The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Kalingga Palace

Hearing that remark, Ayu Ratna immediately rushed towards the beautiful girl who was none other than Gayatri.

"Ah Gayatri, it's been almost 3 full moon more not met. I miss you so much" Ayu Ratna said after letting go of her hug Gayatri.

"You really haven't changed huh. Your attitude is still spoiled, it deserves Gusti Prince Panji Tejo Laksono is always sticky when meeting you.

Oh introduce this Gusti Prince Mapanji Jayagiri, Gusti Prince Panji's younger brother Tejo Laksono and that's his teacher Resi Tandi", said Gayatri who immediately made Ayu Ratna turn her eyes on the two young old men immediately. Mapanji Jayagiri immediately saluted Ayu Ratna while Resi Tandi bowed his body.

"Welcome to the Palace of the Duchy of Kalingga, Gusti Pangeran Jayagiri also Resi Tandi.

Sorry if I am not polite to welcome the two of you" Ayu Ratna said. As the daughter of a Duke, it is her duty to be polite to every guest of honor especially those who come from Katang-katang Palace in Kadiri.

"The Princess does not need to behave like that especially Gusti Putri is the future wife of Kangmas Prince Tejo Laksono and will be my sister-in-law so there is no need to hesitate anymore", said Mapanji Jayagiri with a thin smile.

"Thank you very much for your understanding Gusti Pangeran Mapanji Jayagiri..

But you can be together like this how's the story? Gayatri, didn't you go back to Kadiri, why did you come back here?", Ayu Ratna's face looked confused with that of Gayatri and Mapanji Jayawarsa.

Gayatri smiled faintly before starting to speak. After using the name of Dewi Mask Waja and venturing towards the west of the Kingdom of Panjalu, Gayatri finally arrived at a residential village located east of Kali Gung which became the border between the Duchy of Rajapura and Kalingga. There he met Prince Mapanji Jayagiri who had just invited two Tumenggung Gurunwangi men, namely Juru Kanoman and Demung Anggasuta. Gayatri who recognized the figure of Panji's younger brother Tejo Laksono immediately greeted them by removing the half-face iron mask that covered his face. Mapanji Jayagiri who had met Gayatri several times also immediately recognized the figure of a beautiful woman who is the daughter of Tumenggung Sindupraja. After talking for a long time they then decided to visit Ayu Ratna in the Duchy of Kalinga Palace. They were worried about the future wife of Panji Tejo Laksono because they heard about rumors circulating among the public about the attempted rebellion in the Duchy of Rajapura.

"So you have heard about the rumor, Gusti Pangeran?", asked Ayu Ratna while looking at Mapanji Jayagiri who was sitting cross-legged on the floor of the Grand Duchy of Kalinga.

"To be honest I'm still not clear if it's true or not, Princess Gusti. But the emergence of such news will certainly make Kanjeng Romo Prabu Jayengrana will not stay silent.

I fear that the Daha Palace will soon send a large army to Rajapura. If there is a war, of course Kalingga as a close neighbor of Rajapura will receive sap from this event. That is the basis of Princess Gayatri and I'm concern for your safety because you are the future wife of Kangmas Prince Tejo Laksono", replied Mapanji Jayagiri immediately. The third son of Prabu Jayengrana is apparently more mature in thinking than his brother Mapanji Jayawarsa.

"I thank you for your concern, Gusti Prince. Kanjeng Father Duke Aghnibrata himself had prepared the soldiers of the Duchy of Kalinga if at any time there was an order from Gusti Prabu Jayengrana to help if Rajapura really rebelled against Kadiri.

Earlier this morning I heard from the soldiers, today he looked at the preparation of the soldiers in Wanua Pajung which will become a fortress in case something unwanted happens", he said", ayu Ratna said with a long sigh.

"War is always scary for everyone, Nimas Ayu. But we also cannot avoid war if it is the only way to establish the truth.

There are always those who are affected by a war, but all of that must be done when a peace agreement is not reached. May the war not happen so that the people of Panjalu are always peaceful", said Resi Tandi who had just been silent to listen to the sons of the noble daughter of Panjalu was talking.

They kept talking about things until the sun was almost overhead.

On the other hand, thousands of soldiers of the Garuda Panjalu and Lowo Bengi troops continued to drive their horses westward. After traveling almost 3 days and two nights and passing through several Duchies in the Northern region of the Kingdom of Panjalu, by noon that day they had entered the territory of the Duchy of Kalingga from the east. The rapid movement of special forces is almost inaudible because they avoid big city cities such as the City of Lasem Duchy and the City of Kembang Kuning Duchy and choose a fast but quiet path to the movement of special forces in breaking into three groups this was completely without a sound.

