The Musafir
The Shop in the Middle of the Wilds
AFTER finishing packing, they resumed their journey by flying above the air. The rain had long subsided, the sky was clean of the mega-mega, so it was indeed safe to continue the journey.
Like this afternoon, Chitra Anggini was sitting at the front, while Mantingan was guarding him at the back. Dark-gulita land, no civilization, so Chitra Anggini is not too afraid of falling.
After all, now Mantingan has added rigging to tie them to the body of Munding Caraka. There is no longer any reason to fear falling.
They flew in the clear night sky. Sunny. The stars and the bright moon. Viewed from any angle, it will still be beautiful!
“I never got this even though only in the dream.” Chitra Anggini said softly, including a deep energy into her voice.
“Please.” The mantan smiled widely while staring at the stars above him. His hand stroked Munding Caraka's back. Mantingan promised to give the buffalo some quality food when they arrived in Koying later. Not much to repay his services.
But no matter what, the beautiful atmosphere suddenly became unpleasant, just Mantingan imagined, that the woman who was right in front of him was the North River Angel. Not Chitra Anggini, not the others. Except for that Champa girl, whose beauty was incomparable. Wasn't it wonderful to go through these wonderful moments with her?
But the more he imagined, the more bitter his smile became. After all, his shadow would only be a mere shadow. It cannot and will never be a reality. For eternity.
How's the girl doing now? Or rather: how is it that the woman who may not be able to be called a girl anymore?
The mantel took a deep breath. Choose to forget it. In the midst of the cold night air piercing, he continued to flow prana power. Not only to himself, but also to Munding Caraka and Chitra Anggini. If not, then of course they would all freeze to death!
Their clothes will always flutter in the air from the front, so they choose to wear compact clothing. Chitra Anggini has a stomach, only wearing a chest cover and pants stretched to the knee. While the Mantingan still wore his clothes completely, but by negating the white robe he got from Tapa Balian. Remembering the gray robes given by Kenanga has been paired on the North River Angel.
The hair of both are tightly coiled up, so as not to flutter. Tied using a rope from the bark of the tree, then pierced by shiny wood. Mantingan initially refused to wear the konde, assuming that it was only intended for women, but Chitra Anggini forced it.
“That's a good luck charm,” he said flat.
***
Two days is too much. Their journey has almost no obstacles. Everything's under control. Only bad weather was once crashing, forcing them to descend back to the mainland.
By spending most of their time in the sky, they had not faced the battle that came from the martial well or the wilds of the martial arts. It makes everything feel peaceful.
This morning, they stopped at a small shop not far from a small village. The shop is the only sign of human civilization they have seen in the last two days. And from the owner of the tavern, they learned that the location of Koying is not too far away.
“It only takes about five days riding trip, ten days using buffalo pedati, and more than three weeks walking.” The shop owner explained kindly as he delivered two bowls of goat-covered porridge to Mantingan and Chitra Anggini's order table. “Where did these two kids come from?”
“We came from Pasemah, Mr.” Mantingan hurriedly replied when he saw Chitra Anggini opening his mouth. He was worried that the woman would answer the Onion Bone, which can always be attributed to Balian Valley. Isn't the place guarded by a thousand royal soldiers worth nothing?
“Translator, that's a long way.” The owner of the shop chuckled softly. He was too old, not allowing him to laugh any louder. “I keep a lot of memories there. How is the region now?”
Mantingan explained briefly according to what he saw. Many villages are experiencing drought, but not to a deadly degree. Muddy roads are like buffalo puddles. In the past, because the number of thieves has been too much, a recurrence of Javadvipa.
The owner nodded his head several times. “So you guys are warriors?”
“Suami-wife or a pair of girlfriends?”
Chitra Anggini coughed loudly. Whether intentional or not. Mantingan immediately replied nervously, “We are just a traveling companion, Father. No more and no less.”
“Ah, what a pity.” The shopkeeper shook his waist while shaking his head. “In Koying, there is an amazing event. Her name is ‘Cinta’. The event is devoted to the confident warriors who want to build a family as they should. Those who are willing to take part in the event will be given a two-story house and 100 gold pieces as a provision to build a family.”
Mantingan and Chitra Anggini looked at each other. This is really something very new to the martial world, which usually considers love as a fidelity!
The owner of the shop smiled widely, revealing a row of teeth that were no longer intact. “This is a Koying step to cultivate warriors within the kingdom. Those who follow the Love Affair are obliged to devote themselves to the kingdom, removing a few of the customs of the martial world. For most people, this step is very good and wise. But for me, this is quite dangerous ...”
The mantan stared curiously. Waiting for a reply, even though he knew very well what the owner of the store would say in a moment.
“The swords will be a double-edged sword.”
Mantingan was silent for a while before nodding his head a few times. Agree.
“Ah, come on, I have to prepare a drink for you. If there is nothing more you want to ask, then this old man beg yourself.”
The mantang nodded his head. “Please, Father. I don't think there's anything else we want to ask, and even if there is, we'll ask you later.”
After the owner of the store passed, it was for Mantingan and Chitra Anggini to eat while talking. Or rather, talk while eating.
“This will bring a big change to the martial world.” Chitra Anggini started the conversation. After going through three very beautiful days spent with Mantingan, the usually cold and indifferent girl no longer hesitated to start a conversation.
“Or will wreak havoc again.” The mantingan retaliated before bribing a spoonful of warm porridge in his bowl.
“What kind of mess?”
“Confusion because many do not accept.” Manten laughs bitterly. “Didn't there be so many warriors who lost their hearts because they were constrained by martial rules? If they knew about this news, then I guess it would only cause envy to them.”
___
note:
Since the Musafir is coming to an end, please say things that have not been revealed in this work. But if it will spoiler the flow forward, I will delay the answer.
This at once helped me to prevent the hole plot.
Thank you 🙏
