It took Saluk almost a quarter of an hour before he was able to continue his journey again. His shirt was all ruffled now, but he didn't mind it at all. What bothers him more was the number of his compressed food that was rendered uneatable because of the incident.
Saluk let out a huge sigh. He really should be careful this time, and avoid any encounters from anyone. He walk-jogged now, and sharpening his senses. Everytime he would hear steps nearby or sees someone approaching him, he would quickly hid himself or simply quicken his pace an move on. He avoided the Timawa patrolling warriors as some of them only harrasses passing serfs and servants. Some of the Timawa warrior class are opportunistic like that. Being a free commoneers, They are not bound by the strict conduct that is practiced by the Pintados warriors. As long as the Timawa warrior class do not cause distruction of property, or actually harm people and commit crimes, they are free to do sideline jobs. A few of which are blackmailing servants and scamming passing merchants.
Saluk continued on and it did not take long for him to reach his distination, the opening of the forest. There was unusually high number of Timawa warriors in the area. He even saw a couple of elite warrior Pintados that entered into the tree line.
'Did something happen?' Saluk wondered. They are not in war so the presence of an elite warrior in the forest could only mean few things. They are sometimes deployed by the Royal family for some special hunting missions on some dangerous magical beast, or they could be a response force if there is a group of bandits that causes trouble in the area. Any of the two reasons is not good for Saluk. He could be questioned or detained if he was seen right now.
He hid himself cautiously watched for a while, not letting the warrior patrols see him. It took almost an hour of waiting until he saw an opening. The sun is already high up. The warrior guards walked into a nearby tree which cast a big shade and prepared their food. It was already high noon.
Saluk took a few breath before leaping from his hidden spot and dashed quickly to the tree line.
-----
It was already high noon. Domam Minggud was in his seat, reviewing some leather documents. Most of it was preorders for some of his Magical herbs, and some are about potion concocting requests. He smiled to himself. The arrival of harvest season doesn't only refer to food harvest. It also opens up a chance for hunters to catch rare aquatic magical beasts that might be trapped in the shallows. Given that, Hunter groups will usually require herbs and magical potion for antidote in case of poison or for their personal use for power ups. That's where Domam's business comes in. And he enjoys the luxury of it.
The Minggud house started as a small Timawa class farmers. Their ancestors were not really adept in warfare and combat. They instead developed their magic vein for grooming and raising plants and herbs. It was not a lavish way of living but it was worthwhile. Their ancestors lived unnoticed like that for generations until in the time of Domam's great grandfather. That time, one of the Royal family's elder was severely injured from battle. It was a time when war among clans are still common. The existence of the Demons were unknown to them then. They would wage war for all sorts of reasons. A war for politics and for the right to rule, war for a piece of land, or war for resources.
The Royal elder was magically wounded and was poisoned. It was apparent the elder will suffer a couple of painful days at best before breathing his last. The Royal elder himself at that time requested to be put to rest in an instant. But the Royal family did not lose hope. They gathered all the physicians in town and tried all sorts of ways to try and save the Royal elder. That was when the Minggud name become known. Domam's great grandfather concocted a potion from magical herbs and cured the Royal Elder and made a full recovery in days. As a reward, The Royal family awarded his great grandfather the title of House Holder and was given the second name 'Minggud'. meaning 'The Herb Grower.'
Being awarder a second name also raises someone's status. Commoneers and servants only has one name. Having a second name means being a rank higher than a commoneer. Having three names will make someone a Noble, and four names are only to be given to Royalties. Likewise, commiting treason, losing a war or commiting severe crimes will result on someone losing his name. That's why most of the war captives, criminals and slaves doesn't have an identity and can be treated worse than animals.
Domam Minggud was deeply absorbed on his thoughts when he heard a knock on his door.
"Enter!" he said in a clear voice.
One of his guard entered the room, following behind him was a man wearing a brown vest. He recognized the family crest he wears. He is holding a bamboo scroll in his hand. He is an elder from main family, the Lubaw.
The elder stepped forward and bowed in front of him.
Domam Minggud nodded in aknowledgement.
"Speak." he said.
The elder quickly unrolled the scroll and presented it to Domam Minggud.
"Reporting to family head, Domam. The head of the main family of Lubaw summons you. He is now in the village hall waiting. Important matters will be discussed." The elder said.
'It must be about the Harvest Season. Maybe he requires a large number of potions for the warrior patrol.' Domam thought to himself nodding.
"Let me make some quick preparation." Domam said after a while, then gestured to the standing servants at the side. "Get some refreshment of the elder here."
The servants quickly busied themselves.
"Elder, please take a seat for a while and wait for the refreshments. I will be back." Domam said.
