JAYABAYA: The Journey of Being a Legend
Dedemit Kali Progo's

With the instructions given by Gendol, Jaka Umbaran led the small group immediately towards the Duchy of Bhumi Sambara. Soon night will come and they will have to reach the city so as not to spend the night in the forest.

Bhumi Sambara is one of the duchies of the southern coastal region of the Kingdom of Panjalu. Together with Paguhan, Wengker, Tanggulangin and Singhapura, he is one of the regions that become quite remote coastal areas. Waves in the high South Sea and can not be served by large merchant ships, causing the southern coastal area less desirable by foreign traders as their trading port. Foreign traders prefer the shipping lane in the North Sea or Java Sea which is quieter water. Therefore, the Northern coastal areas of the Kingdom of Panjalu such as Kalingga, Rajapura, Kembang Kuning, Muria, Lasem and Matahun have trading ports that are quite crowded by foreign traders. That is why, the North coastal area is more prosperous compared to the south.

In addition, despite also being a producer of rice which was a staple food of the people of Panjalu at that time, however, the agricultural products of the Duchy of Bhumi Sambara produce more palawija such as corn and cassava because most of its territory consists of barren and rocky hilly land. Only around the area of Kali Progo, Kali Opak and some of its tributaries have fertile agricultural land.

The Duchy of Bhumi Sambara was the Duke of Dadung Amuksa, a large tall man with a thick moustached face and a thick beard. The successor to the throne of the Duchy of Bhumi Sambara became ruler after seizing power from the hands of the weak son of Duke Arya Natakusuma. He was still a cousin of Duke Arya Natakusuma who rebelled at the end of Prabu Jayengrana's reign and used that political flaw as a weapon to seize power from the hands of Arya Pancawala, son of Duke Arya Natakusuma. The Kotaraja Daha Palace did not want to interfere in this business, because of previous problems with Duke Arya Natakusuma until Dadung Amuksa managed to gain power with only a little effort. After rising to power, Dadung Amuksa succeeded in eliminating all descendants of Duke Arya Natakusuma who could be a thorn in the flesh for his government.

The sun had almost set in the western sky when Jaka Umbaran and his two followers reached the banks of Kali Progo. Some residents of Wanua Banjarum started lighting home lighting lamps containing castor oil. Some people who live near the crossing pier have returned to their homes. Fish-seeking fishermen are also seen shouldering their catch, preparing to go home.

"Wah apparently could not reach the Duchy of Bhumi Sambara, Ndoro Pendekar.

We have to stay here" said Gendol as he presented his horse beside Jaka Umbaran. His eyes wobbled to and fro seeing the workers of the crossing boat began to tie the rope of the crossing boat at the pier.

"What can I do?

You have no acquaintances here? If we spend the night in his place", Jaka Umbaran looked at Gendol.

"Well, if there's no Ndoro. Just try to ask the people around this place", after saying so, Gendol jumped down from his horse leaving Jaka Umbaran and Resi Simharaja on their respective horses.

A short-bearded white old man with a slightly thin body in makeshift clothes, was seen busy tying firewood as Gendol approached him.

"Kisanak, ask..

Are there places here that can be used to spend the night? We wandered from far away, last until here", asked Gendol who made the old man immediately turn to Gendol and stop his work.

"There is no lodging in this place, Kisanak. It is located in the Duchy of Bhumi Sambara.

But if you need a place to spend the night, you can be at my place. If you want, hurry up. When night falls, the area is not safe" said the old man, continuing his work. Gendol immediately turned to Jaka Umbaran and gave a thumb gesture as a sign that he managed to get a place to spend the night.

Jaka Umbaran and Resi Simharaja immediately ordered their horsemen to follow in the footsteps of the old man with Gendol. While carrying firewood, the short-bearded old man took the three of them to a wooden-walled house at the end of the settlement.

Arriving at the house, the old man immediately placed his luggage on the edge of the house wall. After that he immediately stepped onto the door of the house while knocking loudly.

"Yourself.. Nyi...!

Unlock door.. There are guests coming here. Quickly open the door", said the old man a little loudly. There were footsteps approaching the door.

Krriieeeeeeeettttthhhh!!

"What's up Ki? Why are you shouting so?", the face of an old woman with wrinkles adorned her face.

"It's Nyi, there's a long-distance traveller on the way. They needed a place to spend the night so I brought them here.

