NationStates Jolt Archive

The Planet of Macronia was one of Alversia's big problems, one of the planets that they permenantly manned on the request of the local authourities. Of course, the problem was that Macronia was a very different planet to conventioal governments of the area. A dust bowl, it was almost impossible for transports to traverse without the engines being clogged and crashing into the empty desert.

Macronia was a mixture of all the main civilisations of this sector, all of them living in their own small private countries, independant of each other and disunited. That, of course, allowed the dozens of Bandit tribes and rogue nations to rule the desert plains between Kingdoms. The Alversian Army had been called in and, in the harshness of the desert, even the disciplined People's Troops were struggling to pin down and destroy the bandits.

It was in these circumstances that one of the main Kingdoms on the far side of the planet requested that the Alversians send a message to the Kitsune Empire, a request for diplomatic relations. The Alversians honoured the request and now a party of Xiscapians were enroute to Macronia to open diplomatic relations with the Kingdom. They were coming to the planet the Alversian troops named 'Dukedom of Dust'...

Alversian HQ, Camp Libertine, Northern Macronia

As the Xiscapian shuttle descended down through the dust-filled atmosphere of the planet, one of the few funnels into space were ships and supplies could be brought in. The surface was nothing more than a few hills, completely featureless, nothing lived in the plains, only died.

Captain Mendez waited patiently as the shuttle descended to the landing pad specially created for craft. He was wearing the standard Alversian battle-armour, gleaming white in the fierce sunlight. Camoflague was of little use in this area. The area was filled with tents, temporary houses and drilling troops.

Captain Mendez continued to wait as the shuttle landed gently on the pad and the door slowly opened. The Alversian Officer and the four men behind him gave a firm military salute in perfect unison,

"Welcome to Camp Liberty Sir!" he announced

Stepping down the ramp of the shining white shuttle was a kitsune. He was silver furred with laughing orange eyes and long brown hair, looking to be in his mid thirties with lightly tanned skin, wearing the deep purple and black robes of the Xiscapian Diplomatic Corps with dignity. A forest green katana sword hung at his side, and he was flanked by two dark red and white armored Marines. (http://web.ukonline.co.uk/bingo275/DecJanFeb06/Galactic%20Marine.jpg) The pervading dust didn't appear to bother him as he reached the surface, bowing to the saluting Officer and other Alversians. "Gentlemen, it is an honor. I am Ambassador Si, here to assist in diplomacy in any way I can." He smiled as his Marine escort stepped onto the dusty ground and the ramp behind them drew back to close up the shuttle.

The Alversian Officer smiled, although it was hard to see through his armour, he gave a small nod,
"Captain Emanuelle Mendez at your service Sir. I am to escort you to General Owen's Headquarters for a situation briefing. He's located on the other side of the camp" He indicated to the ramp, "Would you like to follow me?" He began to walk down between the boxes of ammunition and supplies, he was also walking between various big guns and even a few tanks. What was most surprising though, was the group of Alversian horsemen who trotted through the camp, cavalry were a rariety in modern warfare.

After a few moments, they were outside a large tent, flanked by two Alversian Grenadiers, Captain Mendez indicated to the inside of the tent,
"In there, Sir"

Inside the tent was a powerful looking, middle-aged Alversian, he was sitting at a desk, typing into a datapad while consulting a large map behind him, he turned in time to see Si enter and ran a hand through his greying hair before giving a salute,
"Welcome to Camp Liberty Sir, I am General Owens, commander of Alversian forces on Macronia" He indicated to one of the seats, "So," he was now looking at a seperate pad, "What do you know of your mission?"

Horses, though Si, probably more reliable than tanks or speeders, what with the dust. This camp looks like it's prepared to outlast a siege, or battle a small army. Perhaps the turmoil here it greater than Intelligence would suggest?
As Ambassador Si entered the tent his Marine escort took up positions to either side of the tent flap, standing at attention as the diplomat took his seat in the chair provided.
"What do you know of your mission?"
"The various Kingdoms of Macronia are isolated, whether by cultural and racial differences or the harsh desert gulf between them inhabited by bandits, who reign outside the walls of any given Kingdom. The dust that clogs the atmosphere makes it difficult for any starcraft to function properly in the air, causing engine failures and mechanical problems, so flying from one area to the next is not viable. The APA has been called in to destroy the bandits but have so far been unsuccessful due to the dust and ease with which the bandits can be swallowed by the desert to escape. Now the XDC have accepted the request from the Alversian government to open relations with an as of yet unspecified Kingdom, though it is one of the larger ones I understand. I am here to engage in diplomacy with said Kingdom to, presumably, try and get it and other Kingdoms to unite under one flag and open trade and relations with one another as well as help the APA wipe out the bandits in the desert."
Si smiled as he finished. Not an easy task, certainly, but a challenge.

"Indeed," General Owens gave a tired nod, "That would be your mission. However, there are somethings you may need to know before you embark on this mission of 'diplomacy'" He gave a small smile as he stood up and walked over to a larhe map mounted on the wall,

"I have, at the moment under my command, five Battalions of Alversian Infantry. That gives me a force of 25,000 men and about 4,000 Cavalry he said the word with amusment, "Our various allies amongst the city states can provide that number again plus 10,000 cavalry giving me a total of 65,000 men in my army." He gave a sigh, "The Bandits, at our best guess, total over 150,000 men with at least 50,000 cavalry. The same dust that stops our planes flying also stops our shells firing and our tanks moving. As you can tell, we have been reduced to an ancient army, forced to march on foot and fight with cavalry and smaller artillery as our only support. My mission is to bring these bandits to battle and destroy them. Not an easy task with what I have at my disposal"

He now pointed to the map behind him, indicating two points a sizeable distance apart, even on the map,
"The Kingdom you wish to visit is called Mysan. It is one of the larger kingdoms and also one of our closest allies here. However, to reach it is a four day journey by foot and, as I have told you, we have no transport. As it is too dangerous to send you out with only your close escort as protection, I shall assign one of our own units as protection. Captain Mendez is soon to undertake a patrol in the area you need to reach and will be bringing a Company to do it. The Alversian Army is well trained and equipped, it should have no problem reaching Mysan. However, we do have issues and it is in the form of another of our allies,
The Dromintine, whose land this camp is built on, are a ridiculously pompous and incompetant bunch but it is only by their leave that this base, under one of the only funnels on the surface, exists. You will need to be polite with them at all times. Mendez's unit departs tomorrow morning at dawn. Any questions?" Owens finished as he sat down, he had the look of a man who had allowed stress to overrun him in the past few weeks and needed a long vacation.

Si pursed his lips as he listened to the General's words. Surely there was an easier way, using force fields, or shields to form a bubble of sorts around a convoy? Still, he was no technician or engineer, presumably this had been tried and had failed.
"Yes, I am curious as to the number of bandits in the region. Why is there so many of them in their military? Has this world been used as a dumping ground for convicts, are there tribes in the desert that use everything they have to war with? The numbers you are talking about, I am experienced enough to know that eight Legions of bandits and three divisions of Calvary is no raiding force."
Other than that, he got everything that was said. He could make the trek to Mysan though choking dust, he could be polite to these Dromintine, he could avoid armies of bandits. Si was not Xiscapian Diplomatic Corps if he couldn't.

"From what I've been told Ambassador, the Bandits are merely tribes in the desert who oppose the concept of modernisation that the other states are trying to adapt. Until now, they've been more interested in defeating each other rather than the states, but they have recently united behind a new leader. Our knowledge of him is scarce but we do know that he is a danger and he will want to bring us to battle as soon as possible and I shall probably have to meet him" General Owens sounded like there was little else he would less enjoy than that battle.

"In that case, Ambassador, may I suggest that you retire to a tent for the night? Captain Mendez shall show you to the barracks of the 1st Battalion of the 33rd Infantry Regiment, his Company shall be setting off at the crack of dawn from there" General Owens stretched out a hand, "Radio communications are not an option in the desert so if you have something vital to say to anyone, I suggest you say it tonight. It'll be the only contact you have until you return. Good luck, Ambassador" He offered his hand while Captain Mendez waited just outside the tent.

Ambassador Si accepted the outstretched hand with a firm shake, standing. "Thank you, General, for the information and your hospitality. Good luck to you on your further operations here." The Xiscapian turned on heel and left the tent, closely followed by the Marines. He stopped in front of Captain Mendez, inclining his head. "Captain, before you show my escort and I to our quarters, I need to make a transmission to Xiscapia. Can you show me to the communications post here?" He would need to talk briefly with someone before getting his rest for the early morning trip.

"Of course Sir" The Captain saluted again and marched through the supply base again, heading for the large satelite dish that towered over the horizon. There were few soldiers around, only a few sweating Sentries or Cavalry troops watering their horses after a tough patrol,
The latino Captain indicated to another tent,
"In here Sir, I hear you're making the journey across the dustbowl with us tomorrow?" He enquired politely.

"Indeed, Captain, I have been instructed to travel with your patrol to Mysan to begin diplomatic relations." Ambassador Si flashed the dark skinned Alversian a quick smile before entering the tent, leaving a Marine waiting outside and the second taking up a post indoors. Quickly accessing the communicator, the signal echoed across the lightyears, empty sectors of space until it reached Xiscapia. A moment of hook-up and the Vanadict's face appeared on screen. She bowed, and Si bowed back. "Chief Ambassador," began Si, straightening up, "I have received my orders. I trust you know of my mission?"
Vanadict nodded, her dark red hair swaying slightly. "Yes. I do not anticipate a great amount of difficulty, at least in this early stage. Unfortunately, Ambassador, you are on your own except for our Alversian friends, your escort, and any friendly Kingdoms. We cannot spare aid to your sector excepting the most dire of circumstances. Be resourceful, be adaptive, but most of all, Ambassador," her yellow eyes probed his orange ones seriously, "be watchful. You know our motto-"
"The winds can change at any moment, and sweep the unwary to the ground," intoned Si dutifully. "Of course, Chief Ambassador. I will do what is best for the Kitsune Empire."
Vanadict bowed. "Good luck, Ambassador Si."
"A thousand thanks, Chief Ambassador Vanadict."
She cut the connection, and Si left the tent, trailing a Marine, stepping back out into the bright, dusty sunlight to Captain Mendez.

Mendez had been waiting some distance away and now he led them down through the camp again until they arrived at the long rows of tents that indicated living quarters. Apart from a large flat sqaure in the centre of the mini-camp, there was little in the camp. Most of the men were wandering about or lounging around in shadows near the tents, the sun was just starting to set below the horizon,
"If you could retire to this tent Sir," Mendez indicated to one of the vacant tents, "We set off at first light, a company of Domintine troops have been attached as well and as their 'Commander'" He said the word scathingly, "will be leading the combined troops."

Nearby were a small formation of Alversian troops arranged in three ranks as ever, beside them was an Officer who was calling out setting,
"Setting One!"
A lone shot volley

"Setting Two!"
A volley of automatic fire

"Setting Three!"
The traditional smoke billowed around the formation

So the numbers were called in random orders and the orders being instantly followed. There were other troops marching in formation around the square

Ambassador Si nodded, noted the tone with which the Captain referred to the Domintine Commander, and entered his quarters. It was simple enough, three bunks with a small wooden table in the middle holding a unlit lamp. There were supply chests at the foot of each bed, to keep equipment and weapons in, and Si placed his blaster pistol, communicator, water purifier, a tiny portable replicator and money pouch inside, laying his sword across the top. His Marines stripped off their outer armor and Si saw their faces for the first time, a rugged, hard-faced male with green hair, gray fur and yellow eyes, resembling a wolf more than a fox, and a fair skinned, orange eyed, navy blue haired orange furred female. Both bodyguards leaned their rifles against the wall, storing their compacted armor into their own boxes, and silently began to eat from their rations kits. They were dressed in black body gloves, and though both should have been sweating, neither seemed to notice the heat. Their internal fans cooled their armor to a pleasant sixty-five degrees or so, and with dusk fast approaching, it would soon turn cold in this desert camp. Ambassador Si hung up his robes, wearing a beige tunic and khaki pants underneath, sadly reflecting that there was no showers here, let alone baths. He had to submit to the fact that he would not be bathing for nearly a week. Climbing into his bunk, he soon fell asleep, and soon after so did his escort.

A deep sounded horn rang throughout the camp of the 1st Battalion as the dawn sun just began to rise over the horizon. The heat was already stifling and men sweated as they replaced the Sentries or began early morning drillings. The Alversian flag floated high in the gentle breeze. Calls and commands rang out and the smell of cooking wafted through the camp.

Captain Mendez, with his helmet off, came into the Xiscapia's tent and cough,
"Sorry, Sir" he announced, "We really need to get going" The man was young, late twenties at most, with short black hair, lightly tanned skin and blue eyes. He was looking in with concern. After a few moments to see if there was any activity, he left the tent and headed back to the parade ground.

It was only a few steps from the Ambassador's tent and was now home to an entire Company of Alversian infantry. The men, standing 10 deep and fifty long stood to perfect attention in utter silence, their backs were straight and their weapons in perfect line with each other. One could have sprinted between the ranks and not hit a man With eyes staring straight ahead, they were a homage to Alversian discipline and training.

In front of them stood the Officers and in front of them all stood Captain Mendez, waiting impatiently

The two Marines, determined not to be outdone by the Alversian soldiers, had risen before dawn, dressed and taken positions outside of the tent, flanking the entrance. Si was rather slower and later in getting up, and he had only just dragged himself from his bed as the Alversian stuck his head inside and said something. Si was still half asleep and didn't really hear him, putting his dark robes on his back like a cape and setting off with his few pieces of equipment about his person, sword at his side, to step outside the tent. His guards fell into step behind him as Si hurried over to Captain Mendez. "Sorry I kept you waiting," he smiled apologetically, "my internal clock must have been thrown off by the interplanetary travel."

The Alversian troops remained in position while Mendez tutted and sighed again, shaking his head in annoyance and glancing down at a watch on his wraist. He noticed the Xiscapian Ambassador approached and gave him a nod of greeting,

"You are late, Ambassador," Mendez allowed, "But not as late as our Allies. W can't leave without them and they are apparently unaware of what a dawn start means" He finished scathingly, before muttering threatenly under his breath.

Then, after two hours of standing on the parade ground, sweating in the increasingly hot sun, a mass of trumpets and drums sounded across the camp. Mendez turned in annoyance to see the Dromintine Company marching onto the parade ground.

However, unlike the Alversian troops, all uniformly equipped and disciplines, the Dromintine were all wearing different types of armour with different weapons and all marching out of step and formation. Then a call came for the troops to halt and the local troops bumped into each other as they stopped shamboliclly and turned in various patterns and times.

Their leader approached Mendez on a horse and did not return the Alversian Captain's salute. He looked down, an overweight human with long hair and a cigar in his mouth,
"Well, well, well" He announced, "We are up early aren't we?" He gave a posh laugh.

"Sir," Mendez replied with gritted teeth, "We were supposed to start at dawn to avoid their patrols, but it seems we have to go through them after all"

"Nonsense!" The General barked, "We have more than enough troops to repel them! Now," He was looking at the Xiscapians, "Who would these be?"

Ambassador Si was determined not to show his own annoyance, and concealed his distaste at the sight of the obese human atop the horse. His soldiers looked more like a rag-tag group of mercenaries than trained warriors, and being a full two hours later didn't help matters any. Si sweated under his clothes as he looked the fat man in the eye.
"Who would these be?"
"Ambassador Si of the Xiscapian Diplomatic Corps of the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia, Sir," said Si primly, bowing. "I and my escort will be traveling along your route with you, Sir. It is an honor," he added at the end for good measure.

"Kitsune?" The man eyed Si with distaste, "Don't like Kitsune much. Nasty, sneaky little people who try too much manipulation for their own good" He was then silent for a few moments before Mendez cleared his threat,

"General Doblo?" He asked, "I think it's time we set of..." He was cut off by the man's booming voice

"Do not tell me what to do boy! You think you're here out of charity and kindness and love when it's really because our allies are so inept they cripple our war effort! If you wanna stay here then I suggest you keep your trap shut unless ordered otherwise! Do I make myself clear!"

Mendez had been staring up at him the whole time with unavoidable anger before snapping to a firm salute that actually made him jump in fright,
"Sir, Yes Sir!" He bellowed.

"Anyway" Doblo sniffed, "I think it's time to go" he turned to his own men,
"Company! Left turn!" His men then proceeded to disolve into a disorganised mass as some turned left, some turned right, others stayed where they were and some twisted fully, all while bumping into each other and knocking off each other.

Mendez watched the chaos for a few moments with amusement then turned to his own men,
"Company! Left turn!" The Alversians snapped around as one, not a moment's delay between them. Doblo stared at them in envy for a few moments before calling,

"Men! Forward!" He drew it out, drawing his sword as he did so, making it sound like a battlecry.

Mendez rolled his eyes as his own Company marched forward in step with each other, leading the Dromintine Company, which walked at whichever pace the individual felt like in various shapes and patterns.

Someone offered Si a horse,
"It will be a tough journey with only robes on, Sir" The young Ensign explained

"Don't like Kitsune much. Nasty, sneaky little people who try too much manipulation for their own good"
Can't say I truly enjoy your presence either, "General". thought Si silently. Aloud he said nothing, watching passively as Doblo tried to put Mendez in his place. Si watched in bemusement as the Dromintine force fell over each other in their attempt to simply move in the correct direction. Si could practically feel his escort snickering behind him at their incompetence. The Ambassador also noted the General's sword with a certain amount of disdain. There was nothing like a good, shiny katana, but this was a rather rusted, straight, battered sword that looked like it had been though many battles without even an attempt at maintenance. Not that Doblo looked like he had been though many battle, he was more likely to fight a fellow over the last scrap of food than a bandit. No, Si decided, the sword had probably been handed down in his almost undoubtedly aristocratic family for some time. Nobility was generally the only way idiots such as him rise anywhere past the rank of sergeant.
"It will be a tough journey with only robes on, Sir"
"I thank you for your concern," Si looked at the man's shoulder, "Ensign, but I've got my own protection about me. I'm tougher than I look," he winked, "I'll be fine." Si mounted the horse with a little difficulty, as he had had only cursory training and experience with horseback riding. Still, he could ride, and ride he would. The kitsune Ambassador's tunic was much tougher than it appeared, and any incoming sand would simply bounce off. As it was, Si pulled goggles over his face and a helmet with a tiny fan to keep his head cool. He only prayed the thing wouldn't become clogged with dust and cease working.

Many hours later and the camp was well out of view now and the two Companies were an insignificant speck on the vast emptyness of the desert. However, their pace had dropped as the slower moving, almost walking as opposed to the marching Alversians who had been forced to lower their own pace in order to avoid pulling too far ahead.

Mendez marched alongside Si and looked at him, smiling,
"Well, how do you think we're going so f..."

