The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
The Man In The Mist

"New friend? You're my new comrades?", Sriati can't believe hearing Gayatri's answer.

"Of course Nisanak. Now would you please explain what your name is and what is going on exactly?", Gayatri asked gently.

"My name is Sriati, my father is a Lurah Wanua Panawesen in the west of Pakuwon Tumapel. While we were on our way home from Wanua Pucung attended the wedding invitation of Lurah Wanua Pucung's son, in the middle of the road we were stopped by Danarjati and the people of the Snake Demon Padepokan. My father tried to fight them but he was no match for Danarjati and..

Huhuhuhu....

Danarjati killed my father in front of my eyes huhuhuhuhu.", Sriati's cry immediately broke out as she was reminded of the incident she had just experienced. Gayatri immediately embraced Sriati's body to dampen the emotions of the mature brown-skinned girl.

Accompanied by Panji Tejo Laksono and Naratama, Sriati along with Gayatri and Dyah Kirana witnessed her father's funeral. Sriati's tears continued to pour down her cheeks as Demung Gumbreg and Tumenggung Ludaka put the land into the pit of the resting place of the Lurah Wanua Panawijen.

After the funeral of Lurah Wanua Panawijen was completed, Panji Tejo Laksono offered Naratama and Sriati for a while along with them before reaching the destination. Sriati and Naratama who had no other choice shyly accepted the offer from the duke of Seloageng.

Panji Tejo Laksono's entourage immediately left the place towards the east. Sriati is now riding a horse carriage which is the main vehicle of the group while Naratama who is still not healed properly from injuries due to the fight with the Danarjati group, come sit next to Demung Gumbreg who became a chariot coachman.

"Where are you headed Sriati? Do you want to go back to Panawesen?", asked Gayatri immediately.

"I'm still confused as to what I should do, Nyi Tantri. If I go back to Panawijen, I will definitely only be a slave of my stepmother who controls the entire treasure of Kanjeng Romo Lurah.

But if I don't go back there, then where else? The late mother was only an only child who had no siblings. I'm a kara in this world", Sriati's tears wet her cheeks again.

"If you're willing, come with me, Sriati. You can help me trade cloth. Later when I return to Panjalu, you can stay with me, Kirana and Jingga" Gayatri said with a faint smile.

Hearing the offer from Gayatri, Sriati smiled and immediately nodded in agreement.

"Then, we will stop by Panawesen first to pick up some of my stuff Nyi Tantri. There are some relics of my late mother that I want to take there. After all, if you want to go to Tumapel, we must pass Panawesen first", said Sriati immediately.

"Yes, Kangmbok Tantri..

It was in line with Tumapel. So we take a moment before continuing the journey", said Dyah Kirana while nodding in agreement.

The group continued to move towards the east. Entering the Wanua Siganggeng area, with the smoothness and courtesy possessed by Gayatri, they managed to buy a horse as a vehicle for the Naratama. This is done so that their journey is faster because the burden of the horse carriage is reduced.

After leaving Wanua Siganggeng, at noon they entered the border of Wanua Panawijen. Sriati asked Gumbreg to stop the pace of his horse-drawn carriage in front of a large house located on the edge of the highway leading towards Pakuwon Tumapel.

The house was surrounded by a large courtyard with a pendopo in front of it. There are several large trees growing in front of him such as sapodilla and rambutan trees that make the atmosphere feel so cool because of the leaf shade of the leaves of the trees. Two men seemed to be sweeping the spacious courtyard from the fallen leaves in the wind. The two of them were a little surprised to see the arrival of Sriati who came down from the horse carriage which was quite good for the size of the village people.

"Ndoro Putri Sriati, can kog be with the horse carriage? Where is Ki Lurah Mpu Rino?", questions spewed from the mouth of the old man who was the servant of Sriati's father.

"Romo Lurah's been killed, Ki Bejo. The one who killed him was Danarjati and her people who proposed to me the other day to be his second wife" Sriati replied.

Surprised Ki Bejo heard that answer. Soon he remembered the incident the other day shortly after Ki Lurah Mpu Rino and Sriati left for Wanua Pucung to attend the wedding invitation of Lurah Wanua Pucung's son. At that time Ki Bejo had peeked Nyi Sulastri second wife Ki Lurah Mpu Rino who was also Sriati's stepmother was talking to Danarjati. Nyi Sulastri had handed over a bag of silver kepeng to Danarjati at that time. This caused Ki Bejo to immediately have bad thoughts about Nyi Sulastri.

"Well what will Ndoro Putri Sriati do after this?", asked Ki Bejo after pondering for a moment.

