Chapter 177: Invitation To The Festival

The negotiations were finally over. After hours of debating over borders, trade routes, magical trading, air space and recognition, the official negotiations were finally finished, and even Garrath Goldmane looked like he was ready to leave. However, the Wolf Crown entered the banquet hall. The mood instantly changed.

Long tables were set up with a huge variety of food. Roasted meats, breads, fruits, stews and a few things Tanaka had never seen before. Magical lamps floated above the tables and musicians from many different beastfolk races played music near the far end of the room. Tanaka reverted to his slime form and comfortably placed himself on Raizen’s back.

"Are you staying there?" "Yes." "Why?" "It’s comfortable." Raizen sighed. Zephyr landed nearby. "I agree with Lord Tanaka." Raizen looked at him. "I didn’t ask you."

Tanaka bounced with laughter. The tension that had been in the air during the political negotiations started to ease. The Rabbit Queen was chatting to many Deerfolk representatives, Hawkfolk officers were happily arguing over air routes and even the Bearfolk chief was part of a group of Boarfolk around a large plate of roasted meat. Garrath approached Tanaka with two cups.

He looked at Tanaka. Then at the cups. "I didn’t really think this through." Tanaka stared. "You were going to give me something to drink?" "Yes." "You’re like this?" Garrath chuckled. "Guess not." He handed the second cup to Raizen.

The Star Wolf King sniffed it. "No." Garrath looked offended. "It’s good." "I don’t trust anything you say is good." Tanaka nearly fell off of Raizen’s back laughing. The Lion King pointed at him. "You need to keep your wolf in check." "He’s a king."

"Keep your king in check." "Worse." Garrath chuckled and walked away. Tanaka watched him go. He wasn’t sure if the Lion King actually liked him or just found him interesting. Probably both.

The banquet went on for most of the evening. A few minor rulers approached Tanaka but the conversations were nowhere near as political. They asked him questions about the Great Verdant Forest, the dungeon in Eldoris and how so many monster races could live together without constantly fighting. Tanaka gave answers where he could.

But he didn’t want this to turn into a political meeting. For once he wanted to have fun. Aldren suddenly appeared next to him. The Wolf King didn’t have any papers with him. A good sign. "You look less miserable,"

Tanaka shifted slightly on Raizen’s back. "There are no negotiations." "Correct." Aldren smiled. "Then perhaps you’ll enjoy tomorrow." Tanaka looked at him. "What happens tomorrow?" "The Beastfolk Festival." Tanaka blinked.

Garric, who had been talking to a wolf official nearby, turned to them. "You didn’t tell him?" Aldren looked at his deputy. "I assumed someone had." Garric sighed. Tanaka bounced. "What?" Aldren crossed his arms.

"Every year the capital holds a festival to celebrate all the peoples of the Beastfolk Lands. Each major race brings food, games, magic, entertainment and competitions from their culture." Tanaka became interested. "Competitions?" Garric groaned. "Of course."

Aldren continued. "Fight exhibitions, spell battles, races, hunting and many more. None of them are meant to cause real fighting." "That sounds fun." "It usually is." Aldren looked at Raizen and Zephyr. "You’re invited." He looked back at Tanaka.

"You can bring whoever you like from Eldoris." Tanaka stopped bouncing. "Whoever?" "Within reason." A dangerous phrase. Aldren seemed to realise this straight away. "Whoever can be well behaved." Tanaka thought. Raveana. Razer.

The Kijin. Malachiel. He quickly ruled out Malachiel. Nethaliel too was ruled out. "It’s fair." Aldren nodded. "The festival starts tomorrow afternoon. If your people can get to one of the crystals in the teleportation network then the network will be open for approved guests." Tanaka became interested.

"Wait, they can use the teleportation network?" "With royal approval." Tanaka smiled. This made things easier. Much easier. "I’ll invite a few people." Garric stared. "A few?" Tanaka smiled wider. "I’ll decide later." Garric looked concerned.

He probably should have been.

Tanaka found Lynessa that afternoon. She was carrying supplies near the academy courtyard when he shouted her name. "Lynessa!" She stopped. She looked around, hoping there was another Lynessa nearby. Tanaka approached in his human form. "Morning." "Lord Tanaka."

