The Musafir

Kanoman; Land Inn

Before they entered the Kanoman arch, the two were examined first by a guard. While checking, the guard also explained that the current state of the city was not very safe, the robbers and black groups made a simultaneous movement that was dizzying for the kingdom, therefore, checks are held at every entrance to the city to avoid any robbers who enter.

The guard was friendly because he found no signs of harm from Mantingan and Rara, especially after they were examined. Even he gave advice on a good lodging place and suitable for travelers like them.

Mantingan expressed deep gratitude, before inviting Rara into the city.

“Mantingan, I hope we don't stay at the inn that the soldier mentioned earlier, I'm sure it's expensive.”

Mantingan nodded, she was grateful that Rara could understand her circumstances. Then the first thing they have to do here is find an inn that costs less, so it can save money for the trip ahead.

They went here and there in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city, wondering what lodging was available in the city, but everyone pointed to the same inn that the gatekeeper had appointed. Except for one old man who said that there was a small inn at the end of the city, it was this old man who made Mantingan smile widely after tired of asking many people.

The old man detailed the instructions, even he added that to enter the inn it must say a password. “There you have to call ‘crick in tanah’ to be allowed to enter and rent a room. Rooms there are very cheap, but I recommend not to rent services there because the price is much higher than the price of the room itself.”

The bright mantan alone became astonished, but he held back the question he wanted to raise because the old man had already passed seducing the old grandmother who had just passed by, further adding to the astonishment of Mantingan.

What kind of room is cheaper than the service? And what services are provided so that the price is much more expensive than the price of the room? A really strange inn.

“You sure you want to go to that place, Mantingan?” Rara asked carefully.

“The biggest possibility is so, Rara. It's the cheapest inn in town, isn't it? Moreover there is a possibility that I only stopped for one day here.”

“Ah, maybe you just want to unwind with them.” Rara exhaled slowly and smiled bitterly.

The mantle frowned. “Who do you mean by ‘they’ it?”

Rara shook her head, instead she asked. “I was more surprised by your words earlier, when you said ‘more I only stopped one day here’. Just you?”

“Ya ..” The mantan went wrong. “Isn't it according to our agreement at that time is that you will follow me until Kanoman alone?”

Rara's smile grew bitter. “I'm too much trouble for you, huh?”

“Not. Not like that, I see ...”

The speech of the Burmese mant was cut off by Rara who shook her head. “Nothing, Mantingan, I prefer if we discuss this at the inn later.”

It was as if Rara's concern for Mantingan evaporated unceremoniously. As the girl walked away, her eyes did not glance at Mantingan at all. What made Rara look so fed up with him? What harm? The mantan was inexhaustible, but chose not to think about it. As much as possible Mantingan will ask Rara to explain it carefully if there is something wrong with him. Or maybe there really is nothing wrong, just that Rara just wants to be angry? Aren't women like that?

***

Mantingan managed to find the location of the inn based on the direction indicated by the old man in the middle of the city earlier. But what he saw now was neither a simple inn nor a luxurious inn. It was hard to explain the appearance of the inn.

The building is called Land Lodging. There is only one building, which is quite spacious and merges with the houses of other residents, as if disguised. But according to the name of this inn, the real building is embedded in the ground up to five floors in length.

The astonishment of Mantingan is getting bigger. This place is definitely not an ordinary inn. What's wrong with trying?

“You know what to say?”

Although it looks like a person in general, but this guard has an aura that confirms that he is a swordsman. Mantenan little know that many warriors disguised themselves as ordinary people to carry out their secret duties

But this person in front of him was definitely not a hit man. He was only the innkeeper, nothing more, hence the Mantingan had no reason to fear him.

“Cricks in the ground!” yells.

“Put to the ground and be a noiseless cricket.” The guard opened the door and told them to come in.

When Mantingan and Rara entered the building, the hot outside air immediately changed with the cool air of the room. This hotel takes on a red feel. Lots of antique jewelry on display. However, there were not many people on this first floor, there were only a few who were chatting while drinking palm wine in the corner of the room.

The coat immediately set foot onto the reception desk. There he found a woman with very excessive grooming. Thick pupils stuck to his face until it looked very white, red lipstick was also thick over his wide lips. His eyes looked at Mantingan with a gaze that meant to tease. But instead of being tempted, Mantingan was even disgusted and seemed to be able to vomit right now.

“Welcome to Lodging Land, Mr. Handsome Crickets. What do you want to order here?”

“Two rooms,” reply Short mantingan although he does not know the meaning of the designation.

“Oh, what a pity, Sir! There's only one room left for you two.” The woman smiled seductively, then whispered, “will it not be exciting?”

Manten. “We did not order.”

“Can't! Can't!” The woman held back. “There is one rule here, Mr. Handsome Crickets. Guests who come here should not go out before staying at least one night. Trust me, the guards out there will instantly kill you if you go out without permission.”

“What if what you say is a lie?” The mantel stared full of probing.

“Oh, so you don't believe it?” The woman gave a defiant look, her hand reached for something under her desk and then lifted her up. “What if you see this?”

Mantingan's eyes bought and Rara cried out in fear. How not? What the woman took was a human head that had been separated from her neck! The eyes on the head were slightly open, and there was still skin hanging on the neck due to the untidy cut.

Guests who were drinking in the corner of the room seemed to have gotten used to something like this until they seemed completely unconcerned.

“Tell me, what kind of inn is this?” Manten said a little slowly.

“Don't ask much, just book one room that costs no less than one silver then Mr and Puan congratulations!” The woman said firmly. A quick coat reached into the coffers at his waist and threw a silver one on the table.

The woman took the piece of silver and also the head on the table, and she whispered very softly and softly. “My name is Arkawidya, it will be very important if you order me later tonight.”

Mantingan nodded, the woman named Arkawidya smiled and no longer whispered while giving the room keys and mentioned on what floor the room they ordered was located.

“Second floor below, enjoy your evening, Mr Handsome Crickets!”