The Legend of Singabarong

3. A gift from the princess

Two palanquins moved slow, each had four poles beneath the pad and each pole was carried on the shoulders of three men. They had no walls, only curtains that were unveiled. Two horsemen led in the front, while an army of fifty with spears and shields ready for battle followed them behind, forming two lines like a long tail. The King of Kediri was inspecting his people.

Every time they were about to pass some people on their way, one of the horsemen would command, "Kneel before your king!" And the people would obey willingly. The present king was successful in managing his kingdom. Under his rule, people's barns were full of rice, there has been no wars for decades, and he applied the low-tax policy. He was not rich compared to the neighbouring kings. He did not collect a lot of wealth from his people. Plus, "corruption" was a foreign term to his governance. That is why his people loved him so much.

"Kneel before your king!" yell the horsemen from a distance when they were entering the village where Ndaskucing and his kind host lived. They yelled so that everyone became prepared.

Ndaskucing was struggling to make new putchers in front of the woman's house. He heard the command, but he was ignorant. He did not know of such kneeling culture. Why would a man kneel before another man anyway?

The ignorance was dangerous. It could be treated as an insult or worse, treason. The accused could be sentenced to death. Fortunately, the woman heard the command as well. She went out to check whether Ndaskucing knelt or not. And when she found him still weaving the bamboo fibres without paying any attention to the command, she caught his arm and made him kneel before the soldiers could see.

He followed her, yet asking still, "What are we doing, actually?"

"Just shut up for now. I'll explain later. Bow your head and never look at the king's entourage until they passed us. Otherwise, we both will be in danger."

"But... But... Why? The other people kneel, but the king seems okay with them looking at him."

"Just follow my words for now. I'll explain later. Promise." The woman pressed Ndaskucing's head from behind. He obeyed but was unhappy with that. Not knowing a thing of what was happening had made him uncomfortable.

The royal guards were always prepared. They walked in neat lines and were cautious of their environment at the same time. The horsemen noticed Ndaskucing's fur; shiny golden with black stripes lying perpendicular to his neck. But they were not suspicious. That must be just a kid wearing an animal mask, they thought.

After they all passed, the woman and Ndaskucing arose. Out of curiosity, he came to the street and turn towards the king's entourage. "It must be exciting to be a king," he said. "Travelling on a palanquin like that, followed by loyal servants and soldiers ready to die on his name, and everywhere he goes everyone gives their respect. Exactly the opposite of me!"

Suddenly, his eyes caught a green shimmer on the ground. When he looked at it, he found a fan made of arranged peacock feathers. It must be the kings. He took it and caught up the entourage, yelling and waving his hands, "My Kiiing, my kiiiing, your fan fell. Here, I want to give it back to you."

Seeing Ndaskucing running after the king by yelling impolitely, the woman's eyes were enlarged. She was shocked. "Wait! Ndaskucing, stop! Do not go there," she shouted at him but it took no effect.

The entire entourage then turned aroud. Since the king was well-known for his good attitude, Ndaskucing expected that smiling faces and several thanks would welcome him. But he got a wall of steel shields and sharp spears pointed at his head instead. The soldiers formed a battle formation at once, forcing him to stop approaching further. One of the horsemen went to the rear to check what was going on.

"Back of, beast!" the spearmen warned sternly. He strengthened his warning by making a move as if to stab him.

"I mean no harm. I just want to give this back to the king," said Ndaskucing.

The horseman arrived. He stared at Ndaskucing's face as the boy spoke. He soon realized that the boy was not wearing any mask. He has an animal head, a tiger head! This reminded him of an old tale of an Ox-headed villain named Lembusura who was about to make havoc in this same kingdom had the king at that time was not clever enough to deceive him.

"An animal-headed. He is Lembusura's kind," the horseman concluded. Then he ordered, "Kill him!"

"Have mercy, my lord! Forgive him for his impudence. This boy is mine. Though he looks like a beast, he is nothing but a boy. Have mercy, please!" the woman begged several steps behind Ndaskucing. "And you, Ndaskucing. Kneel!"

Realizing his position, Ndaskucing stabbed his knee to the ground and bowed his head as he did before. But this time, his hands were stretched, meant to give the beautiful fan.

"Forgive me, My Lord. I meant no harm, really. Once again, I just want to give this fan back to the king," said Ndaskucing. Strangely, he did not scare a bit this time. Nor he wanted to charge as he did to the boys yesterday. He had learned his lesson, that to charge without considering his position would be so so stupid. If the boys could beat him easily, then so would the fully prepared army of fifty.

"The fan is mine," said a soft voice from the second palanquin. The same voice commanded the palanquin bearers to approach Ndaskucing.

"Don't, Princess. He is dangerous." The horseman asked her.

"I have a strong feeling that it is okay, Uncle," said the princess lightly. The horseman was indeed not his uncle. It was just a common word to address someone much older in a polite manner, due to the local culture.

The palanquin descended from the tough shoulders that had born it along the way. Princess Sanggalangit stepped down and approached her soldiers' line from behind. Once she waved her hand, the pointed spears were pulled back and the wall of shields cleaved into two parts like a gate opened from inside. Princess Sanggalangit was just fourteen or fifteen, but her strong character had already appeared.

She stepped towards Ndaskucing without hesitation and said, "Thank you for giving my fan back. This is my favorite fan. Have you not found this, I would spend the night with anxiety, wondering where it is."

She took her fan from his hands. "And you do not need to bow down from now on," she added.

When Ndaskucing looked up, her sight caught the princess' face. He was amazed in an instant. His mouth was agape. That girl, that very girl. Her smile froze the flow of time, her skin was so soft and smooth like ivory, and her nails were painted in shimmering pink.

Sanggalangit smiled again.

"Owh! My apologies, Princess."

"No problem. What is your name?" Sanggalangit asked.

"I have none. But people called me Ndaskucing."

"Well, the name is kinda cute. But it does not suit you. Moreover, why would you let people to choose a name for you? I think you need to decide your own name." She then removed one of the peacock feathers from the fan and gave it to him. "A gift, for returning my fan."

Ndaskucing received the feather, yet he did not understand, "You do not hate me? Am I not despicable to you? People usually see me as a monster. Even your royal guards do so."

"One is his action, not his shape nor form," said the Princess. "You could've kept the fan for yourself. But you return it to me instead. That alone must be appreciated despite your look."

"You are so wise. Thank you, Princess!" said Ndaskucing in excitement. His heart was suddenly filled with joy that he wanted to live forever. "By the way, can we meet again, Princess?"

"Know your place, beast!" said the horseman sternly. He regarded that request as an insult but he did nothing as the manner appeared to be acceptable for the princess.

While Sanggalangit herself said nothing, she just smiled and left for her palanquin. The soldiers rearranged themselves into two lines and were ready to leave. The horseman went back to the front where he should be. And the entourage began to continue their travel.