Freeday, 22nd of Juno, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

One by one the great clans that were the main celebrants of the ceremony entered into the wedding venue. The first to have made it inside were of course the Sigumogo clans as they entered the venue in a rhythmic manner. While the gondang and sarune music filled the air, they entered into the venue while dancing the tortor before taking their spot at the sides of the aisle to greet the incoming guests.

The master of ceremonies, the 'raja parhata' of the Sigumogo side was an elder of the Sitartang-Sigumogo branch. Though Josias was familiar with the basic concepts of Halak weddings – having been through four weddings just this week – the nitty gritty details of how it went still escaped him. Which clans were to come into the venue first, what clans were to be given what jambar, so on and so forth. A whole plethora of rites and ceremonies.

Josias and Serena were content to just sit back and let the elders do all the heavy lifting for the wedding. It was technically the elders' ceremony to begin with. Halak weddings acted more like unions between clans than individuals. Josias promised himself he would study more on the ceremonies when his own child was going to get married. Presumably two decades into the future.

After the Sigumogo clan had entered, the next clan to enter was the Bungabagak clan of the Nabagak kingdom. They were the clan from which Josias' paternal grandmother hailed from. Johannes himself wasn't too familiar with these folk as they rarely appeared in Goria. Maybe it was because they were still mostly pagan. The last time Josias saw any of them was during his grandmother's funeral a few years back.

Each time a clan from the side of the groom entered into the venue, the Sigumogo clan was there to greet them. The two clans would form up into two blocks facing each other as they went back and forth while dancing the tortor to the beat of the gondang and sarune. Many of the women were carrying baskets of rice grains and other such offerings upon their heads as they entered. The steadier the dancing, the better.

Next came the Rapmasari clan into the venue headed by none other than Elder Rihar. The same back and forth dancing commenced again.

This rite continued until all the relevant clans had entered into the venue. The next clan to enter was the Hutabaru, the clan of Josias' mother. They were then followed by the Binangabalok, the clan of Josias' maternal grandmother.

From Serena's side, after the Rapmasari, came the Sinatua. Though ompung Ester was of the Hutabaru, there was little reason for the same clan to have to go through the ritual greeting twice. The final relevant clan that arrived was the Sipistar clan, being the clan of Serena's maternal grandmother.

Once all the clans had entered and were seated in their designated areas of the carpeted ground, it was time for Josias and Serena to officially make their entrance. Josias' parents as well as his father-in-law had moved to pick them up as they set their formation.

Josias' uncle Partogi also came out of the venue to join the formation. All the (married) brothers of the bride and groom's fathers also had to line up behind the bride and groom along with their wives. On Serena's side, Lord Hasudungan, his aunt Pauli, as well as Elder Rihar's other sons lined up behind the archbishop with their wives.

When the Raja Parhata of their clans signalled for the drums to play once more, the married couple began their entrance dance. Josias and Serena both clasped their hands together into a 'somba' and moved it up and down towards the crowd according to the beat of the music. It was a sign of thanks and welcome to the guests for coming.

The music only stopped when the couple had reached the throne at the center-front of the venue and sat down on it. Their parents and their aunts and uncles had taken the adjacent chairs next to them.

Usually in Halak weddings, once all that was done, it signalled for the ceremony to start in earnest. However, that day's ceremony had been tweaked a little.

The music played once more as the kings and royal courts of the other realms had entered into the venue. Everyone stood up as they entered and the raja parhata started listing off all the names of the kings and elders of the clans. They were given privileged seats near the front of the venue.

Once all the kings had entered, only then could the ceremony start in earnest.

The main agenda for the first half of the ceremony was the distribution of the 'jambar' or 'cut meat' among the bona tulang and hulahula clans (The maternal clans of the bride and groom as well as their parents). Water buffalo meat had been used for the jambar distribution as in Halak society, it was considered the 'premiere meat'.

Josias would be lying if he said he paid full attention to the rest of the ceremony. It was good enough that he didn't fall asleep right then and there. Expecting him to pay attention to all the little intricacies of the dowry discussions and small familial politics on top of being sleep depraved was nothing short of stupid.

Serena had pinched Josias' side a few times to prevent him from falling asleep and embarrassing himself. It was a nice save as he almost dozed off a couple of times when he watched the elders debate over the jambar distribution. The Halak are always either bloody arguing or fighting over something stupid.

