Sabatsday, 16th of Juno, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

It had been several days since the conclusion of the Gotilon tournament and festival. There was another great celebratory feast the night of the awards ceremony that everyone took part in. Because of that, the people had only begun preparations to leave the day after that.

The Gorian family had reached the river port of the village only a couple of days ago. When they reached Goria, the elders of the village quickly started coordinating for the arrival of the thousands of guests from the different realms. Though the wedding ceremonies and celebrations were planned for the start of the next week, there was still much to do and much to prepare for.

The king and elders had already sent letters prior to their return in regards to what was to be prepared. A large and empty plot of land similar in size to the great field of the Dolok Mulajadi had been prepared just outside the village building. It was to be the spot of the wedding venue that would be used for the week to come.

Several other plots of land around Goria were also designated to be used by the incoming guests from the neighbouring realms. A total of twenty hamlet-sized areas were being readied for all the kings and elders of the various realms. It followed a similar style to the areas prepared by the Matanitao for the duration of the Gotilon festival.

Besides the living accommodations for the guest, something else that was equally as important was of course food for consumption. Tens of thousands of people for a period of two weeks at least? That required extra attention.

The clans of Goria had prepared many barns filled to the brim with ricegrains. Rice was the bedrock of the Halak's staple diet. If they didn't have enough of it, it would be both a tragedy and a great embarrassment on Goria's end. And of course besides the rice, meat was also very important for the festivities to come. Enough meat that could feed ten thousand people for two weeks. An astronomical number to be sure.

To that end, the elders had paid for a large amount of livestock farmers to prepare as much as they could. The common staple of pig, cow, and chicken were of course in good supply but to accommodate more people, more hunting was required.

Josias and the rest of the Halak men were busy at work hunting within the dungeons for enough food. Currently, Josias was at the Haranganaili dungeon along with his father and other clan retainers to hunt for large boar meat.

It was a wonderful coincidence that the day they picked to hunt within the dungeon, its boss was already revived from the dungeon's mana core. A huge beast that was almost as big as the rhino he had hunted a few months back. It was dubbed the 'Raja Lungguk' or 'King Boar'.

The warriors wasted no time in hunting the beast as Josias' father immediately threw his javelin, piercing the beast's heart. After that, a thunderous salvo erupted from the forests. The startled boars around the boss were immediately showered with bullets from the hunters' arquebuses. This was immediately followed by a general charge by the tiger warriors.

The hunt lasted no more than several hours in total which included the packing of the boar carcasses onto several large carts. A magnificent catch to be sure but they had depleted the dungeon of monsters completely. It would be a couple of weeks at least for the beasts to regenerate and repopulate.

Exiting the dungeon, Josias walked beside the head of the train of carts carrying boar beasts. Several dozen boars had been hunted from the young piglets to the old hogs. At the village, these beasts would be stripped of every remotely useful part to be used. From their meat to their tusks as well as their skin for furs.

Arriving back at the village, Josias could already see all the various hunting parties returning. They too brought with them huge amounts of spoils. Some brought back buffaloe beasts. Others were bringing in various mana-enhanced chickens and the like. Of course the most showy among everyone were their allies from Rumaparau.

Prince Hagabeon was at the helm of a ship carrying a huge amount of fish in nets. But of course what caught everyone's attention was a giant catfish monster being towed by the ship. It was perhaps two grown men in size. Not even Josias could keep his mouth shut when he saw that.

"Where in the hell did your grandfather buy that monstrosity, Gabe?" Josias' father called out to the Rumaparau prince. However, an older man around his father's age was the one who answered. He was observing the fish as it was being pulled over to the docks.

"Who said anything about buying it?" The man scoffed with a smile "This was all pure skill and strength of arm, Ruli!"

"Pffft, you expect me to believe that?"

"I'm willing to pay you to make you believe it." The man laughed back. Josias knew him to be Prince Hagabeon's father, Lord Timbul Sirumaparau.

Josias walked up to the boat to take a closer look at the monster-fish. He'd seen his fair share of large water beasts but never of this size. At least when it came to fresh-water creatures. The colour of its scales were also quite peculiar, having a more crimson hue to it.

