1st
Chapter
The
gate of "Balairung Sukma Naga” (The Dragon's Soul Hall) complex which
carved a pair of interlocking dragons fighting over these gems seem sturdy and
haunted. The gate was dark brown-black,
and made of
thick planks of hundreds years old iron wood trees.
Details of the
carving was so smooth
and done with great accuracy.
Visible behind the gates, the idle
soldiers stand guard
around the corner of the building with unsheathed machete in their hands,
their facial expressions
drawn full alertness.
Currently Mandhala was sitting in the main
room of "Balairung Sukma Naga” (The Dragon's Soul Hall), accompanied by six members of Dharmma Saptanaga Knights and also his favorite
sister called Kenanga. Kenanga was twenty years old, very beautiful and
captivates like Ratna Banowati (Ratna Banowati is the daughter of Prabu Salya, the king in the
kingdom of Mandraka, a myth
kingdom in Indi. Banowati is
a very beautiful
princess, not because of
the beauty of her jewelry but because of her truthfully beauty. The princess's behavior is completely refined and very well).
Minati,
Widayaka, and Mandhala are fellow brothers, they are students of Begawan
Bramasekti, one of the great figures in the kingdom of Majapahit. Relationship
between the three of them are good, respect each other, and get along with each
other like an own siblings. Each has good basic manners, so the teachings and
sermon given by Begawan Bramasekti who famous with the compassionate build them
into a virtuous human being and has a high kanuragan
(kanuragan teaches the students to be
physically powerful by using inner power and or mantras, and invulnerable to
any kind of weapons).
Minati
who has a degree the Pandu Naga Kencanaputri Knight is the second student from
Begawan Bramasekti after Mandala. Minati one-year-old younger than Mandhala and
has a same ages with Widayaka. She is very pretty, soft-spoken and refined.
Whereas her husband, Midura who has a degree the Pandu Naga Raditya Knight look
calm, and mastered the science of medicine. They both headed the Tirta Sari
hamlet.
Widayaka,
expertly in strategy, mastered the statecraft, and has a great ability to
predict. Widayaka who have a degree the Pandu Naga Brama Knight is the head of
the Wanasari hamlet.
Thasura
well-built, tall and has the hard trait, firm and somewhat rough but
good-hearted. He is very affectionate and attentive to his half brother and
sister that is Mandhala and Kenanga. Thasura who has a degree the Pandu Naga
Surya Knight is a chief of the Kencanasari hamlet.
Sangkala
is Thasura's best friend since childhood, they both were students of Begawan
Palasara, which is none other than the brother of Begawan Bramasekti. Sangkala
who have a degree the Pandu Naga Baskara Knight is the head of Girirejo hamlet.
Anaga,
this handsome and dashing young man is a quiet man, has a rather closed nature
and loner, always dressed completely dark and haunted impressed. He has a keris
(keris is a kind of typical dagger of the
island of Java) named "Sang Naga Kalakencana" (Kalakencana Dragon) , it stored in a
black sheath carved human skulls and erratically sprawled corpses, and the
dagger's head carved dragons were in terrible shape, supposedly once separated
from its sheath, then it would not want to go back before drank the humans
blood.
Anaga
is a student of Begawan Patrapa, who was also the brother of Begawan Bramasekti
and Begawan Palasara. Anaga who have a degree the Pandu Naga Diwangkara Knight
headed the Sindhungrejo hamlet and
chief of superintendent of the arms factory which based in the hamlet.
The
existence of kinship between the family of Mandhala's mother, the late Dyah
Sitaresmi, with the late Wijayarajasa "Sang Bhattara Parameswara Ring
Pamotan" and the grudge against King Wikramawardhana make Mandhala favor
of Ra Dyan Girikusuma in the conflict between the West Majapahit with the East
Majapahit. Dyah Sitaresmi is one of the grandchildren of Wijayarajasa's
concubine.
Wijayarajasa
is Bhre Wengker during the reign of Maharaja Sri Rajasanagara
(in the Wingun Pitu inscription (1447 AD) is
mentioned that the Majapahit government was divided into 14 subordinate
regions, led by a person who has a degree Bhre). In addition to
the husband of Rajadewi who is the aunt of Maharaja Sri Rajasanagara,
Wijayarajasa also is the father of the empress of Maharaja namely Sang
Padukasori.
Twenty-eight
years ago (1376 AD) after the death of Gajah Mada, the Supreme Mahamantri
Mahapatih Majapahit, and was also followed by the death of Tribhuwana
Wijayatunggadewi and Rajadewi, Wijayarajasa who has ambitions of power feel
that such figures are respected by him was gone, finally realizing the ambition
to proclaim "Kadaton Wetan" (Eastern Palace) are separated from the Majapahit.
The
existence of "Kadaton Wetan" cause Majapahit family split into two groups. Most
remain loyal to the Maharaja Sri Rajasanagara. But those who are related to
Wijayarajasa had to partial to "Kadaton Wetan" that is Indudewi who was then
serving as Bhre Daha, replacing Rajadewi, with her husband, and Rajadewi's
adopted child namely Ra Dyan Girikusuma along with his wife and their three
daughters.
