The Musafir
Doubt of the North River Angel
“Thank you that's so sure, as if I appear like a dumb frog at this time.”
MANTINGAN IS NOT so aware of the answer, “Ya, it should be. Already on target.”
North River Angel bought eyes towards Mantingan. “What are you saying? On target? So you're saying I look like a dumb frog?”
The mantan in the blink of an eye realized his mistake, quickly he flicked his arm. “No-no, it's not. It's just ... indeed you should look ugly, considering your current situation there is no harm in you appearing ugly, provided you are sure that your beauty comes from within.”
The North River Angel snorted in annoyance. Even so in his mind he was happy because Mantingan had praised him. “You have a lot of plots, but let it be, it is true what you say. Now, we better walk fast. I want to enjoy warm water for bathing, sweet and savory grilled meat, and do not forget about warm and comfortable mattress.”
The mantan only cleared his throat in response. In his heart he said, that the Angel of the North River must bury his desire far away if he does not want to regret. What kind of conditions are they in so they can feel the comfort described by the North River Angel?
Of course Mantingan will avoid urban areas as much as possible. If in case you have to go into the city, then it is only to refill the supplies, and of course without bringing the North River Angel.
Mantingan felt the current martial world was starting to show his face to the public face. There will definitely be many warriors scattered in or even outside the city. The danger lies in the association of young warriors, those who have recently entered the martial world usually need more money to buy various potions, weapons, and so on. They are willing to become mercenaries, or to search for fugitives in groups.
Meningan hopes not to meet with a group of poor young warriors in the middle of the road, or it will be difficult to fight. Even if they win, their deaths will be investigated by other warriors, which means they leave footprints on wet ground.
They continued down the road and continued to move west. Traces of buffalo carts still imprinted on the streets, will be seen very clearly on the muddy ground. Even Mantingan occasionally found human footprints that indirectly hinted had occurred several times the events of the carts trapped in the mud.
So Mantingan could see the group took a lot of time to walk to the destination, not imagined how great the threat of piracy they had to face.
It was impossible if the passers-by were ordinary merchants. A merchant would not be so bold as to cross this path without an escort from a powerful army. No doubt, this is a party from the kingdom. But not the royal family's entourage straight away, it was too great of a risk to bring a king on such a path.
Could it be just government officials or a supply chain? It's still a question mark that doesn't really matter. But let Mantingan think about it, count to fill the travel time is still long.
After a long time they walked west, now it was time to change the direction of the walking foot. Turning north, Mantingan first saw the signs of nature to make sure the direction of the path he took was not wrong, after being ascertained the truth to walk them.
They are now separated from the streets. Enter into the high forest of the bush. This time the North River Angel did not complain much although not infrequently the long grass that touched his ankle. After a long walk with Mantingan, the girl had gotten used to things that smelled of adventure.
That's how it is, a lot of knowledge can be obtained if only always close to Mantingan. Although the young man did not intend to share knowledge even though—, for example, still people will get knowledge that was accidentally transmitted by him.
***
THE WIND ROARED the trees in shame. Rips of falling leaves are accompanied by the whirring of the wind. That afternoon. Again they met with the streets, but this time the road they saw was another condition, unlike the road they had met this morning.
This road has more traces of buffalo carts, horse carriages, even human footprints. Indirectly commemorate Mantingan and Bidadari North River that they are close to the city.
The Angel of the North River saw and realized the distress of all the traces that were plastered in front of him.
These traces remind him of the massacre of the last of the group that guarded him in the land of Java. The Angel of the North River remembers how his men's blood flowed and filled the horse tracks of the pirates. Then he held back a step, even as it began to recede backwards.
Mantingan who was in front of him did not realize the lagging of the North River Angel until he arrived in the middle of the road. At that time he no longer heard the sound of footsteps of the North River Angel and then looked back.
Mantingan saw the Angel of the North River far behind, across the road there. Stand with a frightened look. His palm is clenched and as******-****** something. His feet slowly retreated.
The mantingan is aware of what the Midget of the North River is facing. The young man looked at the North River Angel with pity. He stuck out his arm, smiling warmly. “There I am, they dare not anything.”
The Northern River Angel did not reply except to shake her head slowly, still with a fearful look. The mantle stuck out his hand. “From the North River from Champa, come here, there is no danger here. Everything is fine, and will continue to be fine.”
The Northern River Angel shook her head again, this time giving an answer, “You wouldn't say that if you could save me, would you?”
“I cannot guarantee, but I promise I will put in the best effort.” The mantel stuck out his arm, still smiling. “This path is indeed long, Sister. Long and as if without hope.” Mantingan said with a sure look, but it was as if he was speaking also to himself. “Sometimes we find a little hope, sometimes that hope runs aground. Sometimes we have reason to continue this journey. But as long as there is still a purpose, any reason to stop seems meaningless. Come, Sister, we keep walking, until the goal is achieved. That's where we'll finish.”
The Northern River Angel lowered his head. Take time to think. Silence over the death of dozens of his brave men. Perhaps the Angel of the North River could have let them go, but the hope that almost disappeared made the Angel of the North River hesitant to step back.
