Minisode: Rising Sun

NARRATION
Hey there! It’s Dania Ramos, Timestorm series creator. This is a minisode that revisits the character Aguey from episode fourteen. When the Ventura twins met Aguey in fourteen eighty-eight, he’s a teenager afraid to recite the native Taíno creation tale in front of his village. Later in the episode, the twins help Aguey remember the story, but he also struggles with comparing himself to his brother, Bana.

AGUEY
My older brother Bana is the best storyteller in the village. I don’t think I’ll be as good as him.

NARRATION
The following scene takes place in fifteen ten when Aguey is an adult. His brother, Bana, is now the main cacique, or leader of their island, which they call Borikén. Two years earlier, it was Bana who greeted the Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León when he arrived on their island. The characters Aguey and Bana are based on two caciques who were brothers in real life. They actually shared the same name Agüeybaná. That name means “Great Sun.” A reminder that while the minisode is based on Agüeybaná the first and Agüeybaná the second, the storyline contains events and characters that are fictional. Now, let’s travel back to fifteen ten as Aguey and his wife, Karaya, collect palm leaves in the woods.

1510. A WOODED AREA, GUAYNIA, BORIKEN.

MUSIC: RHYTHM, MOTHERLANDS - AMERICAS.

Iguacas (parrots) squawk and fly above. KARAYA pulls at the palm leaves in her arms.

KARAYA
These palm leaves are strong, Aguey. They’ll make a sturdy net that will catch plenty of fish. 

AGUEY laughs. 

AGUEY
One moment, Karaya.

AGUEY laughs.

KARAYA
Aguey? What is it?

AGUEY
I’d forgotten about this place. I had a hammock between those trees. I would spend hours here. Come and look.

AGUEY walks towards the edge of the hill. KARAYA follows.

KARAYA
The batey in the center of the village. 

AGUEY
It’s a bit far, but—

KARAYA
I never knew you could see the areítos from up here.

AGUEY
One time, I was so nervous about telling the creation tale at an areíto that I hid here where I thought no one would find me. But after the areíto, Bana climbed up the hill. Told me I let everyone down by abandoning my role.

FLASHBACK:

BANA
You have a role to fill.

AGUEY
To be the younger brother of the future cacique. That’s it. To stand in your shadow. I’ve done enough of that already. For once, let me make a choice for myself.

BANA
Fine. Stay here then—safe from the rain. But one day, you’ll have to brave the storm, Aguey. 

FLASHBACK END

KARAYA
I cannot imagine the great Aguey, my brave husband, afraid of telling a story he knows so well. Did you get in trouble?

AGUEY
I let my mother down. But I learned something important that day from...I wonder if those two children are okay.

KARAYA
Our children? Anani and Yari? 

AGUEY
(laughs) The kids I met that day—Iguana and Iguaca. They told me to draw pictures on the ground to help me remember the tale. 

FLASHBACK:

AGUEY
To this day, those who live on the island experience the devastation of Juracán and the beauty of Yucahu's creations. I can’t believe it! I told the whole story! 

BENI
You were amazing!

ALEXA
Aguey, that was beautiful.

FLASHBACK END

AGUEY
I’ve never forgotten the story since.

KARAYA
I’m glad you met them because the way you tell a story is what first caught my eye.

AGUEY
Are you sure it wasn’t my bold attempts at the areíto dances?

KARAYA
I’ve never met anyone with such poor rhythm. 

AGUEY
I never said I was a dancer. As I recall, you were happy to teach me how to dance. Come! (AGUEY stomps around.) Dance with me!

KARAYA
(giggling) Watch the palm leaves.

AGUEY
Drop those leaves and teach me.

KARAYA
(laughing) It’s getting late. The sun will set soon. We must go.

AGUEY
Fine. But I demand a lesson when we get back!

KARAYA
Demanding things now? 

AGUEY
What? You thought only Bana could make demands because he’s the cacique?

An iguaca squawks.

KARAYA
You mean the great cacique who left his people for weeks so he could take that Spaniard Ponce de León to Quisqueya?

AGUEY
Karaya.

KARAYA
I’m sorry. But I’m worried about poor Liani and their children. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to wonder when...if my husband will return home.

