Cielo

The Abandoned Ermita

"Does this mean that you recognize George III, King of Great Britain and of Ireland, as your king and master?"

The question was addressed to the Filipino in his early 30s seated at the head of the table. He raised his glass of wine and took a sip. Smiling at Lieutenant Russell, the British who asked him the question, he replied, "Only if your King George III will give me the arms and forces I need to defend Vigan and the rest of Ilocos."

Lieutenant Russell cleared his throat. "Diego. I mean, Señor Diego Silang," he said, "I think his majesty will not decline your request as long as you can convince the people of Ilocos, as well as those of Pangasinan and Cagayan, to place themselves under our protection." He signalled to an Indian soldier, and the Indian handed four letters to Diego Silang. As Diego silently read the letters, Lieutenant Russell continued, "We also agree with you that the Augustinian friars in Ilocos should be sent to Manila."

The woman seated on Diego's right side turned to face Lieutenant Russell. "But you also promised my husband earlier that you would allow our people to practice their faith," she reminded the British.

"And I will keep my promise, Señora Gabriela," Lieutenant Russell replied, "The Augustinian friars will be replaced with secular priests. You can remain Catholic for the rest of your lives."

"What about the proper treatment of our people?" Diego asked.

"We will release you from paying uneasonable taxes and doing forced labour."

Diego smiled. He said, "Gentlemen, I believe we have an agreement."

Lieutenant Russell smiled back. "There is one more thing," he said, standing up, "In recognition of your allegiance to his majesty, King George III, we grant you the titles of Provincial Governor and War Captain." He raised his glass and offered a toast to Diego. "Long live King George III!"

"Long live King George III!" the British soldiers cheered.

Diego finished his wine to the last drop. In his mind he was shouting, Long live freedom!

* * *

"Thank you for the splendid banquet, Señor Silang!" Lieutenant Russell said as he shook Diego's hand, "As much as we would like to stay longer, the Seaford has to sail for Manila early tomorrow morning. Governor Drake doesn't want us far from him for so long. Besides, there's this strange incident where we lost two British officers and their Filipino and Indian men."

"Strange?" Gabriela asked.

"They sailed out to Manila Bay to check out a ship, but no one returned. There was no sign of a shipwreck as well. It's as if they disappeared into thin air."

Gabriela gasped and held Diego's hand.

"I hope you find those men again, Lieutenant Russell," Diego said, "Good night, and I hope you have a safe journey back to Manila."

Lieutenant Russell nodded and walked down the staircase. When the last British soldier had left his house, Diego heaved a sigh of relief.

"You were wonderful tonight," Gabriela told Diego, "Now, it's time we rest."

"You go ahead," Diego said, "I'll just arrange some of my things here."

Gabriela embraced her husband and pressed her cheek against his before heading to their bedroom. Meanwhile, Diego picked up from the table the letters that Lieutenant Russell gave him. He re-read them before placing them inside his pocket. Then, he went to the window and stared at the houses of Vigan that were illuminated by the faint moonlight.

"Why do you trust the British, Diego? They have their own interests to serve."

Diego turned around and saw Vicente standing a few steps behind him. Vicente was a handsome Filipino in his early 20s. Despite a decade separating their ages, he had proven himself to be one of Diego's most trusted comrades. Diego chuckled at Vicente's statements. "If they will use me, then let me use them too."

"You told me that we would soon be free."

"And I still hold on to what I told you," Diego said, smiling at Vicente, "It's dark already. You should be on your way home."

Vicente nodded and started to walk towards the staircase.

"Wait!"

Vicente turned around and saw Diego approaching him. Diego removed a necklace with a medal from around his neck and fastened it around Vicente's neck. Vicente held the medal in his fingers and looked at it. He saw the image of an angel brandishing a sword. Trapped underneath the angel's foot was the devil himself.

"May San Miguel protect you and guide you."

Vicente smiled and embraced Diego. In the last few months that they had been fighting together, Vicente had regarded Diego as more than a friend and a hero. Diego was the father and brother that he never had.

* * *

"Juan! Pablo!"

Upon hearing their names, the two Filipinos immediately ran to Vicente's side.

"Must it take you so long to relieve yourself?" Vicente asked them.

"I apologize, Vicente," Juan explained, "But we had to make sure that our piss was not hitting any enchanted creature."

Vicente shook his head in disbelief.

"We are in the woods, Vicente," Juan continued, "We are not alone here!"

"My grandmother is alone in our house. If something happens to her because we took so much time befriending your enchanted friends, I will be the one to bury you in your grave," Vicente warned Juan. He started walking and the two men silently followed him. Barely had he taken ten steps, when they heard a bloodcurling scream.

"Dios mío!" Juan and Pablo exclaimed at the same time.

Vicente pointed his torch towards the heart of the woods. "The sound came from there," he told them, "Lets go!"

"Must we?" Juan pleaded. Upon seeing Vicente's dark look, Juan made the sign of the cross and walked after him.

The three of them followed the sound of gasping that was coming from within the darkness of the woods. Finally, they saw the source of the sound - a Filipino woman was on the ground, clutching her belly. It looked as if someone or something had ripped it open. They were trying to stop the bleeding when they heard a rustling of dried leaves behind them.

"Stay with her," Vicente told the two men.

Taking out his bolo, Vicente rushed deeper into the woods. He listened to the rustling of dried leaves and followed it. Moments later, he found himself standing in front of a small, abandoned chapel - the old ermita. It had not been in use for almost half a century. Vicente reached inside his shirt and took out the San Miguel medal that Diego gave him. Bolstered with enough courage, he pushed open the doors of the ermita. He looked around, but he saw nothing. He was about to leave when he heard a whimpering sound. In a dark corner of the ermita, he saw a naked Indian man shivering in the cold.

"Are you all right?" he asked, "Do you need help?"

The Indian could not speak. Out of pity, Vicente took off his shirt and pants. He dressed the Indian in his clothes, and he was relieved that it somehow helped stop the shivering of the man. The Indian grasped Vicente's hand and kissed it out of gratitude.

"I know you can't understand my language," Vicente told the Indian, "But please be careful. There are dangerous creatures in the dark." He then removed the San Miguel medal from around his neck and gave it to the Indian. "For your protection."

* * *

Juan was praying the rosary when he felt a presence behind him. He turned around and screamed. There, in the darkness of the woods, was Vicente, wearing only his undergarments.

"What happened back there?" Pablo asked Vicente, "Where are your clothes?"

Instead of answering Pablo, Vicente knelt beside him and held the woman's wrist. "Is she..."

Pablo nodded. "We tried to stop the bleeding, but she has lost a lot already."

"We cannot leave her here," Vicente said, "Juan, help me and Pablo carry her!"

Three quarters of an hour later, the three men finally reached the edge of the woods. As they started walking on the road that led to the town, Vicente looked back at the woods. He could not understand it, but he knew he had to return to the abandoned ermita soon.