Solsday, 9th of Septimus, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

Josias stared at the old Prince-Imperial, unsure of how to answer him. He wasn't even sure if he understood half the things the old man said. Blessings by heathen gods? Floating words? Different worlds? Was this old man, alright?

"I… I'm not too sure I fully understand what you mean, Your Highness." Josias scratched his head and smiled apologetically "I guess, in a certain sense, I did indeed come from a different world. The Halaklands are quite far removed from here, but… about heathen gods… No, I was baptised shortly after I was born by my father-in-law…"

Josias wasn't sure whether he should even bother talking about floating words. He quickly quieted himself but the old man continued to scrutinise him with his gaze. He didn't even say a word. Not even the king dared interrupt the old man as he looked like he was hesitating. That was until….

"Bwahahahahaha! You should see the look on your face, boy." Prince Alfred gave Josias a hearty slap on his arm "I was just pulling your leg. You looked so serious so I wanted to ease the tension a little."

"You seemed very serious in your questioning, Lord Granduncle." the king said "What was all that about? You've been somewhat out of it ever since your adopted grandson..."

"Oh, don't you worry about that! I was simply making a joke from some old legends I remember." Prince Alfred shook off the king's concerns "You know those very same tales."

"Of Soterios and the great heroes of old?"

"That's the one. I just thought it would be funny if the boy here was the same."

"I think those old tales are blown wildly out of proportion, Lord Granduncle."

Josias only kept up a smile as he was even more lost now at what they were discussing. He thought it best to just keep quiet. Nothing good ever comes from talking more than you know.

"Don't worry about it, boy." The Prince-Imperial seemed to have noticed his confusion "All I want you to know is that you're absurdly talented. How long have you been training your aura for?"

"We Halak are given small pushes and guidance throughout our childhood, but we usually start training as warriors at around ten to twelve." Josias answered "I myself started my training a little late. I was almost thirteen when I first started my training. It took me a few months after that to unlock my first star."

"Bloody hell. You're telling me you gained four stars after only half a decade of training?" The old prince shook his head. Josias could see similar looks of astonishment on the others' faces. "Some folks might even just hang themselves if they heard that. The Lord's justice truly is unknowable to us humans."

"If it's talent we're speaking of then my brother, the Reverend Timotheus, is leaps and bounds ahead of me." Josias said as he called for Bang Timo to come. "My brother here is only a few years above me yet he's a fifth circle mage."

"What in the-...."

"It's true, Prince-Imperial." The Archbishop said, his face ever covered in a smile "I've confirmed it myself and he is genuinely talented."

Prince Alfred shook his head as he chuckled. "Your grandfather's seed has to be studied at this point."

"I'm absolutely looking forward to seeing you all prosper at our academy." Guildmaster Rolfe laughed, his belly jiggling along with him. He turned to look as another middle-aged looking man approached, followed by Crown Prince Christopher "The Lord Archbishop has to be careful, though. It seems to me that the vulture has arrived."

"What manner of nonsense do you speak? There are no vultures in this sacred place." The tall middle aged man said with a slight scowl. "Greetings, Your Royal Majesty, Your Imperial Highnesses."

The man gave a deep bow, letting his luscious silver-coloured hair hang off in front of him. How absurd that this man's hair was more silky than many of the women Josias knew. He looked lean in the cloaked, gold-embroidered purple robes he was wearing. Were it not for his equally silky beard and gruff voice, Josias would've thought he was a noblewoman.

"My apologies for not being able to attend your last feast, Your Majesty." The man said. The king nodded and looked at him with a smile.

"Prince Josias, allow me to introduce to you His Excellency, The Right Honourable, Lord Melchior sé Chateaublanc, 15th Count of Lechampor." King Albert introduced the man "He is also the Court Mage, Archmagister, Lord of the Arcane Directory, and – most importantly for your purposes – High Chancellor of the Archior Imperial Academy."

