Prince Without Crown
Forming new forces

The group of twelve soldiers led by Raka Pati seemed to be in a hurry to pound their horse through a meadow in the area that is still controlled by the kingdom of Galuh.

Just as they passed a creek, several pairs of eyes seemed to notice from behind a large chunk of rock on the edge of the river. They were Senapati Arya Prana and some of the pioneers of the road ahead of the forces that controlled Gusti Empress Galuh Cendana.

"Kanda. They have gone before us." Said one of his subordinates while staring at the back of Raka Pati's steed horse and his advancing troops.

"Bad if this is so. If we continue to bring the Empress Gusti to the kingdom of Galuh, there will definitely be a war that end up hurting the people."

"Then how's Kanda?"

"Arya Permadi! You should immediately return to the inn in the Duchy of Kerta Kencana. Tell the commander of Rangga and Paksi that the messenger from Sri Kemuning has preceded us to the kingdom of Galuh." Arya Prana told her sister.

"For two of our men. After arriving at the Duchy of Kerta Kencana, wait for us there. I'm leaving to inform Gusti Prabu Rakai Galuh that the current empress is fine."

"Alright kanda. Be careful!" Arya Permadi said then immediately crossed the tributary with about ten people and immediately poured their horses towards the duchy of Kerta Kencana.

Kerta Kencana is the last duchy located on the border between the kingdom of Galuh and the kingdom of Setra Kencana. To maintain peace, a diplomatic marriage took place between the younger brother of Gusti Prabu Rakai Galuh from a concubine named Panembahan Ardiraja with the eldest daughter of Sultan Setra Kencana.

***

After parting in the creek, Arya Prana with four other soldiers who stayed immediately continued the journey to the kingdom of Galuh.

Arriving in the kingdom, he was immediately greeted with questions after the war and what about the fate of his daughter.

"Although Gusti Prabu. Currently Gusti Empress Galuh Cendana is fine. Gusti Permaisuri is currently the servant left with Commander Rangga, Tumenggung Paksi, and the servant's sister, Arya Permadi." Arya Prana answered while resting on the floor. He then recounted all the events and destruction caused by the war that lasted for two days and two nights.

He also did not forget to say that Gusti Prabu Jaya Wardana also died in the war. Not only there, he also told of their escape and the fall of the prince Indra Mahesa into the ravine of the carcass valley.

Upon hearing this last report, Gusti Prabu Rakai Galuh was immediately stunned. There was clearly gloom on his face at this moment.

For a long time he remained silent as if he had lost consciousness. And no one dared to rebuke. They just bow while waiting for what Gusti Prabu Rakai Galuh will say.

After a long silence as if he was gathering strength, now Gusti Prabu Rakai Galuh raised his head and said. "Aryan Prana. I really don't care much about the war if my daughter comes back to this palace. However, since you insist that you are able to protect my daughter, then I give you the land on the border between Sri Kemuning, Galuh and Setra Kencana. In the teak valley. All this time, no one dared to establish a village on the land. This is because in addition to the rugged valley, most of the area is believed to be haunted and very haunted."

"I will send a thousand soldiers to assist you in setting up a village there." The King said offering.

"alright. It's up to you. Before you return to the Duchy of Kerta Kencana, I will leave something for you to hand over to my daughter." Said the Prabu while asking Patih Mahesa Galuh to get a crate made of copper.

When Prabu Rakai Galuh allowed Arya Prana to open the chest, it was wide-eyed Senopati saw there was a lot of gold money and various kinds of jewelry in it.

"Your visitation has never experienced suffering and distress. Make this a provision for you. Later I want you to fight to reclaim the independence of the people of Sri Kemuning from the colony of Jaya Pradana." Gusti Prabu Rakai Galuh.

"Although Gusti Prabu. This.., this is too much."

"Use as best you can. Now you can go. Don't waste any more time!"

"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Prabu." Senopati said Arya Prana while worshiping and then inching backwards while carrying the chest and then out of the palace while accompanied by a glare from Gusti Prabu Rakai Galuh and all the ranks of officials in the Galuh kingdom.

"It's a shame for my daughter's fate. However, even more unfortunate the fate of the people of Sri Kemuning." The Majesty muttered while staring at the departure of Senopati Arya Prana along with four other retainers.

"Kanda Prabu's. I feel so dwarfed when we can only turn a blind eye to the suffering endured by your daughter Galuh Cendana." Patih Mahesa Galuh.

"We can't do much Dinda. Not that I'm afraid of war. But what I think is, people who are going to be victims of a war. I cannot see my people suffer as the people of Sri Kemuning's kingdom have suffered."

"Kanda Prabu's. With their way like that, sooner or later they will definitely attack us as well. So what's the difference?" Ask the Patih.

"There was. There's a difference, Dinda. There is still a chance to build up the power. After all, there was still the kingdom of Setra Kencana in the middle. While the teak valley, they will not be able to pass through the valley to enter Galuh's kingdom."

"Kanda Prabu as well. What's Kanda's next plan?" Ask the Patih.

"Compose strength. Spread the announcement throughout the kingdom and the duchy in Galuh's kingdom that, we want to open the door for youth to become warriors." Gusti Prabu Rakai Galuh.

"If so, now also will I write leaflets and will soon be sent to every duchy." Patih Mahesa Galuh said excitedly.

"We will form a trained army to guard every inch of the land of Galuh kingdom from anyone who wants to colonize. Right now we are giving up because we are not strong enough. I sacrificed my daughter not without reason. Now carry out my decree!"

"Daulat Gusti Prabu! We will uphold Gusti Prabu!" They said simultaneously.

Seriate...