Majapahit Kingdom, Century Fourteen

Chapter 3

her child should not hear her sobbing voice. Ratnawulan shook her head on her mother's lap, but this child could not hold it in anymore and started sobbing. With compassion and compassion, Dara Lasmi stroked her daughter's long black hair, then said, "My dear daughter are you so tired? Let us rest tonight here, and tomorrow if you can't walk, Mother will carry you. "Ratnawulan held back sobs.

"Mom, where are we going tomorrow?" 

If only other people had asked this question, Dara Lasmi would not have been able to hold back her tears, because, in fact, she herself didn't even know where to go. However, she did not want to trouble her daughter, a child who was still small and did not know anything about this, so she answered while forcing her lips to smile because her daughter had seen her face.

"Wulan, tomorrow we go climbing the hill. There is a beautiful view, we then stay at the top of the mountain, where there are many beautiful animals. I will catch deer, rabbits and horns for you. There are also many beautiful and fragrant flowers there, lots of delicious fruit. " Hearing her mother mention fruit, she felt hungry inside Ratnawulan's stomach.

"Lots of fruit, mother?"

"Yes, daughter, lots of delicious fruits. Bananas, guavas, mangoes, oranges, they are all at the top. So sleep now so that tomorrow morning we can continue our journey."

There was a moment's silence. "Mom"

"Yes, dear. "

"Lots of fruit there, Mom?"

"Of course, daughter"

"You never lie, do you? "

"And now. Where shall we find food, mother?"

Dara Lasmi felt as if her neck was choking and even though she had endured it, two tears could not be prevented anymore, dripping down from her eyes. 

"Wulan, my child. You... Are you hungry? "

Ratnawaulan tightened her arms around her mother's waist but she did not answer. And in the silence, a reply came from the boy's stomach, which cried out her hunger. How touched Dara Lasmi's heart was. Lasmi hugged her daughter and kissed her face.

"Wulan. my dear child. hold on for the night, my daughter.  Tomorrow I'll find food for you! " And now she can no longer hold back the flood of tears that soaked her daughter's hair. 

Ratnawulan also cried again and hugged her mother's waist tighter. "Wulan, you're a big girl, you're ten years old. You must be able to endure this suffering bravely, like the mighty Halimi Woman Warrior! " 

"Mother, tell me about the Pregnant Swordsman." It was really dark because night had come. If things weren't that dark, of course, Dara Lasmi would continue her journey, looking for a place where there might be fruit trees.

So she then started telling stories to comfort her daughter. "Hamili Princess was thrown into the forest by her cruel mother, with the intention that Princess Hamili would starve to death in the forest which was only full of teak and randu trees. 

It has been three days and three nights that Princess Hamili walked in the forest unable to find a way out because the forest is very wide and wild. For three days and three nights, Princess Hamili did not eat a single grain of rice and did not drink a drop of water.  

"She was very hungry."

"Of course she's very hungry, mother, and thirsty too."

"Indeed, Wulan is hungrier and more thirsty than we are."

"She's very strong, mother."

"Indeed, Princess Pregnant is very strong and brave. On the fourth day, an evil and the cruel wolf came upon her." 

"What is the wolf, mother?"

"A wolf is a coyote, which is much meaner and dirtier than a dog, and after all, she is big and strong and very wild!"

"Oh, of course, the Pregnant Princess is terrified."

"No, Wulan. Princess Hamili is fearless! She was brave and strong in faith. Wolf came carrying a banana that was ripe, and with a voice full of persuasion she offered the plantain to Princess Halimi while singing: Princess Hamili is beautiful and beautiful, Servant comes to comfort you, please accept a bunch of plantains, as long as you want to be my wife!"

Dara Lasmi told this tale while imitating a hoarse voice and singing the song so that her son was very interested.

"He's deceiving! He wants to persuade and deceive! How can a beautiful princess become a wolf's wife? " shouted Ratnawulan happily, completely oblivious to her hunger! Her mother smiled.

"If you become Hamili, will you be willing to accept the offering, Wulan?"

"Not willing, not willing!" replied the daughter.

"Even though you are very hungry?" 

"Unwilling! Let me hold back my hunger! " the boy also replied excitedly.

"So, Princess Halimi too."

She baulked and answered with a song too: "O wolf of hell!"

Three days and three nights I fasted, But your persuasion, I do not want to accept! 

"You know, Princess Hamili endures suffering. Hunger and thirst are common nuisances. Get lost, wolf get lost! Princess Pregnant a handsome daughter! "

"That's good," Ratnawulan shouted with smiles and clapped her hands.

"For the sake of hearing this answer, the wolf became angry and he attacked this princess with his grip while opening her wide mouth full of sharp and terrible teeth."

"Ouch, what then, mother?"

Ratnawulan used both hands to press her cheeks and her eyes widened wide at her mother's face, which was only dimly lit by the gloomy stars. 

"Princess Hamili is not afraid at all. He drew his sword and bravely fought so that the wolf died with its chest pierced by the sword."

Ratnawulan took a deep breath in relief. She then lay down on the grass and put his head on his mother's lap.

Dara Lasmi continued her story, interspersed with melodious songs because her voice was very loud and she was very good at singing and storytelling. Finally, Ratnawulan fell asleep without the slightest memory of starvation in her stomach.

After the boy's breath stated that she had slept soundly, then Dara Lasmi stopped her chanting and sat down daydreaming, placing her hand on her child's head. She reminisced about all the events of the morning and did not feel like she was crying anymore, which she held back so as not to make a sound and disturb her sleeping child.

Her heart is full of revenge and heartache towards Kartika who has killed her husband. If her husband as a senopati died in battle legally, she would be willing to die because death was something that was not ashamed and was natural for a warlord. He would put a grudge against anyone, not to the Majapahit Kingdom, or to certain people.

The duty of a commander and warrior is only to defend the state and nation, to defend the kingdom and lord, to defend its leadership, without worrying about the affairs that cause conflict and war. If he wins, he will get merit and position, if he dies, he will become the nation's champion and become a hero. 

However, namely, Kartiko, who was considered a good and loyal friend. A week before the war, Kartika came from the city of the king to visit her husband. Her attitude when she looked at her had created disgust and displeasure in her heart because as a woman with delicate feelings she could perceive the meaning of the man's eyes.

However, because Kartiko and her husband had become best friends since they were still living in the city of the king, she kept quiet and pretended not to see the irregularity in the eyes. Kartiko is the dearest student of Bagawan Mahapati, and his arrival was to persuade Nagawisena to like to help the attack of the Majapahit army and like to defend King Jayanagara. 

However, her husband answered in a constant voice. "Kartiko, if it was not you who made this remark, whom I have considered as my own brother, of course now it is not my mouth that speaks, but my keris. 

"Listen to him. I have sworn allegiance to Raden Nambi and as a senopati Lumajang, I will defend Lumajang with my body and soul. Whoever disturbs Lumajang, I will face it with a keris in my hand and even if I have to sacrifice my life, I am willing."

"Ouch, my dear friend!"

Kartiko, with his handsome face, imagines the compassion of his heart and mouth that makes a very sweet remark.