Scene 10: Pangadaran, May 1st, 1525

 

Just as Banyak predicted a giant hawk-billed turtle indeed followed
 the caravel on its journey towards Borobudar. "That's where the spirit
 of Cahayani now resides", claimed Banyak solemnly. Indeed, it does
 seem very unusual at best as the turtle travels with the vessel some
 two hundred kilometres over five days and nights, past Genteng,
 Sindangbaran, Pameungpeuk and finally to the town of Pangadaran. As
 the Navegador Antigo approaches the town, Cahayani veers towards a
 spectacular waterfall that tumbles fifty metres from a cliff-edge to
 the ocean below. "Once you have settled in this town, follow the river
 to the Green Canyon", she says in the mind of Banyak. "There you shall
 meet many friends that can advise you on your journey to Borobudor."
 
 Pangadaran is a Hindu town, its own city-state, long since effectively
 independent from the Majapahit Empire, although it is nominally part
 of the Empire. The queen, Sorahisi, has adopted an isolationist
 approach as nearby towns and villages turn to Islam. She maintains a
 massive area of jungle surrounding her town and makes great care to
 keep the various animal and weather Gods onside. Pangadaran has a
 massive fish market which, on a per capita basis, even challenges that
 which Macario has seen in Lisboa.
 
 Over the past several days, usually when berthed at the many ports on
 the way to Pangadaran, Macario has carefully studied more of the
 journal. From these studies he is able to discover that there the most
 likely place where the Portuguese crew faced their demise was on the
 far west coast of Flores, beyond Sumbawa. According to the rantings of
 the demised soldiers, the "Isle of Dragons" lies near this coast. That
 is probably where the vessel of tremendous wealth is.
 
 Wen initially finds little in the town of interest. However, late in
 the afternoon he notices a large number of spectacular kites in use
 over the sea-cliffs. Further investigation shows that these are being
 flown by a number of enthusiasts, mainly male and some female youths
 who engage in a competition of chasing each others kites. The kites
 have ground glass glued to their string to sever the string of their
 opponents.
 
 Robert initially seems resigned to the fact that the party is, once
 again, in an incurably dull fishing town with barely a bar in sight.
 Babas is in high spirits, making preparations for his upcoming
 wedding. However, in their travels they encounter a group of young men
 that seem to be practising a unarmed and lightly armed combat art.
 Fascinated by their actions - a style that seems to emphasise direct
 punches and kicks and with little emphasis on emphasis - he wanders in...
 
 

Topeng speaks with the Queen and pays his proper
 respects and requests, careful not to make this
 isolationist angry at outsides coming in, a place for
 him and his party to stay with whatever other perks
 they can get.
 
 When all that technical work is settled Topeng enjoys
 his rest and also stocks up on whatever potion
 reagants he may need. He also works on getting
 information on Borobudor from the Queen and those
 around her and from the villagers themselves. Any
 information Topeng can get would be helpful.
 
 He also takes some time to try and mend his leg, and
 see if he can make his limp better in any way.


 Queen Sorahisi receives you gratefully and explains
 that her isolationist approach and the natural wealth
 has allowed the town to remain independent. The wealth
 keeps the lower castes happy, and there have been no
 Europeans seeking our lands and resources.
 
 She also says that the surrounding jungle has been
 most useful in protecting the town from military
 incursions.
 
 She is pleased that a representative of the Majaraphit
 has arrived and the court will aid you in any way
 possible.



 Banyak asks around with little difficulty as she is
 conversant in Javanese and the locals seem to be
 familiar with Sundanese as well.
 
 The surrounding jungle, from all accounts, is teaming
 with wildlife of all sorts. Indeed the locals seem
 most proud of their menagerie. When Banyak inquiries
 about the Green Canyon, the locals mention that it is
 a sacred place for the animals. Humans should not go
 there.
 
 Tikkus mentions that perhaps a journey to the said
 location in the evening might be advisable. And to go
 alone.


