
This morning was beautiful. The morning sunlight broke through between the twigs of shady trees in the garden sari Mandala Wengker Palace. The birds chirped merrily as if they were singing about the beautiful life. Flowers look blooming so pleasant to the eye also decorate the beauty of the Mandala Wengker Palace sari garden.
On that beautiful morning, though, Arya Pethak has just woken up from her sleep after resting overnight after arranging the preparation of Mandala Wengker soldiers who will be used to clean up the remains of members of the Raden Ronggo group that is still widely entrenched in the the entire ranks of low and middle officials in the Wengker region.
The wife of Sekarwangi aka Dewi Ragil Kuning directly wrestled spoiled on the left arm of the ruler Mandala Wengker.
"Kangmas Adipati, no need to rush. It is still morning" Sekarwangi said with a smile even though his eyes were closed. This beautiful woman who is the daughter of Patih Pranaraja from Kadiri did get a turn to accompany the Duke of Mandala Wengker last night.
"Eh basic spoiled princess.. Let's wake up Sekarwangi, we have a promise to do", hearing the words of Arya Pethak, Sekarwangi who wants to know what her husband is talking about, hurriedly opened her eyes.
"What promise does Kangmas Adipati have? To whom?", asked Sekarwangi curiously. Arya Pethak smiled meaningfully approaching her question.
"Promise to prosper the people of Mandala Wengker, Sekarwangi..
We must not delay the work that has become the responsibility of our wife" said Arya Pethak while inching down from her bed. The princess Patih Pranaraja soon followed her husband after covering her body with a blanket.
That morning, after breakfast with his three wives, Arya Pethak led the Mandala Wengker army towards Pakuwon Sendang which is one of the places that is suspected as the escape of the loyal followers of Raden Ronggo. This is because Akuwu Tapan, Jaran Rikmacemeng is the distant brother of Raden Ronggo's mother.
This time only Anjani who accompanied the journey Arya Pethak left for Pakuwon Tapan. Nay Kemuning was not feeling well while Sekarwangi was assigned to arrange the ins and outs of Wengker palace during Nay Kemuning's illness. Accompanied by Senopati Lembu Kangko and Demang Klungsur and Tumenggung Subrata, they brought 2000 men Wengker soldiers. Along the way, the people of Wengker lined up neatly on the side of the highway to pay their respects to the new Duke of Wengker.
Two pairs of eyes continued to lurk the movements of the Wengker warriors. After feeling enough, the two immediately rushed off the highway. In front of a diner, their two horses were neatly tied. Immediately the two jumped on their horses, and their horse-drawn mounts darted rapidly towards the forest which became a shortcut towards Pakuwon Tapan.
"It looks like they're heading towards Pakuwon Tapan, Kakang Walang Jinada. We must report this to Ki Cangak Biru and Bango Rowo as soon as possible" said the man with thin body while continuing to drive his horse.
"Yes, Kenanga Axis. If until the people of Wengker Palace were to storm into the palace Pakuwon Tapan without us there is preparation, the plan has run out Raden Ronggo to reclaim the throne Mandala Wengker", said the short man was a little fat while driving his horse as fast as possible.
The two men immediately spurred their horses as fast as they could to get to where they were headed.
Near a small village hidden among lush trees in the west of Pakuwon Tapan, hundreds of people appeared to be practicing weapons. Some are learning archery, some are learning to slash the neck of the opponent by riding, some are practicing close combat. They were all Raden Ronggo's men who were preparing to invade Wengker Palace.
Several people wearing black with necklaces with pendants with centipedes were seen watching the exercise.
Since Wengker Palace fell into the hands of Arya Pethak and his followers, Raden Ronggo immediately contacted the Ireng Centipede Group, which had been his main supporter. Even the supreme leader of the Ireng Centipede Group, Kumaradewa gave a special sign to Raden Ronggo so that all members of the Ireng Centipede Group help him in dealing with any situation.
For this training, Kumaradewa sent Mahesa Linggapati the left hand of the leader of the group of security troublemakers along with several chosen warriors.
At that time, Raden Ronggo with Mahesa Linggapati was sitting quietly staring at the training of his troops while chugging palm wine together.
"Now, Wengker I will recapture Uncle Linggapati" Raden Ronggo said as he downed the toad in his bamboo roof cup.
"Raden Ronggo take it easy.. Members of the Ireng Centipede Group will be sent to help Raden's cause. As long as Raden Ronggo does not forget to give us one-third of the annual Wengker tribute, this matter will be completed in a short time" Mahesa Linggapati said as she twisted her thick moustache. The thick-bodied man in a black dress with a red stranglehold looked at Raden Ronggo's face.
"Uncle Linggapati need not worry. Raden Ronggo is not an easy person to break a promise, Uncle..
As long as I can behead Arya Pethak to avenge me, half of Mandala Wengker land is also willing to give up to the Ireng Centipede Group" Raden Ronggo said quickly.