"Didn't you already sleep enough last night, Josi?" Serena asked him as he massaged his head.

"In all honesty, hasian, I did not sleep at all." Josias answered truthfully.

"What? Why?"

"I had a lot on my mind last night. Had a lot to worry about. Thinking about lots of things."

"Hooh… So I'm guessing you were having second thoughts about marrying me, is that it?" Serena gave a wry smile as she teased Josias. Josias rolled his eyes as he put his arm around his wife's waist.

"You keep teasing me like that, dear, and I will actually kiss you right now in front of all these people. Try me." Josias gave his wife a playfully threatening smile.

"Alright, fine. The fact that I know that you would actually go through with that threat."

"It is a great blessing that I have a wife who understands me." Josias still gave Serena a small peck on her cheek before focusing back on the ceremony.

After the distribution of the jambars led by each raja parhata, dozens of servants and other clan kinswomen came in with various trays and plates of food. The all important lunch had begun. This was where most of the budget for all the wedding ceremonies were concentrated.

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Josias' wedding had the greatest variety of foods he had ever seen in his life. From the great roasted boars, blooded minced meat of buffalo beasts, blooded chicken, all the way to naniura which was a raw fish dish cooked only with the fermentation of spices upon it. Josias and Serena's plates were served to them by a few retainers who brought their own special dish to the front.

After lunch was over, it was finally time to participate in the peak of the wedding celebrations. The mangulosi. It was when each clan from the bona tulang would come and bestow upon the married couple and the groom's parents and paternal uncles.

Josias and Serena came down from the venue's stage to the front of the aisle where two different chairs had been prepared. Josias' parents and his aunt and uncle stood next to him while the rest of his clan lined up behind him and his wife.

The first one to give the ulos was the bride's father. Archbishop Ludwig had stepped down from the stage into the middle of the aisle while holding a brightly-coloured red ulos. The archbishop walked up to the couple in tandem with the music, his steps rigid and his arms stretched wide while holding the large cloth. He stopped just a few feet away from the couple as the music stopped.

"...All I could say in blessings to you both I have already said before. My well wishes to my new hela (son-in-law) as well as my well wishes to my beloved boru. But there are still a few things I still could say…" Archbishop Ludwig said as his eyes began to redden "...There is an old saying in the empire, 'Geklagtes Leid ist halbes Leid'. A problem shared is a problem halved. You two are no longer two people but one. I pray that with my blessings in this ulos, you two would share not only in one another's joys but also pains… Support each other as my wife had once supported me… I know my beloved is watching from heaven right now at her daughter's most joyous day!"

With that, the music resumed as the archbishop approached and wrapped the large ulos over both Josias and Serena together. Serena hugged her father tightly as she began to sob once more. Josias couldn't do much more than embrace his wife and be there for her as she was reminded of her mother by her father.

After giving the ulos to Josias and Serena, the archbishop proceeded to wrap both Josias' parents with an ulos as well. When it came to Josias' uncle Partogi and his wife, the Archbishop gave a difficult smile as he presented them with an ulos as well.

"I know you most likely hate me right now, but know that I am always praying for the both of you." The archbishop said. Josias saw his aunt Lamria giving a polite smile while his uncle only nodded with a solemn expression, not seeming like he would say anything else. Josias sighed as he saw it. At least he didn't start an unnecessary fight.

After that came the ulos from Serena's maternal side. Her bona tulang. Elder Marasi and his wife had come and given the young couple their blessings as well. The clan head of the Sinatua wrapped a most beautiful ulos around the young couple and gave a few wise words of his own. Serena's grandmother also gave the two a few blessings of her own. Serena laughed as her grandmother always had the habit of pinching her cheeks ever since she was young.

When the Rapmasari gave their blessings and ulos to the couple, Ompung Ester unleashed her mana as she darkened the sky with clouds. She moistened the air, causing droplets of water to form. Before they could drop and make a mess of the venue, she summoned a bright white light to hit against the droplets. A beautiful rainbow had been created for the venue. Many of the little children 'ooh'ed and 'awe'd at the beautiful trickery of light.

The two Rapmasari elders as well as Serena's uncles and aunts from the Rapmasari gave them their best wishes as well.