 


Banyak Goes To The Green Canyon

 
 That evening Banyak sneaks out of her room and into the jungle with
 the faithful Tikkus guiding her to the Green Canyon. She feels
 strange, her always good sense of smell seems stronger than usual in
 the crisp night air, her hearing is clearer and she seems to be able
 to see further than usual under the light of the stars and moon.
 
 The landscape is one of extraordinary, mythical beauty. Starting at
 the waterfall that crashes into the sea, Banyak travels inland, nimbly
 leaping across numerous streams, draped with moss and overhanging
 forest, past emerald rivers and deep blue pools.
 
 After travelling for some hours, she arrives at a natural dam, formed
 by the feeding of numerous waterfalls. A blue-black panther is waiting
 there.
 
 "So she's the one?", says the panther to Tikkus. "Not too much to look
 at. Only a little older than a girl! Not exactly much flesh on her
 either. I dare say I would be hungry by the end of the week..."

 "Let her be you overgrown _kucing_, and find yourself a saucer of
 milk. This one has great Spirit, a wild Spirit at that, and doesn't
 seem to know fear", retorts Tikkus.

 "I hope you're right, little friend", replies the panther. "For what
 we are about to face, if King Macan is correct, will mean the death of
 many of us. Come now."

 With that the panther turns and travels at a pace through the jungle.
 You follow with little hesitation. As you travel, you become aware of
 numerous other animals around you, monkeys and lemurs swinging from
 the trees, deer and civets travelling alongside you, armadillo's
 scuttling by your feet, birds flying just above.

 Finally, the menagerie stops at the entrance of a cave. It is flanked
 by two enormous flowers, over a metre and a half in diamter, and whose
 odour is extreme.

 [In future times botanists will call these flowers Javanese Rafflesia]
 
 You wait, surrounded by an extraordinary array of wildlife. And from
 the entrance comes King Macan, a huge old tiger, (perhaps close to 170
 kilograms) whose eyes burn like fire. He lets out an ear-splitting
 roar which silences the chattering of the various species.
 
 "Well, Maribaya. Who have you brought to help us? Not a great warrior,
 or a leader of tribes. Not a wily diplomat with a silver tongue. Nor a
 wizard, or scholar, wise and educated. No, it seems you have brought
 just a simple girl, from the edge of these lands, the daughter of
 fisherfolk."
 
 "It is not my business to question your judgement. You are much closer
 to the humans than the rest of us. All I have it the power to forsee
 the future and the beckon the creatures of the jungle. You're the one
 with the spirit sense."
 
 The tiger-king turns towards you:
 
 "Well Banyak. It seems that you're on for quite a journey. For the
 sake of all of us, I hope you're up to it."
 
 "Listen to me, and listen well. Troubles, great troubles, are about to
 befall this land. Humans are about to lay waste and destruction on
 their fellow human beings, for reasons that only members of your
 species seem to understand. The problem is, that invariably such
 destruction tends to cause quite a few deaths in the animal kingdom as
 well. This we are used to. We have seen it happen a hundred times before."
 
 "This however is special. I forsee a whole new wave of human
 destruction that will rage all across Java. I forsee great bloody
 battles, and sticks that fire smoke and bury pellets on iron into
 flesh. I see towns burning, and forests carved down for the upcoming war."
 
 "Somewhow I expect you to be able to stop this. Well, perhaps not just
 you. There may be other humans across the islands who have a special
 Spirit that connects with us animals and perhaps they too have
 received the call. But for western Java, you are the one."
 
 "I don't know how you're supposed to help us Banyak. That is something
 you must work out. All I know is that we, all of us here, we will all
 die if you don't succeed."
 
 A great tear rolls down the face of the Tiger King.
 
 "Go now!", he bellows. "You know what confronts you!" And the Tiger
 King roars.
 
 "I think we should listen to him", says Tikkus.
 
 With that Banyak turns and runs back to Pangadaran, through the deep
 jungle, past the damn, over the deep blue pools and emerald streams,
 past the waterfall and back to the human settlement. The first signs
 of dawn are beginning to break. Exhausted, bloody and brusied, she
 collapses into bed as sunlight filters into her room.