The Musafir

Great Regret

CURRENTLY, a lot of allegations have appeared in his head about the cause of Jakawarman's disappearance. Uncountable. Only Jakawarman's clothes were found. The rest, he found traces of the Gembangmas in the form of shining petals with a golden color.

What could be more important to him now? The search for Kembangmas, or the search for Jakawarman?

But one of his conjectures says that Kembangmas and Jakawarman need not be searched separately. For perhaps, again perhaps, the two are one entity.

Not without reason, Mantingan had heard from Uncle Birawa, that Gembangmas is able to change its form similar to humans.

But then it was quickly realized that the allegations were completely absurd. It is clear that Jakawarman was a student of the White Wind College. Jakawarman was also sent from the White Wind Padepokan with some of his friends to escort him and the North River Angel to the White Wind College. It's impossible if his friends didn't know Jakawarman before, right?

However, with all the possibilities that have been considered, it seems that the search for Jakawarman does not need to continue. The search for Kembangmas does not need to be done right now.

With the discovery of Jakawarman clothing, it should have been expected that the young man had a poor fate; met Kembangmas accidentally, then killed because the plant felt so threatened.

Search Kembangmas also can not do for now. Mantingan felt that he did not have the strength to face Kembangmas. He did not want to die silly here and now, at least until the Angel of the North River left Javadvipa.

If he dies now, then the fate of the Angel of the North River along with Cana and Kina can no longer be ascertained.

Skillfully, only Mantingan could protect the Northern River Angel. Only he was strong enough and sincere enough to accompany the girl. Because to protect the North River Angel, it takes the same amount of strength and sincerity. Both of these things cannot be reduced by one of them.

Mantingan remembered the words of Uncle Birawa.

“Kembangmas will only show itself to the people he chooses. Most likely, only the chosen people will succeed in asking for it,” he said while showing his books about Kembangmas, “the plant is very interesting, he chose a soul mate for himself, he said, so it can be said that he is the destiny-determining creature.”

The mantel squeezed Jakawarman's clothes in his hand as he clenched his teeth.

***

“Hero Man! Where are you going? We turned around looking for you. And what do you bring?”

ONE of the Taruma Buffalo Warriors immediately approached Mantingan when he saw it appear on the side of the road. Other fighters also arrived.

Mantingan took a deep breath before saying, “This is Jakawarman's clothes. This is all I can find.”

Twenty-nine warriors saw an object in Mantingan's hand as if they had seen a feud.

“BIADAB!” One of them curled loudly while pulling a machete on his waist. “Who would dare to hold enmity with us, ha?!”

The mantle raised one hand. His face also looks sadder than other warriors. “Nobody ... presumably .. This is the work of wild animals. Look at this scratch.”

The coat then shows the clothes of the Cakravarman that have been torn everywhere and covered in red stains. Mantingan closed his eyes to permeate all guilt.

Of course when he found the clothes, the condition was still intact and not stained red at all. And the reason why the clothes became such was Mantingan, who did that for the sake of keeping the secrecy that Kembangmas was all around.

It is impossible if he says that this loss of Jakawarman was caused by the presence of Kembangmas. His search efforts could also be threatened, because there will be many expert warriors who return to look for Kembangmas if this news reaches everywhere. Mantingan however did not want things until that happened.

With great force, Mantingan committed a fraud committed only by a coward. His friend's loyalty was hurt. Compared to other warriors in the group, it is the closest to Jakawarman.

The mantan was about to cover up his lie with another lie, but the other swordsman first dismissed it.

“Whatever great swordsman but not alert, still dead. Never mind, Jakawarman is just one of the many warriors who died while on duty. We should as soon as possible return to the troupe.”

Mantingan's anger rose so sharply shortly after hearing the remark. The Kiai Kedai Sword came out of his cage. In no more than a blink of an eye, Mantingan had stood in front of the swordsman saying those words. His sword had arrived right beside the man's neck, just a hair away!

In front of the Kiai Master Kedai's Manten and Sword, the swordsman's body trembled violently.

“IF I KILL YOU, WON'T THAT BE A PROBLEM?”

“Brother Man! Calm yourself! You brought the name of the college!”

The mantan staring at the person in front of him was sharp, as if nothing might match the sharpness of that gaze. Before he finally sheathed back his sword with such a swift motion.

“Never underestimate the life and death of someone if you do not want the crowd to be happy for your death.” Mantingan said as sharp as his gaze.

***

BIAR HOWEVER, the group still has to continue the journey. Jakawarman's death was thought to have never happened. The mantan could only endure the anger at the attitude of the empress' entourage that was so disrespectful to the lives of the soldiers.

The young man sat down at the horse-driver's place. His hands are folded on his chest. The tip of the caping is slightly lowered down to cover part of his face that looks very gloomy. As dark as he thought.

No Jakawarman snored next to him. Or walk by the side of a horse-drawn carriage tirelessly just to protect it. Mantingan took a long breath. Given how all the good of the young man was repaid with rottenness.

Along the way, his hands continued to clench until even his fingernails pierced through the skin. His teeth gritted every time he remembered Jakawarman.

Is not man counted for the services he has done during his life? And now, Mantingan has smeared the name of Jakawarman under the pretext of dying in the attack of wild animals. To a warrior, such an event was extremely embarrassing.

Such crimes should not be forgiven. Really, Mantingan felt that his attitude had equaled that of warriors in the black stream!

***

AFTER THREE days of non-stop walking, the group arrived at the Mount Kubang area. They did not stop much because they felt that Mantingan was not ready to face the fight.

During those three days and nights, Mantingan was more silent in depression. His guilt was so deep that it was impossible to forget even until his death came. Often he decides to reveal what really happened that night, but ultimately retracts the decision before it actually takes place.

However, Kenanga's death would have been far more horrific had Gembangmas failed to be discovered. The poor girl will become a poor old woman, until she dies inedible promise.

Despite that, Mantingan still can not forget his sin on Jakawarman. Even if Kembangmas is found, his feelings of guilt will remain inherent in his mind. Never been destroyed.

And if only Kembangmas had failed to be found while Jakawarman's good name had been sacrificed, his guilt would have been more than enough to kill a Mantingan in a pit of regret.

“Developes I must find,” Mantingan growled at himself when his horse-drawn carriage began to enter the border town in the Gunung Kubang region.