Prince Without Crown
Paku Bumi's forces arrive at Waringin village

Thousands and even tens of thousands of torches from a distance seemed to fill the road from the duchy of Pitulung towards the village of Waringin.

From a distance, Prince Indra Mahesa, Bayu Gatra, Andini and Gayatri stood on top of the cliff while watching the group.

Various kinds of turmoil arose in their hearts witnessing that seemingly unfavorable state.

Just now they wanted to open their mouths to say something, from the direction of the forest looked a group of horsemen approaching the stronghold built by the people of this teak valley while exclaiming.

"Lapoooooo!"

Upon hearing the voice coming from the horseman, Prince Indra Mahesa and the others immediately darted down from the top of the cliff to meet the new group until earlier.

Now, he saw that Senopati Arya Prana, Wiguna and Arya Permadi had first been in that place.

"Gusti, Prince!" Said the soldier rushing down from his horse mount and instantly kneeling.

"Tell me who your leader is and what news will you report!?" Prince Indra Mahesa's Order.

"Ampun Gusti's. Servants are soldiers who are under the leadership of Tumenggung Paksi. He ordered the servant to immediately report that the soldiers from Paku Bumi had entered the duchy of Gedangan. If they continue their journey, it is certain that this dawn will be here. However, if they rest in the Duchy of Gedangan, then tomorrow afternoon they will arrive at the path of the passage under the cliff!" The soldier reported.

The journey from the Duchy of Gedangan to the teak valley forest is actually not too far away. In fact, it is not up to a day if it is on foot and requires not up to half a day if riding a horse. However, since it was a large army, then the time required to walk quickly could not be done.

For soldiers who are fully armed and in armor, it is not easy to travel. In addition they also have to transport goods such as tents, spare weapons, food and so on. That is why, that a troop will take days to travel a distance that is not too far according to people who travel ordinary.

Hearing the explanation of the soldier earlier, Prince Indra only beards while massaging his chin.

"Now, gather all the soldiers and villagers. Time to get independence!" Prince Indra said before everyone to go to a hidden village.

*********

Thousands of people dressed in all black stood around the women and children sitting in the courtyard of the mansion overlooking a young man who now looked complete with war clothes.

A sword with the handle of the eagle's head seemed to be slung on the young man's shoulder. While a keris with a dragon's head handle tucked between his belt.

Just now the young man gave words of arson to everyone who was in the courtyard of the mansion.

"Gusti Prince! Allow us our mothers and children to join this war. However, we would like to contribute energy to this beloved country. Seventeen years we look forward to times like this. The times when a valiant heir to the throne led this struggle reclaimed the rights that had been taken away," said one young man who was just a teenager.

"The Senopathy of Arya Prana! Has there been any movement of the soldiers from the Earth Spikes?" Ask Prince Indra.

"Gusti, it seems like they are resting in Waringin village. The biggest possibility is that tomorrow morning the troops will continue their journey" replied Senopati Arya Prana.

"Evacate this whole village. Get everyone up the cliff,"

"Sendiko dawuh Gusti!" Senopati Arya Prana.

"You want to go to war, don't you?" Prince Indra Mahesa asked in a loud voice.

"Yes, Gusti. Please allow us to go to war!" They say.

"Hmmm. Alright. You will be included in this war. But there is one condition. You must be tested first" said Prince Indra Mahesa, asking Bayu Gatra to bring a stone the size of a buffalo head.

"Whoever can lift this stone, he may fight!" Prince Indra Mahesa said as he pointed towards the buffalo-sized stone.

Now, one by one they began to practice lifting the big stone.

Many have passed exams. However, it is not uncommon to fail.

One thing that made Prince Indra Mahesa feel touched. They failed, but they did not give up.

They gathered and formed a group of three in a group and said.

"Gusti, if we were not able to lift the stone ourselves, then, with three, we would be able to," they said, demonstrating how to lift the stone and throw it.

"There is no more reason for you to reject them" whispered Bayu Gatra to the ear of prince Indra Mahesa.

"alright. I will no longer hinder you. But remember! You cannot jump directly into battle. You are only allowed to be on the cliff. If it violates, it will be punishable with severe punishment because it is considered to have been mbalelo against the leader," prince Indra Mahesa warned.

"Long live Sri Kemuning!"

"Long live Crown Prince Indra Mahesa!"

"Long live the people of Sri Kemuning!"

A very excited voice echoed throughout the teak valley forest.

Prince Indra Mahesa also clenched his hands and mingled with all his people who fled in the teak valley.

"Uncle Senopati, Uncle Commander Rangga, Uncle Arya Permadi and Uncle Wiguna! Arrange all your soldiers and place them in every corner. Let's welcome the enemy!"

"The swaddies!"

"Hamba, Gusti Manggala Yuda!"

"Report immediately to the teak valley with the Warrior messenger from Uncle Tumenggung Paki. Tell him to close the road leading to the village of Waringin. After all the warriors from Paku Bumi entered the cliff passage, do not let them out. Even if only one. Close that road immediately, providing as many fiery arrows as possible!" Prince Indra Mahesa gave the final order.

"Hamba's leaving, Gusti!"

"Go as soon as! Take a detour so you don't meet the Earth Spikes!"

"Sendiko Gusti Manggala Yuda!" Sadewa said then immediately joined the messenger soldiers from Tumenggung Paksi.

After the group accompanied by Sadewa departed, now everyone who was in this place also immediately ran towards the cliff in this teak valley.

Each of them occupies a post.

For those who feel strong, they take refuge in the guard post with three people. For those who are a little weak, they start making a group of nine people so that they can carry on royong when the enemy comes.

Meanwhile, prince Indra Mahesa immediately tied a dagger rope made of tree bark fiber to his arrow and fired the rope across the front cliff wall.

All of them did so until now, many ropes were interconnected between the cliffs.

"Wouldn't these ropes make them suspicious?" Andini asked Prince Indra Mahesa.

"I've learned about this cliff, Dinda. In addition to this very high cliff, when the afternoon, the sun will prevent them to look up," replied Prince Indra Mahesa.

"You each take one rope. We're gonna fly with the help of this rope. I'm worried that the science of lightening the body is not enough. Each rope, there will be ten villagers who will guard it. When they get the sign, they will pull the rope immediately" Prince Indra said.

"It looks like the whole map of this battle you've put into your brain, Dinda?!" Bayu Gatra said with a smile.

"Uncle Senopati Arya Prana is the one who taught me," replied Prince Indra Mahesa making Senopati Arya Prana who was beside him just smile.

"Report, Gusti! All the soldiers have been in their respective positions!" Said one of the officers from the core force chosen by Prince Indra Mahesa.

"Good! The time has come. Let's fight!"

"Long live Sri Kemuning!"

"Long live Sri Kemuning!"

"Long live Sri Kemuning!"

Again there were echoes of spirit generators from them before each of them dispersed into their respective hiding places.

LIKE IT DON'T FORGET!

Seriate...