The Swordsman

CHAPTER XIII

When Ajisaka and Putri Sekar Ayu entered the old grandfather's house, there was a smell of spices and medicinal herbs. There is a wooden shelf with small sacks neatly lined up. Apparently, Grandpa was a healer.

“Sit in that amben, grandfather will boil drinks and medicinal herbs. I know you're hurting young man. Wound on your back should be treated immediately, seepage blood dirty clothes you wear,” said the old man.

The old man came out with ginger and a green drink that smelled stinging. The old grandfather held Ajisaka's hand pressing down on his veins to find out his condition.

“You have lost a lot of young blood. Your wounds are also watery and festering. The sword that hit you has poison. Fortunately your inner energy is strong enough that the poison has not reached the heart”

The grandfather began to channel his inner energy around Ajisaka's long, gaping back wound.

“Drink the potion, just hold it does not taste good but it will quickly dry the wound on your back.”

Princess Sekar Ayu was shocked to hear the old grandfather's words. He did not know during his time in the Ajisaka cave to endure the pain of the poisonous sword. Ajisaka immediately drank the bitter-tasting herb and burned his throat. He coughed in restraint so as not to spit out the potion. Princess Sekar Ayu immediately rubbed Ajisaka's neck and cleared away the rest of the potion on her lips.

“Thank you very much, grandfather has been willing to help us and treat my wounds, we are both indebted to grandfather.” said Ajisaka.

“Call me Ki Probo, it is an honor for a king's daughter to stop by the servant club,” said Ki Probo.

“How does grandpa know that I am a king's daughter?” ask Putri Sekar Ayu.

Ki Probo just smiled and did not answer Princess Sekar Ayu's question.

----------

~ In a house hidden in the wilderness ~

“Forcuse us.. we.. have lost track of Putri Sekar Ayu,” said one of Paramarta's men.

“Basic g*bl*k... You guys are chasing two people just don't becus\,” Paramarta is very angry and kicked his men who report.

“I will have a mercenary who is adept at sniffing tracks and his martial arts is high named Birowo, but the pay is very expensive,” said Patih Lembu Ireng.

“Money is not a problem for me that important Putri Sekar Ayu immediately caught,” Paramarta threw a money bag to Patih Lembu Ireng.

“Where was the last time you lost track of Putri Sekar Ayu?” ask Patih Lembu Ireng.

“In a cave across the river in the middle of the wilderness.”

----------

Birowo began to look for traces of Princess Sekar Ayu. The soldier was able to sniff out the tracks like a dog.

Ajisaka and Putri Sekar Ayu had left Ki Probo's house when the rooster started crowing in the morning. They have strayed far from the direction of the royal palace of Dananjaya.

Birowo had sniffed their tracks, his horse being driven following the horse that Ajisaka and Putri Sekar Ayu had ridden. The horse looked exhausted from carrying two people at once. When the horse ridden by Ajisaka and Putri Sekar Ayu is seen in front of the eyes, Birowo jumps on Ajisaka's back to make the growth almost toppled. The horse that Ajisaka was riding on began to neigh in a sudden attack.

Bugh bugh bugh!

Ajisaka jumps off the horse and tries to keep his balance.

Birowo immediately jumped up high directing a powerful kick towards Ajisaka's chest. Ajisaka swiftly fended off the attack, his hands quickly clamping Birowo's feet and twisting it with all his might making Birowo's body collapse fall to the ground.

Birowo groaned in pain, Ajisaka immediately pulled the collar of his neck.

“Who told you to attack me, are you one of the Bajing Alas rebel gang?” ask Ajisaka.

“I could've killed you if you were quiet.”

Birowo still remained silent and did not answer. Ajisaka immediately thrust a punch into Birowo's face many times. After several blows Birowo asked for mercy, his hunting breath endured the pain and gasped.

“Ampun.. geez... lord. Bajing Alas rebel gang gave me a bag of money to look for the trail of Princess Sekar Ayu. I should have immediately reported when I found the traces of Princess Sekar Ayu. But I was too greedy to catch Princess Sekar Ayu myself to get more money,” said Birowo stammered.

“Now get out of here stay away from the rebel hordes of Bajing Alas. Do not report anything to them, leave your horse here I will wear it,” Ajisaka immediately spur his horse following Princess Sekar Ayu.

----------

Ajisaka can catch up with the horse Ridden by Princess Sekar Ayu. They immediately drove his horse towards the royal palace of Dananjaya.

“Princess Sekar Ayu we stop first here, on the right there is a small road to a high hill and a steep road. The field is very difficult to pass because the road is narrow and there is a ravine on the left right but if we manage to pass it it will accelerate our journey to the royal palace of Dananjaya. In addition, we are safer than passing the road that is usually passed by traders,” said Ajisaka.

Putri Sekar Ayu and Ajisaka began to climb the path to the top of the hill. They did not cross paths with people or groups of merchants. The road was very quiet only the sound of monkeys hanging on the tree.

“Stop first, I'm hungry,” said Putri Sekar Ayu suddenly.

“Well let us rest for a while under that tree, let his horse here eat grass.”

“Luckily Ki Probo brought us food, here there are no animals to hunt other than a horde of apes.”

They immediately continued their journey after eating and resting. Princess Sekar Ayu spurred her horse recklessly on the narrow cobbled road.

“Be careful Princess, do not drive the horse too fast,” Ajisaka berusa warned Putri Sekar Ayu.

There's a cobra in the middle of the road. The horse that Princess Sekar Ayu was riding was shocked and raised his front legs. Princess Sekar Ayu lost his balance and fell into the ravine on the right side.

Ajisaka immediately got off his horse and jumped into the ravine to save Princess Sekar Ayu.

“Brukk” Ajisaka fell to the bottom of the ravine.

“Akhh, I failed to land perfectly. The wound on my back is really very annoying, it hurts so much,” Ajisaka is enduring the pain in his back.

Ajisaka stood up immediately. I must immediately find Princess Sekar Ayu, fortunately this ravine is not too deep.

“May Princess Sekar Ayu be fine, I have made a mistake by passing this path. Where Putri Sekar Ayu why he does not look should he not be too far from where I fell.”

“Ajisaka... please.. I'm here...”.

Ajisaka immediately ran towards the direction of the sound and found Putri Sekar Ayu falling next to the tree roots sticking out. His face was pale, but there were no serious injuries on his body.