The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
The Duchy of Rajapura

Mapanji Jayagiri and Gayatri then drove their horses towards the west, leaving the corpses of the soldiers of the border guard of Rajapura region just like that.

Suddenly the overcast sky grew darker and rain began to fall, along with lightning striking and a terrifying roar of lightning. Inevitably, Mapanji Jayagiri and Gayatri stopped their journey when they were almost entering the area of Rajapura City.

They immediately took shelter in the courtyard of a wooden house located on the edge of a large enough woman in the east of the boundary of Rajapura City. After tying their horse harnesses to a stake where the horse was moored, Mapanji Jayagiri and Gayatri immediately ran towards the wooden house roof pendopo thatch leaves immediately. A short white-bearded old man with a thin body and gray hair approached Jayagiri and Gayatri Mapanji who appeared to be drenched in rainwater.

"Excuse me Kisanak,

Did you just get rained on the trip?", asked the short white-bearded old man with a deep smile after staring at the state of Jayagiri and Gayatri Mapanji. Some of his teeth were toothless at eating age, making the smile on his face even more create wrinkles on his old face. Although it was just a glance, Ki Garjito knew that the two of them were definitely not ordinary people. The sword mounted on the back of Jayagiri Mapanji and on the waist of Gayatri is a characteristic of a swordsman. In addition, their clean skin is definitely not just an ordinary swordsman. Ki Garjito has experience meeting people like them.

Mapanji Jayagiri hurriedly approached the short white-bearded old man with a faint smile.

"real Ki.. We are on our way to Rajapura City. Got to this place, uh it's raining down. That's why we take shelter in this place.

Is Aki the owner of this house?", asked Mapanji Jayagiri politely.

"True Kisanak, I own this house..

Introduce my name Garjito. People here used to call me Ki Garjito. If you don't mind, please follow me. Coincidentally my wife and I are boiling water, you can warm yourself up there", Ki Garjito replied kindly.

"Thank you for your help Ki Garjito..

My name is Giri and this is my older sister, Gayatri. Sorry to bother Ki Garjito ", after saying so, Mapanji Jayagiri and Gayatri immediately followed Ki Garjito's steps towards the kitchen located to the right of the log house roofed by thatch leaves.

An old woman was seen blowing through the furnace above which there was a clay pot where there were several pieces of cassava and sweet potato churned between the boiling water. Apparently the old woman was boiling cassava and a few pieces of sweet potato from their own garden harvest. Seeing the arrival of Ki Garjito with Mapanji Jayagiri and Gayatri, the old woman smiled faintly.

She is Nyi Gemi, wife of Ki Garjito. Immediately he stood up and approached Ki Garjito and their two guests.

"Who are these two Ki?", asked Nyi Gemi immediately.

"This is Den Giri and his older sister Gayatri, Nyi. The two of them were on their way to the city of Rajapura. Because of the rain, they took shelter in the pendopo. Poor Nyi, they're cold because they're wet. That's why I brought it here for the dead" replied Ki Garjito immediately.

"Wo that.. Please please Kisanak Nisanak.. Sorry the place is dirty, it must be worse compared to where you two are huh hehehe", a friendly smile adorned the old face of Nyi Gemi.

"Ah is the same as Nyi.. Wherever his place of origin could be a place to shelter and stay, it had always been the best place for us to live", replied Gayatri who immediately sat in front of the fireplace followed by Mapanji Jayagiri who also looked cold.

The heat of the furnace fire quickly spread to the bodies of both of them until the faces of Gayatri and Mapanji Jayagiri who had paled cold, slowly recovered as usual.

Heavy rain continues to pour into the Wanua Sambireja region, creating a cold atmosphere that makes everyone reluctant to come out of their homes. The rain at the beginning of this rainy season is not as usual.

But behind the heavy rain that flushed, some soldiers of the Duchy of Rajapura seen patrolling combing every place around the area of the Duchy of Rajapura. They also appear to be passing in the street in front of Ki Garjito's residence. This did not escape the attention of Ki Garjito who was enjoying a cup of ginger wedang and boiled cassava with Mapanji Jayagiri and Gayatri.

"Then, this woman despite being close to the Duchy of Rajapura City, there were never any soldiers standing guard. Now in Wanua Sambireja alone, there are at least 100 soldiers stationed.

