Further Beyond: Ascension

Tirsday, 5th of Julius, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

Ludwig sat beside Elder Rihar in the newly convoked Tonggoraja in the great venue near Goria. It had been two days since the burial of King Parulian and the Gorians had asked for another day until the next tonggoraja. They cited the need to convoke an internal council in regards to the succession of the Gorian kingship. In the meanwhile, many of the kings of the other realms had started to send their families – mostly the women and children – back to their realms along with a few warriors to guide them.

It was a trying time as the Gorian council wasn't yet too keen on granting Josias the kingship just yet. They had felt him too young for the office as even his late grandfather was already twenty when he ascended the throne. All of that coupled with the fact of his worrying mental state was enough to make the council declare a temporary 'regency'.

Elder Rihar – as the oldest and most senior member of the Gorian council of elders – was chosen to represent Goria for the time being. That was why he was currently seated at the throne meant for the king in the current tonggoraja. But it must be stressed that the current situation was temporary. Ludwig still reminded the council that once the situation was stabilised, the kingship must be returned to the Sigumogo clan. Everyone within the Gorian council agreed with the decision unanimously, but there was one major problem with that conclusion.

"I refuse to acknowledge such an irrational and brash child as the next king of Goria!" The one-eyed blood king of Hutaraja declared with a shout as he banged his hands against the arms of his chair. "His blatant insult towards the gods and the ancestors were abominable and I daresay a provocation. I want him executed!"

"Even if you are now Lord Hulubalang, you have no right to meddle with the affairs of Goria like that, boy." Elder Rihar said as he squinted his wrinkled eyes towards King Pirma "Who we do or do not choose as our next king is of no concern to you. Or do you mean to tell us now that the Hulubalang has the right to exercise authority over the other sovereign kings even in times of peace?"

"Forgive me, Elder Rapmasari, but it must also be stressed that no previous king has ever so blatantly disrespected the Old Ways, the gods, or our ancestors." King Lombutua added on to King Pirma's objections.

"Nonsense! Have we all conveniently forgotten the bloody war we had fought two decades ago because of your perceived 'offense' to Goria's choice of religion?" Elder Rihar leaned forward as he glared at the foreign kings.

"These are different times. And may I remind you that nothing of the Treaty ever discussed the freedom for one king to so blatantly insult our ways like that. Religious tolerance within each realm does not mean you are granted the right to provoke a conflict like that with impunity."

"Lord kings, if I may be so bold as to speak." Ludwig finally decided to stand up as he raised his hands to calm the situation down. Though, it was obvious from many of the foreign kings rolling their eyes that he was far less than welcome to speak. Regardless, they couldn't do much of anything about it. He had the right to speak.

"As if you haven't been bold enough, bontarmata." King Pirma spat through gritted teeth. If his glare could kill, Ludwig was sure he would've been dead a hundred times over. Despite that, he found it quite amusing how constrained by their own traditions, the Halak couldn't help themselves but acknowledge him. Ignoring the obvious disdain, Ludwig smiled before he gave an expression like he had forgotten something.

"Ah, I had almost forgotten." Maintaining the most cordial expression he could, Ludwig turned towards the Raja Malim "We have yet gotten the thoughts of the High Priest of the parmalim himself on this. Tell me, ale Raja Malim, does the office of Hulubalang have the kind of authority to make such outrageous demands?"

Ludwig made sure to stare directly into the Halak priest-king's eyes. He had to give it to his heathen counterpart, as far as how he had conducted himself to that point, the Raja Malim had been consistently fair in his ruling opinions. Almost to a fault.

To his question, the Raja Malim gave an exasperated sigh and shook his head. "There has been no precedent nor history of the Hulubalang Nabolon with such an authority."

"Who's damn side are you on, you fool?!" King Pirma stood up in anger as he glared at the Raja Malim. "Time and time again you've failed to make a decisive statement against these tradition-hating mongrels! Even when it's the very faith you represent that is being insulted and put into question!"

"No, I disagree." Ludwig quickly shook his head "Though we differ wildly in terms of our dogmas and faith, I truly believe that the Raja Malim is a man of great wisdom. He holds to the principles of truth above petty political concerns and for that I must commend him."

