The Musafir

Kotaraj!

KOTARAJA!

What Mantingan describes in his mind about Kotaraja Koying is not exactly the reality. This city is far more amazing than anything in its shadow!

Despite just looking at him from a distance, the capital of the Koying Kingdom looked like a heavenly city. Kahyangan city.

Her beauty was simply indescribable, unspeakable, or even unimaginable!

The city looks so beautiful. Surrounded by a tall white fort, the cermelang reflected by sunlight. Like a pearl in the middle of a green pasture.

The gate of the city was very beautiful, shaped like a drop of water. Like it's gonna hit the ground in a minute.

While behind the high white fort that supports it, there are towering buildings. Also white. It is like challenging the sky to destroy it.

To the north of Kotaraja, there is blue sea water. It was a bay, in the middle of which was a small island. On the north coast it looks like a big port. Hundreds of sailing ships leaned against the dock, while dozens of others dumped anchors in the bay. The port looks crowded.

There are four major roads leading to Kotaraja. Each of these roads came from a single wind. Mantingan, Chitra Anggini, and Munding Caraka walked on the road that leads to the east of the—although the real one runs only Munding only.

Slapping on their left and right sides were vast grasslands with few trees. While far to the west there, there is a large mountain, a gray background that turns back to Koying Kotaraja.

Somewhat far in front and behind their pedati, there were several groups of traders carrying large pedati-—'s so large that it had to be pulled by two buffalo for one pedati.

Mantingan was still amazed by all the scenery that lay before his eyes, but not then he became negligent. He quickly remembered that he still kept something that had not been revealed to Chitra Anggini, and his feelings must be immediately expressed before they pass through the entrance of the city.

“Chitra, will there be a check when we enter later?”

“Of course there is, because you are the first person to enter the city.” Chitra Anggini took something out of his pocket. A wooden badge. “While for people who have lived there long enough, will get this badge. Although it will still be checked before entering the city, but the examination will not be too thorough.”

Instantly, Mantingan's face turned deathly pale. His hands were shaking quite strongly. Chitra Anggini soon realized the strange gelagat.

“You look so riled up, is there a problem? Did you bring any prohibited items?”

“Bolstered stuff? The rank is much more forbidden on top of that!” Mantang rubbed his face. Chitra Anggini made him more curious.

“Lantas you brought what?”

“I brought a map of the palace's long-abandoned underground buildings!” The mantle whispered loudly. “The building was buried deep below the ground, abandoned due to a magic spell error that made it the most dangerous, deadly, and creepy place in the palace. But that is also the weakest point of the palace that can be infiltrated!”

“Where did you get that map?” Chitra Anggini asked still in a soft voice, but it seemed that the look on her face had deteriorated.

“From the stolen goods of the Sky Roofing Country merchant who attacked us yesterday. There's that map in the bundle.”

“Mantingan! Wealencuri!”

“I've been weighted carefully before taking it.”

It's true. Mantingan had thought carefully before taking the map, and the result of his consideration was to keep taking it. If not, then it could have ruined all the plans of saving Tapa Balian in the palace!

“What kind of thoughts keep you from taking that useless map? It's too late for us to throw it away now.”

“I can't explain that to you now.” The mantle moved his head a little quickly. “Kotaraja gate is near. We have to figure out a way to smuggle that map. I have no ideas at all.”

“Your attention is upset, Mantingan, so you can not think clearly. You think as you can, let me think the main way,” he said later, “Munding, slow down a little. We have a little problem here.”

“Slightly problem? This is obviously a big deal!”

“Be quiet, Mantingan. Use time to think.”

Chitra Anggini takes the form of sitting cross-legged. Closed his eyes. Immersed in heavy contemplation in samadhi.

As for Mantingan, let alone to think, to sit still even he could not. So riled. He wiped his face many times. Sighs repeatedly. Grumbled many times.

“Kotaraja gate is getting closer .. kotaraja gate is getting closer ... kotaraja gate is getting closer ...”

The kotaraja gate is getting closer. If the remaining distance remains twenty more spears. The splendor of the city walls is increasingly visible, but it can not be enjoyed by Mantingan at all. While around the entrance of Kotaraja, there were dozens of fully armed soldiers who were inspecting several groups of pedicab merchants who were about to pass through the entrance. The mantle is getting restless again.

