Crown Prince Sanggana
Dara 1: Answers to the Prince
*Dewi Ara's Journey (Dara Road)*
Almost a week long Prince Bewe Sereng underwent a period of treatment at the hands of the Palace Physician, the Rakitanjamu Physician. His status as a prince made him get direct handling from Tabib Rakitanjamu.
During his treatment, Prince Bewe Sereng had never met Prabu Dira Pratakarsa Diwana or Queen Tirana.
This morning Prince Bewe Sereng was invited to face Prabu Dira and Queen Tirana. His arrival was awaited at the pier of Telaga Fatara while the royal ruling couple basked themselves absorbing the benefits of morning sunlight.
The arrival of Prince Bewe Sereng was escorted by a number of soldiers who were assigned to pick up.
Seeing the man waiting for has already come, Prabu Dira and Queen Tirana stood up in welcome before the much older man came down in respect.
“Honor my prayer, Gusti Prabu!” said Prince Bewe Sereng while respecting the style of the State of Fog Island, which is bent forty-five degrees with the palm of the hand standing upright attached to the forehead, while the left hand half stretched beside the body.
“Please, Prince. No need to hesitate,” said Prabu Dira.
“Please sit down, Uncle,” says Queen Tirana.
At the pier is indeed available a number of permanent seats that serve as a seat to enjoy nature, especially the beauty of Lake Fatara.
“How are conditions, Prince?” prabu Dira asked with a small smile, showing his hospitality.
“Thanks to the generosity of Gusti Prabu and Gusti Ratu, I have been perfectly healthy,” replied Prince Bewe Sereng courteously and showed his humility.
“I heard that the Prince intends to challenge me?” prabu Dira asked casually.
While Queen Tirana was unceasingly showing a smile of hospitality.
“Oh yes. That ... is true. But my mind has opened my eyes. I thank the Empress of the Eyes of the Heart who did not kill me. I took my intention to challenge Gusti Prabu. It turns out that the power of King Joko Calm is not a mere pinky puff,” replied Prince Bewe Sereng rather clumsy.
“Hahaha!” prabu Dira's light laughter.
“We have understood what from the intention of Uncle coming to Little Sangana. However, we want to hear back clearly the intent of the Uncle,” said Ratu Tirana.
“I come from the Land of Fog Island, a land hidden by fog in the middle of the ocean. However, our neighboring country, the Green Coral Country has controlled and colonized the Land of Fog Island. Our king and empress have been killed. The Crown Princess has sent me to ask for help from King Joko Calm. The Yellow Mist Palace Family and the people of the Mist Island State want to be free from the oppression and killing carried out by the people of the Green Coral Country. The people of the Green Coral Country have high magic that we cannot defeat,” the story of Prince Bewe Sereng.
“Then who had the idea to challenge me to fight first? Is it the Prince or Crown Princess?” ask Prabu Dira.
“It was my idea, Gusti Prabu,” replied Prince Bewe Sereng.
“I as a king certainly can not trust the Prince just like that. We just met this time, only this time we heard the name of the country from the Prince. Do not blame if we suspect that this is a trap story from our enemies,” said Prabu Dira.
“I beg you, Gusti Prabu!” prince Bewe Sereng said as he got down from the chair and knelt two feet in front of Prabu Dira's feet. “If indeed Gusti Prabu cannot save our Yellow Mist Kingdom, I beg to save the lives of our innocent people. Our people are made up of the weak, the elderly, women and children. I am sure, Gusti Prabu and Gusti Ratu have compassion for the oppressed.”
“Wake up, Prince!” command Prabu Dira while raising both arms of Prince Bewe Sereng.
The middle-aged man stood up again and sat down in his chair.
“What Kakang Prabu thinks is not wrong. Uncle came to us completely with no strings attached that could make us without a doubt help. If Kakang Prabu wants to go to Fog Island, of course, it is a groundless decision. So, if we want to bet, between right and trap has the possibility of a draw. However, one number of our sense of humanity and shortness of nature should make us tend to choose to help,” Ratu Tirana said.
“Of course we are not an ungrateful nation. If Gusti Prabu wants our kingdom to submit under the rule of the Lesser Kingdom of Sanggana, we do not mind, provided we and the people of Mist Island can return to live free and peaceful life,” said Prince Bewe Sereng.
“Hahaha! There is no need to be like that, Prince,” said Prabu Dira with a low laugh, in order to impress as a wise king and always dignified and friendly.
“How long does it take to ride a horse to get to Fog Island Country?” ask Queen Tirana.
“About three weeks land and sea,” replied Prince Bewe Sereng.
“Good. I have to negotiate it first with the Queen and my consorts,” said Prabu Dira took a temporary decision.
“Good, Gusti Prabu. I say a big thank you,” said Prince Bewe Sereng then stood up and respect back.
That afternoon, Prabu Dira gathered all his wives, plus Mahapati Batik Mida in the Library of the Universe.
For special cases that do not concern the affairs of the royal territory, Prabu Dira only involves the queen and her consorts, plus Mahapati Batik Mida to be asked for consideration. As for discussing various things about the running of the government and for the welfare of the people, Prabu Dira just asked for input from two advisers, Mahapati Batik Mida and the ministers.
“If Gusti Prabu sends people or troops to the Land of Fog Island, there will indeed be two possibilities, namely what is told by Prince Bewe Sereng is true, it is true, and the second possibility is this high-level trap, because Prince Bewe Sereng to risk his life came lying here. However, if Gusti Prabu decides to send an envoy, you should be the one who will actually harm the enemy if this is indeed a trap,” said Mahapati Batik Mida.
“I think Prince Bewe Sereng is not lying, I felt it when fighting with him. It's just the way it makes me angry. However, if Kakang Prabu wants to be careful, just send one of the Goddess of Flowers,” said the Empress of the Goddess of Heart Eyes.
“If we send a messenger to help Mist Island, we will get some advantages. First, the influence of the Lesser Sanggana Kingdom will be wider. Second, we have a friendly kingdom that will open new trade routes. Third, we can get rid of one of the allies of the Horn Country, which means that the strength of the opponent will be reduced when a big war will occur,”, Empress Yuo Kai said in fluent local language.
“I strongly agree with Sister Empress Jang,” said Empress Sandaria spirit, then suddenly smiled adorable, making Prabu Dira always smile when she saw the game.
“I think you have a different thought, Empress Wolf,” said Empress Kerling Sukma.
“Hihihi!” Empress Sandaria simply responded with her laughter.
“Because this request for assistance was ordered directly by the Crown Princess of Fog Island Country, it is indeed better that Kakang Prabu send one of us there, or one of our two, it is better,” said Empress Getara Cinta, whose end of the sentence made them smile in congregation.
“Good. If so, I ask my wives who are all dear. Who wants to apply to be sent ...”
“I, Kakang Prabu!” sahut Empress Dewi Ara was quick to slash the words of Prabu Dira who had not reached its climax.
“Yaaah, even though I also want to apply,” said Empress Ginari disappointed.
“What if the one Kakang Prabu sent was the three of us? Sister Empress Geger Jagad, Consort of the Hand of the Elves and I,” Empress Kusuma's proposal Dewi.
“Hust one. If two empresses or more, it will drop our honor as the Sakti Kingdom,” reject Empress Nara.
“Alright, I decided to send Empress Geger Jagad,” said Prabu Dira. “And because Empress Geger Jagad will be gone a long time, so tonight I am obliged to spend the night at the Palace of the Cloud Goddess.”
“Good, Kakang Prabu. I obey with pleasure,” said Empress Dewi Ara while making respect as necessary. (BH)