The Musafir
Peace Offering
THE DISAPPEARANCE of the pancaka fire slowly until it finally runs out left nothing to make the Mantingan start moving to take the ashes of 13 fallen soldiers. Each of them is stored in the urn, later it will be handed over to the officer. Where the gray will be grazed is the decision of the officer, or the greatest possibility will be left to the families of the soldiers.
When finished, Mantingan painted the characters on the jars according to their names. The characters he painted were not ordinary characters, but part of a magic spell that could be formed without throwing. The magic spell would keep the temperature inside the urn awake and the ashes would last a long time, also strengthening the urn so as not to break for a thousand years.
Mantens want their ash-filled urns to remain in good condition until their grandchildren see them. Their children must know how their grandfathers were brave heroes.
The last name of the painted mantel is Putu, after which from the courtyard door an officer heard calling him. The mantang left his painting brush and immediately walked into the courtyard. Seemed an officer who smiled faintly at him.
“Empire, please come in.” The mantle does not smile. For now, he cannot smile.
“Thank you, Mantingan, I want us to talk inside.”
The mantis nodded, they walked all the way into the building of the house. The officer refused to enter his house, saying he would be more comfortable talking on the terrace while breathing the fresh morning breeze.
Be that moment Mantingan and the officer sat side by side in the courtyard of the terrace. The two were silent for a long time, staring blankly at his front. They were immersed in each other's thoughts. So much loss made the two of them have to set their minds to remain level-headed.
“Mantingan, I just want to express my gratitude to you and to the 13 brave warriors you have trained. The enemy is declared backward. You all made it.”
The mantle is still silent. He was very sure from the enemy did not have the intention to attack again in the future. Since they had lost so much power in this city, naturally they were not stupid to waste their lives and manpower here, Mantingan would not have to worry anymore in the future.
“That's excellent news, Officer.”
After Mantingan said, the morning was quiet again except by the sound of the birds chirping, or the drifting of trees that had been washed away by the wind. A beautiful morning, but not to be enjoyed.
“The enemy also offers peace to the city. They ask you not to attack them.”
The mantle nodded slowly. “Empire is better to accept it.”
Officer smile. “Really Mantingan, you are very noble-hearted. I've been so bad at thinking you're going to demand revenge.”
The mantel replied to him with just a slow nod. “Empire, their urn of ash you can already take.”
Officers nodded. “Their ash jar will be placed in the heroic monument of Wind City Nyiur. Their services and your services will never be forgotten.”
The mantan did not know what to answer so he chose silence. The officer felt that Mantingan did need time to himself, the officer also had a lot of business to complete, hence he intended to leave.
“Then, Mantingan, I beg you. Peace affairs should be resolved soon, and it seems that you need to calm down. Take care of yourself, Mantingan, later we will meet again.”
The officer carried 13 urns of ashes of the brave young soldier using a bundle of cloth. He went away from the Mantingan residence after saying goodbye once more. The mantan could only look at the officer's back until he disappeared, then he exhaled slowly and closed the courtyard door.
Mantingan remembered the words of Kiai Guru Kedai now. If a battle is going on, then all one has to do is kill or be killed. Even when the Truth is against Heresy, blood is needed.
Kiai Guru Kedai often emphasizes on Mantingan to always defend peace. What is the meaning of defending if it is important to live until many innocent people are killed.
Even Mantingan feel ready to receive punishment if at any time meet Kenanga. The death penalty will be met with steadfastness, because he has promised not to kill.
At least Mantingan has fulfilled another request of Kenanga, that he will always spread peace during his journey. But unfortunately, Mantingan did not realize that, he did not realize that what he had done was very meaningful for peace.
***
After a day of sitting cross-legged in his room, Mantingan decided to go out. It was day that became night. And tonight is a really quieter night.
Although the Mantingan house had been empty for several days left by the 13 young soldiers even when they were alive, but now the atmosphere was much more lonely after their deaths. At night there is always dinner. In addition to filling the stomach, they hold dinner every day also to relieve disputes between soldiers, so that the night is always full of laughter and jokes.
But not tonight.
The dining table is empty. The furnace in the kitchen does not billow smoke. The night crickets are the ones who make the sound, not them.
No one greeted Mantingan as he walked out of the room. No more asking “Is Brother Man hungry?”.
In accordance with the initial agreement, there is no dinner without a complete brother. Now only Mantingan left of them, even a nice and luxurious dinner does not feel exciting.
Mantingan opened the door and went outside the courtyard, then sighed once more.
***
Within five days, the peace affair was completed. The enemy representatives did not want to linger any longer and immediately got out of the city.
The agreed agreement made the city protected from the attack of three black-flow groups: Black Lotus College, Getih Asin College, and Lodging Land. What is surprising is that the Land Inn refused to declare itself as the party who attacked, saying they only watched the course of the battle.
It confused the officers and the entire army because the Land Inn was clearly attacking using their warriors. But to Mantingan, it was not too surprising.
The Earth Inn still seems to be hunting Mantingan. They want to put the problem down three years ago to its roots. Successfully escaping a figure called Arkawidya made them worry that the news will spread and have a bad impact on them.
In the last five days Mantingan spent helping the city recuperate. There were many buildings that he managed to rebuild. Of course do not doubt the ability of Mantingan in creating a building, he has proved it by erecting many buildings in the heart of the forest.
Slowly the townspeople returned to their homes. Others waited until their homes were repaired.
