In Action With Marini

"But, Ki, this is a dangerous quest. I cannot guarantee your disciple's safety."

Jagat's slightly raised voice caught Marini's attention as she seemed to be about to approach.

"He's like my own child because I've cared for her since she was little. But please, let her find solace by seeing the killer of her beloved."

Jagat Wengi nodded slowly, signifying his agreement, and then Gendis's voice broke the atmosphere.

"Brother Jagat!"

Gendis came with a face full of joy and a smile that outshined the rays of the eastern horizon. "Here's some food for your journey, Brother. May those villains be punished accordingly."

From behind, Marini passed by nonchalantly, saying, "Save the farewells for later. We don't have time."

Handing over the wrapped food, Gendis responded with surprise, asking, "Is Brother Jagat going with this woman?"

"Take care of your grandfather. I'll be back."

Jagat Wengi gently patted Gendis's arm and then hurried to catch up with Marini toward his horse. Before that, Arya Mandana approached him and said, "Hurry and settle your affairs. I need your help."

"Regarding what, Lord?" Jagat asked while adjusting his saddle.

"It's about the martial world," Arya Mandana answered. Stepping forward, he continued, "The Mongols have recruited members from black-aligned sects. We need to do something."

Jagat didn't know how to respond as he had never cared about the martial world. In fact, he often clashed with its members. Mandana's request was indeed strange. It seemed impossible that this Majapahit officer didn't know his background.

"Very well, Lord. Hopefully, Black Kala hasn't joined forces with the Mongols yet. It'll make it even more difficult to track them down."

"That's even better. We can attack their hideout together."

"Lord Mandana..." Marini called out, seeming anxious to get going. "Are you done? We don't have much time."

Arya Mandana didn't object and allowed Jagat and Marini to leave. According to Gagak Tantra's information through his spy network, members of the Poison Kala sect were last seen in a roadside inn in the village. Their identities were known by the small scorpion-shaped tattoo on the back of their necks.

That was all that could be gathered, and for Jagat, it was more than enough to trace their whereabouts.

Two horses galloped relentlessly toward the south. There was little conversation between the two of them. Marini's haughty demeanor seemed to erect a barrier to any conversation.

Jagat Wengi didn't care about that, even though Marini and Gendis had similar beauty. He only wanted to finish his business quickly and return to Ki Wardiman.

The village road they were talking about was a connecting route to Kotaraja Daha, the center of government for Kediri, now ruled by Jayanegara, the son of Raden Wijaya.

Since Jayanegara was still too young to rule, his uncle, Lembu Sora, held the reins of power. It seemed that all the fighters who had overthrown Jayakatwang and driven the Mongols from Java had secured their respective positions.

That was the news Jagat heard as he and Marini had just arrived at the inn they were heading to. Political whispers and discussions about the Majapahit government filled the air as travelers on horseback rested and enjoyed food and drink.

Earlier, Jagat had worn a caping (a conical-shaped hat typically made of woven bamboo) to obscure his face due to its depth. He relied on his ears and occasional glances to identify the guests who came and went at the inn.

Tantra didn't specify the exact time or which days the members of Poison Kala frequented the inn. But he could confirm that they often came here to eat and drink.

Jagat worried that their presence would arouse suspicion from the inn's owner, as this place was merely a stopover, not a place for leisurely gatherings like other inns in villages or towns.

This situation was exacerbated by Marini's behavior, as she kept ordering more to prolong their stay at the inn.

"Enough. Stop ordering. You're only raising suspicion," Jagat whispered, positioning himself to face the kitchen area of the inn, while Marini faced the entrance.

"I can pay for it. I'm not a thief like you."

"That's not what I meant. We've been here too long. It's better to observe from outside."

"Why don't you do the observing? I'll stay here and keep an eye on things. Can you even recognize the scorpion tattoo on their neck?"

Stubborn!

Jagat Wengi cursed internally as he heard Marini's objections. How could a man like her if she behaved so differently from the gentle nature expected of women?

Finally, the short argument ended with Jagat Wengi sighing and leaving. He didn't know how to observe from outside with the streets like this.