She quickly bowed. "You don’t need to do that." "I know." She still looked nervous. Tanaka had become used to it. Mainly. "I want to invite you somewhere." Lynessa blinked. "Me?" "Yes." "Where?" "The Beastfolk Festival."

She stared. She didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Tanaka raised his eyebrow. "You know about it?" "Everyone does." "Good." She looked confused. "Why are you inviting me?" Tanaka shrugged. "I just want you to come."

Her ears drooped slightly. "People like me don’t usually go with important guests." Tanaka’s expression changed. "People like you?" She touched her collar. Tanaka frowned. "Can you still go to the festival?" "Yes, as a servant." Tanaka smiled. "Come as my guest."

She froze. Tanaka watched her expression change. Fear. Confusion. Disbelief. Then, "Lord Tanaka I..." "You don’t have to decide yet." "I want to come." Tanaka smiled. "Good." Lynessa looked embarrassed. "I mean... if you’re sure." "I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t."

Her ears twitched. For the first time she didn’t look away straight away. "Thank you." Tanaka nodded. "See you near the royal square tomorrow afternoon." She nodded. "Okay." Tanaka walked away before she could get worked up into not going.

Tanaka returned to the guest home and contacted Eldoris. It was easy thanks to the Dominion Nexus. He focused on Sora first. Sora. Tanaka. Sora replied. Tanaka smiled. There is a Beastfolk Festival tomorrow. You want to come?YES!. Sora exclaimed. Tanaka chuckled.

He contacted the Kijin. Raishin, Rogan, Raveana, Relia, Ryuken.

There is a festival in Varghelm tomorrow. The Wolf King has invited Eldoris.

Raveana replied first. Fight festival?

Tanaka sighed. A Festival. There are fights.

I’M COMING. Raveana screamed into the network.

Raishin replied. Understood. I’ll come.

Relia spoke softly. Sounds nice. I’d love to come Lord Tanaka.

Rogan. Ryuken and the others expressed their intentions of coming.

Somehow the message spread. Tanaka wasn’t sure who spread it. Probably Sora. Within the hour Tanaka was getting requests from Eldoris. Drakar wanted to see the Beastfolk building. Razer wanted to eat.

Sylva wanted to meet the rabbitfolk. Zephyr being there had caused a few Mana Birds to ask if they could come. Even Eldrin replied. Absolutely not. Tanaka blinked. You’re not coming? Someone has to run Eldoris whilst you all leave me. Tanaka chuckled.

"We’ll bring you something."

"Bring me peace." Eldrin groaned.

"Impossible." Tanaka chuckled.

By midday Tanaka had quite a long guest list. He was sitting in the courtyard whilst Garric went through the list. "Sora." "Yes." "Five Kijin." "Yes." "Drakar." "Yes." "Razer." "Yes." "Sylva." "Yes." "A few Mana Birds." "Zephyr said it was okay."

Garric slowly put the list down. "How many powerful monsters are in your country?" Tanaka thought. "A few." "Not reassuring." Aldren suddenly appeared. Garric instantly handed him the list. The Wolf King read through it. His eyebrows raised.

He looked at Tanaka. "You interpreted ’anyone you wish’ generously." "You said within reason." "This is your idea of reasonable?" Tanaka nodded. Aldren stared for a few seconds. Then he chuckled. "Okay." Garric looked horrified.

"Your Majesty." "They’re guests." "They’re an army." Tanaka tilted his head. "They’re not armed." Garric looked at him. "That makes it worse." Tanaka chuckled. They spent the afternoon getting everything prepared.

The royal square was busy with workers setting up temporary stages, magical displays, competition areas and food stalls. Different beastfolk races decorated their areas to their traditions making Varghelm look completely different to the tense political capital Tanaka had arrived in days ago. Wolf flags waved next to lion symbols.

Foxfolk spirit lanterns floated above decorated streets. Rabbitfolk gardeners decorated a few avenues with flowering plants. Hawkfolk hung coloured ribbons between rooftops. Tanaka stood near the edge of the square watching everything. Eldoris would be joining them tomorrow.

Not as invaders. Not as mysterious creatures from the Great Verdant Forest. As guests. Tanaka smiled. For once there was no war to prepare for. No kingdom falling apart. No assassin lurking nearby. Hopefully. Behind him the first row of lights were switched on.

Varghelm glowed. The Beastfolk Festival was beginning.