The Musafir

Night Journey Using Torch

“Kakanda, it seems you are spoiling me too much this time.”

MANTAN LAUGHS SLOWLY. “I have absolutely no intention of spoiling you.”

Mantingan then explained that drinking tea had become a habit of a sword-wisher after eating the dish and before they continued their journey. Kana who realized that became excited.

“That means, this myself can already be said as a swordsman?”

The mantel raised his eyebrows in astonishment. “As long as you shine a sword on your back, on your waist, or anywhere else, you can be called a sword denominator.”

“But still, I am a swordsman who at least does not have more experience and knowledge than someone who only shines his sword as a display, right?” Kana quickly refuted Mantingan's statement by making excuses, not wanting her pride to be destroyed just like that.

Mantingan and Kana continued the journey after finishing their respective teas. Although the store offered a simple lodging in the form of a prayer room, Mantingan remained on his decision to continue the journey at night.

Traveling at night will be much more training Kana who has a timid nature. Although it can be said, the mantingan is very sleepy and it is very interesting to feel spread on the bed belonging to the store, which does not need to be soft as long as it is comfortable. But the desire was soon put aside, for he knew how much Cana would leave him in a moment. When that happened, Mantingan wanted him to have given Kana a lot of lessons and training.

Before actually leaving the store, Mantingan first bought a torch from the store owner. He paid enough for a piece of bronze. Kana who saw it became confused and afraid.

“Kakanda, don't you use Magic Throw that can glow brighter than that torch?”

“No.” The mantle shook slowly. “It doesn't seem to be for tonight.”

“Has Kakanda run out of that magic tool?”

“Nothing.” Again Mantingan shook his head. “I still have some just in case.”

“Can't just use one of them as our light tonight?” Kana's eyes silently glanced at the streets that were afflicted by the pitch darkness. Walking in the middle of the night, in complete darkness, Kana's mind was pointing everywhere. The boy told him there were wild animals like a panther, or worse was a thief ambushed in the darkness.

But for something like this, Mantingan would not accept the offer. They would still walk in the darkness of the night using a single torch whose light was dim, not using a piece of Light Magic Throw.

“Isn't it common for a swordsman to travel at night using a torch?” mantingan said, “there are even some who do not use torches or any lighting tools.”

Mantingan managed to give a decisive answer to Cana. He who has always wanted to be considered a great swordsman, of course, does not want to be defeated by other swordsmen who walk only with a torch. If other writers can do that, why can't they?

Kana eventually nodded her head and asked Mantingan to start walking. Although in his mind still stored a fear that was not small, but self-esteem and honor made Kana willing to ignore her fear.

Even if sold, the sword can fall at the price of 500 gold pieces. The mantan had obviously tried to resist him, but no matter what, Dara was more stubborn. Kana did not give a rejection, even happily accepted it.

When Kana was asked what her sword was called, the boy shook his head and said he was still waiting for the right time to name it.

Mantingan and Kana walk out of the shop in her nightly gulit. Torchlight danced when the cold dry wind hit him, and merta make the shadows of objects around him also danced.

***

THERE WAS NO MEANINGful DIFFICULTY they faced until dawn. That morning. On the banks of a small river whose water is as thick as the color of tea. Some dried leaves fell on the surface of the slow flowing water like a cow descending the valley as the wind blew quietly. The shadow of the trees extends on the ground as the sun shines on it from the eastern horizon.

Mantingan and Kana seem to be resting there. Because the small river is not too far from the road they pass. And this morning, after passing through the night on foot, Kana reported to Mantingan that she was so exhausted and sleepy. Then stop them here.

Kana carried a piece of wide banana leaf that had just been slashed by her. Use the banana leaves as a bed on the ground. In a few eye shocks, Kana suddenly snored loudly a sign that she had fallen asleep.

While the Lotus cross-legged mantle on a large rock that was only a few steps away from where Cana fell asleep. The young man faced the river. His eyes were half open, not completely closed. In addition to being on standby, do it like that to live the beauty of nature around it.

This little river is so simple. There is almost nothing special compared to the famous rivers of history and become the destination of cycling. The river in front of it is certainly rarely getting attention even though it is not far from the streets that are often passed by traders and travelers.

But sometimes, in that simplicity, Mantingan can taste such a deep meaning. That is how great the way nature works, no matter whether it is simple or not simple, seen or not seen much, received praise or not received praise, however it still works according to the lifeline.

Can humans replicate the way the universe works? Can man no matter how simple or unassuming he is, seen or not seen much, received praise or not received praise, and still work according to his life line?

In the end, not many people can do that. With the passions that exist in his mind, man becomes a creature that thirsts for praise.

How Mantingan felt that nature always gave a pilot to man but not many could realize it. Mantingan thought, it is appropriate that a monk prefers to spend time together in the middle of nature or in a cave. It is the way they hear and understand nature.

But Mantingan felt that the knowledge gained by understanding nature is not good to be kept alone. Mantingan can not continue together in the middle of nature or in the cave and break all social relations. That's not how the world works.

So by opening his eyes wider, Mantingan ended his samadhan. Time had long been passed as long as he thought about simplicity earlier. The journey must continue. Likewise with Kembangmas, must still be found!