The Musafir
The Enemy Army
That night in the courtyard of his residence, Mantingan sat cross-legged and absorbed the inner energy around him. Indeed, in the territory of his residence, not too much profound energy could be absorbed, but it would be better to absorb it than nothing.
The breeze slowly stroked the trees and grass around Mantingan. The mantle smiled before absorbing even more energy within. The wind always carries power within, so that is why there are so many warriors who absorb energy in windy areas such as mountains or others.
A soldier known by his name was Mandu walked slowly closer to Mantingan. Until the distance was close enough, he spoke slowly so as not to surprise the Mantingan.
“Brother Man, Brother Man ...."
The mantan was still in a cross-legged position and his eyes closed, nodding slowly and gesturing for Mandu to continue his speech.
“The hero calls you. He said to go straight to his tent,” said Mandu.
Manten opened his eyes slowly before taking a deep breath. He knows something is not going to happen or is going to happen.
“Thank you, Mandu.” The mantel said slowly. Mandu nodded before leaving the courtyard.
The mantle stood up and straightened its legs briefly, and in one twitch the legs sped away.
***
“The hero called me?” The mantle spoke after he entered the officer's tent.
The officer looks back at Mantingan. I heard a long breath from him.
“Mantingan, I have to deliver the news brought by telik sandiku.” The officer turned his body to face Mantingan, looking at the look of his agitated face. “Telik sandiku just back earlier, he reported that the enemy troops have started moving. We have to prepare ourselves before they actually arrive here.”
The mantel was silent for a moment before nodding. He knew from the beginning that this would happen sooner or later.
“Emerpirants, shahaya will install all the Magic Throw that we have. Sahaya will also inform the soldiers at the residence to come here and get ready.”
Officers nodded. “Coming-up, Man. And thank you for all the kindness you've given.”
Mantingan smiled and said, “That's no big deal.”
At that time the Mantingan said goodbye and returned to his residence.
Mantingan asked all his soldiers to be gathered in the courtyard. Thirteen soldiers soon gathered in ready condition, usually they were gathered every midnight to undergo training.
But it's too early to call midnight. The mantan is also not seen carrying tools commonly used for training. With a little curiosity they waited.
“Gentlemen, tonight it looks like there will be no rehearsal. You guys should go back and get ready. The enemy is already moving, we don't know when they will arrive, so hurry back.”
The expressions of those soldiers changed after hearing the Mantingan's words. They could not refuse what Mantingan ordered, because it was in accordance with his initial agreement.
Under the guidance of Mantingan, they only took a step to become warriors. Of course they do not want to part with the Mantingan. However, the Mantings had emphasized before, that what they learned while with him should be useful for combat.
The mantle shook slowly. “With you continue to defend the Truth, then it will be the best offering for me.”
The soldiers were silent again. They had guessed the Mantingan would say that. What does a good man like Mantingan claim?
“I have a little message for you guys.” Mantingan cleared his throat for a while before continuing, “if any of you manage to live after a battle, return here to bury your fallen brothers. And if you all manage to survive, come back here for dinner. Remember our custom, if want dinner, all brothers should gather together, and if it is incomplete then there is no dinner that day.”
They nodded weakly. It was a bit heavy if one of them had to fall in battle after a long time together.
“And if I die ...”
“Brother Man don't say that! We are ready to protect Brother Man with the soul of our body, Brother Man will not die.”
The mantle shook slowly and smiled. “If I am destined to die, as a human being what can I do? So if I die, burn and put my ashes under a shady tree with the little jug that is with me at this time.”
The thirteen warriors wanted to argue further and also wanted to say that the Mantingan would not die before they all died, but the Mantingan signaled to them not to refute anymore.
“Now you can start packing. In each of your bundles I have inserted Magic Throw, save it well and use it in urgent situations.” The mantang wears a farewell smile. “Bubar.”
The line of 13 trained soldiers were no longer the whiny soldiers under Mantingan training. Although they knew that parting with Mantingan was a very sad thing, they still broke up the line of walking back into the residence to pack up.
As trained soldiers, they realize that tonight might be their last night.
***
Under the twinkling starlight, and the cool moon. The mantan continued to move away from the city after it managed to quietly exit the city.
The mantan instead wanted to escape from the city. His departure was indeed silent, but it was done not to escape. Mantingan did so based on his suspicion that there were spies on the side of friends. He did not want his movements to be known by enemy spies.
The purpose of the Mantingan is to find the presence of the enemy to estimate the magnitude of the enemy's strength. Even if possible, the Mantingan will paralyze enemy warriors who are considered dangerous.
Finding the existence of a team that moves quietly is not an easy matter. In addition to the Mantingan must move very quickly, Mantingan also needs to install full vigilance.
If only he moved quickly, but was not alert, it was possible that he would directly hit the enemy army.
That's not a good thing. Although Mantingan is a high-level swordsman, but being gangred by one army at a time can make him die on the spot.
Moments later, Mantingan darted, finally finding signs of enemy soldiers moving. From a distance he heard footsteps. Then Mantingan stopped his pace and perched on a lush banyan tree.
The mantang disguises itself among the grove of trees. Friends with the hiss of snakes and the sound of an owl that seemed to drive him away, Mantingan tried to ignore it.
The troop's pace was getting closer. Of course they do not move in rows, because the path they pass is forestry. They walked under the trees without forming a line, even so their footsteps remained clear. Sign of great enemy power.
