Keris or wavy double-bladed dagger always has magic power.  Each keris has gradation of its magic power.  And even they have its name each and that meant people believe those things were a sacred things.

Rangkud went to Kudus by riding a horse, fast.    The first place he want to reach was Sunan Kudus’s regent to ask him uttering a prayer for his keris.    He met Sunan who had been waiting.  It seemed Sunan had already known the killer’s visiting and what was his purpose.  Sunan received the Rangkud’s keris and then he uttered a prayer over the keris.    He gave it back to Rangkud and saying, “Rangkud do your master’s command on you.    You are the man be trusted.   I inform you that your job will be going easy since Sultan Demak was sick.”

“ Yes Sunan, I will do my best”

After he reached edge of Demak, he entrusted his horse to some one in the village.   Quickly he went to the Palace building in the middle of the night.    He didn’t enter the building, since there were two guards at the gate.   He sat on the grass with cross leg and then he uttered a prayer over all of the duty soldiers in the Palace to order them became sleepy and  deep slept.    A few minutes after that, the world became quiet, no sound heard even the cricket sound.     The soldiers who guarded the gate went to deep slept.   Rangkud stepped through the gate slowly.   He entered the building without obstacle since every soldier slept.   At last he reached the door of King’s room.   There were four soldiers in front of the door but they already slept.    Rangkud stepped over the body of the slept soldiers and then he went to the door.   He found that the door was unlocked, lucky him.

“ Welcome young man, I am waiting for you, do your job properly. “ said the King.   The King sat on the bad while his wife slept on his side.   “ Did you realize that you came to the King’ room of Demak Kingdom for doing an assassination and that is meant you will be punished to death ”.

Surprised for Rangkud, he became frighten.   Why the King didn’t sleep like everyone did in the Palace.   King must has a super natural power that Rangkud might be has no ability to kill him.   

So he wanted to turn off and run away.  But he remembered that he must finish his job the order of his boss, Aryo Penangsang.   So he held his keris and went closer to the King step by step.

“ Who are you young man?, why did you want to kill me?, who did sent you for killing me? “ said the King.

“ I am Rangkud, I am Tamtama of Jipang Panolan, Aryo Penangsang sent me to kill you.” Said Rangkud.   “ So, I must do my job as a soldier who always obey every command from his King.”

“ Right, then do your job properly, but with one condition, I beg you, don’t make a harm upon my wife, since she never include in this business, “ said the King.    

Sunan Prawoto seemed realized that he ever did a mistake killing Prince Kanduruan, the father of Aryo Penangsang, that was why he want to pay-back all of his debt to night.

“ Right Sultan, I will do my job and will never harm your wife.”

“ If you have make a harm upon my wife, you will die, not me, remember that.” said the King.

Mean while the King’s wife woke up and screamed “ Look Kakang Prabu, who is this mad man; he came to our room with weapon in his hand; where is guards?, help, every body help! “   

Rangkud moved fast to stab the King’s body.   But the keris penetrated not only the King’s body but also King's wife, since his wife hug him from behind.   

The King raised his keris; its name Kiai Betok.

“ Hi Rangkud you broke your promise.” Said Sultan. 

 Rangkud turned off and run away to the door.  Mean while Sultan threw his keris, Kiai Betok   Kiai Betok flew to its target Rangkud's thigh just near his genital.     Rangkud was dead near the door’s room.   Mean while the King and his wife also dead.  

The guards still slept when the even was happening, but when Rangkud dead they were wakening.     They surprise and frighten when they found their King and his wife were dead and also the killer.

Aryo Penangsang was satisfied with Rangkud’s mission.   He thought, no body would fault him since no evident of this assassination because the killer was also already dead.     But he was wrong since every body knew who was Rangkud.  

The King’s family kept on guard upon the next assassination from Aryo Penangsang.  And also they discussed what effort to solve the brutality of Aryo Penangsang.   The son and daughter of Sunan Prawoto were isolated at the safe place.

