The sun revealed a sliver of its light from the east, polishing the dark sky with a hint of blue and a faint touch of red. Dew struck the surface of the balcony's white stone railing, making it look wet. The sound of slow footsteps trod upon the floor of the Crescent Wanderer's Hall. The sound of those footsteps had long not graced the cold floor in the misty dawn that enveloped the palace. A figure with a fierce face, neat and thick beard, firm jaw, and shoulder-length curly hair combed backward. Thick eyebrows completed his eyes, which gazed across the entire room. His glance swept around, a few memories flashing through him of every existing object. He stared toward the balcony, his eyes softening with pity after seeing a limp figure lying on the daybed of the balcony veranda. Her body was wrapped in soft white attire with a fabric jarik covering her legs. Several documents and scrolls were scattered beside her. The sturdy man walked closer, staring at the woman's pale, unconscious face amidst the cold dew. Soon, he walked toward a drawer in the living area. His muscular arms, wrapped in a neat white beskap, stretched out to unfold a blanket, then gently laid it down to cover the young woman's body as she slept on her side, resting her head on her elbow. Warmth struck so abruptly that it caused the woman's eyes to open. "Ki?" she uttered while lifting her back. Her consciousness had not yet fully returned. "What does it feel like to be the Crescent Wanderer?" The man's masculine voice resounded as his eyes stared at the palace panorama outside the balcony. "Why are you saying that?" Her slender fingers rubbed her temple as she sat with one leg resting on the other's thigh. "Because I have been in your position." He stared at Samiranah's face, which looked weary as she turned to look at the dawn panorama. "I have never thought about what it feels like to be the Crescent Moon Wanderer." Samiranah stared at him with a head that felt heavy and slightly dizzy. "I think more often about how to quickly get a clue to purify the Inner Pledge (Batin Pangikrar)." The man's arms crossed and locked behind his back, his gaze fixed on the panorama. "I know the burden," Wandarimo said, standing upright. "Only the difference in faith provides the answer to how great the burden of being the Crescent Wanderer is that can strengthen one's performance." Samiranah rubbed her eyes, trying to chase away her sleepiness. "Is it true that you will propose an heirloom to be offered as a prize for the upcoming contest?" Her eyes stared at the tall, large man facing the outside of the balcony. "I do not wish for any more Randus." His voice was firm, with his eyes scanning the white exterior of the palace. "I understand why you are willing to do this every night, sacrificing your rest time." Wandarimo looked at her intently. "I am like you! I want the Inner Pledge to be purified once again!" His body moved, now standing right in front of Samiranah, who was still sitting on the daybed with a face marred by exhaustion. "I want to destroy the law!" his voice was soft. His sharp eyes returned to the panorama outside the balcony. "The void." His eyeballs stared at the sky, slowly brightening under the morning sun. "For a thousand years, perhaps what is wrong is not the sky failing to answer, but the way we understand the answer." Samiranah tried to stay awake, but the heavy feeling in her head and her sleepiness continued to bother her. There was indeed some truth in the man's words, but her mind was not yet ready to accept it. "I actually think," Samiranah stared at the white pot growing broad leaves at the edge of the railing, her gaze trembling, "why does the Alliance still need the Crescent Moon Wanderer, when with its giant laws they have managed to care for this land?" Wandarimo turned to look at her. "What do you mean by care?" Her weary eyes stared at Wandarimo. "Yes, haven't we successfully passed through days without any heirloom wars? Or perhaps for a thousand years not a single other party has threatened for power?" Her eyes stared at the balcony floor. "I think the Alliance has actually succeeded." Wandarimo smiled. His handsomeness clearly radiated as his neat beard shifted. He stared at the sky. "What about the Relief of Destiny?" He turned to look at Samiranah. "Do you understand what the relief means when it speaks of Sambekala?" His face turned stern. "Aside from cutting off knowledge and curbing power, that is actually what the Alliance fears the most." Samiranah understood; she understood very well. Those words reminded her of the early days when she was inaugurated as the Crescent Moon Wanderer. Yet, according to Samiranah, proposing an heirloom to the public was an ill-suited choice. It went against the Alliance Law. "Yes, I understand, Ki. But why did you choose the path of bringing an heirloom to the surface? Isn't that the same as breaking the law? Yes... Although not directly, not using that heirloom..." Her pale face turned, occasionally causing the two strands of hair hanging beside her cheeks to sway. Wandarimo stared at Samiranah, who was still sitting on the daybed. "Because that is the answer." Wandarimo stepped forward again, now drawing closer to Samiranah. His eyes looked down, gazing into Samiranah's pair of eyes, which were transfixed on his weary eyes. "Look at this building. Is there any use to it?" He emphasized his gaze. "You must know, it has been a thousand years." This was what felt painful to Samiranah. This was what made her risk doing anything just to get an answer. She only wanted her work finished. Her head drooped, nearly falling asleep, then she quickly snapped out of it and opened her eyes again. "I have been in your place. I know what it feels like to be the Crescent Moon Wanderer. Perhaps this is the same as what previous Crescent Moon Wanderers felt." The sky flushed yellowish. The sunlight emitted warmth and brightness, while birds began to chirp in response. Samiranah's hand supported her forehead, her body hunched from fatigue and heaviness. "I am tired, Ki. I am also dizzy." She shook her face to toss the strands of hair beside her face backward while lifting her head. "But forgive me, I am not quite suited to the path you have chosen." Samiranah was certain the Alliance would surely reject the proposal. Because the word "heirloom" is indeed forbidden to be uttered by any citizen in Sanajayan. "I am not asking you to agree with my opinion. I am only conveying what I understand. The decision remains in your hands, because you are currently the Crescent Wanderer." His sturdy fingers patted Samiranah's shoulder. "Take care of your health." Turning around, his steps were slow yet steady, leaving Samiranah, whose body felt hot due to a lack of sleep. Samiranah lay her body back down onto the daybed. Amidst her sleepiness, she was certain that even without her pushing her proposal, the Alliance would surely reject it. The Alliance also needed to know its position and show respect toward her, because there was still another year left.
