DARANGEN: THE ABDUCTION OF PRINCESS LAWANEN

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 attempt to regroup the combatants produced no result. It went unheeded.

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….