Odesday, 22nd of Augustus, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

Josias and his companions had made it safely to Captain Farnaby's ship moored at the docks. They had rowed like madmen and were unsurprisingly exhausted. Josias had to make sure multiple times that they weren't being followed.

While on their way back, Josias and his companions had systematically discarded any items that might trace itself back to them. He had Sadrach burn their masks, tattered cloaks, and whatever miscellaneous little item that might trace them back to the raid.

They had then hauled the loot onto the ship and laid it out in front of the crew. A metal safe and two strong boxes. They didn't bother with the locks and instead chose to force open the containers. They had to be destroyed anyway to completely erase any evidence of the heist.

Captain Farnaby shook his head and gave an astonished whistle when he saw the contents of the loot. The two strongboxes contained piles of silver and even some gold coins. The safe itself contained a stack of silver bullions and a substantial amount of precious gemstones.

Captain Farnaby and a couple of his most trusted crewmen had volunteered to count and catalogue the spoils. In coins, there was a total of over seventy thousand lamellars or silver pennies worth. There were eight silver bullions worth over fifteen thousand silver pence, and two gold bullions worth a staggering two hundred thousand silver pence each. All in all, over half a million lamellars worth of money. That wasn't even counting the rare gemstones.

"Christ above, this money is worth a castle or two." One of Captain Farnaby's sailors said. "You could even build a few fresh new warships from scratch with that, hahaha!"

"We best start spreadin' this coin around fast, else people will start askin' questions." Captain Farnaby shook his head but the toothy grin on his face betrayed his excitement.

"Before we start dividing this, I think it be best if the good captain takes this first." Josias handed over two of what he remembered to be 'gold crown' coins to Captain Farnaby "For my little loan yesterday."

"Two crowns means it's worth almost a thousand silver lamellars." Captain Farnaby explained. "You still have tens of thousands more there. How're ye going to divide the rest? Also please don't mind me or me crew. Ye earned this loot after all."

Josias scratched his chin. There were still almost sixty thousand lamellars left to be accounted for. He looked to his cousin Sadrach to see if he had any ideas. Of all his companions, he was the most savvy on matters of finance and coin. As befits the heir of the Hutabaru.

"From my standpoint, I think it would be best if first we leave the gemstones to Captain Farnaby to do as he wills." Sadrach's opinion caused Josias to raise an eyebrow. There were quite a few precious gems there. Sadrach should know that too considering his father was the most pre-eminent jeweler in the Halaklands.

His cousin continued his explanation. "Obviously, I've spent enough time around jewelry and gemstones to know that these are worth a substantial amount. But I don't know how much they're worth in the markets of the west. Neither do I know if they're precious enough to sell alone without being part of a larger collection. Besides, Captain Farnaby has helped us enough with the boat and equipment we've made use of. It's the least we could do."

Josias nodded as he gathered the gemstones into a pouch and handed it over to the old captain.

"This is a considerable amount of wealth you're giving up, young lord." Captain Farnaby's face was serious this time. "I have friends up at the capital who know a thing or two about gems and jewels. What's in yer hands might be worth. Why not hold off until we get them appraised and sold? After that, we could split the revenue more fairly."

It was an intriguing offer no doubt, but Josias shook his head. Jewels were far easier to trace back compared to raw coins. He also had a deeper meaning, giving the jewels to the old captain.

"No, I want you to take this, Captain." Josias shook his head "I intend to take the rest for myself and my companions, so this is the least I can do."

"Even still, lad. What ye be giving me is still worth far more than what I've provided. Even with half of this, me and my boys would be eating good for months."

"Then consider it an investment, captain." Josias said resolutely, his eyes looked at the old captain with meaning. "You are currently our only point of connection with the Halaklands. In the future, I have a feeling we'll be needing far more aid from you."