"I'll go with Nyi Tantri to trade cloth, Ki Bejo. I came home just to pick up some of my late mother's belongings. Maybe after that, I will never come back here again", replied Sriati as she immediately stepped towards her bedroom.

Not long after that he returned with a bundle of black cloth containing several pieces of clothing and some items.

"I'll excuse you, Ki Bejo. May you and your son be healthy always. I beg you to say goodbye", said Sriati as she passed away from Ki Lurah Mpu Rino's house. After that, Sriati immediately boarded the horse carriage and the merchant entourage that became the disguise of Panji Tejo Laksono and his comrades moved to leave the place towards Pakuwon Tumapel.

'Pity Ndoro Putri Sriati, she became a victim of the greed of her stepmother who wanted to master the possessions of the late Ki Lurah Mpu Rino.

I'd better stop working from this place. I do not Sudi serve the greedy woman', inner Ki Bejo after seeing the group of Panji Tejo Laksono who is getting away from that place. After stopping for lunch at the food stall on the side of the highway, the group resumed their journey.

In the late afternoon, before entering the area of Pakuwon Tumapel City, arrived..

Klleettthoookkkk !!!

The loud noise immediately stopped their movement. Demung Gumbreg immediately jumped down from his horse and stepped towards the source of the sound. The left horse-drawn carriage wheel was mired into a hole on the side of the road. The wheel made of wood broke. Fortunately they did not fall because there was a wooden milestone on the side of the road supporting the train.

Panji Tejo Laksono, Naratama and Tumenggung Ludaka immediately jumped down from their horses as well as Sriati, Gayatri, Luh Jingga and Dyah Kirana. They all immediately approached Demung Gumbreg who was shaking his head at the damage to the horse-drawn carriage wheels.

"What is Uncle Gudel?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono immediately.

"That's Ndoro Tejo, the broken wheel mired into the hole. Looks like we have to spend the night here while waiting for me and Ki Renggo to fix the wheels of our damn horse carriage", grumbled Demung Gumbreg while kicking the wheels of the horse carriage.

"It's okay.. His name is also misfortune. Nyi Tantri, prepare everything for the night in this place.

I'm gonna find something we can eat for our extra dinner. Mumpung is still not too late afternoon, who knows I can find a wild boar or a partridge in front there", Panji Tejo Laksono turned to look at Gayatri. The beautiful woman immediately nodded in understanding.

Using Ajian Sepi Breeze, the body of Panji Tejo Laksono became as light as cotton. With agility, Panji Tejo Laksono jumps from one tree to another large tree to look for the presence of a wild chicken or wild boar that usually forage in the forest area where there is a small river. Luh Jingga follows the Panji Tejo Laksono with knowledge derived from the Book of 5 Tapak Dewa. Ajian Step Dewa Bayu which is part of Ajian Tapak Dewa Bayu. Although not as fast as Ajian Sepi Wind, but at least it was able to compensate for the movement of Panji Tejo Laksono.

The two of them went down the small river that split the forest because they saw a trail of wild boar printed on the mud on the bank of a small river near the group of Panji Tejo Laksono about to spend the night. The longer they get into the forest. Finally what they were looking for finally met. A male wild boar was eating rotten jackfruit that fell on the banks of a river. Without waiting for long, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately grabbed a dry tree branch as big as an adult's big toe. Using a high level of energy, Panji Tejo Laksono threw the dry branch towards the stomach of the boar.

Whhhuuugggh..

Jllleeeeeeppph.. !!!

The boar screamed loudly. He did not die even though his stomach was hollow after being hit by the throw of a dry tree branch from the Panji Tejo Laksono and ran fast towards the east. Seeing their prey run away, Panji Tejo Laksono and Luh Jingga immediately chased after.

The speed of the savage animal's run in the lush trees of this small forest makes Panji Tejo Laksono difficult to catch it even though they have deployed knowledge to relieve their respective bodies. When Luh Jingga saw ahead there was a place that was loose enough to block the rate of movement of the wild boar, Luh Jingga immediately pulled out his sword. Bersalto twice he preceded the boar's step and quickly slashed the boar's neck with all his might.

Chhhrrraaaaaaassssssshh ..!!

Nggguuiiiikkkkk !!!

The boar immediately collapsed with its head nearly severed so strong the influence of Luh Jingga's sword slash. The beautiful woman in yellowish red clothes immediately turned her head towards Panji Tejo Laksono who was stunned staring towards the North. The curious Orange Luh immediately jumped high into the air approaching the Panji Tejo Laksono who was standing on the branch of a large tree.

