Further Beyond: Ascension

Tynesday, 21st of Augustus, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

Josias and his companions followed Captain Farnaby's lead into the city. The old captain led them to the gates where Josias could see a line had formed. The guards were making a check on any entry into the city.

Perhaps because of their earlier encounter with the guard captain, Josias and his crew weren't accosted by them. Perhaps it might also be because of Captain Farnaby's familiarity with half the guards and the docks. Josias could swear almost every step they took, Captain Farnaby was greeted by someone.

Be that as it may, they managed to enter without so much as a minor inconvenience.

Josias and his wife had made sure to pay extra attention to the young Tiur and Tigor. The last thing they needed was for more misunderstandings to crop up because of the little monkeys. He hated confrontation and he knew he was in a foreign land, but still. He couldn't just sit there and take it if people were to freely look down on him or his family. Luckily, with Serena's status, it would seem they wouldn't be bothered too much.

As Josias and his companions followed Captain Farnaby's lead, he couldn't help but notice the glances people were sending his way. He couldn't blame them too much, though. Most of the people there were full-on westerners, in western dress, speaking a western tongue.

Meanwhile, Josias and his companions stuck out like a sore thumb. They were still wearing their traditional Halak style of dress. Ulos tied upon their heads and draped over their shoulders. They still wore their wooden sandals too. This was in contrast to most of the locals who wore all sorts of shoes.

It was a good thing Josias and his companions decided to wear shirts. Back in the village, they wouldn't have even bothered with that. Over here, only some workers at the docks and a few others inside of the city worked shirtless. Josias snickered as he shook his head.

"What are you laughing about?" Serena asked him.

"Not much." He shook his head "I was just thinking. I finally know what it must have felt like for the missionaries the first time they came to the Halaklands."

Serena giggled at Josias' comments. "I knew we should've changed our clothes to something more fitting."

"Bah. We don't need to bother with that. It's not like we're going to meet anyone important here. We should save the good clothes we have for when we meet your bapatua (uncle). Besides, they seem to look more curious than threatened."

"You'd expect them to be a little bit more used to foreigners, this being a port and all."

But then again, it wasn't the biggest port in the kingdom. And the Halak had never traditionally made trade voyages as far as this. Rarely would the westerners even trade directly with Goria. Most of the western trade would come through the northern colonies of Newlandia.

Josias also considered whether or not there were other Halak people in the west. Just taking his uncle as an example, it wasn't unheard of for Halak folk to travel abroad. Though, given the amount of time and resources it would take, it should be rare.

Ignoring the stares coming from the people, Josias and the rest continued on. They took a few more turns on a long street, following the old captain. Eventually, the old captain had stopped in front of an old-looking building. It seemed well-kept enough, though. Judging from the faint voices coming from inside, it seemed to have quite a few people in it.

Hanging on top of the door to the building was a sign. It read, 'Horace Diner'. A peculiar name to Josias to be sure.

"Oi, dang dijaha ho suratonna? (Don't you see the sign?)" Johannes pointed out with a smirk on his face "Horas do disuratna, hahahaha! (It says 'welcome'.)

"It says 'Horace', not horas." Helena rolled her eyes at her brother's comments. Josias and the rest still giggled at the silly pun.

"No, that sign says 'Ho-ra-ce'." the small Tiur disagreed with Helena.

"That's my sister. Only five years old but can already read so well." Reverend Timotheus ruffled Tiur's hair as she giggled "But, your kak Helen is right. In the Feldonian tongue, it's pronounced 'Horace'. The paleskin folk don't pronounce the final letter there."

"But why not? If you don't say it, why write it?"

Timotheus shrugged his shoulders as he couldn't answer the inquisitive little girl.

"It just is, little sister." Josias answered "It's their language, so they make the rules."

"The rules sound stupid."

"Pffft. I can't disagree with you there."

After Captain Farnaby's lead, Josias entered the building along with everyone else. As he passed the doorway, he was greeted with a cheerful atmosphere. Western-style music was playing from a small stage of musicians while a few people were dancing in front of them.

There were several sets of large tables and chairs set out in the hall. People were eating, drinking, and conversing with one another. However, at a few corners, Josias could see men and sultry-looking women interacting with one another. He instinctively made sure that the children weren't looking in places they weren't supposed to.

He didn't know what the old captain was thinking, but the food better be good to justify a place like this. Well, to be fair, the whiff coming from the kitchen wasn't bad at all. It certainly covered up the less-than-pleasant aroma of some of the workers who were there.

