Two Siblings

I

"Should I come?" the inquisitor was dressed in a formal attire with the help of Hukoleen's maid.

"Of course you have to come!" Jurko exclaimed behind the curtain. "You killed the wendigo. Not me."

"You have planned all this. You know that the killer of the creature must come to the banquet," he said aware of Jurko's plan.

"I was at the banquet after killing the siren. Now it's your turn," the old inquisitor laughed slyly.

"Damn you, Jurko. I'll remember this."

"I knew you would," he laughed. "Now go out and make sure you face everyone with a smile."

Nazeir came out of the dressing room with Jurko towards the palace dining room. When he arrived at the door, Jurko stood in the distance waiting for him to enter. The inquisitor saw the man waving, waiting for him to enter the room.

A servant opened the door, allowing the man to enter. When the door opened, Nazeir saw hundreds of people sitting listening to the princess speech behind her table. The princess was sitting giving various messages to her guests and courtiers.

When the princess saw him, she immediately stood up and greeted the inquisitor. Presenting the entire court, the killer of the wendigo. People saw the inquisitor walk to the table beside the princess.

The woman gave a few short words before starting her royal banquet. People started eating and having fun in the night. The band starts playing a soothing tune for the guests.

The inquisitor sat in silence watching the people all over the room start to enliven the event. A couple of long minutes passed, the princess looked at the bored inquisitor.

"Inquisitor."

Nazeir glanced at the princess who called out to him.

"Is there anything less than satisfying about this show? You look bored." The princess turned her body to the inquisitor. "Can we make this party more lively, I don't want to see my honored guest of mine languishing in front of people."

"I'm fine," Nazeir tried to put a smile on his face. "I want to go out for a bit, if you allow me."

The princess looks quite worried.

"Sure, I don't mind. If you need anything, please... talk to me."

Nazeir rose from his seat and walked to an open balcony. Breathing in the night air, the inquisitor walked to the outskirts of the balcony and took in the bright view of the city. Just as Nazeir was watching the city, a man came.

"You don't enjoy it?"

"No."

The painter nodded.

"Same, me too. Not understanding one person here makes me uncomfortable."

"No one to talk to?"

"You can say that."

The two of them silently looked at the city on the coast.

"Nazeir, did you really kill this 'wendigo'?"

"You think?"

"Agh! I was stupid, of course you killed it. And now you have the seat with the princess. If only I could hunt a demon like you."

"You don't understand what you're saying."

"Of course I understand. What I'm saying is courage! Being able to defeat something that endangers people's safety. You can, I can't! You are a truly gifted person."

"You have a different area of ​​talent to me. Of course, we have our differences, but I'm sure you're brave in some way."

"I want to tell you, Nazeir. Back in my crashed ship, I confess that I was able to help the crew," the painter bowed his head. "But the truth is, I brought them to their deaths."

Nazeir's face gave no emotion when he heard it, yet Kozsack retell the story as if it was a play.

"I caught the creature's attention. I blame myself for the death of the entire crew. This month must have been bad. Especially after what happened when I visited the palace. I know you saw it, Nazeir. I embarrassed myself after being slapped by the princess. When going back home, the palace soldiers who saw that laughed at me…" Kozsack hit the ledge of the balcony hard. "Am I cursed? Please tell me, Nazeir," the young man held the inquisitor's cloth.

"Don't think lowly, Koz. If you see yourself ugly, then you will become ugly. If you describe yourself as a brave person, then you will be one."

"Is that true?"

"Right."

The young man's lips lifted.

"Thank you, Nazeir."

Nazeir gave a thumbs up.

"By the way. Where's your friend?" Kozsack peeked into the room.

"He didn't come."

"Why. This is an event-"

Kozsack's speech was interrupted by the sound of a door slamming open, followed by the sound of plates breaking. Nazeir immediately left the edge of the balcony and saw what was happening inside the banquet hall. The two men peeked inside, saw a man standing and speaking in a loud voice to the princess.

"What happened?" the inquisitor wondered.

"I don't understand either. But it looks like that guy-"

"What are they talking about? Why aren't the guards doing anything?"

"The man cursed the princess. It seems the princess has done something wrong or... out of the norm."

Nazeir saw the man standing in front of the open entrance of the room, on his right and left there were two guards standing with machetes tucked into their scabbards.

"Nazeir. Can you help him?"

He shook his head.

"I'd rather stay away from politics and tradition. That's not my problem."

"Of course you're not serious. Are you?"

The inquisitor silently stared at the man cursing at the princess who defended her own honor. He growled, unable to believe what he was about to do.