AGUEY
Liani knew who she was marrying, Karaya. Bana has duties not only to his family but to all the people of our land. 

KARAYA
But everything is so different since they got married. The Spanish have wedged themselves here! It’s all about pleasing them. Giving Ponce de León the grand tour of our island. Bana wasn’t even back a few weeks before they set sail for Quisqueya. Tell me, what is Liani to do?

AGUEY
She should trust Bana.

KARAYA
Do you think being so friendly with the Spanish is what’s best for the Island?

AGUEY
What I believe does not matter. I am not cacique. 

KARAYA
But Aguey, you are Bana’s younger brother. If something were to happen to him...then I would have to face the same uncertainty as Liani and—

YAUCO
(in the distance) Aguey! Aguey!

An iguaca squawks.

AGUEY
Who is that calling?

KARAYA
It’s Yauco. Why is he in such a hurry?

AGUEY 
Yauco! WHAT’S GOING ON?

YAUCO reaches them, out of breath and distraught.

YAUCO
I have a message from the shore! The ships...are back from Quisqueya.

YAUCO falls to his knees.

YAUCO
Bana...he is...

AGUEY
What’s wrong, Yauco? Where is my brother? Was he on the ship?

YAUCO
Yes, Bana has returned.

KAYARA
Thank you, goddess ATABEY!

YAUCO
Bana became very sick during the journey. On the way back...

KARAYA
On the way back what, Yauco?

YAUCO
The cacique couldn’t fight the illness. Aguey, your brother has passed. 

AGUEY
That cannot be. Bana is strong.

KARAYA
Aguey, we must get back to the village.

AGUEY
Are you certain, Yauco?

YAUCO
Yes. Spanish men carried his body to the shore. 

AGUEY
My brother...is...

KARAYA
Oh, Aguey.

YAUCO
I’m so, so sorry.

KARAYA
Does Liani know? 

YAUCO
Aguey’s mother is with Liani and the children, Karaya.

AGUEY
My mother. 

AGUEY begins to pick up the dropped palm tree leaves.

KARAYA
Aguey. 

AGUEY
I must go to her.

KARAYA
Aguey, drop the palm leaves. I’ll get them later.

AGUEY
I must go—

KARAYA
Look at me, my love!

AGUEY
This can’t be happening.

KARAYA
Do you understand what this means?

AGUEY
My mother knew. All those years ago, she warned me that I had to be ready.

FLASHBACK:

BIBI
But son, do you understand your role in the village? On this island? You know that as Bana’s younger brother, the role could fall on you one day. You could wear the guanín medallion as the island’s chief leader.

FLASHBACK END.

YAUCO
Aguey, there’s something I must do now. It cannot wait.

YAUCO takes out the guanin medallion.

KARAYA
The guanin medallion. May I, Yauco?

YAUCO
Of course.

YAUCO hands her the medallion.

AGUEY
I remember placing this medallion around my brother’s neck.

KARAYA
And now I get to place it around yours.

KARAYA places the medallion around his neck.

An iguaca squawks.

AGUEY
It is heavy. 

KARAYA
It may be heavy, but you wear it well...cacique.

YAUCO
Cacique Agueybana. 

The igauca squawks and flies away.

CREDITS

MUSIC: THEME SONG: "IN THE TIMESTORM"

NARRATION
This minisode was written and directed by Claudio Venancio with additional writing by Andrew Siañez-De La O. Story by me, Dania Ramos. Audio engineering, sound design, and original music by Michael Aquino. 

The role of Aguey was played by Luis Figueroa. Karaya was played by Ashley Kristeen Vega. Yauco was played by Aaron Catano-Saez. You also heard the voices of Leilany Figueroa, Tanya Perez, Joseph Respicio, and Claudio Venancio. Also featuring musician William Ruiz. 

Timestorm is produced by Cocotazo Media and is a proud member of TRAX from PRX. If you enjoy the show, ask your parents to subscribe to Timestorm on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or the Kids Listen App.

Timestorm is produced in Essex County, New Jersey, which is situated on the traditional territory of the Leni Lenape people.

As always, thanks for listening.

ATABEY
Witness. Find. Remember.