As expected, the music quieted down a bit as the people began taking notice of their arrival. Some people of course remained oblivious, or just plain didn't care. But it was hard to not see the gazes directed towards them by many of the other patrons. Most looked at them with what seemed to be genuine curiosity. However, Josias also noticed some more guarded looks.

By his count, there were about half a dozen dangerous-looking men giving them dirty looks. Maybe they were just born with criminal faces, but one could never be too sure. Luckily, they didn't seem all that tough.

Regardless, it would be best for everyone involved if nothing violent were to occur.

"I'd say this be a fine seatin' for us, eh?" Captain Farnaby pointed towards a set of two tables that was empty. It was big enough for all of them to sit. Josias and his companions helped to move the two tables closer together.

The old captain called out to a young man standing behind the tavern's counter. He was wiping a few tankards when he looked up, being called by Captain Farnaby. The young man had very dark hair. Darker than the other westerner patrons, to be sure. Almost as dark as Josias' own hair. His features also looked somewhat familiar to him. Was he a Malaok…? But that would mean…

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"Horace! Is yer old man here?" Captain Farnaby asked with a big smile plastered on his face.

"Ah, Captain Farnaby! It's been a long while since we've last seen you. My father's still out getting supplies with my sister. They'll be home soon." The young man replied with a smile equally as large. He walked out of the counter holding a piece of charcoal and what looked to be a piece of tree bark. "And I see you've brought guests. Is there a special occasion here?"

"These young lads and lassies be my patrons, so best treat them with respect."

"It's a pleasure to meet you all, then. The name's Horace." The young man gave a charming enough smile. Josias and the rest gave him a nod of acknowledgement.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, sir. I'm Josias. The rest of the people here are my family."

"If you don't mind me asking, but…" Josias could already see the young man eyeing their clothes. He let out a small sigh before smiling.

"You're right, we've travelled quite the distance to get to Feldonia." Josias answered Horace preemptively before giving a playful smirk. "What gave it away? Was it the accent? Our skin colour? Or perhaps our clothes?"

"Now, now, Horace. Yer here to take our order, not to interrogate my benefactors." Captain Farnaby shook his head disapprovingly.

"Oh, I meant no disrespect at all, good sirs." Horace waved his hands in front of him, a slight bit of embarrassment apparent on his face. "It's just… I saw you wearing an ulos so I had wanted to ask…"

"You know what an ulos is?" Josias raised an eyebrow.

"Why, yes indeed! My family has several, actually..." A hint of excitement could be heard laced unto his words.

"Halak hita do ho? (You're Halak?)" Johannes had asked Horace the question to which he replied in Feldonian.

"I am- well, my father is. My mother was born and raised here in Chessey."

"Alai, boi ho hata Halak? (But you can speak Halak?)"

"I can understand a little, but I can't speak it." Horace had an apologetic look on his face. "My father tried teaching us, but with little practice outside of his use, it's quite difficult for the lessons to stick, hahah."

"Ah, that's no problem, then. If I may ask, what's your marga (clan)?" Josias asked.

"We're Parbulan, sir. My father told us he came from the Land of Goria, from the Hutabaru harbor."

"Bahbahbah… You're a Parbulan?" This time, it was Sadrach who was speaking excitedly "Are you familiar with Elder Ringkot Parbulan?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm not too familiar, hahaha… I was born here so…" It was starting to get a little awkward for Horace as he bowed his head.

"You idiot. He just said his mother was from here." Johannes lightly shoved his elbow into Sadrach.

"Ah, right, sorry about that. I'm Sadrach Hutabaru. The Parbulan of Goria are one of our clan's sworn retainers. I know many of them personally."

Josias and the other retainers had followed up by introducing themselves along with their clan names. He could already see Horace's expression becoming a little overwhelmed. But he had to give it to him. The young man was a great server and conversationalist.

"Captain, you never told us that this inn was owned by a Halak." Josias looked to the old man who only flashed him a grin.

"Aye, I wanted to surprise my old friend by bringin' ye all here." Captain Farnaby chuckled "But I guess we'll just have to wait for 'em. But never ye mind that, sers. Please order what ye like. I guarantee that the food here's the best there is in the whole of Chessey."

"High praise, Captain. Well, I'll trust you on that. But regardless of that, it's always well and good to support a fellow son of Si Raja Halak here in these foreign lands."

"Lad, get us some of that nice meat and rice porridge." Captain Farnaby said "A plate for each of us."

