With Dumma’s arrival in Horozon, all the rulers except for Shousen and Baaran had gathered. Each of them had taken their place on one side of the long table in the courtyard, accompanied by one or two of their men, waiting for Shousen and Baaran to arrive. Those who hadn’t seen each other in a long time exchanged greetings and reminisced about old times.
"Welcome, my Queen. You look more beautiful than ever," said Aswang, kissing the queen’s hand in greeting.
"Thank you, my King. You're as much of a gentleman as always," replied Zanah with a smile.
On that side of the table, Zanah’s ice-blue fur and snow-white hair stood out strikingly next to Aswang’s jet-black fur and dark hair.
"Look at them, Usillax," Aleron said with disgust. "Their grandfathers were at each other’s throats, and now they grin and pretend to be humble. Give one the chance, and he’d tear the other apart."
"Who knows, brother," Usillax replied. "One day the chance might come to us. We'll conquer their homes and tear them apart ourselves!" They both burst into laughter.
"This filth must’ve drunk so much—the stench of alcohol has reached even here. Has this creature ever even been sober, Raksha?" Eizma said.
"How could such a monster be sober? I’m sure he valued a few drinks and whores more than his own wife," replied Raksha.
Eizma and Raksha laughed loudly while looking at Usillax and Aleron. At that moment, Dumma approached them.
"Welcome, brother. How have you been?" said Raksha, embracing Dumma.
"I’m well, brother. What about you?" Dumma replied with a smile. Turning to Eizma, he added, "My Queen, how are you? It’s been so long since we last met," and kissed her hand.
"Thank you, my King. I’d be much better if not for this wretched smell of alcohol," Eizma said. In truth, the smell was just an excuse; her hatred toward Usillax was written all over her face.
Dumma said nothing. He simply turned his head toward Aleron and Usillax, casting a cold, disdainful glance.
"Shousen and Baaran haven’t arrived yet?" he asked.
"No, they haven’t," said Raksha.
"Because of Shousen, so many of us left our duties to gather here. The man can’t even be bothered to arrive early," said Eizma angrily. She stood up, raising her voice, "Is there nothing to offer the guests? That is, if Usillax left anything."
"Pardon me, my Queen. Did you say something?" Usillax asked calmly.
"Tell me, Usillax, has water not been discovered in your kingdom? Or are you lacking a bathhouse to rid yourself of that stench?" mocked Eizma. Everyone at the table except Aleron laughed.
"You’re as funny as ever, Eizma," said Usillax. "Your whore of a sister used to joke like that too before she died. I still remember her last words: ‘Please fuck my sister to carry on our bloodline.’"
Aleron and a barely-contained Aswang burst into laughter.
In response, Eizma and her two men immediately drew their swords. Usillax didn’t even reach for his weapon. Instead, Daeve drew his sword, and the surge of Ghu energy that spread was so intense that Eizma’s men were pushed back. Even the other rulers at the table began to feel uneasy.
"Calm down, Daeve. We didn’t come here to fight. But if anyone still wants a fight, we’ll be waiting after the meeting," said Usillax. All swords were slowly sheathed again.
"What is this Ghu energy?" said Shousen. He had arrived with Baaran.
"Just when things were getting fun, you two showed up," said Aswang.
"Apologies for the delay," said Baaran.
"If no one else is expected, we may begin the meeting," said Zanah. Everyone took their seats.
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