THE SUN GOD SWORD
Towards the Duchy
Ki Demang and all his citizens were happy, as was not the master swordsman who had just come yesterday afternoon, now had returned with a cart full of food.
Not only that, he carried the wagon with one hand only, because the cows could not cross the poisoned river. In the highest pile of foodstuffs, the captive was suffocated unconscious.
“This, share this food for all of you!” said Sungsang Geni, handing the wagon right in front of Ki Demang.
“Tu...Swordsman!”
“Ki Demang, are you afraid that Palace will send a large army to attack Kadipeten Ujung Lempung?” asked Sungsang Geni, then replied nodding Ki Demang. “Ah, don't worry, I won't leave this Negri before you guys feel at ease.”
Ki Demang almost cried hearing Sungsang Geni's words, but his wife had already shed her tears. Sungsang Geni then asked the old woman to cook a lot of rice, boiling sweet potatoes to eat together.
That day, all the villagers were left behind for the first time after 8 months of eating a meal today. Indeed there is no meat for them, except two rabbits for Commander Ireng. But rice is one of the rarest things. It was good food, they thought.
Sungsang Geni handed over one dried grain of rice, for planting. But the young man was also confused, the rice fields were without water. It is also impossible to irrigate the rice fields with a small well in the middle of the hamlet.
“But take it easy, I will bring water to this land.” Sungsang Geni said, to the male residents of the village.
“Tu...Swordsman is so noble, we don't know what to say except a thank you.” Ki Demang hugged Sungsang Geni's body with haru.
“Please say this is a reward because you have maintained your faith.”
That day in the middle of the village, the villagers left behind held a meal together. Everyone was so excited, the sweet girl approached Sungsang Geni giving her a piece of yam.
For this time, the young man accepted the little girl's gift. “You must eat voraciously, uncle will find you another meal. The more.”
9 prisoners gulped because they were hungry, so finally Ki Demang gave each of them a piece of sweet potato. “We are not like your lord, let others starve.”
With a look of shame, 9 prisoners were forced to receive food given by Ki Demang. Seen their hearts become a little more melted than before, what else after the little girl who might both of her masters died because of their actions, was still kind enough to take drinking water.
“You see, this is what is human.” Sungsang Geni approached the 9 people, he sat there watching the citizens who were eating voraciously. “Think clearly, you can judge whether the actions of the palace are right or wrong.”
***
When the day began to go up in the evening, Ki Demang was getting ready to go to the center of the Duchy of Ujung Lempung. It only takes half a day if taken by running, or one day if walking.
Before leaving, Sungsang Geni again approached 9 captives, “If you dare to mess around, I will look for all of you even though you have to flatten the Tumenang Palace. Catch that!”
“Ka..we...impossible dare.”.
Sungsang Geni Geni then went northward down a wide valley. Just walking, Ki Demang looks difficult down the path full of pebbles.
“Gerr...gerr Commander Ireng growled several times.
“Are you sure?”
“Gerr...gerr.
“Is it okay?” asked Ki Demang, he might not feel worthy to sit on the back of Commander Ireng, while Sungsang Geni was on foot.
“This will make our trip faster,” timpal Sungsang Geni. “Hold tightly, don't fall!”
Commander Ireng growled softly, perhaps smiling happily, then followed Sungsang Geni jumping one stone-to another. Their journey was faster than before, Sungsang Geni could have flown and Ireng ran fast, but Ki Demang would not last long on the shoulders of Commander Ireng.
It was exactly midnight, when they had just set foot on flat ground after almost half a night of walking down the valley. Sungsang Geni decided to take a break, it was better to wait for the night to pass.
When just about to light a bonfire, suddenly heard the sound of some people telling stories on the other side. It sounded quite clear, signaling the distance between them and the group of people was quite close.
Commander Ireng sniffed his nose, walking down the footprints of the people. Apparently true, behind the boulder was a group of people resting. Probably 7 or 8 men.
They look like ordinary villagers, wearing clothes of the same style except for a cleaver located on their waist. Seen sitting around a campfire, and chewing food.
“Are they citizens of Ujung Lempung Duchy?” ask Sungsang Geni.
“I do not know, There are three villages that become the Duchy of Ujung Lempung.” Ki Demang frowned, thinking hard. “Maybe they are the remains of the soldier who was on guard.”
Sungsang Geni raised his eyebrows, looking doubtful to Ki Demang's words. Without waiting for long, the young man approached those people.
“Let us join you, Kisanak?” sungsang Geni.
the 8 people were immediately aghast, simultaneously taking the cleaver and retreating a few steps back. “Who are you? Don't you dare mess up in our village?”
Sungsang Geni sighed slowly, then gave a small smile. “Pacify yourself, I don't intend to disturb your village.”
“We don't believe..”
Ki Demang then came closer. “We intend to meet the Duke of Lingga, please ma'af in advance. I am KI Demang from Resangan.”
One of the 8 people watched Ki Demang closely from head to toe. A while later, the man immediately sheathed his machete. “I know you, ma'afraid of our previous attitude.”
“Thank God then.” Ki Demang smiled slightly.
From them Sungsang Geni know, that the current state of the Duchy of Ujung Lempung is a bit critical. Duke Lingga took some of his soldiers out of the city, fleeing. There has been a month of chaos in the city.
According to them, one of the holy warriors - the title for the five greatest warriors in the Duchy was a traitor. He conspired with the king to kill the Duke of Lingga, as the supreme leader of the rebels.
“So currently, the city is occupied by the enemy?” ask Ki Demang.
“True, we had to go and hide in the old village in the Ghost Valley.”
“Ghost Valley?” Sungsang Geni raised his eyebrows. “Didn't the kingdom of Tumenang be said to be in the valley of ghosts? I don't understand what it means?”
“The ghost valley is actually not in the center of the Palace, but somewhere in this country. Only a few people know of its location?” replied Ki Demang. “Can be interpreted, Duchy of Ujung Lempung is a native or race resident or the first person in the Kingdom of Tumenang.”