We left Iblan at dawn. Tilus and Ullinen went back to the palace while I shifted my quest eastward. Kayang gave me a horse, an armor, and a few men to go with me and facilitate the evacuation of our people in the east.
I am heading to Silang. Akung and our men are also heading there—to the residence of Lord Liwang, the town's mayor.
The town was lively when I entered the gates; the busy townspeople and peddlers covered the road. There were music, laughter, and chatters. There's not a single hint that this place will soon turn into a bloody combat zone-- that blood will soon water its soil. And with that thought in mind, I felt my chest tighten.
"Lord Liwang's house is just two blocks past the left corner, my Lady," one of my men informed, gesturing the far corner of the road. I acknowledge it with a simple nod and held onto the reins tightly before pulling them. The horse made a halt right outside Lord Liwang's door, where I found him standing, seemingly waiting for my arrival.
"You have arrived, my lady. Welcome to my humble home." He bowed as I jumped off my horse, and I acknowledged his greeting also with a slight bow.
"This visit is too sudden. I hope I wasn't being a nuisance, Lord Liwang,"
"Don't say such a thing, my lady. We are nothing but your lowly servants; we are honored to have you here."
"Please don't say that. The prosperity and peace that Dagli has is all thanks to the leadership and dedication of all our village head. My brother and I are indebted to all of you."
Lord Liwang gave me the warmest smile and I couldn't help but smile, too.
The town of Silang is in the heart of the eastern district of Dagli, and it is the most peaceful and harmonious place you could ever be. This place has the most taverns, the home of all artisans, and the center of art and music.
He escorted me inside with a young maid and led our troop through the short aisle that separates his humble house into two major parts: the west side is consist of the backyard, kitchen area, and the bathhouse; located on the opposite side is a small banquet hall where he receives visitors and held meetings, the bedchambers for him and his wife, his son, and his servants. And right outside-- at the end of this aisle, is the lawn.
"Lady Mira, please allow me to remove your armor," the young maid said in a sweet, warm voice upon entering the hall.
"My house is rather small and is nothing compared to what you have in the palace. I don't even have a decent chair to offer for you to sit aside from this cotton pillow my wife made. My apologies for making you sit on the floor, my lady."
Though I have known him since I was little, his humbleness still has me astonished. His pure heart is what kept Silang a joyful and peaceful place because his kindness reflects on his people.
I laughed at what he said I sit on the square, cotton pillow his maid have set at the end of the small tea table. "I actually like sitting on the floor. I don't mind."
"That's a relief, my lady."
His house is a huge hut—not a mansion. It's a house bigger than the average made of bamboo, anahaw, and rice straws. Unlike most nobles, he doesn't own a huge land; only an acre he lends for the livelihood of his servants, and even his clothing speaks of his character.
The young maid arrived after leaving the hall for a while, carrying a platter of sliced fruits to serve before me and Lord Liwang.
She has a small figure that looks frail and sickly. Her hands are calloused and her skin is pale.
I was watching her, and lord Liwang noticed. By the time she exited the hall to leave us room for a conversation, Lord Liwang spoke. "She's Liway, my wife's maid. She was entrusted to us by our late friend when she's still a year old. She's a skilled weaver, and a talented musician. Despite having such frail body due to her illness. The pallor of her skin has always been there. It is still an unknown illness, but her symptoms have always been consistent."
I smiled bitterly. She reminded me of one person.
"Alon is also like that," I said. "Though my sister-in-law's condition is much worse. She'd often faint, and lots of strange bruises would appear on her skin from time to time. Her attending physician said it was a sickness in the blood, and he's not sure how to cure it."
"Oh, yeah. I remember her. The princess from Batuan..."
"Yes..."
There was sadness in my voice and I wish I could be strong enough not to show it. It's been a while since her assassination, but I still hadn't gotten over the pain of losing her and her unborn child.
Then the hall suddenly fell silent. It was a long, long silence until lord Liwang broke it by opening the topic I was trying hard to avoid.
"So, tell me how am I going to be of help in the upcoming war, lady Mira?"
There's contemplation whether I should really ask him to relocate that I couldn't bring myself to start with it. Because I feel like there's another way...to get what we want without bloodbath.
I stared at him for a long moment and still failed to reply. So, he added, "I am aware. The chief need not to inform me beforehand because I have my men in watch. My intel is all pretty capable, you see."
Well... that's more like it. He's a leader, after all. He won't be the town's mayor if he doesn't have this much power and capability. This is a proof that power doesn't always come from money. He established his power by obtaining his people's trust and by his good leadership. Despite his old age, his wit and talent remained remarkable.
I dropped my head and chuckled. "You truly are a great man, lord Liwang. I admire you for that."
"You're flattering me, my lady. Now, please tell me, how will your humble servant be of use?"
Still... I am reluctant.
"Aren't you concerned about the lives that could be wasted fighting the twin tribes?" was all I can respond.
"My confidence in the chief says I won't have to lose my people."
He laughed.
