Kingdom of Hallos, City of Beswind, Present day.
The grim image embedded itself in her mind. That of General Chonsey's corpse lying in a pool of his own blood. An arrow through his throat and large holes that caved into his skull. He was eyeless, meaning one thing.
"He had turned." She thought back to what the assassin Roxas had said. 'It's like an unseen poison that infects only the dead.'
Myn's warm hand landed on her shoulder. He looked down at her with somber eyes.
She froze for a second, it was almost as if she could hear his thoughts, his face said it all. "I'm fine." She pushed his hand away as she walked slowly down the paved road of the city streets. "The men claim that they saw a woman fleeing the inn from the rooftops. Also, that two of our men pursued her and were lost sight of. There's no point in trying to find the culprits alone. The meeting of between all Allied Kingdom's leaders will be in the next two days. I have to prepare myself if I'm to kill King Ered—"
Myn's abruptly put his hand over her mouth.
What are you—A wave of mortification washed over her as she noticed a band of Hallos guards walking past. She cursed her own lack of attention. If not for her Shield, she might have gone on telling everyone within earshot of her intent.
Myn moved his hand away as the guards treaded further from them.
"Thank you." She had refused to be escorted by her men so she may avoid attention, what good would that have been if she was not careful. Then a new idea sprouted, one that would remove the need of caution when around Hallos soldiers. She would simply have to ally herself with the King of Hallos and have him agree to take up arms against Loradel. "Keep up, Myn. We're going to meet with the King, I need to speak to him before the day of meet."
~0~
The sky was a shade of deep orange as night climbed over east horizon.
Sara and Myn arrived at the royal district. The buildings were made of a solid white stone with endless designs carved into them. The amount of sheer elegance was nothing like her home. Belfire was a prosperous city but looked like a beggar's abode when compared to Hallos. It became clear why the nation was referred to as the Jewel of The East. It seemed like the king spent much time on making his cities glamorous, hopefully he spent equal amount of time on his military.
"Hold," said a sudden voice.
Sara broke away from her thoughts to find two Hallos guards at each side of the archway that led into the district. "Yes?"
"No one is allowed through this district. Please return home," said the guard, his face hidden behind a shined silver helm.
Sara placed her hand on her chest, pointing at the Zuland emblem that decorated her shoulder strap. "I'm Princess Sara of Zuland. I'm here to speak with the king. I heard he was currently housed here until our meet.
The guards looked at one another before returning their attention to her. "I apologize, Lady Sara. But we are under strict orders from King Alvion to stop anyone here, regardless of stature."
Her ears grew warm. "I'm the rightful heir to Zuland's throne, an ally of Hallos, that alone should merit a meet with Alvion. Let him know and have him decide." The consequences of what may happen began to run freely in her mind. What if by exposing her plan to kill to Ered she painted herself as a threat? Alvion would warn Loradel and join hands with them. No—if the stories she had heard held any truth, it would mean that Alvion was a man driven by his compulsion towards wealth. She could easily sway him with promises of more trade routes between their nations.
"Again, apologies, Lady Sara, but with the murder within the cortigiana the king's security has tightened."
No? Were they really denying her, an heiress? She gritted her teeth behind closed lips.
"Besides, I do believe the king is currently preoccupied with another meeting."
The opposite guard prodded him with the dull end of his spear and put a finger to his lips. "Shh."
"I meant…he's busy is all."
Sara openly rolled her eyes. "And who would this meeting be with?"
"With me," said a familiar infuriating voice behind her.
She turned and met eyes with the owner of the unappealing voice. "Lanace."
His long hair flew in a passing wind. He puckered his lips as if kissing her from afar. "Hello, my darling."
Her stomach churned as she tried hiding her disquiet.
Myn however made no such attempt as he growled aloud.
Lanace waved for his two accompanying guards to follow behind him. They both wore baggy discolored clothing that exposed much of their brown skin with only some small pieces of armor on their elbows, knees and shoulders.
"Prince Lanace," said the Hallos guard. "You've arrived earlier than planned."
Lanace walked past her and gave her another discomforting grin. "Good that I did." He opened his arms wide towards the men. "I appreciate you two entertaining my betrothed for the time being."
"Sir? She is with you?"
"She is indeed. Now then, may you escort us to Alvion?"
Betrothed? She hated when she was reminded of it, an unsettling fact that made it hard to swallow. But if all she had to do was bear Lanace's shrill voice to meet with Alvion, so be it.
The guards bowed in unison. "Accept my tertiary apology, Lady Sara. Please follow close behind us."
Sara swallowed the stone of vanity in her throat as she followed in the rear of the group.
~0~
"It's a joy to finally meet the man behind the success of Ara'koh," said the fat man before them.
This is King Alvion?
The round man's gut bounced like pudding with every step. His regal green robes and shawls looked like they were specifically made for his mass yet still seem to struggle in keeping him together.
Lanace walked towards the center of the spacious courtyard where a large stone table rested.
