The Abduction of Princess Lawanen
(Episode 8)
Continuation…
In that moment in time, the high seas of Bembaran calmed down. The war of the gods is past and with it, the blanket of darkness dissipated.
In that moment in time, the high seas of Bembaran calmed down. The war of the gods is past and with it, the blanket of darkness dissipated.
Chaos ensued in the kingdom when the news like wildfire spread across the water channels of Bembaran that the princess vanished nabbed by the spirits.
"The princess beyond compare is lost," everyone wailed in the kingdom. People trashed about in frenzy, jostling along the shore trying helplessly to find the princess.
The king of Bembaran moved around the Royal Chamber in a confused state walking in and out until finally, he walked towards the gimbals. He struck it in quick succession to warn his subjects and then he beat the gong to prepare for war.
The gong's call for war echoed into the mountain ranges upstream of Bembaran where Mangatae lives. It echoed towards the opposite sides of the water channels of Bembaran joined by other gongs in the kingdom that thundered harshly through out the empire. All else are muffled drowned in the midst of sorrow and lamentations of a grief stricken kingdom.
Daranda, the warrior of Bembaran was at that moment in time restrained by the chief of Lumbatan to avoid igniting a war that is yet to be verified.
The king issued a royal decree to find the princess at all cost. The mountains were searched thoroughly; the forest and the plains of Bembaran were combed in vain. Allied kingdoms of Bembaran were summoned. They would have come anyway without being asked to help in the search for the princess who vanished in the sea without a trace.
The consensus among the wise men of the Empire was to search the bottom of the sea and spread out towards the ocean. Only when they are positively sure that she is nowhere to be found do they journey to the man-spirit kingdom of Kadaraan
"This could be the fulfillment," the wise men argued, "of a prophecy by the Wizard of Walian that a princess of Bembaran will be abducted towards the lands of Kadaraan."
Infuriated volunteers streamed towards the embankment where the Rinamentaw Mepalaw was being rearmed with cannons. The warship's armor was being sealed with layers of molten iron impregnable to a cannon ball precisely designed by Pamanay Makalayon. The ship's hull is invincible to a spear assault by the gypsies in the high seas.
Consulting the divine book and the book of oracles by the Wizard of Walian; the most suitable date to embark will be the day after when the moon is full.
Emerging from the consultation with the wise men of the Empire, the king issued a royal decree.
Chieftains of the principalities along the water channels of Bembaran were commanded to trek across the mountains to Kadaraan directly towards the land of the Blooming Flowers, the realm of Minalang.
According to the king's battle plans, Rinamentaw Mepalaw will sail to the bay of the Flower Kingdom
When the hour has come, the noble men of the allied kingdoms filed into the ship in an orderly manner all eager to sail for the all out hunt for the lost princess of Bembaran.
A lightning flashed followed by a thunderous explosion from the cannon flaunted at the bow of the Rinayong. The sound of gong boomed from the ship followed by a cacophony of gongs through out the Empire calling men to battle.
The spirit dwellers among the trees of Bembaran chanted while the evil spirits of the seas shrieked in fear.
Soon, the anchor was lifted and the Rinayong launched into the seas for a far away journey.
No one could be heard exchanging words as calm reigns over the ship. Each is better left to its own private thoughts. Only the lapping of the waves against the hull can be heard in decadence drowning the silence.
*
Riding their magic shields, Bantugan and Madali where somewhere in the clouds flying cheerfully towards Bembaran.
"If I am not mistaken," said Bantugan gazing down at the sea, "that beautiful ship cruising like a streak of lightning is the mirror image of one that must have departed from the Kingdom of Bembaran
Feeling suddenly melancholic for home, the duo princes accelerated their speed of flying.