The Maharaja Sri Rajasanagara hesitate to act strictly of confront that separatist
kingdom because of Wijayarajasa is
his father in-laws, Indudewi is his cousin, and Ra Dyan Girikusuma is son of
Wijayarajasa's concubine. While the senior leaders are still alive, "Kadaton Kulon" (Western Palace) and "Kadaton Wetan" (Eastern Palace) can tolerate one another then an open confrontation can
be avoided.
However,
that circumstances turns out can not be maintained after the the senior leaders
died. Eighteen years ago (1386 AD) Kertawardhana the Bhre Tumapel (father of
The Maharaja Sri Rajasanagara) died, and then the next two years (1388 AD) also
died successively Sri Sudewi the empress, Dyah Nartaja (sister of The Maharaja
Sri Rajasanagara) and her husband. Eventually died anyway The Maharaja Sri
Rajasanagara (1389 M) and two figures of "Kadaton Wetan" Indudewi's husband and
Wijayarajasa himself also died (1398).
Wikramawardhana
be the king of Majapahit with hold the title Bhra Hyang Wisesa Aji Wikrama,
while the throne of "Kadaton Wetan" were inherited to Ra Dyan Girikusuma with
hold the title Bhattara Girinatajayarajasa.
The cold war
between Wikramawardhana with Ra Dyan Girikusuma begins from the King Wikramawardhana unwillingness
to acknowledge the
existence of “Kadaton
Wetan” with just
acknowledge the Ra Dyan Girikusuma’s degrees
as Bhre Wirabhumi
not as Bhattara Girinatajayarajasa.
The Case later
emphasized by Wikramawardhana
by lifting Kusumawardhani
as Bhre Lasem
without heed that
title still held
by Nagarawardhani the wife
of Ra Dyan
Girikusuma.
Until finally when Nagarawardhani and Kusumawardhani equally died (1400 AD), Wikramawardana immediately raised his daughter in-law as the new Bhre Lasem. After the appointment of the new Bhre Lasem , the cold war between the Western and Eastern Palace began to turn into disputes.
Whereas Mandhala's grudge against Wikramawardhana is the unfolding of the fact that his father's death because it was Wikramawardhana had given secret duty to Mpu Marangkang to infiltrate into the Pandu Naga Bhattara Knight to poison Wirabhuwana until he met his death. The reason of Wikramawardhana to finish Wirabhuwana was allegedly that Wirabhuwana has conspired with the Eastern Palace affect the Brahmins and followers of Shiva to rebel against his rule.
Until finally when Nagarawardhani and Kusumawardhani equally died (1400 AD), Wikramawardana immediately raised his daughter in-law as the new Bhre Lasem. After the appointment of the new Bhre Lasem , the cold war between the Western and Eastern Palace began to turn into disputes.
Whereas Mandhala's grudge against Wikramawardhana is the unfolding of the fact that his father's death because it was Wikramawardhana had given secret duty to Mpu Marangkang to infiltrate into the Pandu Naga Bhattara Knight to poison Wirabhuwana until he met his death. The reason of Wikramawardhana to finish Wirabhuwana was allegedly that Wirabhuwana has conspired with the Eastern Palace affect the Brahmins and followers of Shiva to rebel against his rule.
The Poison given to Wirabhuwana quite
a unique toxin, composed
of two types
of plants that
are not poisonous, but if the two types of plants consisting of
grass and the
leaves boiled with
a certain dose or simultaneously consumed
together and the
consequences will cause damage on the
heart. In two
or three days the
effect of the poison
began to work,
looks like a normal heart attack disease.
Many things into consideration by Wikramawardhana
at the time, so
he avoided open
confrontation with the Eastern Palace. He
prefers to finish
Wirabhuwana secretly and with a very cleverly way of making his death seem
reasonable because of illness. This was
done to reduce
the possibility of
a new upsurge
of the Brahmins and
followers of Shiva
who has started
to feel eliminated by the adherents
of Mahayana Buddhism
to be more
sympathetic to the
Eastern Palace because
Wirabhuwana correlate well with the Brahmins
followers of Shiva.
The basic of
fear of Wikramawardhana
is the history of
the collapse of the kingdom of Kadiri
by the rebels
of Ken Arok
that is supported by the Brahmins.
Actually, the proximity
of Wirabhuawana
with the Brahmins will not make Wikramawardhana very worried if Dyah Sitaresmi is not
the granddaughter of
Wijayarajasa. An
inconvenience and his
suspicions grew when knowing that Wirabhuwana
and Ra Dyan
Girikusuma frequently hold meetings formally or informally. This makes Wikramawardhana
not pleased.
At night, after Mpu Marangkang complete the duty to poison Wirabhuwana, robbers attacked Mpu Marangkang’s village, seize properties of the resident and brutally slaughtered several people including Mpu Marangkang and his family.
At night, after Mpu Marangkang complete the duty to poison Wirabhuwana, robbers attacked Mpu Marangkang’s village, seize properties of the resident and brutally slaughtered several people including Mpu Marangkang and his family.