"I have heard many things about you, Prince Josias. All good things, I assure you." The old wizard bowed cordially towards Josias. He returned the gesture in kind. Soon, his attention turned towards Reverend Timotheus and his smile grew even larger. "I have also heard many amazing things about you, Prince Timotheus."

"Please, I am but a humble man of the cloth here." Bang Timo said "Simply referring to me by my title of Reverend would be enough."

"Did you hear that, Lord Count? He's a man of the church. There's no cause for you to stake your claim on this talent." Archbishop Fellspark came between Bang Timo and the Archmage.

"My, my Lord Archbishop, what is this talk of claims and the like? All I see in front of me is a man of never-before seen talents. And to my understanding, has an interest in learning more of the arcane. Study and Learning know no boundaries, dear Lord Archbishop."

"Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, Your Excellency." The Archbishop retorted.

Both men were smiling at each other, yet Josias could almost see the sparks flying between the two. Before it could get any further, the king stood and cleared his throat.

"Now, now, gentlemen. Let's keep it civil in a House of Worship." King Albert alternated his gaze between the two men but they merely cocked their heads in unison. They both smiled at the king before looking back to one another.

"We were just having friendly banter, Your Majesty. I have nothing but respect for my beloved brother-in-law." Count Melchior said.

"Scripture teaches us to love our brothers, and I have nothing but the Love of Christ for my beloved's most esteemed Elder Brother. Tell me, have you decided a date for my grandnephew's baptism?"

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"Oh, I'm sure Bishop Mortimer has been informed of it by my daughter. It would do well for the child to be baptized by his great-grandfather."

"As it should be, but in the case of our dear Bishop's infirmities, perhaps the child's granduncle could baptise him, no?"

"Oh, it would be beyond me to bother the most busy Primate of All Archior."

It didn't seem like the two men would be stopping their war of words anytime soon. The king already looked exasperated while the Guildmaster laughed heartily. Josias' noticed that his wife's uncle was relatively quiet throughout all of it.

"A word of advice from an old adventurer like myself, Young Prince." Guildmaster Rolfe had put his arm around Josias as he motioned with his other hand " Don't get too involved with these nobles. All that hassle will just ruin you. Warriors like us shouldn't bother with all that political horseshite."

"Very convincing advice, Right Honourable Lord Henry Rolfe, 6th Baron Stoutford." Old Prince Alfred remarked as he rolled his eyes.

"Oh loosen up, you old cripple. Barons don't count for shite and both you and I know we're adventurers first."

"Speaking of adventurers…" Prince Alfred pointed towards the area near the cathedral doors with his chin. Instinctively, Josias took a glance.

"Well I'll be, bahahaha. The star and moon of the Tiger claw guild. They must've heard about the Young Prince and his companions' performance." Guildmaster Rolfe said. "Oh, Prince Josias, I have to introduce you to them. This may surprise you, but I think they may be your countrymen."

Josias saw the people in question and there was little doubt that they were Halak. Josias saw there were about half a dozen of them. Their physical features stood out as distinctively foreign in the sea of westerners. Tanned to olive skin, square jawlines, fleshy noses. He'd be damned if they weren't Halak.

And most notable of all, despite their westernised clothing, all of them wore the ulos over their shoulders. Interestingly, Claire was already there having a conversation with two people who looked to be their leader.

"Ingkon hupatandahon ho tu nasida, anggia. (I have to introduce you to them, brother)" Timotheus said to Johannes.

"Diboto ho do nasida? (You know who they are?)" Josias asked back.

"Na inang i ma namboru ni si Claire. Ito ni Tulang Patar. Molo na amang i, i ma amangboruni si Claire."

Josias was surprised when Bang Timo told him they were Claire's aunt and uncle. Guildmaster Rolfe had also overheard their conversation and asked them what they were talking about. When Bang Timo explained it to him, the fat guildmaster laughed heartily as he shook his head.

"Truly the world is small for you folks. To think you've already met them, young reverend. Anyways let's go and…" The guildmaster stopped in the middle of talking when he noticed Old Prince Alfred beckoning him. "What is it?"