"No but for real, we spotted this beast not long before we entered the Arus River within the Mataniluat. I jumped into the waters myself to wrangle it. Stabbed it in its eyes." Lord Timbul chuckled as he slapped the fish's large head.

"From the great lake itself?" Josias' father raised his eyebrows before giving a slightly incredulous smile. "Aren't you worried you might've killed one of the last water-spirits or gods of the lake?"

"Pffft, you can't be bloody serious with those old wives' tales, Ruli." Lord Timbul waved away Parulian's comments like he'd just heard the funniest joke in a while. "You're starting to sound like the Parmalim. If this is what counts as a 'god' to the Sipelebegu then I must be Mula Jadi himself. None of their gods helped them when we slaughtered them at Haumarara."

"Easy now, Timbul, you don't know who might be listening." Parulian lightly slapped the side of Lord Timbul's arms. "Did you forget we invited all the kings of the Halaklands? We don't want the wedding celebrations to be soured by conflict. We can have that after the weddings like normal people."

"Hahahah! You're right about that. I still have a bone to pick with those bloody fops from Saorma. Damned cowardly snakes the lot of em. The Nabolga didn't rag on them enough during the tournament if you asked me. Speaking of the Saorma…"

Lord Timbul's words slightly trailed off as he looked towards a ship that was sailing closer and closer to the Harbour. Josias and his father also instinctively cast their gazes upon the approaching vessel. Seeing the colours of the flags upon the hoist, Josias clicked his tongue.

A repeating pattern of red, white, and black stripes covered over by Gorga patterns shaped in jagged lines. It was the royal flag of the court of Saorma. It appears the saying was true. 'Speak of the devil and he doth appear.'

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"Alright boys, I'll have to go back to getting this beast of a fish prepared for the celebrations." Lord Timbul finally found the chance to excuse himself. "I'm afraid if I stay here too long, I might actually lose my patience and accidentally murder a few Saorma. And you'd have a war on your hands."

"Pfft, alright big shot. Need I remind you that my brother is now a fifth star warrior?" Parulian teased to which Lord Timbul gave a half-joking offended expression.

"Hey now, don't rush me. I've only turned forty a month ago. I still have plenty of time. Lord knows I can at least still beat Mora Hutabaru any day of the week. Either on the field or with our purses, hahahah!"

"You're an actual fool. Anyways, take care with that." Parulian gave the man a friendly arm shake.

"Aye. C'mon son, we have to put our backs into it!"

As the Rumaparau had busied themselves with their own work, the Saorma ship had finally docked itself upon the jetties. Josias' father gave him a tired look before putting his arm around his shoulders and basically dragged him to welcome the first of the royal guests. His father had quickly told a retainer to inform the king of the Pasaorma's arrival.

Josias stood at attention as he observed the Saorma ship. Dozens of sailors had jumped out of the galley and put a walking board so that the royal passengers could climb out of the ship safely. One by one, Josias saw the Saorma royal family exit the ship.

At the head of the Saorma's royal entourage was the rotund old King of Saorma. In sharp contrast to his own physique, the woman walking beside him looked physically fit and was quite pretty. She also looked very young, perhaps in her late twenties or early thirties? Next to her was a young boy whose hand she was holding.

"Is that the King's daughter or something?" Josias asked his father in a whisper.

"That's the king's wife. Your inanguda's step-mother." Josias could see his father was holding in a cheeky smile after explaining that. Josias widened his own eyes at the revelation.

"Well damn. Life is truly good as a king, huh. Ow-!!!"

"Don't get any ideas, son." His father looked a little bit more sternly as he slapped the back of Josias' head. "You're getting married next Freeday to a most beautiful young lady. Jokes like that won't be appreciated by your beloved."

"You don't need to tell me twice. I've been hit enough by Serena to know when I can or can not start wagging my tongue."

"Eugh, son. I know we're close, but I did not need to know that."

"Huh? Wait, what do you mean-...! Pak, that's actually disgusting! You know that's not what I meant!"

"BAHAHAHAHAH!!!"

Josias shook his head seeing his father have so much fun at his expense. He was able to pull himself together quickly though as he saw the king of Saorma approaching. Walking in tow behind the king, Josias saw his uncle with his aunt beside him carrying his youngest cousin, Togar. As the king and his entourage approached, Parulian greeted them with a reverent bow. Josias wasn't particularly keen on bowing, but he still had to keep up appearances.