Night had taken over the city. Luckily, the courtyard countered the darkness with its many light stones that were locked into sconces around them. Beyond the light's reach were large hedges that hid them from outside view.
"Please take a seat," said the pudding. He clapped his hands, as a servant pulled his chair out for him. "May I interest you in Fadayan grapes? Just a handful can get you swimming in your own mind. These make for the best wine."
Another group of servants in overly regal attire came from within the nearby building. They all held sliver platters with a multitude of fruits, meats and other extravagant foods.
Sara's mouth growled at the scent of simmered meat. The rough smell of oil paired with the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread. "I'm not hungry," she lied, as she took a seat across from her host.
Lanace smiled as he occupied the only other seat available, which regretfully was shoulder to shoulder with hers.
Alvion took a cluster of grapes from his servant's platter and dangled it over his mouth, eating two or three at a time. He wiped away the juices, staining his green robes with splotches of violet. "Mmmm. I tell you, denying to eat these should be a crime." He wheezed aloud, the only excuse of laughter his body could produce. "But enough of that. What can I, Alvion, do for you, Lanace? I owe you much for the supply of chaza steel you've built for us four years ago."
"No need to recollected on my achievements, my lord," said Lanace as he put up his hands defensively.
As if he would ever turn away admiration. She scoffed. Wait. Four years ago, when Ramses still lived. She recalled a conversation with her fiancé from then. One about how he managed to help ease the burden of the miners of Ara'koh. In doing so he helped increase production of a certain steel and built routes for trade with Hallos. Sara folded her hands in front of her as she kept her gaze low. Lanace, that son of bitch is taking credit for Ramses' accomplishments. Unable to contain her thoughts, her anger reached her throat. "Actually…Prince Ramses was the one that established the route four years ago."
Alvion stuck his fingers within his neck fat, presumably rubbing his chin. "Hmmm. That is not how I heard of it from Lanace here."
Lanace put out a hand. "Apologies, I have so many achievements that I must have entangled that one with the others." He extended his hand out to her. "My beloved here is right."
"Ah yes, that you do," said Alvion. "And may I congratulate you both on your upcoming nuptial."
The words were like drinking sour milk. Sara simply nodded.
Lanace took a sip of wine from his goblet. "I believe my bride here has a request, Lord."
"Do you now? I'm sure I could—"
"You're unwavering allegiance is all I ask," she said abruptly as all eyes landed on her.
"Well, you already have that, my dear."
"I request that Hallos remain allies with Zuland after what transpires at the meet of kings."
The jelly man leaned forward, resting his head on his hands. "What would that be?"
"The death of King Ered…brought by my own hand." Saying the words aloud brought a wave of morale that was quickly challenged by the apprehension that came with waiting for a response.
Their eyes widened, both Alvion and Lanace shared a look of disbelief.
Lanace chuckled. "Now that's the type of flame that arouses me in a woman."
Alvion stuck his sausage of a finger in his mouth. "Oooh deary. Now why would a flower of the north want to use her thorns on Loradel's king? Agreeing to this would mean losing an ally of trade." He put out his arms as if receiving a hug. "Losing trade is losing coin, you must understand this."
Sara smiled inwardly. Finally, someone who didn't throw her ideals to the mud immediately. "You would lose trade with Loradel…but gain higher value trades with Zuland. And once Zuland seizes control of Loradel, all previous supply roads will be restored with you. You have nothing but gain here…my lord."
The man put his hands on his belly. "You have a well-furnished mind. Not like most women who are only good for a hump."
Sara pushed the comment aside.
"With no disrespect, you are only an heiress to the throne, do you have leave to make such decisions?"
"I do, I promise you that you will receive what you deserve." She surprised even herself with her honed words. She smiled.
"Those promises alone will not be enough to make an enemy of Loradel. But do not trouble yourself, I have one addition that will sway me." He tapped his fingertips together as he mumbled. "Oh yes, Alvion, you are such a mire of integrity." He looked her in the eye. "This request stands for both of you. That being that once the events two days from now transpire, you will produce an heir as soon as possible."
Sara's eyes widened as her flame of morale was snuffed.
"The reason being that once you have an heir, I would like to arrange a marriage between your child and one of my own, a finalization to our treaty, if you will. I also must add that I've only daughters, so a prince it must be."
The night suddenly felt warm, too warm. The unexpected heat made it hard to breath.
Lanace broke the silence with a guffaw. "Lord Alvion, you have left my dear speechless. No doubt in awe at the honor of uniting our nations with a seal of marriage. The child of Ara'koh and Zuland—tied together with Hallos to make a truly united kingdom."
Alvion gave a nod of approval with an almost-lustful grin. His licentious eyes landed on her once more. "Will you entertain my request, Lady Sara?"
Sara lowered her quivering hands underneath the table and swallowed slowly. She pushed every drop of doubt into the back chasm of her mind. She needed the aid of Hallos. She would do what needed to be done. She inhaled and met the king eye-to-eye. "I will agree to your terms."