The merchant smiled and thought for a moment. Then said. "I sold five ketip. Since this capil hat is the only one left, let Uncle pay for it, four dime!”
The jembros man pensive for a moment. Counting the money in hand. After a moment he said.
"I have four left. If I give it all, I'm not there to relieve the stomach. How about just three tips? One tip left to buy food?” The merchant was silent for a moment.
"Okay! I believe uncle has no money anymore. Well, take it.." he said giving the capil hat. The jembros man immediately paid for it. The remaining one dime was put in his pocket. The bad boy said thank you.
"Hmm, not bad. Can protect my head from the hot sun…” muttered the ungainly man, while wearing the capil hat. Then stepped away. He had only taken a few steps, among the maze of people shopping and looking around, this man's eyes were suddenly fixed on the back of a woman in a green dress with red pangpang pants riding a horse. For a moment he was stunned. In an instant he had recognized who she was.
"Where is DORO PETAK....?" muttered the bearded man. It turned out that he was a man who had been kicked from a horse while walking in the middle of a country road.
The horse-riding girl is indeed WENING RANl. He was looking around the crowd in the market of King's City. I don't know what to buy. The bearded man watched the girl walking around the market. While watching from the corner of his eye, this bearded man approached an egg seller.
"You know the girl on the horse?" asked the bearded man. The egg merchant nodded.
"Yes! She is the daughter of Duke Bendoro Noble!” he said looking surprised at the man.
The traders in the market knew almost all of the girl. And no merchant dared to refuse if the girl wanted an item she asked for.
This bearded man is nodding. Before the egg seller asked what he meant further, this man quickly left, and slipped between the crowd of sales vendors.
Meanwhile WENING RANI doesn't seem interested in “buying” anything. He just looked around the crowd. Before long he was running his horse out of the market. Suddenly there was a loud noise outside as if there was a commotion.
A guard was seen shouting at an ungainly man wearing a cap, surrounded by many people watching. No doubt Wening Rani immediately pushed the horse over.
"What were you talking about with the egg man? Your eyes always look at Ndoro Ayu Wening Rani!” the bodyguard snapped.
“I... I... didn't say anything...” the bearded man stuttered.
“Bastard! If you talk in front of me, take off your capilmu cap!” rebuked the Royal officer.
"Yes...! Yes sir!" said the Jembros man, as he took off his cap.
"Good! Now tell me, what did you talk to the egg man about?” snapped the guard again.
"Really, sir, I didn't say anything..." replied the bearded man.
"Lie! I have heard from the egg man himself, that you are bad for Den Ayu WENING RANI? You must be a spy. I've seen you a lot in these few days at the market!”
Of course the guard's loud words were heard by Wening Rani. Instantly her face turned bright red.
“Really sir! I... no... no...” However, the bearded man's words were cut off by the bodyguard's scream. “Bastard! are you still in denial?"
thump!
The bodyguard's fist flew into the bearded man's chest, causing him to scream in pain, and fell backwards.
“Move !”
A loud scream made all heads turn towards the direction of the sound. Wening Rani has jumped from the horse's back. And, with an angry face, approached the bearded man.
Seeing the arrival of this girl, the bodyguard sunk deeply.
“And Ayu... I have long suspected this person. It seems that he means something bad towards Den Ayu… Maybe he is a spy!” said the guard.
Wening Rani did not answer. His eyes fixed on the bearded man. He suddenly burst into laughter, and said in a cold voice.
“Hey! Do you think you're the rotten bum I kicked on the country road a few days ago? You spy? It must be that old man named Ki Ageng GIRING who ordered you to spy on me!”
This ungainly man looked back at the girl and said. “Forget about that little thing, miss! At that time maybe I was guilty, because I didn't hear the sound of horses coming from behind. At that time I was daydreaming...!
But if you accuse me of being a spy for the REJO Tambak Rejo martial arts teacher, that's a big mistake. I just want to ask, where is the girl who is a fellow student of Miss Doro Petak?
“Hey! What do you want to ask him?” said Wening Rani sarcastically.
At that time three duchy warriors on horseback came over. The crowd that saw the fight immediately stepped aside. The three of them jumped down from the horse. One of them faced the Duke's daughter.