At that point, one of the Dromintine troops ran up to Mendez and muttered something at him, Mendez turned in disbelief,
"You cannot be serious!" He shouted in fury with his spanish accent then turned to his column,
"Company! HALT!"
The men ground to a halt and waited patiently, officers staring in disbelief,
Mendez looked to see Doblo approaching from his own column,

"Sir? May I enquire as to why you have ordered us to make camp so soon?" he asked sarcastically

Doblo nodded,
"Simple. I am tired. My men are tired and we need our rest for the battle to come"

"This is an escort mission sir, an escort mission," Mendez emphasised, "We are not here for a fight"

"And we shall have one, Captain" Was Doblo's response, "I shall lead the victorious charge that routs the Bandits and brings weath to my kingdom"

Mendez just shook his head and went back to his own Company, bound by his orders to obey this idiot who knew as much about warfare as Mendez knew of peacetime.

After a while the tents were up and Mendez found Si,
"Well, Ambassador, it seems the Bandits will not have to worry about this column for about ten hours or so." He looked like thunder, "And General Doblo requests your presence in his tent. Now"

"And General Doblo requests your presence in his tent. Now."
Si bowed and left his tent, pausing only a moment to stroke the head of his horse as he set out across the burning sand though the encampment to where he knew Doblo was set up, guards following behind. It did not seem to him a particularly bright move to simply set down in the middle of the desert at midday in bandit country. Si knew this trek would take four days, but he was not anxious to be attacked by a huge tribe of bandits that impossibly outnumbered his own escort. While he could have used a break, he was irritated to be stopped for such a trivial matter as undisciplined troops, and cursed the fact that the Alversians had to ally with these people, or more specifically, that these people owned one of the few portals to the sky. Trotting around a few hastily pitched Dromintine tents he stepped inside General Doblo's quarters, bowing as he did so. "The General requested my presence?" he asked softly in accented Common.

"Ah yes" Doblo was sitting on a large, luxurious leather chair while one of his men massaged his shoulders and another painted a portrait of him standing in front of an army leading the charge. The troops in the painting were Dromintine troops and their seal was everywhere,

"Come in, Kitsune and tell me, what is your task on this little mission?" He asked as he took another drink of what smelled like a very expensive wine.

Ambassador Si left his escort outside and sank into the comfortable chair with a sigh of contentment, grateful for it after the bumpy ride. The General lived in the lap of luxury, evidently not one for "taking whatever his troops took".
"Come in, Kitsune and tell me, what is your task on this little mission?"
"I don't know," said Si carefully. "I only know that once we reach our destination I will be told more about what I am to do. While I understand the basic motivations and push and pull of this situation, I have yet to be told the specifics of my job."
Si knew that even if he did know exactly what he was here for, he would not tell the Dromintine. Ambassador Si didn't trust the man as far as he could throw him, and considering Doblo's girth, that was not far at all.

"Right," Doblo sounded suspicious, "So you don't know why you've been sent here? I don't believe you"
He took another cup of wine without offering Si one and looked at him with a superior look,
"You are a Kitsune. They wanted me to add Kitsune to my unit and I wouldn't have it. Kitsune are unreliable, untrustworthy and, from my own experience, downright cowardly. I have seen whole Armies of Kitsune flee in the face of a Bandit army and open the gates to their cities, delighted to be led off in chains."
He took another deep drink, he was starting to get very drunk,
"The kingdom of Mysan is all Kitsune," He said as if the idea sounded completely ridiculous, "And, unlike those with more sense, like us, they've accepted help from these godly 'Alversians'. So the Kitsune drill and train in the way of the outsider. If they want to attack us then they will be repelled!" He announced triumphantly, "But I want to know if they are trying to rally suport from their brothers?" he slurred

Ambassador Si gazed calmly at the Dromintine General while his head spun. An entire city of kitsune on this distant world? They had no records of a colony or outpost here, why didn't the Empire know about this? If the Alversians had had this long on this planet, why had they not contacted the Empire about it? Of course Xiscapia would want to send any kind of diplomatic, material and military aid to their kitsune brothers on this hellhole of a planet. What was this foolish man rambling on about, armies of kitsune surrendering on the spot, opening their gates to be joyfully led away as captives? No Xiscapian would ever submit to such lowly behavior! But if all this he was saying was true, why was Si hearing it from this stupid human, and not the Alversians?
"General," said Si without emotion, "I do not know why I am here. Until you told me, I didn't know Mysan was a kitsune city. I was under the impression it was a human one. I am sure your superiors and allies will reveal information to you as they see fit."

"Bah!" Doblo finished his glass and instantly filled it up again with more wine. His face was getting redder and redder,
"These idiots of our Allies, the friggin' Alversians! Who are they! A menace! The Dromintine Empire was prospering before they came and started to help our enemies! If it wasn't for the money they pay us to keep that pathetic camp of theirs in one place. We don't need them. Our Army is the finest on the plains but the Alversians want to arm the Kitsune to fight us" he spat on the ground.

"If you want to know so much, ask your 'Allies' why they're so secretive about this!" he sneered then turned away.

"If you want to know so much, ask your 'Allies' why they're so secretive about this!"
Si opened his mouth, then quickly closed it without speaking, knowing the General had a point, drunk and an idiot or not. He would have a few questions to bring to the attention of Captain Mendez when he got back. Surely the Alversians would have good reason to keep such things secret from the Empire...Si just wondered what they were. He maintained his silence, waiting for Doblo to make the next move. If it was to pump him for more information, Si would have nothing to say.

Doblo it seemed, had nothing more to say and rolled over, indicating that Si was dismissed. He was then led from the tent by one of the Aides and brought to Mendez outside. The hispanic Officer shook his head,
"Delightful man no?" he sighed, "General Lord Doblo really has a thing against Kitsune."

"General Lord Doblo really has a thing against Kitsune."
"Evidently," said Si coldly. He gave the Alversian Captain a indignant look. "Captain, if I am to function as a diplomat and emissary here, there are some things I must know. Before I entered that tent, I didn't know kitsune existed on this world. I didn't know we were traveling to a kitsune city, I didn't know they and the Dromintine were rivals, I didn't know the APA was training them for combat, and I still don't know what my exact purpose at Mysan is. That I had to hear it from the General, and not my own allies, is a disgrace. I need to know why I am here, and I need to know more about the history of this planet. Why has this been hidden from me?" His eyes probed Mendez's face. "Why doesn't the Kitsune Empire know about this?"

Mendez's smile slipped as he listened to the Xiscapian Diplomat with a quiet respect he had not had for General Doblo. When he was finished, he glanced up at Si and sighed,
"A year ago," He began, "We were able to make contact with a new Kingdom after General Owens had driven the Bandits from the Southern Ridge. We found, to our own surprise, that the population was almost entirely Kitsune. We naturally informed them of your existance and enquired as if they would like to make contact with you. However, the Kingdom of Mystan last year was a hovel, a dilapidated city with a weakened Army. They had been destroyed in battle a few years ago and their city almost taken. We think it was pride that they did not want to meet with you until now. They did not want to be seen in such a state by their intergalactic brothers."

Mendez was looking at him honestly and openly,
"So, in keeping with their requests, we kept quiet, provided them with money and materials to rebuild their city and also agreed to help train their army. Now Mysan is a high tech highlight on this planet and her army is the finest of all the Natives. It was only once this occured were we provided with instructions to inform of their presence. As for not being told once you landed." He shrugged, "I think that was a clerical error, we all assumed that you already knew they were Kitsune"

He glanced around at Doblo's tent and frowned,
"Mysan is one of only a few places on this planet were Kitsune are safe. They are seen as second class citizens across this world. We need to ensure their safety as much as possible while keeping the city states onside"

He sighed again,
"I'm sorry you had to hear all of this now. I hope you understand our reasons for not providing you with this information at the time and why we did not mention it now."

Ambassador Si nodded, placated. "I am sorry they did not see themselves worthy to be seen by us: We all have our low points throughout history, and I only wish they could have set aside their pride for just a moment so we could have helped. But we were not so different, and during the Korr wars it took a deadly disease and the enemy nearly on top of us to make us admit defeat and call for help, no? But still, Captain," he looked at the Alversian seriously, "I want to know what my ultimate purpose in Mysan is. Am I to be a mediator between states, or am I to be an emissary between Xiscapia and Mysan?"

"A bit of both, to be honest Sir" Mendez replied truthfully, "Mysan is ready to open diplomatic relations with the Kitsune Empire for the first time. However, there is another problem." He gave a sigh,

"As General Owens may have informed you, we have just 30,000 Infantry to fight an Army over 100,000 strong. With our various allies, we can double that number in the field. However, the Mysan Army, which would be essential due to it's Alversian training, will struggle to co-operate with the other Kingdoms. It's only with co-operated command that this will end in victory."

Mendez glanced up at the starry sky and his shoulders sagged,
"Another day in paradise," He muttered to himself before looking at Si, "You may want to get some rest Ambassador. I will see to it that tomorrow is a long day"

Si nodded, understanding. This was no trivial task, not one to be taken lightly, the unification of squabbling, different Kingdoms to fight a common enemy. Nor was he inclined to think relations between Mysan and the Kitsune Empire would be easy. It could be tough going, at first. Who knew how kitsune, on this harsh desert world with it's ruthless competitors and merciless environment, would have adapted and what culture they would have?
Ambassador Si would be the first to know.
"You may want to get some rest Ambassador. I will see to it that tomorrow is a long day."
"Yes Captain. A thousand thanks for your grace and honesty in this matter." Si gave a slight bow. "Hopefully we will make better time tomorrow."

"I'll make sure we make better time tomorrow, Sir, good night" Mendez saluted and left Si at his tent before going to check the Sentries, he sighed at the task the Xiscapian Diplomat had been given. Uniting a dozen people's around one banner would never be easy and now would be no exception.

The Mysan people would be essential, their army would effectively add another few thousand Alversian troops to the battle but the others did not trust them at all. Sadly, Doblo's opinion was one of the majority, no one trusted Kitsune and not even Alversian influence could persuade them otherwise. On the contrary it bred distrust and bitterness. He shook his head and settled to his task, Ambassador Si had better tread carefully in this land.

Next Day

The next morning, they finally managed a morning start and, despite the grumblings of a hungover Doblo, they made good time across the flat, harsh plains. In fact, they were doing so well that they actually made up the time lost by the premature stop yesterday.

Mendez was in much better spirits and left his place at the front of the column for a moment to check on the Ambassador and his guards,
"Morning, Sir" He saluted, walking between the horse and the long line of Alversian Infantry, "How did you sleep?"

Behind them, were the typical mess of Dromintine troops, wrong order, wrong pace, wrong everything.

Then. From one of the dunes that stretched on the horizon, a gleam of light reflected off something, like a metal.

"How did you sleep?"
"Well, all things considered, thank you for asking, Captain." In fact, Si had been having trouble sleeping in the dry, hot desert climate. Xiscapia, or at least Padga, his continent of residence, was cool and generally overcast and rainy. Nevertheless, the kitsune was determined not to show it; The Alversian soldier had enough problems of his own. Si rode comfortably on his horse, having conditioned himself to the strange, jerky motion of movement, while his guards walked on either side of him, rifles pointed upward, oblivious to the heat and dust. While Si did not see the flash of light far ahead, one of his escort Marines did, keen eyesight assisting her. She looked at her fellow soldier to see if he had seen it too, and a quick nod affirmed this. The male Marine turned to Mendez. "Excuse me, sir, but Private Rusu and I have spotted what appears to be metal of some sort out ahead." He pointed across the dunes to where they had seen the flash. "The sun reflected off of it, so I do not believe it is a piece of junked machinery or a crashed ship. Request permission to detach from the patrol and check it out?" Of course, the Marine, whose name was Juzeko, did not need Mendez's permission to do anything. He and his comrade were under the command of Ambassador Si, but it seemed polite to do so, considering Mendez was the leader of the Alversian forces in the area.

"No" Mendez frowned and took a few steps forward, peering into the distance, "If the Bandits have laid an ambush then you'll be walking into it. Keep moving, if we have something they want, then they'll come to us" He frowned at the spot again then continued moving forward, if the Xiscapians wanted to walk into a mine or a well hidden sniper, that was their business. As long as Si was kept safe.

After another few miles, a dustcloud began to form to their left, confirming that they were being followed. Mendez sighed in frustration and called to his men,
"Company! Halt!"

The Alversians stopped immediately while the Dromintine seemed to bump into each other to avoid hitting the unit in front.
Mendez was staring as the men came over the horizon, lots and lots of cloaked men on horses standing nearby. The Alversians stared straight ahead while the Dromintine were pointing nervously.

It was a stalemate.

Mendez approached Si again and saluted,
"Sorry Sir," he sighed as Doblo approached, "It seems we have been stopped"

"It seems we have been stopped"
"I have eyes, Captain." said Si, but there was no rancor in his voice. The Xiscapian was too busy looking at the cloaked riders while the Marines shifted nervously. Bandits. If it came to a fire fight, Si would have to depend on the effectiveness of his escort in targeting and eliminating threats, what armor he had to protect him from weapons fire, and the chaos that would be dozens of men shooting at each other. "Can we reason with them?" asked Si quietly to Mendez.

"Doubt it Sir" Mendez replied happily. He was not worried, if there were only cavalry chasing them then they would be alright. His men were more than capable of dealing with bandit cavalry.

"Captain!" It was a sweating and very frightened Doblo, "What do you think you're doing?" He demanded.

"Waiting to see if the Cavalry will come down and say hello Sir," Mendez replied. Before Doblo could reply, Mendez turned to his own column,
"Company! Fix bayonets!" His men did as they were ordered, quickly sliding the steel out and slipping it into the muzzles of their weapons. Those Dromintine who had rusted bayonets pulled them out and nervously held them in hand.

The Bandits began to trot towards the line, stretching over the horizon. Still the Alversians still were not worried but Doblo and his men looked terrified.

"Company! Form Square!" Mendez called as the Bandits got closer and closer. His men obeyed and began to swing round into a four sided square.

The idea was that the hollow square, combined with the bayonets, would enable the infantry to prevent themselves being flanked and, as no horse would be stupid enough to run into a wall of spikes, there was no chance of the formation being overrun. ALversian troops were also trained to move while maintaining the square formation, it would be slow, but at least they would be safe until they were relieved by a friendly Cavalry patrol.

But someone had blundered.

The Dromintine troops, terrified by the sudden Cavalry charge and the formation of the Alversian Square, had ran forward to try and get into the centre of the formation before it was completed. The result was that the forth side was unable to get around and close the box.

"Setting three!" An Officer called as the Bandits got closer and closer and three sides moved into position. The first rank knelt, the other two were staggered. The charge should have been suicide.

Yet, as they got nearer, Mendez ran to the broken forth side and drew his own sabre,
"knock them out of the way!" He cried as he began to push the Dromintine out of the way with the flat of his sword. The Alversians began to use the butts of their rifles to push them out of the way.

Doblo looked desperate coming up to Mendez,
"What are you doing?" he demaned to know, "Let us into the Square!"

Before Mendez could answer, the Bandits hit the formation.

The guns spat their traditional smoke as dozens of horses and men were sent tumbling by the Setting three volley. The Bandits, unable to pierce the front, swung around to the side and were met wih another volley that build up a wall of dead around the square. Then they hit the forth side.

And chaos began.

The Bandits, finding no wall of spears, swept in and flooded through the gap in the line, tearing it to shreds within moments. Alversian troops desperately isolated amongst the Dromintine troops, were as easily cut down as their comrades. The men in the other three sides were hit by a devastating charge from behind that broke the square instantly.

Mendez cut upwards into the chest of a Bandit, killed another with his blaster and cried to his men,
"Form sections! Form sections!" His men retreated into their smallest five man teams to form small pentagons of bayonets. These were no match for the Bandits crushing weight. It was a slaughter.

"Setting two! Setting two!" Mendez called again as his men fell left and right. The Dromintine had long since abandoned the field of battle. The slaugher continued, the Bandits were enjoying themselves amonst the isolated and helpless Alversians.

Si was with them right up until the bandits broke though the fourth side of the square. As the formation shattered into individual units the Xiscapian Ambassador and his escort were being pushed to the side. Suddenly his horse reared, braining a bandit with it's hoof, and Si, despite his desperate attempts, fell of the back, tumbling into the sand and the thick of battle. His fingers fumbled against his holster as he yanked his blaster out, hitting the safty to the off position as stray blaster fire turned the sand to glass around him. One of his Marines was kneeling in front of Si, protecting him, as a bandit came for them. The cloaked man held up a stubby, evil-looking gun but before he could fire a blaster bolt caught him in the stomach, making him fall to the ground, a small hole burned though the soft flesh and out his spine. The Marine shouldered his rifle as a bandit, catching him unawares, tried to club him with his gun. It hit the hard helmet, and the Marine pivoted, catching the man with a vicious uppercut to the jaw. The bandit dropped, but the implications were obvious. They couldn't stay here. Si had lost sight of Mendez and his other guard in the chaos, but he scrambled away as the Marine covered him, fire blazing from his rifle, before a blaster bolt caught him in the chest. His escort fell backwards, stunned by the impact but his armor protecting him. Si tried to get back to him, but a bandit stepped on the struggling kitsune soldier, coldy brought a blaster up, and shot him though the head. The Marine died instantly. Without thinking Si brought his pistol up and fired it at the man. The bolt whizzed by him, and the man turned, but Si's second shot hit him in the neck. The bandit swayed for a moment, hand at his horribly burned, crushed neck, mouthing silently, before crumpling to the sand. The Ambassador began to run, but there was a sharp, sudden pain in his head and the world abruptly turned sideways. A field of dead Alversians, Dromintine and bandits with horse strewn about was the last thing Si saw before the darkness closed around him.

It was dark by the time Si would regain conscience. He was being marched through the desert, his hands tied behind his back with all weapons and armour taken from him. He was sitting on a horse, two Bandits on either side of him acting as an escort. Even his replicator had been taken.

There was no sign of his other escort or any Alversians. He alone had been captured. They were walking through a camp, filled with dozens and dozens of men. All were gathered around fires or eating or cleaning their horses.

Soon, they were in a more empty part of the camp face to face with a Kitsune. He was about Si's height, with long red hair and a katana nestled in his robes,
"Welcome to the desert, Ambassador" he opened his arms, as Si was pulled from the horse and forced to kneel in front of him "I trust you had a pleasant journey?"

Si didn't even have his katana or his robes, both gone to wherever they had taken the rest of his equipment. He wore his tunic now, chilled in the cold night desert air, yellow eyes studying the kitsune before him. It struck him that the kitsune carried a katana, and he wondered where he had found the metal on this world to make one. Melted down scrap metal, perhaps?
"I trust you had a pleasant journey?"
"It would have been better," he said blandly, mouth dry and throat parched, "if your little gang of rouges hadn't attacked my patrol. What do you want from me?"

"if your little gang of rouges hadn't attacked my patrol. What do you want from me?"