"Christ Almighty, are ye an upright young lad." Captain Farnaby sighed as he shook his head, but he finally took the pouch of gemstones "What small fortune ye have given me is definitely worth a deep investment. When I first accepted the commission from the archbishop to escort ye and yer companions, I'd have thought nothing of it. But now I see it may well be divine providence. From slaying krakens and pirating loansharks, ye've been a boon to us all. Whatever ye'll need of me and me crew in the future, we'll be ready."

"That's wonderful to hear. It will be good if you can continue to provide aid for us as well in the case that we'd need it. I'll be sure to properly compensate you when the time comes."

"I'll be makin' sure my boys back in the Republic know we have a new benefactor."

Josias shook the old captain's hand. The rest of the money was then divided between him and his companions. Josias wanted to split the wealth equally but his companions insisted he take the lion's share as their leader.

He acquired the two gold bullions while the rest of his companions each took two silver bullions. All in all, he had 'earned' almost four hundred thousand lamellars worth. Captain Farnaby had told him that that was equivalent to over a decade's worth of pay for a particularly competent mercenary captain.

Josias had asked the old captain to teach him and his companions the value of money and the economy of the west for the next week. It wouldn't do for them to remain clueless about such things. Not especially when they would be living in Feldonia for the foreseeable future. It would be quite embarrassing were he and his companions quickly swindled out of their newfound fortune because of ignorance. No. They had to learn.

All that remained then was Josias' desire to properly compensate Sir Patar for his guidance. His help in navigation and the opportunity provided by his family for a justification had to be accounted for. Josias understood that giving him too much would put a massive target on his back. Who else would Captain Devin's men blame for the recent happening?

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If they saw that someone who held a grudge against them all of a sudden gained a substantial amount of wealth, it would be quite suspect. But even still, Josias would feel wrong if he just left the man uncompensated.

However, the former Halak warrior adamantly refused any form of payment Josias was willing to give. Josias had to give it to the man, he was utterly stubborn and stalwart in his principles.

"I swear by the God we worship, I shall not take a single penny from what you have earned, young lord." Sir Patar bowed in his refusal "It would be a blow to my pride were I to ask and receive more of you. Already, your wife has given me reason enough for lifelong servitude."

"That's between your family and my wife. The matters between us are separate issues, Sir Patar." Josias was exasperated but Patar remained unmoved. It had seemed Josias had to rack his brains for how to deal with the honourable man. "How about instead, I pay for the entry tuition of your daughter into the academy?"

"I have gathered enough for that, young lord. With your help in returning that blasted loan, I have no worries for my daughter's education."

"Then what of her living circumstances? I can make sure that she receives a proper space for living."

Once more, Sir Patar shook his head. "Adong ma itoku dohot abangku disi (I have a sister and an elder brother living in Skysea). I've already provided letters to them and they are excited to receive her."

This man truly was something else. His stubbornness would give Josias' late father a run for his money. Josias was out of arguments to give and looked around defeated. That was until he caught sight of a smiling Timotheus.

The young reverend had approached Sir Patar and showered the man with praise. "Truly, it warms my heart to know of a Halak man as honourable as you, Amang Patar. But if I may make a suggestion. Not that I wish to have you indebted to us any further. But, since we'll be heading to the capital anyways, would it trouble you if we invite the Lady Claire to travel with us? I'm sure it wouldn't inconvenience Captain Farnaby for us to add one more person to our group. Isn't that right, Captain?"

Captain Farnaby laughed at the young reverend's question. "I wouldn't mind even if I had to take the whole lot of you to the Halaklands and back."

Sir Patar looked like he was about to refuse again, but Timotheus placed a hand on the man's shoulder and gave him an understanding smile.

"It would take about a week or so for us to get to Skysea." Timotheus continued "In that time, I'm sure Claire would love to learn from us. We could teach her magic and medicine before she engages in her own studies. Besides, it would do well that she learn more about her Halak roots from us. Just because she grew up here as a commoner in the west, doesn't mean that's all she is."

