The Musafir
The Company of Puppet Players Towards Balian Valley
Chitra Anggini frowned with a questioning look. Can Mantingan see that the confusion of Chitra Anggini this time is not part of his charade, but really confused from the bottom of his mind.
“So, you're not a shepherd?”
Mantingan smiled nervously, if he did not think that the confusion of Chitra Anggini was caused by a problem that is not so important.
“I am a traveler.” The mantel answered confidently.
***
CHITRA Anggini raised his eyebrows in a flash before turning around and walking towards his entourage. Although the woman did not say much, Mantingan could tell what she was going to do.
Chitra Anggini was whispering with a woman who seemed to be the leader of the group. Several times both pairs of their eyes glanced at Mantingan who was still pecking under the shade tree in the middle of the field, several times they nodded their heads. After a moment later, Chitra Anggini returned to face Mantingan after running around through the small cracks on the sidelines.
“He gave permission, provided you promise to participate to protect the group,” Chitra Anggini said as soon as he arrived in front of Mantingan.
“What should I protect?”
“Everything.” Chitra Anggini suppressed his words. “You must protect everyone, every item, and every buffalo in our entourage. Anyway, everything.”
The mantle cleared a few times before nodding its head. “I agree, but give me a little time to pair the luggage onto my shoulder's back. You can continue the journey if you want, I will follow later.”
“Cannot. Our chief wanted to have a conversation with you before continuing on. Hurry up a little, because we're waiting for you.”
Mantingan simply nodded his head before starting to move quickly to attach his entire luggage to Munding Caraka's back. Of course, no matter how fast the movement while doing the job, it is not up to match the speed of the swordsman. The mantan was still holding back his true strength, at least for now and some time ahead. It would be quite astonishing for all of them to accept the fact that a swordsman wanted to join a group of laymen for reasons of security. Isn't it always a swordsman is often hired to ensure the safety of large groups when passing through paths that are prone to thieves?
And despite knowing that he would be burdened with a puppet cast filled with weak women, Mantingan still chose to join them. Of course it was caused by Chitra Anggini, who apparently deliberately asked Mantingan to join his entourage even though it is not really known what his true purpose and purpose is.
***
“Who is your name, O wanderer riding a buffalo?”
MANTINGAN smiled awkwardly as he faced the female lead of the puppet cast. What a gaze he was given was a seductive gaze, even though Mantingan knew very well that the beautiful woman had no intention of doing so at all. In other words, the gaze was something unintentional, but it still had a considerable impact on Mantingan who was completely unfamiliar with dealing with comfort women. So, what if the woman gave him a seductive look deliberately and consciously?
“My name is Kartika. I am the leader of this group. We are aiming to Balian Valley, do you who do not know his name really know the way to that place?”
When he heard the woman again said, The mantingan was uprooted from his daydream. May he be silent from now on, so that the woman who looks like her name is Kartika first mention her name. Of course he thought that Mantingan did not want to mention his name to just anyone.
“My Name is Mantingan. I still remember the road to Balian Valley, so that I can lead you who have kindly given me this ride to that place.”
Kartika smiled faintly on the pedati she was riding. “Have you ever been to Balian Valley directly, or only found out from the map?”
“I've been there to order weapons.”
In his mind, Mantingan frowned. What is meant by Kartika as Chitrapala is Chitra Anggini?
“Here, you have an obligation to protect all the contents of the group. You can see for yourself, we are all women here. There was no man in this company, before you joined us. Prioritize the salvation of their souls above all your interests. Are you ready?”
Without hesitation, Mantingan nodded his head while smiling warmly. “I'm ready.”
At a glance, Kartika glanced at Mantingan from top to bottom with a meaningful gaze. His gaze had stopped on the pair of swords tucked beside the buffalo saddle. Then he looked back at Mantingan's face. Smile expands.
At that time the heart of Mantingan pounded like it was about to escape from its place. The woman's gaze and smile meant many things, which however Mantingan knew that his identity had been revealed!
“At first glance your name is similar to the name of a famous hero in the Land of Taruma.” Kartika swore before giving his entourage a signal to move. Letting the cold sweaty Manten be such a way!
***
AT night, the puppet cast stopped. Kartika decided to rest in a field that is not too far from the road. They did not build a tent on the ground, but on a sword. This is done so that the group can leave as soon as possible in case of a sudden attack or other unexpected problems.
The mantan would not want to rest anyway. Although it was very easy for him to continue the journey, because the rogues were so rampant when night had arrived it seemed no longer a threat to him. But his current importance lies with that entourage.
Before actually meeting Tapa Balian, Mantingan felt the need to know why there were so many warriors guarding the Balian Valley. If something bad happens to Tapa Balian, Mantingan can plan a rescue much earlier.
So against the group of puppet players, Mantingan intends to extract as much information as possible.
That is how they make campfires to boil food and also warm the body from the cold night air. Mantingan had wondered in his mind why they were so brave to light a bonfire to such an extent, while the threat of attack from the thieves seemed to come at any time. However, Mantingan felt that he had no authority at all to give advice and warning to their entourage. His duty here is only to protect the group, and indeed it is better to only protect without any excess.
At that time, Mantingan did not join those who sat around the campfire jokingly as if without the burden of life at all. He was much better off rubbing Munding's back than sitting with the women. Not to be condescending, because the Mantingan intention is only to keep a distance, so that there is no unnecessary relationship.
Mantingan recalled how he met with Rara and Bidadari Sungai Utara. All the meetings were very short and without intention at all, but very long with all the problems in it.
Although the meeting with the two women was never regretted, especially against his meeting with the North River Angel, Mantingan still tried to avoid all meetings that could lead to pledge, because of how his promise with Kenanga is still not paid off until now.
“Eat with us.”
While immersed in his memory while still with the North River Angel, Mantingan heard the voice of Chitra Anggini behind him. Then he turned around even though his hand was still holding a scrub brush that was attached to the back of Munding Caraka.
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