Swordsman Behind the Scenes

CHAPTER I - THE LINK

In one part of the eastern world, there is a vast land with fascinating natural conditions.

The west, south and east sides are bounded directly by the ocean with its huge and powerful waves. As for the very far side in the north, directly adjacent to the mountainous area that runs from west to east with a certain height to the top, always covered with a stretch of snow and eternal ice. With these near-perfect and balanced geographical conditions, there are only dry and rainy seasons. This part of the world really has a priceless gift, both land and water provide abundant sources of natural wealth.

At the beginning of the history before this time is told, there were two large and powerful empires that coexisted, with each covering an area of almost the same power. The two were only separated by a large river called the Mahadam river by the people of the two empires. Longitudinal starting from the north, namely the mountainous area in the downstream, then down following the natural contours to the lowlands to the south to the ocean. The Muderakali Empire controlled the area west of the river, while the Gunumlatar Empire controlled the area east of the river.

There is a special privilege in this Mahadam river, which when viewed from a certain height will appear like a very large snake winding and winding, which is, with the head that is gaping at the far end of the south there and the tail that conical on the north side. Unlike all the riverside areas that are filled with large trees that are so lush, strangely in the middle will look the only riverine area that widens on both sides, marked by the rarity of plants and trees that live on the edge of the river. Back when viewed from a certain height, the large snake was on the body or stomach like a big bulge. In a region that is wide enough and extends to tens of kilometers, this is the only area that can be an access link for the two empires. In the dry season, people can walk or ride horse rides as a means of transportation direct crossings. But on the contrary, if the rainy season, this area changes like two boat ports on both sides. People refer to this region as the River of Putus. This is not without cause, but because of the uniqueness of nature from the formation of cavities in the bowels of the earth so as to form underground rivers, and, so when the dry season causes the river water from the north side will mostly be swallowed by the earth and again spewed out into a waterfall on the south end. The depth of water in the area of the river break will slowly shrink and dry because it is not flowed by water, so it looks like a valley of sand and gravel rocks that stretch along the eye. The opposite will happen when the rainy season comes, the river water will be abundant and the people of both empires will need boats as a means of crossing or fishing.

That said, whether who and the people from which side started, there was a small dispute between the residents across the river who fought each other over the area of fishing and mining activities of stone and sand. The incident, which was originally just a casual quarrel, gradually began to involve the border guard soldiers of the imperial territory, each of whom defended his people and insisted on asserting claims to his territory. Thus, this feud occurred repeatedly, until finally it ended with the outbreak of open warfare between the empire of Muderakali and Gunumlatar. The Putus River, which used to serve as a source of livelihood for the surrounding people and became a port of contact, has now been turned into a battlefield location. When one side of the empire managed to cross and take control of the terrain across the river valley, this side would celebrate victory, he said, while the opposing party moved back and devised a strategy and the next strength to retake the territory that had previously been separated, until later they managed to repel their opponents even took turns occupying some of the opposite territory.

So alternately the armies of these two empires fought until it did not seem to have lasted until one hundred and eighty years lamamamya. Almost three generations of the empire have changed, but there are no signs of peace yet. Hundreds of thousands and even millions of lives have been lost as a result of the war. The treasures and wealth of each empire were fully concentrated to finance the war, from the purchase of war devices such as armor, swords, spears, shields, war horses, and so on, until the warship is certainly to adjust to the needs of war strategy during the rainy season. Then there is still one more expenditure of tremendous cost, where the main purpose of this strategy is to reduce the number of casualties of soldiers, namely by paying the people of the martial world. At first this tactic was run by the Gunumlatar empire, where when executed directly seen success, that is, one champion can defeat five to eight opposing soldiers at once. But the next few days the Muderakali empire implemented the same strategy, namely by hiring their martial masters regardless of black and white flow, the higher the knowledge, the greater the wages. It is a tactic that seems good, but unfortunately without thinking about the other impacts caused. Aside from the enormous direct costs as a consequence, almost all martial world people are very unruly individuals and prefer their personal egos and groups. They prefer the war, so it is not uncommon among themselves who are actually on the same side, can attack each other and be hostile, he said, just because of ego and just pitting strength to prove who is more powerful among them, even with the results of one of them can die or at least hurt and lose, he said, then go armed with revenge to retaliate later, can be alone or even invite the cronyya. It is a tremendous war cost expenditure is very expensive which unfortunately is difficult to run even though it is not effective but impossible to stop.

