The Musafir

Dead Village

PRESUMABLY after the North River Angel, Jakawarman also found out about this. He seemed to be taking off his sword lock marks on standby. The young man also approached Mantingan with the intention of protecting him.

“Hero Man, it is not impossible that this place has become a haven for thieves,” said Jakawarman slowly.

“I do not feel the existence of many humans in this region.” The mantang answered calmly. “But there is no harm if we increase alertness. Place the horse to walk near the North River Angel and the children, the animal can be the first protection when a surprise attack appears."

“I'll run, Hero Man.” Jakawarman walked up to his horse.

Sure enough that there is a countryside near the pesawahan. Marked after they saw some house building not far in front of him. But there was no sign of life at all. The streets were covered in dry foliage, while brooms lay just like that on the outskirts. There was not a single hint of smoke rising. There are no farmers carrying paculs or ruffians who are preparing buffaloes and wagons.

“Hero Man, do you smell this scent?” Jakawarman next to him asked.

“Yes, I just kissed him.” The coat immediately knew what he was supposed to do. Immediately he sent a whisper of wind to the Angel of the North River, “Saudari, distract Kana, there is something he should not have seen.”

Of course the concern was Cana, because Kina was still asleep on the back of the North River Angel.

After hearing the whisper, the Angel of the North River immediately understood the meaning of the rancid aroma that his sense of smell captured. His face turned bad. “Kana, come closer to me.”

“Does Kaka also feel that something is not right with this village?” The question was not answered at all by the North River Angel.

Kana's spirit began to slacken as none of the villagers saw her. Cana slowed her pace until she approached the North River Angel. Not only that, he even pulled the wooden sword on his back. Act as if protecting the North River Angel. Although he knew, his strength and the power of the Northern River Angel were like the earth and sky.

“Take it easy, Kaka. I've seen a lot of terrible things. Bodies were scattered in the middle of the road without one to take care, the scattered body parts were eaten by dogs and wild boars, the desperate cries of those who survived, I felt everything. Kaka Sasmita need not worry, I will protect you with all my soul. Just keep Kina asleep, she will never accept bad things like this.”

The Angel of the North River could not speak to see the maturity of Cana's soul was much higher than the maturity of his body. Even Mantingan was unable to respond to anything. But in his mind, he was amazed.

“Hero Man, may I ask?” Jakawarman suddenly said as the atmosphere returned to silence.

“Ask only, Jaka.”

“Is the child your descendant and the Angel of the North River?”

The mantan almost choked on his own saliva after hearing Jakawarman's question. I never thought a question like this would come. Jakawarman looked at him with a difficult gaze to interpret. Is it true that this one disciple can joke around in the midst of tension?

“Do you think myself and the Angel of the North River are married?”

“No. I don't think that way, Hero Man. But a warrior as great as you does not need to get married to do—”

“Hold your step, Jakawarman!” The mantan extended its arms towards Jakawarman until he stopped. He saw the North River Angel who first stopped the move. The girl's body seemed to tremble, as did Kana.

“Return you both.” The mantan said as he stepped forward. “Jakawarman, come with me.”

The two young men advanced, while the Angel of the North River and Cana stepped back with their eyelids wide open. As soon as Mantingan and Jakawarman arrived at the place where the North River Angel had originally been, their faces turned ugly. He saw what the Angel of the North River and Cana had seen.

Mantingan remembered the words of Cana which were exactly the same as what he was seeing now. Bodies lapping. Body parts are scattered. Crows, wild dogs, and wild pigs are still reluctant to take their hands even though they have known the existence of Mantingan. The roar of tears sounded vague, unclear of its origin.

Jakawarman suddenly just growled loudly, “Biadab! Who has done this?!”

While the Mantingan could not bear to not take a long breath. Although he knew that it did not change things at all. No matter how many thousands of times the Mantingan sighed, the corpses would not be able to come back to life. “We are taking a break in this village, Jakawarman. These bodies should get a decent cremation.”

Jakawarman kept a snarl before nodding in understanding.

***

THAT NIGHT. Face to face with the campfire. With a star-studded sky. Kana asks Mantingan, “Why doesn't Kaka help Kaka Sasmita?”

The mantingan who was still looking at the girl from a distance only shook his head without turning his head. He saw the North River Angel, as if he was not tired of persuading a woman who was a victim of war to leave this village. Mantingan could hear the sobs of the woman's sobs since this afternoon.

The reason why Mantingan was unwilling to help was not because he objected to having to take the woman on his journey. Really, since noon, Mantingan coaxed him. But he always refused in a loud voice, saying that he wanted to die alone in this village. Nor had Mantingan been tired and lazy to persuade him, but he allowed the woman to make up her mind on her own life.

Jakawarman was seen shaking his head several times. Can't do anything but stare at the campfire. Feeling his own anger.

“Trust me, Mother. Mother's future is still broad if only Mother does not give up like this. Husband and children Mother will not like to see Mother waste their sacrifice.”

“Leave me, Son! Let my body die here, for my soul has died in this land! Go before the bastards come again to this village!”

The conversation goes on over and over again, more or less like that. The North River Angel was stubborn, the woman was stubborn as well. And more importantly, they are women. It would be a long time for this kind of business.

“Kak Maman why is he still silent? Say to Sasmita Brother to stop persuading the mother and come back here.”

Manten shook his head, this time he replied, “Just let Kak Sasmita act like that until he decides to stop by himself. Surely, he will reap valuable lessons.”

Kina did not understand, could only remain pensive.

“Will Kaka let this go until tomorrow night or even a week though?” Kana asked, “doesn't we have to continue the journey?”

“The purpose of a journey is indeed to be achieved, but the lessons of a journey are also worth appreciating.”