Solsday, 10th of Juno, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

With respect to the christians among the Halak realms as well as due to Goria's position as being one of the finalists, no official events had been planned for the following Solsday. At least that was the official reason the Matanitao elders gave. In actuality, many knew it was because of the fiasco caused by the Saorma during the semifinals.

Josias had been filled in by his father on the proceedings of the disputation between Nabolga and the Matanitao council and Saorma. There was an intense shouting match between King Poda and King Saorma. The council tried to act as a neutral third party instead of Goria but was blamed by many of the elders there for their lack of preparation in creating the rules.

It was argued by the Nabolga side that due to their many infractions upon the rules, the Saorma should be disqualified and generally proscribed from future events. King Lombutua of Saorma replied stating that whatever Saorma did wasn't technically an infringement of any rules. He argued that lack of proper rulings and precedent were solely the responsibility of the organisers of the tournament.

King Poda wasn't satisfied by such an answer as he pointed to the fact that there was a clear break of the rules. When the captain of the Saorma team continued to injure Silua despite already being technically eliminated due to wounds. The argument against Nabolga was that in the heat of battle, they couldn't expect warriors to notice small scratches like that and outright stop in their tracks due to the rules.

The debate went on for hours on end until finally the quarterfinal match had been ruled in favour of Nabolga. However, it was a bittersweet ruling to swallow for most of the people there. That was because, despite everything, Saorma was not generally disqualified from the competition. Instead their clear break in the rules was only counted as a minor infringement. Thus, Saorma would be able to participate in the third place match against Tanjung Naria.

Not willing to entertain such a farce any longer, the king of Nabolga outwardly swallowed his complaints as he moved on. However, that night, King Poda and King Parhal had agreed to hold a meeting between Goria and Nabolga after the Solsday liturgical services concluded.

Interestingly enough, King Poda and his family as well as a few of the elders of Nabolga had decided to attend the Gorian Solsday service as observers. While they weren't active participants within the liturgy like the kingdoms of Rumaparau and Hutangali, they were still afforded a good position to view the proceedings of the service.

After the service, King Parhal had opened a small council session with King Poda in regards to the discussions he was willing to have.

The council was held on the field next to the Gorian Alliance's encampments. Carpets had been set out on the ground as well as cushions for the kings and elders to sit on. Besides that, wooden trays with various drinks and treats were also prepared as snacks for the duration of the meeting.

The royal courts of Goria, Hutangali, Rumaparau, and of Nabolga were sat at the meeting. Josias took his seat near his father and grandfather while his companions had positioned themselves according to their clans. Before the session started, Archbishop Ludwig had led most of the people there in prayer. Josias and the rest of the christians there bowed their heads and made the sign of the cross as they prayed.

With the prayers having been made, Josias looked to his grandfather who was about to make an opening statement.

"Horas ma di hita saluhutna… (Peace be upon us all…)" The King said.

""Horas!"" Everyone responded before King Parhal nodded and continued.

"...I am well pleased to see that our brothers from Nabolga… have decided to grace us with their presence. To Raja Poda Nabolga, and the great elders of Nabolga… Akka laenami Raja Hatuaon, Raja Tambar, Pomparanni Rajadaoni, Raja Siparmata…"

King Parhal had welcomed the elders and chiefs of Nabolga, listing them one by one as he motioned towards them. There were about a dozen clans and sub-clans being represented by the Nabolga.

After being greeted, King Poda stood up and motioned the 'somba' posture as he returned the greetings to the elders of Goria, Rumaparau, and Hutangali. Josias tried his best to not slouch and rest his head on his hands. He could never get used to the Halak people's insistence in formalities during settings like this. Just the introductions alone had taken a good portion of time.

But at the same time, for haughty people like the Halak, such pomp and fanfare was to be expected. God forbid a man not address the wise elder of clan Great-person from the village of Never-heard-of-it. It was tedious, but if Josias were to squint and think about it a little, it was also what made the Halak people the relatively egalitarian people they were. All men were kings and descended from kings. Therefore not one person was inherently better than anyone else. Well, as long as they were Halak.

