Many of the people who lived in the Broven Empire capital city had a restless night of sleep. Rumors of an army camping outside their walls made them both scared and excited. If their empire could befriend such a powerful kingdom they wouldn't have to lower their heads toward the larger eastern empires any longer, but if this Avalon Kingdom were to suddenly attack there was no way they could stop them from taking the city and finding themselves at their mercy.
Outside the city, Ben and his army, on the other hand, slept like babies after their two-week march to get here they could finally kick back and relax. Ben even decided to sleep some and woke up to have an enjoyable breakfast in the command tent with his generals.
Things had begun to change on how Ben planned his campaigns. When they used to war everyone was responsible for taking care of themselves. Now the army was no longer made up of only soldiers. Ben began to assign cooks, stable hands, messengers, engineers, carpenters, and other support squads to travel along with them.
Once the camp was set up it would be time for these support squads to go to work. They would cook, clean, build, repair, tend to injuries of men and creatures. The soldiers only needed to relax in camp now and allow the support squads to deal with the little things. It was as if they were a mobile town with many workshops and services available to the Avalon Army.
Ben did not bring along anyone from the Spiritual Summit Sect on this journey. They were left to continue their cultivation. He did bring along 100 of his Immortals. They are the dual class soldiers who he had turned into cultivators.
Ben had in the past provided them with a way to compete with one another. The top twenty Immortals with the highest cultivation were given permission to cultivate in the Immortal cave Ben had secretly made in the snow region to the far northeast.
Those Immortals who were exposed to the heavy Qi atmosphere of the cave had advanced in cultivation at incredible speeds. These top twenty Immortals could easily become royal cultivators for many of the kingdoms of this world.
After breakfast, Ben sent a messenger to have these top twenty Immortals prepare to escort him into the city within the hour.
Ben dressed in his new posh outfit made by the tailor and shoemaker in Dragonshome and fixed his hair in the mirror. He wore his jewelry and sprayed some cologne on before exiting the tent.
The twenty Immortals were assembled outside wearing the decorative armor and weapons Ben had crafted for them. Their armor has intricate designs and patterns. The pure gold sword scabbards hanging from their waist are adorned with jewels. Each of these Immortals was dressed as if they were royalty.
Not only were they his strongest soldiers, but they were a projection of his power and wealth. When he went to visit other kingdoms they would follow behind him as security and to make a statement. Ben was silently saying 'If I can outfit my soldiers like kings then just imagine the wealth and power my kingdom enjoys.' It would be best to not cross a kingdom of such power.
Ben climbed aboard his hitched carriage and the twenty Immortals rode on twenty of the armored Dire Tigers alongside his carriage. When they came to the city gate the palace guard captain they had traveled with was already waiting to escort them to the palace.
As they made their way to the palace the people in the streets couldn't help but stop and step back to admire the fancy carriage and the magnificently equipped men riding these huge ferocious lookings cats.
When they entered the palace grounds Ben climbed down from the carriage and sent the Dire Tigers off to relax on the palace lawns. The captain of the guard was amazed to see how well they listened to Ben. He only said a few words, and they obediently ran off to relax under the shade of the trees.
Ben nodded to the captain and was led into the palace with his twenty Immortals close behind him. Their destination was to be the council chambers and not the throne room.
The emperor feared if he sat on his throne and received the Avalon king in the throne room it may look as if he were looking down on him. By meeting in the council room they would both be on equal footing and Ben would not feel as if he had to pay homage to the Broven emperor.
When they entered the large council chambers Ben was surprised by the mixed group of people present. There were typical military officers and palace officials he expected sitting around the table. What caught his eye though were the people sitting behind the emperor.
The people in the room all stood up when Ben's party entered the room. The Ben's opulent attire and the flashily adorned men trailing were taken in with a glance from everyone present.
The emperor did not falter and strode forward to extend his hand with a smile. "We finally have the chance to meet! The Avalon King graces us with traveling all the way to our humble empire to meet with us. We are all truly honored! Allow me to introduce myself I am Emperor Landon Lockwood I want to thank you for taking so much of your time up to make the journey here!"
Ben after receiving such a favorable welcome felt he could begin to lower his guard. It seemed this emperor was a decent man, and he wasn't scheming or arrogant. If anything he was lowering his head toward Ben and showing him the respect of a superior.
Ben smiled and shook the emperor's hand saying, "You flatter me too much Emperor Lockwood! I'm Ben King, the Avalon king. When I received word that you were interested in meeting me to discuss developing friendly relations I had to make the trip to see what a wise emperor such as yourself might have planned. Making such a journey to meet you is only a form of showing my respect to your magnificent Broven Empire."
