The Musafir
Old Woman Fairy Tale Seller
“What every auction event is this crowded, Brother Maman?” Kina asked as she pulled the sleeves of the mantle robe. Manten knitted his forehead because he saw the look on the child's face that held a little fear.
“Not always, China. There is even an auction that is only attended by one-two people because it is not interesting.” Mantingan replied, then asked back, “is there something you are worried about, Kina?”
***
KINA shrugged her shoulders while looking around. “In a crowd like this, we don't really know if everyone intends well with us or not. We don't know if one of them turns out to be a powerful swordsman who keeps poisonous knives. It could be that this joyous-looking crowd harbors great distress.”
Hearing that, Mantingan smiled sadly. It's not supposed to be a kid Kina's age to think about the danger in a place that should make her happy.
“Kina absolutely no need to think about it.” The mantle shook slowly. “If distress comes, I will protect all of you, including Kina.”
“But, what if Kak Maman who actually harmed because it protects us?”
Facing such a question, Mantingan's smile increasingly looked sad. But with confidence, he replied, “Ah, Kina is doubting me too much. Have I ever lost a fight?”
Kina seemed to be holding back a laugh. “Kak Maman snobbed once.”
“He? Isn't that the reality?” The mantel widens the smile.
“Alright, Kina gives up. Kak Maman is indeed the greatest among all warriors. How can Kina be worried while still being near Kak Maman?”
“You're less close to me. Come here, let me better protect you.”
“No want!” Kina hugged the arm of the North River Angel while sticking out her tongue. “Sasmita's brother can protect me too. And after all Sasmita Sis scented, while Kak Maman scented like a buffalo who had never bathed in his life!”
The mantle coughed as a result of that word. He had not expected at all before, that Kina could also say that.
“Wah, China. That was a compliment to me.” The Northern River Angel stroked Kina's head with a mocking look towards Mantingan.
The young man smiled bitterly. Maybe from tomorrow, he should take a shower more often.
***
“Why do we have to take another walk, Kakanda? I want to go home, these books are really tempting for me to read soon.”
KANA complained. After successfully persuading Mantingan to buy him two books of literature, he became very impatient to return to the inn and read them. However, Mantingan refused to his request this time.
“You have obtained two works of literature, three books of silat, and a set of throwing knives, while Kina still has not gained anything. We will still visit small auctions or shops that are still open. If you want to go back, then go alone.”
Kana is singing her lips. After the port attack seven days ago, the boy did not dare to go too far from Mantingan. Just by being with the young man, Kana felt safe.
“Mana dare daku.” Kana decided to be frank, because it would be very futile if she tried to lie in front of Mantingan. “But maybe I'll be interested in some snacks.”
“You can buy it with your own money, right?”
Kana smiled bitterly again. It was true that for a mere snack that only cost a few pieces of silver, he could still afford it.
The mantan smiled faintly. He said that because he knew that Kana was carrying some gold pieces in her clothes bag.
“Seek something, Kina. You will definitely find something that is at least able to attract your attention.”
Kina shakes. “Kina also does not want to be too troublesome Brother Maman.”
“What are you saying, Adinda.” Kana. “Look at me who has spent my money as much as three hundred gold pieces, but he did not look at all hassles.”
The mantang shook his head slowly. Three hundred gold pieces was not something small. If there were no great advantage that he had obtained the auction of Light Magic Throw, it was very likely that he would be very troubled by Kana's request.
From the auction of 1,000 Light Magic Spears, the Mantin obtained a profit of nine Stones which was equivalent to 9,000 gold pieces. Although the Mantang should only be able to gain as high as eight Stones, Dara gave him one more Stone as the price of the Light Magic Throw soared to double when auctioned.
When all of his Light Magic Throws were auctioned off, the Mantin could hardly believe it.
“Well, let's visit that store!”
Kina pointed at a shop in the distance there excitedly. Manten narrowed his eyes to be able to see the store even more clearly.
“Fairytale shop?” Forehead Curled mantle wonder.
“Ya!” Kina nodded her head quickly. “It would be more exciting if Brother Sasmita read a fairy tale this night!” Kina then looked at the North River Angel with a sparkling view. “Did Kak Sasmita recite Kina a new fairy tale?”
The Northern River Angel laughed softly before nodding his head. “Let's pay a visit to that store, Mantingan.”
The mantle nodded his head. From the middle of the street, they moved aside. People stop walking for a moment to just pave the way for them.
An old woman greeted their arrival with a friendly smile on her wrinkled lips. “Okay, My Kids. Want to look?”
Mantingan smiled and replied, “True, Mother. What story is the best here?”
Before replying, the old woman glanced at Kina without letting out her smile of the slightest item. “Beautiful boy, tell me what kind of fairy tale makes you sleep soundly and happily?”
“Tongue about the prince who is looking for medicinal herbs to save his sickly daughter, Nek. Kina really likes that kind of fairy tale.” Kina answered very quickly, as if she had prepared that answer long ago.
Grandma laughed amusedly. “Hihihihi, story about romance, yes?”
“No, that's not what Kina wants. If it had to be romance, then the characters in the fairy tale will be married and happy for eternity at the end of the story!”
“Ah, where there is if happy make forever. But this old woman has a story about a young wanderer who is looking for a rare flower to give her to a queen who has assigned her. Does my child want a story like that?”
Mantingan bought his eyes. A million words wanted to be taken out, but why did his lips feel clamped?
“But how is the end of the story? Will they be married and happy forever?”
“Honey, the end of the story has not been written. And wouldn't it be very unpleasant if I told you the end of the story?”
In a meaningful gaze, the old woman selling the fairy tale glanced at Mantingan who was still mute in silence.
