The Musafir
The Story of Kiai Kedai with Tapa Balian
HEARING the name Kiai Kedai called by Tapa Balian is certainly something that Mantingan never expected. Why can there be a Suvarnadvipa who is so familiar with his teacher to his attributes? And though he knew him, why mention him in front of the Mantingan who was however a disciple of his?
“From the look on your face, Son, it seems you also know Kiai Kedai.” Tapa Balian broke Mantingan's shock with his voice full of inquiring.
Mantingan immediately replied before the old man put too much suspicion on him, “True, Father. Kiai Kedai is quite famous in Javadvipa.”
“So, people as old as tea lovers are famous huh?” Tapa Balian muttered a little.
The mantan does not know what to answer, so he chooses to be silent. After all, in his position of pretending not to know Kiai Kedai, it is very bad if Mantingan talks too much about him.
“If eleven years ago, Kiai Kedai visited Balian Valley. He came to order flying needles. However, Kiai Kedai does not want to buy needles that I have made before, he wants a completely new design.”
The mantle frowned. The fact that his teacher ordered weapons on Tapa Balian still surprised him.
“The story about the two of us is really interesting, but it is quite long and wide if told. If you are not interested in listening to it, we can move on to another discussion.” Tapa Balian said lightly, which immediately made Mantingan feel his golden opportunity to hear the story of Kiai Guru Kedai will soon disappear if not caught as soon as possible!
However, however Mantingan must show a calm demeanor. It was as if the story was not obligatory to listen to him, but he was just interested in listening to it. So he said, “It looks like it will be very interesting, Father. In Javadvipa, it was very difficult for me to leave time to hear the story of the lunge Kiai Kedai. If you don't mind, then I really want to hear it.”
“Ah, alright! I actually like to tell you, because very rarely do I get a conversation friend.”
Tapa Balian improved his sitting form before continuing the story.
“As I have said before, Kiai Kedai ordered a completely new flying needle. He wanted a flying needle that could paralyze people without the need to use poison.
“Of course as the most famous blacksmith in the Onion Bone Union, the request was like a challenge to fight, I'm sure the tea lovers from Javadvipa took it as well.
“Until the needle is finished, I ask him to stay in this house. The room I gave you was his room first. Fortunately, he accepted my request, although this request should have been very burdensome.”
“Why should it be burdensome, Father?” Mantingan asked while Tapa Balian took a pause to straighten the wine.
“She was doing an adventure,” replied Tapa Balian after sticking the remains of a toad on her lips. “Living here is the same as delaying the adventure. Medium age may not be left too much anymore.”
The mantan nodded his head in understanding. Of course as a wandering swordsman, he quite understands that staying in one place for a long time is quite a disadvantage. Meanwhile, Tapa Balian continued to tell the story.
“Kiai Kedai is the most pleasant guest I have ever served. Precisely what I think, he does not act as a guest, but rather a part of my house that will really be a regret if it is separated. He never asked to be served, instead helping with all the business at home and my forging. He did not hesitate to water the plants, sweep the yard, clean the precarious, even once my very dirty forging became clean shiny because of it.
“Until three full moons pass by, the needle I ordered is done. Provided that the needle sticks at certain points, which are 36 points that cause mild paralysis, 18 points that cause permanent paralysis, and nine points that directly lead to death. This is a kind of science, but it can be done from a very far distance, and does not really have to be precise about the points.
“On the same day after the weapon was completed, Kiai Kedai paid her farewell to continue the journey. It was then that I felt a great loneliness. However, it is fortunate that my grandson Pomegranate stayed here a year after the departure of Kiai Kedai.” Tapa Balian exhaled a long breath. “My only wish before my death was to meet him again. Talked as the sky began to dim. I drank sweet wine; he drank bitter tea. Then for the last time, I will raise him as my brother.”
Mantingan saw a deep regret on the face of Tapa Balian. Without a word, he had learned that Tapa Balian was sorry for letting Kiai Kedai go. What would happen if the old man knew that Mantingan was a disciple of Kiai Kedai, who had accidentally met him and had a conversation with him in the same place?
“Why don't you just go to Javadvipa?” Mantingan asked the question after a long period of silence; the sky began to inflate as a result of the sun slowly sinking in the horizon.
“My wishes have always been so, Son. I really don't have the courage. The blood of the wanderer does not flow in my body. And anyway, my age has started to crumble, as well as the current twilight. If I decide to go there, I fear that I will not be able to defend my life until I meet Kiai Kedai.”
The mantel took a deep breath. However nimble Tapa Balian as a swordsman, still does not dismiss the fact that his age has entered twilight. His life can leave the body at any time and unexpectedly.
“Forget about that weird-named person,” Tapa Balian said in the end. “I was about to ask, maybe this is a bit offensive to you. I saw that you shone two swords. One sword was black-handled and black-gloved; the other was wooden-handled without a sheath. Right now, you only have one hand, but why carry two swords?”
The mantle smiled and shook his head. “The black sword is my old sword that recently broke in two in a fight. While the one with the wooden handle is a gift of someone, who does not have a holster when given to me.”
“Since when have your hands been cut off, Son Man?”
Facing such an open question, Mantingan did not feel offended at all. “Almost coincided with the breaking of my black sword, Mr.”
“That means not long ago, right?”
The mantan nodded slowly, but still did not understand the reason why Tapa Balian asked such questions.
____
note:
Sunday night episode bonus: 1/2
There was a request crazy up on Sunday night to accompany the warriors who were single. I haven't been able to get crazy up, because I haven't gone crazy. But accept this as a sip-two of water to slightly quench the thirst.