It did not take long for Domam to get prepared. all he has to bring are a few herb samples, few potions and documents. He left for the village hall together with the elder from Lubaw. He has 2 servants with him that pulls a cart full of herbs and potions, and 4 personal guards with spears at hand.
On the way, Domam noticed that there are a few new stalls and shops that opened up, selling all kinds of things. There are also merchants and traders announcing their goods. He also saw a few Timawa warriors that patrols here and there. As they go nearer to the village hall, the more people they encounter.
This is all normal in the eve of harvest season, their rather small village becomes so alive that it can even rival the town center.
"We are here." Domam Minggud finally said when they reached the entrance of the village hall.
"Yes, please enter ahead. You can leave your servants and guards here outside for now." The elder said.
"Of course." Doman Minggud affirmed. Meetings between house heads usually contains classified information. It is a given that servants and personal guards are not allowed to enter, unless ordered otherwise.
-----
Rengha was polishing his straight edged blade, the Bolo, for a while now.
He was one of the 5 leader of ten Pintados who has yet to recieve his final and official orders. His team only consist of 9 Pintados, him being the tenth so he find it a little awkward to call himself an actual 'Leader of Ten." He and his group are silently waiting at the corner of the inner hall.
Rengha and his group are the one who were tasked to meet up with the lady enchantress on the road and be her personal shield. They are supposed to head out at sunset, and he is now only waiting for the official document to be finished. The head of Lubaw is currently working on it now. The document will bear the clan seal and few coded message that will serve as proof of their identity when they finally meet the lady enchantress. It is about a couple of hours before sunset and Rengha and his group are ready to go.
Beside him, the massive door slowly opened, revealing a Timawa warrior guard and a middle aged man.
"Reporting the arrival of House head Domam Minngud." The guard said before saluting and left.
The man called Domam Minggud doesn't look strong. He can't sense any battle aura from the man. He must be an academic or a merchant. Rengha just watch silently as the doors closed again.
"Head Domam, you are finally hear!" Their Commander Kuban said, raising from his seat.
"Yes, is this about the coming Harvest Season? Do you require magical herbs for your warriors? Domam said, nodding at the man.
"Well, there is a part of that." Kuban Pasimo answered."But there is something more important that we would require from you." He continued.
"That won't be a problem if it's within my farm's capacity. Tell me about it." Domam said.
"No, this is not about your herbs and potions. A few days from now, we will be under attack by demons. But you don't have to worry, The lady enchantress of the Green is coming and the Pintados warriors just arrived this morning." Kuban said slowly.
"The Demons? They are actually attacking this remote village at this time? What will the get from attacking us? Fish?"
"We are not sure about their goals. The old Babaylan predicted it, and last night we had a confirmed encounter from one demon. It did not engage our warriors but we are certain that it is here in our village, scouting." Kuban said. "With your permission, we would like to detain Saluk, your adopted nephew, until the crisis pass. Don't worry, I can assure that your nephew will not be mistreated."
"And what does anything of this have to do with my nephew? He has always been working on my farm, He's not bothering anyone!" Domam Minggud's face darkened.
"We know that he has always been in your farm, but these are the demons we are talking about. We can't be too careful or blood will be spilled." Kuban said calmly, trying to reason.
"And what are you trying to say, Kuban? That if someone died on the hands of the demons, it will be Saluk's fault?"
"C'mon, old friend Domam. You know that's what not i meant. It's just that we have consider all the possibilities. Your nephew Saluk won't be sent to prison or anything. We can just have him stay put in your house, and i will just deploy some warriors to watch over him. I will also add the number of Timawa warrior guards for your disposal. All we ask is that your nephew will never be allowed to step outside until the crisis pass." Kuban said solemnly.
Domam was silent for a while before speaking. "Saluk is out right now, He left home this morning."
"You can just call him back, Did you send him to the corner of your farm again? He can even view this as a vacation from work." Kuban Pasimo said.
"No, I have given Saluk a task and sent him to the forest. He is to search for a piece of unclaimed land that will be fit for herb cultivation. He will not be back for a few days." Domam answered.
"The forest? Why would you send him there at this time? The forest is where the demons is expected to attack from."
Kuban Pasimo said hurriedly.
Rengha was watching silently all along while the two family heads are talking. After hearing the commander's last words, Rengha could visibly see the face of the man called Domam Minggud turn pale.
He does not know anything about the young man called Saluk but listening from the conversation, he figures that the young man must be a farmer servant of serf. Not combat capable. To send a man like that into the forest where the demons are expected to come from, This Domam Minggud was as good as sending his nephew to his death.
Rengha gripped the handle of his bolo tightly. He had a taste of battle with the demons. He knows how strong and capable the demons are with their unusual magic and deadly weapons.
That Saluk, whoever he is, is as good as dead.