It was as if he's not worried at all.
Lord Liwang then looked away to stare outside as if lost in his thought...and all I could do is watch him.
The camouflaging, yellowish green flowers of the ylang-ylang tree scattered its scent in the air; a heavy God-like breath of sweet jasmine that brought calmness and peace to my soul.
"As long as this world is divided, there'd be war... and the only way to keep the lives we've devoted ourselves to protect is to win."
~•~
The evacuation took place as planned, and the entire town of Silang turned into the main military base of Dagli. Some of the townspeople went to the capitol; most of them are merchants, and some traveled southwest—to their previous homes or their spouses'.
The trust of our people is overwhelming…and scary. The way they submitted without hesitation to the conditions of the upcoming war is beyond what I have expected. I saw the wives of our soldiers kissing their husband goodbye with a hopeful smile rather than fear of losing them to this war. But somehow, it brought relief to my humanity to know that we'll be fighting alongside our strongest allies.
"They're here," Akung said as he came dressed in his armor. "We better leave before sunrise or we'll never get the high ground before it starts."
I was alone with Tilus in the room before he entered, and both of us are ready for battle. Ullinen's right outside the tents giving final instructions to the troop and I joined him just in time before he deployed the first company northeast to secure the hillside route towards Libay—the border village of Guma.
"I'll be heading there first, Mira. You'll leave with the next company upon the chief's order."
There's already a brush of orange rays in the dimly-lit horizon as the sky births the dawn. He pushed his sword inside the sheathe before he uttered his final instruction…
"Be careful."
Then hopped on the horse and pulled the reigns to leave.
I remained on my stance for a moment to briefly scan the situation. The regimen has already formed and is now being deployed one company at a time to certain areas. Zukii stayed at the coastal area, securing the borders while still in watch of the Sukians lurking near the shores. Having Zukii away like that is like getting one limb tied, but it'll be riskier to lower the security onshore.
"You too," was the only reply I was able to utter that only the morning breeze was able to hear as I watch him slowly disappearing in the distance.
Dagli has over 4,000 soldiers. Half of the total strength is previously deployed to guard all exit points of the tribe: the gates of the south and north, the capitol, and the coastal area. Having this much men to attack a single, unprepared village could easily gain us advantage, but it'll be a rash move, and it could weaken our border defense. So, my brother, Tilus, designed a strategy to compensate our lack of manpower.
Libay, the border village of Guma, is inhabited by the most skilled swordsmith of the north. Most weapons crafted by them are distributed to most parts of the northeast pacific region. Though skilled in metal craftsmanship, they aren't swordsmen. Most of Guma's strong warriors are from the districts of Ipil, Ibalon, Baybay, and Dumag— the four pillars surrounding the east capitol. While its counterpart on Gami are the twin giants of Pawi and Yu-Id—the largest towns that guards the west palace of its capitol.
A horrifying total of 3,200 men from Iblan will soon join our regimen, and another 2,000 on the way from Batuan as Apolay's—Alon's father— support to my brother. The twin tribes have over 11,000 soldiers, outnumbering us greatly even with the combined forces of three tribes.
"Are you confident about this, Tilus?"
My brother and Akung emerged from the drapes and joined me as I held a tight clutch on my sword. I'm actually waiting for them.
"No but there's no other options," Tilus replied as he made a stop before me. "Where's Ullinen?"
I gestured my head towards the gate where he has almost disappeared, and my brother just saw enough of his shadow before he's finally out of sight.
"What am I expecting from Gugurang's son?" Di-at commented with a playful smile as he approaches the three of us. "Speaking of… the General's already gone to the site. Aren't we leaving now, chief?"
Tilus nodded. "Get the horses. Our slim chance of conquering Libay is getting thinner every minute."
…
I traveled northeast with my brother and the others. And as we took the hillside route of the northeastern part of Guma, a lighted arrow emerged from the fading darkness, drawing an orange, vivid line like a falling meteor. The arrow hissed as it glided through the air following the trajectory towards my brother.
"Tilus!"
I screamed in horror. There isn't enough time for me to react. I was way too far behind him with three men between our distance. In a blink, I almost thought I'm losing him, but the heavens might have favored my brother above anyone else that the arrow missed him with another step of his horse forward.
"Chief!" it was our men.
We all made a halt halfway of the trail as we bewilderedly watch the shadows coming forward— one after another.
Rocks from uphill started falling before us, blocking our way forward and separating our troop into two. I was left behind with Di-at and a few tens of men while the rest are on the other side of these boulders with my brother and Akung.
"Mira!"
I heard my brother calling behind the rocks with the amount of worry equal to the rhythm of my racing heartbeat.
"I'm safe!" I shouted back. "Are you guys alright?"
I was already panting, eagerly listening to the voices from their side. But Tilus made no reply and only the sound of horses running are clear along with the loudest battle cry echoing in the hillside. Then metals clashing.
A moment passed before a thought finally sank into my brain… it's a trap. A deadly ambush.