"What is Kangmas?", asked Luh Jingga immediately. The banner of Tejo Laksono did not answer him but his fingers pointed towards the North. Luh Jingga immediately turned her head in the direction in question. How shocked the beautiful woman was to see what was there.

Hundreds of warrior barracks were seen on the edge of a vast meadow. In the middle of the meadow, thousands of soldiers using red jarit that is characteristic of Jenggala soldiers appear to be practicing wars. Some practice chopping the head of a doll from a banana tree on horseback. Some complain of cleverness playing the spear. There are also those who practice fighting with swords and shields. On the other hand, hundreds of soldiers were practicing archery.

"Hmmmmmmm...

So apparently they prepared the soldiers in this place. It is true that Kanjeng Father Prabu Jayengrana's suspicion that Prabu Samarotsaha is composing the force to storm towards Panjalu", said Panji Tejo Laksono lirih but still heard by Luh Jingga.

"Well what is Prince Kangmas' next plan? We mess up this army barracks or we continue our journey to Tumapel?", asked Luh Jingga immediately.

"We must not act rashly in the face of this situation, Dinda Jingga. We better go back somewhere else. Later in the night I will come again to this place to know exactly what their next plan is. C'mon Dinda Jingga", after saying so, Panji Tejo Laksono jumped down towards the boar lying on the ground. With a single jolt, Panji Tejo Laksono dragged the boar's legs towards where his entourage was followed by Luh Jingga.

The arrival of Panji Tejo Laksono was immediately welcomed by Gayatri, Dyah Kirana, Sriati, Naratama, Tumenggung Ludaka and Demung Gumbreg. They soon gathered the dry wood in preparation for a bonfire.

The western sky is getting reddened by the sign that dusk will soon disappear from the world. The darkness of night slowly began to cover the whole world with the light of stars and the half moon hanging in the sky Tumenggung Ludaka began to light a fire on the pile of dry wood that soon spread burning wood. Demung Gumbreg immediately turned the wild boar that had been stabbed when the fire began to flare.

The fragrant smell of roasted wild boar actually made their saliva seem to be dripping. While they were preoccupied with waiting for the roasted boar to ripen perfectly, they did not realize that the Tejo Laksono Panji was no longer there.

Fog descends on the southern foot of Mount Kawi until the atmosphere of the night feels so cold.

In the large tent in the middle of the barracks of soldiers who were practicing the war, a burly man was sitting on a chair reserved for him. His mustache was thick across his face. Everyone who first saw it must have immediately seen the horror of the face of a man aged around 5 decades this . Beside him a midget man with a fan made of bamboo continued to fan him.

He was one of the retainers of the Kadipaten Kanjuruhan warriors who was the highest leader in the barracks. His name is Senopati Badraseta. He was one of the high-ranking soldiers who was quite respected among the Jenggala soldiers because of his high authority and canuragan science.

While the midget man who stood beside him was Bungkik Janadipa, the main advisor and younger brother of Senopati Badraseta at the Watu Belah College at the foot of Mount Semeru in the south.

In front of him, about ten subordinates who rank Tumenggung, Juru, Demung and Bekel were sitting cross-legged waiting for the leader's order. Also a man who wears a headscarf hood of a red cloth that always looks down until his face is not at all visible. Even so, all the subordinates of Senopati Badraseta seemed to look frightened by this mysterious figure.

The red hooded figure had just extended a newsletter to Senopati Badraseta. After reading the newsletter in his heart, Senopati Badraseta's forehead seemed wrinkled as if he did not like the contents of the newsletter he had just read.

"So this is the order you brought from Kotaraja Kahuripan Palace, Merak Geni?", asked Senopati Badraseta as she looked towards the red-hooded figure.

"It was a newsletter given directly by Gusti Patih Simbarmanyura himself, Gusti Senopati. Regarding the contents in it I do not know", the voice of a woman was heard from behind the red hood.

"Hmmmmmmm...

In this letter, Gusti Patih Simbarmanyura ordered me to have an immediate..."

Not finished the talk of Senopati Badraseta, Bungkik Janadipa the main advisor crossed his bamboo fan in front of Senopati Badraseta. His midget hand immediately spun rapidly and then smashed towards the door of the big tent.

Shrrriinnggg shhrriegg !!

Two secret weapons shaped like needles the size of a lidi shot outwards.

Thraaaangggggggg!!

There was a sound of iron crashing and one of them immediately shot towards the big tent pole. Everyone was surprised to see all of this. Soon they stood up and prepared for alert. Bungkik Janadipa growled as he said,

"Some one eavesdropped on our conversation.

That guy's hiding in the fog".