After Sunan Prawoto or Prince Mukmin was pass away,being assassinated by Aryo Penangsang, no one King would be crowned since the son of King Prawoto, Arya Panggiri, was too young to be a King.   So, Demak will have no King for a short time. Then Sultan Hadiwijoyo from Pajang or Jaka Tingkir will take over all administration issues of Kingdom for a short term.

Mean while Ratu Kali Nyamat and her husband Prince Hadiri, Adipati Jepara, discussed the problem of Aryo Penangsang.

“ What your suggestion to solve the brutality of Aryo Penangsang, my husband?” asked Ratu Kali Nyamat.

“ We have a wise man that we regard as our seniority to whom we can asked his influencing and also his suggestion, might be he could make every body happy and satisfied.   That is Sunan Kudus.   So let us pay a visit to him” said Prince Hadiri.

“ You are right, just Sunan Kudus can make cool situation of our Kingdom” said Ratu Kali Nyamat. 

Mean while at Jipang palace, Aryo Penangsang and Patih Matahun, discussed issues of what the next step to be a King of Demak after the successful assassination.     “ We are lucky by the death of Rangkud, so we don’t have to clean our hands; Demak has no evident of the assassinated, right?” said Aryo Penangsang.

“ And then you, Master will be a King of Demak, since no one as rival of you,” said Matahun.

“ Yes I know, the rival has gone, but the obstacle would appear and it could make difficulty for us,” said Aryo Penangsang.

“ I don’t understand, who would be obstacle?” asked Matahun.

“ You are old stupid Matahun, did you think the persons around Sultan will keep nice silent for the King’s assassination?  The obstacle will be Prince Hadiri, Adipati Jepara and Karebet or Jaka Tingkir, the fake King from Pajang, so did you understand? “ Said Aryo Penangsang.

“ But they are only the Son in law of King, that they have no right to be a King, “ said Matahun.

“ If the people of Demak chose Ratu Kali Nyamat or Ratu Mas Cempa to be their leader, so that is meant Prince Hadiri or Karebet will be a King,” said Aryo Penangsang. 

“ And so,What is your plan Master?”

“ I want Sunan Kudus to make a call Prince Hadiri and his wife Ratu Kali Nyamat to   Kudus.”

“ Did you think that Sunan Kudus would give support on you? ”

“ I am sure he would, but this old man has full of judgment to help us.”  

“ If I could had made disappear the two obstacles, Prince Hadiri and Karebet, so I am sure the road to be a King of Demak would had been clear.”

“ Is that meant you want to kill them both?”

“ Did you think you would keep silent to make a big job like this?”  “ Of course I will.”   “ Are you afraid to do this job? If you, so I will have done this job by myself.”

Patih Matahun had for a long time being deputy of Adipati Aryo Penangsang from Jipang Panolan, so he knew characteristic of his Master, full of ambition and anger.   But he tried to give some consideration to his Master purpose for saving Aryo Penangsang life.

“ But Master Adipati, your plan has over of limit, that is dangerous.”

“ Hi old man, you are coward.     Without you, I will do my plan constantly.”

Aryo Penangsang with his follower including Aryo Mataram, stepbrother went to Kudus to pay a visit to Sunan Kudus.  They asked Sunan Kudus for calling Ratu Kali Nyamat and Prince Hadiri.    Sunan Kudus was surprise with planning of his grandson, but with heavy-heart he agree.

After a couple of weeks of the King's assasination, Ratu Kali Nyamat and her husband went to Kudus to pay visit to Sunan Kudus upon her own plan.    They want to ask the wise man and also their seniority to make cool situation in Demak Kingdom and also will complain about act of Aryo Penangsang, his grandson.    So, Sunan Kudus didn’t have to call them, but they will come by themselves.

Ratu Kali Nyamat, the sister of King Prawoto or Prince Mukmin, was unhappy with multiple assassinations in Kingdom that did by Aryo Penangsang.    She felt down, anger and not satisfied with act of Aryo Penangsang.   So she wanted to complain to Sunan Kudus, Aryo Penangsang's grandpa.

