The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Wedding Preparations Panji Tejo Laksono and Ayu Ratna

Kalingga Pura or better known as Kalingga is one of the wealthiest regions in the Kingdom of Panjalu after Kotaraja Dahanapura or Kadiri and the Duchy of Lasem. Its territory stretches widely on the north side of Java Island from the western end of Kali Comal to the Weleri border that goes into the Yellow Flower region.

Kalingga was so prosperous with the port of Halong which became the lifeblood of trade between royal kingdoms in the archipelago at that time. In addition to large junks belonging to the sailors of the archipelago, in the port of Halong also leaned large ships belonging to foreign countries such as Srivijaya, Gujarat, Persia, Colamandala from the Land of Hindustan, and many others, The Champa and Kambujadesa lands of Indochina Land, even the most numerous came from the Song Empire in China.

Hundreds of tourists and pilgrims who visit several places of worship of Buddhists such as Bhumi Sambara, Candi Mendut and Candi Kalasan. They generally deepen their religious knowledge before finally leaving for the Holy Land of Buddhists in India.

The prosperous Duchy of Kalingga has long been ordered by a Duke who is so capable in arranging and regulating the course of government. Although it is old but until now, there is no candidate for a suitable replacement with the Duke of Kalingga, Duke of Aghnibrata. The only son of the 6 children of Duke Aghnibrata, the youngest Raden Simabrata is still young so it is not enough to replace the position of the old Duke who is now more than 6 decades old.

Ayu Ratna was the third daughter of Duke Aghnibrata and was the prettiest of her five sisters. He is the smartest and fastest to learn from experience. Therefore, Prabu Jayengrana requested that Ayu Ratna be betrothed to Panji Tejo Laksono who is a strong candidate for the next Duke of Anom or Yuwaraja Panjalu. He was seen as the most appropriate candidate to help Panji Tejo Laksono in the fight for a place on the throne of the Kingdom of Panjalu.

Kalingga City is happy. The envoy from Panji Tejo Laksono led by Tumenggung Landung the other day had brought good news. In addition to the news of the victory of the Panjalu troops over the Rajapura rebels, Tumenggung Landung also brought a message from Panji Tejo Laksono who asked the Kadipaten Kalingga Palace to make wedding preparations between himself and the Kalingga kedaton separatist, Ayu Ratna. It was immediately welcomed with joy by the entire Kalingga Palace, especially the Duke Sepuh Aghnibrata and Empress Sukmawati.

Almost the last week, after the last messenger sent to deliver the latest news came, massive preparations were carried out by all courtiers Keraton Kalingga.

The whole corner of the city is decorated with a penjor and beautiful yellow janur decoration. In some regols or gates of Kalingga Palace, tarub appears in such a layout so that the palace seems to be welcoming the arrival of their future ghosts.

Hundreds of ribbons of grain and corn were also transported into the palace. The Duke of Sepuh Aghnibrata even ordered that the butchers slaughter some buffaloes and goats as side dishes to entertain everyone as a form of his joy. The entire kitchen of the palace seems busy with household chores such as pounding rice, corn and various foodstuffs are prepared as a staple food that will be served.

A number of invitations were also sent. Some of them who have been present in Kalingga City are the emissaries of the Duke of Dewangkara from the Duchy of Yellow Flower led by Raden Dewangga and the emissaries of the Duchy of Paguhan led by Patih Taradipa. Also some famous sages from several hermitages and padepokan in the Duchy of Kalingga, appear to have been present in Kalingga City.

In a sizable restaurant full of visitors in the western part of Kalingga City, a white-haired elderly man with a long white beard and a thick mustache, it was fun to talk to two younger men. He is Resi Mpu Kanda from Padepokan Girimukti in the southern region of Kalingga.

"Adhi Jambuwana,

Have you heard who the future daughter-in-law of Duke Aghnibrata is?", asked Resi Mpu Kanda while sipping a cup of ginger wedang that still reflects steam while looking at a younger man on his right.

"I heard, the future son-in-law of Duke Aghnibrata is Gusti Pangeran Panji Tejo Laksono, the eldest son of Gusti Prabu Jayengrana from his first consort Kakang..

If it is true what I heard, Kalingga Palace will be closely related to Katang-katang Palace in Kotaraja Daha", said the man in white clothes with long hair who was mostly full of gray hair. He is Mpu Jambuwana, the younger brother of Resi Mpu Kanda.

"That means, Daha wants to embrace everyone in order to be closely related to the center of government.

Gusti Prabu Jayengrana is indeed smart to read the situation. This region was a prosperous region with fertile land and advanced trade. By cooperating with the Kalingga Palace to become a ghost in Katang-katang, Kadiri will certainly get more supplies of tribute and produce. Also with full support of all their policies without anyone daring to oppose", said another man sitting to the left of the Mpu Kanda Rishis. He is the younger brother of Resi Mpu Kanda named Mpu Jalapeni.

"You're right, Adhi Jalapeni..

Kediri is in need of a lot of support from the area around him. This was also related to the rumour that I had long heard", Resi Mpu Kanda let out a long sigh after speaking.

