Jatukarmas
Chapter 5

The crown prince's empress, Galuh Putrika Sundari paced back and forth in the central room of her residence. His older brother, Bagus Saksena Sang Aryapati Janggala, sat on a chair observing the behavior of his younger brother.

"So according to the observation of the kanda secret guard, Citrawani is planning a movement effort? But why try so hard, kanda? What does this have to do with the love of the crown prince?"

"Sundari, you don't understand politics. Galuh Citrawani is playing his political trick to build a good self-image in front of the royal family. He is building the support of the people for his future position. It's not a trivial thing, my sister ! "

"I know, kanda. I'm not a stupid woman" Sundari smiled . "At least, as the princess of the Jenggala kingdom, I understand politics. All I want to say to Kanda, it doesn't matter if Galuh Citrawani succeeds in having the support of the people and the royal family. For one who will hold the throne will be Raden Suryapaksi's older brother, and the one who will decide the final decision will be my dear husband."

"Are you sure that if Citrawani has mastered the support of the people, he will not try to seize the love and support of Raden Suryapaksi?"

"I'm sure I've mastered all the spaces of Suryapaksi's brother's heart, there's no room left for any woman to seize."

"Including if Galuh Citrawani gave birth to a son for her, and you didn't?"

Galuh Sundari. Her brother's words slightly shook the firmness of his heart.

"What do you have to do, kanda?" Galuh Sundari sat on the chair. His face water turned cloudy.

"As much as possible, we should do two things. Prevent Galuh Citrawani from getting Suryapaksi affection. Prevent the woman from gaining the king's trust and the support of the people !"

"You, help me to do all that.." Sundari pleaded with her brother.

"Of course, my stupid brother ! How can I possibly let you be oppressed in this country ! You married here not to be the underworld and stepped on !"

Nice Eyes Saksena sharp, shiny.

"Leave it all to kanda ! You just follow what I say, Sundari !"

.........

A few months ago, Galuh Sundari sent his loyal servant Sari to send a letter to his brother, Bagus Saksena. Sundari begged her brother to come visit her in the capital of Panjalu. Sundari complained about her husband's marriage plans with Galuh Citrawani, Raden Suryapaksi's childhood mate.

Some immediate action was taken by Bagus Saksena. He begged his father to send him to Panjalu as a family envoy to Jenggala. He gathered dozens of the most qualified secret guards to accompany his departure to the kingdom of Panjalu.

He brought wedding gifts for Suryapaksi and Galuh Citrawani. The several horse carriages that carried the gifts, showed how sincere the good intentions of Jenggala were to strengthen the relationship between the kingdoms.

From the beginning, they had planned many things to launch the success and position of Galuh Sundari in Panjalu. But surprisingly for Bagus Saksena, he has designed neatly, but why does Galuh Citrawani always manage to escape the snare of death?

The carriage axle that had been pulled by his secret guard, did not succeed in harming Galuh Citrawati. The girl did hit when her train crashed, fainting for days. But then she survived, even waking up to be a wild and cunning girl ! The herbal medicine mixed with fine poison had been given during the girl's fainting, but she had instead become even more powerful and agile !

"Galuh Citrawani, no matter how great you are, I will bring you down. If it can't snatch your soul, then don't blame it if I'm forced to embarrass your good name !" Nice Saksena clenched her hands.

"Kebo Prekasa!"

Shuuuhh.

A black-clothed male figure had suddenly appeared before Bagus Saksena. He is the most shrewd secret guard owned by the top officials of the Jenggala kingdom.

"Hamba is ready to take orders !" The man knelt before his master, the Aryapati Jenggala.

"I have a task for you. Meet Darpa in secret and give him my warrant !"

"Okay, my lord !"

Kebo Prakasa flashed and disappeared in an instant. Nice Saksena rubbed her palm while snorting. Galuh Citrawani, this time you will not escape from my palm, Bagus Saksena the Aryapati Jenggala ! Just wait for the time of your destruction !

.....

Galuh Citrawani palace residence always looks alive and busy. Every day the servants learned in the skill room, learning how to process silkworms into thread and silk cloth. The teacher is the princess herself.

Almost all the servants and guards had to attend this class. They have their own duties, from caring for mulberry plants, caring for caterpillars to processing cocoons into silk threads.