But unbeknownst to the King
Wikramawardhana, apparently Mpu Marangkang had
asked for advice to his two men of trust
to strategize that secret
duty. Finally after
there is an opportunity to meet with
Mandhala, that two men who also hold a grudge against King
Wikramawardhana told of
all the chronology of the incident
along with the evidence it is
proven to Mandhala.
Both
men were eventually sentenced to death by Mandhala to redeem their iniquity. And as a form of appreciation for their information, Mandhala ensure the safety
for their families and give reward in the form of quite a lot of gold and
silver treasures and each field of land for cultivation.
When
Ra Dyan Girikusuma declared war on Wikramawardhana, Mandhala also declare his
support.
It
makes wrath King Wikramawardhana, so came the command from the King
Wikramawardhana, that is "Anyone, irrespective of caste and occupation,
from the west and the east, which could behead Mandhala within one month will
be awarded the rights filed a request
for position, power and treasures ". This is what causes the dark
clouds enveloped one of the strongest knights in The Majapahit Kingdom.
Thasura's
voice broke the silence in Balairung Sukma Naga (The Dragon's Soul Hall),
"Brother ..., until when are we going to stay like this?”. The
questions addressed to Mandhala.
While
standing, Thasura went on to say in a furious tone "Huh ... three days have passed, the more
opponents who come here to cut off your head day after day. They are no longer quietly sneak
to take your head, brother. They began to dare to openly attack us. We better send
Five Dragon's Shadows to kill that damned king."
"Brother
..." Kenanga interrupt, "that's not necessarily the Five
Dragon's Shadows can pass the defenses of the palace were certainly there are a
lot of powerful qualified figures."
Suddenly
Thasura fell silent and directing his eyes to Kenanga with sharp stares.
"That's
right… although Five Dragon's Shadows have the ability to slip like ghosts,
there are many upscale powerful figures in the palace who are more powerful
than the Five Dragon's Shadows. We will only deliver their lives for free to
the palace. "Minati chimed in Kenanga words.
"Hahahahaha
......" Thasura laughed with scratching his head. His face which had
haunted changed to look more witty, "Well... yeah right ..."
"So
what do you think brother?" Thasura directing that question to Widayaka.
"Hmmm....
This contest is only valid until this month, but even if we can survive for one
month from the opponent's attack and the contest is no longer valid... still,
this crisis will continue along with the emergence of resentment of relatives
of the enemies that we killed. And before they reached revenge, do not expect
this valley will be peaceful."
The
atmosphere back silent a moment.
Until then Widayaka continuing his sentence
again. "When we're
overwhelmed here, then the Trowulan will be more free attack to Lamajang."
"And
according to the latest news from spies in place of the rakryan Mahapatih,
there are still five more names will follow as these heads line
competition".
"What…?" Almost simultaneously
they issued an appeal stunned.
Widayaka
continue, ".... and it will be announced after the beheading contest of kanda Mandhala ("Kanda" or
"Kakanda" origin of “kakak” (big brother). This call has the
feel of an intimate and romantic. Usually used between
husband and wife or lover and close brothers) expire
in one month."
"Damn!"
Thasura cussing.
"Who's
next on the list?" Mandhala asked.
Widayaka
took little note containing a list of names that was meant out of his shirt and
handed it to Mandhala.
Mandala immediately examine it with a wrinkled forehead, and
after completion, Mandhala
provide a list of names to Thasura, and then
in turn list the
names changed hands to Sangkala, and
Midura ...... and
before the list is
up to Minati,
Anaga, Kenanga, and finally returning again to Widayaka
......, returning Widayaka convey something
quite shocking to be heard by everyone who
was in the room.
"Currently,
the army of Arya Wirasekti is moving towards here with the aim of attacking
us."
"How
many days is approximately the distance they are from here?" Mandhala
asked.
Widayaka
explained that the troops choose the attack path through the village of Tumpang
Sari (current location is the village of Tumpang), the fastest expected within
five days will reached the Ngestupura (current location is Jemplang-Bantengan).
Also
conveyed by Widayaka that Arya
accompanied by five tough senapati. They are Mahisa Wulung which is famous senapati which reportedly
mastered the high science of war strategy; Panji Pamanah; Wiguna Pirangnyawa;
Gni Agaran, and Gludug Katiga.
"Then
what should we do?" There is line of concern on the Kenanga's voice when
asked the question to Mandhala.
Mandhala
not immediately answer the questions posed by Kenanga's, but gives authority to
Widayaka to answer.
"Days
before, I have prepared several strategies to facing these various
possibilities, I will describe all after this ..... and we should also be
immediately reported confidentially regarding this beheaded contest to those
whose names on the next list." said Widayaka.
"Great,
we discuss these strategies immediately." Thasura said.
While
standing and pay their respects, Widayaka requested blessing to begin
discussions and humbly ask advice, suggestions, or feedback to enhance the
strategy and tactics in the face of the crisis.
Mandhala
and the others Dharmma Saptanaga
Knights bless.
Widayaka
then began to explain what he had planned, and they listened to his explanation
carefully and enthusiastically.
_____
(next on 2nd Chapter)