With Introductions out of the way, the council session soon started in earnest. King Parhal had asked King Poda what it was the Nabolga sought after with the audience. King Poda then addressed the great courts of the christian realms.

"My great kings, before I make my statement, allow me to once more give my thanks specifically to Tuan Guru Eporus and the healers of Goria." King Poda made a 'somba' to Archbishop Ludwig which the cleric responded to in kind. "If not for his brave, kind, and selfless efforts, my son might not have been able to make it from his injuries. My own healers were slow on the uptake thus placing me in this deep debt of gratitude towards the Tuan Guru and in extension towards Goria."

"As I said to you before, it truly is nothing, lord king." Ludwig said as he bowed with his hand on his chest. "I did what only anyone with the knowledge and competence would in that sort of situation."

King Poda smiled though he gave a rather difficult one after.

"While I am still finding it hard to believe that you would do such a thing from pure altruism, I dare not test the sincerity of my benefactor any further." King Poda stated "But regardless of that, it does not change the fact that I – and by that extension my clan – are in a debt of gratitude. This situation led me to the audience I asked to be held today."

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Josias straightened his back as he perked up his ears to focus on what King Poda was to say. Looking around, all the other elders and nobles of the Gorian alliance did the same.

"Even if the Archbishop had not done what he did, the considerations I am wanting to put forward to you all today would not have changed by much." King Poda's eyes sharpened as his gaze grew serious. "In fact, all the events that had occurred yesterday had only done more to enlighten me and my court to the realities that are now present within the Tano Halak (Halaklands). And that being the reality of a rapidly changing world."

King Poda continued his speech with an impassioned voice, not too dissimilar to the charm possessed by his own son. "The world that I – and many of the elders here – had been born in had changed a lot. And these changes also came at quite a rapid pace. When I was little – following my father into great hunts in the old ancestral forests – bows and arrows were the main choice for range. Not only for hunts but also warfare.

"But here and now, I've seen how something as simple as that has changed. A boy with no training whatsoever can be taught to kill a warrior of the second star in less than a week with western weapons. Western weapons that the great kings and elders I stand before here have utilised to great effect.

"However, not just with new foreign weapons and technology has our world changed. But of ideas so new and strange, they boggle the mind. When I was young, the only world I knew was that of these noble and simple Halaklands. All I knew growing up was to honour our beloved ancestors and worship the divine host of Mula Jadi Nabolon and the Debata Natolu.

"But even such a thing I had taken for granted is subject to change. None more so than what I have witnessed with my own eyes here. I see my fellow Halak kinsmen in so great a devotion to a foreign god who I do not know and in a way that is all but alien to me.

"I will not lie and say that I had been moved in my heart by your god to say these words. I mean no disrespect, but what I say remains true that I do not know him. Yet despite that, there remains this strange feeling in me that is unresolved.

"More than twenty years ago when the kings first had gathered to pass judgement upon the Tuan Guru Eporus, my father was among those kings who were of the mind to kill him. He had believed that the influence of these westerners were to be stifled and so eradication was required. But then the Homang attack occurred and my father – along with a great deal of our elders – perished.

"But despite the clear wishes of our people to murder him as we did his companions, the Tuan Guru in such a situation chose to save the son of one of the priest-kings who had wished to see him killed. And Lord Parulian now stands with us today as one of the brightest stars of our generation, upon the verge of becoming a blademaster.

"Throughout the years after I succeeded my late-father as clan head and king, I had strived to maintain a stance of neutrality. I had endeavoured to not involve Nabolga during Haumarara and I had followed along to ratify the treaty in which each king was free to practice whatever faith they wished within their realm.

