The Ancestral Country
Sima Land
"Thank you for your welcome Duke of Windupati...
I really appreciate it" said Panji Watugunung with a faint smile.
"It has become an obligation for the servant to serve the King of Panjalu, Gusti Prabu.
Windupati obedient and loyal to the Kingdom of Panjalu", Duke of Karang Anom was honoring the Watugunung Panji.
The group immediately got a placement in the honorary guest hall of Karang Anom Duchy. For the Duke of Windupati, the arrival of Prabu Jayengrana to his Duchy palace is a gift to the people of Karang Anom Duchy.
After dusk, Panji Watugunung and his two wives met the Duke of Windupati in the duke's private room. After everyone sat cross-legged on the floor of the duke's private room, Patu Gunungan Panji began a conversation with the ruler of the Karang Anom Duchy which was accompanied by Patih Sengguruh and Senopati Gupaksi.
"Duke of Windupati,
My arrival this time is to ask for your help", said Panji Watugunung with full authority.
"What help can Windupati do for Gusti Prabu?", asked the Duke of Windupati while respecting the Watugunung Panji.
"I am looking for a young man from Anom Reef named Mpu Kerta. Was there this person in the ranks of the palace officials of the Duchy of Karang Anom?", Panji Watugunung immediately looked at the face of the Duke of Windupati.
"Please forgive Gusti Prabu,
Mpu Kerta was the court official of Karang Anom Duchy when the father of Duke Windu Segara ruled in Karang Anom Duchy. But the man had resigned from his position, when the father of Duke Windu Segara was still enthroned.
What happened to Mpu Kerta Gusti Prabu?", Duke of Windupati waiting for answers from Panji Watugunung with anxious hope.
"Sorry Duke of Windupati,
Do you know where he lives? Is the person still alive?", in droves questions thrown from Dewi Srimpi.
"If the matter is a less knowing servant Gusti Concubine. Maybe Patih Sengguruh knew better than the servant", Windupati immediately turned to look at Patih Sengguruh who was sitting next to him.
"Please forgive a thousand mercy Gusti Concubine.
After Mpu Kerta resigned from his position, I heard he lived in Wanua Rance in Pakuwon Tawing region. According to the news that circulated, he became a religious leader in the region", replied Patih Sengguruh while worshiping at the Watugunung Panji and Dewi Srimpi.
"Tomorrow morning, can you show me the way to that place, Patih Sengguruh?
I want to see her" said Dewi Srimpi with enthusiasm.
"At the permission of Gusti Prabu Jayengrana, I was willing to take Gusti both to go there.
Actually I was curious since then. Please forgive me if I am sassy. What is the problem between Gusti Prabu Jayengrana and Mpu Kerta?", asked Patih Sengguruh while respecting.
"You'll know for yourself when we get to Wanua Karancenan, Patih Sengguruh.
It is night, my wife and I will rest" said Panji Watugunung who immediately stood from his seat followed by Dewi Srimpi and Cempluk Rara Sunti.
The three high officials of the Karang Anom Duchy Palace immediately worshiped the Watugunung Panji which immediately passed to the honorary guest hall of Karang Anom Duchy.
After Panji Watugunung and his two wives left, the Duke of Windupati immediately approached Patih Sengguruh.
"Uncle Patih, please,
What is going on with Mpu Kerta? Has he ever had a problem with Gusti Prabu Jayengrana or his family?", asked the Duke of Windupati with curiosity.
"Please forgive Gusti Adipati..
As I recall, Mpu Kerta is a straight person who never does anything. He was a good official, doing his job really well.
Just..", Patih Sengguruh took a short pause in breathing.
"What's Uncle Patih?
Don't you hang your talk. Make me even more curious", grumbled the Duke of Windupati with annoyance.
"Please forgive Gusti Duke.
Only after the death of his wife and daughter kidnapped that night, Mpu Kerta like a person who lost the spirit of life. That is why Mpu Kerta decided to resign from his position as Tumenggung in Karang Anom Duchy. Gusti Adipati Sepuh actually refused his resignation but Mpu Kerta insisted to put down his position at that time", explained Patih Sengguruh while stroking his whitened beard.
"Hmmmmmmm..
Wait a minute, Uncle Patih. You said his wife was killed and his son kidnapped. Who is the person who dares to commit such heinous acts in the Karang Anom Duchy?", Windupati is increasingly curious about the talk of Patih Sengguruh.
"That night, the city of Karang Anom Duchy was satronized by a group of high-scientific robbers. They burned down several houses in the western region of the Duchy. Mpu Kerta's house was one of the victims of the robber's violence. Mpu Kerta's wife, Dewi Tejawati who was still a cousin of Gusti Adipati Sepuh, was killed by a powerful swordsman mandraguna. The woman also kidnapped the daughter of Goddess Tejawati who was still 2 full moon. I heard the name of the swordsman is Nyi Sekar Selasih.