"Your honeyed words and sharp tongue is quite dangerous, Tuan Guru." the Raja Malim gave a slight chuckle as he exchanged glances with Elder Honahata of Saorma "It no longer mystifies me how you were able to place the great kings of the north under your influence. If I didn't know better, I would've perhaps been fooled. But nonetheless, I thank you for defending my honour and principles."

"There is no dishonesty or deceit within my words, I assure you, Raja Malim. But coming back to what I was saying regarding the authority of the Hulubalang, I must ask you all this. Wasn't the very point of convoking this tonggoraja to properly discuss what the office of the Hulubalang can or can not do? Which is why in all honesty I must say I had somewhat disagreed with the election of the Hulubalang before we had even properly clarified the terms of agreement on what the duties and responsibilities of the Hulubalang really are."

"You're trying to frame this discussion in a way that suits you, Tuan Guru." King Lombutua said "the Raja Malim himself stated that firstly the election of a Hulubalang was of paramount importance."

"Yes, but from what I understood, the Raja Malim said that in response to all of your demands to look over the terms and conditions of the Treaty of Haumarara. Never was it clearly stated what the full breadth of the Hulubalang's authority within the greater Halaklands was."

"You're only saying this because your candidate died and lost the title of Hulubalang!" A king shouted out.

"Hold your tongue, damn you!" Elder Rihar shouted out as he pointed towards the king who made that statement. "You disrespect the dead! And a king above that!"

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"Shouldn't that also count as a provocation?". "We demand his tongue!". The other Gorian elders began to shout out in anger and offense. To prevent the situation from getting out of hand, Ludwig raised his hands once more to calm the Gorians down.

"As is my principle, I would have still adressed this issue even if our beloved King Parulian had become Hulubalang." Ludwig restated himself "In fact, it was a question that I would regularly ask to the current Hulubalang's predecessor. As it stands now, we are fully reliant on the Raja Malim and his unilateral pronouncements and rulings in regards towards the ancestral ways and traditions. It doesn't matter what my own opinions of the man are or how personably honourable he is. If these things aren't put to writing or standardised, it would set a horrible and unclear precedent for the future."

King Pirma and his most ardent supporters scoffed at Ludwig's words. Though, the old Archbishop couldn't care less what their disagreements were. What mattered most at the current tonggoraja was consensus. The Raja Malim, however, scratched his beard as he nodded towards Ludwig's line of questioning.

"There is some truth to what the Tuan Guru says." The Raja Malim said "As it is now, I myself am also reliant upon the traditions handed down to me by my predecessors, and mostly by word of mouth. But I must make this honestly clear on my part as well. I am not in any way, shape, or form, trying to deny any king from his due rights. Which is why I will just say now what encompasses the breadth of the Hulubalang Nabolon's true position and authority."

"As I have been led to understand, there are three main duties and responsibilities that is at the core of the Hulubalang's role." The Raja Malim raised three fingers as he started explaining "Firstly and most importantly would be their role in the event of foreign invasions to act as our supreme commander in battle. Secondly, as I have mentioned before, their role as head presider over tonggoraja's like this one. And finally, it is their role as mediators over disputes though this only applies in conditions where both sides of a dispute asked for the mediation."

"And that third one was the reason used by the old 'dragon king' to refuse to step in when the Mad Raja Monang started sacrificing and killing his own clansmen." Elder Rihar scoffed as he shook his head. "Damned useless fool. He was more sly serpent than dragon. It's no surprise how he died fighting the actual nagas of the north. A fitting end for a coward."

"I demand Elder Rapmasari retract such disrespectful comments towards my grandfather!" King Batara of Hutanaga looked none-too-pleased with the old Elder's comments.

"I refuse to give any such honour to a coward who refused to stand and die like a man. Even my own father stood his ground and died like a true man against the snake-men." Elder Rapmasari kept to his statements to the chagrin of the Hutanaga king. Once more, Ludwig stepped in to steer the conversation away from such petty arguments.