In front of him was just an expanse of dry rice fields with barren hills in the background. The dry season had arrived, and no farmers were plowing their fields.

On the left and right sides of the inn were only overgrown weeds. Behind it was a small forest with various tall trees towering. Members of Poison Kala could approach from anywhere, from either side of this road.

What should he do with this surveillance? Was there something that escaped his sight and mind during the conversations of the inn's guests earlier?

He paid attention to everything, not missing a single detail. They were all talking about village matters and royal politics. Family affairs and the border security of the western part of Majapahit, which had become prone to robbers.

Then there were complaints from traders about rampant robbery. The dukes and lords seemed indifferent to the security of their own territories.

Jagat observed it all, not letting anything slip through.

But wait!

Language was not just spoken through voice and mouth; it was also conveyed through lip movements observed by the eyes. He was sure he saw it earlier when the inn's owner was talking to his member in the kitchen. Jagat tried hard to remember.

The member came out from the back shortly after. He was close to remembering, but a hard pat on his back brought him back to his senses.

"Hey! We'll come back tomorrow!" Marini was standing behind him. "Let's find an inn in the nearest village instead."

"An inn?"

"Don't expect to share a room with me. Pay for your own accommodation."

Jagat's consciousness still wasn't fully grasping Marini's invitation. He recalled the conversation the inn's owner had earlier. The language of lips and eyes conveyed a message to his member.

In the midst of chasing after Marini, who rode away swiftly, Jagat continued to assess and ensure that he could rely on his newfound abilities.

"Marini, wait! I think I've found something!" The decision was made before they strayed too far from the inn.

"Why? What is it?" Marini's instincts as a warrior immediately scanned their surroundings, which didn't seem much different from before.

"I believe the inn owner is part of Poison Kala."

"Are you sure? How do you know?"

"I just have a feeling. And right now, he's probably reporting us being here."

Marini furrowed her brow. From all that she heard and saw, there was no suspicious movement or conversation.

"You were facing the back of the inn earlier, but I didn't hear anything. Are you underestimating me?" she asked, looking annoyed.

"Please, just listen to me for a moment. Calm down. This is not the time to argue. We need a new plan."

"Let's go back to the inn."

"No! That's not the right move."

"Then what should we do?"

Jagat thought for a moment and then responded, "We don't want to fight them, but we want to retrieve your book. Let's hide until they pass this road, and then we'll follow them to their hideout."

"Or we could call the members of Sawung Bumi to raid them. What do you think?"

Jagat Wengi fell silent. This was beyond his expectations. Involving Sawung Bumi in this matter would be a big deal in the world of martial arts. Other sects of black arts would see it as a declaration of war.

Didn't this woman know about that?

"No need. Didn't you hear what Mandana said about the martial arts world? It's better if you don't involve your sect. Besides, this is my job."

Jagat Wengi left to find a safe hiding spot.

"I'm coming along because I want to make sure you retrieve it."

"Just say you're afraid I'll run away."

"Hide quickly before they pass by this road."

A shake of Jagat's head showed his patience was wearing thin with this woman. He was used to working alone when it came to stealing books like this.

Her presence was only interfering with his job. He might fail to steal the book if Marini kept disturbing him with her stubbornness.

Besides, he had his own plan that could only be executed alone.

"Idiot!" Jagat muttered unintentionally as he missed the opportunity. He should have accepted Marini's offer to stay in the village. With the sleeping powder he obtained from Ki Wardiman, he could make Marini unconscious and proceed with his mission freely.

Although it was troublesome now, it wasn't too late. He could still watch over himself in this spot.

"Do you have any water?" Jagat asked as they leaned against the tree trunk behind the tall bushes that concealed them.

Marini pretended not to hear, though her hand produced a leather pouch containing water.

Jagat accepted the pouch but only took a sip, as that wasn't what he needed. He wanted to put the powdered drug in the water pouch and return it to Marini, hoping she would drink it before the Poison Kala gang arrived.

It didn't take long for Marini to drink from the pouch. Within five breaths, her body became limp, and she fell unconscious on the ground.

Now, he was free to carry out his mission alone.