While banquets were continuously held in Fehérvár, Andrew's wife and children also arrived in the city, and their arrival marked the beginning of the conference.
Naturally, King Bela could not possibly receive the wife and daughter of his deceased brother.
Therefore, the reception was naturally left to the Rus and the German, one side being relatives and the other allies.
Because of this, Rostislav had to put everything aside and come to welcome King Andrew's widow, his aunt.
For this, they had practiced the ceremony for quite a while last night, tiring Rostislav so much that it was more exhausting than standing still like a log on the battlefield.
So after the practice, Rostislav was not in the mood to investigate the old man's matter, but he still remembered it, immediately recalling it whenever he saw that pagan emblem.
But no matter what, that matter could be investigated later; the reception was the top priority now.
Now, Rostislav was riding on horseback at the city gate of Fehérvár, with his three uncles in front of him, and Bishop Henry of the Empire on the other side, all dressed in their most magnificent attire.
The surroundings were controlled by the Rus and the German, with fully armed soldiers everywhere, to prevent any possible assassination, for if Andrew's wife and children were assassinated, the conference would truly be meaningless.
Many citizens of Fehérvár crowded behind the fully armed soldiers; they wanted to see King Andrew's daughter, as the King had ruled for so long, and many still subconsciously respected his authority, naturally wanting to see what his wife and children had become.
Soon, to the sound of trumpets, King Solomon's retinue appeared before everyone.
The young Hungarian King Solomon was in his mother's arms, wearing a small crown custom-made for him by his father before his death, a child whose eyes still showed innocence, his childishness unchanged by the luxurious clothes.
In Rostislav's view, that child was more like a ritual object held in his mother's arms than a child, but this was also the norm of the era.
As for his mother, Anastasia Yaroslavna Rurik, she was dressed in black, signifying that she was in mourning for her husband.
Therefore, her attire was very simple; otherwise, she would certainly have attended in grand attire, using luxurious clothes and jewelry to display the legitimacy of her side.
Anastasia's face was quite beautiful, clearly well-preserved, and she exuded a mature charm in her every gesture, her status as a widow bringing her a unique appeal.
Knights in red robes closely guarded them, and above their heads were flags with a red background and a white cross, and the ancient black eagle of the Árpád Dynasty; all of this demonstrated Solomon's legitimacy.
It was just a pity that, despite the pomp, legitimacy ultimately still depended on strength.
Solomon's retinue quickly arrived before them, and after the ceremony was completed, the uncles naturally stepped forward to comfort their sister, with Bishop Henry accompanying them.
The scene immediately turned into a Rurik Dynasty family show, with the three uncles chattering, assuring their sister that they would do their best to secure their nephew's rightful claims, and offering condolences for her husband's death.
As for Rostislav, being a junior, he couldn't get a word in after introducing himself, but he was happy about it; he wasn't really close to the older generation.
However, he also hoped for this, because then he could talk to his old friend.
"Edward, it's been a while, but you've caused quite a stir; I've heard the rumors even in Kiev."
Rostislav warmly embraced Edward, who was wearing a suit of armor; both their faces showed joy, as nothing was more exhilarating than friends reuniting.
The Moscow Prince greatly admired this in-law of his, who, with so few men, had persevered until now after the main force was lost and the King died, and had even controlled a series of border strongholds, gaining more bargaining chips for the negotiations.
Rostislav knew that if he were in the same situation, he would find it very difficult to achieve such accomplishments.
"It's still thanks to your spearmen; the soldiers of the Moscow Camp are excellent; if not for this force, I would have been finished long ago."
Edward's words were sincere; he had indeed relied on these spearmen to achieve all this, even when the King was killed and the entire line collapsed, these spearmen still maintained their organization and successfully retreated, preserving most of their strength.
Moreover, in the subsequent general collapse, they also maintained morale and organization, and it was with this force as the core that Edward was able to gather other forces—in other words, this made him the strongest among the remnants of various factions.
"That also requires your good ability to use them well."
Rostislav immediately followed up, and it was indeed as he said, Edward's ability continued to hold the situation together.
Even in the most desperate times, Edward maintained morale and launched a series of offensives on the border to maintain the presence of the Solomon faction within Hungary.
Although this presence was a drop in the bucket, it was already very impressive to have any at all.
During this time, Rostislav had often heard the songs of Magyar poets, many of which praised the military prowess of this distant noble, Edward—Andrew had ruled Hungary for so many years, and he still had many supporters in the country.
"Speaking of spearmen, how many of them are left, by the way?"
After some polite exchanges with Edward, Rostislav asked about his standing Moscow Camp.
Although this unit was only experimental, it was still his first standing army, so he naturally paid more attention to it.
"Haha, don't worry, they're still at full strength! Even more than before."
Edward's answer truly baffled Rostislav; how could they still be at full strength after so many bitter battles? And even more than before?
"Don't pull my leg," Rostislav said with an incredulous expression.
"Many Magyars have joined this unit."
Edward immediately clarified for Rostislav.
"They were basically all King Andrew's subjects. After the King's death, they were unwilling to pledge allegiance to Solomon, but in Hungary, their lands and status were stripped, and they were also wanted by King Bela, so now they only have one path: to wander. And I thought it would be a waste to let these people leave, so I introduced them to your unit. Many chose this, because due to the defeat, they basically lost all their possessions, and joining your Rus army was the quickest job at the moment; they'll go directly to Rus with you then."
"Hmm, let me think, about a hundred people joined, I guess. Many of them were even knights, joining with their full armor."
Edward's answer brought a continuous smile to Rostislav's face; he truly hadn't expected this Anglo-Saxon noble to be able to do all this, and he couldn't help but heartily pat Edward on the shoulder.
And as the two happily conversed, after Bishop Henry of the Empire first blessed his aunt, the ceremony there also concluded. Next was entering the city gate, with the uncles and the Bishop naturally leading the way.
And it was at this moment that Rostislav noticed something: a young Magyar knight rode up to Anastasia and said something to the King's widow.
Apparently, what the knight said did not please Anastasia, and the knight was even struck on the helmet by Anastasia with a riding crop.
This was a very strong insult, and in public at that, but the knight did not react, only followed silently.
"That knight is…"
Rostislav was curious about the man's identity; his approaching the King's widow in such a setting suggested his status was not simple, but why was he treated so roughly?
"That man, ah, alas…"
Edward clearly knew something, but before he could say more, the horn was blown, summoning others to follow.
The main contingent also began to move, and Rostislav immediately followed suit; he was also a core figure of the ceremony and could not delay too long.