Nazeir walked back into the room casually, and stood right in front of the person. In an instant, one room fell silent. Some had no idea what was going to happen, some were anxious. The man turned to the inquisitor and one eyebrow raised. He started speaking Hukoleener into Nazeir's face even though the inquisitor didn't understand what the person was saying.

"It is not proper for a man to speak to the princess with a tone like that," Nazeir said calmly.

"Who are you standing right in front of me."

"Nazeir from Nazaire. And I advise you to clean your dirty mouth, otherwise the princess's family will be insulted."

"You dare talk to me like that? You know who's standing after you?" he put his arms to his waist.

"Don't know, and I don't care. What I see in front is a savage human, has luxurious clothes but can't keep his mouth shut," replied Nazeir bluntly.

"I am the supreme courtier of this kingdom, serving the king for decades. I advise the princess to keep her pet strictly before he throws a tantrum."

Nazeir approached the person who took a step back.

"From what I can see, you're the first to throw a tantrum in this place."

Nazeir walked closer, this time the two male guards pointed their spears at the inquisitor . Nazeir stopped moving, he could feel the anger on his face.

"Stop, Nazeir," said the princess. "Of course we can resolve this through a joint deliberation."

"Joint deli- This is the mores! All of this must stop. You are not supposed to lead this kingdom since the king is sick, I have to!"

"You are not a member of the royal family, lord Rafli."

"And you're just a woman who can't make smart choices. You're not wise, princess. This is all stupid, you are included!" He pointed at the princess with his index finger.

Nazeir growled.

"And I'm sure everyone in this room agrees. You all can stand up for what I'm saying," said the courtier.

One by one, the guests in the party room began to stand with their heads lowered. There was a man who was pulled down by his friend, but he resisted. The courtier laughed seeing the majority of the crowd who agreed with him.

"The majority of the people in this room agree with me, princess. You better get out of that seat, or-"

"Or what?" an echoing voice came from outside the banquet hall.

A man in his thirties walks around half naked with only his long trouser and boots. His body is big to say someone who came from Hukoleen. Full of tattoos and several wounds, his burly body made people quite frightened. His left and right hair were shaved off, leaving long hair in the middle that was pulled back like a pony tail. His skin tone was slightly darker than the princess's and had the same face.

The two soldiers guarding the courtier immediately stepped aside from the path of the man walking into the room. The princess smiled at the man, and the man smiled too.

He walked over to the courtier, glaring at him sadistically. Rafli was caught by the two men, his body was shaking.

"Sorry, I'm afraid I heard that wrong. What did you just say to my little sister?"

"I-I," the courtier began to hug the earth. "I didn't mean to insult her."

The brother of the princess glanced around the room, saw people who had stood up from their seats starting to sit back down. Then, he looked at the inquisitor.

"Do I know you?" he tilted his head.

"I've come here before. Met the king Djaya, killed a screamer. Then there was a child who wanted to come along."

The man's eyes opened, the corners of his lips lifted.

"I remember you, master inquisitor. I thank you, in the name of the kingdom of Hukoleen and its people," he turned to the courtier who was kneeling. "I have been traveling for a long time from Hukoleen. Robbing and attacking coastal cities of the northern and southern kingdoms," the man walked behind the princess' seat and leaned back on her stool. "Returned full of ambition, and riches abound," he smiled at the princess.

"Rakai," said the princess.

"Tribuana," they exchanged greetings. "I think after my arrival, this matter will be resolved with the power given to me. Son of the king," he glanced at his sister. "You think I can wield his power?"

"Sure, Rakai. After all you are my brother," Tribuana looked a little restrained.

"Excellent, then..." Rakai patted his sister's shoulder, causing the princess to stand up from the seat. "The first decision I will make as a king. To all who dare raise their voices against me and my dear sister," he pointed to the courtier. "" You, I mean."

Rafli prostrated to the floor.

"... will be put in jail."

Everyone gasped hearing that. Rakai raised his hand and everyone fell silent.

"Or.. you can come with me in my next raid. And will live forever, until the end of time as soldiers in my raiding party. You will of course get the spoils, but this will be your life til the end of days," the self-proclaimed king looked at the whole room. "You all who were against my dear sister, stand up."

Some of the guests stood in shame.

"Are you happy with that choice?" Rakai lifted one leg on top of the table.

"I will go with you my king," said a guest.

"Me, too," said another.

All the people began to participate in answering with the same words to the king. Rafli on the other hand, is on his knees and whimpering as Rakai waits for an answer from him.

"I'm sorry," he raised his hand begging for a pardon.

