"Forget it. What's done is done..."
His toes curled, tapping against the stone floor of the Lumut Bridge. He turned around to start walking away, leaving behind the three who were still embracing one another, while leading his horse along.
The twilight sky painted the air above the cliffs. Its fading orange hue caused the fog to grow increasingly thick and dark.
Agniran caught up and walked alongside Solor. His face now looked fresher after taking off his udeng. The short, middle-parted hair beside his forehead swayed gently. His long sideburns, reaching almost down his cheeks, tapered near the bottom, blending harmoniously with his thin mustache and tan skin, radiating a handsome look on his slender face.
With his arms crossed over his chest, his face tilted slightly downward and to the side, gazing at Solor who was also stepping forward. "Where are you headed after this, Master?"
Solor slouched his back slightly. With his eyes half-closed, he stuck out his tongue while continuing to walk forward.
"I already told you..." "I've lost my way." "My house has been destroyed."
Both of his hands holding the reins went limp, dangling until they nearly touched the floor of the white bridge.
He replied again, "Maybe after this I'm heading east..."
Agniran's thin lips beneath his soft mustache widened, adding to his handsome appearance. "Are you really going east?"
"Why?" Solor replied, still in the same position, except he now widened his stride slightly by bowing his knees outward.
"We are going east as well."
Solor quickly reverted to walking normally. He looked up at Agniran. "East?"
"I figured you were padepokan disciples out on a journey..." Solor tapped his index finger against Agniran's thigh. "Though those white crocodiles earlier were quite something to add to your experience... weren't they?"
Agniran shrugged his shoulders and smiled broadly. "So you knew all along that we were padepokan disciples..."
The corners of Solor's lips curved downward. Looking up at Agniran's face, Solor pulled his head back. "Well, I recognize your uniform! That's why earlier I warned you about the forbidden topic..."
Solor looked forward again, then looked up at Agniran's face once more. "You are Wandarimo's disciples, right?"
Agniran looked straight ahead again, his arms still crossed over his chest wrapped in a dark green vest. "Yes, that's right... We are on a journey."
"Then why do you want to head east?" Solor looked straight ahead, spotting two white pillars beside the end of the bridge growing clearer in sight.
Agniran glanced back for a moment, looking at Handoko and Joko who seemed to be chatting peacefully while facing the cliff. "We are heading to Lataran Ijo."
Solor came to a halt. He was now lagging slightly behind Agniran's steps.
"Hold on!" Solor jogged up. Walking beside him once more, he stared at Agniran intently. "You're going to Lataran Ijo?"
Agniran glanced over briefly. He uncrossed his arms. A sudden feeling of anxiety gripped his heart as Solor pressed for confirmation.
Does he know about the plaque given by Grand Master Wandarimo?
Solor's thick, sharp eyebrows nearly touched, his forehead furrowing.
"Yes, Master, we are heading there as well," Agniran answered, attempting to sound relaxed.
Solor raised his right hand to prop up his chin. He tilted his head down slightly, causing the thin, straight strand of his ponytail to curve forward.
Is this guy going to Lataran Ijo? Even if Wandarimo told his disciple... wouldn't this be an act of betrayal against the Alliance?
Solor put on a cheerful expression. He looked at Agniran with a smile. "Alright. If you're going to Lataran Ijo, what business do you have there?"
The question left Agniran bewildered. He had only been instructed to go to Lataran Ijo and deliver the golden plaque featuring the snail emblem, and was asked to keep it a secret. In truth, he did not even know the purpose of his grand master giving him the plaque. For a brief moment, he felt a urge to ask Solor about it.
"Hey, what is your business there?" Solor's face suddenly appeared down in front of him as Agniran walked along, staring at the white paving stones of the bridge, moss growing between their cracks.
Agniran snapped back to his senses. "Hm... we're just going for a walk." A faint smile graced his handsome face.
Solor stepped forward again. Now his body turned toward Agniran, causing his horse to walk side-by-side with him. "I know you're lying."
Solor raised his index finger, moving it as if tapping a button toward his own nose. "But I also know you're just keeping your master's secret. You're a loyal disciple."
Agniran looked astonished. "How can you tell?"
In front of him, Solor spread both arms wide—his left hand still clutching the reins—while walking backward ahead of Agniran.
"No way!" his voice rang out loudly. "Lataran Ijo is vast. That place only has one ridiculously massive grassland!"
He turned his body around, walking backward once more. "You're going for a walk?"
Solor turned back to face forward again. "Hilarious."