The Ancestral Country
Choices

"I want to go to Dinda's Bracelets, please,

For a long time I wanted to see Dinda Anggarawati", said Panji Watugunung with a smile looking at Ayu Galuh.

"When do we go to the Kangmas Bracelets? I also want to be devoted to my in-laws, not just Yunda Anggarawati", Ayu Galuh looked at the handsome face of her husband.

"You don't have the feeling of a wild princess?

Obviously we have just been at war, still want to look for face with Kanjeng Romo Regent Bracelets", said Sekar Mayang half furious.

"It's not just you who's her daughter-in-law, Galuh. Me, Mayang and Srimpi are also the daughters-in-law of Gusti Bupati Gunungsari. We also want to serve them, right Srimpi?", Ratna Pitaloka immediately turned to Dewi Srimpi. The youngest concubine Panji Watugunung immediately nodded his assent.

"I'll just ask Kangmbok Pitaloka. Let me get ready. Want tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or when it is up to Kangmas Panji.

Why should you be angry?", Ayu Galuh does not want to lose.

"You.."

"It is silent", shouted Panji Watugunung immediately stopped the debate between his wives.

"Look, I'm tired. Don't make a fuss in front of me. Understand you?"

The banner of Watugunung glared sharply at his 4 wives. They immediately lowered their heads, afraid of getting angry with the husband.

"Srimpi, come with me".

Panji Watugunung stepped towards his bedroom. Goddess Srimpi immediately followed behind him.

The wives can only resigned to see Dewi Srimpi who did not talk much instead asked to accompany the husband. Want to protest not dare, rather than get angry again. They all rested in their rooms.

Early morning at Pakuwon Bedander Palace.

The sound of the rooster crowing was earthy that morning. The sparrow chirped merrily on the sapodilla tree branch in front of the Pakuwon Bedander retreat hall. His voice sounded boisterous making the atmosphere of the morning so beautiful.

Panji Watugunung immediately rushed up from his bed. Dewi Srimpi woke up as soon as her husband got up.

"Sorry Denmas, I have bad luck" said Dewi Srimpi with a shy smile. The woman rubbed her eyes.

"It's okay Dinda, we're all exhausted", Panji Watugunung smiled faintly as he opened the room door and rushed towards the bath.

That morning all Panjalu soldiers performed funeral ceremonies for Tumenggung Surontanu, Tumenggung Juru, Bekel Majaya and Bekel Rukma who were killed in duty.

Everyone wears a white cloth and sumping of frangipani flowers as a sign of grief.

Resi Mpu Soma of the hermitage Ranja leads the show. Sprinkles of roses, mementos and jasmine fill the altar of purification ceremony in the square Pakuwon Bedander. The handlebars and incense are burned. Its steaming smoke slowly filled the air with a distinctive fragrant aroma.

The brahmins continued to chant soul cleansing mantras.

The atmosphere is getting more solemn and sacred.

Resi Mpu Soma then approached the Watugunung Panji sitting cross-legged among the high officers of the Daha soldiers who attended the purification ceremony of the soul.

In the hands of the Rishis there was a burning torch.

"Lokapala Descendants, Lokapala,

All the ceremonies have been done. Now it's your turn as a leader, take them to nirvana with your hands".

Resi Mpu Soma then handed the torch to the Watugunung Panji. The Regent's son the Bracelets immediately stood up. Then stepped forward to the piles of dry wood under the four corpses of the high officer of the Daha soldier, then ignited the fire there. The wood burned quickly.

Brahmins continued to chant mantras to accompany the burning of their bodies.

At noon, a group of people came to the Pakuwon Bedander palace. They were emissaries from the Duchy of Seloageng led by Rakai Kulawu, the in-law of Sindupati Akuwu Bedander.

Rakai Kulawu immediately worshiped to the Watugunung Panji when they met.

"Kulawu saluted Gusti Pangeran Panji Watugunung".

"Stand Ki Kuwu, do not worship me like a god. I am still an ordinary man", said Panji Watugunung soon.

Rakai Kulawu immediately stood up and sat to the right of the Watugunung Panji.

"Are you looking for me Ki Kuwu? Is there anything important that I need to hear?", The Prince of Daha stared at Rakai Kulawu's face.

"Excuse Kulawu this Gusti Prince, please,

Servant sent by Gusti Adipati Tejo Sumirat who asked Gusti Ngurah to be willing to stop by the palace of the Duchy of Seloageng", Rakai Kulawu bowed respectfully.

"Actually I'd love to meet my wife at the Bracelets. But yes, I will stop by the palace of the Duchy of Seloageng", said Panji Watugunung immediately.

Rakai Kulawu immediately smiled at Panji Watugunung's reply. Akuwu sepuh it immediately pleaded to return to the palace of the Duchy of Seloageng.

For 4 days, they rested while treating the wounds of war.

Tumenggung Adiguna's wounds have improved enough. While the other high-ranking officer's minor injuries were already no problem.

News of the victory of Patugunung Panji has spread throughout the former Kahuripan region.