*
Relaxing in comfort aboard the Kalipapa Da’ayaw is the prince of Gadongan, the Mabaning Daw’Rogong. Held in high esteem by friends and foes alike, his fame is legendary when returning from battles and this happens to be one of those times. His flagship as usual is laden with the spoils of war. The riches it carries cannot be quantified. The captives are sorted out between the young and the old. The sexes are grouped as well.
At ease on deck, Mabaning Ndaw Rogong would yell once in a while with a loud voice to cheer his sleazy rowers.
Lomigaw Sorot’a Ig and Domalondong Pagayaw are the singing balladeers among his men singing for the men and for the king. The duo alternates their songs alluding to the love and adventures of their king.
"Rest your mind at ease," began Lomigaw Sorot'a Ig.
"Let go of your thoughts
Let the wisdom reigns,
Free your tender feelings,
Know the reason why
And bring back the memories
Of yesterday's promise
Which has been written.
I can't understand
Why every time I thought
Of the changing
Value of friendship
And sentiment for kinship,
I feel the blow
Of a cool gusty wind.
If not for my faith,
Sailing like a wind
But getting captives
To my own passions.
Still far
Are the oceans to cross
But don't hurt your feelings.
It won't be long
Before we drop the anchor
Of Kalipapa Daayaw with all its glory
Along the banks of Bembaran.
"Let go of your thoughts
Let the wisdom reigns,
Free your tender feelings,
Know the reason why
And bring back the memories
Of yesterday's promise
Which has been written.
I can't understand
Why every time I thought
Of the changing
Value of friendship
And sentiment for kinship,
I feel the blow
Of a cool gusty wind.
If not for my faith,
Sailing like a wind
But getting captives
To my own passions.
Still far
Are the oceans to cross
But don't hurt your feelings.
It won't be long
Before we drop the anchor
Of Kalipapa Daayaw with all its glory
Along the banks of Bembaran.
*
"Unfold your beauty, O! Lovely moon," Domalondong Pagayaw hummed.
"On the eve, the moon is full.
Rekindle the memory
Of my love who is far.
Touch her tender feeling
To match my own longing
For now and forever
Comes the conqueror
To the land of the mighty.
There is none that I know
Of a dream that won't come true
For, to the victors belongs
The ultimate fame and glory.
We cannot comprehend
The still unfurling fame
Like a rising tide
Of an endless sea.
It soars to the sky
Like a radiant light that do not fade.
It reflects the choice
For the seal of power
And the prestige
Of the wise men of the regents,
That council
Which decides the powers to be.
If it is agreed
To leave the choice
To him whose wisdom
Shines to all the pedestals of power.
To him belongs the seal of strength
In the present time
And the limitless wealth
Of a boundless power
Known far and wide
Acknowledge by all.
The prosperity of the land
Is all in his hands.
I guess it is enough
That I have reflected on
A lightning bolt.
I will not just reflect
The light of the star on and on
In order not to waste
The wind that blow the sail.
Regrettable is the day
That shall pass
Without its glory
A light that cannot reach nor shine.
Rekindle the memory
Of my love who is far.
Touch her tender feeling
To match my own longing
For now and forever
Comes the conqueror
To the land of the mighty.
There is none that I know
Of a dream that won't come true
For, to the victors belongs
The ultimate fame and glory.
We cannot comprehend
The still unfurling fame
Like a rising tide
Of an endless sea.
It soars to the sky
Like a radiant light that do not fade.
It reflects the choice
For the seal of power
And the prestige
Of the wise men of the regents,
That council
Which decides the powers to be.
If it is agreed
To leave the choice
To him whose wisdom
Shines to all the pedestals of power.
To him belongs the seal of strength
In the present time
And the limitless wealth
Of a boundless power
Known far and wide
Acknowledge by all.
The prosperity of the land
Is all in his hands.
I guess it is enough
That I have reflected on
A lightning bolt.
I will not just reflect
The light of the star on and on
In order not to waste
The wind that blow the sail.
Regrettable is the day
That shall pass
Without its glory
A light that cannot reach nor shine.
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