The Ancestral Country
The Daha Palace fire
Kaget Bajong and Gombang heard Mpu Rikmajenar's plan. They could not think of what way or how Mpu Rikmajenar could carry out the plan.
"Why can we burn down Daha's palace, Gusti Mahamantri?
The escort there is very strict. Anybody can't get into that place" Bajong asked in confusion.
"It's not you and I that will, Jong..
I'll pay people to do it. You don't have to think about it. Now do the job I gave you. Hurry up, we don't have much time", replied Mpu Rikmajenar who made Bajong and Gombang unable to say anything more. Two of Mpu Rikmajenar's men immediately rushed to do what they were told.
Mpu Rikmajenar soon changed into ordinary folk clothes. Not to forget a piece of ragged black cloth she wore covered her head until her old face was not clearly visible to others.
The old man immediately jumped on his horse and spurred the animal south-east. After passing through the great road of Kotaraja Daha, Mpu Rikmajenar continued to drive his horse towards the southeast. After passing through the border of Kotaraja, Mpu Rikmajenar entered a small forest flanked by two small rivers. Tracing the path that is rarely passed by humans, finally Mpu Rikmajenar arrived at a small village consisting of only a few houses.
A large wooden house is near the rocky cliff on the east side of the small village. Mpu Rikmajenar headed there. The village was so quiet, there was no sign of life there. Everything looks quiet, but actually from behind the walls of the house that looks without residents, dozens of pairs of eyes watching the movements of Mpu Rikmajenar.
Arriving at the biggest house, Mpu Rikmajenar stopped his horse. He immediately jumped down and tied the horse harness to the trunk of the jackfruit tree in the yard of the house. Mpu Rikmajenar immediately stepped towards the door of the house.
"Grepaksenthe, though,
Come out. I have an important task for you" said Mpu Rikmajenar immediately.
Silence, no answer.
"Grepaksenthe, though,
I know you're inside. Come out, before this task I give to others", back Mpu Rikmajenar shouted out loud.
Not long after, I heard the door lock on the loose and...
Krrriiiieeeeeeeeetttthhh!!
"Who are you? How do you know I'm here?", asked a burly man with a scar extending under his left eye that appeared from behind the door of the house. The long-haired man with a bushy but not mustachioed beard was staring intently at Mpu Rikmajenar.
Mpu Rikmajenar had not yet answered, dozens of people dressed in all black surrounded the courtyard of the house while carrying unsheathed weapons.
Mpu Rikmajenar immediately opened the hood of a tattered black cloth that covered almost his entire face. The burly man immediately took a step back after seeing the face of Mpu Rikmajenar.
"You're Gusti Ranggawangsa's friend?
Why are you here?", asked the burly man named Grepaksenthe, a former Ranggawangsa man who was in charge of doing dirty work, to recognize Mpu Rikmajenar. After the death of Ranggawangsa, this person turned his job into a robber and thief who disturbed the peace of the suburban community of Kotaraja Daha. Their rapid movements supported by the science of lightening the high body makes it difficult for the Panjalu soldiers to catch him. Plus they never settle in one place for more than a week. Mpu Rikmajenar know, that this place is the main hiding place from the pursuit of Panjalu soldiers.
"Don't ask too many questions.
I'm here to do a big job for you. If it works, it's 200 gold pieces. Are you willing?", said Mpu Rikmajenar as he reached out behind his shirt and took out two bags of cloth containing 100 gold pieces. The old man's hand held a black cloth bag in his right hand.
Grepaksenthe's eyes instantly widened when he heard the word 200 goldfish. That's a huge amount, enough to live for 1 solar screech for his group. The eyes of the burly man continued to glance towards the black cloth bag in the hands of Mpu Rikmajenar.
"Tu-What duty did you give ha?
Don't mess with me, old man!", said Grepaksenthe half-threatening Mpu Rikmajenar.
"just simple.
I want you to burn down the Daha palace tomorrow night" said Mpu Rikmajenar immediately. Hearing that remark, Grepaksenthe's eyes immediately glared.
"You're crazy old man. It's the same as looking to die. I don't want to die silly", hardik Grepaksenthe quickly.
"How can you die silly? Prabu Jayengrana does not exist, there are only women and children. Have you lost your guts, Grepaksenthe?", said Mpu Rikmajenar with a big smile.
Grepaksenthe clearly thought hard about this. Everything has to be thought through. As Grepaksenthe was thinking, a thin man with crossed eyes approached.
"Thank you Lurah e, please,
With that money at least we can live guaranteed for a long time" said the thin-eyed man with hope. He was Dadhap Regol, Grepaksenthe's confidant.
Mm-hmm..
"Well, I accept the task but on condition" said Grepaksenthe as he opened his right hand fingers wide. His index finger, middle finger and ring finger hinted at numbers.
"What are the conditions? Quickly say!", Mpu Rikmajenar began to impatiently wait for Grepaksenthe's answer.