"Ah Yes," The Kitsune grinned, "The attack. Went well, didn't it? I must admit that's the easiest Alversian formation I have ever broken, I must remember to thank the Dromintine later" he was looking at him with an evil smile,
"I dunno want I want from you yet, I'm just wondering what Kitsune are doing this far north with the Dromintine?"

"It wasn't exactly by choice. I was with the Alversians, and the Dromintine wanted to come along. They couldn't refuse the presence of the General and his men, so they came along. Rather unfortunately." Si sighed. "Who are you? Some kind of bandit leader? Or just my interrogator?"
It didn't seem like this kitsune would hurt him...yet. It all depended. Maybe he was merely curious what a kitsune was doing with a patrol. Yeah, he thought, and maybe Doblo's really a master strategist disguised as an idiot. They would probably ransom him to the Alversians here, once they found out who he was. Si could avoid a direct question, but if they decided to torture him he knew he wouldn't be able to hold out for very long.

"My name is General Marxius," he smiled, "I command the Bandit tribes on all the plains and I will be the victor that will crush the Alversians, drive them from our lands forever. When that day comes, I will the great leader of all peoples" he looked on with interest,
"I assume you are not Mysan or Lunasan" he said, mentioning the two great Kitsune cities, "So you must be an outsider. Where are you from?" He asked, piercing straight into Si's eyes.

Si licked his lips nervously. Even if he didn't tell the bandit, if they looked at any of his weapons or equipment they would find the words 'Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia' on them somewhere. "The Empire," he breathed, "the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia. We're allied with the Alversians."

"The Kitsune Empire of..." Marxius shook his head in bafflement, "Where exactly is the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia? And what is your purpose here?" He asked, leering at him with a cold stare.

"We're a space-faring nation, not unlike the Alversians. We span many systems, and we're made up entirely of kitsune...well, that and Xis-Alvo halfbreeds and some aliens here and there. Look, all I know was that I was sent here to smooth things over somehow. I'm an Ambassador. I don't know my exact purpose here, but I can tell you something: If you don't let me go, the Empire will come here, and they will hunt you down. And don't think just because the Alversians can't get to you dosen't mean we can't. So make things easy on yourself, and let me go. I've got nothing of value to you."

"On the contrary" Marxius laughed, "I want you to see what will happen to this world when we have crushed the Alversians and taken command of this world" he laughed, "Come!" He announced, "I will show you how I intend to defeat these Alversians and their 'allies'" He indicated to the left.

Si stood shakily, hands still bound behind him. This was a dangerous kitsune. He had a vision, and judging by the battle, he had the tactics and strength in arms to make it happen. He and Si had essentially the same goal: Unification. But where Si and the Empire wanted to use diplomacy and give peace a chance, this bandit Marxius would use strength and ruthlessness to achieve his absolute rule. He reminded him disturbingly of James Rose, the Emperor's brother, who had fallen so recently with the Rebellion. Staggering slightly, Si followed the red haired kitsune.

They weaved down through the camp, past various troops, human and Kitsune, sitting with various states of equipment and weapons. Soon they were at the edge of the camp were there was a vast open plain. In front of the plain were a series of cliffs with paths and enclaves.
"This is the battlefield we shall be using to slaugher the Alversians," He announced with relish, "This is where we are going to slaughter them."

"Slaughter them?" Si asked curiously. "I know little about battlefield tactics, but I don't see how this will help you destroy them. You might have a larger force, but they are better trained and better equipped. The only way you could annihilated their forces is if you used your superiority in numbers to your advantage. Is this some kind of trap? An encirclement plan?"

"Close," Marxius laughed, "The Alversians are going to march into this plain, full of confidence, arrogant of victory. When they arrive, we have a little surprise. To show this, he pointed down at the sand,
"Do you see all those little black points? Poking out of the sand? When an Alversian so much as blinks at one, then the entire field will erupt into flame and all those nice little Alversian ranks will be broken, shattered. If not by the mines themselves then by the terror of thousands of cavalry charging them to finish the job. The bloodbath will be completed" He laughed again.

"Then this planet will be ours!"

It began as a low chuckle which turned to full laughter, mocking Marxius. "You fool!" said Si, "do you really think they're that stupid? Have you somehow confused the Domintine with them? They'll detect your little mines, destroy them, and even a million charging Calvary couldn't frighten them into disorganization. Your plan is doomed to failure, as you underestimate the intelligence of their commanders, the superiority of their technology, and the will of their soldiers." Si shook his head.

Marxius laughed as well,
"Just you wait and see" He said with glee, "Just you watch. You think the Alversian commander has a say in where his troops are sent? It's men like the Dromintine who decide where the Army fights. Not the Alversians. And for now, I think it's time to take you out of here. I don't want you warning our friends now, do we?" He laughed then handed him to two of the guards who shoved him back towards the camp.

Si staggered but managed to keep on his feet as he walked back into camp. The Alversians have no control over where they send their forces...is that true? General Owens can't choose, he has no control? Why do the Alversians put up with this? Because of the portal, and they can't take it from the Dromintine because that would send the wrong message to the other Kingdoms. he silently answered his own question. I've got to get back and warn them, before it's too late. But I've got no weapons and I'm surrounded by armed bandits. I wouldn't even make it five feet before I was captured or struck down.
Well, like in diplomacy, you wait for an opportunity.

OCC: incoming TG Xiscapia

The Xiscapian was sent back down through the camp to a large group of horsemen. It seemed Marxius' plan was to abandon Si in the middle of the desert and let him die of either thirst or heatstroke. It was going to be a burning day.

The horsemen were all either human or Kitsune and they tied a rope around Si's neck and began to drag him out into the heat, with nothing but a robe on and his hands behind his back still.

Si was being slightly strangled by the rope and he was forced to keep up or be dragged along the sand behind them. He shifted and got his robe to drape behind him, so it was behind him like a cape rather than an extra layer that would only make him sweat. His tunic was covered in sweat, and he panted slightly as the horsemen led him out into the desert. He was too scared and parched for water to talk, and even if he could, he had nothing to say to them.

The horsemen laughed and joked to each other, yanking on Si's rope every now and then to make him speed up. They were soon in the middle of nowhere and stopped. They got off their horses and walked to Si, laughing and poking him.

"Anything to say...Xiscapian?" One of the Kitsune taunted, loosening the rope around his neck.

Si allowed a small gasp, massassing his throat as he staggered again. He looked at his fellow kitsune, who was now his enemy, and the sniggering human behind him.
"Anything to say...Xiscapian?"
"I have nothing to say to you or your ilk. Leave me be to die in peace." Si spat. Of course, he had no intention of doing so, at least not without a fight to survive. If he could get free of his bonds and find shelter somewhere, he knew his chances would improve, but he didn't know where to find water or where the nearest settlement was. Chances were he was too far from anywhere to make it back alive, but he'd be damned if he wasn't going to try.

The Xiscapian laughed and cut the rope around his throat when another looked up and pointed in alarm. There was a new dustcloud approaching from just over the horizon. As the cloud got closer, one of the Bandits was plucked back by an blaster round.

The others threw Si to the ground and drew their swords, and clashed with Si's rescuers. After another few moments, two more Bandits had fallen and the others withdrawn.

One of the horsemen got down from his mount and came over to Si. It was a Kitsune with silvery hair and a very distinctive armour and a helmet that resembled the Alversian standard helmet with additional shapes greated for the fox-ears of the Kitsune. His men were all dressed in a similiar way with katanas by their sides and carbines slung over their backs.

"Drink Brother" He said, holding a canteen to Si's lips, "It will help you"

Si, hands still behind his back, drank greedily, feeling the water fairly dance down his dry throat. "They'll be back," he gasped as he finished, panting. "They were supposed to kill me, there's a whole camp back there. A thousand thanks for your generosity, but we need to get away from here."

The Kitsune nodded and took back his canteen,
"Relax, Brother," He said as he took a small dagger and cut Si's hands free, "We are safe for now. We can take our time back to Mysan. What are you doing here?" He asked, curiously looking at Si, "How did they capture you?"

Si looked at the kitsune, not an Xiscapian but still of the same species nonetheless. The question of trust had been answered...he had just saved his life, after all.
The words spilled out in a rush.
"My name is Si, and I'm the Ambassador from the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia to Mysan. I was traveling to Mysan with a patrol under the command of Captain Mendez when we were attacked by bandits. I'm not sure what happened after that, but I woke up in that bandit camp. There was a kitsune there, he said his name was General Marxius, he told me he planned to destroy the Alversian persence here and rule all of the people of this land. He showed me...there was this plain, and it had mines on it, and he said he would draw the Alversians here into them and then charge them with calvary to bring victory. Then he put me out here, and...you showed up. Who are you?"

The Kitsune looked on in bafflement for a moment, as if he did not truly understand all of what Si had said. He looked as though he had a thousand questions to ask him, but his better judgement prevailed. This was no place for a formal meeting.
"I am Captain Lucius of the Royal Mysan Army, here," He offered him a horse, "One of my men did not pay attention to his Alversian training, and has paid the price. Take his horse, he will not need it now" He mounted his own horse at the same time,
"Time to move!" He called.

Si mounted the dead kitsune's horse with a last look at the three fallen bandits. He wished he could have found his katana, but presumably it was still in the bandit camp. Riding off with the Calvary of the Royal Mysan army, Si was grateful to feel the wind on himself despite the burning sun and finally be free. He would have to try and contact General Owens or Xiscapia once they got to Mysan...he hoped Mendez survived the attack.

After an hour of solid riding, they arrived at a large, white city with massive glistening walls and tall, powerful looking towers. The city buildings only just reached over the walls and were rather stubby as opposed to the elegent buildings of Alversia. They were also made of a white stone rather than metal. Guns of various calibres poked from holes all along each tower. There were deep blue flags with red phoenix's flying at regular intervals all along the wall. There were troops spread all along the wall, wearing the same uniform as Lucius' cavalry troop.

The gates were open and, past the Kitsune carrying stones or potatoes or some other item into and out of the city, there was no other sign of activity. It seemed most of the city was having a siesta.

Directly in front of the gate, though, was a large, open courtyard, filled with Xiscapians drilling. There were Alversians split between each unit and they were bellowing at the Xiscapians, forcing them to do press-ups in the intense heat and sweating with their weapons raised above their heads, only snatches of the yells could be heard,
"...you're a soldier now!...you're life means nothing..."

"...people look to you for protection! You are the first and last defence of your women and children...!"

"...If you do that in battle then your men are dead!..."

They were then led down to where an example of Alversian discipline was present. A column of Mysan troops marching in perfect order, each bristling with pride as the Alversian with them, clapped and congradualted them for their efforts. It was this man that Si was being led to.

"Major Bywaters, Sir" Lucius saluted, "We have found him"

"Very good, Captain" The Alversian turned, tall, powerfully built, with hair starting to turn grey and his skin burning brown in the sun,
He bowed to the Xiscapian,
"Ambassador," He stated, "I'm glad to see you made it. The only non-Dromintine to do so" he added sadly

"I'm glad to see you made it. The only non-Dromintine to do so"
Si bowed back, but was struck dumb at the Major's next words. His head dropped for a moment, and his body sagged. Mendez was then surely dead. He had only known the Alversian for a short time, but the Latino Captain had not been an evil man, and he didn't deserve to die because of the foolish, self-serving mistakes of others.
"I am deeply sorry to hear of this. The leader of the Alversian patrol was a good man. I hope his passing to Paradise was quick and painless." Si swallowed. "I am Ambassador Si, Major. I was captured by bandits and was going to be executed when your troops arrived and saved me. For this I owe them a debt I cannot repay."

"Yes," Bywater seemed annoyed, "We were informed that you would be on route and these...he indicated to Lucius and his men, now standing at ease nearby as guards, "...are not my men. These are the Mysan Kitsune, you have doubtless heard of"
The Kitsune gave a salute as they were mentioned while Bywater sighed sadly,
"As for Mendez and his deceased Company, his passing may have been quick but his memory will not rest for a while" He took a deep breath, "General Doblo has been and gone. He informed me that he was going to complain to the Alversian Command and inform them of the disaster with his unit. He says that he attempted to form square but his men were driven on by the Alversians who insisted on meeting it head on."
He shook his head,
"It's all rubbish of course, but the General will still have to pay attention to the man"

At the mention of Doblo Si snarled. "May all his sexual organs sprout wings and fly away!" he said angrily. "His soldiers caused the casualties of that engagement he should be held fully responsible..." Si trailed off for a moment. "Apologies, Major. I simply cannot bear to think of that man still alive and well after his stupidity and carelessness. Please, tell me of Mysan. Who rules it?"

"As I said," Bywater explained, "General Owens will have to launch an enquiry into the disaster to see who was responsible and, as no Alversians survived, he will have to take Doblo's word for it"

At the mention of Mysan he thought for a moment,
"Currently, the ruler of Mysan is the Queen, a young Kitsune by the name of Krystic. She permitted us to use her city as a refuelling spot for patrols in return for helping to retrain her Army. She used to consider it her own personal plaything before we persuaded her the Army is for the service of the state, not it's ruler." He gave a small smile,
"If you would like to meet her then I can take you to her, she's watching her troops as always"

"If you would like to meet her then I can take you to her, she's watching her troops as always"
"Very much so, thank you Major," said Si earnestly. He was very curious to see the kitsune who was the ruling power of Mysan. She couldn't be very old, and Mysan seemed a sprawling oasis in the desert. If this had been a trash heap only a year ago, the dedication of it's citizens and intelligence of it's governor must have been very high indeed to transform it into what he saw today.

Bywater and Lucius guided Si through a series of corridors and hall until they were above the main courtyard in which they had previously stood.

There was a Kitsune, standing and watching the troops marching and drilling. She looked as though she was barely of age, with a long, elegant, satin blue robe and blue hair down to her waist. Her fur was a tawny colour and she turned to face Si with bright youthful energy.

"Ambassador!" She almost squeled the word, and bound to his side before offering a quick and enthusiastic bow, "I am delighted to meet you at last!" She grinned, revealing her perfect teeth.

"I am delighted to meet you at last!"
"And I you, your Majesty." Si gave a stately bow, well aware that he was rather dirty, sweaty, and probably smelled like a corpse. It was quite embarrassing, really, to be caught so out of etiquette, but he had said he wanted to meet her then, and hadn't given himself a chance to wash properly, so it was his own damn fault. "I am Ambassador Si, emissary from the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia to Mysan and Macronia in general. I'm afraid I am not my best at this time, a thousand apologies for my unfortunate state of affairs, my Lady."

"Huh?" The young Kitsune looked him over then her face dawned in realisation, "Ah, think nothing of it! We have hundreds of baths and lots of water here. You can wash in no time" She giggled, "You're the Ambassador from our intergalactic brothers? Cool to meet you!" She smiled again,
"What is the Empire like?"

Bywater and Lucius stood nearby at ease, wearing the same armour with only small differences. Sabre instead of katana, and fox-eared helmet instead of rounded top.

Si refrained from raising his eyebrows and allowed a small mental chuckle. Cool to meet you? Most amusing.
"What is the Empire like?"
"It's large," said Si after a moment's thought. "At least, by your standards it would be enormous. We control several star systems throughout the galaxy, and we are open to nearly anyone. Recently, which is to say in the past decade or so, Xiscapia has been involved in many, many wars. However, as the Emperor likes to say, the Kitsune Empire doesn't start wars, but we do finish them. The Imperial Family consists of the Emperor, Foxfire Rose, and the Empress Jade Rose. We hope children may be along soon," he winked, "but there's been no word on that yet. Xiscapia is generally peaceful, but we have a sizable military. Not nearly as large as our Alversian allies, but enough to protect us and occasionally go on the offensive or undertake peace-keeping missions. Culturally I believe we take pride in many of the same things the people of Mysan do, such as our ornate baths, reading, katana forging skills and football, which I believe you were introduced to by the Alversians, and many others. We really must pen you in to attend one of our festivals or holidays, your Majesty, I'm sure the Imperial Family would be delighted to educate you about the Kitsune Empire. I had some information storage devices with me," Si frowned as he absentmindedly patted his robes, "but I guess I must have lost them getting here. Oh well, I can have more shipped in."

Krystic listened to every word Si said, taking in every little detail. She seemed so interested in what he had to say and listened like a true leader. Once he had finished, Krystic was leaping about him again,
"That is so awesome! I would love to meet the Emperor and see this Empire! When can I see it?" She asked in youthful energy.

However, she seemed to regain control of herself and calm down with a deep breath,
"Sorry, so, how did you get here?" She asked civiilly, politely, "Where you in the Alversian Camp?"

"Sorry, so, how did you get here? Where you in the Alversian Camp?"
"No need for apologies, your Majesty." Si smiled warmly. "I only wish I could meet more as energetic as you. Many of those diplomats and dignitaries I meet seem half dead, for all the excitement they show.
Yes, I was at their base camp, and I went out with a patrol to come here. However," he glanced at Bywater and Lucius, "the patrol was attacked by bandits and I was taken captive. A squad under the command of Captain Lucius here rescued me, and for that I owe them my life."

Krystic beamed at the compliment from Si and gave a genuine giggle at the statement of other diplomats, then she looked equally delighted and sombre,
"I'm glad that my Cavalry Corp was able to help," She responded with a nod, "However, I hear that a Company of Alversian troops were wiped out?"

"Yes Ma'am" Bywater confirmed, "All 500 killed ma'am"

"And the...Dromintine?" She asked reluctantly, with a frightened look at the mention of the people.

"And the...Dromintine?"
"From what I've heard most of the Dromintine were able to escape," said Si flatly. "It was their fault the patrol was decimated, and they used the Alversians as a buffer while they ran for it, the cowards." He spat this last word like a curse, then immediately regretted his display of emotion in front of Mysan's Queen. What will she think of me now?

Krystic nodded in understanding,
"One of their Generals was here, I don't like him" She shivered, "He was very rude to me and my people"

Bywater came forward,
"Doubtless Doblo told you of a Mysan Army that fled the field in front of a Bandit charge? Did he mention it was because a Dromintine Army broke on their flanks and forced them to withdraw?" Lucius was glowering behind him.

"The Mysan and the Dromintine do not get on well" Bywater sighed.

"The Mysan and the Dromintine do not get on well"
"Obviously." Si nodded. "Xenophobia? They simply remind me far too much of the Calaverians. Possibly more than one intergalactic race made it here, methinks." Then Si shook his head. He wasn't here about the Dromintine, he was here for Mysan! He needed to be learning more about Xiscapia's brethren here, and how he could help.
Smiling politely, he looked to Krystic. "If no one objects, perhaps Her Majesty would like to escort me to the baths?" While it was not that he did not welcome the presence of Bywater and Lucius, he'd rather speak to Krystic in her confidence. He was sure she was as eager as he to share information.

"Of course" Krystic nodded in delight, then nodded at Bywater and Lucius to signal they were dismissed. Krystic and Si wandered down through the corridors and walkway, past happy and chatting Citizens,
"I'm sure you want to know what has happened to this city over the course of the past few years?" She asked, bounding along the corridors.