“Den Ayu...! Kanjeng Gusti Adipati is calling you...!” said this soldier. "Good! I'll be right back! Catch these rebel spies! And bring it to the Duchy!” said Wening Rani as she jumped onto the back of her riding animal. Simultaneously when the bodyguard jumped towards the stubby man. Surprised the man. Without struggling anymore, because it was no use, he just ran away while his arms were handcuffed.
“Come on! Hurry up!” snapped one guard. After dragging the man approached one of the horses.
Like it or not, the ungainly man had to get on the horse. Wening Rani ordered the three Duchy soldiers to leave first. When the bodyguard immediately disbanded the horse with the male prisoner.
Wening Rani approached the guard of the market officer, who bowed respectfully. “Hmm, you have done a good job! I will report to Kanjeng Adipati so that your salary will be increased!”
"Oh, thank you, Gusti Ndoro Ayu..." said the bodyguard with a happy face.
"What's your name?" asked Wening Rani. “Suro Tomo, Gusti Ayu...!” he said.
Wenning Rani nodded. “Yes, yes! Go on duty again!” said the girl, then turned her horse around, and quickly caught up with the three duchy soldiers.
***
WENING RANI'S accusation against the bearded man was enough to make Adipati Bendoro Ningrat even more angry with Ki Ageng GIRING. Moreover, Adipati Bendoro Ningrat already felt humiliated by the martial arts teacher's treatment of his daughter.
What is more clear, now is Ki Ageng GIRING an obstacle that must be removed. Because the old man will eventually smell what has been done.
He has been planning something for several days to start his action steps. Duke Bendoro Ningrat seemed to smile. He had prepared several precise plans that he would soon implement.
"Good! The prisoner can help me justify my actions. For that I need the help of people who have contributed a lot to me...! And... my best friend's female Yoga expert can be used for her strength!” hissed Duke Bendoro Ningrat. Then he left the private room.
Duke Bendoro Ningrat turned towards the detention room, to see the prisoner. Two bodyguards stuck at the door of the detention room, then opened the barred door where the chubby man was curled up inside.
"What's your name?" asked the Duke.
The old man didn't answer. But his eyes glanced from between his arms hugging his knees. He remained silent.
“Hey! Will you write?” snapped the Duke. But still the man huddled hugging his knees in the corner of the prison room, and didn't answer.
Duke Bendoro Ningrat left the holding room with a red face. The two guards immediately locked the detention room again.
***
WENING RANI donated his horse to Tumenggung ASMORO's residence. The new Tumenggung, replacing Tumenggung KERTOSONO who had resigned, was DORO PETAK's father. Newly appointed man
Tumenggung one month ago was still young. He is around thirties years old.
When a bodyguard reported to him, this Tumenggung nodded. "Tell me, I'll come see you in a moment!!" he said. The guard walked away.
Tumenggung Asmoro entered his room. Changed to a dark blue shirt. Combing her hair in front of the mirror. Then put on the back hat, and exit the room.
Wening Rani didn't wait too long in the pavilion room. He had seen the arrival of the Tumenggung man. By looking up and drawing a smile, Tumenggung Asmoro said.
"What is the need, Den Ayu Wening here? Of course there are things that are very important…”
The Duke's daughter girl nodded. Secretly, this young woman's heart was quite captivated by the handsome face of the young Tumenggung. It had been the second time he had met her, since two weeks ago, after she had returned to settle down in King's City. First when the young Tumenggung came to the Duchy. The second time was when he came home from the King's City market, when he took that sluggish man prisoner.
"I brought a letter from father...!" Wening Rani said. Then this girl gave a folded piece of cloth paper to the boy. Tumenggung Asmoro quickly read the letter.
"Hmm, okay! Thank you for the letter you conveyed, Den Ayu..."
"Then, excuse me..." Wening Rani got up from her chair.
“Ah, why the rush...? I'd better get some drinks ready to serve Den Ayu Wening. Oh yes! I heard that Den Ayu has resigned from TEMBAK REJO's guest house? Has Den Ayu finished her studies?” continued the young Tumenggung.
Wening Rani was indeed waiting for the words he was waiting for. He wanted to talk for a while about anything and everything with the young man. Wenning Rani nodded.
"Correct! I did leave the college. Father regrets taking me there. But father has found me another teacher. A silat figure from Hindustan. According to my father, a Yoga expert!” said Wening Rani.
Tumenggung Asmoro nodded. "Wow! Den Ayu is lucky. In the future, of course, you will have very high, and rare knowledge...!” said this man. "What father expects is indeed so!" answered this girl.