"I asked for 300 gold pieces as payment. If you don't want to, just find someone else who wants to do it" Grepaksenthe said, as she crossed her chest.
"Basic greedy!
Okay, I accept your terms. But I only brought 100 gold coins as a down payment. The remaining 200 you can take in my house after your task is done" said Mpu Rikmajenar while throwing two bags of black cloth containing 100 gold pieces at Grepaksenthe.
Grepaksenthe immediately caught the two bags of cloth containing the gold flaps thrown at him. Immediately he opened the bag strap to look at the contents. Grepaksenthe's eyes immediately shone looking at the dozens of gold pieces inside the cloth bag.
"I'll charge for the shortcomings after I finish my task. Just prepare the gold kepeng" said Grepaksenthe while putting the bag of gold kepeng under his shirt.
"Well, I will wait for the results of your work", Mpu Rikmajenar immediately put a ragged black cloth camping as his headgear. The old grandfather immediately headed to where his horse was moored and then ran his horse out of the place. The besiegers immediately opened the way so that Mpu Rikmajenar could pass. After Mpu Rikmajenar disappeared in the thick trees of the small forest, Grepaksenthe immediately called out his right hand.
"Dadhap Regol, please,
Go to the market. Buy a goat for us to eat big. Tonight we are partying hahahaha", said Grepaksenthe while laughing out loud.
All the members of the Owl Society laughed at the words of their leader.
That night they partied by slaughtering a large goat. Dozens of jun arak and their wine jugs spent for fun.
At the residence of Mpu Rikmajenar, Bajong and Gombang seemed busy tying a bundle of cloth containing several pieces of silk cloth from China. Then they put the bundle of cloth on some crates arranged in a horse-drawn carriage.
Two reasons Mahamantri Mpu Rikmajenar continues to work diligently until late at night.
Even Mpu Rikmajenar continues to organize his escape route by contacting some of his acquaintances in order to get into the Jenggala region. Because of the war won by the Watugunung Panji first, the border of Panjalu and Jenggala is no longer Kali Aksa. But far to the east to Wanua Lawor with Kali Lawor as the natural boundary between Panjalu and Jenggala.
Mpu Rikmajenar movement that secretly hardly raises any suspicion among the high officials of Daha Palace.
Day change day. The atmosphere of Kotaraja Daha region is calm and peaceful. Everyone works according to their own work without any annoying problems.
The twilight began to disappear, and the dark night changed. The moon is almost half hanging over the head.
From the southeastern direction of Dahanapura city, dozens of people dressed in black-black clothes moved in the dark shadow of the night. Their light and agile bodies continue to move quickly between the shadows of the buildings of the residents of Kotaraja Daha.
They continued to move towards the Daha palace.
As they approached the palace walls from the south corner, they stopped to look at the situation. After not seeing the Panjalu soldiers on patrol, 8 people dressed in all black immediately lined up against the wall. 8 other people immediately ran towards the 8 people lined up, who were not there, they bounced high above the walls of the Daha palace after stepping on the palms of their comrades as a pedestal.
As soon as they landed on the palace walls and made sure they were safe, they immediately extended the rope to their friend who was outside the palace walls. Their movements were so light and agile that they made no sound at all.
Inside the Daha palace, Dewi Anggarawati paced in front of her bedroom. Somehow there was something that made the mind of First Empress Panji Watugunung was not calm. Wandansari the loyal servant who just put Panji Tejo Laksono hastily approached towards Dewi Anggarawati.
"Please forgive Gusti the Empress,
What happened to Gusti the Empress? From that moment I saw Gusti the Empress pacing back and forth here", asked Wandansari respectfully.
"I don't know Wandansari. I have not felt well since this afternoon. Like it will happen something bad, but I don't know what it is", replied Dewi Anggarawati restlessly.
Hyang Widhi Wasa always protects us all" Wandansari said with a smile trying to calm the anxiety of Dewi Anggarawati.
Goddess Naganingrum who was pregnant came out of her bedroom. From this moment the feeling of Princess Prabu Darmaraja was not comfortable.
Seeing Goddess Anggarawati and Wandansari talking in front of their bedroom, the beautiful woman approached them.
"Ayeu naon Teh Anggarawati?
Naha tacan keneh mondok (Why is it still not sleeping)?", asked Dewi Naganingrum immediately. Wandansari who was confused by Naganingrum's talk, immediately asked.
"Cottage? What did Gusti Third Empress mean?", Wandansari scratched her non-itchy head.
"I mean Eneng mah, why have not slept or Ceu" replied Dewi Naganingrum with a smile knot.
"I don't know Naganingrum. I have not felt well since this afternoon. You yourself why are you still running around tonight? You're pregnant with Naganingrum, soon to give birth. Take care of your health well" said Dewi Anggarawati while looking at Dewi Naganingrum.
The beautiful woman from Tanah Pasundan immediately smiled knot. He knew Goddess Anggarawati dear to him to say so.
"Eneng mah confused to explain his kumaha Teh Anggarawati..
