Two days ago, when the sun was high in the sky and Bandung Bandawasa's body was still drenched in sweat from training, a soldier came and interrupted his sword practice. Receiving a call from the Chief Soldier to his private residence was not a normal occurrence.
There, in a room tightly locked to the ears of eavesdroppers, the Chief Soldier told Bandawasa that he had been selected as a candidate for a special corps called Rosangkara, a secret unit formed for one purpose only: to serve as a living shield for the royal family. Even if he was eliminated from the selection process, he would still become a reserve member. If any member of the corps died, he would automatically be added to the corps.
To keep the unit a military secret, the King wrapped the selection process in the guise of an annual competition in the town square. To those who did not know, it was just a routine display of soldiers' skills. However, the unusual presence of the King and Crown Princess was a code for those who knew.
For an ordinary soldier like Bandung Bandawasa, the Crown Princess, Rara Jonggrang, was just a legend whispered about in the barracks. The Crown Princess was like a palace heirloom full of secrets, rarely appearing outside the palace walls, allowing rumors about her beauty to grow into legends.
Yet, when Bandung Bandawasa stood in the selection arena and saw the Crown Princess yesterday, he realized that the rumors were wrong.
In reality, the Crown Princess up there on the platform completely captivated Bandung Bandawasa. The words of his fellow soldiers failed to describe her true beauty.
The Crown Princess was not simply beautiful; she was the embodiment of physical perfection ...
with long, wavy, thick hair playing in the wind ...
her light yellow complexion radiated more than anyone else in the sea of people there, as if the sun was shining only on her ...
and her curvaceous figure showing the health of a high-ranking aristocrat.
The sight ignited a different fire in Bandung Bandawasa's heart. No longer was it merely a thirst for rank, but a desire to be the person closest to the goddess. His spirit burned many times stronger, every movement became more powerful and every attack more deadly.
Endlessly, Bandung Bandawasa thanked Godess Durga because, thanks to Her blessing, he had defeated his opponent.
Currently, in a room smelling of old wood and incense, Prime Minister Gupala stared sharply at Bandung Bandawasa and a skinny man whose name he did not know.
"Bandung, Ceking," Prime Minister Gupala's voice was deep, "Ikang Rosangkara nora inarahaken dening Bekel, ning Patih iki. Kalian uga kapilih dening sang Hadyan Ratu angdadi prajurit Rajakumari. Angiteri kanakbyan pagawayan kalian saiki."
[Translation: Bandung, Ceking, the Rosangkara corps is not led by the Chief Soldier, but by this Prime Minister. You have also been chosen by the King to become the Crown Princess's soldiers. Your task now is to surround the women's quarters.].
Blood rushed through Bandung Bandawasa's veins. This was more than just a promotion, it was the key to entering the world of the Goddess.
Bandung Bandawasa and Ceking then bowed low. "Linaksanaken, matur atarima sih Patih Gupala," they replied in unison.
[Translation: Understood, thank you Prime Minister Gupala.].
"Konang metu kalian."
[Translation: You may leave.].
Once outside the room, Bandung Bandawasa pressed his palms together on his forehead. "Matur singgih kawula anuhun ri sang hyang Durga," he muttered softly, but Ceking still heard him.
[Translation: I sincerely honor the goddess Durga.].
Ceking quipped, "Munggah wibhawa."
[Translation: Promoted.].
"Ya," replied Bandung Bandawasa.
[Translation: Yes.].
The newly formed Rosangkara Corps consisted of ten soldiers, a small unit, yet filled with soldiers who were experts in their field. Of the ten selected soldiers, eight were assigned to guard the King, while the rest guarded the Crown Princess.
To maintain the secrecy of the unit, Prime Minister Gupala instructed all ten special soldiers to be transferred to the same barracks to facilitate coordination, but they remained mixed with other ordinary soldiers. This was done to avoid arousing suspicion among other soldiers and rebels in the palace about an elite force within the palace.
