The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Preparation
Ki Soma and Winata continued to drive their horses towards the defensive fortress of Panjalu which was built by the Panjalu soldiers in Wanua Sungging located on the border of Pakuwon Babat and Pakuwon Banjar regions. The fortress was built near a small river that flows into the Wulyu River or Bengawan Sore.
Fortunately, they only faced interference from 4 of Jenggala's henchmen until they reached the Panjalu fortress safely. The two rushed to meet Tumenggung Landung who was assigned by Senopati Agung Narapraja as the temporary leader of the Panjalu fortress during the supreme leader of the Panjalu soldiers there was a meeting with the Duke of Mapanji Jayawarsa the ruler of the Duchy Bojonegoro´s.
Tumenggung Landung was supervising the implementation of the strengthening of the Panjalu defensive fort using logs as big as the thighs of adults who were tancipi at the end when the two members of Lowo Bengi's Army came to meet him. Seeing the arrival of the two of them, Tumenggung Landung immediately guessed that something had happened in the border region. Moreover, in Winata's clothes there was a remnant of blood that dried up making the burly middle-aged man even more sure of his premonition.
"Our devotion, Gusti Tumenggung", said Ki Boma and Winata together.
"Hmmm..
No need to make any more pleasantries. Quickly tell me what news you brought here?", said Tumenggung Landung quickly.
"Jenggala forces numbering about 60 thousand soldiers have been camped in the east of Pakuwon Babat. They were assisted by a team that rode an elephant. No less than 15 elephants participated in the group Gusti Tumenggung" reported Ki Boma immediately.
The Thumenggung's shady face immediately stiffened like it was being surprised. He knew that the Jenggala army would invade through the northern passage but did not expect that it would be this fast. Without waiting for a long time, Tumenggung Landung immediately turned his head towards Ki Juru Panengat.
"Ki Juru Panengah,
I assign you to immediately meet Gusti Senopati Agung Narapraja in Bojonegoro. Tell him that the great army of Jenggala has encamped east of Pakuwon Babat. Today too you must return to this fortress with him.
Quickly depart!!", orders Tumenggung Landung immediately on his subordinates.
"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Tumenggung", after answering the orders of Tumenggung Landung, Ki Juru Panengat immediately respect before rushing towards the horse deck on the west side of the defensive fort. Together with 20 selected soldiers, Ki Juru Panengah immediately jumped on his horse's back and drove the horse as hard as possible to run fast. The group quickly moved towards the Duchy of Bojonegoro.
After Ki Juru Panengah left to carry out his duties, Tumenggung Landung immediately gathered all enlisted officers and officers in the large hall that became the center of the movement of soldiers in this defense fortress. He immediately arranged for the division of duties on them in preparation for the impending war to take place in plain sight.
While Ki Soma brought Winata to immediately get treatment at the healer's cottage in one of the buildings not far from the main hall of this defense fortress.
Street dust flew following the footsteps of horse Ki Juru Panengah. Panjalu medium officer with a stout body with a thin mustache and a thick sideburn continues to drive his horse across the highway that leads towards the Duchy of Bojonegoro. As soon as they reached the city gate before dusk, they immediately turned to the right following a large path leading towards the Bojonegoro Duchy Palace.
Four soldiers who were on guard immediately crossed their spears as a sign that Ki Juru Panengah was forbidden to enter the palace by bringing his soldiers guards.
"Sorry Gusti Juru...
The new rules of Gusti Pangeran Adipati Mapanji Jayawarsa, anyone is prohibited from bringing his bodyguard into the palace. If Gusti Juru wants to face, just Gusti Juru who left" said the leader of the guard squad of the gate of the Bojonegoro Duchy's palace firmly.
Hmmmmmm
There was a loud snorting of breath from Ki Juru Panengah. Not wanting to argue about this, Ki Juru Panengah ordered his guards to wait outside the palace walls while he immediately stepped in accompanied by a palace gate guard soldier.
The arrival of Ki Juru Panengah immediately stopped talks between Senopati Agung Narapraja, Mapanji Jayawarsa and Patih Ganarbhaya. The three people immediately turned to the floor of the Great Pendopo of the Duchy of Bojonegoro where Ki Juru Panengah worshipped them and immediately sat down cross-legged.
