The Musafir

Dara's Room

THE AUCTION HALL was still silent for a while. For the 20th item, no one made an offer other than Mantingan. Or rather, no one dared to do that.

Dara also looks like her face has gone awry. The girl actually wanted to give the plant for free to Mantingan, and did not want other auction guests to bid. But at an auction event like this, he had to keep his attitude as an expert host, but also not hurt Mantingan's feelings.

“Is anyone still willing to bid?”

The entire auction audience fell silent. Even to breathe, they did not dare to firmer.

“Good. Because there is no longer a bid, Dara will release the Pain-Buying Beans at a price of 80 gold pieces.”

An auctioneer delivered a hundred Painless Beans to Mantingan before receiving payment. The coat keeps the whole bean well inside one of its purse pockets.

“Maybe I'm so scary they all shut up.” Kana whispered softly to Mantingan, who was only replied with an awkward smile.

The auction continues. While Mantingan again pulled the list of groceries recorded on the ejection sheet. From the list, there are at least two more medicinal plant names that he must get his form, but there are still more other items that he must get in the city market.

Mantingan feel enough to successfully get one type of plant only, namely Nuts Pain Reliever. It is known before, Mantingan is not carrying a lot of money.

As long as the auction was still going on, there appeared two types of plants that were on the Mantingan list. But Mantingan could only look in silence as the two plants were delivered to the highest bidder.

Entering the last plant, the auction hall stiffened again. In fact, now only special guests make offers. The price of the plant has soared too high!

In the end, the price of the plant fell in 700 pieces of gold. Realizing that, Mantingan gulped his saliva.

“After the last item sold, then Dara's duty here has ended.” Dara said loudly with her big smile. “Because, see you on another occasion!”

The girl sank behind the backstage door to applause. Most of the auction guests stood up from their places and immediately left the auction hall, but there were still some guests sitting while chatting with friends or wives.

The mantan himself had decided as soon as possible to leave the auction hall. He also had to hide before jumping with Kana when he arrived outside the building.

Mantingan. With a single nod, Kana understood what she had to do. Then he and Mantingan departed from the same place. As soon as possible they have to leave, but do not look like they are in a hurry, because it will invite suspicion that leads to stalking.

Mantingan and Kana were among the crowd of people who had just walked out of the auction hall, until a hand pulled the Mantingan arm. Quickly, Mantingan pulled Kana's arm.

The one pulling his arm turned out to be a young woman dressed as an auctioneer in the auction hall earlier. After bringing Mantingan out of the crowd of people, then the woman took off her grip from the arm of Mantingan before saying her point.

“Nyai Dara called you,” he said as warmly as possible, “daku was assigned to pick you up, sorry if my way is not friendly. Now, follow me.”

The mantan could only nod and follow where the woman was walking. Kana walked right beside him.

They entered a room that had stairs inside. Following the officer, Mantingan and Kana went down the stairs. Presumably, they were on the first floor now. Or even on the basement?

Both of them at the bottom of the stairs. Face to face with a large wooden door. The woman told Mantingan to enter the room behind the door, while she could only take her there.

The mantle throbs a few times. He was actually not too sure if this was not some ruse to trap him. But based on the signs he felt, there was no danger around or the room behind the big door.

So with firm conviction, he opened the door and entered at the same time as Cana.

***

MATA MANTINGAN was quite mesmerized by what he saw. And Kana reacted even more dazzled than Mantingan. The room they saw was completely different from the quiet, damp stairway they had been through. It was as if, that room was a patch of garden in the middle of an endless desert.

The room, which would have been no more than ten times the size of ten fathoms, did not have much luxury, but had a high artistic value with paintings displayed almost everywhere. In the middle of the room, there is a round table surrounded by four benches. Next to that table, Dara stood up with a beaming smile.

“Mantingan ...,” he said as he walked over to Mantingan. Without hesitation, the girl hugged him so tightly.

Clearly Mantingan was surprised by Dara's treatment, and even more surprised by the boy beside her. Kana's mouth seemed to be unable to close, thinking about what kind of report he should give to the Northern River Angel.

“A long time ago we did not meet.” Dara took off her embrace after a while. “Let's sit in that chair and have a little chat. And what is the name of your student?”

Mantingan then introduced and said that Kana was not his student, but he still did not say the reason behind his lie.

Dara nodded in understanding. The three then walked towards the bench and sat on it. That's where Dara re-opened the conversation.

“Where have you been all this time, Mantingan? When I set foot back in Javadvipa, the first thing I did was find out everything about your whereabouts. From there I learned that you are known to the crowd by the nickname ‘Hero Man’ because your services have been so great. However, no one knew about your whereabouts at the time, only I had the information that you deliberately kept the trip a secret because the North River Angel was with you. The news is just a mere intersection, not many know the truth.” Dara cleared her throat once before continuing, “so ... is that true?”

The mantang nodded his head. “The news is true, Nyai. In addition, I also walked with the empress' entourage. That is the reason I ask that you no longer mention my identity, for it will be dangerous for the North River Angel and the empress.”

“Ah, forgive me. Really, I didn't think long. Mistakes like this .. should not be forgiven.” Dara seems to be worried. “What should I do to help you, Mantingan?”

“No need.” Mantang shook his hands while smiling gently. “Auction guests seem to believe that I am walking alone with my students.”

“No. It's not that easy they believe.” Dara's fingers tapped on the table. Trying to find out what kind of way is able to release the Mantang from the bondage of danger. “They will definitely spy on you.”

Mantang nodded his head while smiling. “For that, I've prepared a plan.”

Dara stopped moving her finger. Eyebrows raised. Is that how fast Mantingan find a solution to the problem?