KNIGHTS OF MANAH VALLEY
The King's invitation
King Brahma stood at the edge of the court and called Giandra and Barani to join the Valley of Manah in front of his throne.
“Manah Valley, Giandra, Barani, I recommend you to take part in the Great Competition held in Indra Pura Kingdom in three months. Are you ready?” exclaims King Brahma with a smile.
“We are willing Your Majesty!” answer them simultaneously.
Giandra and Barani said to resign, they sat back on the bench and joined his other friends.
“Thank you ladies and gentlemen who watched the game from start to finish. This year Manah Valley from Kedhung Wuni Village came out as champion!” patih Ragas.
“We hope that the following years of this match will be more crowded and more and more participants will participate. I represent the royal side to thank you!” continue the sturdy body.
The Valley of Manah again grabbed the Spear of Kyai Pleret with his right hand and said to his two friends, “Wanapati, Ni Luh, um, are you okay, if this spear I give to Jayadipa. It seems he doesn't have any weapons!”
“No problem, besides this ax is enough for me,” replied Wanapati by pointing at his axe tucked in his left waist.
“As far as you go Valley,” replied Ni Luh smiling.
The Valley of Manah gave the Spear Kyai Pleret to Jayadipa, because from the beginning of his arrival the young man did not see Jayadipa holding a weapon even though he did not follow the match.
It seemed like the spear was a match with Jayadipa, seen when Jayadipa grasped with his right hand, Kyai Pleret's Spear shook and regained its calm after Jayadipa revolved the spear.
“Thank you Valley, but how to save the spear all this time?” jayadipa frowned.
“Emm, wait a minute—!”
The Manah Valley closed its eyes and tried to communicate with the Maruta Dragon on how to store the spear. Sure enough, the young man got a whisper inside the recesses of his head, if Jayadipa wanted to keep the Kyai Pleret Spear, just like when the Manah Valley kept the Maruta Dragon Sword.
That is by grasping up and then calling the name Pleret three times. And if Jayadipa wants to call him, the ritual is also the same as when saving it.
Jayadipa nodded his head in a sign of understanding what the Manah Valley was teaching, then the young man practiced what the Manah Valley asked him to keep the spear.
The spectators left the match area in an orderly manner, they were greatly entertained for the thrilling final match. Nawang, Sati and the Holy Mother were seen to have walked out the door of the match area, they planned to go straight home. Not except for Mara and her mother, they were also seen leaving the match area to return to her home.
***
Evening arrived, the Valley of Manah and his entourage had prepared from his lodge to meet the king's dinner invitation. The Manah Valley looked different than usual, the young man looked more handsome, probably because of the clothes he had just bought after coming from the match area earlier this afternoon.
Wanapati and Jayadipa are no less neat, they both also tried their new clothes. Ni Luh looked elegant with all-white clothes, which he also just bought after coming from the match area.
They headed for the palace which was about half a kilometer away from the lodges that had been provided by the royal soldiers. It was seen Patih Ragas welcoming the four of them in front of the palace gate. He then drove her to the royal family dining room.
Manah Valley is very amazed to see the grandeur of the royal palace, the walls filled with carvings, every door that is installed curtains and also the floor covered with carpets, and, and it looks like their footwear doesn't deserve to step on, because it's too dirty.
In one of the rooms that is not so large, with a dining table in the middle of the room and several chairs that had been prepared for the four of them and perhaps the royal family also joined them.
“Welcome to Manah Valley!” exclaimed a man sitting on the very end of the chair which is none other than King Brahma Wijaya.
“Thank you Your Majesty King Brahma!” sahut Valley of Manah bowed followed by his three friends.
After greeting each other, before waiting for a long time, the King of Brahma invited the Valley of Manah and his friends to enjoy their dinner. Warm chatter is not missed while a little joke in the middle of them.
“Ohh yes Valley, is that beautiful woman beside you is your lover?” ask the king to the Valley of Manah.
“Uhuk, uhuk, uhuk!” Manah Valley was shocked to cough as its mouth was full of food hearing the question from King Brahma. The young man did not expect, if the king wanted to know more about him.
Ni Luh hid his reddened face holding shame over the king's words. Then closed his smile with his right palm.
Wanapati and Jayadipa just laughed, because they had learned that Ni Luh secretly put his heart to Manah Valley and did not dare to express it. Unlike Nawang who always stick if you meet the Manah Valley and seem bluntly like the silly young man.
“Bu—bu, not His Majesty, emm, anu. This Ni Luh my friend!” replied the Manah Valley stammered as she turned towards Ni Luh.
Hearing the reply coming out from the mouth of the Manah Valley, it seemed that Wulan was a little relieved. Because secretly the girl was also increasingly interested in the silly young man.
“True Your Majesty, Ni Luh is the Valley lover, hahaha!” timpal Jayadipa teases his friend.
“Even next month they soon marry Your Majesty, hahaha!” wanapati said with a laugh and looked towards Manah Valley and Ni Luh.
Wulan turned her head towards the Manah Valley nervously answering the king's question, the girl smiled after learning that the Manah Valley was indeed not Ni Luh's lover. It seems like there is still a place for her, Wulan thought.
“Hahaha, you guys are indeed very suitable!” the king said with a laugh. “Valley, what are your next plans?”
“Emm, we plan—!”
The Valley of Manah explained to the king if he planned to return to the village as soon as possible. Then left for Indra Pura Kingdom to follow the Great Match.
“Then, how about the three of you?” the king turned to Wanapati, Jayadipa and Ni Luh.
“We want to go back to His Majesty's college!” sahut Wanapati's.
“Alright if that's what you want, but I hope for you to stay here even longer,” said the king.
“Emm, thank you for Your Majesty's kindness,” replied Valley Manah smiling.
However, Manah Valley felt strange with the king and his daughter, should the three of them be with one more woman who is none other than the wife of King Brahma. The Valley of Manah ventured to ask the king about the whereabouts of the king's wife.
“Emm, sorry Your Majesty, I did not see Her Majesty the Queen. Where is he?” ask the Valley of Manah to King Brahma.
“My wife—!”
The king told him that his wife was ill and could not get out of bed. His body was limp, as if he had no energy. He felt cold even though the temperature around him was hot and not a single healer knew of his illness.
“May I check on Her Majesty the Queen!” the Valley of Manah volunteered.
