THE DARANGEN: The Abduction of Princess Lawanen

               The speech was met with murmurs of agreement, and soon a committee of wise men was called and deliberations held. It was agreed to sail directly towards the thunderous’ baroraw forests’ located at the territorial edge of Kadaraan sa Ndaw. There, the final hunt for the missing princess will begin.

            “My dear brother and heir apparent Mapendara sa Delim,” said Mabaning, turning to his left where his brother was standing. “The decision is made by the committee of wise men, but even if it is revoked, I am taking this feud personally. I want you to return with the rest of the men to the kingdom of Bembaran. I am appointing you king of Kudarangan sa Lena. You must go directly to Pagabakan de liyon and present yourself to the Emperor with the spoils of war. That was the deal we parted on, including all the riches in Kudarangen, sa Lena. Lay everything before the emperor, especially the kingdom and its people, so he can be free to decide upon your fate. Bear in mind that the real Bembaran comprises three provinces, one of which is ‘Kalenan’, and the second state is ‘Kudarangen sa Lena’, and all the adjoining lands on the right side of Bembaran, which are under my rule. It is also the real seat of power, and the other kingdoms belong to Pagabakan di Liyon and all the adjoining lands in the regions of the east. Hand everything to the emperor, the kingdom and its riches, including the precious heirloom; our legacy from Pamitoon and Oray, and the spoils of war. Return to Kudarangan, Lena, once all of my instructions are done, and to the other half of the sea-kingdom. No one from the different states will claim the throne, for no divine power within the empire dares to invade the land of Ayonan. Banish me from your thoughts without hesitation. The chance of my coming back is nil. Mark my word and mark it well, for I am making this unbreakable vow. My name may return to the kingdom of Bembaran, but I, Mabaning Ndaw Rogong, prince-king of Gadongan, shall never will unless I find the precious love of my life that I hold golden in my heart.

            Frenzied lamentations met the prince’s farewell speech. The noblemen of Bembaran fell into another flurry of fainting spells this time for their beloved prince and king.

            Wanting to drown himself, Daranda Mabagani screamed, “It is better to die than to live in hellish anguish.” He lurched to jump overboard, but the men were quick to restrain him.

            Mapendara sa Delim, his body cold from grief, fainted. Lomayon caught his body before hitting the deck.

            The chieftain of Lumbatan, an architect of reason who seemed unable to say a word that was not soothing and gentle, calmed everyone.

            “Be reasonable, my dearest brother,” said Mapendara sa Delim. “May I return to the womb that bore me if I go back to Kudarangen sa Lena,” he vowed. “I swear, I will sink ‘Kalipapa da ayaw’ and drown myself with it if I cannot join the hunt for the lost princess. How can I bear to sail back home and listen to the news of your whereabouts?”

            Hushed arguments followed. There was no certainty whether Mapendara sa delim would continue the journey home, so it was decided to let him join the search.

            Pamanay Makalayon whipped the gong that boomed harshly in the Island.

            “Lift the anchor,” shouted the captain to the top of his voice. “Get ready to sail and link up with Kalipapa Daayaw. I don’t care where the wind will bring us, as long as we don’t split with Lombayaw.

            Anchors were lifted, and the two ships departed from the Island, sailing directly into the open seas. They were endowed with good fortune, for in that particular time, the water was calm. There was no gale-force wind blowing in the sea, enabling them to sail with ease.

            The men could count the stars, and the blowing gentle breeze was whisking the clouds away from Bembaran, taking away the grief of those in sorrow.

            The grieving Mabaning leaned his back against the mast. Sleep won’t come around, preferring to be alone, puffing quietly, with a very shallow breath. Casting a glance towards Bembaran, a cluster of mountains came into view, silhouetted by the starry skies, rekindling the memory of the land of Lawanen. The beautiful songs he used to compose for his love when returning from battles brought his yearning to deathly heights that can break him if not for his manly pride.

            Not long into their sailing, darkness suddenly descended without warning over the bays of Bembaran. Streaks of lightning brightened the skies. A gale swooped upon the sea, rocking the Rinayong and the Lombayaw like toy boats skimming the waves without oars, blown by the storm to the speed of lightning.

            Joining the battle, the spirit guardians of Bembaran came to rescue the Rinayong from the claws of Kadaraan’s evil spirits.

The ocean roared as if it were going to crash into the face of the Earth, but suddenly, the trail of darkness whirled and dissipated, calming the hurricane.

 A tempestuous gusty wind swooped upon the sea, making the ocean roar with high crested waves, thrusting the’ Rinayong’ and ‘Lombayaw’ towards the open sea. Lashed by angry winds like a tyrant of the sea, the fate of the people aboard the ships rested in the hands of the gods.

To be continued…

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