"Oh yes...! I'll get you a drink. Wait a moment” Wening Rani nodded. And the young Tumenggung went into the inner room. Not long after he came out again with two cups of drink.
“I have kept this fragrant wine for a long time.
Delicious, and very refreshing. Den Ayu like it?” “Once in a while I like to drink wine. But be-
I've never tasted wine this fragrant…" said Wening Rani while welcoming the cup. His nose sniffed the sweet smell of the drink in the cup.
"Try...! It tastes so fresh!” said Tumenggung Asmoro as he took a sip. Wening Rani took a sip of it. Then drink it a few sips.
"How?" asked Tumenggung Asmoro. "Delicious, freshen the throat. But it's a bit loud....!” said Wening Rani.
"Do not worry! Den Ayu will not get drunk!” Tumenggung Asmoro smiled.
"In fact, I want to get drunk..." said Wening Rani. For some reason, when he saw the young Tumenggung smiling, his heart thumped strangely.
"Can I rest for a while in your room?" asked Wening Rani with a half-closed top.
“Why not? Come on, I'll take you, Den Ayu..." said Tumenggung Asmoro. Wening Rani stood up a bit staggered. The young Tumenggung quickly looked at him in the inner room.
***
THE COLD NIGHT AIR enveloped the duchy's surroundings. WENING RANI pulled the blanket. He covered his body with the thick cloth. It was hard for him to squint. The incident that afternoon at the Ketumenggungan building was always in his memory. It was as if the young Tumenggung's arms could still be felt. And something that is difficult for him to forget makes his blood flow faster. And he was stunned in solitude, with a hunting breath.
Suddenly there was an overwhelming feeling of hatred for his father, when memories of the past came back to his mind. He really couldn't forget it. Even though he can keep the secret tight.
“Father is indeed an animal….!” hissed this girl with tears dripping down her eyelids. Pictured in his eyes when one quiet night his father rose from bed with a body covered in sweat. He could only stare through his tears with his mouth closed and sobs held in his chest.
At that time he said. “Why are you doing this, father...? What if I get pregnant?” Sua-
the only thing he let out was a hiss. His father just smiled and shook his head. His arms stroked her hair lovingly, he said.
"You're not going to get pregnant, cah ayu....! Trust me!
And you must keep this secret forever. To death! I swear I won't do it again....! I'm sorry, my child…” Wening Rani nodded, and when the arm of the man called the father embraced her, she sobbed in her father's chest.
At that time he was very sorry for his father. His father was very lonely, ever since their family
you're messy. I do not know what is the cause of the frequent fights, ending with the separation of his parents. This happened when his father was still serving as Tumenggung. And since then father often daydream. Until a year later his father held the rank of ADIPATI. Then his father married a woman who became his stepmother. And he was then under TAMBAK REJO's boarding house, fulfilling his wish to learn martial arts. Thus, until then, the secret was still tightly closed. Nobody knows. What's clear is that the young Tumenggung must know that she is no longer a virgin...
WENING RANI took a deep breath. She wiped her tears with the corner of the blanket. And he tries to squint. Suddenly he remembered the letter his father had told him to deliver to Tumenggung ASMORO.
"I don't know what orders my father gave to the young Tumenggung...?" said Wening Rani in her heart.
Until dawn, the girl could not squint. His memories wandered everywhere. Suddenly he rose from his bed. Suddenly he thought of the prisoner. The bearded man, who was held captive in the detention room. As if he couldn't hold back his strong urge to see the man in the detention room.
Wening Rani slowly tiptoed towards the door. Then opened the door of his room. Then step to the back. After going through a few more doors, then turn right.
This is the exit that connects the Duchy building with the detention rooms which are located separately beside the building.
The girl's heart jolted, when she saw two bodyguards lying at the door of the detention room. When he checked, it turned out that the two bodyguards had died. How surprised was the daughter of the Duke's daughter when she saw that the iron bars of the detention room had stretched wide. The holding room was empty.
“Damn! The boy has escaped!” Wening Rani jerked surprised. "Strange...!? Someone must have let it go. I know he doesn't have any intelligence... Heh! Who released that person?” Wening Rani's snaps were filled with questions.
“Hm, I have to wake daddy! Report this!” the girl hissed, jumping up
back into the building, and ran inside. But just then a shadow flashed from behind the door. And with a swift motion smothered this girl. He didn't have time to scream anymore, because he soon collapsed with moaning. It turned out that this body figure had tapped him. Then took him jumped from the window and disappeared into the dim morning dawn.