This war will definitely harm the people" said Ki Garjito while sipping his ginger wedang.

"Now, there are many regional rulers who want to be independent from their shelter. According to Ki Garjito, in heating up the situation in the Duchy of Rajapura, who is wrong?", asked Mapanji Jayagiri while chewing boiled cassava and staring at the old face of Ki Garjito.

"I don't know Den Giri..

The king is the vice god of the world. All the decisions of the king means also the decisions of the Gods in Kahyangan. Every decision of the King and the ruler of the region has its own responsibility to the Creator.

I'm just a citizen, Den Giri. The task of the people is to obey only all the decisions of their leaders. Even if now what happens is a mistake, then the leader himself must be responsible for everything that happens to the people", Ki Garjito smiled thinly while putting his ginger wedang cup.

"To the knowledge of Ki Garjito, currently Duke of Waramukti who wants to rebel against the power of Prabu Jayengrana in Daha, wrong or right?", Gayatri joined the conversation after hearing a chat between Mapanji Jayagiri and Ki Garjito.

"The question of right and wrong belongs only to the Almighty. We as humans can only walk straight, following all the instructions given. Both Gusti Adipati Waramukti felt right, because he wanted to ask for justice for his brother's death while Gusti Prabu Jayengrana was also right because he had to defend the sovereignty of the country above brotherhood.

So if judging is wrong and right, it just comes from our own point of view. While the truth should only be one", Ki Garjito turned his gaze to the rainwater raining down from the sky. Rainfall this time like spilling from the sky, wetting the entire territory of the Duchy of Rajapura which for several full moon is in the sign of the dry season.

Until late afternoon, the rain still did not stop until Mapanji Jayagiri and Gayatri were forced to stay at Ki Garjito's house because it was impossible to continue the journey in a state of heavy rain like this.

Two pairs of soldier eyes appear to be lurking from the side of the house of residents adjacent to the house Ki Garjito.

"You keep an eye on that house. This matter I will report to Ki Bekel", said a Rajapura soldier who got a nod of the head from his friend who was stalking the residence.

But this all also did not escape the attention of Gayatri who had just peeked at the actions of the two people from behind the wooden window. From the moment they reached Ki Garjito's residence, he realized that their place was being watched by the soldiers of the Duchy of Rajapura.

"The two men continued to scout this place, Gusti Prince. We should be more careful" said Gayatri while closing the wooden window from inside the house.

"I understand Kangmbok..

But we better get some rest. Tomorrow we must face the Palace of Rajapura to submit a letter from Duke Aghnibrata. If they get into trouble now, we fight them" said Mapanji Jayagiri immediately.

The night is getting late. The atmosphere of the night is so cold. Although the heavy rain had stopped, it left behind a bone-chilling chill.

At the former site of the battle between Jayagiri Mapanji and Gayatri, a hand between the corpses of the border guard soldiers suddenly moved...

****

Meanwhile, at the Palace of the Duchy of Rajapura, Duke of Waramukti was chatting with Tumenggung Gurunwangi, Patih Krendawahana, Senopati Gopala, Tumenggung Jungkung as well as several middle officers such as Demung Anggasuta, Kannoman Minister, Demung Barda, and many others, Sagotra. Some of their supporting warriors such as Nyi Simbar Kencana led by Padepokan Tawang Kencana, Bogang Sarira led by Perguruan Gunung Biru, and Ki Junggul Mertalaya, the great teacher of Padepokan Valley of Devils, participated in the pisowanan this time.

"How are we prepared, Gurunwangi? Is everything in accordance with what we planned?", asked Duke Waramukti while staring at Tumenggung Desertwangi. The young high officer of Rajapura soldiers immediately worshiped the Duke of Waramukti.

"Everything is in accordance with the orders of Gusti Adipati.

Hundreds of Rajapura soldiers have been deployed to our borders with surrounding Duchies such as Kalingga and Paguhan. If there are eyes from Daha trying to enter our territory, they will quickly find out" said Tumenggung Desertwangi soon.

"Hehehehe was good then..

Kakang Patih Krendawahana, what about the messengers we sent to Kalingga, Paguhan and Bhumi Mataram, also to Galuh Pakuan? Has anyone returned?", Duke of Waramukti turned his attention to the warangka paja Rajapura.

"Please forgive Gusti Adipati..