"You mean Kakang Kanda must be Jenggala's plan to attack Kadiri, right?", said Mpu Jalapeni immediately.

"True Adhi Jalapeni..

They never gave up on resuming the ideals of their previous king, Shri Mapanji Garasakan who wanted to reunite the Medang Kingdom which is now the Kingdom of Panjalu and Jenggala. From the news circulating, the Emperor Samarotsaha has even arranged hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the region around the border with Panjalu", said Resi Mpu Kanda while putting his ginger wedang cup on the dining table.

"Hopefully it didn't happen, Kakang Kanda..

War will only destroy the people. Because after all if there is a war then the small people must also be victims. Hopefully, with the marriage of Gusti Pangeran Panji Tejo Laksono and Princess Ayu Ratna will be a separate consideration for Emperor Samarotsaha to undo his intentions", he said", said Mpu Jambuwana who greeted the nod of the head of two brothers.

As they were still engrossed in conversation, the rumbling of horse footsteps could be heard approaching from the west. Hearing that noise, everyone immediately rushed out from inside the restaurant to see what was happening. Among them, there are Resi Mpu Kanda, Mpu Jalapeni and Mpu Jambuwana who also saw.

"It was Kalinga's army that won the war. Let's give a good welcome to them" said one resident loudly.

"Right said you Kang..

Live the Royal Army of Panjalu!!", continued the other residents who were immediately carried on by the residents who crowded the right and left side of the highway that leads to the Palace of the Duchy of Kalingga. The atmosphere instantly turned into bustling cries and flattery from everyone.

From inside the horse carriage, Ayu Ratna smiled faintly at the warm welcome from the citizens of Kalingga Duchy City.

"They welcome your arrival, Prince Kangmas..

You are a true war hero" Ayu Ratna said as she turned to Panji Tejo Laksono who was sitting next to her.

"I'm not proud to be this war hero, Nimas..

Our opponents are our own brothers. I only carry out my duties and obligations as a knight to uphold the dharma for my country" Panji Tejo Laksono said with a faint smile. Hearing that answer, Ayu Ratna nodded in understanding.

The group of troops continued to move towards the Duchy of Kalingga Palace. Once at the square of Kalingga Duchy City, the Duke of Aghnibrata welcomed the arrival of Panji Tejo Laksono and the soldiers of Panjalu with a big smile.

"Welcome to Kalingga City, Nakmas Prince Panji Tejo Laksono..

I congratulate you on your victory in Rajapura", Duke Aghnibrata said with a meaningful smile.

"Thank you for your support, Gusti Adipati Aghnibrata..

Without help from you, it is possible that Panjalu is still having trouble extinguishing the fires of rebellion in Rajapura", replied Panji Tejo Laksono immediately.

"It has become my duty as a loyal supporter of Gusti Prabu Jayengrana. Besides, this is also to help my future daughter-in-law to have a big name among the people of Panjalu. So there's nothing to lose to me, Gusti Prince..

Please enter the palace. I've prepared everything for your wedding the day after tomorrow", a sweet smile was engraved on the face of the old Duke of Aghnibrata after saying so. Hearing those words, Panji Tejo Laksono nodded in understanding.

Furthermore, the other Panjalu nayakas are immediately placed around Kalingga Princess as a first step to face the wedding that has been prepared long before.

The day quickly changed. The next day, the atmosphere in the palace of the Duchy of Kalingga was getting busy ahead of the marriage of the sekar kedaton Ayu Ratna with Panji Tejo Laksono. The decoration is arranged in such a way that the stage is built right next to the pamujan sanggar. This building will be the venue for the wedding process between Panji Tejo Laksono and Ayu Ratna.

As a bride-to-be, Panji Tejo Laksono and Ayu Ratna both undergo pingitan in preparation for the wedding. The two were forbidden to meet before the wedding.

While in the square of Kadipaten Kalingga City, from morning to night, various folk entertainment takes place with great fanfare. Thousands of residents of the Duchy of Kalingga crowded the place to see the entertainment displayed to them as a form of palace happiness for the wedding that tomorrow is live. The Duchy of Kalingga Palace also prepares free food for everyone present in the square of Kadipaten Kalingga City. Everyone became so happy to welcome the wedding of the Kalingga palace.

The morning sun had already appeared on the eastern horizon after the crowing of the rooster was unpretentious as if it wanted to wake up the entire world. The light of the morning sun makes the cold air of the night slowly expelled from under the sky.

After the early morning sun sepifad rose to the sky, Panji Tejo Laksono began to be groomed as a bride by Luh Jingga and Gayatri was assisted by several palace makeup artists who had been preparing since this morning. Song Zhao Meng was also groomed by the palace ladies after the wedding between Panji Tejo Laksono and Ayu Ratna, Song Zhao Meng aka Dewi Wulandari will also be married to Panji Tejo Laksono.

In the midst of the busyness in the palace of the Duchy of Kalingga, a man with a long beard with a cruel face with some scars on his face reached Kalingga City. His shabby black clothes were tattered camping out like a hermit looking like a kingpin begging in a big market. Seeing the preparations made by the Kalingga Duchy Palace party, he grinned widely as he said with anger, saying,

"It's time to avenge my student!"