The Fire Dragon Sword
The Southern Wind Force
"After passing through the hill we will reach the Duchy of Sukasari Prince". Wardhana spoke after eating the food she had on her desk.
Sabrang nodded as he occasionally read the book Mantili had given him. He still did not understand some of the strange movements depicted in the book.
Not far from where they were sitting, four warriors watched them from the first moment they entered the inn.
Sabrang had noticed it from the first time he entered the inn but he chose to be silent because he felt not threatened.
"Uncle, tell me what kind of uncle Kertapati and the south wind troops are?". Sabrang closed his book and put it in his pocket.
"The "south wind force was an elite force formed to protect His Majesty the king and his family. The south wind army was formed from several middle-class warriors plus the best soldiers of the kingdom.
At that time there was one royal warrior who stood out the most both his intelligence and his martial talent even among the warriors who were recruited by His Majesty. The development of science is growing rapidly under the guidance of Patih Wijaya. After completing a mission to infiltrate one of the black sect that tried to destroy the Malwageni he was appointed commander of the south Wind and that person was named Mr. Kertapati".
Wardhana took a deep breath before continuing her story. "He was a genius swordsman who was so loyal to Malwageni. I heard His Majesty ordered him to surrender when there was no longer any hope for Malwageni to win, Mr. Kertapati was ordered to regroup the power later when you decided to retake Malwageni. There was no greater humiliation for a selalin swordsman to surrender to his enemy but Mr. Kertapati decided to swallow and accept all the insults that were fixed on him in order to take back Malwageni".
Sabrang was silent to hear the story about Kertapati, he felt his father was surrounded by people who were so great and loyal.
"Thank you uncle for all the loyalty you showed even when Malegeni had collapsed" Sabrang suddenly bowed his head to Wardhana.
The look on Wardhana's face changed at once to see what Sabrang was doing.
"Please Prince do not do that, it is our duty to reclaim what should belong to the Prince".
A few moments later Wardhana turned to the swordsman who was watching him from earlier.
"Prince.....". Wardhana had not yet finished his words Sabrang gave him a sign of silence.
"I've noticed it from the first time we entered the inn. We better get out of here soon I don't want to create a problem that can lure the Majasari warriors". Sabrang said half a whisper.
Wardhana nodded slowly then followed Sabrang stepping out of the inn.
***
"Stop there" A voice startled Sabrang and Wardhana after walking some distance from the inn.
Some of the warriors who had been lodged had appeared from behind the trees.
Wardhana is seen on standby holding his sword.
"Drop the things you brought" One of the warriors walked forward toward Sabrang.
"We just want to pass by sir, please don't hinder us". Sabrang spoke slowly.
"Drop the things you bring and I'll let you through" the Swordsman spoke again in a high voice.
"It seems like I can't grant it sir" Sabrang shook his head slowly.
"You forced him". The swarmer snapped his finger. Soon ten other warriors emerged from behind the trees and laid siege to Sabrang and Wardhana.
"Strike them".
The warriors immediately moved to attack Sabrang and Wardhana.
"Retreat uncle" Sabrang was seen chanting a move.
"But Prince...". Wardhana did not continue his words when he felt the temperature dropped rapidly. He jumped back away from Sabrang.
"Greats of the immortal ice God" Sabrang stomped his palm onto the ground. Before long the entire surface of the ground around Sabrang covered with thick ice made the warriors who attacked him could not move because his ankles were locked by the ice that covered the ground.
"How come this ice came and grabbed my foot". The swordsman's countenance changed knowing his mistake had picked the wrong opponent.
"I don't think the basic level ice god's moves can be this great". Sabrang smiled slightly.
"Blow of the South wind". Suddenly a man darted to attack Sabrang from the top of a tree. Sabrang quickly directed his palm towards the swordsman who attacked him.
A wall of ice formed right in front of the Swordsman made his punch hit the wall.
"How is there a great warrior in this remote place?" The swordsman regulated his breathing, before long blood flowed from his nose.
"Stop!!!!" Wardhana seemed to realize something, he approached the injured swordsman earlier.
"Who are you? how can you master the blow of the south wind".
"Mr Wardhana?". The warrior was surprised to stare at Wardhana.
"Rightly I'm guessing you're Southern Wind Warriors".
"I'm sorry sir, I thought you were the black Devil swordsman who used to pass by here". The fighter bowed his head.
Wardhana shook her head softly, "You should apologize to the Prince, what you've done has crossed the line".
"Prince?" The swordsman turned towards Sabrang then knelt down and bowed his head.
"Hamba deserves to die Prince". The face of the warrior was deathly pale.
***
"We've been waiting for you for a long time, sir" The warrior still bowed his head, not daring to look at Sabrang.
"So you guys are hiding here". Wardhana looked at the Swordsman for a moment.
"What's your name uncle?". Sabrang's soft voice was like a knife piercing his chest. The swordsman realized he had made a huge mistake by attacking Crown Prince Malwageni.
"Hamba Restu of the southern Winds' sword regiment". Restu's voice shook answering Sabrang's question.
"So how many soldiers survived the attack?" Wardhana said slowly.
"Only the regiment of Swords and arrows survived, even then there were not many around 150 people. We were ordered by Mr. Kertapati to spread so as not to arouse suspicion. We served in this Duchy to ensure the safety of Mr. Kertapati".
"You've done a good job, I really appreciate it". Wardhana stared at some of the warriors who were beginning to show the look of an aging face.
"It is our duty, sir". Restu still bows his head.
"Ah I think I need your help". Wardhana recounts a plan he made to save Kertapati.
"Master?" Restu could hardly believe what Wardhana told him.
"The guards in Sukasari prison are very strict master even some expert level swordsmen are placed in several positions. How are you gonna infiltrate there?".
"This time we'll bet, if my guess is correct at the changing of the guard officers then the guard will be a little loose. I will infiltrate with the Prince to bring Mr. Kertapati. You and your men are tasked with opening the escape route so as not to cause a big commotion.
But before that I want you to put some people around Sukasari's guard post to observe the movements of the black Devil swordsman. If they are seen leaving the Duchy of Sukasari then at that time we move". Wardhana speaks slowly.
"How do you know if they will leave the Duchy of Sukasari?" Restu paled his forehead.
"My intuition says so". Wardhana smiled meaningfully.
Restu stared at the man in front of him.
"The sleeping Dragon belonging to Malwageni has returned, it seems we have again the hope of Mr. Kertapati" Restu muttered in his heart.
***
A man sits in prison with wounds almost all over his body. His hands and feet were tied making him barely able to move. Almost every day Kertapati was tortured to say where the rest of the south wind forces were.
"If my body is no longer able to withstand this torture I hope you will still fight to reclaim Malwageni from the hands of Majasari in accordance with the orders of His Majesty the king even without me".
With a small smile, she recalled the last time she met Arya Dwipa.
"It should be that by this time the Prince has grown up, I hope that you can become a great king like His Majesty the king".