The Swordsman

CHAPTER XII

The soldiers of the royal guard began the journey back to the palace. They did not expect the journey of escorting Princess Sekar Ayu's visit to the territory of the Dananjaya Kingdom to end quickly. They have failed to protect Princess Sekar Ayu, they are preparing to receive punishment from King Nagendra.

“May Putri Sekar Ayu always be protected wherever he is at the moment. Somehow the feeling of the King and Empress when they found out Putri Sekar Ayu was lost with Patih Lembu Ireng and Ajisaka,”, Paijo told one of the soldiers named Rangga.

“If Putri Sekar Ayu and Patih Lembu Ireng were kidnapped by the rebel gang Bajing Alas why Ajisaka was also kidnapped, while we are all held in the basement and abandoned just like that, this is really strange,” said Rangga.

“Don't Ajisaka not affected by the science of sirep that makes us all fall asleep and now he follows the rebel mob Bajing Alas to save Putri Sekar Ayu and Patih Lembu Ireng.”

“Hopefully so, so there is still hope Putri Sekar Ayu can be saved. As far as I know Ajisaka has great internal energy science he is unlikely to be affected by sirep science like us,” said Paijo.

“Patih Lembu Ireng also has a great internal energy science he also can not be affected by the science of sirep even he is famous for the science of sirep able to put many people to sleep at once,” said Rangga.

“Can be Ajisaka and Patih Lembu Ireng are now trying to save Putri Sekar Ayu.”

“Iya let's hope so, the rebel Bajing Alas gang has many men everywhere, the horde can not be underestimated.”

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Bajing Alas rebel gangs chasing Ajisaka have managed to find a bridge to cross the fast-moving river. They began to look for the tracks left behind by Ajisaka and Putri Sekar Ayu.

While in the cave Putri Sekar Ayu finished roasting the forest chicken he got while looking for medicine. He woke Ajisaka to take him to eat so that his strength would quickly recover.

“Pardon the servant of the princess, it should be the servant who prepares food for the princess.”

“Don't call me princess, we just two don't have to call me that it feels ridiculous, just call me Sekar.”

Ajisaka just fell silent not responding. Although now they are not in the palace he still has to maintain courtesy to Princess Sekar Ayu.

“It is better if Princess Sekar Ayu rests we will spend the night in this cave, too dangerous to continue the journey at night, I will keep watch. Tomorrow morning when the sun is shining we must immediately continue the journey back to the palace before the rebel mob Bajing Alas manage to catch us.”

“Alright I will sleep first, later after I get enough sleep in exchange for you who sleep. I don't want you to be sleepy tomorrow on the way.”

Princess Sekar Ayu tried to sleep but could not. He just sat leaning against the cave wall while looking at Ajisaka who was standing guard at the mouth of the cave.

“You should sleep first. I couldn't sleep maybe because I was asleep this afternoon because of the sirens. I alone guard at the mouth of the cave, if there is any sign of the arrival of the rebel Bajing Alas hordes I will wake you soon.”

Princess Sekar Ayu approached Ajisaka and sat down beside her. He kept looking at Ajisaka's face which looked very handsome under the moonlight.

“It looks like I should thank the rebel Bajing Alas horde, because they are the ones I can sit together with you without anyone disturbing,” said Putri Sekar Ayu with a smile.

Ajisaka just fell silent not to reply to the words uttered by Princess Sekar Ayu. Ajisaka thought about the fate of the guard soldiers and Patih Lembu Ireng, how they are now. Are still alive or killed by the rebel Bajing Alas.

“Why have you been silent, your attitude has always been cold to me. I wonder if you already have a mooring or maybe you already have a wife.”

“Sorry my lord daughter has not had a mooring heart and has not had a wife. Servant only a soldier does not deserve to be with the princess.”

“I think you deserve to be with me, you saved my life. If not remembered father and mother in the palace I want to escape alone with you go far from the Kingdom of Dananjaya, become a commoner and live happily in a simple house with many children.”

Ajisaka smiled at the words of Princess Sekar Ayu, the shadow of a simple house with many children flashed through his mind. Ajisaka never imagined his life would be as complicated as this beloved of a king's daughter. If Sekar Ayu was not a king's daughter Ajisaka would happily marry her.

Suddenly Putri Sekar Ayu leaned his head on Ajisaka's shoulder, the smell of fragrance was smelled from his hair, Ajisaka's heart was pounding, Princess Sekar Ayu's body was sticking like a warm feeling to his body, Ajisaka wrapped his hands around Princess Sekar Ayu's body.

Princess Sekar Ayu was very happy. A clear thread of tears fell down her cheeks as Ajisaka hugged her tightly. It did not feel Princess Sekar Ayu fell asleep in Ajisaka's arms. The togetherness did not last long because Ajisaka heard the roar of horse steps approaching towards the cave.

“We must leave this place immediately, I heard the swift footsteps of horses approaching maybe it's the rebel hordes of Bajing Alas.”

Ajisaka and Putri Sekar Ayu immediately climbed onto the horse and spurred him at high speed. Lucky tonight the full moon is not covered in clouds. The light is about to penetrate the darkness of the wilderness. The further the horse ran into the forest the more thorny shrubs pricked the skin. The wound on Ajisaka's back felt very painfully shaken on the horse that was constantly being driven. The forest seemed to be without edges until Ajisaka found a cornfield.

“In the near future we will find a village, there is a cornfield ahead. We can hide in one of the houses. Do not unpack the identity of the princess when she gets to the village, we have to disguise.” said Ajisaka.

Shortly afterwards there were rows of houses with simple bamboo wicker walls and roofed rumbia. Ajisaka immediately came down and knocked on one of the houses that was behind the bamboo tree.

Hearing the horse's neighing voice of a grandfather whose all hair had turned white opened the door of his house.

“Sorry kek, we are being chased by a mob of Bajing Alas rebels, can we hide in grandfather's house?” ask Ajisaka politely.

“Good son, quickly enter the house. The horse hid in the cow pen behind the house,” said the old man kindly.

After hiding his horse Ajisaka and Princess Sekar Ayu immediately entered the old grandfather's house.