Servants who had participated in chasing the group of robbers but their high knowledge of power made us unable to pursue.
That is why Mpu Kerta felt guilty with the two of them and resigned from his position", Patih Sengguruh story while exhaling a long breath.
"What is the relationship between Mpu Kerta and Gusti Prabu Jayengrana? Ah make it dizzy.
Uncle Patih, please,
Tomorrow morning I'm coming to Pakuwon Tawing. Remember to wait for me" the Duke of Windupati said immediately.
"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Adipati", Patih Sengguruh immediately respected the Duke of Windupati.
The night soon changed in the morning. The cold atmosphere began to change the warmth of the morning sunlight that began to illuminate the entire universe.
The banner of Watugunung wriggled from his sleep and opened his eyes. The view of the King of Panjalu was immediately fixed on the Goddess Srimpi who was sitting while hugging her knees.
"Dinda Srimpi, what's wrong with you?", asked Panji Watugunung as he rose from his bed.
"Eh Denmas Prabu,
Already woke Denmas?", Dewi Srimpi immediately turned his head and smiled sweetly at the Watugunung Panji.
"Already Dinda..
You why? Something stuck your mind?", the question came back from the mouth of Panji Watugunung.
"I-I'm just nervous Denmas Prabu..
I am afraid that Mpu Kerta does not remember me at all" said Dewi Srimpi with a sad. Slowly the tears dripped from the corner of the beautiful woman's eyes. Panji Watugunung immediately embraced the slender body of Dewi Srimpi and the beautiful woman immediately rested her head on the shoulder of the husband.
"Here is Dinda Srimpi,
Mpu Kerta remember it or not with you it's not a big deal. You are my wife. My duty is to care for and love you. Don't care about your parents, but that's the truth now.
The Koro centipede has asked me to look after you in exchange for his life to save me. And that's more than enough to be a reminder of me as your husband to look after you for the rest of my life", said Panji Watugunung that feels like cold water that can dampen Dewi Srimpi's concern about rejection from Mpu Kerta. Dewi Srimpi immediately hugged Panji Watugunung's body tightly.
That morning after cleaning up and dressing up, Panji Watugunung with his two wives were also escorted by the soldiers of the King's personal guard moving towards Pakuwon Tawing. Their entourage was guided by Patih Sengguruh and the Duke of Windupati who was curious about the relationship between Mpu Kerta and Panji Watugunung.
A long-bearded man with hair in a loop like a sage was seen sitting in front of a pamujan hangar in a hermitage in the southern corner of Wanua Rance. The elderly man sprinkled flowers on a brass bokor that appeared to contain the ashes of someone's corpse. Then he placed a handful of incense on a clay brazier filled with burning charcoal. The white smoke billowing from the clay brazier spread the smell of incense fragrance around the place.
After reciting some spells of Lord Shiva, the old man came out of the pamujan Sage Rance.
Prenjak birds chirp earthy in the branches of mango trees in front of the pamujan sanggar like they were telling something.
'What is this feeling? Why did the bird keep chirping so earthly?', the old man's mind as he stroked his beard.
"Resi MPu's..
Why does this bird keep babbling? Will there be guests coming to this place?", asked the cantrik the man with long beards while holding a broomstick to sweep the hermitage yard.
"I don't know, Mandala..
In the near future there are no religious celebrations or activities at the home of Keraman (Lurah) Wanua Rance. The fastest is the front full moon.
Ah maybe this bird is happy, Mandala. Don't you think about it", said the old man with a smile etched on his wrinkled face.
From the North, the group of Watugunung Panji and the people of Anom Karang continued to move towards the boundary of Wanua Rance. The arrival of hundreds of soldiers of the Karang Anom Duchy made the constable immediately run towards the house of Mpu Bahula, Lurah Wanua.
"Worship of Gusti Adipati's servant. Please forgive me, what brings Gusti Adipati and Gusti Patih to visit our place?", said Mpu Bahula, Lurah Wanua Rance in honor of the Duke of Windupati. The ruler of the Duchy of Karang Anom immediately jumped down from his horse.
"Hmmmmmmm..
I want to go to Rance's Hermitage, Ki Lurah.. Can you take us there?", asked the Duke of Windupati immediately.
"Can Gusti Adipati can..
Let Gusti take you there", replied Mpu Bahula politely. Without saying much, the group of Panjalu and Karang Anom soldiers immediately followed Mpu Bahula's steps towards a hill at the southern end of the woman.
Arriving at the foot of the hill, the journey is continued on foot because the horse is unlikely to be able to climb to the steep hillside. Some of the Karang Anom and Demung Gumbreg soldiers were assigned to guard their horse at the foot of Rance hill.
The arrival of the Duke of Windupati and Panji Watugunung entourage accompanied by Patih Sengguruh and Lurah Mpu Bahula shocked the residents of Rance Hermitage. The five Hermit dwellers immediately saluted the Duke of Windupati.