"I'm sure you want to know what has happened to this city over the course of the past few years?"
"Of course," Si nodded amiably. "For such a place of splendor, it's hard to believe that this was once...not so. I know the current situation, and I've been given a rough outline of the past, but I don't know any details and the information on Mysan was sketchy at best. Please, enlighten me."

"Mysan was formed over a thousand years ago to be a refuge for the Kitsune of this planet who did not desire to live a life of persecution and distrust under the other Kingdoms. Our birth was harsh, we fought many wars after our birth as the Kingdoms sought to destroy us. When we finally were able to secure our independance, we had the finest Army on the plains and our city was developing a unique culture and identity. Many more Kitsune flocked to our city and peace reigned for several years."

Krystic gave a sigh as she stepped into a lift and allowed it to take them higher still over the city,

"Then came the dark days. A series of Kings and Queens who cared more for their own weath and power than the well being of the people they ruled. All experience in the Army was stamped out as a threat to the throne, all art and culture was banned as a 'revolutionary influence' and the Kings and Queens executed those they saw fit. It was during this time that Kitsune fled over the east ridge to form their own Kingdom, Lunasa. This continued for well over four centuries, then it got worse"

Krystic shook her head,
"When the Bandits became a real problem, the Mysan kings and people were confident of a quick victory, relying on only a faint memory of a once proud army. We were defeated in battle after battle until the Bandits turned east to focus on the Dromintine and so allow us to rebuild. When the Alversians managed to break through to us, our Army was a shambles, our city torn from years of war and civil strife. Only with my assention did we accept Alversian help and so become the city you see today"

She finally finished and took a gulp of air,
"That is a basic outline of my people's history, although there is much I could tell you on the politics of the region that I think you will need to know."

Si nodded to himself as he listened. The rise, golden years and decline of a civilization which had managed to not yet fall.
"That is a basic outline of my people's history, although there is much I could tell you on the politics of the region that I think you will need to know."
Si frowned, holding up a hand to stop her. "I understand, but why were kitsune persecuted and discriminated against so in the early years? Are all the Kingdoms as xenophobic as the Dromintine? And more so, when Mysan was weak from inner corruption and fighting the bandits, why did not these same Kingdoms swoop in to crush you?"

"Initally, we believe that both the Kitsune and the Humans got on well. However, as time went on, humans began to resent both our superior mental abilities as well as our physical attributes. We don't know what was the final trigger but the Dromintine decided it was time to stamp out our small but influential community. We fled the attack and settled here."

She gave a rueful smile,
"By the time we were at our weakest, we were surrounded by a ring of Bandit armies, none strong enough to take our city while we were not enough to break through. It was only when the Alversians broke through from the south that we were able to meet with the other Kingdoms of the plains."

She sighed,

"Unfortunately, most of the Human kingdoms put up with us as an inconveniant Ally, however the Dromintine cannot be swayed even after a few centuries"

"Unfortunately, most of the Human kingdoms put up with us as an inconvenient Ally, however the Dromintine cannot be swayed even after a few centuries"
Si grimaced. "Pigheadedness, stupidity and close-mindedness can be found everywhere, I'm afraid. So, what were you were going to say about the politics of the region before I interrupted?"

"Ah yes," She replied as they arrived at the Baths, "The Dromintine believe that they are the superior Empire of the Plains. Not even the Alversians can dent their superiority complex. They believe they should be in command of the Allies. They will not be swayed and they are good at covering up for themseves. Like what they have done to Captain Mendez and his memories." She shook her head sadly,
"Would you like to bath?" She asked, removing her own satin robe, revealing a young slender body in perfect proportion "I need to cool down"

Si's heart was abruptly in his mouth as Krystic disrobed, and he tried to concentrate on her face. "Yes indeed." He took off his own robe, pulled off his boots, and peeled awau his tunic from his sweaty body. Si was certainly no magnificent example of sculpted male kitsune figure, but he was not ugly, or even homely, and well endowed, as it were. He struggled to remember what they had been talking about. "How in all the galaxy did the Dromintine get such an inflated sense of self-importance? They are hardly a crack fighting force, and I doubt they can be much better off administratively or economically. Is this a case of 'human superiority syndrome', or do they just think themselves the best of all?" He raised an eyebrow.

Krystic smiled at the sight of Si's body and then walked forward and settled into one of the large baths sunk into the floor. She gently lowered herself into the bath's cool water and indicated for Si to do the same.

"Their Army is not as bad as you think" She smiled, "Their proper Army that is. The one that requires ability to join. The force you went with was the Militia. They once ruled most of the plains but are now no bigger than the rest of our kingdoms" She gave a little, childish giggle, "The regular army is large but mostly ineffective. It struggles as much as the rest of us to take the Bandits down. They still, think they rule the plains," She started to gently wash her delicate, tanned skin, pushing her blue hair out of the way.

Si stepped into the bath, submerging himself up to his shoulders, sighing in pleasure. After a moment he got back up to where the water level was at his chest and began to clean himself, erasing away nearly a week's worth of dirt, sweat and prevalently, dust.
"The regular army is large but mostly ineffective. It struggles as much as the rest of us to take the Bandits down. They still, think they rule the plains,"
"Foolish of them," Si growled. "So the bandits really give everyone this much trouble? I mean, I saw a bit of it during the battle, but General Owens says they outnumber the Alversian force over five to one!"

"Yes," Krystic was not cleaning herself, just allowing the water to cool her smooth skin, "The Bandits are large in number and know their territory better than anyone here. We have been struck using the same inflexible tactics all this time and they just smashed through us. Now the Alversians are training some of us more flexible tactics with better armour and better guns. Now we can stand a chance against the Bandits on their own land" She smiled.

"We are outnumbered but quality should be prevail over quantity"

"We are outnumbered but quality should be prevail over quantity"
"It generally does," replied Si. "That's the factor Xiscapia's entire military is based on, that the better ship or soldier will win the day against five weaker ones. Have you fought any battles against the bandits since the Alversians have begun training your Army?" he asked.

Krystic shook her head,
"Not yet," She smiled, "It will come soon, though, we will have lots of time to fight the Bandits, I just like watching the people bristle with pride at the sight of the Troops marching through, it makes me feel so proud" She gave an excited shiver and began to clean herself as well,
"I may as well bathe properly while I am here" She explained.

"And proud you should be," Si replied. "The APA holds some of the finest soldiers in the galaxy. I doubt any bandit rouge would be a match to your warriors once the Alversians are finished with them." He finished with his upper torso and began to concentrate on his lower regions, watching Krystic. She was highly enthusiastic and eager, and Si admired her for it. Young though she was, the responsibility of leading and ruling an entire people was beginning to settle in, and she took it in stride. She was a fine Queen now, and would make an even better one later on down the road.
"So, what does My Lady like to do for pleasure?'

Krystic gave a small smile,
"There's not much to do when you're a Queen," She stuck a childish tongue out, "All I do is stay where my people can see me, play a few games or walk and bath. They keep me amused" She grinned "But sometime it can be sooo boring" She laughed,
"In the past, I could just send the army out and do something with it. That's not an option anymore though" She laughed again, gently scrubbing at her top half, "I guess I must be really boring to you"

"I guess I must be really boring to you"
"Not at all!" Si exclaimed. "I stand by what I said earlier, you really are one of the most energetic, life-filled people I've ever met. You've made the right choice in welcoming the Alversians here to Mysan: The restoration of the city and the training of your troops proves that. I only hope relations between Mysan and Xiscapia can be as good." He finished somewhat wistfully. There was so much to be done, so many problems had to be overcome, before the kitsune brethren could begin forging ties with each other. But to be honest, despite everything that had happened, Si wouldn't trade his place here and now with anyone else in the universe.

The Queen smiled again happily then slowly began to scrub herself below the waterline,
"And you, Ambassador Si," She grinned cheekily, "What can you tell me about yourself?"

"What can you tell me about yourself?"
"Well," Si began, considering, "I'm thirty-two years old, in the employ of the Kitsune Empire as an Ambassador. I was born on Xiscapia, on the continent of Forworn, raised in Poshik and educated in Lune, a city on the continent of Padga. As a kid I was a bit of a slacker, all the teachers said I could do better than my B or C average if I would only apply myself. But school in general didn't interest me, except for history, and later, government and psychology. I studied, actually, to become a political critic in journalism, but I got interested in diplomacy and ended up in the Xiscapian Diplomatic Corps Academy. Once I graduated it was pretty quiet, and I spent my days reading and writing and musing over matters of Imperial Palace policy." He laughed. "It all seems rather silly now, but I felt it was important then. My first few assignments were basic, negotiating with alien citizens on certain laws and mediating between government offices and whatnot, all on-planet stuff. I got really bored, though, because at this time there was a war on, we were fighting the Rebellion and the Imitators..." He caught her expression. "Long story, that, but I can tell you about it or send you some files later. Strange, but I longed to leave Xiscapia and travel the stars, making a royal ambassadorial success of myself. Finally one day I was called upon to be the resident Ambassador aboard a warship, the Battleship XIW Smoke. It was the flagship of the Third Assault Fleet, going to fight the Imitators. There was a lot of really fascinating intergalactic politics going on in that war, but my perspective was from the inside. I and a Alversian Admiral managed to persuade one of our allies, well, our ally at the time, to cease their genocidal campaign against a race that was a part of their population. I got an award for it, later, when I returned to Xiscapia. But by then I'd left all my dreamy, dreary politic mongering behind and now I saw what being an Ambassador is about: Helping people." Si smiled. "When Xiscapia received word from the Alversians about Mysan and this whole situation, they dispatched me here because they knew I knew this."
Si was silent for a time, looking into the water without seeing it, lost in thought. "I guess it's my turn to say I must seem pretty boring," he smiled in amusement. "My schooling and job hasn't left me much time for recreation, when I spent all my time trying to just keep up with the news and understand all the policies. I suppose," he looked at her, arching an eyebrow, "that someone will just have to teach me how to have fun."

"You're the opposite of boring silly!" Krystic laughed and splashed him playfully with water before listening intently to what he had to say,
"You have no time for fun and I have nothing else to do" She stroked her chin in a mocking way,
"Perhaps we can learn more from each other than you may think" She stuck her tongue out again,
"My Captain informed me that you were mumbling in the desert, something about 'mine'. Care to clarify that for me?" She asked politely glancing at him with yellow eyes, "I want to know as much about you and your people as I can"

"My Captain informed me that you were mumbling in the desert, something about 'mine'. Care to clarify that for me? I want to know as much about you and your people as I can"
"Mine?" Si seemed momentarily confused. "I was very distressed at the time: I'd lost my sword, see, my katana. I have to reclaim it somehow, or forge a new one. Without I feel...naked." He chuckled sadly. "The katana sword is a vital part of any Xiscapian. Their family forges it for them, they make the hilt and sheath and blade and everything, and present it to them when they turn to be an adult, at twenty-one years of age. By my honor I am mandated to take it back, but-"
He paused while his mind caught up with his mouth. "Oh!" He gasped, embarrassed. "Mine! Land mine!" He laughed, genuinely this time. "The kitsune, back in the bandit camp, General Marxius, told me his plan to destroy the Alversians. See, he had this field, right before a mountain and it was full of mines. He said the Alversians would march onto the field and be decimated and torn apart by the explosions, and then bandit Calvary would charge from the mountain and finish off the survivors. I told him they would never be that stupid, but he said they had no control over where they went, and the Dromintine call all the shots." He gazed at Krystic. "Is it true? Do the Alversians really have to submit to going wherever Dromintine Generals like Doblo tell them to go? Will they be sent into a trap?"
Or perhaps I was supposed to be the bait for that trap. He thought to himself.

Krystic listened and laughed as she heard about the katana sword, she had never owned one. She never could, there were no materials in the desert to make any and so she contented herself with an Alversian Officer's sabre.
Then she heard about the mine and her delicate complexion blanched,

"The Alversians have little to no say where the troops are sent. They take control in the field but they are directed by a combined Council of war from all Kingdoms. So no, they have little say" She looked upset, changing her entire demenour, all energy and eagerness had evaporated. She suddenly looked deeply depressed. Then she brightened up again,

"However, I think the Alversians will put their foot down with regards to this and now it is time to retire for the night. Would you like me to show you to your room?" She asked eagerly, "It's right next to mine"

"However, I think the Alversians will put their foot down with regards to this and now it is time to retire for the night. Would you like me to show you to your room? It's right next to mine."
Si looked relieved. "Good. I'm glad they can at least dictate not to be sent into a trap. My room is next to yours?" They must trust me a lot...or have a lot of guards. "That will be fun...but I've got to know," his stomach beat him to it with a loud growl, and Si smiled, "do you think you could have a plate of food sent to be quarters? I haven't eaten since yesterday."

"Sure!" Krystic gave her youthful, enchanting grin again then slowly and relectantly emerged from the bath, putting her long robe back on again. As she got out however, and began to slide it back on, a series of fading red scars were evident across her back.

She turned to face Si again and smiled,
"C'mon, I can show you now" She grabbed his arm and began to gently drag him like a child through the corridors. When they were in the corridors and around other people, she let go of him and managed to control herself again.

Si let out a sharp intake of breath as he saw the young kitsune Queen's scars, fortunately unheard by her. They looked as though they had been relatively deep, an angry red, but faded by time. After clothing himself once more Si allowed himself to be led down the halls before Krystic assumed a more dignified posture. He wasn't sure if he should ask about her injuries: Perhaps they were battle wounds, or her parents had beaten her when she was a child? It could be a sensitive subject.
Still, Si's curiosity got the better of him, and he looked at Krystic, cocking his head. "My Lady, I hope you don't mind this personal question," he said quietly, "but in the bath I saw your scars, on your back. What...?" He trailed off, leaving the unspoken question hanging in the air.

Krystic smiled but behind the smile, her eyes were sad and dull for the first time, she was silent for a long way, the first real time she had been silent. No interest in Si but more lost in her own thoughts. Before she could answer, they were at the quarters,
"I could tell you my story, Ambassador," She replied ruefully, "but it's late and I would prefer to sleep first" She looked as thought that was the last thing she wanted, "I shall speak to you in the morning"

So she retired to her bedroom and Si did the same. As by his request, food was sent up and soon the whole palace feel silent for the night. The only sounds were of stray birds or animals and the jackboots of Sentries marching up and down in the cold night air.

But they were joined by another noise, a faint one, barely audible to any but a kitsune's sensitive hearing. A young voice, quietly but earnestly pleading between the thin walls,

"Please, I'm sorry, I won't do it again, don't hurt me, I'm really really sorry, I swear on Qonn I won't do it again, please don't hurt me again, I didn't mean to do it"

This would continue for a considerable time until eventually, it just died away.

Then that morning, a rather tired Krystic arrived in the private dining hall of the palace, wearing just thin shorts and a bra,
"Morning," She said tiredly to Sio, sitting at the table, "How did you sleep?"

OCC: Incoming TG Xiscapia

Si had not slept well. The events of the day before had left him exhausted, but he had not been able to get sleep. The Ambassador had worried over the Dromintine control, the bandits in the desert, his place here at Mysan and most of all, what seemed to be a troubled past of Krystic, the bright young Queen. He had finally fallen into a restless slumber, but nightmares prowled his dreams, even now in waking hours stubbornly clinging to his mind and lurking at the edges of his thoughts, unwilling to wisp away like the specters they were. He had dreamed of Alversian soldiers, every one of them having Mendez's face, being ordered by Doblo raging about untrustworthy, cowardly kitsune as the Alversians marched to their death into the laughing maw of General Marxius and black cloaked shapes burned Mysan into glass. These horrors had been punctuated by Krystic's tiny voice, "Please, I'm sorry, I won't do it again, don't hurt me, I'm really really sorry, I swear on Qonn I won't do it again, please don't hurt me again, I didn't mean to do it", and the distant roar of dusty wind over empty, lifeless plains like the howl of a huge, consuming beast.
"How did you sleep?"
"Alright," Si lied, sitting at the table dressed in a light, tan tunic provided by palace staff. "And you?" He wondered if she would lie back to him, or tell the truth. Either way, he couldn't let his previous question go unanswered for long. Whatever memories his reminding Krystic of her old wounds had dredged up had to be silenced, for the sake of her...and Mysan.

Krystic had had far from a good night's sleep herself. She never had a good sleep for as long as she could remember. She saw the Ambassador from Xiscapia and knew instantly that he had had as bad a sleep as she had. She could tell it in other people,
"I slept better than I normally do" She admitted, "However, it was a usual night for me, usual nightmares..." The young Queen fell silent and her eyes dropped to her breakfast.

For all his diplomatic skills, Si didn't know what to say. He was not really equipped to deal with this situation. Working out complicated policies, analysing complex official wording, mediating between two angry sides of an issue, coming to an agreement? Yes, and more. Coaxing a young Queen to tell him her troubles and finding a way to resolve them? Not so much.
Nightmares, he wanted to say, but he didn't push the issue. Krystic would tell him when she was ready. Still, her glum mood change from her normally active, excited self put a damper on conversation like a coffin lid onto a beetle.
"What's..." Si faltered, and bulled on ahead, "for breakfast?" Then he was immediately embarrassed, feeling himself redden with humiliation. What was he doing? He might as well discuss the Qonndamned weather!
OOC: Be back in anywhere from half an hour to an hour and a half.

"Usual," Krystic muttered mutely, her own face reddening with embarressment, "Waffles and a few small side dishes" She too was silent for a long while and the awkward silence filled the room.
Then Krystic exhaled deeply and slowly closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them she looked around the hall,
"Please leave us" She stated to the Servants and Guards in the hall. They looked uncertain but did as they were ordered by their Queen. Soon they were alone in the vast hallway,
The young Kitsune was quiet for another while before glancing up at Si,
"You wanted to know...about the scars on my back and the nightmares I relive every night?" She asked, almost calmly but with a great deal of effort.

"You wanted to know...about the scars on my back and the nightmares I relive every night?"
Si nodded mutely, feeling wretched. "If you don't want to tell me, that's fine." He said softly. "You have to be ready. What is said cannot be unsaid. I don't want to push you."

"No, Ambassador" It was the first time Krystic had used Si's official name, "There is no time like the present, you need to know, although no one outside this room must hear of this"

She took a deep breath before beginning,

"The desert is a harsh place, harsh to live in and harsh to survive in. The people get on with what they have and assume, because you are born higher than them in the kingdom then your life is easier. To the people, all they would see was my Father passing away, my uncle taking control as Steward then my succession and his death a year into my reign. To them, nothing out of the ordinary" The Queen smiled at this,

"When my father announced his heir, there was a great deal of controversy in the palace followers. Men had spent decades getting close to the King in the hope he would name them his heir. My Father was insistant that I become the new Queen of Mysan. The followers of my father had fought each other for years but now they had a target against which they could unite. Me. When my father 'passed away' I was still too young by law to take control and so my Uncle, the King's brother, became Steward to the throne until I was of age."

