DARANGEN: The Abduction of Princess Lawanen
Translated by Dr. Nosca Khalid
“Let us regroup!” declared
Somialalaw Solog. His men were half listening busy in combat. “Let us encircle
Sagorongan-a-Ragat and annihilate their leaders who have no respect for their
equals.
Mindalano-sa-Tonong fighting on the
side of Kadaan could be heard barking the same encouraging command. “You
regroup yourselves,” said he. “Let us surround the fighters from Bembaran and
make them pay for invading Sagorongan-a-Ragat. Let us fight for our Sun-kingdom
and annihilate their leaders.”
The fighters of Bembaran fought
cheerfully like dragons in the field; like crocodiles gulping their prey.
A flood of men came rushing down from the
mountains like a deluge sweeping over the land under siege.
At the head of the advancing invaders is
AMELANTONG DOMATO of the high mountain peaks followed by ROMARABAN SA LENA,
king of the branching rapids.
BATO-BATO DI SANGCOP, the unbreakable rock
followed by GINARDIA MIROS from the land of thunders.
SALAMONGGONG GOMONGGONG follows BINATAKAN DA
SAYAN from the high plateaus of Kobento, king of the trolls.
BINATAKAN DA IRING from the hills of Piangga,
the true king of the MADEMS deep in the jungle is followed by MAKABONGGONG
MAKAOG from the Cluster Mountains, the lion protector of the upper east of
Bembaran.
The MOUNTAIN DRAGON, the dreaded commander of
MANGATAE'S highlander army of cannibals
follows RAJAH MEPANGAAN, the king of Rogongen.
Last in the swarm of men is MASA-ALAW
MANGATAE surrounded by the noble chieftains of the mountain kingdoms.
MANGATAE built his command post on a small
plateau surrounded by a body of water overlooking Sagorongan a Ragat. Dividing
the war zones into sectors, he assigned the chieftains according to their
strength and fighting prowess. They were allowed to fly their banners to boast
the men's moral.
The coat of arms of the empire: the star
emblem that shines above all looms over the camp protected by ten thousand
Imperial guards.
"Sons of Bembaran," shouted
Somialalaw Solog, his voice rising above the sounds of battle. He saw the flag
of the Empire hoisted on a plateau.
"BARATAMAY LUMNA," he shouted
louder, "and you SAYANA: the unyielding falcons in the field of combat.
Round up your men and herd them towards the plateau. We have to redraw our
battle plans. Many of our men have died fighting each other's by mistake unable
to distinguish between themselves and the defender of Kadaan. Let us confer wisely
and divide the labors of war."
The two princes turned without a word and
started rounding up the fighters of Bembaran. In the meantime, Somialalaw Solog
saw the army of Mangatae poured into the battlefield like a swarm.
"It is impossible," he thought
sadly, "to distinguish between combatants. It is a disaster for Bembaran
if nothing is done."
RANGAIG, thinking exactly the same headed
towards the ascent to Ragiray to hold back the army of Mangatae.
To be cont’d….
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