Meet Gendis Again

Jagat's hands were raised in the air, signaling surrender to the sharp, glittering spearheads. He knew this was only a threat from Tantra's men...

"Don't be so tense, Tantra," Jagat muttered. "I will slowly lower both hands. Ask your men to put down their spears. I just want to chop this bastard's head off.

"Just use that dagger." Tantra pointed to the dagger still in Bengal's hand.

"You fool. I said decapitate, not slit."

A moment later, Tantra suddenly laughed at being called a fool. Then he ordered his men to behead Bengal. Of course, daggers couldn't be used for decapitation.

"About that task, answer my question first," Tantra said, not wanting to give Jagat a chance to dodge.

"He... He's my assignment, Tantra," Jagat replied, pointing to Bengal's corpse. "I promised to take him to Sawung Bumi. I owe it to Marini and Ki Rapala."

"You seem to be someone who doesn't like to be in debt," Tantra continued. "I have turned over all the members and they are now being held in the village. Another task awaits you. You owe Arya Mandana many favors."

Jagat hadn't expected Tantra to bring up the subject of debt. Perhaps that's the way royalty behaved. Nothing is free. Everything has a price.

At least the problem with Kala Racun was solved. His identity disguised as a Mongol was still safe. However, without Tantra bringing up the issue of debt, he would definitely help Arya Mandana.

"I will take you to Sawung Bumi. Let them bring the head," Tantra said without hesitation.

Jagat firmly refused, "No. I will surrender myself. Now, where's my horse?" asked Jagat after looking at the horses lined up with the soldiers who had come with Tantra.

"Do you have a horse?" Tantra asked sharply.

"Come on, Tantra. This is no time for jokes," Jagat replied with some annoyance.

"I am not joking. You haven't answered my question," Tantra rebuked seriously. As a Majapahit Bekel, Tantra was very obedient in carrying out the tasks assigned to him by his superiors. And it was clear from Tantra's alertness on arriving at the spot that Arya Mandana had ordered him to help Jagat.

Jagat thought about the problems that were happening in the martial world. Why did Arya Mandana have to unite all the white sects? What was the real problem, and why did this task fall on his shoulders?

Jagat assumed it had something to do with his secret ability that Ki Wardiman had revealed. The old healer was so excited that he told him about a book that could only be solved with Jagat's special abilities. The book turned out to belong to Sabrang Panuluh, the Kediri warlord he had helped.

The horse was prepared. Tantra and some of his members went with Jagat to Sawung Bumi's house, where Marini and Ki Wardiman were still being held.

Jagat kept thinking about the new task that awaited him. To him, the word "duty" made it seem as if he was an employee or subordinate of Mandana. He was not a member of anything and would never join any group or sect.

For him it only binds him as a free and independent human being. Man is bound only by his deeds and by himself.

He appreciated Arya Mandana for the help he had given him, just as he had helped Nyai Rasmi, the wife of Sabrang Panuluh, who fed him when he was starving.

"Do you know what I have to do, Tantra?" Jagat asked as they rested under a tree.

"Kentabuana."

Why did this name come up again? It couldn't be a coincidence. Ki Wardiman really had revealed everything.

The old healer had teamed up with Arya Mandana for this task. Did this have to do with the book or was there something else hidden?

Tantra then explained that Arya Mandana wanted to invite Kentabuana to join his group, but his teacher always refused with vague reasons.

"What group does Mr. Mandana want to form?" asked Jagat curiously.

"I don't know, Jagat. I have only been asked to secure you in Sawung Bumi. The rest will be explained by Mr. Mandana himself."

"If this has anything to do with the book, I hope this is the last time I'll be on a mission like this, Tantra," Jagat said in a quiet voice.

"Why is that?" urged Tantra, haunted by curiosity.

Jagat hesitated to answer, feeling that he was not very close to Tantra. He did not feel the need to reveal his personal problems. But Tantra continued to press.

"Why? Are you going to retire?" asked Tantra, his curiosity becoming unbearable.

Jagat stood up as if to be distracted and not to give the answer Tantra wanted to hear.

They resumed their journey, arriving at Sawung Bumi an hour after the full moon had replaced the sun in casting its rays on the earth.

Torches were lit everywhere. It made the house look like a butcher's shop again. The guards who saw Bekel Majapahit immediately shouted loudly and one of them immediately reported to the house.

