Sanggana Swordsman
27. Sanggana Kingdom
The old woman walked step by step up the stairs which numbered 191 steps. Although he carried a red metal stick, it was not used to help support his body. The wand, which was taller than her height, had a beautiful but intricate carving, giving a sign that the person who made the wand had great artistry and precision.
His physique turned out not to be as old as his age that had already surpassed 120 years. His old legs are still strong to climb thousands of stairs without the help of a cane, because in fact the stick is not for a walking aid, but as a symbol of the height of his position in the Kingdom of Sanggana.
His long white hair was draped as if fused with the color of his large white robe. A gold bracelet decorated with one white gem on a point on his forehead, encircling his head. Although the face has wrinkles, but perfect makeup makes the white face look clean and authoritative. His slightly long brow was also white. Although the lip-brushing she was wearing was not so thick, but the red color was so fresh on the brilliant old face.
The woman who is known as the Supreme Counselor is named Ila Sekar Mawangi. The ten fingers of his long, silver-colored fingered hand were beautiful, already 80 years old holding the Sticks of Greatness. He served three kings in the kingdom.
Every soldier who stood at his post along the stairs, immediately went down kneeling his right foot as the Great Advisor passed in front of them. At the count of ten steps, a soldier in a red uniform armed with a sword was slung at his waist and another sword was always clasped in his right hand.
It was easy for the Supreme Counselor to once rush to the top without having to count the steps for the steps, but the rule of climbing each rung was mandatory in the kingdom. Going up the stairs one by one has an important educational value and it has been rooted in the soul and mind of everyone in the palace or all the people of Sanggana.
Climbing the stairs teaches to be patient, teaches to do things gradually without missing a single little thing, teaches to be fair to all the steps, and to be fair to all the steps, teaching that to achieve each goal is a necessary process, teaching to appreciate hard work, teaching that results are not benchmarks but rather correct processes, and other lessons that can be taken from the process of climbing the stairs one step at a time. The rule applies to all staircases inside or outside the palace, unless they are related to emergency matters.
Until finally, the Grand Counselor reached the top, a large black floor. The floor was lined by thick and strong wooden assemblies of blue, the same color as the color that dominated each wall of the main palace named the Cloud Palace. There was not much decoration in that place, other than a set of black wooden seats and tables that were positioned quite close to the fence.
There were about ten soldiers in red uniform without weapons standing at ten points on the outskirts of the blue wooden fence.
On one side of the fence, stood a man in a red robe dressed in exquisite gold embroidered robe patterned on a pouncing tiger. The large tiger embroidered strip was wearing silver thread. His robe which was heavy because it was thick and made of strong materials, could still be made to flutter by the tightness of the wind that blew over the vast forest area. Her black hair was strangled with thick gold rings decorated with rows of small, clear red diamonds.
To stand in that place, he did not need to wear the crown of his greatness as the King of the Kingdom of Sanggana.
The handsome young man still liked the thin mustache model above his lips. There was no excess jewelry that he wore in such a leisurely time, very different when he had to wear all the jewelry in full when facing his officials every Dawn Session that started before sunrise.
King Anjas Perjana Langit is indeed known as a king who prefers simplicity, but appreciates the luxury of rules applied in the whole palace environment.
“Worship Grand Counselor, Gusti Mulia,” said the Supreme Counselor after he dropped to his knees on his right foot while sticking both palms in front of his head that was lowered deep.
King Anjas Perjana Langit who stood behind the arrival of the old woman, still looking at the vast nature of the forest that surrounds the kingdom of Sanggana.
“Stand!” king Anjas orders in a slow but authoritative tone.
The Supreme Counselor stood up straight.
“Come!” king Anjas orders again, slowly but clearly in the ear.
The Grand Counselor stepped forward and stood by King Anjas' side. From that height both stared at the vastness of the forest and the vast expanse of high-fortified and sturdy palaces, as well as the villages created in the wilderness since hundreds of years ago. While behind them, the towering Cloud Palace built up as if it was about to reach for the wisps of clouds in the sky.
Now the king and his advisors were in a place called the Black Garden. It is named the Black Garden because of the color of its floors. In this park there is no place to shelter from the rain and the heat. However, the strong wind makes the sun sting feel no meaning. This is the height of level four if calculated from the floor that is parallel to the earth.
“What do you suggest to me about my son, Dira Pratakarsa Diwana?” asked King Anjas while looking for a moment at his advisor's face. “She has started to descend to the pejilatan jungle.”
“Then what does Gusti Mulia want from Prince Dira?” The Supreme Counsel asked back.
