SEMBAH HYANG

THE BLOOD KRIS

As the storm subsides, the wind is back to normal, the cloud gets thinner, the sun light spreads across the land and the temperature is warming up slowly. It is sunny and the tranquil as usual, however, not for long.

The silent environment of the city suddenly greets its inhabitant with the sound emanating from hundreds of gongs being drummed out loud, ringing all over the place in similar pattern. Signalling its inhabitants that a huge army is heading their way.

In a matter of seconds, the empty roads is being swarmed by the soldiers rushing from every directions heading towards a particular rendezvous point at Tanah Lumpur a large field plane outside the city. They can be seen running in barefoot, some with sandals, the higher ranking riding on horses and some on Sumatran elephants. All sixty thousand (60,000) strong soldiers responding simultaneously to the call of the gongs during their spare times leaving their precious wives and kids at home.

The women, the children and the elderly stays in their house in fear. No prior warning was given, they were just unprepared. The suddenness of the news that just broke out sends shivers to their spine, they can only pray that they'll survive.

As they watch their husbands and sons rushing to the field from the windows, their houses is suddenly being greeted with another disturbing noise of wooden bat banging on the door non-stop.

"Javanese army is on their way! Javanese army is on their way!"

"Prepare for evacuation! Bring only your valuable belongings!

"Please gather at 'Danghyang' field at Bukit Siguntang!"

"Evacuation starts in one hour! The slow will be left behind!"

The noises and shouting was caused by the police officers numbering in thousands spreading throughout every corner of the city as they joins the soldiers on the street, ordering ordinary citizens to prepare for emergency evacuation.

In the palace's courtyard, Dara Mawar is witnessing the city from above. The atmosphere is filled with loud noises from the gongs, stomping, shouting, knocking, running and all, it is chaotic.

The palace guards standing there beside her looks worried as they didn't know what is happening to their family in this current state.

Coming out from the palace's hall are the Maharaja, the Bendahari and more than fifteen messenger. After a quick conversation, the Bendahari and the messengers quickly rushes their way downhill exiting the palace's courtyard while the Maharaja walks to his wife.

"Is it Sultan Malik?" She asked.

"No, it's Makutawangsa. His army just arrived at the mouth of the river about an hour ago."

"Quick! We don't have much time. Get all of our valuables into the cart now! We're moving within an hour." Orders Warmadewa to his wife.

"Guards, all of you. Please inform and escort all of the servants out from this palace now."

"Once you've packed all your belongings, gather at Danghyang field. We will meet there."

"Now go!" Yells Warmadewa sending the guards running.

At Tanah Lumpur, the Bendahara, Laksmana, Temenggung and Siliwangi is standing on the steps of a small biara ("biara"is a Malay word for Buddhist Monastery - Vihara) discussing their plan evacuate the city as they wait for all the army to assemble.

"Now, we shall split our army into two main group. The first group will be the main force that shall use the Jongs to block all of the entrance to Musi river, as far as Sungsang. The second group will be heading north on foot, to secure the river at Tanjong Lago and Penuguan area so the people will be able to cross the river safely." Brief Siliwangi.