Prepare drinking water for them", said the old man immediately. For a moment before stepping back into the house, the old woman stared at Jaka Umbaran and his friends. After being convinced that they were good people, the old woman said nothing more than to retreat towards the kitchen.

That night, Jaka Umbaran and his followers stayed at the residence of Ki Wugu, a kind old man who gave a ride overnight without paying on him. His wife Nyi Seti was also quite friendly with them. Even the old woman immediately served food for the three of them as dinner dishes. There are several pieces of boiled ripe bananas and boiled sweet potatoes following ginger wedang to warm the body. Gendol who was a little hungry, unceasingly chewed this sweet sweet sweet potato while chatting with them.

"Honestly, I was curious about your talk earlier Ki..

Ki Wugu and Nyi Seti looked at each other for a moment hearing Gendol's question. Before speaking, the short-bearded old man glanced towards the sidelines of the wooden walls of his house.

"Sorry Den Gendol.. In this area there is a dedemite who is looking for prey. The victims were teenage girls and babies. Do you see for yourself that this village contains only adults and parents?

Our teenage girls and baby babies were forced to go to Ki Lurah's residence because there was a guard who had high knowledge of canuragan. In addition, one of the elders of Wanua Banjarum who is also a magic shaman took part in the vigil there so we were calmer even though our children were not with family" Ki Wugu said immediately.

Replace Jaka Umbaran and Resi Simharaja who frowned deeply because they heard Ki Wugu's words.

"Indeed what dedemit is looking for casualties in such a way, Ki Wugu?", asked Jaka Umbaran who was immediately curious.

"Said Ki Barjo, elder Wanua Banjarum who is also the magic shaman, the dedemit is a branjangkawat Den Umbaran..

So after the evening came, we were all forbidden to wander outside the house. Afraid if he met the dedemit and became a victim of his hiiiiiiiiii.", Ki Wugu who was plainly shudder horrified to imagine if until he met with the dedemit that haunts the residents of Wanua Banjarum.

Jaka Umbaran did not respond to the old man's words, suddenly...

Aaaaaauuuuuuuuuwwwwwwww!!

The long howls of wolves sounded from the forest north of the Banjarum wanua. The creepy sound immediately shocked everyone. The howling of the wolf sounded simple as if indicating that something supernatural was going on. After which, the air felt increasingly cold along with the appearance of a thick fog descending covered the entire place. Makes the atmosphere feel more scary.

Resi Simharaja sniffed like he was smelling something. After being sure of what was going on, he looked towards Jaka Umbaran. Seeing Resi Simharaja giving a signal about something, Jaka Umbaran immediately nodded in understanding.

"Ki Wugu and Nyi Seti, I'll let you out for a bit. There's something I need to see.

Ndol, you stay here", after saying so, Jaka Umbaran and Resi Simharaja immediately got up from their seats.

"Where are you going Den Umbaran? Better not go out of the house. Very dangerous Den, afraid he will meet with branjangkawat", asked Nyi Seti immediately in hopes that Jaka Umbaran undo his intention to leave the house.

"Nyi Seti take it easy. I'll be fine. If you may know, where is the residence of the Wanua Banjarum lurah?", hearing Jaka Umbaran's question, Ki Wugu immediately pointed to the south.

"Follow this road straight south.

Later to meet the big house with a pendopo, it's Ki Lurah's house. About 200 spears away from here" Ki Wugu said immediately.

"Then you wait for us to come back. Ndol, remember my message", Gendol nodded in understanding. Jaka Umbaran and Resi Simharaja immediately stepped out of the house where the frightened Ki Wugu immediately closed the door of the house tightly.

With one loud bang on the ground, Jaka Umbaran's body bounced high into the air. Together with Resi Simharaja, they darted quickly between the roofs of the residents of Wanua Banjarum towards the south.

In just a matter of eye shock, both of them had landed on the tops of lush trees facing the mansion shown by Ki Wugu. With sharp eyes, the two observed the situation around the place.

Around the residence of Lurah Wanua Banjarum, dozens of armed men look tensely around their place. It seemed like they were in a panic after the sound of the howling of the unpretentious wolf that had always been a signal of the arrival of the security troublemaker Wanua Banjarum appeared. They are villagers with some hired warriors who are deliberately brought to help the community.

From the east precisely from the outskirts of Kali Progo which is about 100 fathoms from the house of Lurah Wanua Banjararum, a black shadow appears splitting the thick fog that covers this area. One of the residents who saw it, immediately shouted out loud, saying,

"The devil has appeared..!!!"