"It doesn't need to be like that, Raden Ronggo. As long as you can ascend to the throne, I am ready to help all your goals. Aren't you gonna be my stepdaughter soon? Hehehehe ", uh ", Mahesa Linggapati chuckled as she glanced at Goddess Setyorini's mother Raden Ronggo who seemed to be busy arranging the forest flowers in a clay vessel far enough from the porch where they were talking. The beauty charm of the former concubine of Duke of Warok Singo Ludro was indeed able to anesthetize the eyes of Mahesa Linggapati since the beginning of his arrival in the small village.
"I don't mind if Uncle Linggapati wants to marry my mother but before that Uncle has to complete Uncle's promise to help me ascend the throne of Wengker" Raden Ronggo said with a faint smile. A smile that contains many secrets behind her.
'After Arya Pethak I killed you next Linggapati!'
As they were busy chatting, from a distance two horsemen seemed to be rushing towards their place. Cangak Biru and Bango Rowo, Raden Ronggo loyal servants immediately rushed to stop their steps.
Why are you guys here? Didn't you guys I assigned to spy outside Wengker city?", asked Cangak Biru as he looked towards Walang Jinada and Paksi Kenanga who had just jumped down from their horse.
"There's important news, Ki Cangak Biru..
Wengker's forces led directly by Arya Pethak moved towards Pakuwon Tapan. That means they will pass the road ahead there", Walang Jinada replied immediately.
Surprised Cangak Biru and Bango Rowo heard reports Walang Jinada and Paki Kenanga. The four of them immediately rushed towards the foyer of Raden Ronggo residence where Raden Ronggo and Mahesa Linggapati were still busy talking.
The arrival of the four of them instantly brought the conversation between Raden Ronggo and Mahesa Linggapati to a halt. Raden Ronggo immediately asked his two loyal servants .
"Bango Rowo, Blue Cross..
How dare you interrupt my drinking. Are you tired of living ha?", Raden Ronggo's hard drive while glaring at his two loyal servants. He really doesn't like his pleasure in being disturbed.
"Please forgive Raden..
But there is important news that Raden Ronggo should know immediately. Arya Pethak's forces are on their way here" Bango Rowo said. Hearing that answer, Raden Ronggo immediately stood up from his seat.
"What did you say, Bango Rowo? Arya Pethak and her army are heading here?", Raden Ronggo is still a little in disbelief at Bango Rowo's reply.
"True Raden..
Walang Jinada and Kenanga Taxi had just seen them carrying 2000 soldiers leaving Wengker City. Their goal is Pakuwon Tapan, Raden ", said Cangak Biru while respecting Raden Ronggo.
"Pakuwon Tapan was the only place willing to accept my presence after Arya Pethak took control of Wengker palace. Uncle Jaran Rikmacemeng is our main supporter in preparing to retake Wengker Palace. If until Arya Pethak succeeds in forcing Uncle Jaran Rikmacemeng to submit to him, then it is up to our big plans.
No. gabe..
We can't just let this go. Uncle Linggapati, are our troops ready for battle right now?", Raden Ronggo turned his eyes to Mahesa Linggapati.
"Don't worry about it, Raden Ronggo.
My men are high-educated warriors. One of them was equal to the strength of 100 ordinary soldiers. The rest, your followers have trained long enough to fight, so they must be ready if they have to fight against Arya Pethak soldiers" Mahesa Linggapati said with confidence. Hearing that answer, Raden Ronggo was immediately delighted.
"Then, we ambush the soldiers of Arya Pethak in front of this forest. We destroy them all and cut off the head of Arya Pethak!", Raden Ronggo said excitedly. Bango Rowo and Cangak Biru nodded in understanding.
Immediately prepare an ambush for the Wengker soldiers by Raden Ronggo and his followers. They split the army into two parts. A small force under Mahesa Linggapati would block the movement of the Wengker soldiers, while a large army under Raden Ronggo would surround them. Raden Ronggo's men hid behind small forest trees on the left right of the highway to Pakuwon Tapan. A whistle was held by Raden Ronggo as a sign for assault. They really do look like trained soldiers.
Arya Pethak's army continued to move towards Pakuwon Tapan. Once on the forest-splitting highway west of Pakuwon Tapan, a large log appeared to cross the road. Seeing that, Arya Pethak immediately raised her right hand as a sign for the soldiers to stop their movements.
"There are those who are trying to stop our movement, Kangmas Adipati" Anjani said as he spread his gaze around the place.
"You're right, Nimas Anjani..
And their purpose must not be good. Tumenggung Subrata, Senopati Lembu Kangko, increase your alertness. Someone wants to block our way to Pakuwon Tapan" said Arya Pethak immediately. The two high-ranking officers of Wengker soldiers immediately saluted Arya Pethak and immediately gave warning signs to the Wengker soldiers.
Suddenly there was a loud laughter that was enough to make the ear drum pain of people who heard.
"Haha..
Arya Pethak's brats, where are you going?!!!"