"Welcome to our place, great guests. Let's sit there" said Mpu Sumba who is the leader of Rance Hermitage while respecting the Duke of Windupati and his entourage.
They all immediately stepped towards the residence hall of the hermits in that place. After each of them sat cross-legged on the floor of the residence hall, Mpu Sumba immediately asked his guests.
"Please forgive Gusti Duke.
What is it that Gusti Adipati came to our place?", asked Mpu Sumba immediately.
"I came here because I brought my lord Gusti Prabu Jayengrana Maharaja Panjalu who wanted to meet with Mpu Kerta, Resi", replied the Duke of Windupati while inviting the Watugunung Banji to talk.
The words of the Duke of Windupati suddenly made everyone surprised instead of playing. Indeed the arrival of Panji Watugunung who did not wear his oversized clothes, made everyone not recognize him as a King.
Resi Mpu Sumba, Resi Mpu Kerta and Lurah Wanua Rance directly respect the Watugunung Panji.
"Thank you for your welcome. Now I ask you, which one of you is Mpu Kerta?", asked Panji Watugunung immediately.
"Hamba Mpu Kerta, Gusti Prabu Jayengrana.
What sins did I commit until Gusti Prabu Jayengrana himself sought a servant?", said Mpu Kerta while respecting the Watugunung Panji.
"I want to ask you.
Is it true that you have a daughter who was kidnapped by Nyi Sekar Selasih when she was 2 full moon?", Panji Watugunung stared at the face as old as Mpu Kerta who seemed surprised to hear the question of Panji Watugunung.
"Where does Gusti Prabu know about this matter?
It is true that I have a daughter who was kidnapped by Nyi Sekar Selasih. The servant wife of Dewi Tejawati was killed by her because she tried to defend our little daughter" said Resi Mpu Kerta with a trembling tone. The old wounds that he kept tight for two Warsa more as if gaping back.
"Hmmmmm..
If I told you your daughter was alive and wanted to meet you, what would you do?", Panji Watugunung kept staring at the old face of Mpu Kerta.
"Of course I will be happy Gusti Prabu. Is it true that the servant's daughter is still alive?", Mpu Kerta stammered as he spoke.
"Dinda Srimpi,
Come forward. Meet your father now", Panji Watugunung immediately turned to Dewi Srimpi who had cried as he pleased. The third concubine of Patugunung Panji immediately stood up and prostrated to Mpu Kerta.
"This is your daughter Mpu Kerta. He survived the clutches of Nyi Sekar Selasih by a swordsman who took care of him from childhood like his own daughter", hearing the words of Panji Watugunung, Mpu Kerta immediately embraced the body of Goddess Srimpi who prostrated before him.
The cry of happiness instantly echoed in that place.
"You are my daughter? You are my daughter?", said Mpu Kerta as if he could not believe what was going on. The tears of the old man continued to flow profusely soaking his wrinkled cheeks.
"Well, I'm the daughter of Kanjeng Romo. The princess who was kidnapped by Nyi Sekar Selasih", replied Dewi Srimpi while continuing to shed tears.
The news shocked everyone present at the venue including Duke of Windupati and Patih Sengguruh. They really did not expect that the simple Resi Mpu Kerta had a daughter who became the concubine of the Maharaja of Panjalu.
After their cries subsided, Dewi Srimpi told her about her life story to Mpu Kerta. Also held out a necklace that had existed since she was a baby. Mpu Kerta recognized the necklace as a necklace belonging to Goddess Sasikirana, her kidnapped daughter. Throughout the story, the ceaseless tears of Mpu Kerta flow.
"Kanjeng Romo,
This is my husband, Maharaja Panjalu Prabu Jayengrana. During this time he was a place to lean and shelter Romo", said Dewi Srimpi or Dewi Sasikirana to Resi Mpu Kerta.
"Thank you for the kindness of Gusti Prabu Jayengrana, for taking good care of the servant's daughter" said Mpu Kerta with respect.
"That's Mpu Kerta, please,
This Dinda Srimpi has taken care of me during my poor life journey across the martial world. Either as a warrior or as a knight of Daha.
I ask for your blessing in the future", Panji Watugunung smiles meaningfully.
"Gusti Prabu Jayengrana,
It is a gift for the servant because the servant's daughter is married by Gusti Prabu. Furthermore, I beg Gusti Prabu to take care of my servant's daughter as well as possible", Mpu Kerta respecting Panji Watugunung. The king of Panjalu smiled faintly at Mpu Kerta's words. Then he turned his head towards the Duke of Windupati, Patih Sengguruh and Mpu Bahula.
"Listen to my word..
From today onwards, I designated the land of Wanua Rance as Sima land or Swatantra land to care for and care for Rance Hermitage.
Do you understand?", Panji Watugunung stared at all the officials present at the place.
"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Prabu"
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Happy activities, take good care of your health.
Drink more coffee so that life is not full of hallucinations.
Author by ebez 2812