Chapter 30- Betrayal
Tru turned around and was greeted by the tan beings massive smiled. He looked and saw Gorlo was now wearing a black ceremonial tunic and headdress adorned with black feathers.
Tru gave him an odd look as he walked towards Gorlo.
"What's with the special outfit?" asked Tru.
"Oh this is Gorlo's traditional outfit for the Kingly Offering. Gorlo looks nice no?" answered the giant as he struck a pose.
Tru laughed and gave him a thumbs up before the both began walking to the feasting table. "Besides Gorlo is also impressed by your Kingly Offering outfit too." said Gorlo as they sat down.
Tru as confused at this statement until he realized he was not longer in his purple robes. He now was wearing black fitted leather armor from head to toe. There was tattered hood that resembled flames attached to the back.
'This could have only been Wrath. She doesn't really explain or say much, I feel like that may be a problem going forward. Though I got to say she does have good taste.' thought Tru went he looked over and saw a plate on the ground.
In more of a surprise there was a small bed made from straw in front of it. Tru turned to Gorlo and pointed at the makeshift seat.
"Whao's this for Gorlo?" asked Tru as Gorlo lined his plate with food. Gorlo peered over before turning back to his plate.
"That's for your snake friend. Gorlo figured maybe snake friend would like their own seat!" replied Gorlo as he began stuffing his face.
"Oh uh…that's nice of you Gorlo. Thank you I guess" said Tru as he placed Shadow down on its seat. He then picked up the plate and piled it with meat and returned it back. Shadow wasted no time before delightfully gourging its meal.
Not long after groves of Gobs came and filled the empty seats at the table. They all wore many different clothes from ceremonial, work and even bats gear. The Gob children were all dress in brown robes with a black and green robe around their waist.
'Huh must be ceremonial for this 'Kingly Offering' thought Tru as he grabbed a large drumstick and bit into it. He looked around as he ate when he locked eyes with the Angr. He gave her a slight wave with his hand and she returned smile.
She walked over to where Gorlo and Tru were sitting. She was wearing a white dress and and a headdress made from blue flowers. Gorlo looked at her and froze up before he wiped his face and turned to her.
"H-Hey Angr, you look nice!" said Gorlo as he examined her outfit.
She smiled and gave a small twirl before giggling. "Thank you Gorlo, you also look good too but have you seen Sor? I've been looking for him all night and can't find him anywhere."
Her voice carried a bit of worry when Tru gave Gorlo a confused look. Gorlo held up his hand to signal him to wait and then looked back at Angr.
"Uh no Gorlo has not seen him since earlier this morning. Gorlo thinks maybe he got caught up training or you know he does like to make an entrance. I wouldn't worry too much, but if Gorlo sees him he will tell him to find you." said Gorlo as he tried to ease her stress and worry.
"Oh! Thank you Gorlo, you're the best!" said Angr before hugging him tightly and walked away. Gorlo's tan face became a bright red and his expression was filled with glee at her touch.
Tru laughed to himself while the love struck Gorlo watched her as she walked away. After a few moments Gorlo came back to reality and turned to ward the table. He sat there for a while staring at his plate, pondering what Angr had told him.
Tru caught wind of his friends energy and filled his cup up with drink. "Come on Gorlo, this is a celebration there's no need to look so serious!" said Tru as he filled his own cup and downed it like it was nothing.
Gorlo looked into the cup and saw his reflection before turning to Tru. His face was serious and also concerned, he picked up his cup and emptied it quickly. He wiped his mouth and looked around at the feasting table.
"Sor isn't here for the feast before the Kingly Offering. That is most unuasual as Gorlo has never heard of another candidate missing the feast." concernly said Gorlo as he watched the Gons eat their fill and conversed amongst each other.
"Tru, Gorlo and Sor don't have the best relation ever though we were raised as brothers. His father was the old king, he adopted Gorlo after he found him during a nightly hunt. Ever since then he trained, taught and treated us as equals, until Gorlo awakened.
From that moment it's like Sor despised Gorlo's for even existing. Gorlo doesn't know why but him not being here gives me a bad feeling." said Gorlo as his concerns grew.
Tru listened and nodded before pouring himself another drink. He downed it even faster than the last and wiped the resisdue from the corner of his mouth. "I'm sure he will turn of sooner or-".
*dun dun* *dun dun*
Tru was cut off by the banging of drums when everyone got silent and looked towards the end of the table. There stood Sor in full plated armor and a giant smug smile on his face. He then made eye contact with Gorlo and lightly snorted before turning back to rest of the Gobs.
"I apologize for my loud outburst and untimely entrance but I have an announcement to make. I am removing myself from being a candidate to be king!" yelled Sor as the Gobs began to discuss amongst themselves.
"A candidate dropping out?! I have never heard of such a thing!"
"He was the last king's birth son he would have won the throne! He has many supporters unlike Gorlo!"
"I wonder what this means for future Kingly Offerings, does this mean that you can drop out if you want? Feels bad."
Sor watched as the discontent and smiled with great pleasure. He scanned the table gleaming when he made context with Chief Ru who looked heavily disappointed. He ignored him and raised his hand to silence the crowd.
The fell silent and looked back at Sor when several of his followers came in with barrels. Amongst them was Angr who carried a dark expression as she helped with the barrel.
"Though before I completely drop out I want to leave a gift." said Sor as he patted a barrel. "This here is a special liquor that we brewed ourselves as sort of a 'I'm sorry' gift. It's great and I would like to share it with you all. So please drink up."
"YEAAAAAAH!"
The Gobs cheered as Sor's followers placed the barrels evenly along the table. The popped open the barrels and the Gobs came and dipped their cups till they were full. Quickly the barrels were being drained as the Gobs enjoyed the flavor of this new liquor.
Tru reached in and grabbed a cup full but just sat it down when he looked over to Gorlo. Gorlo's face was dark and solemn from Sor's announcement. He also looked at Chief Rye who also bore a similar look.
He patted Gorlo on the back and filled his cup. "Come on." said Tru softly. "I'm sure he means nothing horrible by it so drink and have a good time."
Gorlo just looked at Tru and sighed deeply before grabbing his cup. He took a large gulp and swallowed when his face showed great surprise. "Wow this is actually pretty good said Gorlo as he took another gulp.
Tru laughed heartily as he drank from his own cup. It tasted sweet of cinnamon and honey yet strong like it's been aged for a while. It left a pleasant yet lingering taste in his mouth.
*ding*
"Ifrit's Fortitude has negated the poison."
Tru froze at the sight of the notification as he held his cup to his lips. He peered out the side of his eye as he saw Gobs dropping down and falling asleep. Soon a vast majority was quickly asleep when he looked at Gorlo.
Gorlo was rocking back and forth as his cheeks were rosey and his eyelids became heavy. He yawned loudly and tumbled to the ground with a giant thud. Tru pretended that the drink had gotten him too and played sleep on the table.
Shadow climbed his arm and went back into the Sigil as Sor walked around the table. He lifted Gorlo's hand and released it as it fell to the ground with no resistance.
Sor chuckled to himself as his followers tied up all the gobs and loaded them into a large cage. Though as for Gorlo and Tru there were placed in seperate cages.
Angr had a scared expression as she watched Sor's followers cage her friends and family. Sor walked over and grabbed her wrist violently as she looked him in the eyes.
"Oh don't be sad now 'sweetheart' you signed up for this. You wanted apart so live with it. said Sor as he threw her to the side. He walked away when a massively tall figure approached him.
"Sor you are one sly Gob."