The news became the lips of the community, especially the passing traders.

That afternoon Panji Watugunung gathered all the high ranking officers of the Daha soldiers in the resting portico of Pakuwon Bedander.

"Listen to me, O high officers of the Daha army.

I feel we've recovered enough after the war we fought. I'm asking you all to go back to your posts.

Garuda Panjalu troops will return to the headquarters of the troops in Sanggur. Uncle Saketi and Kakang Warigalit will lead the troops home.

What about the other Daha army Senopati Narapraja?", Panji Watugunung immediately looked towards the young senopati.

"Hamba will lead the Daha forces back to Pakuwon Kadri Gusti Pangeran. For Seloageng troops and Bracelets, please return to Sukentura or join the Garuda Panjalu troops in Sanggur" said Senopati Narapraja soon.

Tumenggung Gati and Tumenggung Sancaka immediately respect the Watugunung Panji and ask that the rest of their troops, become one with Garuda Panjalu troops in Sanggur. The Watugunung banner immediately granted their request.

The words of the Watugunung Panji were immediately greeted by cheers from the Daha army officers.

That night they celebrated with great fanfare.

The troupe of tledek dancers from Pakuwon Bedander enliven the show. Gumbreg was even reckless to dance together even though his body was stiff and became a laughing stock of fellow soldiers.

Morning is coming.

Today all the soldiers left Pakuwon Bedander. Garuda Panjalu troops accompanied by troops from the Bracelets and Seloageng headed to the headquarters in Sanggur, while the Daha troops continued to advance west towards Pakuwon Kadri.

While the Watugunung Panji accompanied to four of his wives headed to the Duchy of Seloageng. They only wore ordinary clothes so as not to provoke people's attention.

Arriving at the gate of Seloageng palace, a guard soldier immediately drove them to meet Duke Tejo Sumirat in the Duke's private room.

Tejo Sumirat's laughter instantly rang out as he watched Panji Watugunung enter the foyer of his personal space.

Hahaha

"Welcome to Seloageng Cah Bagus..

Congratulations on your victory. Representing the people of Seloageng I thank you", said Tejo Sumirat with a big smile.

"Thank you Kanjeng Father Duke, all this happened because of the help of Seloageng as well. Otherwise, how could I and the Daha soldiers be able to repel the Jenggala army?", the Watugunung Panji was low.

"Hehehehe,

You always make me happy.. Actually, what I mean to call you here is that I want to ask you to be the next Duke of Seloageng.

You know I am old enough, I also want to live a quiet life without thinking about the affairs of state" said Duke Tejo Sumirat seriously.

Panji Watugunung was surprised to hear the words of the Duke of Seloageng. He did not expect that the Duke would want to do this. His four wives were also immediately shocked.

"Sorry Gusti Duke.. Kangmas Panji Watugunung was also the son-in-law of Samarawijaya's father. My father had only 4 daughters and a toddler son.

I still have the right to the throne of Panjalu. So I ask Gusti Adipati not to force Kangmas Panji Watugunung to make a choice about his life", Ayu Galuh showed his charm as the king's daughter.

The Seloageng Duke smiled faintly. He indeed could not force Panji Watugunung to make a choice for the place where he would rule. Bracelets, Seloageng or Daha alike have significance in the life of Panji Watugunung.

"I cannot force the Gusti Putri, I only give my son-in-law a choice" Duke Tejo Sumirat replied with a smile.

"I will definitely think of his Kanjeng Romo, but right now I just want to go home to the Bracelets. I miss Dinda Anggarawati", Panji Watugunung smiles shyly.

Hehehehe

"I understand how you feel. If you want to go to the Bracelets immediately, I'll let you", Tejo Sumirat mustard a sign of understanding.

After having a warm conversation for a while, Panji Watugunung and his four wives implored themselves to go to the Bracelets.

Tejo Sumirat stared at the departure of Panji Watugunung and his four wives with a smile. He was so proud of his son-in-law.

**

While it's far north.

The Pakuwon Lwaram palace.

News of the defeat of Senopati Socawarma immediately made Maharaja Mapanji Garasa wrath. He quickly sent Tumenggung Suralaya to face Senopati Mpu Tandi in Lwaram.

Mpu Tandi is stroking his beard. The former Bekel Kahuripan seemed to be thinking hard. The letter he had just received made his giddy seven roving.

It is true that the power of Jenggala he controlled was very large, more than 10 thousand cavalry and 8 thousand troops on foot and 2000 archer soldiers.

But, after hearing that 10 thousand Jenggala troops under the leadership of Senopati Socawarma were destroyed by Panji Watugunung with 7500 of his soldiers, he did not want to act rashly.

Moreover, the news from the telik password that says that Senopati Ganggadara as the main senopati still in control of 15000 Panjalu troops, would be very troublesome.

Senopati Mpu Tandi stared at Tumenggung Suralaya's face for a moment. After which he took a deep breath before saying,

"I'll do the Kahuripan Palace order".

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Author says thousands thanks for your support brother reader dearest all on this story 👍👍👍👍👍👍

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