
Ten days had passed, Galang's ship still stopped on a small island to avoid storms and large waves. The captain's forecast, the storm and the waves will happen one day ahead. So they chose to stop first.
When they reached the island, they found a village. However, it seemed to be very quiet. Though it looks like the houses are quite decent to live in. No one seems to be outside the house.
The village was close to the shore where Captain Thomas was leaning the ship.
"What island is this, Captain?" Ask Galang.
"I don't know either, Young Master. Looks like the people are inside the house and don't dare to go out." Answer Captain Thomas.
"Alright, I'll check with Rangga and Josh." Said Galang later. Then Galang invited Josh and Rangga to get off the ship.
"Galm! I'm coming!" Shouted Cintya. Looking at Anton, Anton nodded in agreement. Galang let Cintya come with him.
"Be careful!" Shouted Anton. The four young men finally got off the ship and headed for the village. They walked there because it was not too far away.
"There's people!" Josh said while pointing to the right side.
The four people then quickly headed towards the person designated by Josh. A forty-year-old man was seen walking with something in a plastic bag. Looking at the four young men, the forty-year-old man walked even faster.
However, Galang and the others were faster than him and finally they got to that person.
"Agod! Forgive me! Don't kill me!" Shouted the man while kneeling.
"Uncle! We're not gonna kill you! We just wanted to ask." He tried to calm the man.
The forty-year-old man looked relieved when he heard Galang's words.
"Who are y'all? Why did you get to this island?" Ask the man.
"We're just passing by, Uncle. We were avoiding the storm. And we want to stay on this island for a few days." Answer Galang.
"Wouldn't. This island is not safe!" The man looked very scared.
"Uncle, relax. What's actually going on? Can't we know? Who knows if we can help you.
"A few weeks ago..." My husband started telling stories.
******
"This island you must leave to Lord Liun! Otherwise you are not allowed to live! You have a month to get off the island. And you can't mine the gold that's on this island." A man with a rogue face made an announcement.
"Regarding the buyers who used to come here, there will be no more. And you, if you don't leave, you'll starve to death." The man ended his words.
The villagers were confused by what the man said. They look at each other too.
"Master! Mean what? I'm the chief here. If there's a problem, it's best to talk about it carefully" said the middle-aged man who came forward asking for an explanation.
He was the chief of the Ro tribe. The Ro people have inhabited the island for thousands of years. Their income is from a gold mine that never runs out. Ro Island is quite large and far from other islands. They have had a buyer for a long time.
While why the Ro Tribe is only about a thousand people and inhabit one village? Most of them have moved to other cities and islands, got married, wandered, went to school and never returned.
The tribe has spread in various parts of the world. They are already at one with the modern society out there. Few people choose to live life traditionally.
"If you're a chieftain, what do you want? The island has a new owner. So you have no right to live here anymore!" Said the rude-looking man.
"This island belongs to the Ro Tribe for thousands of years. Of course this is ours. How could you claim to be the new owner?" Said the chief.
"Nobody cares. If you argue, then your own consequences. Kalaiian only has one month to leave immediately and empty the island!" Shouted the roaring man.
"Can't! We'll defend the island and won't leave!" The chief wants to fight.
At that time, a number of people had arrived and ferociously, they beat up the people who had gathered to a pulp. They could not resist and only resigned when beaten. While the chief looks like he has fainted.
After that, the men went to the ship and the ship left immediately. The islanders came and helped the wounded. They were not a tribe of fighters and had never been taught how to fight.
*******
"And tomorrow is the last day they give an ultimatum. We can't go anywhere because we don't have a purpose. The buyers of gold have never come at all during this month. And usually when they come, they will bring our basic necessities and exchange them for gold." The man breathed a heavy sigh.
"Jafi, for almost a month they didn't come, we've run out of food. Many of the population are now starving." The man ended the story.
"So they'll come tomorrow? According to Captain Thomas, these few days there will be storms at sea, do they not know?" Gslang.
"It's true, but it'll happen tomorrow night. Maybe they've already got here." Answer the forty-year-old man.
"My name is Galang, this is Josh, Rangga and Cintya. Uncle take it easy, if indeed they come, we will help the residents here to deal with them. Can we meet your chief?" Ask Galang. Hearing the incident that befell the Ro tribe, Galang wanted to help them.
"Can I take you to the chieftain's house." Said the man. Then walk towards a big house.
The forty-year-old man knocked on the door. Just a minute apart, a beautiful girl came out of the house.
"Miss Er, does Mister exist?" Ask the man.
"There, Pan Su. Please come in." Answer the girl, and let them all in.
The girl came in. Just a few seconds later, a middle-aged man came out and headed for the living room. The man also sat down. Galang and others saluted.
"Su, who are they?" Ask the chief.
"They want to see you, sir. Please ask them directly." Answer Su.
"Who are you?" Ask the chief.
"We're travelers, my name is Galang, he's Josh, Rangga and Sintya." Answer Galang, then introduce yourself and others.
"We happened to pass by. Since there will be a storm, then we want to stay on this island for a few days."
"Su must have told me what happened on this island. And we don't really mind. But, of course you must take responsibility for your own safety." The Chief of the Tribe.
"of course. We will help you face those who will drive you out. Don't worry about our safety." Galang.
The chief looked at the four of them. Seeing they were young, the Chieftain actually thought Galang was boasting.