thE vangkekan treaty
Datu Ilak had been hectic for many days—relaying all his proposals to the Tribe of Asuldan and Kumanggi about a peaceful covenant.
However, the two tribes, as much as possible, wanted to distance themselves from whatever was happening among the other tribes.
Datu Intal of Asuldan had remained unyielding in the fear that his tribe would be in peril. To remain quiet was his top option while Datu Uliman of Kumanggi extended his hand to Datu Ilak of Kravena. He was clever enough to understand all of Banaak’s wicked plans and Uliman’s urge to stop him made him honor Datu Ilak’s noble terms.
For the meantime, while Datu Ilak was in the course of convincing Datu Intal, there had been secret assemblies between the Kravenas and the Kumanggis with one aim only: to put an end to greed, which began with the ambitious Banaak.
Days became months, and Datu Intal was finally persuaded. Yet he asked for a bloodless and diplomatic treaty. He couldn’t risk his fighters’ lives, especially when he saw that the Kravenas were no longer as numerous as an army because of the endless battles.
Abanir was called to join the last assembly of the three spearheads—Datu Ilak, Datu Uliman, and Datu Intal—in preparation for facing the Sulabuns and Fegratus. They agreed to send secret messages to Datu Saak of Fegratu, the only ally of Datu Banaak, to let him know of the growing alliance and at the same time, to issue an invitation to join.
The scripts were written in symbols that only the five original datus could read and understand. This was to ensure Banaak wouldn’t be able to understand them. The messages to Datu Saak contained explanations of Banaak’s wicked plan of enforcing the subjugation of all the five tribes to him, and that Banaak was only using him, Saak.
Fairly swayed, Datu Saak wrote his approval of the treaty and vowed that there would be no bloodshed. Also, an act of contrition was addressed to Datu Ilak, for helping Banaak in invading Ilak’s territory, and he explained he was only misled because the latter said the Kravenas were actually the ones planning to expand their territory.
Now that the four tribes had united and were amenable to the treaty, they went to the Tribe of Sulabun to set out their terms and conditions.
Datu Banaak was not surprised. He had already been warned that Datu Saak would be unfaithful to him. But none of the terms mentioned in the treaty were agreeable to him. He was not threatened by the joined forces. He stood at his realm, self-assured and proud.
An insult ruptured from him, addressed to the four datus, yet no blood was shed.
Datu Saak of Fegratu fearlessly came within Datu Banaak’s reach. Bargains and amendments began to pour out when suddenly, the other three spearheads shadowed them.
“Your terrain is your terrain! Ours is ours!” Datu Uliman stressed to Datu Banaak.
“Remember, you are standing in my territory and a single sign from me would mean that you would be hit, to the ground.” Datu Banaak warned Datu Uliman.
“Remember also that we are in greater numbers, Datu Banaak!” The insulted Datu Uliman said, in response.
Sensing now the numbers of the four tribes that quickly came out from the tall trees and surrounded his domain, Datu Ilak stepped back, all of a sudden. He didn’t expect the numbers. He might lose his entire tribe if he continued to be openly uncooperative.
“So what do you propose?” He then asked the four, attempting to tilt his head up, and to borrow some time.
“The range of our own territories remains the same but all the weapons dipped in the secreted hot spring shall be destroyed,” Datu Ilak said.
“Moreover, the entrance to the hot spring will be hidden. If we all agree to create a monument to hide its entrance permanently… then safety for everyone is secured!” Datu Saak continued for Datu Ilak.
“Let us not be greedy but rather, we should unite!” Datu Uliman stressed, and the other datus concurred.
“In any case, humans are our enemies now,” Datu Banaak then agreed, seemingly humbled.
“They are not enemies!” Datu Ilak counteracted, shortly thereafter. Then, a hard look came from the other datus.
“How did you know? You did not even have an encounter with them!” Datu Banaak questioned him, for he had encountered some before, the people who conducted a scientific quest in the forest led by Sophia’s doctor-grandfather. “They are death-defying invaders,” Datu Banaak said, using the lines that he once used in an attempt to dethrone Datu Ilak.
“They are not enemies. I also had an encounter with one, before,” Datu Ilak defended himself, and this worried the rest, except Datu Banaak.
“I guarantee, from that encounter that not every human is an enemy. What we should ascertain is that humans can never enter our premises again. That is all.” Datu Ilak shifted his gaze from one datu to another. “At the moment, we are our own enemies. Let us unite together to restore our race’s honor.”
“Yes!” A yell of friendship and unity erupted from the four datus and every warrior witnessing it, joined the shouts of harmony.
Datu Ilak and Datu Uliman had an eye-to-eye, discerning if everything was, in fact, truthful.
“Festivity for every Vangkekan!” Datu Banaak finally screamed, seemingly jubilant.
“Aye!” Everyone yelled back in approval, and their ecstatic noise was heard throughout the forest.
Abanir, who had just witnessed the treaty, flew away, not quite convinced by the bearings of Datu Banaak.
Rabel joined him, and they left the gathering in haste.