Envoys to Galuh Pakuan have returned and they say that Prabu Langlangbumi refused to interfere in the internal affairs of Panjalu. They will not help us or Panjalu to solve the problem", Patih Krendawahana immediately respect the Duke of Waramukti.

"Huhhhhhh this certainly has something to do with Third Empress Jayengrana who came from the Land of Pasundan. Very ingenious Jayengrana to be able to make Galuh Pakuan not at all dare to mess around.

So what about the other areas? Is there an answer?", continued Duke Waramukti immediately.

Hearing the Duke of Waramukti's question, Patih Krendawahana immediately reached behind his clothes and pulled out two bags of red cloth. Then by walking squat, the Rajapura royal warangka approached the Duke of Waramukti and set up two red cloth bags containing the Newsletter from the Duchy of Paguhan and Bhumi Mataram.

"This is a reply from Paguhan and Bhumi Mataram, Gusti Adipati. Please Gusti Adipati read it himself ", Patih Krendawahana said with great respect.

Two court ladies and gentlemen immediately stepped forward to the face of Patih Krendawahana, took a letter from the hand of the warangka Rajapura king and set it up to the ruler of the Duchy of Rajapura.

Soon the Duke of Waramukti read the letters one by one. With great wrath he threw the newsletter of the palm leaf onto the floor of the Great Pendopo of the Duchy of Rajapura.

"Wimp !!

Duke Lokananta of Paguhan stated that he would not be involved in the affairs of Rajapura and Kadiri. While Bhumi Mataram did not want to bother with our problems. Damn it !! The cowards are really sickening!", said the Duke of Waramukti while grunting loudly.

"Stay Kalingga who has not given an answer. This is the only hope for us to gain allies to face the soldiers of Panjalu", added the Duke of Waramukti who again sat on his throne.

"There is no other territory that helps us, Gusti Adipati Waramukti does not need to worry.

My students are ready to bet their lives to bring down Prabu Jayengrana ", Nyi Simbar Kencana said immediately.

"True Gusti Duke..

Even if Kalingga does not want to take part, then Rajapura does not need to share power over the Kingdom of Panjalu. The people of the Demon Valley I will give up all of them for our victory over Daha. I can't wait to slaughter those arrogant high-ranking officers", said Ki Jungkung Mertalaya as he clenched his hands tightly.

Hearing the words of the two top officials of the largest silat college in the Duchy of Rajapura, Tumenggung Gurunwangi smiled widely. One more step his revenge on the people of Daha will be exposed.

"I thank you to the martial world warriors who are willing to stand beside the soldiers of Rajapura in order to overthrow the power of Prabu Jayengrana. And I believe in the abilities of all of you.

In addition to you, the Duke of Saunggalah Somawikarta is also willing to provide silent soldier assistance without the knowledge of Prabu Langlangbumi. This will of course add to our strength to challenge the Panjalu warriors.

But even so, we also still need help from Kalingga as our nearest neighbor so as not to interfere with our journey to pound Kadiri. Therefore, before we move, we should wait for an answer from Duke Aghnibrata", said Duke Waramukti who became the Duke's decree.

Although not satisfied with the decision of Duke Waramukti, Tumenggung Gurunwangi immediately respect the ruler of the Duchy of Rajapura with courtiers and martial artists who are willing to help them.

The atmosphere in the Duchy of Rajapura is heating up.

The next morning, as the sun briefly rose up into the sky, two men dressed as a swordsman pulled the reins of his horse in front of the gate of the Duchy of Rajapura. The two of them spread their eyes towards the four city gate guard soldiers who seemed to examine everyone who entered the Duchy of Rajapura carefully. The atmosphere is increasingly heated, making Tumenggung Jungkung who is in charge of maintaining the security of the Duchy of Rajapura City impose strict checks on people who go in and out of Rajapura City.

"It does not seem easy for us to enter Rajapura City, Kangmbok.", said the young man with a butute sword on his back as he looked towards the guard soldiers.

"No need to be discouraged, Gusti Prince..

We are, after all, ambassadors. We must meet the Duke of Waramukti to give a letter from the Duke of Aghnibrata", Gayatri seemed to let out a long sigh before pounding his horse towards the gate of the Duchy of Rajapura while saying, 'Gayatri appears to have let out a long sigh,

"Let's meet Duke Waramukti".