The Swordsman

CH2.11 Murder occurs again in the Palace

Ki Woko and Ki Harso entered a fairly spacious tavern. There are several sets of seats that are enough for several people each set. Ki Harso sat in front of Ki Woko after ordering some food and drinks. Inside the shop were several groups of soldiers and courtiers eating while chatting. A couple of waiters came with orders for Ki Harso and Ki Woko.

"It seems like the two kisanak are not here, where did the kisanak come from and what is the purpose of the kisanak being in the royal city..? Is it just a visit or just a coincidence passing by..?" ask the butler.

"Aaahhh. We just happened to pass by. We come to this place just want to rest two to three days, sir." replied Ki Harso.

"Then if you can know where the kisanak comes from and where the kisanak destination..? Maybe I can help pinpoint the quickest route for the kisanak." asked the butler.

"We are from the land of Kawi and will go to the land of Antasangin. How far are we going to get to Antasangin, sir..?" ask Ki Woko.

"Cawi City..? that's a long way from here. If the master is by land route, then the master will be up to about fifteen days. But if you go through the waterway, then about nine days to get to Antasangin. Because if by land, kisanak must circle the Merabu mountain region. Here there is a map so that the kisanan can learn the path to Antasangin." replied the butler then went to serve other guests.

Ki Harso received the map and studied it for a while and ate the food that had been served. The ears of Ki Harso and Ki Woko caught some of the talk of the soldiers and courtiers of the Banon Sewu kingdom while eating the food served.

"I heard that at the end of next month the Queen will hold a celebration. Do you know what kind of celebration..?" said one soldier.

"Let's go. I don't know. This is only the first time it has been held in our kingdom." replied another.

"But somehow these past few months Empress Mai has not been seen. Is he sick..?" ask one of the soldiers

"A few days ago I saw the empress walking around the palace at night. But the empress looks fine." said another.

"True.I have also met him at night in the royal hall is receiving guests. But the guest was wearing a black robe. I just didn't hear their conversation. It seems like lately the empress is a bit strange." said another.

Ki Harso listened to all the information from the group of soldiers calmly as if unconcerned with their conversation. Ki Woko also heard the conversation from the palace courtier group.

"That's why lately the empress receives guests at night. Guests who come in the morning or during the day, not met, instead told the coach or other officials to meet.." said one of the retainers.

"Right.unlike king Danayaksa who always meet his guests at any time, and also the empress does not care at all for her subordinates." said another.

"But for almost a year now I've never seen the king of Danayaksa. He is said to be very strangely ill. Have you ever seen the king..?" said another retainer.

"Once I've seen him in his house, but there's something strange, his sight is empty like a man who lost his mind." replied another.

Ki Woko listened while eating her food. Suddenly a soldier's head entered the restaurant while shouting..

"It happened again.Today we found a corpse with bite marks on its neck. His body was dry as if he had run out of blood. This is the fifth time in the last few months. We have to tighten the guard..!!" said the soldier's head.

The news from the head guard made everything in the tavern fall silent. The horror was painted on the faces of the soldiers who were eating. Ki Woko and Ki Harso looked at each other and tried to digest the information they had just obtained. . After finishing eating, Ki Harso and Ki Woko immediately returned to the inn to give the news that had just been obtained to Raden Sanjaya using the king's pigeons and devised a plan to conduct reconnaissance around the royal palace.

-->

Tejomantri and Ki Sasongko have arrived at the Thousand Flowers inn. The inn which is usually not too crowded, suddenly became many visitors from various countries to join the auction invitation. Most of them were nobles and some were warriors hired to escort them. Tejomantri showed the invitation he got from Sekar Wulan to the registration officer.

"Sastroganthol from Antasangin.." jawan Tejomantri.

"Sorry sir. Your name is not on the guest list. So I can't give a place to Mr. Sastro." said the officer.

"What...? This is your attitude towards the invited guests..? I came all the way from Antasangin at this invitation. But you said my name wasn't on the list. What kind of attitude are you showing me..? Or do you want to humiliate the noble Antasangin huh...?!!" tejomantri said angrily, Ki Sasongko deliberately let out his aura to put pressure on those present at the inn.

"Mma.. maa. sorry sir.. I'll call the leader first. Aa.. A. I just carry out the orders." said the officer in fear and went to call the leader.

It didn't take long, the officer came back with a well-built person.

"Sorry sir.. What's the problem is this..? Why are you making such a mess in our place..? said the man.

"Who are you. What right do you have to ask me..?" tejomantri.

"Sorry sir, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Sairun, I am the person in charge of this place and this event. Back, who's the master and what's the matter..?" ask Sairun.

"Did your men not tell you..? I got an invitation from your boss to attend the auction. Then what do you do, your men say that my name is not on the list. What does this invitation mean..?" tejomantri said, slamming the invitation.

Sairun opened the Tejomantri invitation and checked it, then checked the guest list he brought.

"Oohhhh, sorry sir, this is just a misunderstanding. According to the list I have, it should be that master is still next year following the auction. So it is only natural that the name of the master is not on the guest list that the registrar brought.." jawan Sairun calmed down.

"Then, do you still not allow me to go to the auction..?" ask Tejomantri.

"No. please you still follow this auction, but for the participation of the master next year we will remove.. Officers, give them a room and make sure Mr. Sastro and his bodyguards get good service." said Sairun.

The registration officer escorted Tejomantri and Ki Sasongko to his room.

"If you need something, you can ask the servant who is on the other end. The servant will immediately fulfill the request of the master. I beg you, forgive the misunderstanding, sir." said the officer and left.

In the room Tejomantri was discussing with Ki Sasongko.

"What you did earlier was enough to attract the attention of other invited guests. Maybe they will be a little more alert to us." Ki Sasongko said.

"real teacher... What should we do next, teacher..?" ask Tejomantri.

"Tonight I'm going around out of the inn. Although they were carrying high-ranking warriors, I was sure that with Aji Hanglimunan they would not be able to know where I was. And you mingle with them, gather all the information." said Ki Sasongko.

"Good Teacher.. Now we should recover our energy first." said Tejomantri.