“ So you came to me to ask justice, then what can I say?” Said Sunan Kudus.   

“It was for a long time the history of Demak Kingdom was bloodiest; they killed with each other among Sultan Bintoro descent.   You already heard the history and you knew it.”

“ But, the assassination of Sultan Trenggono and Sultan Prawoto were did by Aryo Penangsang,” said Ratu Kali Nyamat.

“ Let us look behind, look the history and then let us considering what happened and then what the connection with all of happening at this time,” said Sunan Kudus.   

 If we look behind, look the history of Demak Kingdom; we could remember how Prince Trenggono had killed Sultan Pati Unus and also Prince Kanduruan, the Father of Aryo Penangsang.   How Prince Trenggono have the heart to kill his own old brothers.

Ratu Kali Nyamat and Prince Hadiri silent, no comment; their conscience say agree what Sunan said.

“ Well, we will look behind as your suggest, carefully,” said Prince Hadiri.

“ You should have to learn history, my son,” said Sunan Kudus.

Ratu Kali Nyamat and the follower went home with feeling unsatisfaction.

“ That is clear that Sunan was on Aryo Penangsang’s side, not us,” said Ratu to her husband.

“ What ever Sunan saying, I could understand since Aryo Penangsang is his grandson,” said Prince Hadiri to his wife.

“  But those status of family should not be connected to our problem.    So we must face Aryo penangsang by ourselves,” said Ratu Kali Nyamat with anger feeling.

“ We could involving our little brother in law Sultan Pajang, Sultan Hadiwijoyo,” said Prince Hadiri.

“ Yes I agree, he certainly will help us,” said Ratu Kali Nyamat.    “ I will write a letter to him as soon as possible,”

Mean while Aryo Penangsang launch a secret attacked to Prince Hadiri and follower.  They, Aryo Penangsang and his soldiers were suddenly appear in front of Ratu Kali Nyamat and her follower.    They came sudden without noisy and any clue.

“ Hi Ratu and Hadiri, you are surrounded by many soldiers in front and also behind you, so you must surrender to us,” said Aryo Penangsang on his horse.

Rangkud berangkat ke Kudus mengendarai kudanya dengan cepat.   Tempat pertama yang dikunjungi adalah Sunan Kudus untuk meminta jampi-jampi bagi kerisnya agar bertuah.  Sesampainya disana kelihatan Sunan sudah menunggu; nampaknya dia sudah tau akan kedatangan Rangkud dan tau apa maksudnya.  Kemudian keris diterimakan dan dibacakan jampi-jampi.  Setelah itu keris diserahkan kembali sambil beliau berpesan, " Rangkud jalankan perintah tuanmu dengan baik; engkau adalah orang yang dipercaya; saya beritahukan bahwa tugas kamu menjadi ringan disebabkan Sultan sedang sakit sekarang ini."

" Ya Sunan, saya akan menjalankan perintah dengan baik," kata Rangkud.

Sesampainya dipinggir kota Demak, dia titipkan kudanya kepada seseorang dikampung.   Dan dengan cepat dia pergi ke Istana pada tengah malam.  Dia tidak dapat memasuki Istana karena dipintu gerbang ada penjaganya.  Kemudian dia duduk bersila diatas rumput dan membacakan mentera agar semua perajurit yang bertugas jaga dapat megantuk dan akhirnya akan tertidur nyenyak.  Beberapa menit kemudian, dunia seolah-olah menjadi sunyi, tidak ada suara bahkan tidak ada suara jangkrik. Para perajurit tertidur, demikian penjaga pintu gerbang.  Rangkud memasuki Istana tanpa halangan apa-apa karena semua penjaga tertidur.  Akhirnya dia sampai ke tempat tidur Raja.   Dimuka pintu kamar tidur Raja ada empat penjaga yang tertidur.  Rangkud melangkahi tubuh-tubuh yang tertidur perlahan-lahan dan membuka pintu kamar.   Beruntung dia karena pintu kamar tidak terkunci.

