Lost in the Wilderness - The Forest of Evergreen Book 1 (30 page)

Abanir unleashed every deadly arrow he had at his back and stabbed his bolo through and through, at every single foe—in his mind, to grant revenge for Karan.

After the very long battle, some of the Sulabuns and Fegratus were now fleeing. They were now losing the fight.
 

Abanir looked around thoroughly, hoping to see, at least, the wings of Banaak. He was dismayed. Banaak did not join the battle, not even his son Kalib.

After the enemies completely escaped their territory, Abanir checked on his family. He was very thankful; they were there, alive and well at the palasyon. Abanir still roamed around, searching for Rabel. Out of nowhere, suddenly, Rabel’s voice was heard—coming from the trees, yelling that he was all right.
 

Abanir was somehow relieved that his dear hakaro was alive. Still, he continued securing their territory, speculating that some enemies might still be around.
 

Right after that, the other Kravenas began cleaning the place and lamented, for a few of them did not survive the battle.

Abanir, with an intense pounding in his chest, felt the need to see Sophia. He asked Rabel to watch the tribe for him, and then rushed to the lake house.

Landing there, he noticed its quietness, and to his extreme disappointment, there was no presence of Sophia there. In spite of that, he persisted and waited for the human he longed for—hoping, at least for a moment, that he could see her silhouette.

Ardently, he waited. Yet at the crack of dawn, not a thing stirred his senses. The sadness in him ruptured his heart. Desolately, he went back to Kravena—still, with the aching hope of seeing Sophia. Again.

Appendix A

Definition of Terms

Bandoryon
. It is a group of musicians in Kravena.

Bunjao
. He is a well-trained warrior.

Dama-dama
. It is a flowering shrub that has a strong scent especially at night.

Datu
. He is a tribe’s leader.

Dulsabang
. It is a box where Kravenas could put their belongings. It is made up of woven rattan.

Hakara
. She is a servant of the tribe’s leader and his family.

Hakaro
. He is a servant of the tribe’s leader and his family.

Hala-hala
. It is a magical shrub in Kravena used in treating wounds.

Hayan
. It is a candlestick of different aromatic herbs believed to send a relaxing effect to the nostrils.

Ila
. It is how Vangkekans call their mother.

Ilo
. It is how Vangkekans call their father.
 

Kansilo
. He is a wise Kravena responsible in guiding the datu’s decisions.

Kubot
. It is a dwelling of the Kravenas; made up of bamboo walls and large dried grasses as rooftop.
 

Kul-pas
. It is the female Vangkekans’ bark-fiber skirt.

Lapey
. It is a Vangkekan liquor, prepared from coconut.

Mang-aani
. He/she is a tribe peasant responsible for planting sinapoy, the Vangkekans’ staple food.

Ogbo Tree
. It is a tree in Kravena that is believed to have a pain-relieving property.

Palasyon
. It is the dwelling of a datu and his family. It is much larger than any kubot and it is located at the center of the tribe.

Pasindol
. It is the Kravena Tribe’s annual contest to spot the most excellent in archery.

Pluta
. It is a musical instrument that sounds and looks like a flute.

Pugad
. It is a hiding place of the Kravenas. It is located underground, covered with wild grasses. It has a secret way leading to the Samo River.

Raha
. He is a datu’s first son and successor.

Reyna
. She is a datu’s wife.

Sagigilid
. He is a brave and skilled Vangkekan assigned by the tribe’s leader to head the forces.

Sayang
. It pertains to a sister.

Sayong
. It pertains to a brother.

Sepe
. He is a datu’s son.

Sesa
. She is a datu’s daughter.

Sinapoy
. It is a form of grain that is considered the staple food of Vangkekans. It is boiled along with various aromatic leaves to enhance its flavor.

Sukdalang
. It is the datu’s basket-work hat placed on the back of the head.

Surato
. He/she is a trained Vangkekan in writing or carving inscriptions.

Taga-siklaw
. He is assigned to investigate the tribe’s anomalies.

Taga-sumalas
. It is a group of dancers performing for every Vangkekan festivity.

Tambuling
. It is a musical instrument resembling a drum.

Ula-ula
. It is a magical shrub (like hala-hala shrub) in Kravena, used for treating wounds.

Wang
-
gis
. It is the male Vangkekans’ wide and thick breechcloth.

Appendix B

Illustrations

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About the Author

Photo © Fritz and Maricor

Teresa May B. Bandiola
 
is a licensed Filipino pharmacist. She is, presently, a lecturer at the College of Pharmacy of Our Lady of Fatima University in the Philippines. Concurrently, she is pursuing her master’s degree at the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas.

The Forest of Evergreen: Lost in the Wilderness is her first book. Her idea of the story started when she was an eighteen-year-old sophomore in college, but she only began writing it four years later.

Today, she lives and writes in her beloved Philippines.