"What are you here for, Officer?", asked Mapanji Jayawarsa immediately.
"Please forgive Gusti Prince Duke.. The arrival of the servant here is as a messenger from Gusti Tumenggung Landung to talk with Gusti Senopati Agung Narapraja", replied Ki Juru Panengah while respecting Mapanji Jayawarsa.
"Uncle Senopati Agung,
This officer came looking for you. Please discuss. Who knows there is important" said Mapanji Jayawarsa while smiling faintly towards Senopati Agung Narapraja while raising his right hand as a sign of welcoming to the highest leader of the Panjalu warrior.
"What business does Tumenggung Landung send you, Juru Panengat? Is there something very important?", asked Senopati Agung Narapraja immediately.
"Please forgive Gusti Senopati Agung..
Just two members of the Lowo Bengi Army reported to Gusti Tumenggung Landung that tonight the Jenggala soldiers had set up camp in the eastern region of Pakuwon Babat. The number of their troops is not less than 60 thousand soldiers who are assisted by elephant troops, Gusti Senopati Agung", replied Ki Juru Panengah while respecting Senopati Agung Narapraja.
Kontan alone, the highest officer of the Panjalu soldier immediately stood up from his seat upon hearing the news while Mapanji Jayawarsa looked deathly pale in face. This news really surprised everyone.
"I-that means Jenggala troops intend to attack Bojonegoro first before moving to Daha, Uncle Senopati Agung", so nervous Mapanji Jayawarsa was stammered when talking.
"True, Gusti Prince Duke...
It seems like it was their big plan. Stripped Bojonegoro and then headed to Kadiri. With a large number of Jenggala soldiers, this proves that they intend to control Bojonegoro before going to Daha", replied Senopati Agung Narapraja slightly scaring Mapanji Jayawarsa. He was upset half-dead because Mapanji Jayawarsa always avoided when asked for help from soldiers to help the fort in Wanua Sungging.
"Bojonegoro soldiers numbering 20 thousand soldiers tonight will also leave for the fortress in Wanua Sungging, Uncle Senopati Agung..
Ganarbhaya, quickly you arrange for the soldiers to immediately leave for Wanua Sungging tonight as well", Mapanji Jayawarsa ordered Patih Ganarbhaya immediately.
'Huh, after there is a new cook will help. Feel you now, stupid prince', maki Senopati Agung Narapraja in heart.
That very night, Senopati Agung Narapraja immediately left the Duchy of Bojonegoro City to immediately return to the Panjalu fortress in Wanua Sungging. Behind him, 20 thousand Bojonegoro soldiers followed in his footsteps. With a torch made of dried coconut leaves tied to a rope of apus bamboo skin, the group was similar to a line of fire snakes that moved rapidly eastward.
*****
While the Panjalu warriors in Bojonegoro arranged preparations to face the Jenggala soldiers, at the palace of the Duchy of Seloageng, the, The new Tejo Laksono banner until noon was intending to gather the remaining high-ranking Seloageng army officers after the raid of the Blood Crescent Group last night.
It turned out that once it reached the Duchy of Seloageng Palace, Tumenggung Sindupraja and Senopati Muda Jarasanda had already come in accordance with the orders of Prabu Jayengrana. Gayatri who saw his father's arrival at the palace, immediately ran over and hugged the body of the white-bearded old man.
"Kanjeng Romo Tumenggung.. Gayatri is very close to Kanjeng Romo" Gayatri said as she hugged her father's body tightly.
"My son Cah Ayu...
Never mind, don't let everyone know that you're spoiled like this. Shame on Nakmas Prince Adipati loh", said Tumenggung Sindupraja soon.
"Just let them know, I don't mind it.
Oh yes, Kanjeng Romo when will it arrive? Kog was so quick?", Gayatri released her embrace on Tumenggung Sindupraja and looked at the old face of the stocky man.
"Last night, after Gusti Prabu Jayengrana ordered me and Senopati Muda Jarasanda to come here, we immediately left because we were worried about the situation here. But thank goodness everything wasn't as bad as we thought.
