The Musafir

How to Choose a Good Death Scent Flower

In the morning. The mantle opens one of his eyelids. In front of him was a bonfire, which had been extinguished for a long time. And around it was bright enough to be called morning. Dara was beside him, looking at Mantingan who was still sitting cross-legged excitedly. Presumably he had woken up earlier, or had not even fallen asleep all night.

“Mantingan wake up, I would love to see the shape of the Death Scent Flower.” Dara says.

Mantian nodded. In order for Dara to go home on time, the activity must start early in the morning. Soon Mantingan got up from his seat, chopping down his pants and clothes from the ground.

Talk about clothes, clothes that Mantingan wear today actually has good material quality. However, when compared to the quality of clothing materials given by Kenanga, then the quality of this shirt is much lower than him. Even so, this shirt is much better than the narrow Kenanga gift shirt. Both her pants and her shirt are gray. Dara said, that the gray clothes will be very appropriate for Mantingan.

After getting up, Mantingan asked Dara to wait for him for a while, while he moved into the storage room. There Mantingan took some of his tools, not all the tools he brought, because for today it should be the time of harvest.

Mantingan would not be surprised if later had grown some of the Death Scent Flowers from his flowers. The Scent of Death flower only takes one day to grow into an adult flower. But, not all of those flowers can then be alive or of good quality. Most, or—even entirely—mati.

That was one of the reasons why the Death Scent Flower was expensive, in addition to the high customer demand.

“Because, have you gotten used to the scent of that flower?” ask Mantingan after he returns.

Dara shrugged her shoulders for a moment. “I never smelled that scent, which he said smelled a thousand carcasses. But I will get used to it myself later.” Dara was full of confidence when she said that.

The mantle nodded once. Then he gave Dara an axe. He explained without any intention of scaring, that many dangers were unexpected in the heart of the forest. Dara must arm herself. The axe is the lightest and most advanced weapon for Dara.

However, when Dara received the axe from Mantingan's hand, the axe slipped out of his grasp and fell almost to the foot.

“It's very heavy, and you lifted it with just one hand?” Dara said in a stern tone.

“I think this is light enough for you ..” The mantle scratched his head that was not itchy.

“Bogged basis. Give me the other weapon.”

“Only the lightest axe among all.” Mantingan said a little regretfully. “Alright, just bring this sword.”

Dara refused. “This sword I have given you, it is not good I take again.”

The mantel smiled wryly. He forgot, that Dara's attitude is not the same as humans in general. Not that Dara is a crazy person, but Dara is the one who has to maintain her prestige. If he had given the sword to Mantingan, then based on his prestige, he was reluctant to use the sword again.

The mantle chokes on its own spit. How could he believe those words were spoken by Dara? What if the crowd heard that Dara had demeaned herself by asking people to protect her? If the crowd had heard of it, then the Mantingan would have been the target of their hatred.

However, for Mantingan himself, to protect Dara is not a burdensome thing. Not because he put his heart on her, but rather humanity and friendship. Mantingan also did not bother Dara who was humble. Nor does it assume that protecting a person like Dara is the greatest honor of his life.

“Then, walk not far from behind me. Put your ears and eyes well.” Mantingan said firmly, but it could be heard that his words contained a sense of care and affection, not anger.

Hearing that, Dara nodded.

***

Walk them under big shady trees. It's a beautiful atmosphere in the morning here. As usual. The forest sings as the wind blows. Bird chirping adds to its rhythm. Morning dew comes from heaven. And really Mantingan always miss the atmosphere of this morning. In the heart of the forest that for the very creepy, has been stored a hidden paradise.

Look Dara. As a city person who rarely met the forest, he was completely flabbergasted to feel the atmosphere around him. For him, this was more than just a hidden paradise. In his mind, he wished he could continue like this. Not just because of the view. He really didn't like all this scenery if there were no Mantingan. There was no spell protecting him. There was no Mantingan that made him feel safe all the time. There was no Spell that spurred the spirit, nor was it his hope.

Now Dara looked at Mantingan who was still walking in front of him. Can he expect more from Mantingan? Dara quickly realized himself, that he did not deserve Mantingan. Even if people feel that Dara does not deserve to be with Mantingan, but Dara will always consider herself inappropriate for Mantingan.

There was no harm if Dara felt unworthy like that. How many men have slept with her? Although Dara never felt love for those people, but she enjoyed it. Indeed, if examined further, Dara is not worthy of Mantingan.

Dara's view on Mantingan is different. To him, Mantingan was a different man from most of the— men who had always adored and pursued him. Mantingan is a place for Dara to look in the mirror, until she knows where the fault is on her own. But Dara did not want to expect more. He assumed, his existence would not be good for Mantingan.

***

Manten would not be surprised by the sight of the hundreds of Death Scent Flowers in front of him. The stinging and stifling smell is there. Mantingan was standing alone here, Dara was far behind him, covering his nose as the stench spread to a great distance.

“It will be a tough job.” The mantan muttered softly before advancing closer.

The job that was said to be the heavy work was to choose the Death Scent Flower whose quality was good. Mantingan knew how to choose a good Death Scent Flower after reading one of the books in the city library. His memory is thick remembering every word that was written on the book.

Meringan grimaced in horror. The way that Mantingan must do is quite disgusting. The mantle needed to smell one by one of the hundreds of Death Scent Flowers in front of him. The most concentrated and rotten aroma that is the quality is good, worthy to be sold and used as medicine.