"My brother speaks truly, Amang Patar. Judging by how these westerners view our people, it would be best were Claire to travel with us. We shall teach her the true meaning of being a boruniraja (daughter of a king)." Josias did his best to try and convince the man.

Sir Patar didn't answer immediately but he wasn't refusing anything either. It would be a fool's move to deny their offer anyways.

After a while of deep thought, Sir Patar finally gave a deep sigh and a nod.

"...Then I shall trouble you all and entrust you with the well-being of my eldest daughter." Sir Patar acquiesced "However, as a sign of my thanks, please allow me to host you all for at least this day. I shall reserve my tavern for you and if you truly wish to compensate me with something, then I only ask that you give us a fair price for lodgings and meals. But of course, only if you truly insist. Even now, I feel bad just asking this of you-...!"

"Done." Josias didn't give room for any more arguments. This much was fine and he himself felt it was suitable. Lord knows what he needed now was a well needed rest after the exhaustion of the heist.

***

A feast was held that afternoon at the tavern after Josias returned with his companions. They had all practically knocked themselves out on the tavern floor. They were awakened shortly before noon by their less-than-pleased wives and were made to wash themselves.

Claire was expectedly very excited at Timotheus' invitation for her to travel to Skysea with the rest. She had answered nearly in a heartbeat to her father's astonishment.

Sir Patar and his other children in the meantime busied themselves with preparing a feast. Even madame Rachel was already up and about helping around. Serena had insisted she still take a few days off, but the tavern owner's wife was just as adamant as her husband. Josias heard that Serena and the other girls also joined in to help them prepare the food.

And when it came time for the feast, their effort truly showed. Josias and his companions were shocked when they saw the food that had been prepared. Bloodied Sangsang meat and Roasted pork served alongside actual rice. Staple foods of the Halaklands.

"How is this…?" Josias had asked the smiling tavern owner who bellowed out a hearty laugh. "How was this prepared?"

"Lady Safira had insisted that we served 'proper Halak food' for a feast." Madame Rachel explained "She spared no expense helping us go and buy a couple of live pigs sourced from a nearby barn. We bought the spices needed to prepare this directly from Captain Farnaby's ship. Lady Serena and the others helped with the cooking."

Josias shook his head and laughed at the explanation. He shot a look towards his cousin Hesekiel who had his indifferent expression plastered on his face.

"That's what you get for marrying a Hutabaru, lae (cousin)." Josias chuckled "Your money will flow through her hands like a kettle to an endless hole. Lord knows my mother loved spending money liberally."

"Oy, not all boru Hutabaru are like that!" Josias' cousin, Ruth Hutabaru, protested.

"Maybe you should take off those gold, emerald-encrusted earrings before you speak, ito." Sadrach quipped, causing the woman to glare daggers at him.

"God forbid a woman enjoy her jewelry." Ruth spat back.

"Oh don't listen to these boorish men." Safira still had that dignified look on her, as if she wasn't going to fall for Josias' and her brother's teasing. "Besides, I fully believe God will bless my husband and my house forever more with even greater wealth! Isn't that right, hasian?"

Everyone laughed as Safira unabashedly planted a kiss on Hesekiel's cheek. Though his expression remained flat, Josias could spot the translucent blush. He shook his head seeing his cousin's antics.

When it finally came down to start the feast, Reverend Nalom led the group in prayers.

Josias felt the tears welling up within him, threatening to break out as he took the food into his mouth. It was the taste of home. A home he was now so far away from. A home where his father and grandfather died, taking with them a legacy of power and austerity. A legacy he was unable yet to fulfil.

Would he ever find it within himself to return? Would he ever be worthy enough? Why did this food have to taste so damned good? It made Josias unable to think properly.

In the midst of his clouded state of mind, he felt a hand on his left cheek.

"Are you alright, husband?" It was Serena. She looked at him – as she always had – with such a gentle look. His only light in a dark world that threatened to swallow him completely.

"I'm fine…" Josias caressed her hand before planting a kiss on the back of her hand. "This food is just too damn good."

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