"In the wake of such events and of the Great Hulubalang's and the other kings' opening of their ports to foreign trade, more and more westerners have also come to Nabolga. And with them, change also started to arrive. Merchants from all manner of lands we had never even heard of before started pouring in for our goods.

"And with many of these merchants also came their ideas… Mostly this idea of 'christianity' that I have witnessed being practiced today. Yet, strangely enough from what I had seen, it is the christians who exhibit the most noble virtues of our great ancestors. Love, wisdom, patience, strength. In the midst of the adversity of an entire nation, they had not been stifled off but instead thrive.

"All this in contrast to what I have seen from those who profess themselves as followers of the ways of our ancestors!"

King Poda's tone sharpened as he mentioned the old ways. He looked visibly troubled but composed himself quickly. He continued his speech, "The shamans and elders of the old ways have become corrupt and misguided in their ways. In the name of 'preservation' to the ways of the ancestors, they have made it their mission to place adherence to the old above the needs of our people!

"In their arrogance they refuse to acknowledge innovation. They look down upon new western techniques and arrogantly refuse to adapt. And in their hearts they know they do it not out of any love for our traditions. They are servants of nothing more than their desires! Is it not the followers of the Old Ways who refuse to share knowledge with the masses? Is it not because they refuse to acknowledge their shortcomings that over and over they are being manipulated by men like the king of Saorma?

"If preserving the old ways means that I leave my realm in the dust while those around me continue to improve their station, then that is a sign that the old ways must be amended or a new way to be adopted.

"Therefore it is because of these reasons and a whole host of other more practical concerns that I approach you noble elders and kings with these propositions."

King Poda took out a parchment scroll and began reading from it, "Firstly, I formally invite the 'Huria Kristen Halak Protestan' to establish their missions within my realm. Along with this invitation, I also humbly ask for the church to provide my peoples with their knowledge on medicines and other such techniques. We wish for a healthy trade of ideas to deepen the relations between us."

King Parhal and the elders nodded before listening to King Poda's other requests.

"Secondly, I wish to also join my realm within the alliance that your three realms are a part of. It is my deepest wish that this not only strengthens our warriors but also opens up our ports to trade. We have discovered some rich ore veins within our realms and realise that opening up the materials to the wider market would do us much good."

"Lastly – and this has much to do with the first request – we wish for the Archbishop Ludwig himself to head and coordinate these operations. While it is not my desire to question the abilities of your other priests – especially that of our own native stock – but I have a deep respect for the Tuan Guru and wish for his wisdom in better understanding your faith. As a man who has embraced the Halak ways, I believe your insight would be of great benefit to both my personal desire for truth as well as my realm's desire for change."

When Josias heard King Poda's final request, his attention immediately went to Serena who sat next to him. Her face had a frown as her eyes wavered. Josias put his hand above hers to hold her. Serena didn't refuse his hold but her shoulders still shook as she was about to cry.

Not making the king wait any longer, Archbishop Ludwig had stood up from the ground. He faced King Parhal and nodded before with a resolute look he bowed towards King Poda. "Nothing would make me happier than to spread the light of God to whosoever is in need of it. It is my honour to accept but I shall defer it back to my liege, the king of Goria."

King Parhal exchanged a final glance with the archbishop as well as the kings of Hutangali and Rumaparau. With a raspy yet resolute voice, he declared. "...We accept your proposals, O King of Nabolga…! May we feast in solidarity… knowing that our friendship may deepen into a bond of brothers… And to that… we shall feast before continuing our talks in detail!"

With that being said, the people cheered and clapped in acclamation. It was another victory for the faith that it was allowed to spread.

At least a victory is what it should have felt like. But all Josias could do was hold Serena in his embrace as she let out muffled sobs, the tears streaming in her eyes. Josias didn't bother to give any more words of comfort but only chose to caress his beloved's head to calm her.

There was much work to be done in the life of a missionary. And for many, it could prove to be the death of them. Josias could only pray that such a thing does not come to pass.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.