The Musafir

Escape from the Landlady

Mantingan pulled the doorknob and glanced outside, he could see a figure of the innkeeper drenched in blood in his butcher's seat without moving at all. So the Mantingan pushed Rara out first, then waited for Arkawidya to follow outside, only then did he come out and close the door.

They ran away from the inn, following the road to the outside of the city, while the people who had originally waited their turn to book a room were scattering out of the inn.

Midnight like this rarely anyone dared to go out of his house, so rarely did anyone notice the three of them running around like a demon in the streets of the city.

Only the city's doorkeeper asked them for a moment before they came out.

“What happened? Why are you guys running around in the middle of the night like this?”

No one answered, neither Rara nor Arkawidya. They gave up the right to answer that completely to Mantingan.

“There is something dangerous?” The soldier asked again, but now with a watchful look. His partner touched the sword hilt.

“We are just a running race, Mr. Warrior,” Mantingan replied. “And now we want to continue the race to the forest there! For whom of us who wins, will be able to get ten bronze pieces to drink!”

The soldier looked at them suspiciously. How can they race with these three people carrying a big bundle?

Noticing the soldier's gaze, Mantingan added.

“And whoever releases his load on the streets, will lose!”

“We will check the contents of your bundles, does anyone mind?”

Actually, it's not an offer. Because when he said that, the soldier's hand felt the handle of the sword on his waist. Rela did not willing Mantingan to release the bundle, as well as Rara and Arkawidya.

The soldier and his partner checked the contents of the bundle. Several times they glanced at Arkawidya while examining the contents of his bundle. In the end, the bundle was tidied up and returned to the three. Mantens breathing in relief, maybe that's a sign they've been allowed out of town.

“Before we allow you guys, I'll ask about you.” The soldier pointed at Arkawidya who instantly made the woman's heart pound. “You are not an ordinary citizen, are you really working in a brothel?”

“Ah, yes! But I am in the order of this man, so you cannot order me now.” What Arkawidya pointed at was clearly a Mantingan.

“What is the place where you work that obeys the law?”

Arkawidya nodded, though the Land Inn did not obey the law of ignorance.

“Come out quickly.” The soldier greeted him with cynical language. “And don't behave like a child.”

Mantingan does not care about the saying, let him be considered to have a childlike attitude, as long as he does not really behave like that.

They continued to run out of the city without any lights. To the people of the city, the Mantingan and its two innate humans were a very crazy thing. Not many are brave enough to run around without an escort in the middle of the creepy forest.

But this was the path Mantingan had to take, to save himself and save the two women who were now with him.

So they entered into a forest filled with thick trees and shrubs. The sound of insects everywhere. The path is slightly illuminated by the moonlight and the stars.

Rara and Arkawidya stopped running and it also stopped the Mantingan's running pace. They said to Mantingan, that his body needs rest for a while. Mantingan agreed, letting the two sit leaning against a tree as he watched the streets.

Mantingan increasingly believes that the swordsman is a real figure, not just a fabricated fairy tale.

“Arka, Mantingan, what exactly happened?” Ask Rara.

Arkawidya shook his head while adjusting his breathing. “Let Mr. Mantingan alone explain it.”

Mantingan nodded then began to tell starting from the part of him riding a rented horse, meeting Birawa, and finally arriving at the inn. Arkawidya nodded in understanding, while Rara still did not really believe in the existence of warriors, for him it was just a fairy tale.

Now it's Mantingan's turn to ask Rara about the stranger who kept her in the Lodging Room. Rara sighed before starting to answer succinctly.

“I don't know how that person could be in the room, and obviously his intention is bad to me.”

“Why don't you fight? Didn't you have the knife ready?”

“I was late and the man went to bind me on the bench, but the bench had never been there before. Then you came, Mantingan.” Her words softened, “you came to save my life once again.”

Mantingan cleared his throat and turned his eyes. His mind floated on Wasupati's intention towards Rara. If I was to seize Rara's chastity, then she would not have to tie Rara to the bench and seal her mouth. So what would that person do like that? Was there no purpose other than to kill and scowl the sanctity of Rara? If yes, what is it?

“Arkawidya, can you explain who Mr Birawa really is?”

Arkawidya quickly shook his head, as if he had expected the Mantingan to ask that. “If I tell you anything about Birawa now, then I make sure that our escape will falter because of my sadness and anger. I don't want to tell you this now, wait until the right time.”

Because forcing in the current condition is not a wise action, Mantingan forget about it for a while and ask other questions.

“Do you have any plans where we will aim, Arkawidya?”

“Yes, of course, we'll go to my grandfather Birawa's house. And after getting there, anyone can stop by or stay forever.”

Mantingan glanced at Rara, but the girl showed a flat face that seemed to be uninterested.

“Where is it located?”

“His house was built by the beach, and she lived there when I was a child.”

“That means you're just guessing? What if Mr Birawa's house is no longer there?”

“I'm sure, he doesn't like to move places.”

“I hope your words are true, Arkawidya, because we will go there as soon as possible.”

Arkawidya smiled stiffly. “Can you not be so cynical with me.”

Rara replied, “That's how she behaves, Arka. So cynical. So start getting used to his attitude it.”

Mantingan could only smile awkwardly and scratch his non-itchy hair.