Krystic shivered sadly,

"He was determined that I not raise up to be a challenge to his rule. He tried to force any will to rule from me by using the most inhumane treatments imaginable. He kept me locked in a cage until it was time for feeding, he had me whipped for the smallest things, hence these,"

She showed Si her scars again,

"When I finally came of age and became Queen, I was his slave in all but name. I was unprepared for rule. My uncle had not taught me what I needed to know so I leant on him heavily. I appointed who he said, enacted his laws, promoted his generals, fought his wars and sacked his enemies. I did as he said and thought as he ordered me to think. I was too afraid of punishment to argue"

She sighed, shaking her head sadly at the memories,

"Finally, he died and I was free from my Uncle's influence. I could make my own decisions and decided I owed it to my people to make their lives as free as possible. Hence an Alversian alliance" She sighed and shook her head,

She looked over at Si and gave another sad smile,
"Now you know of my past," She said, looking at her food, "What do you think of me now as a Ruler"

Si said nothing as Krystic told him of her past. He simply gazed at her in silence as he listened.
"What do you think of me now as a Ruler?"
"Quite frankly, mi'Lady," said Si, "I think it is simply amazing that you have come though as you have. A weaker person would have given up in despair or committed suicide long ago. Your strong-will, good spirit and kindness now are a testament to your personality even after being subjected to abuse and and servitude. I am humbled by your story." He smiled. Krystic truly was a great Ruler, despite all that she had been though. Even after being forced by her uncle to do things his way, she clung to what she knew was right and turned it all around when she gained power. Astonishing.

Si said nothing as Krystic told him of her past. He simply gazed at her in silence as he listened.
"What do you think of me now as a Ruler?"
"Quite frankly, mi'Lady," said Si, "I think it is simply amazing that you have come though as you have. A weaker person would have given up in despair or committed suicide long ago. Your strong-will, good spirit and kindness now are a testament to your personality even after being subjected to abuse and and servitude. I am humbled by your story." He smiled. Krystic truly was a great Ruler, despite all that she had been though. Even after being forced by her uncle to do things his way, she clung to what she knew was right and turned it all around when she gained power. Astonishing.

Krystic smiled at him,
"When I go to sleep now, I have these nightmares ever night. The nightmares of what happened to me in the years I was under his abuse" She shivered, even this was more energetic, as if she was finally delighted to get the story off her chest, "I scream, cry and beg in my sleep all the time, I cannot help it" She shook her head and was silent for a while before springing up again again,
"Anyway" She exclaimed, "Enough about my pitiful life, what do you want to see today? There's a whole city to see!" She sounded delighted by the prospect, the problems of her past forgotten. Until the night came.

I must get a priest on-planet as soon as I can. thought Si. He or she will be able to cure the Queen. She should not have to toss and turn at night, haunted by her uncle and his beatings, for no wrong did she commit.
"Enough about my pitiful life, what do you want to see today? There's a whole city to see!"
Si wanted to say, I have never heard of a less pathetic life than yours, but he did not want to spoil Krystic's good mood. "Well, what major attractions are there about Mysan we could visit?" he asked, smiling back. It was good to have the excitable, enthusiastic girl he knew back again.

"Well, Krystic struck a mock, thinking pose, "We could look at the barracks, but you would find that really boring so maybe the springs in the south of the city? Or the crystal caves not too far from there? There are many many attractions in my little home" She gave another teasing grin,
"But first, I think I need to dress"

"We could look at the barracks, but you would find that really boring so maybe the springs in the south of the city? Or the crystal caves not too far from there? There are many many attractions in my little home"
"The springs and caves both sound wonderful," Si nodded in agreement. "We can take our little sight-seeing tour. But when we return, I'm afraid I will have to be, ahha, the responsible adult in the situation and get down to business." He stuck his tongue out at Krystic in an imitation of what she had been doing to him.
"But first, I think I need to dress"
"Ah, but many citizens of Xiscapia go about all natural." He winked suggestively with a wide grin, and got ready to dodge whatever she threw at him.

Krystic giggled in response to Si's childish act and obliged him by throwing a plate of waffles at where he would have been sitting but carefully aimed to miss him even if he did move from his position,
"Mr Si!" She announced in a highly indignant but mocking voice, "Do you suggest that the Queen of Mysan should parade herself in her nightware?" She laughed, "Sounds tempting but I can see my people's faces now...especially the men" She giggled again, "I shall only be a few moments, I suggest you get dressed as well" She laughed again and left the table, heading back for her room.

Si chuckled and picked up the plate and waffles off the floor, putting them back onto the table as he chewed the last of his breakfast. He returned to his room, putting on his day tunic, boots and robes (he noted his tunic and robes were freshly washed and ironed, and his boots fairly shone) before coming back down stairs to meet Krystic in the dining hall once more.

Krystic was again dressed in robes fit for a Queen. She was wearing a, tight light red dress which stretched as far as her ankles. However, a slit in each slide of the dress allowed people to see a narrow slit of the Queen's smooth skin as far as her thigh. She was also wearing a simple red choker tight around her neck and matching braclets on each wrists and anklets on each ankle. She was not wearing any shoes or footware.

"Ready?" She asked politely, "We'll walk there, it's quicker and more fun that way"

"Alright," Si agreed amiably, "that's a beautiful dress there. Slinky but royal, charming and attractive." He smiled. "Like it's wearer. Which is closer," he inquired as they began to leave, "the caves or the springs?"

The young Kitsune Queen blushed shyly at Si's compliments and her tail flickered nervously. She stopped and thought for a moment,
"The caves are closer and they're more fun as well" She admitted after a while, "It will only take ten minutes or so to reach them by foot" She seemed delighted by the chance to do something new. Her life was rather monotenious.

"It will only take ten minutes or so to reach them by foot"
"Let us went, then," Si said cheerfully as they exited the cool interior of the palace into the already heated desert air. "What kind of crystals are there, anyway?" he asked. Si knew of the Xiscapian's own Guilda crystals, energy crystals, and he had heard of a special kind of crystal that lightsabers blades sprung from. Would the caves hold as unique minerals as these?

"I'm not actually what kind of crystal they are," Krystic frowned for a moment as they walked through the packed streets towards a set of mountains to the east,
"I know they can provide power but also less...common qualities" She smiled at the thought as they walked, "I always found that stuff really boring" She giggled, "I always liked them for their beauty more than their physical value"

Si nodded as they made their way though the throng of almost entirely kitsune, passing though a marketplace. Vendors cried their objects of value and prices and buyer and seller hotly negotiated prices while children laughed and played among the general hubbub that was shopping. Si noticed that the kitsune here did not have the near definition of an Xiscapian, the katana, and many wore light, flowing brighter colored clothing and had sandals or went barefoot. Thus he stood out in his deep purple robes with black shoulder clasps and dark boots. It was an incredible contrast to the dark, occasionally gloomy and often cold mean streets of Tenfour or the rainy, overcast capitol city of Rio Casa with greenery bursting from every crack and patch of dirt. He smiled wistfully. Despite the attacks and attempt on his life here, not to mention the heat and dust, Si rather liked Macronia, and Mysan in particular.

Soon, they were through the crowd and in a quieter part of the city. It was strange that none stopped to even acknowledge Queen Krystic's safety or presence but then they saw the young Queen as one of them, one of the people. Although it was a city, Mysan was a close-knit community.

When they reached the caves at the far end of the city. Krystic turned and smiled at Si, her normal, youthful radiance having returned after the morning's gloom,
"How's your sense of balance?" She teased, her tail swiching teasingly as she did so.

"How's your sense of balance?"
Si's tail flicked in reply. "I've managed to fall on my face fewer times than the average teenager in my youth, so I'd say it's pretty good. Why," he grinned, "is a traipse act coming up or what?" Si had noticed to distinct lack of notice or guards about the Queen, but presumably they were so close to the city that nothing could harm her here.

Krystic gave her traditional giggle at the reply and indicated to the roof of the cave,
"The fragments of crystal are slippery and quite dangerous if you can't keep your feet in extreme situations" She laughed, "Luckily, we kitsune seem to have this ability, our big clumsy Alversian friends don't." She laughed again at their misfortune, then bounded playfully into the deep, dark mouth of the cave,
"C'mon!" She called back up, her light voice echoeing already, "don't want to be left behind!"

"C'mon! Don't want to be left behind!"
Si laughed at the description of Alversians as "clumsy." Big, yes. Clumsy? Maybe not as graceful as a kitsune, but he guessed to someone who had been around kitsune nearly her entire life would find the ease with which most humans could be tripped up amusing. "Let's just see if you can keep up once I get going!" he called back, trotting away into the blackness that was, nevertheless, easily illuminated under his night vision.
OOC: In the "Celebration" thread, you character's kind of being attacked, so you might want to make a post.

As they got deeper and deeper into the dark cave, it seemed like there would be no end to the series of steep ledges and ravines that they passed. Krystic danced through them easily, as if they weren't there. She was enjoying herself, almost sprinting down the narrow corridors. Just as soon as it seemed like they would never reach their destination, they arrived.

It was the most magnificant cave in all the land. It was like a giant upturned bowl in shape with vicious looking, jagged rocks hanging from her roof. However, the cave was illuminated brighter than the desert day outside for there seemed to be a layer of gleaming white crystals throughout the cave floor and climbing up her walls. All were as clear as glass and their light merged into one being.

Krystic gasped at the sight she saw,
"Beutiful" She whispeed to herself, in awe of the sight before her.

Si followed Krystic easily, if with less enthusiasm, not knowing the way. He could only follow glimpses and wisps of her as she turned corners and disappeared around edges, like chasing a giggling ghost. But when he finally caught up with her, the playful tease he was about to utter died on his lips as he stared at the crystals. There was hundreds of them. No, thousands, probably hundreds of thousands.
"Wow..." he murmured, stepping to the edge to look down into the pit. He felt the sharp, carved crystals could probably slice a person to ribbons, but his eyes were inevitably drawn back to the bright light shining about the cavern, dancing and reflecting like a trapped star.

Krystic was still staring out at the crystals herself, illuminated in a harsh light not seen outside the cave. She smiled to herself again and settled down, as if not able to see Si yet. She slowly lowered herself down as if she was about to drop to the bottom of the cave. With a deep breath, she let go of the ledge.

With that, she was seemingly levitating in mid-air above the crystallite floor. She looked up at Si, smiling and laughing,
"Come on down" She invited, seemingly skating along in mid-air. However, a closer look would permit one to see a layer of crystal on which the Kitsune was standing. Like a layer of transparent floorboards.

Si had not been watching Krystic, and he only took notice when she began to hang from the ledge.
She's going to fall! She's decided to commit suicide anyway! His mind screamed, and with a cry of "Krystic!" Si launched himself forward to grab her hands just as she let go. His momentum carried him so his face was looking over the side of the ledge at Krystic somehow standing on apparently thin air.
"Come on down"
"Uh...guh?" Si was momentarily struck dumb as he stared at her, evidently not dead and smiling. With some confusion Si carefully lowered himself to the thin, transparent crystal floor, wobbling slightly as a sense of vertigo threatened to overwhelm him. Finally he caught his balance and just stood in awe. "This is amazing," he whispered, "is is naturally formed?"

"As far as we can tell, yes" Krystic laughed as Si wobbled on the surface. It was obvious that he was not used to the sensation of looking like he was standing in midair while being supported quite securely.
Krystic was even able to skate across the surface of the floor, due to her lack of footwear, she performed a few moves before returning to Si's side,

"I used to come here all the time" She remarked casually looking up at more crystals securely embedded in the roof of the cavern, "to escape from my life for a few hours"

"I used to come here all the time, to escape from my life for a few hours"
"Who else knows about this?" asked Si, taking off his boots and throwing them onto the ledge. He moved forward a little, skidded, slipped, righted himself, then twisted a bit too far and ended up in a heap on the nearly invisible floor. He laughed as he pushed himself back up, wobbling a little bit more as he tried to get used to the low-friction surface.

Krystic giggled and laughted at the sight of Si trying to glide as gracefully across the surface as she was. She began to perform certain moves and dances as if to emphasise her own skill.
"Everyone knows the caves are here and everyone knows these crystals are here" She answered to him while dancing more on the ice, "but I am the only one who knows you can dance above the light" She grinned and spun towards him, tail following her in a small circle.

"but I am the only one who knows you can dance above the light"
There was something wonderfully poetic about those words, enough to make Si forget his own problems. He watched Krystic as she made the slide an art, pulling off complicated maneuvers and literally dancing circles around him. Shakily he managed to balance out, then, in a surprising rush of speed, glided along to her on a direct crash course. "Betcha didn't think I'd learn so quickly!" he crowed, grinning as he caught her, spinning the young kitsune away like a toy top.

Krystic spun away in delight, finishing it with a complicated leap and twist that almost seemed impossible yet seemless when completed by the thin and agile Kitsune. She stopped a little way of from Si and glanced over him like a teacher would a student,
"You are a quick Learner, Ambassador" She nodded in strict approval, an image ruined by her protruding tongue, teasing Si as ever, "I wonder if all our intergalactic brothers can glide and move with the grace of the ice" She smiled and began to twist and turn again in more elegant and graceful moves.

"I wonder if all our intergalactic brothers can glide and move with the grace of the ice"
"Most," Si admitted with a smile. "Or, I think they could, if they could get onto this or ice. With a little time and effort, they could reach my level easily, but I believe you've spent years doing that." He nodded to her in respect. "Many a swordmaster, gymnast or ice skater would probably give their left lung for your skill." He moved a bit and let his momentum carry him across the frictionless world, moving in a slow, wide circle, pushing off occasionally for a light spin or twist.

Krystic gave another delighted smile at the compliment from Si, the smile of a young girl who had never received many compliments in her life,
"I liked to escape to here when I was younger," She explained, gliding gently now, rather than dancing, "I found the coolness and calmness of this place a welcome distraction from a less than friendly world outside" She lowered herself onto her back and began to spin there, looking up at the crystal roof,

"I used to dream that I could spend all my life here. That my uncle and his friends could not find me here and I could dance all day and night instead of being locked in a cage for the day" She sighed happily as she spun

"A time to mourn, a time to dance," murmured Si, and at her questioning look just shook his head. "It's the title of a very old piece of Xiscapian literature, found on another world. It's details the life of a dancing girl, written by her and finished by a scribe, under a harsh master. He considered her a play thing for his enjoyment, and she danced for him, but hated him so. She had had dreams of luxury and handsome men, but instead received a dark dungeon and ugly, alien males. One day he called her into his chambers, and she danced like she had never danced before. She danced for the sorrow her life had become, for love and hate, for dreams crushed by the cold reality, and then she died. The scribe who finished the book was a kitsune captured in some war or another, and he had been locked in a tall tower, forced to record all of the rich masters horrible deeds. The prisoner kept birds, and even though they ate his food and messed up his bedding he sheltered them and let them fly though the tiny window that was his only glimpse to the outside world. He kept them, even though they showed him no respect or love and did nothing for him, and until the day he died he never stopped watching them. It was all very sad." Si said as he recalled the lessons they'd had on it in some class or another, back in school. It seemed, in places, to similarly parallel Krystic's situation.

"Sounds very similiar to someone I know" the young Queen remarked sadly, as she spun and played for another long while, still dancing around Si as she performed the dance moves of a lifetime. She was really enjoying her time here, as she always did and it showed on her face,
"I can't hang on events from the past but they're such a big part of who I am" She remarked sadly, "And there are still side effects I struggle with today" She sighed then began to dance again, more slowly and mournfully.

"I can't hang on events from the past but they're such a big part of who I am. And there are still side effects I struggle with today"
"We all have things we'd like to forget," said Si. "Our past, for better or for worse, defines who we are. If you'd been a pampered Princess under your father's wing, would you be the same person you are today?" He cocked his head. "Understand I am not saying any of what happened to you is good or right, or even justifiable. But I don't believe I would be here today if you had not been as strong as you are, or had never been given the opportunity to show it. We have to accept what was and move past it, so we can change what is to be what we want it to be in the future."

"Easy to say, less easy to do" Krystic admitted with a great deal of sorrow before leaping up again, looking around her in delight,
"I think I can hear company" She announced with mischievious glee. She pushed Si down so he was flat on the surface, a hurried finger to her lips to indicate he should be quiet.
Then she moved forward and balanced on the edge of the ledge as Lucius stumbled around the corner. His fox-likeys widened in horror at, what he thought was a sheer drop and his Queen balancing over the edge of it. His pace quickened, turning into a panicked sprint as he got closer to her.

Krystic gave a deep sigh and pushed off from the edge, falling a mere few centametres, to the Cavalry Captain, it looked as though she had just dropped to the floor below.
"Majesty!" Lucius screamed as he dived over the edge. The look on his face turned from horror to confusion as he found himself glancing at a laughing Krystic suspended in mid-air. Then he landed painfully on his stomach.

"Sorry, Captain," Krystic helped him up with rueful glee, "I couldn't help myself"

"Of course not Ma'am" Lucius rubbed his stomach and his nose while looking at Si with mild good nature, "I see our brothers can fly as well" He remarked dryly before turned back to the kitsune queen,
"Your presence and that of Ambassador Si is required in the city, an important message has arrived from General Owens at the Alversian Camp."

Krystic glided back to Si and helped him up before gliding to the ledge and hauling herself effortlessly up.

Si could not help but burst out laughing at the dignified Captain's expression at being hoodwinked, not to mention that his position was essentially identical to the one Si had found himself if minutes before. At Lucius's glance he sputtered and shook his head. "A thousand apologies, Captain, but evenly you have to admit it was immensely amusing. I did the same thing, you know."
"Your presence and that of Ambassador Si is required in the city, an important message has arrived from General Owens at the Alversian Camp."
"General Owens?" Si said as they began to walk back though the dim caverns. "Does he know I made it here safely? What does he want with us?"

"He has an important message that is for both of you, he is aware that you have made it and he is also aware that Captain Mendez is dead" Lucius reported as they emerged from the caves into, what was comparibly a dull sun filled day.

Soon they were in the palace again and the message was summed up for them by Bywater,
"Well Ma'am, Ambassador" He nodded to both as they entered, "It seems that our warships have detected a new funnel in the atmospheric storm, a small one, only big enough to transmit a message and nothing more. However, it is located on the northern ridge," He saw Krystic's shoulders slump and he knew why,

"I know that area is currently under Bandit control, but it seems like the new Mysan Army gets it's debut. We are to clear this part of the ridge and meet with Dromintine troops coming the other way"

Krystic shiverd with both enthusiam and sorrow,
"So when is the operation?" She asked Bywater, very much the ruler again.

"As soon as I can get the troops assembled," Bywater was already thinking hard about where he was going to take this and where the Kitsune for the operation would come from.

Krystic turned to Si and smiled,
"It seems you may get to contact your people sooner than you thought" She smiled at him in a happy but nervous way. Nervous of what would be said of her and her people.

