Chapter 87: Familiar Faces (2/2)
There was a big rectangular table that stretched from one end of the hall to another, and many people were sat.
Upon the opposite side of the table, a man sat upon a seat that was larger than the others.
He had black hair and a trimmed mustache.
His skin glowed from the soft light of the sun, and he seemed like a young man in his thirties.
He wore a light red fabric and could be distinguished from the other people in the hall.
There were two empty seats on each side of the table near him, and when he saw them, he stood up and greeted, ”You must be the two sirs Alex and Hermes.”
He even spoke in Koine Greek, demonstrating his politeness and welcoming attitude.
”We thank you for the welcome, Sir Ashoka.”
”It is entirely my pleasure. Please seat yourselves and the best gastronomy of my land will be served to you.”
The two obliged and sat on the two empty seats.
Ashoka laughed and whispered to the two, ”No need to be so formal, I'm only acting this way because the Brahmins take this very seriously.”
The Brahmins were the priests and they could be easily distinguished by the maroon Bindi on their glabella.
Ashoka then stood up and coughed, gathering the attention of the entire crowd.
”I present to the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and monks of this banquet, our two guests, Alex and Hermes, gods from western lands.”
Kshatriyas were warriors and small kings.
When they heard that, they all stood up and greeted them, to which the two reciprocated.
After the uproar calmed down, Ashoka once again, ”Under the eyes of the most respectable people of my land, I wish to make an announcement.”
”This shall be my last banquet.”
Suddenly, the havoc wreaked among everyone.
Even the monks, who were normally quiet, started speaking among themselves and the room was noisy.
Ashoka once again coughed and the room quieted down.
”I have ruled the land under the name of the Mauryas for 150 years, and in this time, I have achieved eternal life. After all this time, I feel that the position of Emperor does not fit me anymore and I wish to instead travel the world and spread dharma and goodwill to this land and beyond.”
'He seems like a very nice person...' Alex got the impression that Ashoka was an honest man from the way he spoke and addressed himself.
Chaos once again spread throughout the hall, and one of the Brahmins even whispered something to his servant, who swiftly left the hall.
A Brahmin who seemed to hold a particularly esteemed position stood up and asked, ”Lord Ashoka, do you have any of your children in mind to inherit your position...?”
Suddenly, a sense of anxiety and tension spread throughout the hall.
Ashoka rubbed his head and replied, ”I can't make any decisions right now, but I suppose Ranya and Aarush are some of my greatest children and would make for good rulers.”
*Fsssk*
A person in the room seemed to hold a glass particularly hard and broke it, making it shatter into many pieces.
The person apologized, and servants came over to clean it up.
'There must be some court drama in here...' Alex and Hermes exchanged a glance and immediately understood what the other was thinking.
After that, appetizing food was served and Ashoka spoke, ”Brahmin Aarya, I have heard of your recent mission to Tamil Eelam. Could you perhaps share any of your stories with this audience?”
The tension dissipated and everyone started eating while the Brahmin recounted many tales.