A thousand special forces led by Senopati Muda Jarasanda chose the northernmost route, another thousand led by Tumenggung Landung move quickly through the middle lane that passes several mountains in the central region of Java Island. A thousand other members of the army moved south of the mountains, and were led by Tumenggung Sancawiguna, a young butenggung who had just served as the head of the army for the western area of Kotaraja Kadiri.

The troops led by Tumenggung Landung arrived first in Weleri, which is the westernmost boundary of the Yellow and Kalingga Duchy of Kembang. Half a day later followed by the soldiers led by Senopati Muda Jarasanda and the next morning came soldiers led by Tumenggung Sancawiguna.

"Gusti Senopati,

"Deploy the telik kandi and our eyes to the Duchy of Rajapura. Form small groups that can connect quickly in case of problems. Our task is to collect as much news as possible from the people of the Duchy of Rajapura. You are Sancawiguna in charge of directly controlling them, while Landung and I will face Duke Aghnibrata for help and his permission so that our special forces can move freely in Kalingga.

Depart today and we will meet again in Wanaloka Forest to prepare as the command of Senopati Agung Narapraja. Do you understand?", Senopati Muda Jarasanda looked towards Tumenggung Sancawiguna immediately.

"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Senopati", after saying so Tumenggung Sancawiguna immediately withdrew from the presence of Senopati Muda Jarasanda. Armed with 2500 soldiers from the Garuda Panjalu and Lowo Bengi troops, Tumenggung Sancawiguna immediately carried out the duties given to him. After the death of the young Tumenggung, Tumenggung Landung immediately approached Senopati Muda Jarasanda.

"Senopati's Back, though,

Why wasn't it me you ordered to do the job? Senopati Kakang knows for myself that I am more experienced in this field", asked Tumenggung Landung while staring at Senopati Muda Jarasanda.

"Dhimas Landung, please,

Not that I don't trust you. But we're getting old. It is time for the young young to replace our position as the spearhead of the movement of Panjalu warriors. Sancawiguna was quite reliable and the experience would forge him into a formidable warrior officer in the future. Besides you I need to help me talk to Duke Aghnibrata. He must be more willing to listen to your talk than Sancawiguna's talk, right? Hehehe..

Now we should immediately go to the Duchy of Kalingga Palace to meet Duke Aghnibrata mumpung early in the morning. Let's go now" said Senopati Muda Jarasanda while smiling thinly.

"I understand Kakang Senopati", Tumenggung Landung immediately respect Senopati Muda Jarasanda while following the leader who deftly jumped on his horse mount. The two of them led 500 soldiers and rushed towards the Duchy of Kalingga City.

By late afternoon, when the sun began to redden its light, the sign of dusk would soon arrive, Senopati Muda Jarasanda and Tumenggung Landung arrived at the Duchy of Kalingga Palace. Their arrival was immediately warmly welcomed by Duke Aghnibrata, the ruler of the Duchy of Kalinga.

"Welcome to Kalingga Duchy Palace, Gusti Senopati Jarasanda and Tumenggung Landung..

Sorry if I do not welcome the arrival of the two of you kindly and appropriately because your arrival was sudden and without prior notice", said Duke Aghnibrata with a faint smile.

"Ah you need not bother to welcome my arrival, Gusti Adipati Aghnibrata..

I came here to ask your permission for using the Kalingga Duchy as a place to organize power. We are here for the envoys from Gusti Prabu Jayengrana who want to know the situation that is happening in Rajapura", said Senopati Muda Jarasanda immediately.

"I understand Gusti Senopati..

The situation in Rajapura is indeed in turmoil with the intention of the Duke of Waramukti who wants to rebel against the power of Kadiri. I had heard that they wanted to avenge the death of Prince Suryanata who was killed at the hands of Gusti Prabu Jayengrana the other day", said Duke Aghnibrata with a long sigh.

Mmmmmm..

"In that case, it means that the news we received is true. Landung, quickly send a newsletter to Kadiri via pigeons. This news should soon reach the ears of Gusti Prabu Jayengrana", hearing the orders of Senopati Muda Jarasanda, Tumenggung Landung immediately respect and quickly retreat from the Grand Duchy of Kalingga.

From the discussion between Senopati Muda Jarasanda and Adipati Aghnibrata, it was agreed that the Duchy of Kalingga provided food and 8 thousand soldiers to help the Daha Palace to quell the rebellion of Duke Waramukti.

When they were still busy talking, suddenly appeared Mapanji Jayagiri, Resi Tandi, Gayatri and Ayu Ratna from the front. Their arrival was quite surprising Senopati Muda Jarasanda who did not know about the arrival of Mapanji Jayagiri in the palace of Kadipaten Kalingga. Soon he worshipped at Mapanji Jayagiri as he said,

"Sincerely the servant of Gusti Prince"