The Story on the Slope of Mount Merapi

9

Sukmo Aji pulled the reins of his horse. After some time turning – turn trying to find the voice of the woman who asked for help. “ Strange sounds it's like vanishing in this forest. I'm sure that voice came from here “

Sukmo Aji breathed. The young man then applied Aji Sapta Pangrungu. A science that can hear the slightest sound within the distance of dozens of spears. After a while trying to find the voice in question. Result nil. The voice he sought was not found.

“ Hmmm. Or did I hear wrong? Or maybe it's the sound of the jungle's waiter?”

“ But not possible. The cow cart seemed to have been robbed. The old man was killed. I'd better find someone close to this place. In order to prepare a burial. Pity if the body reaches the tiger gondol “

Finally Sukmo Aji continued his journey. Hose some time shaking –shaking on horseback. Sukmo Aji stopped his ride. Stop in front of a market regol. Tumenggung Anom Pajang looked around in wonder. Fix his headband and then sighed slowly.

"Squeaky... I know every day this market is always crowded by sellers and buyers. Especially today kliwon. Why is today so quiet. No one is visible here. Is it possible because it will rain so it must close early ?”

And the reverie of Sukmo Aji froze when a shout came from the end of the road.

"Revelation! Move aside! Help u! Move over!" shouted the person who was driving the wagon. Sukmo Aji quickly pulled over his horse. The cart passed by his side quickly. At first glance Sukmo Aji can see the pale face of fear from the sais pedati.

Sukmo Aji wrinkled his forehead. His instincts said that something was wrong had happened at that place.

“ What really happened in this place? Alright I'll try to find out “

Although the bovine was not visible anymore, but from the wheel tracks that make clear on the road land Sukmo Aji can find out which way the wagon went. By relying on his sharp eyes in tracing the trail . He turned his horse to the east. He deliberately took the path of cutting. On one small hill he could see the ox-cart gliding down a long stretch between the legs of the hills.

In front of a joglo house that starts from the pole, floor and wall to the roof made of bamboo, people who drive cows stop the cart. Then hurriedly jumped up and ran towards the door. After a while of calling – call then the door opens. And sais wagon instantly sneak hasty –hastily without much to say anymore.

Sukmo Aji slows down his horse-riding run while entering a village. For a moment his eyes saw the writing using Javanese script designed in front of regol. Twins Pile. The horse is just walking. Tracing the village road is very quiet. The houses on the right left of the village road were all sealed shut. In the moments he walked, no one met anyone he could ask or anyone who greeted him.

“ Weird..The village is really quiet gripping. I'm more and more convinced that there's something terrible going on in this village. Does it have anything to do with the cart that was robbed on the edge of the forest earlier?“

Sukmo Aji directed his horse to go deeper into the solidity because of the – footprints of the pedati wheel which he followed towards him towards the middle of the village. Not long after that Sukmo Aji saw a fairly large joglo building. The joglo is only in the morning using stones arranged so. He was no more than an adult's chest. In the joglo yard was seen a cart that he saw in the market earlier.

“ Turned out to be right. The guy stopped at the big house “

Sukmo Aji got off the horse's back. He led the brown horse into the courtyard.

Suddenly it felt something unnatural. From behind the surrounding stone fences, the ears of the trained Sukmo Aji heard him breath-hold. Not only from one or two people, but it feels like many people are hiding behind the fences. Sukmo Aji did not understand their intent of peering over and over the fence. He pretended not to know about it. But when he was about to set foot on the threshold of the village banjar regol, some men jumped from behind the surrounding stone fences.

Everyone carries weapons. Big banter, long and short spear, sword, keris and bindi. Sukmo Aji was briefly surprised as well, but quickly his reasoning worked. He was soon convinced of his assumption. Something is going on in this area. He also suspected that the men had no evil intentions. They are just watchful and alert. As a stranger in a dangerous area it is fitting that he be suspected. That is why he decided not to do anything, and will only obey all the commands that will be received.

The person who became the leader of the entourage was of medium stature. His body was not that big, but his powerful muscles decorated his entire body. Between the fingers of his right hand was tucked a short sword. Beside him stood a tall, large-moustached man.

His gaze was sharp glittering. He was not armed with any sharp except a large whip whose tip was more than a half in length, and on the whip juntai it was seen – iron charred that sticking out. Apparently he was one of the biggest figures of the village guards, in addition to several other guards who immediately surrounded him.