The Broven emperor felt a weight lift off his shoulders when he heard Ben speak so politely. For someone so young and ruling over such a powerful kingdom, he did not appear to be arrogant in the slightest. He was friendly and his body language was relaxed.
Both of them instantly had new opinions of the other. The emperor went on to introduce everyone around the table. He did leave out a group of women who sat in comfortable cushioned chairs along the outside wall. By the way, they were dressed Ben could only assume they were nobles or royalty and might possibly be related to the emperor.
Ben did not waste any time and began to discuss trade treaties and the possibility of an alliance. They first spoke of goods and foods they might be interested in trading between one another. When it came to talks of an alliance Ben began to list different forms of an alliance they might form.
For starters, Ben began discussing a few diplomatic options that would allow them to develop trust between one another without too much of a commitment. Ben discussed a non-aggression pact, a defensive alliance, and even a military alliance.
As Ben went through the pros and cons of these diplomatic options he began to notice the emperor began to show an uncomfortable expression on his face as if he wanted to say something but wasn't sure of how to say it.
Ben paused for a moment then said, "Please if the emperor has anything to add I would like to hear your thoughts. I have been simply going on and on without giving the emperor a moment to voice his thoughts."
The emperor took a deep breath a pulled his shoulders back and asked, "Would it be okay if I were to invite the Avalon King into the side chamber to speak of a delicate matter for a moment?" The emperor asked with a gesture towards the side door.
Ben wasn't sure why he would want to speak in private. It could be possible he doesn't trust all of his people or worried a spy may have access to what is said in this room. After a moment of thought, he couldn't see why it would be a bad idea.
He stood up and, "Please lead the way." He then turned to his twenty Immortals, "I will be fine alone with the emperor you men please wait here for my return."
As the emperor led Ben toward the side door they passed by the group of women who had remained quietly off to the side during the meeting. Just then a young lady who appeared to be around seventeen years old stood up and blocked Ben's path.
Ben looked into her emerald eyes that bore into his with a set determination. At a glance he found her to be a pretty girl with short blonde hair fashioned into a royal crown braid.
Her oval face was slightly tanned proving she enjoyed being outside in the sun. The way she stood before Ben did not project the stance of a noblewoman. She was wearing a formal dress that looked lovely on her, but it for some reason did not seem to match the tomboyish aura she was projecting.
In an instant, Ben had taken all of these small details in as he looked her over. Ben curiously smiled and asked, "How can I be of service? Does miss wish to say something to me?"
The young lady said, "May I speak with you in private before you talk with my father?"
After she had asked her question the eldest of the women sitting near them gasped as she could not believe this young girl had actually been so bold to interrupt this political discussion between rulers.
Before Ben could react the emperor strode forward and said, "Laila what is this all about! Now is not the time for your antics! The Avalon King and I have important matters to discuss!"
The emperor scolded the young lady then turned to Ben. "Please forgive my daughter she has always been a little...rambunctious."
Emperor Lockwood began to internally scream at the top of his lungs in regret for giving in to his daughter. She had pleaded with him to allow her to attend this meeting with her mother, aunt, and older sister. The emperor thought that she may finally be maturing and showing an interest in politics, so he was happy to allow her to attend.
He would never have expected she would jump up and make a demand to speak in private with the Avalon King! This young man has been friendly and humble until now, but he still had a terrifying army just outside their walls! If Ben was offended by his daughter's actions this meeting could turn into a battle they could not win!
As the emperor was sweating bullets and mentally chastising himself Ben looked down at the young girl who had just now casually reached out to lightly grip his shirt between her thumb and index finger as if she feared being pulled away from him.
She looked up at Ben and said again, "Please, I have something important I would like to talk about before you speak with my father."
Ben saw the pleading look in her eyes and realized whatever she wanted to ask must be important to her. To keep things civil and not make everyone feel uncomfortable about this sudden request he chose to listen to what the emperor's daughter had to say.
Ben looked over to the emperor who looked like he had just run a half mile he was sweating so bad.
With a chuckle Ben said, "It is fine Emperor Lockwood. I will speak with your daughter for a moment, and then we can continue our discussion. If I can be of any help to her I am willing to lend her an ear and properly advise her. Please, everyone, excuse our rudeness as we step next door to talk in private."
Once Ben had agreed to speak to his daughter there was no stopping them. The emperor simply walked over and slumped down into a chair as they left the room.
The young lady stood for a moment with her back to Ben in the quiet small room before she turned around to speak and said, "Please marry me!"