" Selamat datang anak muda dan laksanakan tugasmu dengan baik; apakah engkau tidak menyadari bahwa engkau memasuki kamar Raja Demak untuk maksud pembunuhan dan sadarkah engkau bahwa engkau akan dihukum, hukuman mati,' kata Sultan Prawoto.

Rangkud terkejut, mengapa Sultan tidak tertidur seperti semua orang di Istana. Tentunya Sultan mempunyai kesaktian yang tak mungkin dibunuh.  Rangkud bermaksud lari dari situ, tetapi dia teringat akan tugas dari Tuannya, Aryo Penangsang.  Maka dia genggam hulu kerisnya dan maju perlahan-lahan.

" Siapakah engkau anak muda?, mengapa engkau mau membunuhku? Siapa yang menyuruhmu membuhuhku?, tanya Sultan.

" Saya Rangkud, tamtama dari Jipang Panolan; Aryo Penangsang yang menyuruhku membunuhmu; Saya harus siap melaksanakan semua perintah layaknya seorang perajurit yang harus melaksanakan perintah Rajanya," Jawab Rangkud.

" Baiklah laksanakan tugasmu, tetapi dengan satu syarat saya mohon kepadamu, jangan melukai isteriku, karena dia tidak tersangkut dengan bisnis ini," kata Sultan.    Nampaknya Sultan menyadari kesalahannya membunuh ayah Aryo Penangsang waktu dulu, dan sekarang dia akan membayar semua hutangnya.

" Baik Sultan saya akan melaksanakan tugas saya dan saya berjanji tidak akan melukai isterimu," kata Rangkud.

" Ingatlah bila engkau melukai isteriku, maka engakau akan mati dan bukan aku," Kata Sultan.

Sementara itu isteri Raja terbangun dan terkejut," Lihat kakang Prabu, siapakah orang gila yang telah memasuki kamar kita? dan membawa senjata ditangannya, Tolong, hai pengawal tolong, semua orang tolong,"

Rangkud dengan gerakan cepat menusuk badan Raja.  Tetapi bukan hanya Raja yang tertusuk tetapi juga isterinya, disebabkan isterinya merangkulnya dari belakang.   Sultan mengangakt kerisnya yang namanya Kiai Betok.

" Hai Rangkud engkau telah melanggar janjimu," kata Sultan.

Rangkud berbalik dan lari kearah pintu.  Sultan melemparkan kerisnya; Kiai Betok terbang kearah targetnya di paha Rangkud dekat kemaluannya.  Rangkud mati seketika didekat pintu kamar; Raja dan Permaisuru juga mati.  Sementara itu para perajurit tetap tidur selama kejadian itu, tetapi setelah Rangkud mati barulah mereka terbangun; mereka terkejut dan takut mendapatkan Raja dan Permaisuri wafat bersama sipembunuh.

Aryo Penangsang sangat puas dengan misi Rangkud yang dianggap berhasil.  Dia berpikir bahwa tidak ada bukti-bukti pembunuhan disebabkan sipembunuh juga ikut tewas.   Tetapi dia salah, siapakah yang tidak kenal siapa Rangkud sebenarnya.   Keluarga kerajaan waspada akan pembunuhan berikutnya oleh Aryo Penagsang.   Mereka juga berunding bagaimana melunakan kebrutalan Aryo Penangsang.   Anak-anak Sultan ditempatkan disuatu tempat yang dianggap aman.

Setelah wafatnya Sultan Prawoto atau Pangeran Mukmin, tidak ada seorang Raja yang dinobatkan; karena anak Sultan, Aryo Panggiri masih terlalu kecil untuk menjadi Raja.   Jadi Demak menjadi kerajaan tanpa Raja untuk waktu pendek.  Sementara itu Sultan Hadiwijoyo dari Pajang atau Jaka Tingkir akan mendapat tugas menyelesaikan masalah administrasi kerajaan.

