The Arrival of Uninvited Guests

The Village Head swept his gaze over the two youngsters, his many years of experience telling him that they weren't a threat to them. However, their sudden appearance had ruined the sacrificial offering meant to pacify the water spirit.

"Yes, this is the Budh Village. Who are you and why did you ruin our ceremony?" He asked in a cautious manner.

"We are travelers from town. The City Lord ordered us to go to the Bansi Village for an official matter. Unfortunately, we encountered a beast horde in the Eastern Reaches and escaped with great difficulty. Forgive us if we interrupted an important ceremony, but it was not intentional."

Crown Prince Lail humbly replied, not wanting to start a scuffle. From the angry expression on the Village Head's face, he could tell they interrupted a private ritual. But a night of battling wild beasts exhausted him. He didn't have the energy to get into an argument with well-rested natives.

"From town? They came from town!"