The Musafir
The Opening of Old Wounds
IN RESPONSE to that, Mantingan could only smile awkwardly.
“If you are willing to cooperate with us, then I will send Chitra Anggini to accompany you.” Kartika's face was serious again. “Ah, yes. His name is Chitra Anggini, while Chitrapala is just his pseudonym.”
“No need.” Manten. His face began to show earnestness, but his tone was much colder. “I can do this alone. I will break down the door of the palace that kidnapped Tapa Balian!”
“Whatever your ability, you still will not be able to enter so easily to Koying Palace, especially if you intend to break it.” Kartika said regretfully. “There are many expert warriors who guard the palace. One-two warriors may be easy to defeat, but not if they all attack you at one time.”
Kartika also explained that the Koying Palace is very large, its size is almost equal to a city. It will not be easy to find the exact location of Tapa Balian held captive.
The woman added that aside from the expert warriors, the palace was also secured by trapping and curse magic spells. Even a swordsman who has devoted his entire life to witchcraft will not break those spells.
“To sneak into the Koying Palace, you need more than just a great power, but also a mature strategy,” he said again, “Chitra will be a representative of the Leaf Dancers Group. We will work behind you to prepare a mature strategy.”
Mantingan thought for a moment, before finally returning to ask, “What would be my advantage if working with you?”
“What is it? Not counting anymore. You will get a lot of benefits. We knew the ins and outs of the Koying Palace, even we managed to infiltrate some people as palace ladies who had been so close to the king's throne. Bribing one-two important people in the palace was no big deal either. We have also allied with a group of mercenaries, we can send a large army if you need help.”
The mantle scrunched his forehead. “Lantas, why should Chitra Anggini come with me?”
Kartika was silent for a moment while smiling. Let the sound of the river ripples take over.
“She .. she wants that. He wanted an adventure that added to the experience. With you, he can get it.”
The mantle shook slowly while exhaling slowly. “Kartika, I hope you understand that we are not playing around right now. Tapa Balian threatened the safety of his soul. He is the only person I love in Suvarnabhumi, and I want his safety assured quickly. For me, this is not the right time to practice, this is the time to use all the results of training.”
The Spell had been training for months in the Thousand Drops of Water. He felt that the rescue of Tapa Balian should not be used as a training ground, this is much more important than that. If he had to bring Chitra Anggini who only intended to train, then the woman would be a heavy burden for him.
“Chitra just wants experience,” says Kartika. “He will help you however you can, won't trouble you. And do not you also think that Chitra is not a talented swordsman.”
The mantle is silent. However, a look of displeasure on his face.
“If you really want to work with us, then you must bring Chitra Anggini with you on the way.”
However, how he realized there was not much choice at the moment.
“I have no other options.” That's how Mantingan said with a little heavy heart. “When can this journey begin?”
“You can go anytime from tomorrow morning.” Kartika smiled widely. “We will dance for tonight.”
“Before that, where were my two swords?” Mantingan asked right before Kartika stepped away. “And where are my cabins?”
“Your sword is in my sword. I can't take dependents if you go berserk after waking up.” Before answering the next question, Kartika smiled awkwardly. “Dam for your car, you can ask Chitra. Wouldn't that build intimacy between you? But I have to say, your car is fine.”
Right after saying that, Kartika flashed away. Some fresh leaves fell from his stalk, irrigating his disappearance. The mantle fell silent in place. Take a deep breath. Exhaling it. He saw the clear river. Again, he could not hold his breath.
“Sasmita ...” Mantingan called the name with all the wounds on his mind that reopened.
No matter how hard Mantingan tried to forget the girl, as strong as it was, he recalled it again. No matter how great the power to ward off his love for the Champa girl, as much as that love increased, even bigger, even more painful.
Kiai Guru Kedai once said when Mantingan secretly cried after remembering his Rara:
“The rider does not have to hold back his cries to express how strong he is. Swordsman should not hold back his charm to express how virility is still there.”
Should Mantingan cry right now? Isn't no one watching him right now? Wouldn't the water ripples be able to dampen his sobs? And is it not okay if in fact there is someone watching him, and the ripples of water cannot dampen his sobs, for however warrior is still human?
Tests. A drop of tear fell from the chin of the Mantingan. Melting, merging with the flow of the river, which will someday merge with the ocean, and is it possible that the message of sorrow from a young man in Javadvipa will be delivered to a princess in Champa there? The mantle does not and feels needless to know.
The girl's marriage had been known for a long time. Even since he first met the North River Angel, he already knew how much the girl would marry his lover someday.
However, after growing a feeling called love, which although never delivered the slightest item, to find out that the North River Angel was married, Mantingan's mind again sliced. His old wounds when parting with the North River Angel reopened.
Tests. Another drop of tears slid from his chin. The river current. Anyone knows that the taste of tears is salty, but somehow Mantingan tears feel very very bitter.
“Whatever your real name is, whatever your position ...” Thus Mantingan said with a smile, “you will remain the Sasmita I know, forever and never will change.”