Sementara itu Ratu Kali Nyamat sedang berunding dengan suaminya, Pangeran Hadiri, Adipati Jepara, dalam menghadapi kebrutalan Aryo Penangsang.

" Apa saran Kang Mas didalam menghadapi kebrutalan Aryo Penangsang? tanya Ratu Kali Nyamat.

" Kita mempunyai seseorang yang bijaksana yang kita anggap sebagai senior kita;kepadanya kita mintakan pengaruhnya dan dapat membuat semua orang puas dan senang; orang itu adalah Sunan Kudus.  Jadi marilah kita bersama membuat kunjungan kesana," kata Pangeran Hadiri.

" Kamu benar, hanya Sunan Kudus yang dapat membuat suasana menjadi dingin kembali di Kerajaan Demak ini," kata Ratu Kali Nyamat.

Sementara itu di Istana Jipang Panolan, Aryo Penangsang sedang berdiskusi dengan Patih Matahun, wakilnya, tentang masalah bagaimana langkah selanjutnya untuk menuju ketahta kerajaan Demak, setelah pembunuhan Raja berhasil dengan sukses.  " Kita sangat beruntung dengan kematian Rangkud yang dengan demikian kita tidak perlu membersihkan tangan kita; Demak tidak mempunyai bukti-bukti tentang pembunuhan, benarkan," kata Aryo Penangsang.

" Dan engkau Tuan, akan menjadi Raja dengan mudah karena sudah tidak ada lagi saingan-saingannya." kata Patih Matahun.

" Ya saya mengerti, saingan sudah tidak ada, tetapi penghalang banyak sekali yang akan menyulitkan kita" kata Aryo Penangsang.

" Saya tidak mengerti Tuan, siapakah penghalang itu?, tanya Patih Matahun.

" Kamu orang tua bodoh Matahun; apakah kamu pikir orang-orang disekitar Sultan akan diam saja setelah terjadi pembunuhan ini?  Mereka akan menjadi penghalang adalah Pangeran Hadiri dari Jepara dan si Karebet atau Jaka Tingkir si Raja palsu dari Pajang; apakah kamu mengerti Matahun? kata Aryo Penangsang.

" Tetapi mereka itu adalah hanya menantu menantu Raja, tidak berhak untuk menjadi Raja," kata Matahun.

" Jika rakyat memilih Ratu Kali Nyamat atau Ratu Mas Cempa menjadi Raja, maka itu berarti Pangran Hadiri atau Jaka Tingkir yang akan menjadi Raja," kata Aryo Penangsang.

" Apa rencana Tuan selanjutnya ?"

" Saya akan meminta Sunan Kudus memanggil Pangeran Hadiri dan Ratu Kali Nyamat datang ke Kudus,"

" Apakah Tuan yakin bahwa beliau akan benar-benar mendukung usaha kita?"

" Orang tua itu akan mendukung kita, saya yakin, tetapi orang tua itu penuh dengan pertimbangan.  Jika kedua penghalang Jaka Tingkir dan Pangeran Hadiri dapat dilenyapkan maka jalan ke tahta kerajaan Demak sudah terbuka lebar," kata Aryo Penangsang.

" Apakah dengan demikian Tuan mau membunuh keduanya?," tanya Matahun.

" Apakah engkau kira engkau akan diam saja untuk melaksanakan kerja besar ini? ya tentu saja saya akan lakukan.  Apakah engkau takut? Jika engkau takut baiklah akan aku laksanakan sendiri." kata Aryo Penangsang.

Patih Matahun sudah lama menjadi deputi Adipati Jipang panolan, jadi dia tahu betul karakteristik tuannya yang penuh ambisi dan kemarahan.  Usahanya sekarang adalah mengarahkan dan memberikan pertimbangan demi untuk keselamatan Aryo Penangsang sendiri.

" Tapi Tuan, rencana ini sudah melampoui batas jadi sangat berbahaya," kata Patih.

" Hai orang tua, kamu pengecut, tanpa kamu rencana ini akan berjalan dengan mantap," kata Aryo Penangsang.

