The Musafir
Visit the Red Full Shops
IN THE END, Cakravarman left Mantingan because he felt that the young man needed a little time to be alone. But Cakravarman still regretted Mantingan's overly callous attitude, inversely proportional to the power stored in him.
The mantan can understand the Cakravarman way of thinking but can only understand it. However he realized, his attitude was indeed too hearty towards everything. But how can it be changed if from childhood he was emotionally educated by his parents?
Mantingan took a deep breath and recalled his encounter with Rara just before starting the battle this morning.
It was the first time Rara had appeared after such a long time of disappearing. And amazingly, the girl had learned of the existence of the Earth Inn in the battle arena that even Cakrawarman did not know about. Mantingan can not doubt that Rara is a real figure, not just his shadow.
But how could Rara return to the deep world after her death?
Mantingan recalls clearly that Rara's ashes were stored in a small jug that she now wears as a necklace eye.
The young man initially did not believe that the spirits of dead humans could come back against him. But after he felt for himself that Rara was a real person, then could he begin to accept and believe in superstitions like this?
Mantingan chose to go from where he stood. The empress will continue to travel to White Wind College which is not too far away. This time, the group did not have to worry about anything, because it would get an escort of twenty Taruma Buffalo Warriors plus the presence of Mantan in it. So it should be, all dangers can be overcome.
The company will leave at noon tomorrow, so Mantingan must rest as a form of preparation.
***
WHEN HARI had entered the day, the entire consort of empresses departed from the warrior camp towards the White Wind College.
This time the Mantingan did not need to flutter anymore, because he, the Angel of the North River, Cana, and Kina were specifically given a chariot of booty.
The mantan sat in the coachman's place while embracing his sword. His head is protected from the sun by a wide caping that has not been replaced since the beginning of his journey with Rara. Kenanga's gray robe keeps her body fresh even though the sun is shining.
The queen's horse carriage runs right behind the Mantingan horse carriage. Intentionally placed so for the sake of security. At any time if there is an attack, the Mantingan will deal with it first.
Jakawarman, six White Mask Warriors, and twenty glowing warriors walked around the two chariots. Especially Jakawarman, it runs right next to Mantingan.
The young man was so stubborn. Although Mantingan had offered—even asked him—to get on his horse-drawn carriage, Jakawarman still refused. He said that his job was to protect the Masingan, not to relax on a horse-drawn carriage. He also added that in order to provide better protection, he had to walk on the ground. Hearing that, Mantingan could only faintly smile and not force him anymore.
Far ahead, the group saw an archway standing on the side of the road. A pair of gates are dull gray, dirambati wild plants, and filled with moss and fungi. However, the script written there can still be read, that they have left Agrabinta and entered the Karang Sindulan region.
In the end, the whole group passed through the old gate, entering them into the Sindulan Reef.
The group will continue to move eastward, crossing the Sindulan Reef before finally arriving at the Mount Kubang region. This trip should not take more than a week, because Karang Sindulan and Mount Kubang are two adjacent areas.
If Mantingan see based on the map, then this group should pass through several small trading cities and several white schools. Mantingan saw that the supply of this group is actually not much. There was not much left even for himself.
The only way to fill the supplies was to stop by one of the trading cities. But it could invite other risks, because there are always one or two warriors in a small town though. Yang Mantingan beware is not one or two of the warriors, but the underground network of warriors who heard the news about the change in the course of this group.
But after all, supplies must still be obtained. Either by buying it, or by being delivered by a trusted party.
Although the news of the change in the path that the queen's entourage would pass was known to the Taruma Buffalo Warrior, and should the traitor have known this news, but it would still be even more dangerous if this news got out.
Cakravarman was so furious after hearing about the betrayal committed by special soldiers Taruma. For him, this is a black stain for his power as the coach of the country's war. The twenty warriors he had assigned to escort the current empress were only his trusted friends. He did not want any two black stains to tarnish his might.
Mantingan was asked to be aware of all the movements of the soldiers in the entourage. No exception Jakawarman and six White Mask Warriors. Even the ladies need to be watched more closely than others. Although it seemed excessive, Mantingan understood the situation and could only accept it.
***
WHEN NIGHT had come, the group rested at a shop under the trade union as well as the school of silat stream, the Red Purnama Group.
Mantingan and the Angel of the North River splashed back into the memories. In the past, their meeting took place in one of the Red Full Group taverns until they were finally able to be together until now.
The shop promised security for the group despite not knowing who was being escorted. But after seeing the clothes depicting buffalo horns worn by the soldiers, they soon learned that the coming was an important entourage from the kingdom.
Two horse carriages were hidden in the forest, Mantingan gave the disguise Magic Throw so that the existence of the two horse carriages was not easily sniffed.
All doors and windows of the shop are locked tightly, so that it displays as if it is closing the store. Without an outsider knowing, the store has actually become a stopover for Sri Prameswari.
Mantingan and Kana get a room, while the North River Angel and Kina get a room not far from him.
As Kana was getting ready for bed, Mantingan first called out to her.
“What's up, Kakanda?”
When Mantingan heard the way Kana called it, he almost choked on his own breath. “Why do you call me by another name?”