Rakai moved his hand and the two soldiers who were supposed to be guarding him, immediately took him out of the room.

The situation began to subside. The king glanced at the musician who was silent in tension.

"Why stopped playing? Let's make this banquet the greatest of our lives," the king raised a drinking glass.

Everyone at the party cheered, again enlivening the course of the event. Nazeir on the other hand had enough of what happened tonight and chose to leave early without anyone knowing.

II

Nazeir lying on the bed without his shirt in the house which the princess facilitated. Staring at the ceiling, waiting for the night to finish. He thought in his heart, knowing that something was missing from his life. He suppressed the feeling, trying to get it out of his heart.

He heard three knocks on the door. His peace was disturbed, he got out of bed, walked to the door.

"Who is there?" Nazeir asked.

"It's me," replied the woman behind the door.

Nazeir opened the door, saw the princess coming with her head and face covered with a cloak. The woman was fixated on her gaze at the wounds on the inquisitor's body.

"Princess?" said Nazeir.

"M-may I come in?"

Nazeir gave way, and the princess walked over to the inquisitor's bed. Nazeir sat on Jurko's bed opposite to her's. The princess opened the cloak and glanced at Nazeir who was waiting for a word to come out of the princess.

"You left pretty fast," she rebuked.

"I feel like my day is over, the contract is gone. Just waiting to go home."

"Don't want to see the city? Or the beautiful islands of Hukoleen?"

"No. Thanks, I've had enough of this."

She pulled her hair behind the ear, looking at Nazeir who looked gloomy. She approached the inquisitor and sat beside him.

"What are you thinking, Nazeir."

"Only things that don't interest you, but..." the man glanced at the princess. "...makes me anxious."

"What an inquisitor is worried about, I'm confused by that," she shifted closer. "Let out what's in your head, inquisitor."

"This is for me to carry the burden, there's no need for you to know or object to it."

"Anything for you, inquisitor," she gripped the inquisitor's palm tightly. "After what you did back there, I certainly have the right to thank you," the woman raised the inquisitor's arm to her thigh. "But I want to give you something more than that," she started to loosen her dress.

Nazeir noticed the behavior of the princess and immediately pulled his hand slowly.

"Unfortunately, I don't want it."

The woman was a little bit embarrassed, didn't expect the inquisitor's answer. She immediately stood up and grabbed Nazeir on the shoulder, making him look at the princess. A soft kiss on the lips, and she walked out of the house, leaving the man alone.

III

"Did you get paid, Jurko?"

"It's all here," the old inquisitor tapped a cloth pocket on his waist.

A man comes with a book in hand.

"Very well, masters. Regarding your ship..."

Nazeir and Jurko spoke to the harbormaster who was guarding their ship. Without warning, King Rakai came with his guards on horseback. The king jumped down and chased after the two inquisitors who wanted to sail from Hukoleen.

"Masters!" call him.

Jurko and Nazeir saw the king coming as he left.

"Prince Rakai. Or the king?"

"Master Jurko, pleasure to meet you. Long time no see," the two shook hands.

"I heard you were on a faraway voyage. How was the journey."

"Very good! I have returned with much wealth, more than enough to make Hukoleen a vast sea empire. And you, master Nazeir. Leaving the event without saying goodbye?"

"Sure you don't mind, do you?" Nazeir asked.

"No..." he smiled that seems sarcastic. "Not at all. In fact, I'm here to pray for you on your return voyage to Nasair? Wait, Nazaire," the king tucked his tongue in his Hukoleener accent.

"Yes, Nazaire," Jurko repeated the prince's pronunciation.

"And one more thing. I heard that you two killed a demon creature in the Mountains of Besi Mulia. Is that true?"

"You heard the right thing, sire."

The king glanced at Nazeir who called him 'sire'.

"I love hearing that," his teeth show. "And I thought inquisitors doesn't kneel to anyone."

"True. But we have respect. There is a blurred line that defines how we respect someone."

"Do you respect - no," the king repeated. "Are we friends?"

"Only time will tell us. But as far as our experience with your father, we could say that we are friends."

"Then," Rakai shrugged his shoulders. "I am the king of Hukoleen, and master of all the seas touched by the sun and moon. Give master Jurko and Nazeir the highest wish a human could ever get."

"What is the meaning of the wish?" Nazeir was dazed.

"That means if you want a request, then I will grant it. If it is as big as a mountain, then I will give it."

"For us? Each of us?"

"Right."

Jurko walked in front of the king and shook his hand. The two shook hands tightly, after which the two inquisitors began to board their ship and sail away into the sea. They could see the king and his guards watching in the distance until everything disappeared into the horizon.