Previously, they all had to wake up early in the morning, to be taught martial arts by Citrawani along with the head of the bodyguard Ki Parwata and his deputy, Ki Gajah Wana.

Every afternoon Citrawani was assisted by an expert healer from a distant country, Physician Wong, teaching acupuncture to Sekar, Arum and Wicaksana . Those three people were chosen, because only they were talented in this field.

On the sidelines of his busy life, Citrawani still took the time to once go around greeting the small people in the market and on the streets of the city . He made the journey in disguise, accompanied by Sekar and Gentini.

Today Galuh Citrawani along with his two favorite servants traveled out of the capital. They rode their horses each, heading for several villages on the edge of a beautiful lake. As usual, Galuh Citrawani visited the inhabitants in the interior by disguising himself as a wandering healer.

In a village market, they were attracted by the crowd. There was a bustling sound there. Galuh Citrawani invited Sekar and Gentini to tether their horses under a tree, not far from the market. Galuh Citrawati casually approached the crowd accompanied by his two servants.

"What is this, kid?" ask a middle-aged man.

"Oh, that was a troupe of street dancers and singers, sir. But now a music harvester they're fighting some hotshot ."

"Why is there a fight, uncle?" Gentini asked.

"The singer and dancer girl was bullied by a spectator. The music fans don't accept it, and then get into a fight with the audience and their friends."

Galuh Citrawani who felt interested, advanced through the fighting arena. He saw a girl dressed as a dancer crying in a corner, embraced by an old woman dressed in the same clothes. The one involved in the fight was a young man armed with a rebab musical instrument who was gang-raped by three hoodlums.

"If you will beg for mercy and let your sister go comfort me, I will have my guards go !" exclaimed a perlente youth who left at the edge of the arena. The young man had a handsome face, his clothes were luxurious. Once upon a look, Citrawani knew the young man was the kind of perverted basket-eye who liked to play tricks on girls.

The dashing young man who was gang-raped by three did not reply. The situation looks already troubled and crummy . He killed her by robbing her of the sword that was pointing at her neck. But a machete was already flashing towards the base of his thigh and he seemed powerless to fend off.

The audience held their breath. They shouted warning of the horrified intervention.

"Revelation !"

Trang !

A short sword fended off the machete, followed by a chain circular kick that made the attacker bounce off the fog. Citrawani was the one who stormed from the crowd of spectators. His other hand played a fan handle knocking on the nape of another attacker, so that the right person with his nerves lay in pain half-dead on the ground. The hand of another assailant was grabbed with the edge of the foot until the man's sword slipped from the handle.

"Who are you? Why are you coming here to make such a mess?" the young man snapped furiously.

"Heh, not wrong? Dog barking screaming dog," Galuh Citrawani snorted. "Heh, greasy hair, that makes a fuss it's you and your three gibbons ! It's good to accuse me . Go quickly you ! Otherwise I'll cut your long neck too !"

The young man glared at Citrawani. But then he left, after turning to the girl dressed as a dancer.

"Wait and look, Sawitri, I won't let you go !" threaten her.

Citrawani became furious. He touched a small pebble on the back of the young man who immediately fled while complaining, cheered on by the crowd.

The audience laughed. After the fight broke up, they disbanded, until the fighting arena on the edge of the market became quiet. The dancing girl was still crying in fear, comforted by her mother.

"I Sawitra, thank you very much for your help, " said the young man who Citrawani had helped politely. " We are nomads who move around, at this time we happen to be temporarily settled in this village. What is the name of the helper, if we may know?"

"My name is Citragada and these are my friends, Gentono and Sokor," Citrawani introduced herself and her two servants calmly and calmly. Both of his servants turned their faces away, hiding their almost chuckling laughter coming out from behind the caping.

Gentono's? A sokor? Are there any other nicknames that are a little better? Curse their hearts, annoyed with amused.

"Mr Citragada, once again my sister and mother gave a very deep thanks ! If there is no help sir, of course I have now become a corpse. And our brother's honor is ruined."

Sawitri broke away from her mother's embrace. Without hesitation he approached Citrawani. Know-how the beautiful girl threw herself on her knees under Citrawani's feet.

