The Swordsman

CHAPTER XX

“Finally... I managed to kidnap Princess Sekar Ayu,” said Patih Lembu Ireng immediately drove his horse towards the wilderness to the hideout of Paramarta.

Patih Lembu Ireng spurred his horse at high speed, no matter the pain in his leg that was injured by fire while in the village square of Pagarsari. His only goal was to bring Princess Sekar Ayu before Paramarta.

The body of Princess Sekar Ayu who was bound shook on the horse that was driven by Patih Lembu Ireng. Putri Sekar Ayu began to wake up because of the shock, he was shocked to find himself tied up on a horse driven by Patih Lembu Ireng.

“Patih Lembu Ireng... What did you do to me?” princess Sekar Ayu shouted in panic.

Patih Lembu Ireng was surprised to see Putri Sekar Ayu was aware of the influence of the science of sirep. His eyes widened wide glared towards Princess Sekar Ayu.

“Princess Sekar Ayu. King Nagendra had to surrender his throne to Paramarta. He is more worthy to be King, I do not want the kingdom of Dananjaya destroyed by fighting against the kingdom of Heaven. If Paramarta ascends the throne he is happy to sell coffee plantations to the kingdom of Heaven at high prices there is no need for war,” said Patih Lembu Ireng.

“Bas a traitor, father would rather die fighting than sell the coffee plantations owned by the people to the kingdom of Heaven. Don't you know the kingdom of Heaven is an invader who oppresses other kingdoms for the sake of the prosperity of his own kingdom. Buying plantation land means they can start to establish their power in the kingdom of Dananjaya. Patih do not follow stupid and glare treasure like uncle Paramarta,” said Putri Sekar Ayu.

“Silent... spoiled girl, you don't know anything, don't patronize me,” said Patih Lembu Ireng.

“I know! Basic traitor!” said Putri Sekar Ayu makes Patih Lembu Ireng burning emotions. He stopped his horse and grabbed Princess Sekar Ayu by the neck.

Putri Sekar Ayu thrashed and tried to kick Patih Lembu Ireng. Patih Lembu Ireng immediately loosened his grip before Putri Sekar Ayu was out of breath.

“If you die, you will be of no use in front of Paramarta. He will use you to pressure King Nagendra to surrender his throne. You do not try to provoke my emotions,” said Patih Lembu Ireng.

Patih Lembu Ireng immediately drove his horse again, going to penetrate into the darkness of the wilderness. The black horse he was riding neighed at being driven so quickly.

“Let go of me.. please... please...!” yelled Putri Sekar Ayu.

“Do not expect anyone to help you, Patih Samana and Ajisaka are far behind. They could have died slaughtered rebel gang Bajing Alas,” said Patih Lembu Ireng.

Patih Lembu Ireng continued to drive his horse to the hiding place of Paramarta. The horse was in a house in the forest. The house was huge even though it was hidden in the middle of the wilderness. There were many guards in the house, it was the hiding place of Paramarta.

Patih Lembu Ireng stopped his horse and lowered Putri Sekar Ayu. He lifted the body of Princess Sekar Ayu whose hands were both reminded on his shoulders. The house guard soldiers immediately welcomed the arrival of Patih Lembu Ireng.

“Free the holding cell to lock Putri Sekar Ayu, I must immediately meet Paramarta,” said Patih Lembu Ireng.

“Paramarta is not here, she is meeting the commander of the Kingdom of Heaven,” said one of the guard soldiers.

“He is absolutely crazy to cooperate with the Kingdom of Heaven to seize the throne. Hmmm... he would be happy if he knew I had succeeded in kidnapping Princess Sekar Ayu,” said Patih Lembu Ireng.

Princess Sekar Ayu was placed in a dirty and foul-smelling detention cell.

He kept screaming for release, but no one came to his aid. Finally he felt exhausted and sat quietly in the corner of the prisoner cell.

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Patih Samana has divided the soldiers of Princess Sekar Ayu's bodyguards into two groups. Group one led by Bayu rode towards the royal palace to ascertain whether Patih Lembu Ireng and Putri Sekar Ayu had returned home to the palace. The second group led Patih Samana back to the attack site of the Bajing Alas gang and look for traces of Princess Sekar Ayu from that place. Ajisaka and Aryo join a group led by Patih Samana.

They immediately moved towards their respective goals. Not long ago Patih Samana and the guard soldiers have arrived at the attack site.

“Spread, find the trail of Putri Sekar Ayu and Patih Lembu Ireng,” said Patih Samana.

Ajisaka and Aryo walk around the attack site. He looked towards the ground to see the traces left behind in that place. It is difficult to distinguish which traces of Princess Sekar Ayu and Patih Lembu Ireng or traces of the Bajing Alas rebels. Suddenly Ajisaka saw something sparkling on the ground exposed to the light of the torch he was carrying, he immediately picked up the thing. It was a necklace commonly used by Princess Sekar Ayu. Then Princess Sekar Ayu was in this place. Ajisaka and Aryo immediately looked at the other traces around him closely. There are traces of large sandals printed very deep, there is no way that the trail of Princess Sekar Ayu.

“This trace must belong to Patih Lembu Ireng, this sandal trail is large in size, but why is there no trace of Putri Sekar Ayu when in your place find a necklace there are still traces of Putri Sekar Ayu's sandals?” ask Aryo.

“Wait, whether Patih Lembu Ireng holds Putri Sekar Ayu, this is seen from the imprint printed in while the imprint of Putri Sekar Ayu sandals is no longer visible. Did Putri Sekar Ayu get hurt and Patih Lembu Ireng save him?” Ajisaka.

“Maybe so,” replied Aryo.

“Is there Danu in our group?” ask Ajisaka.

“There, he was in our group,” replied Aryo.

Ajisaka immediately looks for Danu. He will ask the young man for help calling the coyote to sniff the trail of Princess Sekar Ayu.

“Can you call a coyote to sniff the trail of Putri Sekar Ayu?” ask Ajisaka.

“Can, but the dog must sniff the belongings of Princess Sekar Ayu, if there is no, then can not sniff the tracks,” replied Danu.

“This is a necklace belonging to Princess Sekar Ayu who fell and a handkerchief from Princess Sekar Ayu, I have never used it, can it be used?”

“We try first, but not necessarily succeed," said Danu.

A black-haired coy coyote came over after Danu blew his flute. Danu pointed Princess Sekar Ayu's necklace and handkerchief at the coyote's nose. The dog immediately ran towards the wilderness.

“Let's follow the dog,” Danu said.

Ajisaka, Aryo and Danu immediately chase the coyote who runs towards the wilderness. Patih Samana and the other troops soon followed behind him.