"It seems you may get to contact your people sooner than you thought"
"This sounds a risky operation," Si looked around at those assembled. "Forgive me, but the Mysan Army is as of yet untested in combat. The Dromintine, if my experiences with them is anything to go by, cannot be trusted, and the bandits not only know the terrain but are deeply entrenched, experienced and well-trained from combating not only every Army on the Plains but also the Alversian Army. Not to mention they outnumber any given force here by at least five to one." His face had hardened. "I am only an Ambassador: I am not a soldier, nor a general or royalty. But the payoff for victory here is small: A portal for a message. And if the Army is defeated, it could mean disaster not only for Mysan, but for the Alversians operations on this planet. What I am asking you is: Is this worth it?" This was directed to Bywater. "Are you and your men ready?" To Lucius. And: "Are you prepared to take the consequences of failure in this operation?" to Krystic.
Si knew he was not reflecting a hopeful demeanor. But the odds were stacked against his friends and comrades, and he did not want to see them throw it all away on such a chance.

The trio listened to Si respecfully then Krystic looked to Bywater and Lucius, frowning
"Well gentlemen?" She asked, "Is it worth it?" She looked from one to the other.

Bywater and Lucius glanced at each other for only a moment before nodding,
"It would mean constant contact with Alversian forces as well as the other Armies on the plains" Lucius explained, "It now takes four days for a message to reach the Alversian Camp from here but we could do it instantly with this small funnel."

"With regards to the bandits, they are holding the hill on which this is located not far from the city," Bywater took over, "We think there are about 8,000 Bandits entrenched along both sides of the hill. I would recomend sending 7 of the Companies that have been retrained with artillery support and they should be able to secure the summit," He knew that they would be outnumbered for this mission, 3,500 Kitsune against 8,000 Bandits.

"If it if the Dromintine Regular Army then we can be assured they will take the summit eventually, although in what state they are when they reach it will depend on timing"

Both Lucius and Bywater now looked to Krystic for approval or rejection and she looked like she was geniunely struggling with the decision.

Si was grim. It was a huge task to put on three and a half thousand kitsune, even with artillery support and allies coming from the opposite direction. They had better be sure the Mysan Army is as well trained as they think. This is the first test: It could be the deciding factor, whether Mysan rises into a power on the Plains or sinks into obscurity once more. He looked at Krystic. She seemed to be debating with herself, and Si suddenly wondered whether he should have spoken at all. It was, ultimately, up to her, but as a new and now close friend, Si had a perfect position into her ear. But she had spent half her life being told to do one thing while wanting to do another: Something had to give.
What would she choose?
And, more importantly, would it be the right choice?

Krystic bit her lip and stared from Lucius to Bywater to Si. She was obviously torn between the two options that were open to her. Test her new Army with such a difficult mission or remain here and isolated from any outside contact. It would have been a tough decesion for a leader who knew what her people wanted and what was required of her.

Krystic did not have that benefit, nor of experience or teaching. Her Uncle had not seen fit to teach what she would need for being a ruler and she was as unprepared as any leader could be. True, she was enthuiastic and caring but that did not make up for her lack of experience.

Not for the first time, Krystic cursed how her life had gone. How her father had perished and her Uncle had so badly treated her. Now she was having to lead with her heart rather than her head. It did not matter so much with minor troubles but in this case, thousands of lives were resting on her decision. She had no idea which was right.

Her natural instincts told her to obey the most authouritive voice in the room, thinking back to the days when her uncle only had to speak and his words would become law. She was still thinking along those lines even now. Her fear of punishment drove her to accept Si's words as fact and, therefore, law.

She shook her head viciously, startling the two Commanders who were standing in front of her,
"Very Well, Major" She slowly nodded to Bywater, "Prepare the troops for attack. You have my leave to use what forces you need to ensure victory"

Bywater and Lucius nodded in relief, bowed to the Queen then backed out of the room, already discussing Units and plans.

Krystic turned to Si sadly,
"I should have said no" Her voice was full of regret and doubt, "I should have waited"

"I should have said no, I should have waited"
"Your decision is your decision," said Si simply. "Today will either be remembered by your people forever as a day of glorious victory, or be forgotten into the bog of Time. If you are going to change your mind, I suggest you do it now, while the situation is still changeable. For all my opinion is worth, though, I actually do believe that your Army will defeat the bandits on that hill." He stepped closer to her. "Bywater and Lucius both seem competent commanders. They won't led your kitsune wrong."

"You think so?"

Krystic looked up at him with a great uncertainty. She again looked hesitant and all sense of enthusiasm and delight had long since evaporated for now she showed her greatest weakness, an appalling lack of self-confidence with regards to ruling. Something her Uncle whipped into her from an early age.

She felt Si near to her and shook her head again,
"I don't know" She whispered desperatly, "I dont know what to do"

"I don't know, I dont know what to do"
"You need to be certain!" Si's tone also took on a sense of urgency, but it was different than hers, nearly shouting. "History has shown us throughout the ages that battles have been won or lost, treaties signed or rejected, major decisions altered radically because of the will of a leader! If you make a decision, and you think it is right, stand by it! If you may a decision, and you later feel it wrong, try and change it, or at least apologise and deal with the consequences! You cannot afford to shy away from making decisions! It's what being a leader is all about!"

"It's what being a leader is all about!"

"I know!" Krystic burst suddenly, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes, "But I don't know" Her eyes dropped to the floor in dejection, "I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I spent my life as a servant to others, relying on them to make my decisions for me," She settled down in a chair, still not looking at Si,

"On one hand, I could be opening a constant contact with our allies in the plains as well as opening a gap to other Kingdoms to the north. But then," She shook her head violently, "I could be sending thousands of my people to their deaths, the people are looking to me for leadership and I can't pick which one"

Tears began to silently roll down her cheeks and hit the floor around her. She did not sob but she was struggling to keep herself under control.

Oh Qonn...
This is exactly what Si had been fearing. He had no idea of how to deal with this sort of thing. He bit his lip, quite taken aback, and just stood helplessly for a moment as Krystic's teardrops splashed to the Palace floor. Hesitantly he walked over to her and, pulling up a chair, sat beside the young, scared kitsune, putting his arms around her so she could bury her face into his robes. "You chose right," he whispered, "I'm sure of it."
And he held her quivering body close, feeling the vibrations on her silent sobs, and felt the string of tears of his own gathering at his eyes. He blinked them away, determined not to cry as she was.
Qonn, please let her choice be the right one.

Krystic felt the comforting arms of Si wrap around her and she instantly buried her head in his chest, sobbing into his robes. She couldn't help herself, she was not experienced enough to know if she had made the right decision and she was terrified of what would happen if her attack failed.

She lacked confidence already and a failure would destroy any faith she had built for herself since her Uncle's death. It was hard to forget the Queen had only just come of age and was facing tough decisions for a hardened leader much less a young girl.

24 Hours Later...

Krystic sighed and stared down from her courtyard balcony with a great nervousness and fear. She had finally allowed Si to comfort her before withdrawing to her quarters for the night. Same bed, same nightmares, same cries throughout the night, like a neverending circle.

She was looking down on thousands of Kitsune, arranged in neat formations, each with armour and weapons gleaming. They were facing the nearby gate, ready for the command to march to battle in the early morning sun. An air of nervousness reigned over the balcony, with only a few Kitsune and Si with her.

"Time to go" She whispered to herself as the troops began to move forward at a slow pace, the formations broken every so often by great guns pulled along by horses.

"How did you sleep?" She asked Si again, like a little habit she had gained. Her own stance suggested she had not slept a wink.

"How did you sleep?"
"Not well," Si admitted. "I was nervous all night, wondering about today." Not to mention I was afraid to fall asleep. he thought to himself. Si had not wanted to revisit the nightmares he had had before, so he kept himself up nearly all night and had slept only fitfully for a few hours. "Are you ready?" He leaned in closer to her, privately from the others sharing the balcony. "Remember, you are a symbol of the people. If you are strong, they will feel strong. You must put on an act for them, and raise the moral." he muttered to her. "Your soldiers look to you for their fighting strength." He only hoped he was encouraging her, rather than weighing her down with reminders of responsibility.

Krystic listened to Si silently as her own troops began to file out through the gates, towards the hill on which they would make their combat debut. For better or worse, the young Queen knew she had committed her forces and it was too late to change it now.

"I didn't sleep at all" She revealled, "I dreamt I was being chased into my old cage by Bandits and my Uncle, telling me all the things he used to about my lack of skill and right to live"

She nodded as Si finished,
"I know what I have to do" She replied with a decisiveness that did not match her stance or appearance, her every breath was filled with tension and fear.
"I just hope Major Bywater's training is enough" Krystic knew the military defeats of the past still stung the people and the sight of a new Army had given them such a boost. Now Krystic had either reinforced that belief or destroyed it.

"Shall we go inside?" Krystic asked in a hollow voice, indicating to the palace as the last troops left the courtyard and vanished beyond the walls and into the desert, 3,500 Kitsune troops with another 1,000 in reserve in case the attack began to stall.

"Shall we go inside?"
Si nodded, and both walked from the balcony. He was glad she was showing some resolve, even if she was unsure in her heart. "Is there any way of viewing the battle remotely?" he asked. Si knew Xiscapian military were used to being able to see the battle as it happened, but it would be all too easy for cameras and drones to clog with dust and break down in this atmosphere. "I'd like to see how your kitsune fight, whichever way it goes."

"No," Krystic sighed heavily, "Any camera's or imagin equipment would be damaged by the dust, I think we could get one later but for now, there is nothing to do but wait" so she did.

The young Kitsune queen sat subdued in her chair and waited for what felt like hours. The distant rumbling sound of weapons being fired. The city was filled with a terrible tension and, already, small streams of wounded were being ferried back into the city on stretchers. Some looked bad and other appeared unharmed. Krystic refused to move from her chair, refused to eat and refused to drink. She just sat and stared straight ahead, lost in anxious and terrifying thoughts.

Si just sat with Krystic the whole time, rising only to use the bathroom one time and nervously pace the balcony the other. He had stared out across the barren wastes outside the city walls, where the soldiers, horses and artillery had departed to, but all he saw was teams of stretcher-bearers carrying wounded kitsune back from the battle. All was quiet in the city as it's citizens waited in apprehension, broken only by the muted boom of cannons. Now he was settled into a chair next to the Mysan Queen, waiting, like her, for news. He wondered as to the true effectiveness of the Army: Drills and small firefights were all very nice, but when a skirmish or large battle came, such as this one, things changed. Almost inevitably, a few of the soldier's resolve would break, leaving them helpless. A very few would fall into a kind of blood lust, and fight like demons. Most, though, would simply follow their training and orders and suspend all thought. In all probability, the Mysan Army would lose, or at least be stalled. Two things would win this day: Good use of tactics, and disciplined training. If the Commander was clever enough, and the troops hardened enough, they could win.
Time would tell.

It was well after dusk before any news came for the Queen and the city in general. Krystic had not moved for almost that entire time, sitting in her throne, not eating or sleeping. The lavish decorations, costing billions in granduer did not even effect her for once. She had more important things to focus on than a few crystal lights and marble floors.
Then a Kitsune bearing the rank of Captain entered the throne room and saluted to her Guards before bowing before Krystic herself. The young Kitsune looked as though she was about to faint,
"Well, Captain?" She asked, slightly hysterically, "What news from the battlelines?" A nervous air came over the crowd as the Captain took a deep breath.

And broke into a grin,

"The attack goes brilliantly ma'am" He reported with barely hidden glee, "The bottom section of the ridge has been taken with minimal casualties. The offensive has stalled for now against a series of Bandit strongpoints but we are confident they will be in Mysan hands before dawn tomorrow" He smiled at the Queen's delighted expression, "The Bulk of Bandit forces are in disarray and We should have our side of the ridge secured by nightfall tomorrow"
Krystic looked as though she wanted to hug the Soldier but he had more information to give her,
"And we have recieved a message from the Dromintine Commander on the other side of the ridge, he reports his men have broken through the Bandit line at several points and should be able to meet us at the top"

Krystic now had tears of joy in her eyes as she nodded to the Captain,
"Spread the news around the city, Captain, make sure the people know how their Husbands and Brothers fight on the ridge"

"Yes Ma'am" He bowed again before leaving.

When he was gone, Krystic got up, turned to Si and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly,
"We're winning" She said with delight, "We're winning!"

"We're winning!"
"Yarrgh!" said Si as his solar plexus was crushed in the Queen's enthusiasm. She released him and he took a breath before grinning widely. "You chose right, Krystic. Your forces have broken though and are well on the path to victory. May I offer my congratulations."
Si felt a bubble of happiness inside him. Krystic had chosen right, and now the Army was proving itself on the battlefield. She had taken the first step to restoring Mysan as a true power on this world, and shown herself to be, despite her severe lack of experience, an able ruler.
OOC: TG

Krystic looked as though she couldn't stop smiling with delight. She glowed with pride, both for herself and the troops who were restoring Mysan's name on the North Ridge, of course, this would be only a small taste of what would come and many more difficult battles would take place before Mysan could be at peace.

Then her smile dropped slightly as she glanced out the window,
"All those wounded people" She said, almost to herself. She gave a small sigh and looked up at Si,
"I want to go see them," She announced, "I want to go and visit them, at least let them know I'm grateful for what they've done."

"I want to go see them, I want to go and visit them, at least let them know I'm grateful for what they've done."
Si nodded. "Very good, your Majesty. Xiscapia's own commanders often visit those wounded in service to them personally. I believe our Head Admiral has done that many times. It is good to show the people you care, especially those who sacrifice so much for you and the state."
Si decided not to mention what happened to the Head Admiral during one of her visits: She was kidnapped, tortured, and nearly lost the use of her right leg before Black Guards stormed the room and freed her. Si didn't have much of a stomach for gore, but he wanted to go along anyway. It was important, as Xiscapia's Ambassador to Mysan, that he make appearances, and at any rate he too wanted to offer his thanks and condolences to the injured.

So they walked down through the darkened streets, between crowds of anxious kitsune, desperate to see if their relations or friends were amongst those being carried through the gates on stretchers. Even at the latest hour of the night, the distinctive rumblings of artillery and the buzzing of laserfire drowned out the night animal's cries. Krystic was able to merge with her people as always, this time the crowd did notice her and began to point and mutter at her as she glided elegantly through the Kitsune. The people seemed pleased that their leader should be here.

Krystic was able to easily bypass security to the field hospital with ease, the guards bowing to her as she entered. It was a simple but vast tent that had been erected to spare the wounded from the heat of the desert sun. Now, at this time of night, heaters had been set up at various points to warm up the beds in which Kitsune sat waited for treatment. Most did not seem to be bothered by their wounds and all were genuinely touched by their Queen's concern for their wellbeing. Most took their wounds as a badge of honour and so Krystic sat at the bedside of younger Kitsune, sharing jokes and talking of the field. Krystic moved from bed to bed, talking to the elder Kitsune who, as always, talked to the Kitsune more like a little sister than a great leader.

Then they came to a bed surrounded by curtains and Krystic yelped in horror at who she saw sitting up in the bed. It was Captain Lucius, sitting with a bandage wrapped around a blood-stained arm. He bowed again to the Queen as she entered the small curtained room, her bottom lip quivering,
"Lucius" She said in horror, "What happened to you?" She stared at his arm in horror.

"Blaster wound to the shoulder ma'am" The Kitsune Commander grunted in pain as he shifted slightly, looking at Si and Krystic, "lucky shot ma'am, when we were attacking the set of strongpoints"

"How is the battle going?" She asked him, still unable to take her eyes off the wound.

Lucius thought for a moment, "The Army really is proving magnificant," He was glowing with pride, the same as every soldier in the medical area, "No unit has reported more than a handful of casualties and the Bandits were fleeing this evening to their strongpoints. When I was escorted here, I believe the 4th Company had already breached the barriers in several places"

"Good, good," Krystic was silent for a moment before giving Lucius a delicate hug on his other side, Lucius blushed, "Get well soon" She said as she glided through the tent.

"It seems our troops are doing well," Krystic was blushing herself and every soldier in the tent suddenly seemed to have a beaming smile on their faces.

"It seems our troops are doing well,"
"Extremely well," Si agreed. "Most of the kitsune in there are not badly injured, and those that are seem to be holding up well. It appears, from what I have heard, that the bandits were not ready for an attack and fled in a disorganized fashion to their strongholds. The attack has been a huge success, and I suspect that before more than a day or so passes we will have a direct line to the Alversian camp."

"It's a shame though" the young Kitsune Queen sighed sadly, "I would have liked to see the troops in action for myself but there is a law to prevent me or any member of the Royal Family from visiting the frontlines of any battle" They were already moving back towards the palace, having been asked politely by some of the Queen's courtiers to retire to the palace for the night.

"I've been told to retire for the night," Krystic sounded reluctant and a little frightened of what nightmares would be encurred that night, she shivered and looked back at Si,
"Would you like to join me for a little midnight snack?" She asked, "I don't want to sleep and spoil my mood"

"Would you like to join me for a little midnight snack?"
"Of course," said Si, frowning as they continued along. "But why in all the galaxy aren't you allowed to view the front lines of any battlefield? Is it out of concern for your safety, or is there some cultural significance attached?"

Krystic frowned at the question,
"A bit of both really," She explained as they walked, "Of the past 15 Kings of Mysan, 3 have been killed while touring the frontline and 8 have been killed leading their armies to defeat. In each occasion of the King's death we were defeated. The people believe that Qonn has blessed the royal family and that he punishes us everytime we allow one to be killed. Hence, the Royal family is allowed nowhere near the frontline in case of death" She gave a rueful smile,
"I don't think I have been blessed, Qonn must have forgotten about me"

"And you?" She asked, "Your leaders are allowed into battle? What do you do if they are killed?"

"Your leaders are allowed into battle? What do you do if they are killed?"
"They are: The Head Admiral, one of our Mechanized Commanders, and both the Emperor and Empress have all fought alongside those they command on the field of battle. None of them have died in battle, and we are very careful to make sure those of high rank who enter a conflict as a warrior are well protected and trained extremely well. If one of them were to die, well, I suppose we'd appoint a new one. It's entirely their choice if they wish to fight in a battle or not, and the Emperor has been called crazy for entering fights when he doesnt need to." Si smiled benevolently. "As for Qonn, he knows what he's doing, trust me. As the universal god of kitsune, I think he's got the whole grand scheme thing down by now."

"I'm sure he has," Krystic smiled the smile of someone who was not truly convinced.
Soon, they were back at the palace and sitting on one of the royal balconies. This one had a view out into the desert, harsh shapes siloetted against the night sky. There were a selection of small snacks to be eaten as well. There was also a spectacular specticle below them.

Directly outside the city walls and beneath the balcony, were thousands of miniscule dancing lights, each moving and playfully jinking with other, like a living lightshow.