"Sir, your kindness is huge. For us, honor is more precious than this little bit of our lives. Sawitri is willing to be the servant of the lord to return the favor ."

"Eh, wake up lady, don't kneel like this ... Don't be too shy. Please help is normal among human beings, isn't it?"

"Mr Citragada is indeed noble-hearted," the elder brother praised. "It would be nice if we could make a friendship with you."

"Ah, I am just a wandering physician. There is no harm in making friendship. But we also do not live somewhere. Well, since the atmosphere is safe, let us continue the journey," Citragada said, then gestured the two servants to leave.

Sawitri dropped down, kneeling again in front of Citrawani's feet.

"Mr Citragada, please take me to be your servant. If I hadn't returned the favor of master, this heart would have felt very unacquainted."

Sawitra and her mother looked at each other. Published dikulum smile on the corner of the lips both .

"Hm, I'm sorry Miss Sawitri. I have no permanent residence. Where can I possibly take the lady with us, while our own lives are uncertain."

"Sir, then let us host you at our temporary residence." the mother covered her hands. "We beg you, please accept our invitation. To make our hearts feel light without the burden of indebtedness ."

"Ah, this matter need not be extended anymore, aunt. I sincerely do all of this with a clear conscience. Well, we beg you first."

"Mr Citragada, wait a minute !" Sawitri with teary eyes, pleading. "Hide the master to stop at our cottage for a moment, so that we can offer a meal, just once ."

Citrawani. He looked at his two servants, then nodded his head.

"Alright then, we'll have to trouble you."

Sawitri cheerfully pointed the way ahead, heading to their cottage. Her mother and sister followed behind her, followed by Citrawani, Sekar and Gentini. Their horses were led down a path that led up a hill behind the lake. After walking far enough, they arrived at a simple, solitary cottage on a ridge.

"This is our temporary lodge, gentlemen. Please come in," Sawitra invited his guests to enter the cottage grounds. The three of them sat on a bamboo bale under a tree. Sawitri and her mother withdrew to the back to prepare the dish.

"Sawitra's back, how long have you been living in this cottage?" ask Citrawani while observing around.

" It's been about two months, sir. We rented this cottage at a very cheap price, because it's only as good as we can afford."

"Usually how long does Kang Sawitra stay somewhere?"

"At most about a year, or half a year, we usually move new areas again ..Well, this is how we work as traveling artists," said Sawitra .

Two hours later, an appetizing meal was in front of them. There is a basket of corn rice, vegetable anointing with pepes of fish that are still steaming and give off a pleasant aroma.

Sawitra pulled out a roof from inside the hut. It contained sweet water which he tapped from a tree not far from the hut.

"Come, let's please gentlemen, enjoy the dishes ala perfungnya," Sawitri distributed woven bamboo ceper with banana leaves for the dinner mat.

"Thank you" Citrawani nodded her head at Sekar and Gentini. They saturate the rice and side dishes, then ate slowly and bashfully. It just so happened that the afternoon had come and their stomachs were hungry.

Sawitra poured sweet thought to her three guests, who were greeted with enthusiasm. He and his mother looked at each other, then smiled happily.

"This is the sweetest water I've ever drank" Citrawani smiled. "The dish is also delicious. Aunt and Miss Sawitri are very good at cooking ."

"Village cuisine only, Mr. Citragada. Physicians who have wandered a lot like masters, certainly have tasted many foods from various regions."

" Mister Sokor and mister Gentono look very young. Let alone Mr. Citragada, who was very handsome and young. He has become a physician. Our hearts are so amazed" the mother praised.

"Auntie was too complimentary," said Sekar. It's yawning. His eyes felt a bit fuzzy, so he shook his head slowly.

"Well, I feel so sleepy.the wind here is very cold..," Citrawani evaporated many times.

"Diagnate, sir. If you are full, you must be sleepy, "Sawitra smiled.

Citrawani rested on the trunk of the tree.His head drooped. He was unconscious. Sekar and Gentini exclaimed in shock. They saw that the three friendly hosts were now smiling, grinning with sinister shiny eyes.

"You .. Bastard ! You ...have drugged us.." cried out with anger. He and Gentini were about to lung, but their heads felt heavy and the body weakened.

They also lay on the table.

..........