The Engkanto Quartet: Voyage to the East

New plans

The group had gathered at the round table at the center of the hall in Nur’s house. No one was of high ranking when expressing their thoughts or what they believed they should be doing. Everyone was equal at the round table. Everyone was given value and importance for their contribution to the meeting. As a king without subjects, Nur has retained humility. It was his values that had catapulted him to the throne of Kalanggaman by the gods. 

He took a map and spread it on the table that was half the table’s size. It charted in detail the routes and territory of the Western Ocean and the Mainland. Then he pointed his index finger at a tiny peninsula on the map. “You should aim to reach Hooker’s Point on the southern part of the Bay of Bats in about four to five weeks if you follow this route,” Nur said, referring to the straight line that passed through the islands of Marinduq and Mindor. 

“Such a distance from here to that passage, we can’t make it in two months,” Isuk said. “Even if the Whaler is fast on the open sea.”

“To normal ships using the common route, it would take seven to eight weeks. I’ll show you later how,” answered Nur. And then he continued, “We are going to watch over the southern skies. A flock of Sarimanoks will guide your ship up to a certain point along the way to shorten the travel time. Avoid heading northeast when you’re on the sea because we cannot see you behind dark clouds. The enemy’s spies can easily spot your ship once you pass by the twin islands called Iho and Lumod. There’s an enemy outpost on Iho. Lumod on the south is the only island in this area left unconquered for some reason. Reaching the Hooker’s Point should be your priority. From there, follow the trail by the beach toward the Bay of Snakes to the north. That’s another six to seven weeks hike, but at least you’re already in the Mainland. The beachside is safer than the open roads.”

“We know our way once we get to Hooker’s Point. Tikloi knows a secret passage to Engkanto. If the situation turns out to be bad, heading to the Bay of Snakes would remain an excellent option,” said the dwarf.

“But to get to Hooker’s Point, the shortest route is also the riskiest,” Nur explained. “The narrow strait between the isles of Marinduq and Mindor is tricky, especially if you’re moving northeast. The current is unfriendly, the waves wild, and for some reason, the clouds form erratically. But you will be safe from the spies of the enemy. Lor Gorgo’s forces and allies are on the watch of the high seas to the north. They’re guarding the gateway to the western side of the plains, maybe because it is a usual route to the Mainland. But I suspect something sinister is going on in there. The enemy ships, by the way, are easy to spot. They have the banner of the red moon rising against a black sky. That’s their new symbol.”

“We will sail through the strait with Isuk at the helm. He has mastered the art of steering the ship through a strong current,” Rakly said. “I’m confident with him on board. My greatest concern, though, is the possibility of a face-to-face encounter with enemies in the sea. Four against many, surely, they outnumber us, and we don’t have projectile weapons other than Tikloi’s arrows.”

“As long as we have Tikloi on our side, numbers cannot defeat us,” said Velmer. “He’s been to many wars in the past, and he’s worth more than ten thousand enemies.”

“That’s reassuring,” Rakly replied. “But he doesn’t have enough arrows for ten thousand. My point is that we cannot risk the life of any one of us.”

Tikloi, however, was stoic, unfazed by the praise. “We must be cautious and avoid any conflicts in the sea at all costs. It’s hard to defend ourselves in unfamiliar territory,” he said.

“We’ll keep an eye on you in the seas until you reach land,” Nur said, and he reminded them for the second time: “But the thick mist and heavy clouds formed in the air on small islands could be tricky for us. Please help us see you by staying away from them.”

Everyone was pleased with the outcome of the discussion. All were thankful to Nur for his pledge to guide them to reach the Mainland and for his hospitality. The King of Sarimanok served them the island’s produce—vegetables, herbs, and fruits — to conclude their business. 

Nur lived without meat or fish that led Isuk to murmur that he was not a good host. “If it were in Ragua, I would have prepared the best fish on the grill and roasted pork. You’ll never miss the best coconut wine also,” he said. 

“I might not be good with food preparation, but you will live a long life with my diet,” Nur replied. “Well, that’s a cover for my lack of skills in cooking.”

They all had a good laugh. 

Although the King of Sarimanok did not offer them wine, their hearts were merry as they spent the night on the island. They knew that there was no safer place in this part of the world than Kalanggaman, an island of many colors and home to the majestic Sarimanok. 

The stars appeared in the moonless sky, watching over the island and the vast ocean as the gentle breeze sang a lullaby. Sleep didn’t fall yet on Rakly and Isuk. They were lying side by side on bamboo benches outside the stone house. The Sarimanoks were sleeping on trees while Velmer, Tikloi, and Nur soundly asleep inside the house. 

It was a pleasant night after days of floating on the ocean — although the sailing was not that rough because the weather went in their favor. However, uncertainty had accompanied them since they left Ragua. From the Isle of Safety to Kalanggaman and onward, the environment was new and strange. They had their hearts filled with uneasiness and anticipation of something unknown, or unheard of, waiting for them. “No one would have thought we’re in this amazing place,” Isuk said. “The scent of adventure is addicting. It’s like I’m scared, yet I’m fascinated. There’s tension, and there’s apprehension.”

“Do you think this is an adventure? Well, we will see more places — strange places. And we’ll encounter otherworldly creatures along the way. I don’t know if it’s an adventure. It’s more of a trip to the grave where we must get ready and prepared all the time. Because anything can happen, and there’s no guarantee for our safety. Whether we survive or not, no one knows, but the enemy is all set to meet us somewhere,” Rakly replied.

“I’m looking at it in a positive light. I will not die. We will live for years to come. The enemy will challenge us, of course, but we are going to win. What a beautiful story it would be! I believe it. I will tell this story to my children and grandchildren someday. I will write a book for the people of Ragua to read, a book that will outlast generations.”

“Only if it were true. I wish life were a story with a happy ending. But everyone ends in death, whether it’s tragic or because of old age. That’s a reality. What I’m thinking about right now is not even an imagined story, but about how we get to our destination, let alone safely. This world, I mean the whole thing, is strange. It’s like a dream leading into another dream that results in a nightmare. We don’t know much about anything. We only rely on these strangers traveling with us.”

“They’re not strangers, but friends. They’re your people.”

“I think you’re right that they are not strangers. But we are, I mean, we are all strangers in this world. Wherever we go, there’s not a sense of belonging. Because even in a place we call home, we tend to exclude others. And in my case, to the Raguans, I remained a stranger.”

Silence was Isuk’s response, as he would usually do when he’s out of words. And then, in a few minutes, the entire island suffered the brutality of him snoring through the night. Some Sarimanoks had awakened, thinking it was time to crow and warn sailors and fisher folks lost in the sea of a grave danger ahead. 

Rakly fixed his eyes at the sky as the stars formed a fiery, gigantic eye winking at him, telling him to stay put and place his hope in the hands of fate. Or, at least, that was how he read the message of the sky where the supreme god Tagbusan, who controlled the destinies of both gods and men, resided. The eye in the sky looked into his eyes. Its gaze had penetrated his self infinitesimal, igniting a fire in his bones amidst the chilly breeze of the night.