So great was the prolonged war that occurred, resulting in whatever number of soldiers sent would be reduced again due to injury and death. Gradually but surely, each empire began to lack a supply of soldiers, so that no one who proposed out the orders of the emperor who returned later the next emperor will also impose, so that the, that in the name of upholding the glory of the nation then, every man with certain criteria is obliged to join the war and then every family left to fight will be given replacement money. However, the provisions issued in this emergency were used by most corrupt officials who started from the central government and then went down to local officials under it who were almost all also corrupt, he said, until such a grinding occurs. The costs that should be allocated as compensation do not reach the small people. With the condition of reality that occurs in all areas is almost all men who look still healthy and strong are forced to become soldiers. In fact, after that, there were also many groups of horsemen who came into the areas calling themselves the special forces of the emperor who carried out searches of every house in all the towns and villages, to gather the men who will be recruited as soldiers. Worse then, when the stock depleted the actual teenage boys in terms of age still classified as children, finally brought along. Not to mention coupled with the emergence of the middlemen impromptu, who provided and sold a number of boys to the officials of the special forces of the emperor of course with a certain price tag based on age and physical condition. However, the various things above do not apply to an affluent people. Those of the existing class can get relief from war obligations, by buying licenses issued by officials in their respective cities. Thus all the terrible things that happened in both empires, where all the inequality and deviation from various sides seemed to be a common thing, so that in many places caused community turmoil and dissatisfaction. For those who had the guts to make a small group ignite a rebellion and this happened in almost every region of the two empires. As for those who have guts but low mentality prefer to join a group of robbers, become middlemen and so on in order to be able to enjoy life in an easy way, the important thing is to have a little capital of silat science.

When worldly lust, greed and power run rampant, then the small people who do not have property, do not have the courage and do not have silat become the only victims. They have suffered greatly due to the prolonged war, again made more miserable with the enactment of the law of the jungle that applies automatically in any area.

The drizzling rain that fell overnight in a small village consisting of only twenty-five modest houses in the outskirts of the Gunumlatar empire, was the most, like the outpouring of tears of the sky goddess over the coming of a calamity that will soon befall all the villagers, in the dark day.

Seen from the end of the east village entrance, the, a middle-aged man ran over by exerting all the science of lightening the body he had while letting out a shrill whistling sound as a sign of danger to all the villagers. In an instant, he had reached the courtyard of one of the houses located in the middle of the village that looked slightly taller than the other houses in the vicinity. Not until he stepped on the first of the five steps of the entire staircase in the house, the door opened from the inside. A simple but manly man of about forty years of age stood at the door and greeted the presence of the newcomer who looked like he was about to deliver a very important news related to the shrill he sounded it.

When the newcomer would open his mouth, the owner of the house gave a code to hold his words to see one by one the head of the family of each of the villagers running around and joined the two of them.

When the owner of the house looks like counting the number of people present, the wife of the owner of the house is seen appearing and standing behind her husband. After sighing, the host immediately said to the middle-aged man;

"please call, report your report"

Not immediately replied, the man who was called as Ki Sebrang then saw the people around him, then he replied;

"sodra sir, it seems like it's time for all of us. Monitored in my reconnaissance an army of horsemen from the golden banner spear crow party will arrive in our village at the most a rice breeder from now on"

It was heard muttering as he uttered the tones of fear and worry from all present.