Then next came the Hutabaru clan as they gave their own blessings. Josias' maternal grandfather gave a few statements followed by his uncle Hamoraon.

"You know all these weddings the past few weeks have really given me a headache." His uncle Mora quipped. "I assume no one else here knows how hard it is to have to design and make ten bloody rings in the span of only a few months. Not to mention cutting the gemstones I had to put on them!... But for the past few days, seeing both my children as well as my bere (nephew) here with the widest smiles on their faces, I can't help but say, pos ma rohangku (I am satisfied). My prayers are always for all of your joy and happiness! God bless you two always!"

Each time the music played as the couple were wrapped with an ulos, the various crowds of people stood up and danced to the music as well. Many of the foreign kings and realms also danced while holding various pouches of money in their hands. They would then distribute the money throughout their clansmen and kinsmen. The women and children were the ones who experienced the most fun from such customs.

The next two clans who went up for the mangulosi were the Binangabalok and the Bungabagak clans. The Bungabagak clan mainly gave their blessings to Josias' parents as well as to his grandfather who was sitting somewhere away from the main venue.

When the Binangabalok clan came up to greet him and Serena, Josias teased Priscilla a little. He asked her when her own wedding to the Prince of Hutangali would be held. She rolled her eyes before playfully asking Serena to hit Josias. Serena obliged as she pinched Josias' side.

After all the clans had given their ulos, the day had already shifted to the evening as the sun had set and the venue was lit by torches and lanterns. By all accounts, the ceremony should've been concluded but there was a final person who wanted to give his own blessings to the happy couple.

Josias' grandfather, the King of Goria and the Hulubalang Nabolon of the Halak realms. He had walked up while holding his ulos, this time supported on both his sides by Elder Marasi and Archbishop Ludwig. Josias' eyes teared as he saw his grandfather walking weakly while holding his own ulos.

The archbishop and Elder Marasi had wanted to continue supporting the king, but his grandfather shrugged, insisting that he wanted to stand on his own two feet. And so with heavy breaths, King Parhal stood in front of the couple. His eyes, though tired, had a sense of pride in them as he looked at Josias.

"...My beloved… panggoaran… words can't express how… happy I am… that God has willed for me to still.. Stand here today…" Josias' grandfather had strengthened his voice with aura, he could feel it. As he spoke, he was expending his energy. Despite his worries, Josias didn't dare to stop his grandfather.

"...Upon your shoulders rest… the burden of leadership… as you will one day lead our realm… But on that journey…" Josias' grandfather turned his gaze towards Serena "...God has seen fit to bless you with… a most beautiful and worthy companion… Serena… I ask you to help my grandson… strengthen him as he will do the same… for you… But above all… know that I truly love you both… and my blessings are with you… you make an old man happy…"

With a final heave to strengthen himself as he walked up to the couple, King Parhal said, "...Take care of each other…"

As his grandfather said that, he began to approach the couple slowly. He did not wish to be supported as he walked on his own in an unsteady gait. But just as he was about to wrap the ulos around them, the king fell forward. A thud could be heard as he laid there face to the ground. Audible gasps could be heard as this happened.

It was only a split second before Serena and Josias' mother let out a shriek in panic. Josias immediately got up along with the rest of the people there to check on his grandfather. His father had beaten him to it followed by his uncle.

"Bapak! Bapak!! WAKE UP!! This isn't funny, damn it!!" Josias' father shouted in panic as he shook the old king's body. "Amang Ludwig help!! Please!!"

"He isn't breathing!!" Partogi shouted as well.

Hurriedly, the archbishop had come running. They had already turned the king's body upward from his previous position. He only tried finding a pulse for a few seconds before immediately jumping on top of the king and applying chest compressions.

"Inang Ester! We need air!!" The Archbishop called out as he continued applying compressions on the old king's chest.

Ompung Ester wordlessly cast a few spells to try and give air to the king. Soon enough more and more people became panicked and worried.

The archbishop had applied chest compressions for thirty minutes as his sweat dripped from him. It was only when a few elders held the old missionary and shook their heads did Ludwig finally stop. A final check to the king's pulse brought tears into the Archbishop's eyes. He looked to Lord Parulian and shook his head with an empty expression.

"...The king has passed…"

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