Aryo Penangsang dengan para pengikutnya disertai juga dengan saudara angkatnya, Aryo Mataram, berangkat menuju Kudus menemui Sunan Kudus dan meminta Sunan Kudus untuk memanggil Pangeran Hadiri dan Ratu Kali Nyamat.   Sunan Kudus terkejut dengan rencana cucunya ini, tapi dengan berat hati dia menyetujui.

Setelah dua minggu pembunuhan Raja, Ratu Kali Nyamat dan Pangeran Hadiri datang berkunjung ke Kudus atas kemauannya sendiri.  Mereka akan meminta orang bijak ini dan juga senioritasnya untuk turut mendinginkan suasana Kerajaan Demak dan juga mengadukan tindakan brutal cucunya, Aryo Penangsang.  Jadi Sunan Kudus tidak perlu memanggilnya tetapi mereka yang datang atas kemauannya sendiri.

Ratu Kalinyamat saudara perempuan dari Sultan Prawoto tidak senang atas kejadian pembunuhan beruntun yang dilakukan oleh Aryo Penangsang.  Dia menjadi marah besar atas kelakuannya.  Oleh sebab itu dia ingin mengadukannya kepada kakeknya, Sunan Kudus.

" Jadi kamu datang kesini ingin meminta keadilan, lalu apa yang saya harus katakan? tanya Sunan Kudus.  " Sudah lama terjadi sejarah Kerajaan Demak berlumuran darah, saling membunuh satu sama lain didalam keturunan Sultan Bintoro.   Kamu sudah mendengar sejarah itu dan kamu tahu itu."

" Tetapi pembunuhan Sultan Trenggono dan Sultan Prawoto dilakukan oleh Aryo Penangsang," kata Ratu Kalinyamat.

" Marilah kita menengok sejarah kebelakang dan marilah kita pertimbangkan apa yang terjadi dan apa hubungannya dengan kejadian yang sekarang," kata Sunan Kudus.

Jika kita melihat kebelakang, melihat sejarah Kerajaan Demak; kita teringat bagaimana Sultan Trenggono telah membunuh Sultan Patiunus dan juga Sultan Kanduruan, ayah Aryo Penangsang; bagaimana Pangeran Trenggono sampai hati membunuh kakak-kakaknya sendiri.

Ratu Kali Nyamat dan Pangeran Hadiri terdiam, tidak berkomentar; dalam katahatinya mereka setuju dengan apa yang dikatakan Sunan.

" Baiklah, kami akan melihat kebelakang seperti yang engkau syaratkan dengan hati-hati," kata Pangeran Hadiri.

" Kamu seharusnya belajar sejarah anakku," kata Sunan Kudus.

Ratu Kali Nymat dan pengikutnya pulang dengan perasaan tidak puas.

"Sudah jelas Sunan berpihak kepada Aryo Penangsang dan bukan kita," kata Ratu kepada suaminya.

" Apapun yang dikatakan Sunan, kita dapat mengerti karena Aryo Penangsang adalah cucunya," kata Pangeran Hadiri.

" Tetapi pertalian keluarga janganlah dibawa didalam permasalahan kita, baiklah kita akan hadapi Penangsang oleh kita sendiri." kata Ratu dengan marah.

" Kita dapat melibatkan adik menantu kita, Sultan Hadiwijoyo, Sultan Pajang," kata Pangeran Hadiri.

" Ya saya setuju, dia pasti akan membantu kita; saya akan menulis surat kepadanya secepatnya." kata Ratu .

Sementara itu terjadi serangan secara rahasia yang dilancarkan Aryo Penangsang beserta Tamtama dan perajurit-perajuritnya; tanpa tanda-tanda dan sangat mengejutkan tiba-tiba mereka sudah ada dimuka dan dibelakang barisan Ratu.

" Hai Ratu dan Hadiri, kamu sudah terkepung oleh banyak tentara dimuka dan dibelakang kamu, menyerahlah," kata Aryo Penangsang dari atas kudanya.