DARANGEN: The Abduction of Princess Lawanen

DARANGEN: The Abduction of Princess Lawanen

 translated by Dr. Nosca Khalid

"Sons of Kadaan," called MINDALANO SA TONONG loudly. "You!" he called DIMAAKO DI LIYON, "and all the commanding princes of Kadaraan sa Ndaw." Heads turned as the heat of battle eased. "I need volunteers who will dare cross the battlefields and round up the fighters of Kadaraan-sa-Ndaw. I want all the field commanders assembled at the headquarters of MISOYAW. Look," pointing at the screaming hordes of warriors trotting down from the hills, "Once the allied armies of Bembaran are mingled with the defenders of Kadaan, it will be impossible to distinguish between friends and foes. It will be a disaster that will deplete Sagorongan-a-Ragat."

Without saying a word, the young princes turned and plunged into the fighting mobs until the warring factions were herded into distinct, opposing sides.

Having been drawn apart, a neutral flag was suddenly hoisted between the warring armies. BATARA SA MINALANG stood in the middle. A large portion of the combating armies regrouped behind Minalang to form a third army. Earlier combatants became allies behind Minalang; the peacemaker of the warring Empires.

"Listen son," said Minalang in earnest. "I want you to find Somialalaw Solog and any of the noble chieftains of Bembaran. Tell him to find a way to stop the fighting. The resources of Kadaraan sa Ndaw are depleted. Mangled bodies and severed heads cover the plains of Sagorongan, a Ragat. Kadaan is defeated. KING DIMASANGKAY of Doronan is dead. The battle ships of Kadaan are either sunk or pinned in the harbor. I want a temporary truce to last until tomorrow. If no peaceful solution is found, then he can resume the battle and fight for the sun's crown."

Minalang turned to his brother. "ROMARABAN-SA-LENA," said he, "and you too, GOMANOD, go and find Mindalano sa Tonong. Inform him of my request for a temporary cessation of the fighting. Inform him that I am trying to identify the root cause of the conflict and prevent further bloodshed. If no solution is found until tomorrow, then he can resume the battle till death and vie for the sun's crown."

The couriers left in different directions. One group ascended the hills to Ragiray while the other group crossed the plains of Sagorongan-a-Ragat through the hordes of men guarding the camp of MISOYAW.

"My dear prince from the sea border kingdom," greeted Mindalano-sa-Tonong jovially. He knew for sure the purpose of their appearance. "Where is the beloved Minalang? I have not seen him since the war began."

"Respectable King," the couriers returned. "We are the emissaries of Minalang. It is his ardent request that a temporary truce take effect immediately. Both great kingdoms have proven their points, but there is no sense continuing the fight. No one is going to prevail, and in the end, the empire will be destroyed and its resources laid to waste."

The commanders of Kadaraan are just too glad to oblige. They are eager to end the war, salvage what remains, and regroup the survivors from the continental plains.

To be continued…

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