"We have things we must discuss with the guildmasters of Skysea." Prince Alfred said "Let the boys meet with their countrymen first, but afterwards we need to deliberate on something."

"Is it really that important?"

"You think I only came to Skysea for a bloody social call? Of course it's important! I've already informed the king anyway, and it's guild business technically speaking."

"Bloody hell. You're asking me to work on a Solsday? Absolute slave driver."

Prince Alfred scowled before he looked at Bang Timo, "You two make sure to tell the moon and star of the tigerclaw to come up to the front after you're done."

"Yes, Your Highness…" Josias and the young reverend both bowed.

"Off you go then, boys."

***

"Horas, Tulang, Nantulang… (Greetings, uncle, aunt)" Timotheus had greeted Claire's aunt and uncle before introducing Josias to them "On ma pe anggiku nahinaholongan. (This is my beloved little brother) Tuan Josias Panuturi Hatigoran Sigumogo."

"Horas. Tulang, Nantulang…" Josias too greeted Lord Marasi Parbintang and Lady Dinauli.

Following them, their other companions had also come and greeted the Halak elders there. Unsurprisingly, the two so-called 'Moon and Star' of the Tigerclaw guild showed the Hutabaru among them almost the same amount of respect as they did Josias.

"My, when I came home to my wife telling me that a grandson of Old King Parhal was in our guildhouse, I thought she'd finally lost her mind." Tulang Marasi chuckled "Let alone the fact that he was also a priest. I only believed her when he personally came to our guildhouse after that and sent us an invitation to this service. But now I even get to meet Amang Sabam's progeny. Is the world shrinking or am I just getting bigger?"

Timotheus laughed before he explained. "...It's not everyday you get to see a family member perform in front of such a large audience. In front of a king, no less. We're all proud of Claire here."

"Honestly, that was a beautifully splendid performance." Nantulang Dinauli said "I even cried a little when I heard it. To think our language could have such beautiful hymns. And christian ones, too!"

"At this rate, you're going to have us truly convert, hahahah!" Tulang Marasi had a half-joking tone, but Timotheus merely smiled and lifted his eyebrows at them.

"The offer still stands." Timotheus said "If not to the church here, then at the very least I could familiarise you with the liturgies of the Halak church. Oh, which reminds me. Please take this."

Timotheus handed them over a small booklet. It was a little something he had written down at night, summarizing the various tenets of faith of the Halak church. "While it is beyond me to force any of you into doing anything, it would warm my heart so if you gave it a read. I did my best to write down our simplest creeds in our mother tongue. Also a few similar hymns like the one you just heard."

Tulang Marasi nodded as he accepted the booklet and handed it over to his wife.

"While we've never been too much of a stickler for religion, over two decades here in the west, we have indeed learned a thing or two about the Christian faith… Genuine motives aside, converting would put our guild at a much higher standing than before. We'll definitely consider it."

"Even with just that, I am already gladdened." Timotheus bowed to the two elders "But that reminds me. The Lord Prince-Imperial Alfred and Guildmaster Rolfe had asked for you earlier. By the looks on their faces, it seemed urgent."

The two guildmasters of the Tigerclaw exchanged glances with each other as they saw Guildmaster Rolfe and Prince Alfred calling for them.

"...If Old Al's the one calling us…" Nantulang Dinauli started.

"Yabbag! And I just got home from that bloody mission at Ashfell." Tulang Marasi didn't look all too happy at the summons. But seeing as how the Feldonian king himself was there, rejection didn't really seem like an option.

With that, the two – and a few other Tigerclaw guild members – took their leave to meet up with Prince Alfred and Baron Rolfe.

Timotheus only looked at Josias as he saw all of that. "Something serious seems like it's about to happen…"

"...All I can pray for is that we don't get caught up in it."

His brother was right. They had just entered Feldonia and getting involved with local politics would be insane. All they could do is hope that, whatever betide them, they'd be given enough providence to get through it.

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