217 The Arrival

Eskyl turned around to face his friend, his face filled with rage, "No! This is the opportunity I had been waiting for. I am not going to let it slip by just like that."

But as soon as he tried to take a step forward, Torbuck pinned him against the wall in an effort to calm him down and to stop him. 

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Eskyl exclaimed as he struggled. 

"Eskyl!" Torbuck said as he looked at his friend in the eye, "You're not thinking clearly! Go home!"

Hearing his advice, Eskyl laughed, "Go back home? Go back home like a coward with my tail between my legs?"

"You know that's not what I meant…"

Eskyl pushed Torbuck away, dusting his clothes. 

"I will take what rightfully belongs to me," Eskyl replied before walking off, purposely bumping into Torbuck as he went. 

Power could come in many forms. Torbuck had seen how different people would do anything to fight for that seat of power. He also knew that there was only one person left that could maybe take some sense into Eskyl. 

On the other hand, Grand Priestess Alfin had already been alerted of Eskyl's escape. Not wanting to worry Sylvy, Alfin decided to contain the issue covertly and hoped for the best. 

~

Anja and her small selected group of warriors and elders had arrived at the gates of Papillion. Ramas was with them, which helped grant them quicker access straight through to the castle. This was Anja's first visit to Papillion. Before this, all she had heard of was through the recounts of her subordinates. 

Seeing Anja and her people became quite the spectacle as they were dressed very differently from the Papillion. The Papillions dressed in standard styles based on the class of society they belonged to, with minimal variation in their clothing. 

The Mothyleks, on the other hand, wore what they wanted to represent. Apart from Anja's headpiece, the necklace around her neck and her mask, there was no other indication of her rank among her people. 

Her greatest achievement awarded her with the permanent inked tattoo of the great moth on their shoulder. Upon entering the city, Anja was getting uncomfortable stares from the people. Seeing as they were now in Papillion territory, Anja wondered if she should wear the traditional Papillion outfit when meeting with Sylvy. 

But she quickly pushed the idea away. Anja represented the Republic of Mothylek. Hence it was also extremely important to represent her people through what she wore as well. She did not need to change just to fit in. She needed to be herself. 

As they approached the castle walls, Anja was pleasantly surprised to see that Vy and Lycster were at the entrance to welcome her in. Usually, the leaders would have met at the gates but the traditions of Papillion were different. 

"Everything is going well, albeit there were a couple of bumps, but so far so good," she whispered to him. 

Anja and her men all carried weapons with them as they walked through the hallways of the castle. This garnered many stares and whispers that were hard to ignore, but Ramas and Vy did their best to keep the conversation going. 

Lycster remained silent throughout the entire time, as he ensured that everyone was on track. They all arrived in the Dining Hall, where Sylvy was nervously awaiting Anja's arrival. As soon as she entered, Sylvy's face lit up. 

The announcer blared the trumpet and announced Anja's arrival. Alongside Sylvy, were a few other ministers whom she had selected to be present. Tinee introduced all the ministers to Anja and her people. 

When it came to the Mothylek's turn, Hallvard introduced all of them to the Papillions. With the formalities out of the way, All of them were seated at the table. Tinee rang a small bell she held in her hands and a stream of servants and maids entered the Dining Hall with silver trays in their hands. 

The first course was served and seeing all the fancy cutlery laid out on the table worried Anja. Which one was she supposed to use to eat the soup that had been served? Vyrena looked across from where she was seated. 

Seeing the confused expression on Anja's face made her aware of the situation immediately. After waving to get her attention, Vy guided her on which spoon to use. Anja mouthed the word 'thank you' as she picked up the right spoon to eat her soup. 

When she looked to her side, she noticed Hallvard and the elders bringing the bowl of soup to their mouths to drink; much to the wary looks of the ministers who sat across from them. When Anja turned to see Sylvy, she realised that unlike the ministers, she did not mind it at all. 

"I hope this is to your liking, Leader Atlas," Sylvy commented as she ate a spoonful of her soup. 

The Mothyleks had been on the road for quite some time, so they had not had the taste of such a hearty soup in quite some time. 

"It's really good, may I know what ingredients were used in it? This is definitely a recipe we would very much like to replicate," Anja replied eagerly. 

"I am afraid you won't be able to do so."

"Why not?" Anja asked. 

"Leader Altas, if I may," Tinee spoke, "The soup you're drinking is a special recipe, only served to special guests. We're not able to share the recipe."

"I must say, King Sylvy, your people have some really interesting traditions and customs," Hallvard commented with a laugh. 

The other elders joined in as well. 

One of the ministers did not find it humorous, "Our people have traditions, which we follow by closely. That is the way our people are."

Seeing the situation, Anja quickly spoke up, "My apologies if we've offended you. The differences between our customs are unique."