The crowd cheers loudly as I return from the latest battle I have been tasked with by Apo Bonoan, the Chief of all Datus in the land.
As one of the newest Datus, I was seeking to get a position into the council of leaders. It was a great benefit to my people if I could get into this group. Having the other Datus as allies provided protection for my people and our lands, which have recently suffered numerous attacks from people coming from the sea who wanted the fruits of our land and our precious women. It would also benefit my people to exchange our crops and products with the tribe of other Datus, not to mention learn skills from them that our tribe lacks.
To get this, I had accomplished the following tasks:
- Slay a rare buwaya that had been causing chaos in our town;
- Dive the Black River to find a treasure;
- Climb the sacred mountain and seek the favor of the diwata guarding a precious healing flower
After battling with conquerors from people who looked different from us, those with much lighter skin, I was down to my last task.
"Mahusay," Apo Bonoan commented. "Tunay na napakahusay mo Datu Malikdem."
"Maraming Salamat, Mahal na Apo Bonoan. Handa na ako para sa aking huling pagsubok."
I was lead to the hut where the council met. Fifteen Datus from all over the island sat in two rows in front of me.
Apo Bonoan sat in the middle; there was one vacant seat at the end. The seat I was vying for.
"Nakakasiguro ka ba, Malikdem? Ang huling pagsubok ang pinakamabigat sa lahat."
"Opo. Handa na po ako."
"Mabuti. Ang huli mong pagsubok ay ang angkinin ang isang birhen."
I clenched my jaw. "Maaari niyo ho bang ulitin ang inyong sinabi, Apo?"
He did.
Nothing changed.
I left the hut quickly. I was blinded by anger. In our tribe, we respected women and claiming them had to be with consent. From the instruction given, it seemed that the woman agreeing didn't matter, and that gave me the urge to kill all of them.
Do I even want to be a part of this council?
But my tribe needs this.
But... even if I found a woman who would agree, I couldn't bring myself to touch someone else.
I promised her, as she had me, that we will be the only ones allowed to touch each other's skin intimately.
I needed to see Sari.