"Coming right up, captain. Oh, but what beverage would you be having?"

"The usual beer would be good, lad."

"Then if you'll excuse me."

Josias saw the young man immediately rush to the back kitchens. He gave a quick glance around what the other tables were eating. He saw a quaint variety of meals. Some cooked meats, fried eggs, and of course western styles of bread.

Judging from the content look of the other patrons when eating, it was safe to assume that the food would be good. Well, at the very least decent. Josias wasn't much familiar with western cuisine. However, if the food they had to eat throughout the journey here was any indicator, then he wasn't much impressed.

But then again, the tavern was owned by a fellow Halak countryman. He had reason to at least be hopeful.

As if reading his thoughts, Captain Farnaby smiled before talking. "Don't ye gentlemen worry. I guarantee the food here will be miles better than what we all had on the ship. In fact, Horace's father is one of our most loyal trade partners. Some of the spices, rice grains, and whatnot goes to this establishment."

It didn't take Horace too long before he came out followed by a pair of younger girls. They were carrying bowls of steaming porridge which they placed upon Josias' table.

The aroma from the bowl immediately greeted Josias' nostrils and he was impressed. The presentation of the food was also impeccable. Soy sauce, cut shallots and scallions, minced meat, and even krupuk crackers.

"Look, abang! It's bubur!" Tiur said excitedly as she sat on Josias' lap.

"Indeed it is." Josias smiled seeing the familiar dish. Never would he have ever expected to see a dish so close to home in a land this far away.

"It's our family specialty." Horace also had a twinkle in his eyes as he said that. He must be very proud. "Please try it, sirs."

"Truly it looks wonderful." Timotheus said as he cleared his throat "But it would be far better for us to first say graces to the Lord for His blessings."

Josias nodded as he looked to his younger siblings. Tiur immediately folded her hands in prayer. Serena had to help guide Tigor – who was on her lap – to fold his in prayer. It was adorable seeing the four year old toddler shut his eyes tightly in prayer.

"Marhitehite goarni Tuhanta Debata Ama, dohot Anak, dohot Tondi Parbadia…" Timotheos led them in prayer as they made the sign of the cross. Josias took a slight peek at those around him. It seems some of the other patrons found their piety amusing. With a final amen, they would start their quaint little 'feast'.

Josias took a bite of the bubur and he was surprised by how it tasted. It was a familiar taste to be sure. Yet, he could also tell there were some subtle differences between this bubur and what he was used to. It wasn't surprising though considering that – despite their imports – they still had to make do with some locally-sourced ingredients.

"How is it, ladies and gentlemen? Is it to your liking?" Horace asked. A slight tremble in his voice could be heard but he had expectant eyes.

"It's absolutely delicious." Serena answered the young man. "By the way, who are those two beautiful girls behind you? Are they your sisters?"

"Indeed, milady. These are my two younger sisters, Abigail and Alyssa."

The two girls curtsied when their brother introduced them.

"Such adorably beautiful little children." Serena smiled as she saw them "My, if the daughters are this pretty, then their mother must be an angel. If I may ask, is your mother here, mister Horace?"

"Oh, well yes, but our mother is currently resting…" Horace gave a difficult smile which caught Josias' attention. Josias also noticed the two younger sisters hanging their heads with a sorrowful expression.

"Dear me, is your mother alright?"

"That's… She's, uh…"

"Their cripple of a mother is currently wasting away. Best to not concern yourselves with them." The answer came from another table not far from the counter. It was a voice filled with a sadistic disdain coming from one of the men Josias had pinned as being dangerous.

The beady-eyed, hook-nosed, orange-haired man had a disgusting sneer on his face. Judging from his simple-looking tunic and clothes, he didn't seem to be of any prominent background. He and the rest of his group looked absolutely threatening as they laughed at Horace and the young girls.

Horace had a severe frown on his face, but he didn't do anything much more. If it were Josias or any of his companions, such comments were cause enough for hostile retaliation. He didn't like any of their faces from the start. The man's comment only served to worsen their image in his mind.

"Now, when is your useless savage barbarian of a father going to return?" The man continued with his taunts "Or has he finally given up on repaying his debts? Has he decided to push them all on you? Sorry bastard…"

Things were getting more muddled. The musicians had stopped playing their instruments and some of the other patrons were beginning to get antsy. Many had even started to vacate the premises. Hopefully they didn't forget to pay before exiting.

Josias clicked his tongue. Something was about to go down and he wasn't looking forward to it.