“Mantingan, give me the map now! Hurry up, before we get into their range of sight.”

Mantingan did not know what Chitra Anggini was thinking, but he complied. Fortunately, the pedati he was riding had a large dome-shaped roof, so the view of the soldiers watching from the top of the fortress can be blocked. After retrieving it from inside the bundle, Mantingan immediately gave the paper scroll-shaped map to Chitra Anggini.

“What will you do?!” Mantingan was surprised to see the woman put the map in her shirt!

“Follow only. I don't have much time to explain it to you.” Chitra Anggini splashed down on the floor before pulling the blanket over his body. “When checked later, don't let out the slightest murderous lust. All the soldiers guarding the city are warriors, they are sensitive enough to be able to realize the killer air even though it is like just a breeze. If you're caught letting out the killer air, then we'll both be arrested. You stay alert, but do not overdo it.”

The mantang back rubbed his face once. So riled. Not feeling confident at all. That was when, Chitra Anggini clasped his hand that was just about to wipe his face. The mantle looked at him confused.

“Mantingan,” says Chitra Anggini. “I'm sure we can get through them easily. Don't worry.”

“This is really foreign to me, Chitra. Kotaraja too big, too advanced, too sophisticated. I'm not sure I can face those soldiers.” Mantingan said slowly, his unrest did not decrease at all. Simultaneously, Munding Caraka stopped stepping, because right in front of him there was another pedati waiting to be examined before entering the city.

“Ohai! Isn't there me who already knows the ins and outs of Kotaraja Koying right next to you? No need to fear, let me guide you this time.”

The mantle rests in place; while Chitra Anggini pulls back both arms and curls up in the glory.

“Mantingan, if the soldier asks me about my situation, just say that I am being a woman.”

“Good.” Mantingan replied quickly, perfunctorily, before realizing something was wrong from Chitra Anggini's request. “Wait. Didn't you become a woman from the moment you were born? Chitra, did it turn out you were a so-jad—” woman

“Good morning, Brother.”

Not yet had Mantingan finish his sentence, a gate guard soldier had approached and greeted him. A quick mantle distracts all his attention from Chitra Anggini.

The soldier is fully armed. A sash on his waist, a spear in his right hand, and an archery on his back. His clothes were all black, with short-sleeved shirts and trousers; a songket cloth was attached to his waist.

“Good morning anyway, Brother Warrior.” Manten smiled widely and greeted back, although the smile was clearly awkward.

“Can you show me the badge?”

“Sahaya itself does not have it yet, it's the first time to come to kotaraja.” The man answered honestly.

“While the sleeping Sister is?”

“She has it.” Mantingan then nudged Chitra Anggini who spread while kneeling next to him. Despite closing her eyes, the girl was unlikely to sleep.

“What's up? You're bothering me so much!” Chitra Anggini said lazily without even opening her eyes.

The mantle looked at him in wonder. Why is that woman angry? What's wrong?

“Authority tag.”

With laziness too, Chitra Anggini pulled the coffers lying next to him. Take out a wooden badge, then throw it to the Mantingan.

“Do not lose.” That was the last sentence from Chitra Anggini before he returned to lay his head. Severely.

Although very confused with the attitude of Chitra Anggini, Mantingan still gave the badge to the soldier who stood right next to his sword.

After taking a look at the badge belonging to Chitra Anggini, the soldier nodded his head. Return the badge to the mantingan. “Brothers-Sisters both have to get off the pedestal for the sake of checking. We should also check your pedicures. Does anyone mind?”

Mantingan knew that he clearly had no other choice. Expressing objections is tantamount to declaring yourself a threat that has been properly captured. Right after he said he was ready, Chitra Anggini suddenly said no.

“Tell the soldier, I can't go down.” Chitra Anggini said between weak and lazy. Obviously the sentence was shown to Mantingan, but however still it sounded to the ears of the soldier.

“Sorry, but why is Sister not ready?” his question was then who deliberately stroked the handle of the kelewang.

Chitra Anggini did not reply. Just complaining quietly while curling up. His face was full of wrinkles, like he was enduring pain. Mantingan quickly knew that he was the one who had to answer the soldier's question.

“She is becoming a woman, Brother Warrior.”