For the sake of hearing the report delivered just now, the look on Mr. Sodra's face that had looked calm, now turned tense marked by the appearance of wrinkles on his forehead. Slowly he went down the steps of his house and joined all those present in his courtyard. He then said;

"brothers, we have fought together several times against various groups and mobs that have come to rob and torment us, but so far we have managed to drive them all away. However, as I said before, the particular people of the spear crow party are the most violent and strongest black party at this time, moreover, according to future reports this is a golden banner, this is the highest caste group among their troops, because it is usually led directly by the chairman, namely a pair of devilish potters, sukma, with their commander-in-chief's bodyguard who is famous for his power"

"therefore, I strongly request that all of you pack up immediately and leave this village through the secret passage we have made together. The safety of your brothers and sisters and children is more important. My wife and I are honored and proud to have known and associated with you all. That's why we say thank you"

After delivering the sentence, Mr. Sodra jutted respectfully all the people present gathered and then turned his body and went up into the house. Similarly everyone without making a single sound, returned a salute and immediately rushed back to their homes.

Upon arrival at the house, Mr. Sodra approached his wife who was crouching in front of their son who was only about eight years old. Holding her two children's shoulders, Madam Sodra said in a trembling voice as she held back the cry of all her might to keep from coming out. It was as if to deliver a final message to the child;

"my child, you must fight to stay alive and make your own history to be a person of benefit to many no matter what your circumstances. And remember that we will always be with you"

Finished with his words, he hugged the child tightly long enough and then kissed his face with loving feelings. Realizing her husband was standing next to them, she took off her embrace and then stood up to give her husband a chance. With all his power to restrain his emotions, Mr. Sodra turned to squat in front of his son, then his left hand stretched out and gently held the nape of the child.

Looking deeply into his son's eyes, with dignity and compassion, he opened his mouth;

"waseso, my son, follow all your mother's words and I will be a very happy father. Will you promise?"

Waseso, despite being a child, grew up as a smart and brave boy. His eyes were clear and very sharp. Since he was able to run, he has obtained the provision of the basics of sports science from his father, who, yang is a white silat master and chose to settle in the village since nine years ago along with his wife who is a fairly famous college student. While the science of reading, writing, including the science of daily activities, namely kitchen science and washing clothes he got directly from the upbringing of his mother. The incident of the rioters coming to their village, not only happened this time but already several times in number, he said, yet all that time he had never heard his father speak to him in such a serious and profound tone as he had just heard. Even his mother, usually still took the time to order himself to clean up and keep the book he was reading or writing like the activities he is doing now. But not this time. Therefore he concluded that the current situation was so precarious, that he did not want to rush to answer, but rather he looked at his mother who was also watching him. After that returned his father's gaze and said solemnly;

"well dad, I promise"

Hearing the answer, Mr. Sodra's eyes glazed over and immediately hugged the child very tightly.

"go now, son"

Then Sodra stood up and handed Waseso to his wife to be led to the secret underground door.

Arriving at the dining room directly adjacent to the kitchen, Ms. Sodra headed to an ordinary wooden cupboard that was not too high but long enough, where all kinds of household drinking utensils were stored. If observed, it will not look anything suspicious with the closet because on the front and left right side of the board is closed, while the back is covered with a wooden board as the wall. All the plates and glasses are not much and are in the cupcase immediately removed by him, then his hand pulled a small hook at the corner at the base of the cupboard. Furthermore, it is automatically seen the back board moves down to reveal a hole that is large enough to enter even the body of an adult. Before Waseso crawled into the hole, again Lady Sodra hugged the child's body tightly and returned to the message;

"remember my son, no matter what happens and you hear, never once do you open the key from the inside and come out of this hiding until I or your father beckons you"

"good mother"

Lovingly, Lady Sodra kissed Waseso on the cheeks and forehead, then sighed the child to crawl into the hole and down the footing stairs to the underground. For the sake of seeing the head of the child is not visible, again he pulled the same lever, so that the back wall of the closet is closed.

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