“We found Ki Demang Pucang Twins!” Suddenly a command came out of the mouth of the great tall man.

Sharp Skmo Aji reasoning instantly perceives. Linking the deserted atmosphere of the market, the state of the wagon with a slain old man lay face down on the ground. All of that must have something to do with the situation in Pucang Kembar village. Sukmo Aji who had already made up his mind not to do anything that could cause a commotion, obeyed the order obediently. Not long after from inside the joglo building sprung some people complete with unsheathed weapons. Among them stood a man who was rather old.

The leader of the group and the big tall man went straight to the old man. Sukmo Aji was still following behind him.

“Ki Demang,” reported the leader of the group, “this person we had to suspect. Next up is at the discretion of Ki Demang.”

The old man who turned demang from the area, nodded his head. Several age lines had been scratched on his face, but he still looked fresh and strong. His face is bright and clean. His teeth were still intact, white sparkling between his lips that smiled amiably. However, Sukmo Aji could see there was grief in both eyes of the demon.

“He is investigating this area, Ki Demang. Maybe he's one of the conspirators who kidnapped Mayu Miranti.”

The demon looked at Sukmo Aji from the tip of his foot to the end of his hair. His advanced age, helped him to know a little about the characters of people he had just met. And against Sukmo Aji, he did not suspect any ill intent.

“Can I ask?” said Demang Pucang Sari with a heavy tone but polite and friendly.

First Sukmo Aji hesitated. It was by this hesitation that until a while Sukmo Aji did not answer, so when he was just about to say, a tall big man sounded snapping, “Come answered!”

Sukmo Aji was actually not at all happy to be treated in such a way, but he did not want to fuss. So the question was answered politely,

“Ki Demang, if Ki Demang wants to know, I am from Kedungtuban. I was a courtier in Pajang, coincidentally through the academy to return to Kedungtuban".

Some people seemed surprised to hear this answer. The old man was a little surprised. His dream was glaringly remembered by Pangestu's report the other day. That, the only – one daughter is involved in a secret relationship with a senopati from Pajang. Is this young man?

Ki Demang quickly took control of him. And once again nodding his head, but then he asked again with a tone that was still so polite.

“Taking into account the attitude of angger, it is appropriate that the member is a courtier, or at least the people of the city as I have known. But the arrival of Anger alone here, is a question for us."

“This man wants to fool us Ki Demang,” again heard the roar of the big tall man with his eyes glittering. Again he looked around, at the people standing guard.

The attitude of the big man was increasingly unpleasant Sukmo Aji, but he still held himself back and answered kindly as well.

“Ki Demang, actually I have a lot of information about me, but it is best if the information I give specifically to Ki Demang, not in front of the crowd. Because there are things that do not need to be known by many people.”

Hearing that the big tall man, who was actually named Cangkil, and served as a constable in the Academy was very offended. He felt humbled by the stranger, by excluding him from the conversation. Therefore he snapped with his loud voice.

“What is the need for Ki Demang to serve someone like you? Now you talk.”

The treatment of that person has actually gone too far. But Sukmo Aji was still trying to hold back, and answered well.

“What you need to know I told you.”

“Not enough,” replied Cangkil getting angry.

“What will you say to ki Demang?”

Sukmo Aji looked at the old man. His clear face became somewhat gloomy. There was something actually churning on the chest of the old demang. However, Ki Demang put on a smile at the corner of his lips.

“Then how should Cangkil?” ask the old Demang.

Cangkil's attitude is getting fierce. He felt that he would give up everything to him.

“ I'll challenge that guy to a battle match. If he loses then, that guy has to say the truth,” he said.

Sukmo Aji was aghast at the words of the great tall man.

“ A Moment kIsanak. Is there no other way to solve this problem without resorting to violence? “

“ You have no choice of young man. If you refuse my challenge. I have to force you ! I will not intervene alone let my sister who will fight you” replied Cangkil firmly.

And this answer was indeed expected by the old demon.

“Good...it is up to you. Others as witnesses for what happened,” he said.

Things turned tense. No one understood the meaning of the chief. Actually, these people did not want such an event at all, because in their view, Sukmo Aji was a polite and kind person. Instead Sukmo Aji complained inwardly. Quickly he was able to grasp the wise old Demang's intent by capturing his eyes.

“Dangerous games. The old Demang did not know me at all, on the contrary I did not know what kind of person Cangkil was,” thought Sukmo Aji.

But anyway, Sukmo Aji was forced to serve him if he did not want to be the moons.