Hearing the noise, the guards who were sleeping in the east barracks woke up. Dozens of people jumped towards the Duke's building.
"What is it?"
“Quick check the detention room! Don't let that man escape!" Immediately several people jumped away to see the room where the prisoners were held. They were shocked when they saw the prison bars stretched wide, and found two bodyguards dead with broken neck bones.
Instantly, the entire Duchy building was in an uproar. The guards shouted loudly, causing Duke Bendoro Ningrat to jump out of his bedroom.
“Woe, Lord Duke...! The prison is broken! The prisoner is loose!”
"Hah!? Idiot! How did the captive get released?” snapped the Duke angrily. Then move on to check the detention room. Two bodyguards were found dead. Suddenly he remembered Wening Rani. The Duke also quickly jumped into his daughter's room. It was found that the girl was not in her bedroom, and the living room window was off its hinges.
“Bastard! My son has been kidnapped!” complained the Duke with a rushing breath, and a pale face.
“Our son Wening, was kidnapped by someone...? Oooh...” screamed the Duke's wife with a pale face, and in a mess, ran out of the room.
UNTIL THE WEATHER GROWS TO BRIGHT GROUND,
the situation in the Duchy building still looked busy. Several warriors clustered here and there. They found the two gatekeepers had returned as corpses with their heads crushed. It didn't take long for the Duke of Bendoro Ningrat to dissect the horse, leaving the gate of the Duchy....
***
DIPATI BENDORO NINGRAT fled his horse as if flying, crossing the eastern border, heading towards the hillside. What he was going to was the house where the former Tumenggung lived, namely a man named KERTOSONO.
When the horse he was riding entered the courtyard of the old house, a woman jumped out of the house. Who else if not the foreign Yoga expert from Hindustan.
This duke jumped down from the horse. His best friend's foreign woman quickly approached.
"What happened sir Adipati?" he asked. Duke Bendoro whispered words to the
that girl. The woman looked nodding off. “Hihi... that's an easy matter. When did I start acting…?” he asked.
"Now!" replied the Duke. The woman nodded. And not to wait any longer, the woman's body flashed quickly out of the yard. The science of lightening his body was surprisingly formidable. In just a few seconds, the woman's body had shot like a fly, and disappeared on the hillside.
"Hm, now I have to meet Tumenggung Asmoro, to tell him about Wening, my son!" male hissed. This. Not long after, Duke Bendoro Ningrat had sold his horse and quickly left that place. It turned out that he was heading towards the teak forest. Just as he entered the mouth of the forest, a figure flashed out from behind the bushes.
“Teamback Asmoro!” call this Duke. “Where did you hide your horse? How long have you been here?"
“Since this morning, Gusti Adipati. I hid my horse there….!” he said, pointing.
"There was a shocking event, and changed my plan, Tumenggung's sister!" said the Duke with a somber face.
"Shocking event?" asked Tumenggung Asmoro.
"Yes! The captive man has escaped from custody. He broke through the iron bars, killed four bodyguards this morning, and ran away my son WENING RANI!” said the Duke.
"How could this happen, Lord?" jerked this man with a face showing surprise. Meanwhile, Duke Bendoro Ningrat watched the young Tumenggung's attitude inquisitively.
“Hmm, that's really weird! According to my son, the prisoner was a man who had no intelligence. If he could escape, even kidnap my son, someone must have helped him!” said Tumenggung Bendoro Ningrat. "Gusti Adipati suspects me?" asked this man, feeling the glare in his eyes
strange and so sharp piercing.
“I didn't say that I suspected you. But what I'm going to ask is, where did you hide that girl named DORO PETAK?” said the Duke. "And I need proof of the corpse of the former Tumenggung, have you killed him as I ordered?"
For a moment Tumenggung Asmoro was stunned. Immediately Duke Bendoro Ningrat turned to other matters, as if he was not worried about the safety of his daughter.
"Okay! If that's what Gusti Adipati asks, I'm willing to show it!” answered Tumenggung Asmoro. Then he continued. "Which one will Gusti see first? Is it the place where the former Tumenggung's body was, or where I kept the girl?” This time it was Duke Bendoro Ningrat who was silent for a few moments.
"You can work together, can't you?" said the Duke after some pondering.