usual routine. An announcement during the early hours of the morning was a common uccurrence specially in this season. Merchants and Traders will go to the village hall if they have something to be announced, like if they are looking for certain herbs, or materials for crafting weapons and amulets. There are also some hunters that go to the village hall looking for a servant or workers with a certain magical skill set, Or if they want to be guided to some remote place that only native villagers know. That was usually the case, and only someone looking for work or wants to have some dealings with merchants and traders listen to village hall announcements.
Today is different. People instantly noticed the rows and rows of battle ready warriors earlier. Their weapons reflecting the rays of the morning sun. The elder standing in the front making the announcement wears the crest of the main family of the Lifetree Clan, He is an elder from Lubaw family, and Moyan Lubaw himself is sitting in the shade behind the elder. The man only show himself in public during important feasts and occassions. The Lubaw Family is said to be the right hand of the Royal Family. Every word that the head of the Lubaw Family say is also the words of the Royal Family.
People started to gather around the village hall, not wanting to miss any part of the announcement.
"The day has also finally come when even our humble and peaceful village will not be spared by the terror of the Demons. Our Old Babaylan has predicted that our village will be attacked by the demons a few days from now. And only last night, we had a confirmed demonic encounter. The Demons are expected to attack from the south-western forest so we warn everyone to stay away from the area starting today." The elder continued.
The quiet and relaxed crowd almost immediately went to panic.
"What will happen to us?"
"Will we be evacuated?"
"How about the harvest season?"
Mutliple shouts from the crowd can be heard, drowning the elder's voice.
"There is no need to panic, As you can see, the Pintados from the Royal family are here. and we can expect additional reinforcements from the nearby towns if needed. The Lady enchantress of the Green will also be here way before the demons attack." the elder's already hoarse voice was magically enhanced and it somewhat calmed the crowd.
"The Lubaw family just want the public to know the situation but everything is all under control. We had been preparing for this for the past few days now." The elder continued.
The overlapping voices of the crowd gradually died down.
The announcement ended a few minutes later with the new set of temporary rules. The crowd started to slowly disperse and gossip among themselves. The announcement will be repeated again in the afternoon, so anyone who might not have heard it now has a chance to hear it later. They have full trust on the capability of the Pintados and the magic of the lady enchantress. Their village can hold back the demons.
-----
Saluk was all set and ready to go by the time the sun went up. He doesn't have a lot of personal possessions so it really did not take him long to gear up.
He is now just standing at the front of his uncle's residence. Waiting for the doors to open up for him so that he can pay his respect before leaving for the forest.
"Saluk, are you not going to the farm today? The sun is already high up." A guard said, greeting him.
"No, Tiyo Domam has given me a different task to do today." Saluk answered back while fixing the black bandana that covers his eyes. "Is uncle awake already?" He continued.
"I just saw him a minute ago, i think he is just preparing himself. you can just wait here for the moment." Another guard said, smiling to him.
Saluk nodded and walked toward a bench nearby and sat. He will wait.
It did not take long for the doors to finally open up.
"Saluk, House head Domam will receive you now. you can step inside." A guard said and held the door for him.
"Yes, thank you!" Saluk sprang from his seat and walked briskly inside.