The dark and quiet atmosphere presented by Lidia slowly changed to reveal the atmosphere of a busy courtyard filled with piles of goods and animals. Little Iswari walked slowly across the palace grounds. No one noticed Iswari's movements as piles of foodstuffs blocked her tiny body from view. Villagers back and forth in and out of the main gate carrying their crops. Everyone is busy with preparations for the ritual of the Sesaji Bumi, which will be led by the father tomorrow morning. At the main gate, she peeked outside through the open door. The streets were full of people passed by. With trembling heart, Iswari stepped out through the gate. For a while Iswari just stood silently at the side of the road, looked left and right, watched the buzz of citizens of the royal capital in the morning. Never before had Iswari set foot outside the palace. Although Iswari repeatedly insisted on seeing the world outside, her father, queen mother, and nannies always forb

Iswari creeped towards the royal stable. Slowly he opened Pavana's stable, her beloved horse, and led it out. For a moment Iswari was silent, thinking about the best move to leave the palace. Finally she made up a plan and immediately spurred Pavana fast.As expected, the gatekeepers were always on the lookout for people trying to get into the palace, but they weren't prepared to deal with people breaking out. The two soldiers fell as they were hit by Pavana's burly body.Iswari drove away from the palace, smiled at the angry cry of the soldiers. They didn't seem to recognize who had barged out. Understandably, as the sun still hasn't risen yet.Years ago Iswari finally managed to find her way to the top of the cliff, the spot where Wirakrama had apparently told her about. Since then she went there frequently to watch various port activities, fantasizing about voyages to foreign lands. Lately Iswari has not visited the place for a long time, and the conversation

The rumors among the ladies that afternoon were more exciting than usual. Intrigued, Iswari approached her personal maid."What's the news today, Sukemi?""Um, My Lady, there is news that our troops who were sent to fight have returned, but they say, there are a lot of casualties," replied Sukemi politely.Immediately Iswari headed to the top of the hill to check the situation of the port. Her heart sank when she found out that only one royal ship had docked. She hurriedly sped her horse down the hill toward the palace, waiting for their news there.Iswari felt very relieved when she saw Wirakrama on foot leading the marching troops home. His horse is nowhere. Wirakrama and his entire army looked tired and weary. The number of soldiers were also much less than when they left the port back then. Someone who seemed to come from India was seen walking alongside Wirakrama. Behind Wirakrama's army was a line of foreign troops, apparently also from India, who w

Iswari lied weak on the bed."Nagawarman," called Iswari hoarsely."Yes, Mother, what do you need?" Nagawarman answered his mother's call."Would you like to send an envoy to pick up Rsi Jalabadra in Salakanagara? It's been a while since I saw him, and there's something I want to talk to him about.""Yes, Mother, I will go to Salakanagara myself," replied Nagawarman.Nagawarman immediately left for Salakanagara, and two days later, he returned to see his mother with Rsi Jalabadra."Thank you, my son. Let me talk privately with him, for a moment,” asked Iswari.Nagawarman left the room, fulfilling his mother's request."Rsi, how are you?" asked Iswari."I am fine, Iswari, only a matter of age makes this body a little fragile," Jalabadra replied. "How about you, Iswari?""I'm tired, Rsi. Luckily all my tasks and duties have been completed. Only one thing is still on my mind. That is why I ask you to come all the way to Taruma

The figure that Kalyana entered was in panic, walked hurriedly through the darkness of the night. Several buildings loomed black all around, creepy. The road was lit with only a few torches, but she didn't care. Only Wyasa is in her mind now. The only person she cared about, the only person she was afraid of losing.The sound of stone being hit by metal chisel could be heard in the distance, guiding Kalyana's steps to the destination. The person she was looking for was finally spotted, sitting on a wooden bench facing the stone wall. His back looked beautiful to her, glistened in the light of the dancing flames on the tip of the torch that was installed beside the young man."Wyasa!" exclaimed the female figure.The young man was shocked, goaned. The chisel and hammer in his hand fell off soon after that.The female figure immediately ran toward the young man. Feelings of worry rose in Kalyana's chest. “Wyasa! What happened?" she exclaimed."Sar