"Regardless of that, then moving forward, is it not agreed that the Hulubalang therefore has no right to meddle in Goria's internal affairs?" Ludwig asked once more as his gaze then turned to the kingdoms who were more friendly towards the Gorians. The allied kings nodded their heads and shouted back in affirmation towards his statement. "Furthermore, I represent my Amang Ompu Hesekiel and the rest of the Gorian council when I say that we declare our reservations in allowing the current Hulubalang Nabolon from presiding over discussions regarding a review of the treaty of Haumarara."

"That isn't up to you!"

"What gives you the right to declare such nonsense!"

"He has every right! The Hulubalang is clearly biased and wouldn't dare to mediate fairly!"

"Any ruling presided over by the blood king and his dishonorable collaborators is something I'm not willing to trust."

With Ludwig's objections, the situation within the Tonggoraja completely devolved once more as most semblance of civility seemed lost. Not even the Raja Malim was able to quickly calm the situation down. It was in times like these that Ludwig felt the emptiness left by the death of King Parhal. A lack of a figure of absolute authority among people as hardy as the Halak was greatly apparent.

It was about an hour of shouting, insulting, and even a few chair hurlings, before the situation began to calm somewhat. Throughout all that, Ludwig only laughed as he amused himself with the absurdity. The Halak kings were shouting and throwing insults but no one was truly making any substantial threats towards each other. They eventually toned down the rowdiness, mostly because of exhaustion.

When everything quieted down, King Pirma spoke out once more.

"Fine then." The blood king said with a tone that indicated he wasn't done arguing just yet "Let's say we forget about the whole treaty review. That still brings us back to square one in regards to our topic for today. I reiterate that I will not recognise a damned blasphemer as a king among the Halak and that is final."

"How much longer are you going to dwell on that point?" Elder Rihar said as he massaged his temples "Didn't we just establish that you have no right to force anything upon us? The words you spoke to the late Hulubalang in Matanitao I shall speak now to you. You have no power here, boy."

"Damned old geezer!"

"That isn't the only point I would like to contend with." King Lombutua chimed in once more as he appealed to the other kings. "Need I remind everyone that my son-in-law is currently held against his will? Apprehended like a criminal for something that happened during a sacred duel. I will not stand for it!"

"The duel was never meant to be to the death. He broke a sacred oath and thus must remain under our arrest until we can determine what is to be done with the likes of him." Elder Rihar said with nods from the rest of the Gorian elders.

"The king of Saorma has a penchant for sticking his fox-like snout in the affairs of others." Elder Marasi shook his head "You should be ashamed of yourself. You speak on and on about the traditions of old only when it benefits you but when it comes to things like this, all of a sudden I find you to be quite liberal in your actions."

"Even I know when to prioritise common decency."

"When it suits you."

"That's enough from you two!" King Pirma then turned towards the Raja Malim "I will ask once more to you, ale Raja Malim. As the highest priest of the old ways, what say you regarding the fate of the young fool of Goria?"

"It is a difficult dilemma we find ourselves in…" The Raja Malim scratched his beard in thought.

"Please, Raja Malim, I implore you." Ludwig couldn't hold back anymore as he spoke "My hela (son-in-law) is but a young man, barely an adult who had to witness his father die a most gruesome death! Surely a most sincere apology is enough for such transgressions?"

Ludwig awaited with baited breath as he anticipated the Malim king's answer.

"...His words were truly scathing, Tuan Guru…" The Raja Malim said "But given what you have said as well as the fact that he still has the brashness of youth, I don't see why as his elders we can't be merciful just for this one instance."

"Hmph! That would indeed be quite merciful…" King Pirma said before a wily smirk appeared on his face "However, perhaps if he were to crawl and beg for mercy after kissing our feet, we could reconsider, hahahahah!"

The other heathen kings laughed while the Gorians frowned. It was a clear provocation and an attempt to humiliate the Gorians. Ludwig was about to protest such an absurd proposal before he saw someone walking into the venue, walking solemnly with an indifferent look on his face.

"Very well. I shall apologise." Josias had arrived within the venue as he approached the spot the Gorians were seated at. He stopped just in front of Elder Rihar before turning his body around to stare at the new Hulubalang "...I apologise because I will never take back the words that have come out of my mouth."

Ludwig saw as his young son-in-law was being glared at by half the kings within the venue. He shook his head and made the sign of the cross. Lord please stop his daughter's fool husband from saying anything that might get him killed.