You're okay not my daughter?", Tumenggung Sindupraja stared at the tip of the hair to the tip of Gayatri's legs. The first concubine of Panji Tejo Laksono immediately turned her body in front of her father.
"I'm fine Kanjeng Romo.. Prince Kangmas took good care of me" Gayatri said, raising Panji Tejo Laksono in front of her father.
"The Worship of the Lord of the Universe.. I am not wrong to give my beloved daughter to the Prince Nakmas" said Tumenggung Sindupraja with a meaningful smile.
The banner of Tejo Laksono immediately approached the in-law and immediately respected this thick-bodied old man.
"My devotee Kanjeng Romo Tumenggung", Panji Tejo Laksono wanted to pay respect to Tumenggung Sindupraja but this old man hurriedly prevented it.
"No need Nakmas Prince.. A prince should not demean his dignity in the presence of his subordinates" said Tumenggung Sindupraja immediately.
"However, Kanjeng Romo Tumenggung Sindupraja is my in-law. So the degree of Kanjeng Romo Tumenggung is the same as my parents", said Panji Tejo Laksono while smiling thinly.
"I thank Nakmas Prince for considering me as his own parent. He also took good care of Gayatri. That was enough for me, Nakmas Prince", Tumenggung Sindupraja was moved to hear the words coming out of the mouth of Panji Tejo Laksono. The old man's eyes glazed over.
Selepas mereka berbincang sebentar, mereka segera melangkah ke dalam Pendopo Agung Kadipaten Seloageng. Panji Tejo Laksono langsung mengumpulkan seluruh nayaka praja Seloageng malam itu juga.
After the night began to fall, on the throne of the Duchy of Seloageng, Panji Tejo Laksono was already sitting gallantly. On the right is Ayu Ratna while on the left is Song Zhao Meng aka Goddess Wulandari. Gayatri sat slightly lower beside Ayu Ratna, while Luh Jingga and Dyah Kirana sat near Song Zhao Meng.
In front of him, the right hand of Senopati Muda Jarasanda was already sitting quietly. Beside him was Tumenggung Sindupraja with a master from the Katang-katang palace named Mpu Sanna. On the front left side of the Panji Tejo Laksono, there are Senopati Gardana, Demung Mpu Jodipati, and Ki Juru Mpu Susena.
"Seloageng has just been hit by a pralaya that almost toppled the Duchy's government. However, Sang Hyang Batara Vishnu still protects us all, and we managed to expel the rioters. But it's not finished.
The Jenggala soldiers were arranging the force to attack Panjalu through trident tactics. Along the way yesterday, I have seen firsthand that there are tens of thousands of soldiers preparing to leave for Panjalu via the Duchy of Kanjuruhan. We as the easternmost region on the southern side of Panjalu inevitably have to defend our sovereignty to expel them from Bumi Panjalu" Panji Tejo Laksono said opening talks later that day.
"Please forgive Gusti Prince Duke if I am presumptuous.
Gusti Prabu Jayengrana has ordered servants to lead 30 thousand Panjalu soldiers to face them. All of them have camped in the east Bedander area, precisely on the edge of Kali Aksa. Sorry, because the time is urgent, only now can I report this to Gusti Pangeran Adipati ", Senopati Muda Jarasanda respect to Panji Tejo Laksono after speaking.
"Hmmmmmmm..
I don't mind that, Uncle Jarasanda. What I think about now is that their number of soldiers is no less than 50 thousand people. While the soldiers of the Duchy of Seloageng are currently less than 20 thousand people, that also includes the guards of this palace. Nor can we leave this palace empty unattended", Panji Tejo Laksono frowned at the sign that he was thinking hard.
The atmosphere was instantly silent for a moment. Everyone seems to be looking for a solution to this problem.
From the outside, Tumenggung Ludaka, Demung Gumbreg, Naratama and Sriati stepped into the Grand Duchy of Seloageng. The four immediately saluted the Panji Tejo Laksono and sat cross-legged on the pendopo floor.
Demung Gumbreg who saw everyone silent without a sound, immediately worshiped at Panji Tejo Laksono before speaking, saying,
"Please forgive me if I'm wrong Gusti Prince Duke. Everyone here just kept quiet from before. What I want to ask, I,
Is everyone here having a toothache?"