A1ma Goddess Two Teeth
Papepa 22: Arrow Stalls Ready to Start

*The Arrow Fighters (Papepa)*

Two soldiers came with large baskets containing dozens of arrows. The basket they lifted together and placed in front of the main stage. There were also some soldiers who carried empty bamboo tubes and had ropes. The tubes serve as tubes where the arrows are placed.

When the Serpent Eye Swordsman got his first turn picking ten arrows, his watchdogs were quickly able to distinguish the faint-marked arrows. When the arrow is taken, it is seen that the sharp eye of the arrow is closed by a cube-shaped wood, so that the arrow becomes blunt.

“An arrow marked over ten,” Inner Swordsman Snake Eyes. “Is besides me, Pamong Sukarat pay another swordsman?”

After getting ten arrows that were all special in character on the tail, the Snake-Eyed Swordsman retreated, but he still noticed the next person who chose the arrow.

The next participant was Gegas Simanuk from Balewang Forest who chose arrows. The Snake Eye Swordsman watched closely.

“Gegas Simanuk also took an arrow characterised,” Inner Swordsman Snake Eyes.

He was again surprised in silence when he saw, it turns out that Genjer Mahesa also took a marked arrow. In the end the three warriors looked at each other in the cold of expression.

The Snake Eyes Swordsman had not previously known Gegas Simanuk and Genjer Mahesa. The two knew each other, as well as Tiro Mulaga.

The rule is, the first arrow taker jumps up to the top of the right wicket. The second arrow picks up above the left wicket. The next player goes up to the right goal, then goes up to the left goal. Easily, Arrow Fighters odd number sequence up to the right goal and even number sequence up to the left goal.

So, now there are six Arrow Fighters standing in the right goal and six Arrow Fighters in the left goal. The two groups faced each other within a distance of twenty meters. While the Arrow Fighters in each goal stand within a certain distance, not adjacent.

In the right goal have stood the Serpent Eye Swordsman, Janjer Mahesa, Arya Mungkara, Arung Seto, Ujang Barendo, and Ronggo Manik. While in the left goal stood the Prince of Soul Degrees, Gegas Simanuk, Ariang Banu, Balingga, Bandeng Prakas, and Tiro Mulaga.

If the numbering is honest, maybe it could be the Snake Eye Swordsman one wicket with the Prince of Soul Degrees he seeks. However, again Pamong Sukarat who has set all the possibilities.

The twelve Arrow Fighters were ready with their bows and one arrow. The arrow tube is on the back.

The audience is getting crowded and crazy. The moment of the start of the match will soon arrive. All the audience bets have already gone into their respective baskets. The receipt of the betting money is closed. No more soldiers going around like hawkers.

“To all Arrow Fighters please observe the rules in the match!” pamong Sukarat Exclamation. “First. Arrow fighters can only shoot other groups, cannot shoot members of their own group. Second one. If the Arrow Fighter falls from the top of the goal, either caused by being hit by an arrow or falling because it avoids an attack, it is declared dead. Thirdly. If the Arrow Fighter has been hit by two arrows without falling, it is declared dead. Four. If until all the arrows are exhausted and there is still more than one Arrow Fighter defending above the goal, then the match will be continued with a new arrow. Do you guys understand?”

“Understanding!” sahut all Arrow Fighters who have been staring at the opponent sharply.

The audience cheered more and more the bars, like people who were just given a distraction injection.

“Arya! You have to defend your title!” shouted one spectator.

“Ujang Barendo! If you lose, I won't buy your jengkol anymore!” shouted the other citizens.

“Bandeng Prakas, you are the representative of the poor, do not be a loser!”

“Hey, Snake Eyes Swordsman! You're the greatest, kill everything or you're the one I killed!” shouted a grandmother who supported the Snake Eye Swordsman. He had already bet for the strange-eyed swordsman.

“Degree Soul! My friends and I have bet on you even though we don't know each other. Watch out if you lose!” a spectator shouted threateningly.

Such was the uncontrollable cry of the spectators. Tension is created over the arena. Although they are warriors, there are still pounding holes in their hearts, especially the old players who are now facing new and powerful players.

On the main stage was created tension, especially officials and figures who have sons in the match.

Ninda Serumi as the prettiest girl in the Duchy of Balongan who became a prize for the winner, looks restless and anxious.

On the other side in the spectator ranks, the Five Swordsmen of the Snake River monitored the situation inside the square. Their position was the closest to the main stage.

Debur Angkara, Garam Sakti and Ayu Speakara are also on alert in their respective positions. Alma Fatara is still standing on a tree. While Colour Mekararum and Magar Kepang can only hear the crowd without being able to see clearly. The position of those behind the crowd of spectators was not a good position. Magar Kepang even stood on the pedati for the sake of seeing a little picture in the middle of the field.

“Alright! Ride!” yelled Pamong Sukarat louder.

“Come, Warrior!” shouted Alma Fatara to a horseman who was waiting under a tree.

“Ready!” answer the soldier. “Heaah!”

The soldier rode the horse swiftly into the square. The sudden appearance of a running horse made Pamong Sukarat hold his cues. The attention of most people immediately turned to the horses that came, especially the attention of Duke Marak Wijaya.

“Important report, Gusti Adipati!” the soldier shouted loudly, even though he was still in the middle of the square.

“Yaaah!” the sigh of the audience was disappointed because the Arrow Fighter Match was delayed by the arrival of the soldier.

“What is this?” ask Pamong Sukarat in heart. Because the arrival of the horsemen was not part of his plan.

The soldier stopped his horse near the main stage staircase. He immediately went down and moved up to the stage with a roll of white cloth.

Just as the soldier arrived on the stage, the suspicious Pamong Sukarat, immediately confronted him with a glare.

“Give me, Warrior!” the command of Pamong Sukarat who stands behind the sitting position of the Duke and other dignitaries.

“Pardon me, Gusti. This letter should be directly given to Gusti Adipati!” argue the soldier while making a salute.

Look sharply at Pamong Sukarat with hardened jaws, showing his anger at the soldier. Right then, the soldier was half terrified. However, he did that also on the orders of Duke Marak Wijaya himself.

The action of the horsemen is a strategy arranged by Duke Marak Wijaya himself and Alma Fatara.

Although angry by the rejection of the soldier, but Pamong Sukarat could not do more in front of the Duke and other figures. Especially on that stage was the Commander of the Royal Family Army.

Finally Pamong Sukarat shifted, letting the soldier come to Duke Marak Wijaya.

In honor of kneeling one foot, the soldier handed him a roll of cloth.

Pamong Sukarat just stood looking and waiting. Clearly, he felt a thump with the letter. (BH)