For the other soldiers, Bandung Bandawasa, Ceking, and the eight other personnel were simply the winners of a routine competition who happened to be assigned to guard posts closer to the heart of the palace.
"Ceking," called Bandung Bandawasa as they stood under the shade of a banyan tree. "Sing jaga-jaga ing wengi ingong uga, sing ing isuk kateka sore kita. Durung kinatahwan jaga-jaga ing jro kedhaton ingong."
[Translation: Ceking, I'll guard at night, you guard in the morning until evening. I'm not used to guarding inside the palace yet.].
Ceking nodded in agreement. The morning to evening shift meant he would be dealing more often with the hustle and bustle of palace protocol, something he was used to handling in the reception and audience halls.
Three of the special soldiers were actually Bandung Bandawasa's longtime barracks mates. Ceking, his partner in guarding the Crown Princess, was not one of them. But he was popular among the soldiers, to the point that Ceking had heard about his ability to lead the team during guerrilla combat despite his young age.
It was not without reason that Bandung Bandawasa requested night guard duty. His Kanuragan martial arts skills were slightly above the average soldier, making it relatively easy for him to see in the darkness of night. That was also the reason why he was always sent into guerrilla combat. However, there was another deeper reason behind his request, the atmosphere of the palace at night was much quieter. He wanted to be able to calmly sense the presence of the Crown Princess behind the walls ....
"Kaka-kaka."
[Translation: Brothers.].
Bandung Bandawasa and Ceking immediately stopped their conversation and turned around. Three maids were walking towards them with regular, graceful steps.
Ceking gave a respectful nod. All the soldiers guarding the reception and audience halls, including him, certainly knew who the maids were, but not Bandung Bandawasa, who had spent most of his life in the jungle.
"Hana apa, Kaka?" replied Ceking in a familiar but polite tone.
[Translation: What is it, Sister?].
At the front, the most experienced-looking maid shifted attention to Bandung Bandawasa. "Manawa Kaka Bandung nora kawruh sapa ingong, Kuning pangaranngong, gundik Rajakumari."
[Translation: Perhaps you don't know who I am, Bandung. My name is Kuning, the maid of the Crown Princess.].
The maid Kuning smiled slightly.
"Kawruhan ingong yan magawe ning kanakbyan Kaka Bandung karo Kaka Ceking, dadyan saiki kalian arep dak gawa dan tuduhi enggon ni. Atutana ingong."
[Translation: I was told that Brother Bandung and Brother Ceking are on duty in the palace, so now I will take you and show you the place. Follow me.].
"Ya," replied Bandung Bandawasa briefly.
[Translation: Yes.].
Maiden Kuning turned, followed by two other maids walking with their heads slightly bowed. Bandung Bandawasa and Ceking followed behind. They passed several buildings and black brick walls before finally arriving at the deepest and rearmost part of the Baka Palace complex.
Ceking quickly figured it out because the location of the women's quarters was not far from the reception hall he used to guard. However, for Bandung Bandawasa, it was his first exploration into the heart of the palace.
Maiden Kuning began to introduce each of the buildings they passed, such as the quarters of the Queen and Crown Princess, marked by the most magnificent building with fine and intricate wood carvings; the quarters of the concubines and princesses, marked by a row of smaller buildings, but still with fine wood carvings; the quarters of the maids and the kitchen, marked by their busy activities; and the garden, marked by greenery and the fragrance of flowers.
Finally, maiden Kuning stopped in front of a corridor shaded by lush jasmine and rose bushes and sandalwood trees. Her eyes sharpened as she looked at Bandung Bandawasa and Ceking.
"Sisih sing kalarang iku sisih sendang iki," said Maiden Kuning in a suddenly serious tone.
[Translation: The forbidden part is this pond.].
"Kikil-kikil kalian nora antuk lumebu ning kana. Dalan dak tuduhi didine kalian wruh watesan."
[Translation: Your feet must not enter there. I am showing you the way so that you know the limits.].