The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Prabu Jayengrana's

Demung Gumbreg yawned widely and went back to sleep while the others immediately woke up from his slumber after the loud snapping was heard. The banner of Tejo Laksono who was immersed in his night mediocrity opened his eyes slowly as he stared intently at the loud-voiced figure. He was a Bekel warrior of the Kanjuruhan Duchy.

The sharp eye gaze of the young prince from Kadiri instantly made the guts of the bekel. He felt a terrifying murderous air radiate from the gaze of Panji Tejo Laksono's eyes. This burly man named Bekel Maktal even took a step back. Some of the Jenggala soldiers who participated in patrolling with him also followed his steps.

"Sorry soldier Gusti, why do you say that? What is wrong if we spend the night in this place?", said Panji Tejo Laksono as he slowly stood up from his seat. Although it sounds polite and slow but a heavy voice full of authority makes anyone who hears it will certainly be reluctant.

Bekel Maktal immediately beckoned one of his men to talk.

"Ka-kami is a pre. soldier of the Duchy of Kanjuruhan. Last night there was a theft at the soldiers' training barracks. Ka-we were assigned by Gusti Senopati Badraseta to check on everyone around this place.

You-you don't make things difficult for us" said the soldier stammeringly. He was actually scared to death to see Panji Tejo Laksono standing from his seat.

"We are traveling cloth merchants, Gusti Warriors. Look at our merchandise! You roam this Jawadwipa land from Galuh Pakuan Kingdom in the west to Blambangan Country in the east. There has never been anything like this all this time. Do not recklessly accuse if there is no evidence", said Gayatri as he pointed towards the pile of cloth in their horse carriage.

"Yesterday, the wheel of our horse-drawn carriage broke as it mired into the pit. We fixed it until it took a long time until we finally had to stay at this place.

It's the carcass of our horse-drawn carriage, you can check it", Tumenggung Ludaka pointed towards the carcass of the left wheel of their horse-drawn carriage resting on a tree.

"Although you have good reason and evidence, we will continue to search your merchandise. This is an order from Gusti Senopati Badraseta.

I ask you not to complicate our task", Bekel Maktal replied immediately.

"All right, we don't mind. But if you do not find what you are looking for, you must apologize to us" Gayatri said, staring intently at Bekel Maktal. Bekel Maktal keder also saw the dislike gaze of Gayatri. He quickly nodded.

10 Kadipaten Kanjuruhan soldiers immediately rushed to check the horse carriage carrying this pile of various fabrics. Every corner was checked and the item they were looking for did not exist. After they checked, all of them immediately approached Bekel Maktal to report their work.

"Sorry Gusti Bekel, we didn't find the item we were looking for. How is this?", said a soldier with fear. Occasionally he glanced towards Panji Tejo Laksono, Tumenggung Ludaka and Naratama who stared intently at him.

Mmmmmm...

Bekel Maktal immediately let out a long sigh then he turned his head towards Gayatri who was holding hands in front of his chest while looking at her without looking at him.

"We're sorry, Nyi, it's been interfering with your business. We are only subordinates, we only carry out the tasks given to us.

Please continue your journey", Bekel Maktal said politely.

"Huhhh, next time be careful in acting. We're good people, not thieves.

Everyone, let's go to Pakuwon Tumapel. If it's too late, Juragan Noto will definitely be disappointed because we are not on time", invite Gayatri immediately. Tumenggung Ludaka who was also upset with the attitude of the Jenggala soldiers, immediately poked the butt of Demung Gumbreg who was still sleeping among the big tree.

"Wake you up Kebo!! Let's walk"

Plllaaaackdickk..

Adduuuuhhhhh!!

Gumbreg groaned in pain as a result of Tumenggung Ludaka's right leg kick. He immediately turned his head towards Tumenggung Ludaka while stroking his butt.

"Why are you poking my ass Lu..?? What's my fault?", Demung Gumbreg immediately got up from his bed. As soon as he saw that dozens of Jenggala warriors were at that place, he hurriedly went on alert.

"What is this Lu? Kog there are Jenggala soldiers in this place?", Gumbreg turned his head back towards Tumenggung Ludaka.

"You're late! The business is done. Clean your iler and let's go to Tumapel", replied Tumenggung Ludaka while releasing the reins of his horse which were tethered to a shrub tree near where they spent the night.

Demung Gumbreg immediately rushed to fetch water to wash his face and wash his face. After that, the high-ranking officer of the Panjalu warrior immediately climbed onto the horse carriage where Gayatri, Dyah Kirana, Luh Jingga and Sriati had already boarded him. They immediately left the place.

*****

"The Back of Mapatih Warigalit..

"Please pardon Dhimas Prabu Jayengrana..

So far there has been no recent news coming from our password telik. Tumenggung Landung who continues to monitor the latest news also has no reports about it, Dhimas Prabu", replied Mapatih Warigalit while respecting Prabu Jayengrana.

Mmmmmm...

"This situation is getting more worrying. I have a bad feeling about the efforts made by the Kahuripan Palace side. It seems like they are really neatly preparing a plan to attack us" Prabu Jayengrana said as he gazed towards the cloudy southern sky.

"Dhimas Prabu Jayengrana should not worry too much about this situation. We have 100 thousand soldiers who are ready to defend the sovereignty of this Kingdom from the onslaught of Jenggala forces.

