Sanggana Swordsman

57. Secret Plan

*Kahyangan Arak*

Joko Calm and Tirana have appeared clean. Their faces were radiant with hair that still looked damp after bathing. This time Tirana looks beautiful with white clothes lined with thick and expensive yellow robes. His waist was wrapped in a black belt decorated with gold embroidery patterned with beautiful flowers. While Joko changed into a new blue pants white shirt, but still with Kencono Geni Vest that he must wear at all times.

Same thing with Nintari. He also looks fresher with clothes that are still purple but new. Her hair remained in a single braid. His grave flute was still tucked in the waist. Nintari said she was leaving, but Joko Calm held her back.

Sulasih has also become part of Joko's group. He had the hope of the magicians who were with him. He wanted to free his son from slavery in the Dark Valley. Tirana had promised Sulasih that if there were no change in conditions they imagined, Tirana would ask her future husband to free the men from slavery in the Dark Valley, especially if they had to free Hojabayat.

“I want to meet with Ratu Getara for a moment, you two wait a minute,” said Joko Calm.

After getting permission from the queen, Joko Calm was escorted by soldiers to meet the queen on the outskirts of her favorite fish pond.

“Tirana, what's on your mind that you're willing to share a husband and love with another woman?” ask Nintari.

“Hmm?” Tirana kind of sniffled at getting such a question. But then she smiled and asked back, “You are interested in being Kakang Joko's wife?”

“No, because I can't share,” replied Nintari.

“That's how you feel right now. That could change someday,” Tirana said. “I was betrothed to Kakang Joko and I was assigned to find many wives. If I'm not ready to share, then at the moment I won't be with him.”

“Therefore I do not believe that you are a human being,” said Nintari.

“You mean?” tirana asked, laughing.

“To know, no woman from among humans wants to share a husband,” said Nintari who made Tirana laugh more.

“Now you know, there are women from among humans who want to share a husband,” said Tirana. He then turned to Sulasih, “What about you, Sulasih? You want to share a husband?”

“Ah?” Now Sulasih who somewhat jerked his face was asked so. Finally she replied, “The women of the Fog Forest never had a husband. A man is only a fruit to give birth to a daughter, not a son. Men have no place in the Fog Forest.”

“Kakak Bidadari, what if Kakang Joko hires you?” ask Tirana.

“What task?” ask Nintari.

“Freeing men from the bondage of Queen Aswa Tara,” replied Tirana.

“Do you have any treasure to pay me?” ask Nintari.

“No. Do you accept debt payment?”

“No,” replied Nintari anyway. “However, if you guarantee will definitely pay later in the day, I can accept.”

“But remember, don't let Kakang Joko know that I paid you,” Tirana said in a whispered voice.

“Good. Do you want Queen Aswa Tara dead?” ask Nintari.

“True,” replied Tirana.

“Means the price is more expensive,” said Nintari. “If I am alone assigned to tear apart a kingdom like the Fog Forest, this includes a task that is harder than fighting at Sumur Juara. So I put up a more expensive price.”

“Alright,” says Tirana agrees.

"Why should this be kept a secret from Joko?" ask Nintari.

"I fear that Kakang Joko will not approve of this plan, even though he desperately needs the death of Queen Aswa Tara" Tirana replied.

"Frankly I was curious, why Queen Aswa Tara had to die to be able to save Joko's future wife" said Nintari.

"I cannot explain in detail, because I judge related to the secrets of this kingdom, especially about Arak Kahyangan itself," explained Tirana.

"Then what decision did Joko make?" ask Nintari again.

"There has been no decision from Kakang Joko. Before we take a bath, it is only pensive to look at Ginari and Kembang Buangi. Kakang Joko has not yet revealed his plans. I think Kakang is expressing it to Queen Getara Cinta," said Tirana.

"How many more days are they both in?" ask Sulasih.

"Maybe two more days. Therefore, after this Big Brother Angel must go directly to the Mist Forest, because the distance will take us time. Bring Queen Aswa Tara's heart here as soon as possible. I can't be with you because I have to stay by Joko's side...."

“Heart?” cut Nintari expressed her astonishment. “Does the heart have anything to do with medicine for both?”

“True.”

“Joko came,” said Nintari as she looked towards the garden door.

Tirana and Sulasih turned their eyes towards the arrival of Joko. The handsome young man came escorted by two soldiers.

“Queen Getara Cinta wants to entertain us by eating together before the departure of Angel,”, said Joko upon arrival he four steps in front of the women.

“Wah! Looks like Queen Getara is happy heart,” said Nintari while laughing. “While since I came two weeks ago, not once has there been a banquet for a mercenary.”

“But, you guys go first, I want to briefly check the condition of Ginari and Kembang Buangi in his room,” said Joko.

“I'm with Kakang,” said Tirana.

“No need, I want to be alone for a moment,” reject Joko while smiling sweetly to Tirana.

Tirana nodded. He tries to understand Joko's feelings.

“Kakang must be very anxious to think about the condition of Ginari and Kembang,” batin Tirana in his nod. He hopes, on his return from visiting Ginari and Kembang Buangi, Joko will express the decision of his plan at the banquet or after the banquet.

“Please, the warriors!” said a soldier directing the three women to follow him.

One other soldier escorted Joko Calm towards where Ginari and Kembang Buangi were stationed.

Where Ginari and Kembang Buangi are located is a nice wooden building built near a small three-step river flow that can be jumped to get to the opposite. More like a trench flow because both sides are laid out with a stone arrangement of times. The water is clear and flows casually. The wooden building has a wide courtyard with stone pillars on which there are stone carvings shaped tiger heads. The arrangement is interspersed by poles on which there is a stone furnace that is not lit.

When Joko and the soldiers escorting her down the corridor to the wooden house, from the other direction also walked the entourage of Queen Vibrara Cinta who was escorted by her female servants and a dozen soldiers of the Queen's Guard.

Seen Commander Jagaraya walk not far behind Queen Getara Love. He carried a tray covered in clean white cloth on which there was a shiny object reflecting the sunlight. It is dark blue and has a unique shape. (BH)