"Glowflies," Krystic expained the lights while never taking her eyes of them, "They come here every night to feed on the smaller creatures in the sand. I've never realised how beautiful they were until now"

"They come here every night to feed on the smaller creatures in the sand. I've never realised how beautiful they were until now"
"Such is the miracle of nature," Si said as he sampled a pastry from the platter balanced on the balcony edge. "They're like the stars lighting up the night sky." He looked up mournfully at the dust choked, hazy atmosphere above them. "I don't suppose you see many stars, living here with all the dust."

"No," Krystic replied sadly, "I've never seen more than two stars at a time, only through small patches in the duststorms" She sighed,
"I'm so jealous of you," she lay on her back and looked up at the dust filled sky, "You can leave anytime you like, go up and see the stars up close, go and touch them if you so desire, you dance amongst them while I see them only in my dreams." She sighed again,
"If I could, I would never sleep again"

OOC: Last post for tonight, I will be on tomorrow at some point but after that, no more NS for a fortnight :D

"If the Queen so desires," said Si quietly, "I am sure that at some time I could arrange a transport from here into space. You could travel to Alversia, and Illesia, and see Rio Casa on Xiscapia. The cherry blossoms are in bloom there..." Si squelched a momentary pang of homesickness. "It would not be difficult to realize your dreams and dance among the stars in reality."
OOC: Good luck, have fun, all the best. :)

Krystic looked delighted for a moment then shook her head sadly,
"I could never leave my people," She uttered, sighing in defeat, "Not yet anyway, I would love to see all those places you mentioned, but I think I shall remain in the desert for a while yet" She noticed his look and gave him a delicate smile,
"If it is not too difficult, can you please tell me about where you live? What is your home like?"

"If it is not too difficult, can you please tell me about where you live? What is your home like?"
Si considered this for a moment, staring at the distant light show that was the activities of the glowflies. "Different from here in almost every way." he said finally. "My home and workplace is at the capitol, Rio Casa. There it is cool, and often overcast rainy frequently, especially in the Fire Season. In the Death of the Death Season, all of the Ice Season and into the Birth of the Life Season it snows, and the ground is covered in frost. All the plants die or close up, and are reborn during the Life Season. We have some, although not many, skyscrapers, buildings far taller than anything here in Mysan, made of glass and steel. The population is mostly kitsune, but we do have quite a few Alversians and other aliens residing there. Ships and land vehicles are the norm there, carrying goods and people to other cities, other continents, and even into space to other planets. On a clear night the sky is covered in stars, and it endevors to be more light than darkness. We also have two moons, so when both are full it is nearly like daylight to a human." He gazed out now into the dark desert, feeling the chill wind roll across them. "There are similarities, between here and there. The baths, for example. They seem to be everywhere in both cities, and when we passed though the marketplace it could have been a accurate reinactment of virtually any Xiscapian bazaar."

Krystic nodded with wide eyes, nodding at everything Si said, she smiled at the delight the memories brought up for him. She stayed for a little longer then failed to suppress a yawn, she finished and looked at him for a moment,#

"I'm not tired," She insisted eagerly, then dissproved her own point by yawning again, opening her mouth wide and revealing one of her canines had been shattered along with several of her top teeth, all along one side. She smiled at him sadly,
"It seems not" She admitted with a sigh, "I guess I must sleep at some point"
She got up,
"I shall see you in the morning," She smiled at him with a cheeky smile and slipped through the door into her own bedroom.

Si smiled in amusement at her contradictory actions and statements. When he saw her broken teeth he opened his mouth to say something, but she had already slipped away, perhaps conscious of what she had shown him.
"I shall see you in the morning,"
"Uh," he stammered, "good night!" he called, watching her bedroom door as it shut. He pondered her injury for a time. What could have possibly caused it? If it was existing, he definitely would have noticed it, but the lack of dried blood or lacerations in her gums and flesh indicated it was not recent. Perhaps a casualty from her nightmares?
He wondered if he should ask about it. Obviously she had to be aware of it, but if she had not said anything perhaps she did not want it to be spoken of?
Confused, tired and more than a little worried, Si slipped off the balcony and padded away to his room.
That night he did not dream.

It was not until the next morning that Si was disturbed, this time by an elderly female Kitsune who acted as Krystic's chambermaid who shook his shoulder and opened the shutters of his windows to reveal the bright sun already saturing the plains with heat,

"A thousand apologies for waking you, Ambassador" She stated as she bowed to the Xiscapian, "But there is word for you from the front. The peak of the Northern Ridge has been taken and the General wants to know if you would like to broadcast a message to your superiors before the transmittor is closed for military purposes?" She scuttled from the room, silently closing the door behind her.

Outside the windows, there was almost complete silence, the city still slept after it's nervous and sleepless night and now it relaxed, with the news of a Mysan victory awaiting when they finally arose. Celebrations would last all night when news was recieved, all apart from a few families who would mourn the loss of a father or son during the brief battle.

However, in the silence of Si's room, a familiar voice could be heard through the thin wall, from Krystic's room,

"Please," The voice begged gently, almost sobbing, "Whoever's there please leave me alone. I want to sleep, I haven't done anything, please go away and leave me alone. I don't want any food now, please..." The tiny voice continued to beg softly, a constant loop with the same words each time.

Outside the door, two Mysan Troops waited in brand new Alversian-built and Mysan-designed armour. A sleek form of the Alversian standard armour, lighter and thinner to accommodate a Kitsune's smaller build with an expanded helmet to fit the fox-like ears and fox-tails protruding from the silvery armour. Each was also carrying a standard Alversian blaster rifle and waiting for Si to exit so they could escort him.

Si had turned over in his half-sleep and grunted as the chambermaid awoke him, but news of victory from the front had brought him wide awake and alert. As she exited he quickly dressed, standing up to go to the door before stopping. He heard the voice from Krystic's room, standing still and listening to the words several times over. He shook his head before opening his door and stepping out, giving a brief bow to the soldiers outside before looking around to Krystic's door.
There was no one there.
Maybe the soldiers...?
He turned his attention back to his escort, noticing how closely their armor resembled the dress armor of a XGA Grunt trooper. He would need to contact the Vanadict and report what had occurred on his mission so far, but first...
"Did you disturb the Queen?" he pointed to Krystic's door, feeling it was probably out of place for him to ask, but wanting to know if the response had been to someone actually outside her door...or in her nightmares.

"What Sir?" The Kitsune Troopers asked patiently through their helmets, "we can't hear through these helmets" They tapped on their heads and gave a small smile, neither knew what Si was talking about.

It was the elderly Kitsune who took Si by the arm and led him away from the Soldiers for a moment,
"The Queen is simply having a bad dream" She explained patiently, "But she doesn't want the people to know what she suffers every night so no one is allowed near her chambers without her own permission and Soldiers are not allowed to have their hearing switched on" She explained sadly, "The former Kings have all be given the nickname 'Mysan's Big Brother' a term to mean that the King always had a responsibility to the people. The Queen's nickname is 'Mysan's Little Sister', they feel the opposite, they want to protect her and she does not want them to worry with her problems"

She finished before looking over to the two Soldiers,
"I think you are wanted on the ridge" She bowed to him before shuffling into the Queen's room, shutting the door quietly behind her.

Si nodded, walking back to the soldiers as they led him along, deep in thought. The citizens found it necessary to want to protect their ruler, rather than vice versa. Krystic was so scared and sensitive. Didn't she realize that by dampening her guards hearing, she was reducing their effectiveness in protecting her? Someone could enter her chambers and unless enough noise was made to carry outside or to other sections of the palace, no one would know if she was kidnapped or assassinated until she didn't show up. She needed, Si decided, to be honest with her subjects. So what if they knew of her troubles? Si did, and he didn't think any worse of her, indeed, he admired her all the more for having come though them. They already knew her ailments, and if her citizens had known for so long, and she had ruled for so long without problem, wasn't it evident that their worry didn't adversely affect them? But Krystic didn't know her nickname among the populace, did she?
He needed to talk to her, as soon as he got back from the ridge.

Along the way to the front, it was evident that the news of victory had at last spread to the people. The city was waking to the cries and yells of delight. The people came into the street to celebrate with their neighbours and friends. The new Mysan Army had swept a larger Bandit force from a line fortresses in less than 24 hours. It was a great victory for the people of Mysan and it would be a great victory for the young Queen when she awoke. When she awoke finally.

Along the way, the signs of victory were clear. Si and his escort, mounted on horses, passed a long line of grinning Mysan troops heading up towards the ridge, only 3,500 of the 5,000 men in the Battalion had been deployed but it was nevertheless their job to hold the ridge and that was what they planned to do. Coming the other way was a long column of sullen and astonished Bandit POW's stunned by the effeciency and fierceness of their opponents. It had been like fighting Alversians.

The ridge itself was a steep hill, with rocky outcrops positioned at various points along it. There were now scorch marks amongst the sand as well as dozens of fresh craters. All along the ridge, small teams were picking up the dead and carrying back the last of the wounded. Midway down the vast range were a series of concrete and steel fortications, designed to deflect blaster fire, they were now smoking ruins with Mysan flags fluttering above their captured roofs.

Major Bywater was standing amongst a group of Kitsune officers from Mysan at the bottom of the slope. One of which was a fierce and old Kitsune General, with wild grey hair and grey fur, he looked at Si with an odd stare but not unkind.

"Ambassador," Bywater announced, "This is General Decius, he commanded the attack on the ridge, he is an Alversian-educated General" Decius bowed at the mention of his name and pointed to the ridge, where Engineers were digging into the ridge.

"You have half an hour, Ambassador" He stated, "Then it is closed down for purely military use. We suspect a Bandit Army may be coming to invade Mysan territory and we need to know if we shall be reinforced"

Bywater led Si up to the summit, where a small transmitter had been placed,
"This will give you access to an Alversian ship which will redirect it to Rio Casa" He explained. From this level, it was possible to see the city itself, plus the long column of troops approaching to reinforce the garrison.

"I'll leave you to it" He nodded then moved back far enough to be out of earshot."

As Si rode along he took in the sights and sounds of the city, troops and battlefield in the aftermath of last night's battle. The kitsune Ambassador vaguely wondered where all the prisoners would go. Mysan didn't look like it had enough room for them all...perhaps, like Xiscapia, it kept all it's military prisoners away from the main population center. He bowed and murmured greetings to General Decius and nodded as Bywater stepped away. Si would need at the time he could get.

A short time later he connected with Chief Ambassador Vanadict's office. She had obviously been informed of his call beforehand, and was sitting in her chair facing him as the screen crackled into view.
"Ambassador Si," she nodded, "how goes your mission?"
Si considered this for a moment. "I suppose, Chief Ambassador, that would depend on your point of view."
He told her everything, including the cowardance of the Dromintine militia, the loss of his sword, Bandit General Maximus's plan, his meeting with the Queen, her troubles, and the recent battle that had opened up this channel of communication. It took about fifteen minutes, and when he was done the red-haired kitsune leaned back in her chair, chin resting on her hands.

"You will need to guide this Queen Krystic the best you can while you are there. She is young and uncertain, and I am sure she was not ready to receive power when she did. Do everything you can to ensure the Alversian forces or Mysan Army do not fall into this trap the bandits have made. I will try and pull some strings in Rio Casa and to give you executive powers as the representative of the Kitsune Empire to all the Kingdoms including the Dromintine, but things are looking shaky as it is, and we have no influence on your assigned planet except though you. If the Dromintine do manage to force the Alversians into marching on that stronghold, at least attempt to convince the Queen to hold back her own Army. It would be catastrophic at this stage if both the Alversians and Mysan lost their military forces, and probably end all negotiations. Things are looking up for Mysan, but there's still diplomatic conferences with the other Kingdoms to go on, and if they are tricked into an inferior position they could lose everything they fought for. Be on your guard, be weary and watchful, but most of all Ambassador, don't let your feelings get in the way."

Si looked startled. "But I don't-"

"Don't lie to me, Ambassador!" said Vanadict sharply. "Don't allow your preoccupation with the Queen's abuse interfere with your duties. You're there to ensure Mysan's future, not fix Krystic's past. Never lose sight of the main goal." Her face softened somewhat. "I understand what you're going though, Si, but don't give it all up for one person. You represent the entire Kitsune Empire, always remember that. All your work and everything the Queen's endured will be for nothing if you become too involved."

"My involvement only strengthens my resolve." said Si simply. "I can do this, I've proven myself before. You know I can handle something on this scale." He looked at her. "I won't disappoint you or Mysan, Vanadict. I swear on my honor."

Vanadict nodded tiredly. "Alright. Report back if anything else comes up. Remember what I've told you, and keep alert." The screen flickered and died as she bowed, and Si bowed back to the silent, dark screen before stepping away, back out into the sunlight on the ridge.

Bywater, seeing that Si had finished with his report, now approached him again,
"You had better get back to the palace, and quickly Sir" He said grimly, "It seems we have less time than we thought" He looked over at General Decius and, deciding there was nothing to lose by talking, gave a heavy sigh,

"The Bandit forces are gathering a huge army, a massive army, nearly half of a million troops from all over the planet. Bandits from North, south, east and west are converging on the centre of the planet. Alversia calls all Allied forces to rally at her camp and so the Mysan Army is sending a small force to help. Pitifully small, just 38,000 Infantry and Cavalry. We don't know numbers yet but the bulk of the Mysan Army is to stay here"

He pointed to an area just beyond the vast city, over a series of mountains to where a great plain obviously lay,

"This battle was just a taster," He said darkly, "The Bandit Army of the North advances beyond those mountains, 75,000 Infantry and Cavalry. The Mysan Army is to intercept and defeat this force, prevent it from joining the main army. We have just 40,000 men of our own" He shook his head,

"Mysan is in real danger, we can train the soldiers as much as we like but we don't know how they will behave in the heat of a real battle. The Queen knows all of this and has been granted special permission by the High Priest to join the troops and witness the battle." He looked at him, "You don't have to join her, but she would want you there, she depends quite a lot on you now. You had better join her"

Si felt sick. How did this happen? It was going so well, but now the bandits are making their move. Bywater was right. This battle was nothing, a few thousand, taking a hill and lasting only a night. But to pit 40,000 relatively green, essentially untested troops against 75,000 rugged, battle-hardened bandits would last much longer, and it could be a slaughter.

He hoped desperately whoever had ordered the Mysan Army to intercept and destroy the bandits knew what they were doing. The enemy had nearly twice as many troops as they did, and if the Mysan Army was defeated here, it was likely they would lose at the main battle as well. With these thoughts running though his head, Si bowed. "I will join the Queen."

Bywater nodded at the statement, grateful for the assurane from Si. He was uncertain as the Ambassador with regards to the battle. Had it been with 40,000 Alversian troops that he faced the Bandits he would have not been worried. If it were with 40,000 Dromintine, he would already be running away. With 40,000 Mysan troops he had no idea. He hoped they would stand and fight but that was a hope, these Bandits were undefeated in centuries, they knew how to fight.

So did the Mysan Kitsune. In a way.

When Si had returned to the palace, Krystic was already up. She was pacing alone around the throne room, she looked tired, almost gaunt, her young beauty almost forlorn. She smiled as Si entered the room but there was none of the life that had accompanied past greetings,
"How did you sleep?" She asked, not even looking in his direction, as if greater things occupied her mind.

"Fine." Si brushed off the usual greeting and went to her. "I heard about what's going to happen, and I know you've been granted permission to go to the battle. How do you feel?" Si knew he himself felt anxious and afraid, far more so than the night before. But that was nothing compared to what Krystic was probably going though right now.

They said that if there was anything a professional in almost any field hated, it was fighting an amateur. Professionals knew what other professionals would do, but beginners were unpredictable. Unfortunately, green soldiers tended to break down or run for it in battle, and Mysan's army was a wild card.

"Yes" Krystic replied slightly hysterically, "Yes I have, I want to be with my troops when they are victorious" There was no conviction in her voice. When Si asked how she felt, she just shook her head quickly from side to side, like a child would. She opened her mouth and tried to speak but found only a whimper came out. Her eyes bretrayed her true terror at what the next few hours would hold for her people.

She sat in her throne and hunched herself into a ball, holding her ankles close to her body. She did not rock but her body was nevertheless trembling. She had not yet said anything to Si but sat with a terrible fear. Other Rulers may have had the confidence to recover from a defeat but Krystic did not. If this battle was a failure it would destroy her. She knew it.

"Are you coming too?" She asked him, wide eyes focusing on him at last.

"Are you coming too?"
"Yes," said Si softly. Even if he hadn't been asked to come, even if he hadn't wanted to before, there would have been no way he would have been able to look Krystic in the eye and tell her anything else. There was no second throne, so Si contented himself with kneeling in front of the one she currently occupied, taking both her hands into his. He could feel her shaking, uncontrolled, eyes wide and dilated with fear. He squeezed her hands gently, thumbs running across her bone-white knuckles. He had nothing to say to comfort her, nothing to offer but his presence. He was helpless, and he hated it, hated how he could do nothing for her, hated how he couldn't kill every bandit or turn back the clock to all those years ago and stop her father from dying or prevent her uncle's cruelties that could destroy her here. How could be focus on the goal, the future of Mysan, when the city's fate was tied with it's Queen here? What happened to Mysan would reflect on her, and what happened to her would reflect on Mysan.
They could not lose here, they could not lose her.

Krystic felt Si in front of her, seen him take both her hands. She felt comforted and began to relax a little. She was still shaking like she was violently ill but she knew that would pass in time, she hoped it would. She was like an ill child, praying for the moment when it would all stop and she could be normal again. Every decision and every setback brought her close to breaking. She did not know what to do about it, she prayed she would find confidence but it did not happen like that. She had been told for a decade she was worthless, she now had to prove to a city, a kingdom, an Alliance, a planet and an intergalactic republic that she was not. She didn't know if she could do it.

She looked into Si's eyes with tears beginning to build around her own. Again all sign of confidence had gone, her tail was wrapped around her like a protective shield and her ears were flat on her head,
"I'm so scared" She managed to whisper. Her voice came as a shudder. She looked away from Si, blinking away the first tears.

I'm so scared"
"You'd be insane not to be." he murmured. "But I'll be here. You'll be surrounded by thousands of loyal soldiers, ready to lay down their lives in defense of you. Nothing can harm you. Take the fear, embrace it, change it into resolve. Your kitsune have been trained by one of the best armies in the entire galaxy, you've won a battle already. You've come this far: Your strength will carry you the rest of the way."

You've come this far: Your strength will carry you the rest of the way."

"Will it?" Krytic's voice indicated that she did not believe one word of it, she sounded like frightened child again more than a disciplined leader. There were others who had noticed. It broke the Chambermaid's heart to see Krystic like this, so afraid and alone.

"I have no strength" She trembled, taking the words that had been hammered into her skull for years, "I'm not good enough to be a Ruler, I'm too weak" She looked away from Si again, as if afraid of physical pain.