Eneng's feelings are the same as Teh Anggarawati mah, saprak sonten rarasan abdi henteu raos Teh", replied Dewi Naganingrum immediately.
Mmmmmmmm
"That means you're the same as me Naganingrum. I am also not comfortable with this feeling" said Dewi Anggarawati while massaging her temples.
While they were still engrossed in conversation, young pregnant Ratna Pitaloka approached them. Although not too visible, but the stomach of Ratna Pitaloka already looks bloated.
"What's this about? Why are you still gathering? It's her time to rest" Ratna asked Pitaloka as she walked up to them.
"Lha Kangmbok Pitaloka himself why is it still outside the room? Kangmbok Pitaloka was pregnant young, not good too often hit by the night air", Dewi Anggarawati asked Ratna Pitaloka, the first concubine.
"In the sultry room Anggarawati. I've been trying to sleep but I can't" Ratna Pitaloka said as she stroked her growing belly.
Meanwhile the members of the Owl Society had already spread to some point. Using the fiery arrows, they began to carry out the tasks of Mpu Rikmajenar.
Shhrriegg!!
Dozens of fiery arrows immediately shot towards the roof of the palace building made of palm oil and dry reeds. Slowly the fire began to burn the roof of the Daha palace building. The members of the Owl Society continued to hurl their fiery arrows at several points made of wood and flammable materials.
A palace guard soldier who saw that immediately shouted out loudly.
"There's intruders! The palace is burning! Watch out for the fire!", shouted the soldier as he ran towards the fart near his guard post.
Thongg...
Daha Palace was immediately stirred. Titir kentongan always surprised everyone in the palace Daha. Dewi Anggarawati, Dewi Naganingrum and Ratna Pitaloka were chatting in front of the bedroom of Dewi Anggarawati.
"Comebody!
Wandansari quickly woke up Prince Tejo Laksono. I'm gonna wake Ayu Galuh. Quick!", orders Dewi Anggarawati while running towards the room Ayu Galuh. Without further ado, Dewi Anggarawati immediately broke down the door of Ayu Galuh's room that was sleeping with Mapanji Jayawarsa.
Bruakkk..
Ayu Galuh immediately woke up to hear the door of her bedroom was broken. The beautiful woman immediately ran towards the door. Seeing the arrival of Dewi Anggarawati with a panicked look, Ayu Galuh immediately asked.
"What is this Kangmbok Anggarawati? Why did you break down my bedroom door?", Ayu Galuh looked at the face of Goddess Anggarawati.
"Don't ask too many questions. Hurry up you carry Prince Jayawarsa.
Daha Palace fire", cried Dewi Anggarawati quickly. Hearing that answer, Ayu Galuh immediately turned pale. The Second Empress of Patugunung Panji immediately darted towards the bed and carried Mapanji Jayawarsa then rushed out of the room following the steps of Dewi Anggarawati.
Outside the bedroom of Goddess Naganingrum, Sekar Mayang and Ratna Pitaloka who were carrying her Twin Moon Sword had gathered. Seeing all the wives of Panji Watugunung already exist, Dewi Anggarawati immediately led them to save themselves. They immediately rushed towards the palace passageway leading to the exit.
The fire continued to burn the Daha palace building. Hundreds of guard soldiers were helped by people from Kepatihan trying to extinguish the fire that blazed quickly due to the gust of south wind.
A wooden buffer roof of the building collapsed and led to the wives of Panji Watugunung who were running. Ratna Pitaloka who was the last to see it quickly smashed her reddish-colored right hand because of the Fire God's Ajian Tread.
Bllaammmmmmm!!
The roof support wood was instantly smashed to pieces spreading small fragments. Dewi Anggarawati who saw the incident, immediately pulled the hand of Ratna Pitaloka because the roof of the building behind her began to collapse. They immediately ran towards the gate.
Mapatih Jayakerti immediately jumped towards the doorway that connects the residence of the wife of Panji Watugunung.
Seeing the wives of Panji Watugunung running towards the palace gate, Mapatih Jayakerti breathed a sigh of relief. Aided by several soldiers, Mapatih Jayakerti escorted them out of the Daha palace.
The situation of the Daha palace was really chaotic. Hundreds of soldiers shoulder to shoulder took out valuable items including the throne of the Kingdom of Panjalu. The fire continued to grow and devoured most of the palace buildings made of wood.
From a distance, Mpu Rikmajenar stared cynically at the burning Daha palace. He immediately kicked off his horse-drawn carriage which was carrying his wife and a daughter towards the east. With escorted by Bajong and Gombang and 4 loyal bodyguards, Mpu Rikmajenar continues to run his horse carriage quickly. The face of the old man grinned widely as he muttered softly,
"Jayengrana, please,
Take my parting gift from me".
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Bonus chapter for loyal BNL fans yes 😁😁😁
May you always be entertained by the presence of Panji Watugunung and his seven wives..
Healthy greetings always 🙏🙏🙏