The Thousand Mask Warrior

Gateway

In 1606 AD, Walanda had attacked Malacca controlled by Pranggi. The first attack of the Walanda nation was fully supported by the Sultanate of Johor who was a direct descendant of the Sultanate of Malacca captured Pranggi. However, Walanda failed to subdue the Pranggi fortress in Malacca at that time despite causing the naval war leader Afonso de Castro suffered severe injuries.

For the Sultanate of Johor, the conquest of Malacca was crucial to the control of trade in the Malay world. Currently, Pranggi makes Malacca as a warehouse for sea trade and trade links between Hindustan and China.

The Sultanate of Johor had made a treaty with Walanda to expel Pranggi from the Malay lands. The agreement was made so that Walanda would take over Malacca's government, but Walanda would not claim the territory anymore and would not fight with the Malay states. Walanda will also help the full business of the Sultanate of Johor to master the trade.

Of course this kind of agreement is expected to benefit both parties equally. The Johor Sultanate felt that long ago, their ancestors were the great rulers of the Malay world. When Pranggi came, they had to evacuate and establish another power in Johor. Malacca's name faded, as did their pride and strength. With the conquest of Malacca later, although with the help of other Caucasians, the Sultanate of Johor will not be disturbed in the mastery of trade and the return of state self-esteem. Their enmity and strife with other countries, Bengkulu for example, will be winnable.

Sasangka felt that the heat of the dispute was already very pronounced. Pranggi troops with beds and swords stand guard on the coastline, city walls on the inside and outside, fortifications and even markets. The cannons in the corner of the city are cleaned continuously so as not to get stuck and can be used properly.

Indigenous warriors and employed by Pranggi such as the Flores, Timorese or Larantuka people, hundreds in sight - thousands unseen - also stand guard with bedils, spears, shields and swords. They were seen mixing with other indigenous warriors who were fewer in number such as the Javanese and Malays.

Examinations for travelers and merchants before entering Malacca, especially to the city's fortifications, became more stringent. For now, there is no need and desire for Sasangka to enter the city protected by the long wall.

Sasangka had also heard the battle in the shallow seas in the Riau archipelago that occurred among several nations at once. The ship he was riding in was lucky not to be constrained and hindered by the problem. The boat is half a day away first through the shallow sea of the Riau archipelago.

But for some reason, the movements of the group from Betawi made Sasangka curious. He still has plenty of time to do his duties and wait for the scheduled departure of the ship that transports him back to Betawi. The members of the Javanese group from Betawi turned out to enter the city fortress. So, maybe he will try to get into the city fortress and follow the movements of the people. After all, all permits and travel information are complete. He came to this country for business, didn't he?

***

Jayaseta has parted ways with Grandpa Keling. However, the teacher had not yet decided where he was going. He's dealing with a problem on the deck about workers, slaves and crew. There are many things that must be cleared up on the deck first before deciding further on the fate of the ship. Not to mention basically, the skipper, Jala Jangkung, was still alive despite being quite badly injured. Grandpa Keling even said if the soul mate reunited them - a phrase that became the favorite of Jayaseta's grandfather - maybe they will again intersect in Malacca.

Now, by evening, Jayaseta, Datuk Mas Kuning, Katilapan, Narendra, Ireng, Siam, Ireng, Ireng, King Nio as well as the entire crew and the Jung escort soldiers have been able to see the torchlight rays and the sharpened type of lighting shining brightly from the port of Malacca. Lighting rays from dozens of giant jungs, dozens of medium ships, hundreds of small boats and more sailboats and outriggers. The ships also included warships belonging to the Pranggi naval forces as well as its indigenous allies.

Light flashes also began to be turned on in the hills, past the city's fort walls. The shadow of the cannon looks tiny from a distance.

"Well, we've reached our first destination, Jayaseta. Want my heart to take you and the company where necessary, even directly to the heart of Ayutthaya. But Datuk Mas Kuning said you need to go to Malacca and then walk overland to Pattani to get to the destination. In addition, it is clear that you will also oppose it, saying you do not want to trouble others," said the skipper with a smile.

King Nio chuckled, "I'm proud to give you my crew to help you, Jayaseta. Don't get too charged. You don't have to look after them. They are not babies, they understand the consequences that may be obtained when accompanying a warrior like yourself to explore foreign lands for unusual purposes."

Jayaseta nodded. He also cannot argue about this. He used to travel alone as a man. However, responsibility cannot be thrown away. He has married a Dara Cempaka, so the obligation as a husband, especially when the wife is in misfortune and difficulty, is a necessity to find a solution.

***

Fourteen people, most of whom were Javanese champions and the rest Malay from Betawi, divided the group into three parts. They entered the fort of Malacca separately and spaced so as not to be too suspicious.

Keris and daggers are tucked in a way that stands out on their waists. Of course, in the tense time between Pranggi and his enemies from Walanda, Johor and Riau, the guard by the soldiers became very tight.

Six Flores soldiers armed with bedils, several spears, disarmed the Betawi group outside the main gate.

Above the gate stood Pranggi troops armed with beds standing in two, with a bullet filler assistant who is a native.

Inside the fortress there are still various soldiers dressed in Pranggi army uniforms that are sharp and full of weaponry such as bedils, pistols, swords and daggers for each soldier only.

Soldiers armed with long spears and shields lined up and walked around the edge of the fortress, and there were many other lines within the settlement.

Of course, the fourteen Javanese and Malay warrior hordes from Betawi can enter the city fortress with not so difficult.

Indeed their weapons were stripped and placed in custody. This is not surprising at all. First of all, it is natural for all men to carry weapons wherever they go. The existence of members of this group is not at all suspicious for the Pranggi soldiers, because after all it is a reasonableness anyone carries a sharp weapon, usually at least dagger-style. Especially in these circumstances, the examination of weapons to be entrusted can indeed be understood by anyone.

Second, they deliberately showed their weapons by protruding so that the Pranggi soldiers focused disarmament on the weapons that they would deliberately entrust. Because, thirdly, the secret poison nail guns that were their main weapons were tucked in the headgear cloth and in the wooden tools they carried. The Pranggi soldiers found a strong reason that they were shipbuilders working in the shipyards and ports who entered the city to meet their masters.

Sasangka several spears behind the group even managed to determine and count who the members of the Betawi champion group and what kind of weapons they use in their work. He fixed his clothes, and entered the city fortress following the champions from Betawi.