The Swordsman

CH2.6 Where did they sell the slaves..?

Raden Sanjaya destroys Pragoto's kanuragan and takes him to Pragoto's private room. There were many scrolls of lontar inside Pragoto's room. Carefully raden Sanjaya and Sekar Wulan inspected every scroll of the palm to search for all the information about the Blood Axe forces.

"Rear. come here. Look at this, it looks like this is the data of the nobles who want slaves, most of them from a land we do not know yet. It says that Empress Mai ordered two virgins and a virgin on the night of Suro. That means two months from now.." Sekar Wulan explained.

"Hhmmmm. But for what daughter Mai wants a virgin and still a virgin..? Is used as ........" raden Sanjaya did not continue his speech.

"Maybe it's a sis.. We ask Pragoto later when she wakes up." said Sekar Wulan who understood her husband's intentions.

Raden Sanjaya's eyes were fixed on the open thrower sheet stuck on the wooden wall of Pragoto's room. Raden Sanjaya approached the sheet which was a map image. Raden Sanjaya carefully examined the map he saw, looking red and black dots like marking a place.

"Could this mark be another Blood Axe headquarters..? According to Pandu, the Blood Axe headquarters was spread throughout the Banon Sewu kingdom, and this place was only one of the Blood Axe headquarters. I'd better keep this map, I'll learn it later." Raden Sanjaya's mind as he rolled up the toss.

"Rear... I found a silver badge with a red axe and this badge was just like the picture in this thrower. It looks like this is an invitation to the auction. Located in the Lodging of the Thousand Flowers Cottage, the end of the month Selo. Means half a month from now." said Sekar Wulan.

"Auction..? Could it be that they auctioned off those slaves..? Diajeng, you better save the invitation and the badge. We will honeymoon at the Thousand Flowers Cottage." joked Raden Sanjaya followed by a pinch of Sekar Wulan on his arm.

Their search ends after Pragoto wakes up from his stupor. Raden Sanjaya is approaching Pragoto. A feeling of fear appeared on Pragoto's face as Raden Sanjaya approached him. He felt King Yama approaching to take his life.

"Sss... sssiii.what are you guys..? Why did you attack my base..? Aaahhh.. kkke. kwhy does my body seem to have no energy..?" pragoto was terrified

"Calm down Pragoto, there's no need to fear. I'm just destroying all your weapons, I won't kill you, if you want to cooperate with us." said Raden Sanjaya slowly.

"What do you want..? Aaa. aak. I'm just following orders. I don't know anything about the Blood Axe." said Pragoto stammered.

"Your words just proved that you know everything about the Blood Axe. Now tell me who you are and why did the blood axe kidnap the young men and young women..? Will they really be sold..? And who is the man behind the blood axe..? You'd better tell me honestly or you'll be forever unable to speak." said Raden Sanjaya, looking at Pragoto.

"Well.well, I'll tell you everything I know. The Blood Axe army was actually a former bodyguard of king Dananjaya. After Prince Danayaksa ascended the throne, he replaced all the king's bodyguards with his own. We felt we were being pushed aside by the prince, our struggle during this time was not appreciated by the prince at all. It was our pain that made us do this. At first we just robbed, until we met one of the nobles from Wanadahana country who asked us to provide young men and women to be made slaves. The high demand and difficulty of getting young men and women, made us auction them every week of the first odd month.." Pragoto explained.

"I found a map on your desk. Explain what this black and red sign means..? Then where are you guys going to hold the auction..? Is it at your main base..?" raden Sanjaya asked while opening the map he found.

"There is no main headquarters, our Leader is always moving places, every headquarters our leader comes to is the main headquarters. This black mark was the location of the base that was underground and there we sent the slaves before auctioning. While the red mark is the base that is above the ground. For the auction was always held at the Thousand Flowers Inn near the royal city. To enter, you must carry the Blood Axe badge." Pragoto said as he pointed to the location of the auction on the map.

"I heard the empress also asked you to provide virgin and virgin. You know what the empress gave such conditions to..? Then what if the one you sent doesn't qualify..?" ask raden Sanjaya.

"True, once every three months we have to provide virgins and virgins for the empress. From what I've heard, the empress needs them for the worship of the Durga. The Empress was a loyal follower of Durga, even she gained the devotion of the Durga. But I don't know for sure about it. I just got a story from his bodyguard who used to pick up the young man and the girl. We dare not give the unqualified.." Pragoto explained.

"All right, last I wanted to ask. Who is your leader and how do we know he is the leader of the Blood Axe..?" ask raden Sanjaya.

An arrow stuck in Pragoto's neck caused Pragoto to lose his life. A letter rolled on the arrow.

"DON'T INTERFERE IN OUR BUSINESS IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE...!!"

That is the sound of the letter. Raden Sanjaya quickly goes around the blood axe headquarters to find out who killed Pragoto. Raden Sanjaya could not find anyone outside.

"This arrow must have been sent from a distant place. But who sent him..? What is clear is that he has deep energy and high knowledge. I'd better stay alert." Inner raden Sanjaya.

"How's kakang..? Did the kakang find out who fired the arrow that killed Pragoto..?" ask Sekar Wulan.

"Not taught. Whoever he is, he must have high knowledge. We can't be careless.. We'd better burn these bodies, I'm afraid this body will cause new problems." said Raden Sanjaya.

Sekar Wulan and Raden Sanjaya gathered the bodies together and burned them together with the Blood Axe headquarters building.

"Rear.. Apparently Pandu Bergolo and his men fled. Did Pandu report the incident here so that the blood axe sent people to kill Pragoto..?" ask Sekar Wulan.

"Not taught. Pandu Bergolo wouldn't dare to do that. I'm sure he's back where Jarot and his men are. We better get there soon." said Raden Sanjaya then took Sekar Wulan to go to Jarot's place.

Raden Sanjaya's estimate did not miss. Pandu Bergolo and his men are in hiding place along with Jarot and his men.

"Mr Jaka. I was forced to flee, waiting for you here." Pandu Bergolo said.

"Then what will mister Jaka and Madam do..? Cungkring has bled to death, if master and mistress want to punish me I accept. Do it quickly so that I can accompany my brother to the king of Yama." Jarot said on his knees.

Raden Sanjaya held Jarot's hand. With a kasampurnan spell, Raden Sanjaya reunites the bones of Jarot's hand which was destroyed by colliding with Sekar Wulan.

"Tu... ttuuan.. why are you treating me..?" ask Jarot.

"My wife... Do you forgive their mistakes..? If you can't forgive him, I'll kill them all. After all they have committed a crime and deserve it." said raden Sanjaya softly.

"The back is the one used by the blood ax. I forgive them their guilt, but if they repeat their deeds, then I will punish them myself until the king of Yama will not recognize them again..!!" sekar Wulan.

"Good... My wife has forgiven you. Instead, you must truly repent. Join and serve you to Polosan Village Chief to unite against the blood axe. I will give you a little strength in, practice your moves again, then your strength will return. But if you dare to betray, then your sea of souls will be destroyed." said Raden Sanjaya while giving the power of the Kalachakra mantra to them.

After giving Cungkring a proper burial, they returned to the village to meet the Village Chief.