“If it is true that the good looks of Prince Dira are so stunning, then there is no way he is one roof with Gusti Crown Prince, there is no way two chicks gather in one shell. Like cobwebs with butterflies, like ants and clumps of honey, like termites and blazes. To eliminate the disease of the Thorny Nature of the Man and bring up the worship of the Eight Flower Goddesses, Gusti Agung Nan Mulia Sintar Sadarmadewa must undergo eight marriages. In the lead-up to the eighth marriage, Supreme Gusti Nan Mulia had to lose all of her power for a while" the Grand Counsel said.
"I think your Majesty thinks the same as me for this. As for Prince Dira, first, if let it be as it is, the Malignant Thorny Nature disease would be a problem for him when he dealt with women, it could even be a weakness that was very easily exploited by the enemy. Second, otherwise. If we help him to cure the disease, is he ready? Or the third. If Gusti Mulia wants a shortcut, the Prince can be brought to Sanggana and marry her to eight selected girls,” he said.
King Anjas was speechless to hear the three choices expressed by Panesihat Agung Ila Sekar Mawangi. He tried to describe the flow of the journey of Prince Dira Pratakarsa Diwana on every choice.
King Anjas then said, “There is no need for me to call you if I agree to the first choice. For the third choice, it was not yet time for my eldest son to enter and settle in the palace. He does not yet know who his father and mother are. There will be much to learn to just enter the palace. Although it is impossible for Prince Dira to have the intention of usurping the title of Crown Prince, I fear his presence will instead raise dark suspicions in the heart of Prince Drajat Mega Sukma. And, choosing a shortcut is not the character of the Sanggana people. The culture of climbing the stairs one by one is so deeply rooted in our character. I'd rather look at the second option, even though I see the process is quite long. Moreover, the devotion of the Eight Flower Goddesses must be built on the love and harmony of the nine hearts of the human child.”
“The risk of the second way is quite large. Because, from the first marriage, Prince Dira will lose all his power. Although we can put a bodyguard for him, but does the Prince want to go down that path and to what extent is the perfection of guard against him?” the Supreme Adviser.
“This option should be tried first, while I judge this is the best. If Prince Dira was in a condition without the slightest magic, it meant that only the Gold Fire Vest's magic was left on his body. Therefore, the first wife must be a girl who has high devotion. Surely, not only powerful, but also have high adherence to me and the palace family.”
“Means, I mean Gusti Mulia, the person we sent to escort Prince Dira is a powerful woman who is ready to marry directly and comes from a servant whose loyalty is no longer in doubt?” the Supreme Adviser.
“You have a candidate for this task?” asked King Anjas, turning to look at the old face of the Grand Counselor.
The Supreme Counsel was silent for a moment in his mind.
“Sanggana officials and their families have a sky-high level of loyalty, including among the people. It is not difficult to find a girl for this task. However, to find those who have excellent beauty and devotion that is superior to that of the leaders of the martial jungle, it will not be easy,” said the Supreme Counselor.
“Do need we hold a match to get the best?” ask King Anjas.
“If Your Highness Gusti is not a problem if this mission is widely spread,” said the Supreme Counselor. “If this mission is kept secret, of course, the Six Greatness will demand an explanation, and other inputs will be presented to Gusti Mulia. If your Majesty uses the Sole Authority, I fear that uncertain conjectures arise among the palace family.”
“Tell me some magical and beautiful girls according to your knowledge, Counselor!”
“Yang first, obviously I proposed Tumenggung Uyu Kemangi, a beautiful girl who has no doubt,” said the Supreme Counselor.
“No, in addition to his difficult position to find his successor, his military character is so strong,” said King Anjas. “Who else?”
“The third daughter of Mahapati Agung, namely the Selaksa Curtain. He is also called the Pearl Embroider. In addition to educated royal behavior, this girl has a gentle character.”
“I remember his face. Who else?” said King Anjas.
“In the Hundred Stars Squad there are twin girls who are very popular for their devotion and beauty. However, I proposed Numi who was nicknamed the Goddess of a Thousand Shells. He is more quiet than his brother Nuri who nicknamed the Goddess of a Thousand Faces. And one more, Kirani. She is the daughter of Senopati Kurapaksa. His power surpassed that of a number of high-ranking royal officials. He has rejected many applications from government officials and warriors of Sanggana.”
“Front them specifically to me towards dusk, except Tumenggung Uyu Kemangi!” king Anjas's Order.
“Good, Noble Wrestling.” (BH)