"Governor Pauly requests permission to meet with you."
"Let him wait outside."
Marek exited and closed the door behind him. Meanwhile, everyone began to prepare. Kierra sheathed his sword and took his position behind Flarka. Rhadam, on the other hand, stood at the back. Flarka stepped outside and ordered the door to be locked behind them.
Pauly, despite being unsettled by the events, skillfully concealed his discomfort and began speaking."I have arranged a grand feast in your honor, my king. I would be delighted to accompany you and all your attendants to our banquet hall."
Flarka observed Pauly for a moment without responding. Then, he approved the invitation, and they started walking towards the banquet hall. This time, Pauly chose the shortest route, and they quickly arrived at the hall. A truly magnificent feast table was set.
The banquet hall had tables arranged side by side, with the center left empty for various performances. As soon as the group entered, the orchestra started playing. Shortly after, a group of dancers entered and began dancing. Pauly meticulously showed everyone to their seats and then signaled for the feast to begin.
The room was illuminated by torches placed all around. However, there were so many torches that it made the room quite hot. Rhadam complained about the heat, just as the drink service began.
"Do they think we'll quickly become intoxicated and lose our minds due to the heat?" he exclaimed with a loud laugh. While the others hadn't even filled their first cups, he finished his own in one gulp and loudly requested another.
The service was swiftly replenished. uncomfortable in the environment, performances with great curiosity. After a short while, the entire group lost its seriousness. Artel truly lived up to its reputation. Flavia, despite feeling eagerly followed the
Marek and Rhadam engaged in a drinking competition. Flarka, Flavia, and Kierra, on the other hand, enjoyed the performances. After the dance performances, a group of soldiers took the stage and performed various combat rituals. Although for entertainment purposes, they showcased their fighting skills.
After the soldiers' performances, a painter appeared on stage. He first drew Flarka's portrait, then started drawing portraits of all the guests. Throughout all the performances, this act drew the most attention. All the soldiers began having their portraits drawn by the painter. By the end of the night, everyone had a memento of their interaction.
Once the painter left the stage, folk poets and wanderers took the spotlight. They recited poems honoring Flarka. However, as time passed, the poets began praising Pauly and the services he provided to the city.
As the poets praised themselves, Pauly approached the group, trying to engage them. Rhadam was heavily drunk. Pauly first approached him, and at that moment, the employees handed him a box. Inside the box was a dagger with a gold-plated hilt. Pauly began to speak:
"General, a sword is a soldier's companion. But in situations where you cannot draw your sword, I would like to present you with this gift to come to your aid."
Rhadam took the dagger in his hand. It fit well in his hand considering its size, and it was beautifully crafted. Although Rhadam understood the governor's intention, he was delighted with the dagger and silently put it in its sheath, placing the box on the table where everyone could see it. He turned the box towards Flarka.
Concerned that Rhadam's action would escalate things, Pauly began presenting gifts to the entire group. He gifted a emerald necklace to Flavia. Marek received gold-plated arm braces, and Kierra received a silk cloak. As for Flarka, he had a sword made with various precious metals.
As everyone examined their gifts, Flarka began to speak: "These are valuable gifts, Pauly. You have spared no expense." Pauly didn't say anything, not wanting to show his joy outwardly."May I ask where the money for all these gifts and expenses came from?"
Pauly was taken aback by this question.
"Since the expedition you led to Unrhoba eight years ago and the stability you ensured in the oceans, trade in the country has flourished. As you know, the Bronze Road, the country's only trade route, passes through our city. Therefore, we have become a destination for merchants."
"If that's the case, why are there so many beggars on the streets?""As the city's income has increased, people who want to make easy money have flocked to our city. Unfortunately, many have made a profession out of it."
"But even the capital doesn't have as many beggars."Pauly tried to understand the direction of the conversation and wanted it to end as soon as possible. His restlessness was now visible on his face.
"Our city has become an attraction for many people from different regions, my king."Flarka suddenly stood up, slamming his fist on the table. The royal group also stood up at the same time, ready to take action at any moment. By now, Flarka had already started shouting.
"You keep saying this is our city since I arrived. This is my city, mine! I am the king of this country! And you, you are just an administrator managing my city on my behalf. From now on, be careful with your words and actions, or next time you won't escape so easily!"
Flarka waited for his anger to subside for a while. During this time, he didn't take his eyes off Pauly. Pauly, caught off guard by this reaction, quickly joined his hands in front of him and moved backward with a bowed head. He couldn't help trembling in the face of this threat from Flarka himself. After a while of breathing deeply without raising his head, he tried to calm himself down. When he began to recover from the shock of the situation, he lifted his eyes and stared directly at Flarka without saying a word.
At that moment, the sound of a sword being unsheathed was heard. It came from Kierra. Kierra had drawn his sword halfway and was looking at the back of Pauly. Where Kierra was looking, Colonel Razor, who commanded the soldiers in the city, had placed his hand on top of his sword, challenging Kierra. When Marek nudged him with his shoulder, Kierra sheathed his sword back, but he hadn't turned his gaze away yet.
Flarka became even more enraged at this scene and gave a command to everyone in the room. "Kneel!"The king's entourage didn't hesitate for a second and obeyed the order immediately. Kierra's hand was still on his sword, looking at Razor. After a short while, Pauly and the guards also kneeled. Razor's head was now lowered. Flarka began to speak:
"Remember this scene. Remember your place. Don't forget who provided you with the armor you wear and the weapons you use. Remember that in your own country, where you once risked your lives to protect, you should not perish as traitors."
His words echoed inside the castle. Then he walked quickly to his own room. As the entire group left the room in a threatening manner, Marek briefly glanced at the governor before following Flarka out of the hall. Pauly, for the first time, openly displayed his anger and hatred. He hadn't even stood up yet and was staring at the spot where Flarka had been sitting during the feast.
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