The Musafir
The Punishment He Seems Quick
VOLUME 8: "The Tearing Down of the Heaven of Slaughter" begins.
MANTINGAN opened his eyes when a puff of black smoke stung his nose. Slowly but surely, his consciousness returned perfectly. He was tied to a pole in the middle of a large field. The bonfire reflects black smoke that is not playing a lot and is concentrated not too far from its place, which is why it can be awakened from unconsciousness.
Around the field, it looks lined with ancient-looking houses. Some people there do one or two jobs, some others seem to be monitoring it. Those people wear old-style clothes, that is, if men only dress then women only dress from the hips down.
For a moment, Mantingan unwittingly forgot the death of Chitra Anggini, which thus made him almost jerk both hands to escape from the bond.
However, as soon as he remembered how the woman of his companions had fallen, especially in his own hands, the Mantingan soon lost the desire for freedom. His head bowed deeply. His eyes became hollow.
One of them walked up to him. Perhaps he was astonished at why Mantingan did not rebel even though he was clearly conscious.
“What did you come to this island?” tanyakanya.
Mantingan did not give any kind of reply. Even just a glance of the eye was reluctant to give it.
Feeling irritated, the man who was just in the wire started to take out the blade of the machete from its sheath. Just aimed at the neck of Mantingan.
“Answer, or you will die following your lover.”
The mantan is like being doused in cold water from his sleep. Realised. Not because he was worried about the threat, but he remembered how the body of Chitra Anggini was still in the hands of the people of this island.
“Where did you bury his body?” The mantan replied while looking at the person. It seemed no less pathetic despite having dried all her tears. The gaze of those eyes still conveyed a deep sorrow. Anyone who sees it like will always contribute pity even if not asked.
“To whether I should answer your question while you yourself have not answered my question?” The man softened a little, but did not even lower his machete.
“Please take me to his grave. After that, I will surrender to you. Please come, untie me.”
Staring at Mantingan from top to bottom, the eyes of the outback finally showed pity as well. He had never seen a young man looking as pitiful as a Mantingan.
“We want to talk to you, so that indeed the bond will be released soon. But let me warn you not to speak to anyone on this island without my permission. Our language is different, not many can understand your language. Misunderstanding the prize of the flight of life.”
Then then the tribal man used his machete to cut the rope that binds the body of Mantingan. The young man was free, but did not seem eager to be free at all, pensive in his place.
“Follow me, and my suggestion just submit to your eyes continue like that. We never liked the gaze of strangers.”
Then they both left the field. Entering residential areas that have many lush trees. As said earlier, Mantingan kept his head down. It is only by your own will. The contents of his head were filled by a Chitra Anggini, and indeed no other than Chitra Anggini only.
Her tears are dry. No longer could she cry even though her sadness had reached the most unthinkable level.
It is no longer remembered how very likely the Angel of the North River is waiting for him at this time somewhere in Javadvipa. It is forgotten how much the Gembangmas has surrendered themselves, so that the purpose of this long adventure will soon be resolved.
There was nothing else he could think of other than Chitra Anggini. Full of his head.
Mantingan straightened his head and saw a large building in front of him. The building is composed of wood materials only, not a hint of stone material. Although it looks very left behind, anyone who sees it will realize that the building remains sturdy and may even be much more comfortable to live in.
“Come in. Grandfather has been waiting for you for a long time, don't you make himself angry.”
The mantan does not need to be ruled twice to then step foot into the building. Apparently, the interior of the building is shaped like a meeting ward, with the throne of the elevated unity on one side of the ward.
Mantingan continued to walk to the throne of the grandfather without any trepidation at all, because indeed there was no other feeling he felt at this time other than feeling sad, making the dark-skinned old man eye-catching for his courage.
“Kneel in front of grandfather!” A bodyguard snapped at him loudly.
The mantle ignores, or may not hear. He did not kneel, and continued to walk toward the throne of the grandfather. For that, another bodyguard came and immediately kicked the knee of the Mantingan to fall and kneel. The young man did not seem to be trying to get back up, just intending to not!
“You're a swordsman from the outside world, right?”
Mantingan looked at the old man on the throne, making him immediately remember Datuk Koying in the city that had died. Only now did he realize how precarious the matter could become, for the pair of Moon Swords was not within his current expectations!
The young man immediately took a stance. He knew that this was a good time to delay the grief again. Hadn't he managed to do that before when Kiai Guru Kedai and Tapa Balian died in Koying Palace?
“So soon at the core, Datuk.” Mantingan still politely said after having managed to hold back all his memories of Chitra Anggini.
The grandfather smiled widely. He did not feel offended at all and instead considered the words Mantingan as a form of courage of a man.
So he said, “You know that this island is forbidden to visit, right?”
Quiet for a while to fight the berserk thoughts, Mantingan finally replied, “Sahaya forced, Datuk.”
“Ah, forced. That is the old excuse that people used when we found them on our island. Either the ship sank, whether it was carried by a storm, either the wrong address; we never cared.”
The mantle chooses to be silent.
“Our customary punishment is very clear, young man. When you are in this place, especially after seeing too many things in all of us, the neck must be paid. Let you pay for your lover's death.”
Hearing that, Mantingan lowered his head again. It was as if the sadness he had managed to hold for a while was back to burst out. How bad he thought when he thought that the punishment of the grandfather was a merit for the death of Chitra Anggini at the tip of his sword!
He recalled how he had shed blood on the side of the covenant with Chitra Anggini, promising that as fellow travelers they could protect each other throughout the adventure. However, Mantingan had failed to protect him. Failing because she died at the tip of her sword!
“Run the penalty!”
An executioner came with a long leaver. His face was covered with a wooden mask with a very creepy shape, especially if then the mask was given a blood red color! He came like an angel of death demanding penance from the Mantang.
The executioner was standing right beside him with the kelew raised high. The mantle did not shift from its place even for a single day, but it was clear that death was right in front of it today!
