The Thousand Mask Warrior

Cumbrous

The residents are busy preparing everything in the main betang house in the village behind the ulin wooden fort.

They prepare halal food borne by Temenggung Bear, in the form of pelanduk meat, two goats that are being burned, and various types of river fish. The scented smell and delicious aroma of food pierced the nose of Jayaseta and his entourage.

Dara Cempaka's strong memory takes her back to childhood. This building is where he and the Sukadana royal entourage are entertained by Temenggung Bears and their citizens. The tall wooden and sturdy building was built away from the pigsties and dogs that often roam the village.

Dara Cempaka again felt that this sudden banquet was no less chaotic than the past when he and the Grandfather visited this place.

Even rhythmic tools are directly anchored. Two Daya dancing girls sway their bodies accompanied by the sound of sapek and reciprocate or curating, the thump of a gong or agukng, entebong blows that are very similar to drums on the island of Java, as well as the agility of the sound of sollokanong or klenang.

Jayaseta felt very uneasy because of the sudden reception of this kind, as if he was an important person from a kingdom.

"You don't have to be uncomfortable, Jayaseta ... That's your name, isn't it?" said Punyan who now looks his original nature, friendly and unpretentious. "Your arrival indicates the danger is far away. So the villagers without being ordered to celebrate. You see those two dancers? They often entertained the residents of every state of the village is safe and peaceful. Not just a celebration of the harvest or the arrival of important people," Punyan explained.

Punyan explanation does not make Jayaseta calmer, in contrast to Ireng and Siam who seemed to enjoy this welcome, especially for days they had to be on a boat, paddling, rowing, and wonder what other problems they will face. Although they were clearly very willing and full of sincere consciousness accompanying Jayaseta, still they really enjoyed the dishes that were in front of them.

Dara Cempaka, the girl, is not a layman in terms of welcoming and feasting. He was however still bloody noble, officials and courtiers of the Malay kingdom of Sukadana. So, he was quite calm when finally everything ended well.

Punyan watched Jayaseta closely. He smiled, Jayaseta could catch him. "I'm sorry if I feel uncomfortable, Punyan. Maybe it's my habits and nature that is less often in the crowd and celebration," said Jayaseta.

He then looked to the other side of the betang house, the chieftain, Temenggung Bear nodded towards him, showing a deep understanding, despite only looking from a distance and not having a conversation with them, he said, then go inside.

Jayaseta looked back at Punyan, then spread her gaze around. From up here he could see a dense plea, housing in the village, hills behind the village including rice fields and other crops, as well as high wooden fortifications that surrounded the village as far as the eye could see.

Jayaseta suddenly smiled. His uncomfortable feelings turned into an attraction. "Punyan, if I may guess, is it true that the style you used was imitated from the movement of an ape?"

Punyan nodded, then laughed. "Well, wow ... If not a swordsman, who else is able to guess a silat and interested in discussing it even though he was attacked with the style," Punyan patted Jayaseta's shoulder. This action instantly melted Jayaseta's discomfort almost completely. Punyan's friendly attitude was very different from before, or like his previous thought that the Power people were full of peddling culture and fighting each other, his feelings were no longer appropriate. Now he stands side by side with a young man who behaves and is like another young man.

"To answer that, you have to fight me again. But calm down, it's all later after your affair with apai ... I mean, my dad, it's done," Punyan said excitedly.

"Punyan, I really hope your father can help me. Other people may see myself as a warrior who is mandraguna and choose a match, but I actually have weaknesses and problems that are quite large," said Jayaseta.

The look on Punyan's face immediately looked concerned. "No need to tell me that first, Jayaseta. My father can help you. If you need my help or the people of this village, we will be ready, too" Punyan said.

"Let's talk about things about the science of canuragan back," said Punyan again excited. "How can you read my movements? You can even weaken my inner power attack. That's not an easy thing. Honestly, I was unable to accept it, because in an empty-handed fight, my skill called Bangkui Sakti Breaking Fruit never escaped the target," he continued.

Jayaseta smiled wryly, "That's because my moves weren't straight. I prepare myself with everything that happens, so that my movements both defense and attack are not imprisoned by a certain style. My silat attitude will adjust to the attack using any moves."

"You're overreacting, Punyan. But I agree, it's good if the time is right, we can share knowledge again," Jayaseta said this time with a big smile and loose.

***

Two large jung from Betawi ready to leave for Sukadana on Tanjung Pura island. One jung contained Walanda soldiers and fortress officials who were assigned to handle the trade in Sukadana. The one, who was to depart tomorrow, contained merchants, slaves and construction workers.

The two men chose to sail on the second ship. They did not even want to be seen Walanda troops consisting of Caucasians, Ambonese and Javanese.

Yu was wearing the Malay-style clothes that people in Betawi used to wear. Her hair was not rolled up like ordinary Ming Chinese, but wrapped in a head covering like those of Java or Banten. Pratiwi himself is not difficult to disguise himself as a man, the son of the Chinese master. His slender body makes it easy to hide a pair of breasts*raanya behind long sleeves in Javanese or Banten style.

Not much they bring, but Yu certainly has a lot of provisions in the form of pieces of money that he has saved for a long time. Pratiwi need not worry about lack of money or necessities, Yu who bears it all.

They were fleeing from Walanda soldiers because they were considered rebels and criminals.

Escaping to Sukadana, obviously has other reasons. Yu wants to bring Pratiwi to find out about the life of his grandfather, Karsa, besides, maybe Pratiwi really wants to kill Jayaseta, the person he once loved.

Yu never intended to help Pratiwi in this matter, but after all Pratiwi in this state could not be able to defeat the swordsman, even then if they could find the man on an island so vast and dense with forests.

Yu only brought Pratiwi for his own sake it seemed. Pleasing Pratiwi's heart is like pleasing himself. He also felt already wet in trying to win the heart of Pratiwi.

Now they are sailing together, both of them need each other, although Yu is not sure whether because Pratiwi just want to not, or really need it. Yu doesn't care anymore, he's wet for all this. He even killed people. It is no different from champions and warriors who from the beginning he did not really respect because it may be contrary to the nature of his work as a healer who treats, not injures or harms.

Pratiwi sits knee-bending on the edge of Jung's deck. He was silent after the last time he fought in Betawi. His strength still did not fully recover, although by becoming calmer and orderly taking drugs and undergoing Yu's treatment, his physical condition gradually improved.

Yu still saw an amazingly charming girl in Pratiwi, even when she was wearing male-style clothes. At that time it was not easy for a woman to travel outside the area by boat. The only way is to disguise yourself as best you can. After all, they are indeed being pursued by the Company people.

Pratiwi looks much more calm and peaceful. Yu felt a very complicated feeling about this, because however Pratiwi remained difficult to read, like a rock that stood upright in the waves.

Seeing Yu watching him, Pratiwi got up and looked at the endless sea. Yu approached towards him.

Without turning his head towards Yu, Pratiwi said, "After arriving at Sukadana, I want you to marry me. That's also if you're still interested. I won't say it twice, Yu."

Yu could not say anything. It was as if a huge wave came rolling it and made it sink to the bottom of the deepest ocean.