EVERNA Ring of Fire

YAMKORA Part 1

The target of the Nirya group's assassination is Aswa Rakwar and especially Aswa's husband, Yori Mbeko. Either Mount Yamkora they guard can rise again from a state of "death" and covered in eternal snow and erupt or not.

But until the sun infiltrated behind the trees and continued to sink behind the horizon, Nirya not a second saw the appearance of the powerful unifying man Dhuraga who often traveled plundering other countries. Is Yori currently sailing again?

That thought was now raging in Nirya's mind. The orange-haired girl was sitting on stones that were deliberately "mounted" on the ground, surrounding a large table hewn out of flat stone.

On the table was some kind of food. Although all the ingredients are taken and processed directly from nature, all the dishes are served as neat as possible, caressing the eyes and appetizing.

Instead of continuing to drag on thinking about Yori Mbeko's absence and later inviting the suspicion of the host, Nirya chose to stand extending her hand, tasting the dishes "state banquets" one by one.

The first is an appetizer. The shape of the food was like tofu being cut into boxes. The rivet looks chewy, brown and almost transparent.

The guide, Wufabwe who deliberately sat near the guests as if he never stopped talking, explained about each dish presented, this time to Nirya. "Well, the chewy boxes are made from a mixture of seaweed and kaka'o, we call it a'gar."

"D-gar... agar?" nirya said while taking and tasting a. "Hmm, sweet, fresh and delicious!" He smiled sweetly and sincerely.

Wufabwe. "Yep, exactly. Agar-agar... I think that's a good name idea. Twice the name because the freshness is also double. I'll pass the proposal to the Aronawa."

Dhaka's turn asked, "The main course is also delicious. What's this name?" He pointed to the red-and-white dishes on his plate.

"Oh, it is betatas cooked with sago, minced meat and spices. We don't have a name for that dish yet, maybe the guests have a suggestion?"

Nirya commented, "How about 'Dhuraga Adiboga'? The taste is very diverse, sweet from betatas, savory from meat and spices, plus salty from salt and spicy from chili. Really rich in flavor!"

"The capsule is good, although it sounds a bit excessive," Arumi said. His face was rather grim, whether the last time he enjoyed a dish full of taste like this and when he could taste the pleasures of life again like senopati.

All he has is this mission.

On the other hand, it looks like Sthira is enjoying her drink. Once in a moment, his face turned brighter and fresher.

Wufabwe explained, "Look, apparently Sthira has been bewitched the pleasure of coffee. Actually the taste of coffee is bitter, but kaka'o powder makes the taste of coffee sweeter. Try it too, you will be sure to forget, but addiction is not borne, you know!"

Wufabwe was met with laughter from all guests and invitations. Even the serious Arumi forced herself to laugh.

To enliven the banquet, the host presents music and dance for a moment. Young people wander vigorously under torch lighting, accompanied by music from drums and bamboo tubes.

Just then, Nirya subconsciously smiled. Want him to continue to feel this peaceful and joyous atmosphere. This is an atmosphere that he rarely gets in the disciplined Bayunara College, an atmosphere that he really wants to share next to his colleagues and friends in this Ring of Fire Mission.

The idea, or rather the premonition made Nirya stop eating and drinking instantly.

Looking at that Nirya gelagat, Aswa Rakwar at the opposite end of the table asked, "Lho, why stop? Go on, honor the work of the host by enjoying all these dishes to the toilet."

Nirya tried to kink, "Sorry, Sang Aronawa. Not that I mean rude servant, but I'm really full now. Please permission to go back first."

"Ah, apparently so. But you don't have to go back or go anywhere."

"What does Aronawa mean?" Climbing, Nirya reacted about to get up from her seat. But his whole body felt very heavy, even as if as heavy as a mountain. "I-I can't move at all!"

"What?" Sthira and Arumi react together. They were about to get up, but their bodies were also unable to move like they were squeezed into a mountain.

Dhaka, the member with the strongest physique in the Sthira group was still able to move, but was extremely slow. He got up while trying to wag his tail to sweep away all the food on the table, but his tail felt limp, unable to lift higher than a inch off the ground. So Dhaka exclaimed in wrath, "You poisoned Dhaka! Why?"

With calm Aswa Rakwar stood upright, puffing his chest while shaking his waist, making himself seem more stocky. "The reason is simple. Merchants, the kings of Antapada should have given us precious gifts through their messengers as a sign of good faith. That's a tradition that's happened up to now, isn't it?"

Arumi tried to defend herself with another tongue-tie, "Yes, we know that. But we were attacked by pirates from Dabongsang and robbed completely. We, the tough warriors, managed to defend our ship and our lives. But when we go home, to our own land empty-handed, our heads will be drifting."

Sthira added, "We beg you, understand our situation and let us go. We promise to bring twice as many gifts and twice as much as those that have been taken."

"Maybe next time the merchants should also participate in the group. With extensive knowledge, they will not be easily captivated by the dishes that we plough. Especially the crops and coffee beans that we looted centuries ago from the ships of Al-Kalam. And maybe they can also recognize the poison of the dukun sakti Dhuraga concoction, which we add secretly in your food," Aswa said. "After all, do you think we are interested in establishing trade relations with the countries of Antapada?"

Nirya, Sthira, Arumi and Dhaka were flabbergasted. This time their deception was met with deceit, and they were trapped like weasels in the snare of hunters. After all, the Ring of Fire mission must end with an even greater disaster in Antapada.

Moreover, Aswa Rakwar added the last "pearl", "After all, what are we selling for, if we can get everything by looting?"

It seemed as if she was frozen completely. It turns out Aswa Rakwar has clearly expressed his ambition. This is both a challenge and a real threat, not only to the Nirya group, but to the whole of Antapada.

Whichever country wins or loses in this Akbar War of Antapada, it is the Dhuragalah who will take advantage of the narrow. Sooner or later, from a primitive land that is not counted at all, Dhuraga will rise to become the ruler of the entire peninsula.

"Soldiers, get these troublemakers in jail! Prepare the gallows! We'll make them targets for javelin throwing practice tomorrow morning!"

Only one thing Nirya was worried about when a group of soldiers dragged her legs. Finish already. Only the Mahesa can save us this time.

The reference picture for the costumes of Yori Mbeko and Aswa Rakwar is the costume of the Yospan Dance dancer.

Image Source: GenPI.co (Google)