Meanwhile in Mandawili...

  Datu Butod shook his head. "That is indeed a problem."

  Pulaco and Sandawili nodded, faces grim but determined. All three Datus were sitting on the smith's shed, convening about the possible repercussions of what they think they discovered. All the while, half of Sandawili and Butod's men settled all over Mandawili. Most of them occupied the town hall, resting after a long trek from the other side of the island. The village itself had a scant number of townsfolk roaming around and they were there for a reason. Only the families of the warrior serfs stayed behind to guard their possessions. While the others were volunteers tasked to stay behind and initiate the scorch tactics if ever the Magalos tried to sneak behind their main line of defense. Or worse, smash through them.

  "What can we do about it?" Datu Sandawili chimed in, her voice a bit tense. "Can we fight the Magalos without Zullah's men?"

  "No, the man might be a snake but he's good with the bow. He has Dalikmata's gift and it extends down to his men," Datu Butod answered. "We need every available hand against the Magalos. Against their shamzir."

  Pulaco nodded. "They've given me two days to decide. They want gold and silver for peace but I plan on extending our negotiations longer to buy us time. The sultan will want more if I give in to his demands this early."

  "Brilliant, delay him while we settle the problem with Zullah," Datu Butod said. "Well, at least we have time to spare. I think it could be done. We plan on meeting with Zullah tomorrow. I've sent my men to tell him about the eminent threat in our horizon. After that maybe you and him could talk."

  "Good..." Pulaco paused. "I wish you all the luck on that end. I'll also try to see if Sri Piang has arrive from his travels. We'll be needing his help too." He paused again, extending the awkward silence between them.

  "What is it, friend? You seem distracted," Datu Butod said.

  Pulaco shook his head. "Honestly, I'm a bit confused about the prophecy."

  "What about it?" Datu Butod said, his voice full of concern.

  "As I've said, I came to Manang Sabtano three days ago and she told me that we may fight an army. But I'm a bit torn. Does she mean we might fight the Chi'ns or will it be the Magalos of the sultan?"

  Or maybe even Zullah, Pulaco thought then shook his head. No, not Zullah. He would not do it. He would not dare betray them.

  "My friend, we shall know in the end," Datu Butod said. "The best we could do now is defuse the tension between you and Zullah so the goddam snake could help us."

  Datu Sandawili pounded the wooden floor. "If Zullah wasn't a scheming bastard things would be easier! We'll have to have our men on patrol just to be safe. Those Magalos are too unpredictable."

  "Yes, you two are right,"Pulaco said."

  Datu Butod smiled. "The best we can do is prepare for the worst."

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Datu Sandawili eyed the chieftains before here. "Yes, now is not the time to worry. Now, is the time to act."

  "Then, my men are taking the first shift of patrolling," Pulaco said. "You two can decide who should go next."

  "Did you send Mingming and the other Daragangans to patrol already?" Sandawili inquired. "I haven't seen him..."

  "No. I don't know where he is right now. I already sent Lam to find them."

  There was a bit of strain in Pulaco's voice as he answered. It wasn't Mingming to go on a patrol without informing him. The chief shook his head, pondering about the dark possibilities...What if the Magalos... No I have to focus on this moment, on things I can control.

  His thoughts were cut short as the umalohokan approached them. The young man bowed his head in respect to the three datus.

  Pulaco nodded. "Come. Do you have news?"

  The umalohokan nodded back. "Salip, a messenger sent this. He said it is urgent that you give him a reply."

  He offered a brown scroll to Pulaco. The chief of Mandawili skimmed through the message, one eye brow raised.

  "Where's the messenger?" Pulaco demanded, his face stoic.

  It almost struck the umalohokan how serious his master's demeanor was. "He doesn't want to go near the village. He just said to give you that and that his master expects your reply as soon as possible."

  "Master?" Pulaco said.

  "What is it friend?" Datu Butod inquired. Pulaco gave the scroll to him.

  His eyes widened as he read the words on it. "Who does he think he is to threaten us with slaughter and mayhem?"

  Datu Sandawili took the scroll off Butod's hand and read it out loud.

  "Datu Kalipulako of Mandawili, I Captain General Fernao' de Magalhaes... the brother in faith of the great king of Zubu demand that you submit and recognize the sovereign power of the Christian king. And with that end your tyranny and banditry in Opon Matan-"

  Sandawili shook her head and continued on. "Do this and I shall be your friend and ally. Refuse our demands and you and your conniving cohorts shall feel the sharp end of our lances. You can surrender or suffer as we slaughter your people. And perhaps in the mayhem you could experience the bite of my cutlass." Datu Sandawili smiled but there was no joy in her eyes. "Now, that is one hell of a demand!"

  Datu Butod spat on the ground. "Does this Magalhaes know who he's talking to?"

  Datu Sandawili gave the scroll to the umalohokan. "Ah, perhaps just another delusional Chi'n trying to test our patience. What do you think?"

  "I can't be bothered by that with war on my gates," Pulaco said, his face unreadable. "The problem with the Magalos come first. That Magalhaes will have to wait his turn. Tell the messenger that we shall welcome this Magalhaes in our shore with peace. But if he threatens us with death or violence again..." He paused. " Then, I shall welcome him with bamboo spears hardened by fire."

  Pulaco dismissed the umalohokan who looked more nervous than usual. The messenger started running as soon as he did so.

  Datu Butod laughed. "I kinda miss that in you my friend. I kinda miss the venom in your words."

  Pulaco didn't reply. He could never deny his past. It's part of him but hearing those words from Butod made him think about the past deeds he'd done and the man he used to be.

  Is the past overtaking the future? he asked himself. Will all he worked for come to nothing? Undone?, he let that question hang a second longer.

  Datu Sandawili spoke, "Don't worry my friend. Butod and my men will handle this end of the problem. Just focus on the Silver Sultan's Magalos for now. We know the dangers they bring. I and Butod will be a handful for this Magalhaes if push comes to shove."

  "I expect you two to show diplomacy first," Pulaco said. "We don't know who this man is. He might complicate our problems with the sultan and his warriors. I'll send Lam to help negotiate with you. He needs to see how the old-timers here deal with things."

  The two datus nodded.

  A man with a 'kalasag' followed by his subordinates approached the three datus of Opon Matan. Datu Sandawili turned and saw them first.

  "Mingming! I've been looking for you! My niece and Butod's daughter have been nagging at us both. I think the two ladies want to meet you again---" Datu Sandawili paused as she saw Mingming's blood-soaked hands.

  She turned towards the other datus but no one spoke to clarify. They were all too stunned to realize what truly happened...