"Horas, amang. I hope you had a comfortable sail to our humble village, King Pasaorma." Parulian said with a polite tone.

"Horas Horas, amang! Good to see you're still looking as strong as ever, Ruli. We didn't get to converse much at Matanitao but know that I've been paying great attention to your son here." The king greeted Josias' father jovially before his gaze turned towards Josias. Despite the cordial laugh and tone of voice, Josias felt somewhat uneasy from the man's gaze.

His mouth was smiling, yes, but his eyes felt cold. Calculating. Like they were scanning him from top to bottom looking for any faults.

"Your performance during the tournament was nothing short of spectacular, son!" The King said as he gave a reassuring pat to Josias shoulder. Josias greeted the king with the salim as was proper to be done towards one's elders.

"Your praise is too kind, lord king." Josias' maintained a cordial smile as well. He didn't want to cause any misunderstandings or whatnot especially when it was his own reputation on the line.

"Oh, nonsense! If I were you, I'd capitalise on all the fame you've gotten and milk it for all its worth! Soditaluhon! A marvellous title as any. The ladies are going to love that one."

"Hahaha. Yes. Of course. But, I must remind my lord king that I'm indeed getting married myself next Freeday-... I mean Boraspati."

"Ah yes, yes. Forgive me for that. I forgot you christians could only take one wife. Oh! Not that I'm criticising you on that or anything. Ancestors know that I loved my late first-wife dearly, but… She died without leaving me a son to pass on my name. Speaking of which, I haven't formally introduced my queen and son to you yet. This is my wife, Bunga of the Siparanto clan. And of course this is my beloved son, Bonar."

"It is a pleasure to meet you." Parulian performed the somba towards the woman as well as shaking the hand of the little prince.

"Wah, this abang's big!" Prince Bonar said as he pointed towards Parulian with a smile. "But I think the smaller abang is more handsome!"

Josias covered his mouth as he nearly laughed out loud. He might not be as tall or large as his father, but it seemed like he was better looking. After all, children never lie. His father didn't take any offense from the boy's words at all and instead laughed jovially with the king. The boy started laughing as well but his mother still reprimanded him.

"Now, now, abang. That's not a very nice thing to say." The queen had admonished the boy.

"Oh, no, not at all, Nantulang. Lae Bonar here is absolutely precious." Parulian said as he ruffled the little boy's hair.

Soon, another old man also approached to greet Josias and his father. Josias still remembered this old man who was holding a powerful-looking shaman's staff.

"Tulang Honahata. It's a pleasure to see you still healthy as well." Parulian said as he gave the man a salim gesture.

"Oh please. You talk as if we didn't literally conversed and argued with each other less than a week ago." Elder Honahata laughed as he waved off Parulian's pleasantries. "But, it has been over two decades since I've last set foot in Goria. Truly this place has changed a lot. I see quite a few new buildings built here. In the western style too no less! Simply fascinating."

"Well, I'm sure there's much more we have to offer and show you gentlemen. If I could trouble you all by asking you to follow my men to the king's hall."

"Oh, are you not coming with us, Ruli?" King Lombutua asked with a raised eyebrow.

"On any other day, I would, but considering how we have other guests arriving…" As Josias' father motioned his hand toward the river jetties, Josias saw dozens of other boats making a landing. All of them flying the colours of different kings and kingdoms."

"Ah, I see. So you're the welcoming party then? Hahahah. Good show, Ruli." The king gave a final nod and friendly pat to Parulian's shoulder before excusing himself to follow the Gorian warriors as advised. The other Saorma elders had followed the entourage towards the king's hall.

Josias briefly greeted his uncle and aunt but there wasn't much more pleasantries that could be said. A small greeting and an exchange of looks between his uncle and his father were all that was needed before they too followed along the Saorma entourage.

A short exasperated sigh could be heard coming out of his father's mouth. Whether it was emotional fatigue from having to deal with people he didn't particularly like or because of the prospect of having to continue to do so for potentially the rest of the day, Josias didn't know. What he did know was that it was indeed going to be another long day that he wasn't looking forward to either.

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