The first person to come out of the house was Marini. As she stepped out of the door, a bundle of bloodstained cloth rolled down and stopped at her feet.

" Let Gendis and her grandfather go. Our business is over here."

"You think I'm holding your lover. She's in the back."

Marini's answer was awkward. She had never said Gendis was her lover. Tantra smiled and brushed past Jagat as he pulled on the horse's rope.

He whispered softly on Jagat's shoulder. "Now I know why you retired."

Without a thought for Tantra, Jagat immediately led the way to Gendis and her grandfather. All he knew was that there was nothing behind the house but a small hut. He vaguely heard Marini's question to Tantra about the remaining members of Sawung Bumi.

When he arrived at the back, his hunch turned out to be correct. Marini and her grandfather were being taken to the small hut where they had been held.

"Damn it, Marini!"

Jagat picked up an axe stuck in a tree trunk. Several Sawung Bumi members who were there immediately ran over to stop him.

"Did you see the head of your enemy over there? Do you want to register as my enemy?" challenged Jagat. His face was already filled with unstoppable anger.

The Sawung Bumi members fell silent, not daring to retaliate. Jagat stepped forward one by one to guard against any unexpected attacks. And the noise of the commotion naturally attracted the attention of Marini and Tantra, who rushed to the back.

"Jagat! What are you doing?"

"You're a liar! You said Gendis..." His angry voice suddenly stopped, replaced by the sound of a door creaking open. A beautiful girl's face emerged, the full moonlight refracting off her skin.

"Brother Jagat. You're back ...."

"Y-Yes. W-Why are you here?" It seemed that Gendis had not been detained as he had expected, but to keep his embarrassment in check, Jagat still showed his anger. "Why did you bring Gendis here with the horses?"

"Eeng... Kakang." Gendis set the record straight at once. "There were people from Majapahit here this afternoon. So Gendis has moved here for the time being."

"Where is Ki Wardiman?"

"Gone with the Majapahit people."

"It seems you need a bath, Jagat, to clear your head," Tantra said from a distance. "Gendis. Prepare some water for Jagat to bathe in. After that, you can have as much fun as you want before your brother goes on duty."

"Duty? What duty?" asked Gendis with a disappointed look on her face.

"Never mind."

Jagat then turned away from Marini and put the axe back in its place.

"I'll prepare some water first," Gendis said as she tied her hair back. The well was next to the hut, and Jagat couldn't bear to let her tiny arms pull the heavy water bucket.

"Gendis, that's not necessary. Let me draw the water. You rest."

"Then I will provide the food." Gendis looked down in shame. The full moon could not hide the joy on her face when she saw that Jagat had returned safely.

For the first time in his life, Jagat felt something he had never felt before. A girl prepared food for him, not out of necessity, as when he was ill, or like a waiter at a food stall, but with genuine care and affection.

Gendis, an innocent, gentle, and simple woman, had cared for him since he was injured in the Battle of Tuban. Their bond grew easily, without any forced or deliberate effort. It was a love that grew naturally, like a flower blooming in the spring.

When Gendis returned with a tray of food, Jagat enjoyed the delicacies as much as he felt the warmth of her hearty laughter.

It was just a simple moment, but it will be a lasting memory in Jagat's life. For the first time, he felt the joy of being noticed by someone who truly cared about him.

For days, they enjoyed being together like brothers and sisters who silently watched each other. Without any words of love, but Jagat knew that Gendis was his biggest reason to quit his black world.

Until finally Ki Wardiman came with Arya Mandana, everything immediately disappeared when the task conversation took place. Gendis looked angry with her grandfather even though it was not revealed through her words.

"This is my last assignment and my debt to you, Mr. Mandana. After this I want to quit all this. I want to enjoy the day like any other human being."

"What do you mean Jagat?" Ki Wardiman asked in surprise. "With your ability you can become a great person. The Majapahit Kingdom will be helped a lot by you later. Arya Mandana can talk to the palace about it."

An interesting offer. He turned to Gendis who was sitting alone in the corner of the room. The two of them smiled at each other as if the picture of their future was already unfolding.

"What should I do, Mr. Mandana?" asked Jagat.

"Alright. This is very easy. Now listen to me carefully."