No matter how great the tactics they do, the large number of our soldiers is not an easy opponent to be faced by them ", Mapatih Warigalit salutes the Watugunung Panji aka Prabu Jayengrana. Prabu Jayengrana's older brother in Padepokan Padas Putih looks calm.

From the outside of Pendopo Agung Kingdom of Panjalu, Tumenggung Landung who now serves as the leader of Lowo Bengi troops to replace the position of Tumenggung Ludaka, looks hastily walked closer to Pendopo Agung. The burly middle-aged man immediately entered into the Great Pendopo. Once in front of Prabu Jayengrana, Tumenggung Landung immediately worshiped the Maharaja of Panjalu and sat cross-legged on the pendopo floor.

"Please forgive Gusti Prabu, if the servant faces without being ruled. There is something that Gusti Prabu Jayengrana needs to know immediately" said Tumenggung Landung with courtesy.

"Tell me plainly, Tumenggung Landung. I am waiting for news from you" said Prabu Jayengrana as he raised his right hand forward.

"Two code that we sent to the Duchy of Kanjuruhan, Basuki and Pritanjala, reported to the servant that there were about 40 thousand soldiers were practicing the wars around Wanua Panawijen near Pakuwon Tumapel. They consisted of soldiers who came from Kanjuruhan, Lamajang, Pamotan and South Cape.

While in the North, precisely in the west of the Duchy of Hujung Galuh, there were barracks of Jenggala soldiers along with those from Kambang Putih, Hujung Galuh and Pasuruhan. From the incoming report, they numbered about 60 thousand soldiers, Gusti Prabu. It seemed like the Jenggala party wanted to pound the Panjalu defenses from two sides North and South", Tumenggung Landung worshipped at Prabu Jayengrana after finishing his report.

Kaget Prabu Jayengrana and everyone in that place. Everyone immediately looked at each other for a moment before staring at Prabu Jayengrana.

"This must not be allowed, Gusti Prabu. Panjalu must immediately prepare as well to be ready if at any time Jenggala forces move", said Mpu Kepung, Sang Mahamantri I Establish a replacement for the deceased Mpu Jayakerti. He is one of the 3 main advisors of the Kingdom of Panjalu.

"True Gusti Prabu..

Hearing the report from Tumenggung Ludaka, it seems like Jenggala wants to emphasize their attack from the North side. The number of his troops was greater in the North, so most likely they wanted to invade the Duchy of Bojonegoro first as a way to approach Kotaraja Daha.

Therefore, we must build a greater defense in Bojonegoro than in Seloageng", said Mahamantri I Rangga, Mpu Jayadharma.

The courtiers of Kotaraja Kadiri Palace partially nodded in agreement with Mpu Jayadharma's opinion. They are Mpu Gandasena, Wiku Wikalpa and Senopati Tunggul Arga. Hearing that, Second Queen Ayu Galuh smiled faintly because she feared for the safety of Mapanji Jayawarsa who is now the Duke of Bojonegoro.

Meanwhile, the other Kotaraja Kadiri Palace retainers disagreed with Mpu Jayadharma's opinion. They are Mapatih Warigalit, Senopati Agung Narapraja, Tumenggung Sindupraja and Mahamantri I Halu Mpu Sena. While the other courtiers chose to be silent waiting for the order of the Maharaja of Panjalu.

Mmmmmm...

"I will think about what good it is to face this situation now. The answer I gave you is tomorrow's pisowanan.

Now it's better, we draw up strength first. Kakang Warigalit, send some people who can move quickly to some nearby areas such as Karang Anom, Bracelets, Anjuk Farm, Wengker, Lasem, Matahun and Muria to carry my message. Tell the regional leaders to send 2 thousand soldiers and supplies for a full month. In the time of one full moon, everything must be gathered in Bojonegoro and Seloageng. The Wengker, Bracelet and Coral troops of Anom to Seloageng, while from Anjuk Farm, Lasem, Matahun and Muria gathered in Bojonegoro", Prabu Jayengrana said immediately.

"Sendiko dawuh Dhimas Prabu" said Mapatih Warigalit while respecting Panji Watugunung aka Prabu Jayengrana.

After giving his edict, the Maharaja of Panjalu Prabu Jayengrana disbanded the pisowanan so that they could immediately rush to duty in accordance with the wishes of the king.

****

Panji Tejo Laksono's entourage continues to move towards Pakuwon Tumapel City. The small town located in the west of Kanjuruhan Duchy is so crowded with many traders and people who pass by on the highway.

In front of a food stall that was being visited by customers, the group of Panji Tejo Laksono stopped its movement. Gayatri immediately got off the horse carriage followed by Sriati, Luh Jingga and Dyah Kirana. The four of them immediately entered the restaurant.

While Panji Tejo Laksono, Tumenggung Ludaka and Naratama were busy tying the reins of his horse on the horse deck. While Demung Gumbreg could only wait outside the restaurant because he got the task to guard the merchandise.

The presence of the four beautiful women inevitably makes the eyes of all men immediately fixed on them. One of them gave a cold snort while standing from his seat. The thick-bodied man immediately pointed towards Sriati who was among the beautiful women of Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Uncle, there she is!"