The Musafir

Threatening

AFTER PAYING for breakfast and lodging, Mantingan and his entourage continued their journey. They do not linger anymore, because however the store is the most frequented by martial arts warriors.

The horse returned as fast as the wind as if none of them were tired in the least.

Leaving the area of Mount Manik, they arrived at the Giri region. Passing the path that crosses the valley of the hills. Tracing the muddy road adjacent to the swamps. Crossing the path in the middle of a vast expanse of rice fields. Cross the river with raft rowers.

Moving from the direction of Giri, they were now on the south side of Sagandu Earth; or rather, they were resting inside a small shop at the top of a hill.

From the shop, they can see a stretch of scenery that looks like nothing. Green mountains are visible far to the far west, some visible at the eastern end. Up-and-down hills fill the empty land, and the road passes between the valleys in two directions: north and south.

They were on top of the store. Enjoy lunch while drinking fresh drinks. The owners of the store are very kind and do not count, so they are given drinks for free.

Horses were seen moored at the foot of the hill. The horses were unlikely to be carried up to the store on the top of the hill because the road was next to the ravine and was too small for the legs of the horse. Nevertheless, piles have been provided to tether livestock for customers—which is usually a shepherd tired— who want to visit the diner on the top of the hill.

When Mantingan had just finished eating his lunch, a White Mask Warrior approached and greeted him.

“Good morning, Brother Man. I want to report.”

“Good morning, Brother,” reply Mantingan greet anyway. He pointed to an empty chair on the other side of his desk. “Sit there.”

“Thank you, Brother.” The warrior quickly occupied the chair that Mantingan showed for him. “Brother, I got a report from the password of White Wind College which happened to pass this path. If you see, then we met at the foot of the hill.”

The mantang nodded his head. He saw the warrior talking to a horseman at the foot of the hill. But he did not think that the rider was a prick because the man did not shine a sword or look like the people in the jungle.

The mantel then opened the voice. “What reports have you received, Brother?”

Without further ado, the swordsman immediately explained, “Sea in the north of Earth Sagandu is not safe, Brother. Lately, coders who were patrolling the sea saw an increase in the traffic of raiders in the region. This is bad news, Brother, because it looks like we have to delay departure.”

“Has our plan been read by the enemy?”

The fighter nodded slowly. “Most likely they have read our plan is very small, Brother. Because we don't make so much movement in the port area. They have no reason to be suspicious of us.”

Mantingan. If the trip is not delayed until finally the entire plan is read by the enemy, the entire plan of the ambush is likely to fall apart.

“Until when should the cruise be delayed, Brother?”

“Nobody knows for sure not even Chairman Rama though, but the odds are one-two weeks. Not so long, because the enemy warships will not dare to move in a large group. They always move with only two-three ships in one group, in such a way they can reduce losses if attacked.”

The mantang nodded his head. Actually, the news wasn't too bad. Waiting a week or two is not a problem.

Mantingan understands that it is not excessive if the swordsman in front of him conveys to him news like this that the real—that does not sound important at all. For however, in a journey of secrecy, the delay of a day's goods can change everything. So what about the voyage of Bidadari Sungai Utara which can be delayed to a maximum of two weeks?

After the warrior before him left, Mantingan began to devise a plan for the future, taking into account all the possibilities that could befall his entourage. That afternoon, he could not drink tea quietly.

However, after Mantingan thought, the journey must continue, because the night will not wait for Mantingan to finish thinking. This afternoon, before twilight came, they had to leave. The horse returned to the road. The dust covered by the evening sun. Split the dry air in the dry season.

Later that night, they had no intention of stopping or staying over. The owner of the shop they visited earlier had told Mantingan that the Sagandu Earth region was safer to pass even when night had arrived. Mantingan had trusted the owner of the good-natured shop, so he asked the group to continue moving at night and would only rest after the sun appeared.

However, Mantingan forgot to ask the reason why the night was safer than the morning and afternoon for the owner of the store. Even if he remembers, Mantingan will not be up to the heart suspect the frail old man who is very friendly. But dear thousand dear, Mantingan is still not aware of this until now.

Can the Mantingan be said to have been so careless that he was unaware of the danger so threatening to his entourage at this time, whereas almost all his mind was used to compile all the travel plans for the future?

Can Mantingan think of the real danger that is threatening him while he only thinks of the unreal danger that he has not yet faced?

This time Mantingan made a mistake, and unfortunately he was completely unaware of it until now.

Behind the dimness of the twilight, pairs of lustful eyes stared at him while licking his lips.

***

when evening came at the end, and night seemed to be about to replace him, that was when Mantingan felt something threatening from behind him.

When he felt it, Mantingan immediately glanced back. But really, nothing seems dangerous. Only the trees are shrinking due to the dimness of twilight.

Of course Mantenan was not stupid enough to not realize that there had been something strange around him. This feeling did not come from a subtle creature or a sinister demon. Not from wild animals. This is a menacing feeling that comes from humans!

Mantingan then glanced at the North River Angel, Cana, and the ten warriors of the White Mask Army. Seen as he was, none of them felt the same way as he currently felt. Threatening, they don't feel it.

So Mantingan let it go, at least for now. Because the threat of danger may be passed by continuing to drive horses, and will actually approach if they stop driving here.

But the longer, the threat of danger that Mantingan feel increasingly visible. Can others feel it too? Mantingan see, they still did not feel it; there was absolutely no look of worry on the look on their faces.

Should Mantingan tell them that would actually make them upset and scared?