๊งเผบ ๐๐ช๐ 3: เผป๊ง
The chandeliers glittered above, casting their warm light across the marble floor of the ball room. Kazi, sat on a white chair, her hand tapping her knee impatiently. Three days. Three excruciating days of Althean delicacies, forced politeness, and empty promises. And yet still no sign of the king.
Across Kazi and her soldiers was a group of Althea women dancing, their movements graceful and fluid. The music was enchanting, a mix of strings and flutes that seemed to flow effortlessly through the air. Yet, Kazi couldn't focus on the performance. Her mind was boiling with frustration.
"Seraphinael," Kazi called out, her voice cutting through the soft music. The Advisor, ever present and always annoying, turned to face her. "General Kazi," he acknowledged with a slight bow. "How are you enjoying the... entertainment?"
Kazi shot him a glance that could have frozen water. "Entertaining," she drawled, "but not exactly the reason I am here. It has been three days, Seraphinael. When will I have an audience with the King?"
"Soon, General," he replied, the word a frustratingly empty promise. "The King values your presence and appreciates the urgency of your mission. He is simply... indisposed at the moment."
"Indisposed?" she repeated, her voice rising slightly. "Does 'indisposed' mean he is too busy enjoying himself to meet with us, or does it mean he is avoiding the issue?""The King's activities," he said, "are not for public discussion." His tone was firm, but not unkind.Kazi leaned forward, her voice low and dangerous. "Let me remind you, Advisor," she said, "the attacks on our trade routes are a public concern. These delays are putting both our kingdoms at risk. Do you not see the urgency?""Of course, General," Seraphinael said, his tone smooth and reassuring. "I understand your concerns. I will do what I can to expedite the process. In the meantime, perhaps you would like to enjoy the rest of the entertainment?" He gestured towards the dancers, whose movements had now shifted to a more complex pattern."Perhaps, Seraphinael," she replied, her voice deceptively calm. "But allow me to offer a cultural exchange of my own. In Niameda, we do not appreciate being kept waiting, especially on matters of national security." With that, she rose to her feet, signalling her soldiers to follow suit. As one, they left the throne room, their boots clicking against the marble floor. Three days of frustration had been become too much. She was a General, a leader, and she would not be treated like a mere guest any longer.
๊งเผบ ๐๐ช๐ 5: เผป๊ง
The Althean arena was unlike anything Kazi had ever seen. Kazi sat on a plush chair, her back straight, surrounded by her soldiers. Below, a group of Althean athletes performed feats of strength and agility, leaping over piles of sand, vaulting over wooden beams, and wrestling with each other in a display of raw power. The crowd cheered and jeered, their excitement understandable.
Normally, Kazi would have been excited by the display of athleticism before her - these were all skills she admired and respected. But today, her frustration and anger were too great. She had come here with a purpose, and so far, all she had seen was delay after delay.
It had been a week since her arrival, and still no word from the King.
"Quite a performance, would not you say, General?" one of her soldiers asked, attempting to engage her in conversation. She forced a smile, but it was half-hearted at best.
"Entertaining, I suppose," she replied, her gaze fixed on the empty royal balcony opposite them. "But hardly the reason for our visit." Her soldiers exchanged glances, sensing their general's growing impatience. They knew better than to press her further.
"Give it time, General. They must be preparing a grand welcome for you, something truly Althean." One of her soldiers, a young woman named Kell, tried to offer some reassurance.
Kazi scoffed. "A grand welcome that involves a week of... this?" she gestured vaguely at the arena. "I do not think so. We have already been through three feasts, a parade, and even a play. If they want to impress us, they are going about it the wrong way." Her voice was sharp, her words cutting through the excited chatter of the crowd.
"I came here to discuss the attacks on our trade routes, not to be entertained," Kazi said.
"General," Kell began, hesitantly, "you look tense. Maybe you should retire to your chambers and get some rest." Her suggestion was well-meaning, but it only served to further irritate Kazi.
"Relax, Kell," Kazi said, her voice slowly regaining its usual commanding tone. "Niamedian soldiers are missing, and the King I am here to negotiate with seems to have vanished into thin air! How can I possibly relax?" She glanced around at her soldiers, her gaze meeting each of theirs in turn.
Shamefaced, Kazi forced a smile. "Forgive me, everyone. The... stress has been getting to me." She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "I need some air," she announced, her voice firm. She did not wait for a reply, her soldiers scurrying to keep pace as she strode purposefully towards the exit.
๊งเผบ ๐๐ช๐ 10: เผป๊ง
Ten excruciating days since they had set foot in the Althean capital. Ten days of feasts and entertainment, all of which Kazi had endured with as much grace as she could muster. Ten days of waiting, wondering if the King had forgotten about them, or if perhaps they had been deliberately ignored.
Kazi had reached her breaking point. Ten days was more than enough time for the King to have received word of her arrival and arrange a meeting. She had given the Altheans enough time to put on their pageants and parades; now it was time for business. She stormed out of her chambers, she needed to speak to Seraphinael.
As she navigated through the white corridors, she ignored the servants who kneeled and greeted her respectfully. Finally, she spotted Seraphinael, deep in conversation with a servant near a grand archway. As Kazi approached, the servant, a young woman with wide, nervous eyes, scurried backwards and dropped to her knees.
Seraphinael turned, "General Kazi," he acknowledged with a bow. "Is there anything you require assistance with?"
"Listen well, Seraphinael," she began, her voice low but commanding. "Ten days! I have been here for ten damn days! I came here to speak with your King, and all I have gotten are Althean delicacies and endless spectacles! I have given the Altheans more than enough time to prepare their pageants and parades. It is time for some straight talk." She paused, her eyes boring into the ambassador. "Where is your King?"
"General Kazi, the King values your presence andโ"
"I do not care about his supposed 'value'!" Kazi shouted, cutting him off. "My people, Niamedan citizens, are missing! They were on a trade route headed for Althea, and now there is no sign of them. No word. Nothing! And you expect me to sit here and enjoy the flowers while my people suffer? This is not a social call, Seraphinael! This is a crisis!"
Seraphinael opened his mouth to speak, but Kazi was not finished. "Do not dare to try to tell me that the King is 'busy' or 'indisposed'!" she spat. "If your precious King is too busy twirling around in his white palace to meet with me, a representative of whose people are missing, then tell him this: I will not be ignored!"
"Genโ" Seraphinael began, a hint of fear creeping into his voice.
"No!" Kazi shouted, her voice echoing down the hall. "One day, Seraphinael. That is all I am giving you. If I do not see the King tomorrow, I will not hesitate to barge into that throne room myself. And believe me, it will not be a pretty sight."
"General," he began, his voice losing its usual calmness, "I assure you, that is not necessary..."
"One day!" Kazi repeated, her voice cold and resolute. "One day, Seraphinael. Or I will make a scene that will echo throughout this entire whitewashed palace!" With that, she turned on her heel and stormed away. Her anger burned hot, a fire that would not be extinguished until she had answers.
And tomorrow, she vowed, she would.