The Musafir

Departure to the Port

Mantingan knows that in that way, travel time can be cut down quite a lot. Security can also be more assured, because no matter how many thieves in the ocean, there will be no more with thieves on land.

“Prepare yourself, Mantingan.” Rama spoke again. “But not only prepare to face the battle alone, be prepared to face farewell.”

***

EVEN STILL too early was called the morning blind, but the Mantingan, the North River Angel, Cana, and Kina had been cruising on horseback.

To get to Sagandu Earth, they do not use horse carriages. If not, the journey will take seven days.

Unlike when they ride horses, the trip only takes three days.

They were escorted by ten White Mask Warriors who were also riding horses. Five warriors in the front row; five warriors in the back row.

The entire horse they rode was the best horse the college had. Everything is silvery white. When the sun shines, their bodies glitter silver.

Mantingan and Kana rode their horses respectively. Kana drove his horse with pride, because his horse was a direct gift from the head of the White Wind College, Rama.

The Angel of the North River and the Quinine were on the same horse. Of course it was because Kina could not ride a horse alone, so it must also be accompanied by the North River Angel.

The horses they rode were not careless horses that were usually sold on ordinary horse farms. The horses they ride are the result of mating the best horses with the best other horses, so the stuff certainly produces a much better horse.

The horses they rode were capable of speeding as fast as the wind for a very long time. They will not stop until the rider himself asks for it. It was as if he had never felt hunger or thirst.

But among all the horses they rode, Cana's horse was the best. The horse sometimes advanced to the front row, and only retreated backwards after Kana pulled the reins. The breath of the horse is the most regular of the other horses.

In a very short time, or rather when the sun had poked in the eastern horizon, they had managed to leave the region of Mount Kubang and enter the region of Mount Manik. It was marked after they passed a pair of archways that stood on two sides of the road.

***

THAT NIGHT. They stopped at a medium-sized shop. The Angel of the North River has been confirmed to install the veil and caping that he got at Perguruan Angin Putih, the girl will act as Mantingan's concubine who ‘tertepas’.

They stopped at the tavern not because they were afraid of the mountain rogues that often descended when the sun had sunk, but the horse they had ridden had reached the limit of its strength.

The horses must be rested, fed, and water. For in any case, the horses were still living creatures in need of rest, food, and water.

Mantingan, North River Angel, Cana, Kina, and ten White Mask Warriors were also living creatures. They need rest, food, and drink.

So they entered into the medium-sized shop, which in fact was not the arrival of many visitors. There were only a few people looking like travelers in the corners of the room. They drank wine and didn't seem to want to be disturbed.

Mantingan immediately went to the booking table and booked several rooms.

“Child, we don't have many rooms. Especially today, there are several groups of traders who spend the night. You can only get one room, Son.” The owner of the store said with a regretful tone.

“Not why, Father. I ordered the room. What's the price?”

But before that, the father of the shop owner glanced at the North River Angel behind Mantingan. It seemed that he wanted to see the girl's face. But dear thousand dear ones, all he got was a veil and caping that completely covered the face of the Northern River Angel.

“The price of one night is quite five pieces of silver,” he said with a heavy voice and a slowly fading smile. “But it will be doubled in price if the woman brings trouble to this place.”

The real mantan was very surprised. But soon he hid it. It would be dangerous if the father of the shop owner to know his surprise.

The mantel smiled softly. “Not going, Father. And even if it brings problems, then I alone handle it.”

The owner of the shop brought up his smile again. “Your room is located on the second floor, fourth. There are no special keys in the room, so you are free to open them and free to close them. Be careful you guys.”

Mantingan nodded and went to the second floor with the North River Angel, Cana, and Kina. While the ten White Mask Squad chose to sit on the benches of the tavern.

Mantingan just deliver them to the door of the room only. Before that, he advised the North River Angel not to release his guard.

“Brothers don't sleep inside alone?” Asked Bidadari Sungai Utara with a worried face.

“It's impossible for me to sleep in one room with Sister, right?” The laughing mantle.

“Brother, I'm not kidding. You don't see people who look like travelers downstairs? Have you not noticed the store owner?”

The mantle nodded without removing his smile.

“You know that they are warriors, don't you?”

Again the mantan nodded.

“You did not answer me at all with the words, Mantingan.”

“Once, I am not afraid of them. Now go in the room. Look at Kina, she looks sleepy once.”

“Kak Maman is right, but how can Kina fall asleep if Brother is in danger?” Kina retaliates before yawning due to excessive drowsiness.

“I'm not in any danger at all, Kina. I'm just gonna have fun downstairs. Drink a few cups of tea while eating boiled beans. Can it be called dangerous?”

Kina's eyes, which had originally been closed, were now slightly widened. “Kina come with Brother only!”

“I also!” Kana.

But whatever power, whatever time, they had drawn the Angel of the North River into his room. Once again Mantingan smiled before stepping up to the stairs.

That's where her smile started to fade. His gaze became much sharper than before. His hand moved towards the hilt of the Kiai Kedai Sword, opening the lockdown.

He knew what the Angel of the North River knew. About people who look like tourists and the father of the store owner, they are not civilians.

When Mantingan arrived downstairs, he immediately stepped towards the table that had been ordered by the ten White Mask Troops.

Along the way his eyes several times glanced at the travelers in the corner of the room who is now sucking the hornbill.

He understood clearly the warning of the owner of the shop. The person said “be careful you guys” after exposing that the room door does not have a special key. And Mantingan also clearly understood, that he would not be able to sleep tonight.