It was only now that she left her throne and knelt in front of Si, arms wrapped around him. She held to him as a child would hold on to it's mother. Krystic felt so lost and so desperately alone. She needed a comforting presence and that was what Si was. She couldn't help but cry.

"I'm not good enough to be a Ruler, I'm too weak"
"Shh, shh, shh," he held her in his arms. "Can't you see," he whispered into her ears, "that those words are lies? A weak ruler never could have flown in the face of my advise about the battle. A weak ruler couldn't have rebuilt Mysan, or handed over the training of her army to the Alversians, or even have come to be a ruler after so many years of abuse. You," his every word was slow and deep with conviction, "are a strong leader. You just need to see that before you can come to full potential."

Krystic listened to Si's words with respect but even a lie told often and lone enough will be believed and Krystic had spent a decade locked in a cage being told she was weak. She thought she was, she knew Si was trying to comfort her but she could not shake what had happened to her or what she had been told,
"How can you call this strength?" She indicated to her own weeping self, "I fret and I make mistakes and I fail, I'm just a failure. The people are better without me" She looked into his eyes and decided honestly,
"Do you want to know one of the reasons I listen to your advice? One because you are a friend and I trust you and the other is that I'm afriad you're going to hurt me if I don't do what you say. How can that be strength?" She asked in terrible sorrow.

"I challenge any man to go out and find a single citizen of Mysan who thinks this city would be better off without you." Si leaned away from her, so he could look her in the face. "You went against my words of warning, saying the Mysan Army wasn't ready. You had faith in them, so you overruled me and sent them anyway. If you have been ingrained with the feeling that I would beat you to stop you from making that decision, and you made it anyway, how can you be weak? You're fighting a battle against years of abuse and oppression, and the decision to send the Mysan Army to fight the bandits was the first step to victory over your past. You're winning, Krystic. Everyone, you, me, all the Emperors and Queens and leaders of the galaxy worry and make mistakes, it's part of being a sentient being in this universe. Don't let worry consume your life or setbacks destroy all your hope. They can be overcome. I promise." He gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

"I'll..." She paused for a moment, as if trying to overcome her own emotion, "I'll...try...to forget it" She shook her head as though she never would forget it. She could hide it but it would never be gone. She was stuck with it forever, so she felt.
She stood up in time to see a Captain of the Royal Guards enter the throne room. He bowed to the Queen, ignoring her condition and Krystic nodded at the gesture,
"You have news?" She asked him with a slightly faltering voice.

The Kitsune nodded,
"Majesty, your escort to the battle is ready. We are ready to move now"

Krytic gave a heavy sigh and nodded,
"Then let's go" Her voice sounded weak and unconvincing but at least she was trying to be confident for her soldiers, for it was not their ability she doubted but her own.

Si nodded as he stood, giving her hands a last squeeze before withdrawing his within his robes. His anxiety was present just below the surface, but he hid it well. The Xiscapian Ambassador felt the opposite of Krystic. He felt that, barring total defeat and routing of the Mysan Army, she would come though. It was the soldiers of the city he worried about. A skirmish such as the one they engaged in had shown their fighting ability to be great, yes, but it was nothing compared to what they were about to face.

On the hill they had been clearing fortifications, making obvious progress, outnumbered by only a little, with the home field advantage, so to speak. This coming battle would be nothing like that. The enemy outnumbered them greatly and would not wait for the kitsune to come to them, but rather fly charging across the dusty, empty plains directly for them. The bandits knew this terrain, they knew how to fight, and in the thick of battle it would be hard to tell who was winning or losing. For your average soldier caught up in the mix, luck just as much as skill would determine their survival, and this fight would rely on carefully planned thrusts and encirclements from those in command. He knew the commanders were competent: He just hoped the troops were.

"Is there a time set for when the troops are expected to engage?" he asked the Captain of the Guard quietly.

"Not long Sir," The Guardsman answered as he waited for the Queen, "In fact, we suspect battle will begin first thing tomorrow morning"

"Then we had better get to the front" Krystic gave a heavy, defeated sigh and left the palace, Si and the Captain in tow, along with her entourage of guards and servants that were needed to ensure she was comfortable in the field.

The area which the Mysan army had chosen to do battle did not look remarkable. In fact, it was nothing more than a large, flat plain. It looked more like a frozen lake with a few small mountains dotted along the horizon. The only deviation was a small dip in the plain that took a small part of it out of sight. It was this area that now held the Bandit Army, as was evident from the large pall of smoke raising from an invisible area ahead. It was here the Bandit Army waited to do battle in the morning.

Directly in front of the royal party was the Mysan Army. Eight Battalions were digging into the ground furiously to create shallow tand disjointed pits. The trenches sloped downwards so a man could lean at the front and kneel at the back of these trenches. The Mysan Army was thinly stretched and it seemed they were to spend the night in their pits. There were also field guns being dug into deeper pits between the main Infantry areas. Flags showed were each seperate unit was situated. It looked impressive and it was. Until battle would begin.

Krystic had gone pale as they entered the camp, where supplies and medical equipment was being gathered for battle. Already, there were sporadic bursts of laser fire to indicate where skirmishes were happening between the opposing sides.
The General for the battle was the same General Decius and he nodded to Si before bowing to Krystic. She seemed embarressed and nodded to him.

Decius then explained the situation, how the Mysan Army planned to entrench and allow the Bandits to wear themselves out on the Army rather than risk a mobile battle where the Bandit cavalry would prevail. Other than this, there was little to discuss. Action would speak louder than words tomorrow.

"Shall we go to bed?" Krystic asked both Si and Decius. Decius nodded his approval for the suggestion before turning back to the map in front of him.

Si nodded as well, staring out into the night where erratic sprays of crimson blaster bolts marked the areas where fights were breaking out between patrolling Mysan and Bandit soldiers. If the line broke, then, they were done for. The situation relied on the Bandits to throw themselves at the line, then retreat after taking losses, and come again. And again. And again, each time taking casualties and lose more troops. Traditional trench warfare, except the Mysan would be staying put here. If all went well, this would be a slaughter: For the Bandit side. But it would only take a small force to slip though or past the kitsune and a few infantry to break and run to rout the entire force.

He said nothing as he followed Krystic, lightheaded with excitement but weighed down with worry. He had been wrong: The skirmish before was not the turning point. This battle was. If the Mysan, and Krystic, proved themselves here, they could go on and fight the main Bandit Army: Fight and win. If they lost, it would eradicate any hope of victory and could send the Queen into a permanent, probably fatal state of depression.
Unfortunately for Si, things would not turn out to be that simple...

The peak of sunlight showed early that morning, throwing the shadows of the dunes into a harsh contrast. Although it was just morning, the heat was beginning to build. The animals who had made the desert their home were already gone, scrambling for safety from what they instinctively knew would be a bloodbath in their homes. The bigger birds, scavengers, with wide wings and powerful beaks, were already circling, aware that today would provide them with enough food for months to come. The Vultures of the plains had never been hungry for there was always an ample supply of bodies when Armies collided. And they did this a lot on Macronia.

The Mysan Army that waited for no ordinary army though, It had been trained by the Alversians in the manners of war, it had been equipped with the finest weapons of war. It’s troops were determined that victory would be the manner of today. If any were terrified, they did not show it. Many would have been nervous and they had just cause. This was the Bandit’s Army of the North, led by one of Marxius’ most trusted Lieutenants. This was the army that had routed a Dromintine Force three times it’s number just a few weeks ago. It had defeated every effort to pin it down and destroy it, it had ravaged the country at will and now it marched to join its brothers for the final crushing blow to the plains Kingdoms.

The Mysan troops had done what they could to fortify their position in the hard and unforgiving sand. They had dug separate pits in the ground, not deep, just deep enough to allow a man to kneel without exposing most of his body. The lip of the pits was sloped to permit another Kitsune to lay prone on the ground and also use his weapon while still protected. Each pit held three Squads or fifteen men and were littered with burnt wood, discarded food tins and other such items that an Army waiting for battle leave behind it. The colours of the eight Battalions brought to the field fluttered in a light breeze.

Defended by the hardest and most committed men, these colours were a sign of honour and glory. The first colour of each Battalion showed the Mysan flag itself, three towers of Mysan with a sword running beneath them, in the corner of this flag was Krystic’s coat of arms which was a shield and two crossed rifles, it was traditional for old Units to carry the coat of arms of their King or Queen at the time of their Commission. As such, all of the Battalions fighting would possess Krystic’s coat in the corner. The second was an individual flag showing the unit’s battle honours. At the moment, these were blank, but no doubt they would be filled during the months and years to come after this battle.

The gunners were also readying themselves for battle. They stockpiled ammunition to the rear of their guns, dug in between the rifle pits, as well as the charges that would launch their projectiles at the enemy. Officers fussily deployed guns, aligning and then realigning them, aiming for an enemy they could not yet see. The gunners were just sitting, relaxing, writing, playing music or even betting with other gun crews of which one of them would kill more enemies.

General Decius stood behind the Army, on top of a small ridge, that permitted him a view of the entire Mysan Army. He frowned as he watched his troops relax in their trenches, weapons in the ready fire positions. He was still glancing out to were the Bandit fire’s had been situated the night before. There was no sign of them this morning but he knew they were there. They were just trying to get the jump on him. One minute, there would be nothing and the next, the horizon would be filled with enemy troops, as far as the eye could see, figures black against the rising sun. His men would be outwitted and slaughtered. That was the Bandit plan anyway.

He turned in time to see the Queen approach with two of her Royal Guards as well as the Ambassador for the Xiscapian Empire. He had no idea where the Empire was, nor, at this point, did he care. His wife and two children blended into the background as did his little clothing business in the heart of the city. Right now, his whole world was the plains in front of him.
“Majesty” He bowed a greeting, “We are ready for battle”

“I hope so,” Krystic’s nerves could not be kept from her voice and she still looked faint. In fact, Decius was concerned that she was ill and that she not have been at the battle. But then, wild horses would not have keep her from this and he knew it. It encouraged the troops to have their young queen watch the battle.

“How did you sleep?” She turned to Si and asked him the familiar question. She herself had not slept a wink, as was evident from the red rings around her eyes.

"I would be a liar if I said well," admitted Si candidly. He had nothing more to say as he looked out over the ridge down to where the Mysan Army sat, a blank area of sand and dust separating them and the not-so-distant dunes which hid the enemy. A lot of men are going to die here today...the moment of truth. It all comes down to this: Stay and fight, or break and run. I see the Bandits will have to wake up earlier than this to catch General Decius or his kitsune unawares.

Si cast a sidelong glance at Krystic. It struck him quite suddenly that she seemed familiar: The Queen reminded him of Xiscapia's Head Admiral, commander of the Xiscapian Imperial Navy. He had never met the kitsune in person, but he had seen holos and knew the stories. The two were both young females, thrust unexpectedly into a world of heavy responsibility, unbreakable commitments and do-or-die decisions. The exhaustion and fear in Krystic's eyes was that of every military commander before a battle, politician before a nomination-securing speech or most any being before a huge event in their life. But she held more, not hidden, her own inner demons and mind-numbing insomnia that was her only sanctuary from the memories that plagued her dreams.

Si prayed he was right about her. If the Queen collapsed, or lost her will, the troops must never be allowed to know. It would shatter their morale more surely and effectively than any defeat. Torn between his anxiety about Krystic, his doubts about the soldiers of Mysan and his nerves that were only now making themselves apparent before the battle, Si shifted uncomfortably. It was not within his training or field experience to watch men die. Of course, he had been in the middle of the patrol when it had been routed and destroyed by the bandits, but he had been knocked out quickly and his memories from that time were fuzzy and suppressed in any event. He was there, Si reflected bitterly, to stop battles and prevent wars, not watch them. But he owed it, to Krystic and Mysan, to be here in their hour of victory -or defeat.

Krystic smiled weakly and was about to reply when a sudden flurry of drums and horns rumbled across the plain. Krystic instantly shut her mouth, as if afraid of being sick and gazed with wide eyes at where there had once been nothing and now there was much, much more.

The Bandit Army had arrived. A long line of impressive horsemen were in front, with a combination of swords and lances, flags fluttered with them, some in their saddles, others hanging from the end of their lances. They looked terrifying even from a distance. These were the legendary Bandit Cavalry that had scattered Armies across the plains for decades, battle-hardened, ruthless, but also arrogant of their own ability and those of their enemies. Some were wearing armour, others still were wearing helmets, all of these gleamed in the early morning sun.

Around them, flowed the infantry, and there were even more of them. A rainbow of drab greys, browns and creams as the Bandits of all heights and races formed up in a mass of men. They too possessed flags although these were more provocative. They were the captured standards of a thousand Armies, standard and flags from all over the plains, taken as Army after army had been defeated. Krystic caught her breath as she spotted several Mysan flags amongst the horde. Some showed in the corner, a tower and two pitchforks on either side of it, her father’s coat of arms, most of the Mysan flags waved by the horde possessed the skull and towers of her Uncle.

The young Queen looked away from the horde, unable to bear looking at anything that remained her of her Uncle. The troops however, growled menacingly at the sight.

The crowd of Bandits have a loud, shrieking warcry, waving their captured standards and banging their weapons on the ground. They were trying to intimidate the Kitsune it did not seem to be working all that well. Most stayed perfectly still and silent while others roared a challenge back, to be hushed by their Sergeants and Corporals.

Decius sighed at the sigh before him. It was too late now to turn back. This battle must be endured, for victory or defeat.

Even from a distance, they could see the infantry parting aside to allow the terrifying Cavalry through. They obviously intended to end the battle quickly with a lone charge of cavalry. That was how it worked for the Bandits. After all, hadn’t they routed a Dromintine Army using the same tactics just a fortnight ago? The Cavalry were grouped together in no particular order. There was no formation, no order and no officers. It was a group of horsemen, drawn to the slaughter whose delight for blood would keep them going. Right through the storm of fire, right through the frontline and into the backs of the fleeing enemy.

Captains and Lieutenants stalked between the various pits, calling to their occupants with the orders needed for the battle, their ears were perked to battle and their tails flicked nervously,
“You will use Setting One only! Take aim and use your shots well! When the order is given, ‘Talion will change to setting two and fired in short bursts at the enemy! You will use setting One only!...”

Then, as Krystic stared in total horror at the sight before her, a deep rumbling horn sounded from within the Bandit ranks. The Cavalry, who had been sitting impatiently, suddenly lunged forward, screaming and chanted and waving their weapons above their heads. Battle was joined. For better or worse now.

Si watched as the Bandit Calvary drew closer and closer, men atop their horses brandishing sabers, pistols and rifles with bayonets. The sheer impact of the horses alone could be enough to destroy the will of a soldier, being knocked over and trampled or being brained or a limb shattered by a wild hove. But Si knew that Calvary could also be easily defeated by the simple but effective tactic of sending a storm of fire at them. Blasters would fling bandits off their mounts or make a casualty of the horse, probably upending the bandit into the sand. Even a wounded horse would be enough to stop one Calvary unit and potentially tangle or trip up his fellows behind. Explosions, too, could burn, blind and send shrapnel into the riders and their steeds, and a fallen horse was a useless horse.

Here was where it would begin. If they were lucky, it would start with blaster fire, screams, the sound of bodies hitting sand, and the retreating hoof beats of the survivors. If they were unlucky, it would begin with the terrible noise of the clash of kitsune and horses as the Calvary plowed into Mysan lines. Either way, Si knew he would never forget this moment.
Even so, he remembered an old military song, as ancient as the time of Unity. It was a kitsune war song and at the end of each verse held the battle cry, which Si had found vulgar at the time of hearing. But now, perhaps, it was appropriate...

Axes flash, broadsword swing,
Shining armour's piercing ring
Horses run with polished shield,
Fight Those Bastards till They Yield
Midnight mare and blood red roan,
Fight to Keep this Land Your Own
Sound the horn and call the cry,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!

Follow orders as you're told,
Make Their Yellow Blood Run Cold
Fight until you die or drop,
A Force Like Ours is Hard to Stop
Close your mind to stress and pain,
Fight till You're No Longer Sane
Let not one damn cur pass by,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!

Guard your women and children well,
Send These Bastards Back to Hell
We'll teach them the ways of war,
They Won't Come Here Any More
Use your shield and use your head,
Fight till Every One is Dead
Raise the flag up to the sky,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!

Dawn has broke, the time has come,
Move Your Feet to a Marching Drum
We'll win the war and pay the toll,
We'll Fight as One in Heart and Soul
Midnight mare and blood red roan,
Fight to Keep this Land Your Own
Sound the horn and call the cry,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
OOC: Yeah, I know I've used it before, but it's such an awesome song...

OOC: Mine's better :D

The cavalry thundered across the plains, whooping and cheering with delight at the enemy before them, seemingly vulnerable. The Troops huddled in their pits and focused on finding individual targets. The artillery did not fire, deciding to save their ammunition for the slower and more easily hit Infantry that would follow the charge. Sweat ran down the faces of the Kitsune who faced the charge. They would need their training to stop a rout, to prevent a great defeat here, they would need to copy the Alversians they had seen in battle, standing against far greater threats than this, even the Alversian Marines had stood against greater threats. A mere hundred in city fighting was the example they had been shown. They understood what was needed of them. Their queen was here, they were going to stand, if even for her.

The Bandit were getting closer and closer to the Mysan trenches and still they held their fire. They were waiting until the Bandits were close enough to rip apart with blaster fire rather than single shots, that was the hope anyway. These Cavalry had never been beaten on the battlefield before. The new Mysan Army was to going to try and be the first.

However, it seemed as though they had frozen. From a distance and to an untrained eye, it looked as though they were frozen between running and fighting. There were no sounds from the troops, no orders but no sign of either fighting or running. No screams of defiance and no signs of terror, just a disciplined body of troops who were waiting to put their training to use.

The Bandit Cavalry were slowing down. The dust cloud behind them gradually got smaller and smaller as the horses slowed to a canter, then a trot, then a simple walk. Those Bandits who did not have masks to conceal their faces wore expressions of confusion and uncertainty. They had never had an enemy who had just stood and watched them before. Yelled at them? Yes. Run at them? Yes. Run away from them? Yes. But just wait there? No. It was a total disregard for them and an insult and they showed their displeasure by roaring in anger at the Mysans.

However, beneath the roar of the Bandits, there was another call that spread up and down the Mysan ranks, into every pit and into every keen pair of waiting fox ears,
“Open Fire!”

Immediately, the space between the two opposing forces was filled with blaster fire, red light that was fired from each barrel and with each disciplined pull of the trigger was aimed at one of the enemy horsemen or to simply put as much flak onto the horsemen possible.

The Bandits were devastated. A great plume of dust was kicked up by the horses wheeling and cantering about in sudden panic at the burst of violence. When it had cleared, most of the horsemen and horses were gone. Where there had once been a mass of horsemen, there was now just a thin group, with dead horses and men lying thick on the ground.

The Mysans gave a brief cheer as the surviving Bandit’s undefeated Cavalry turned and fled. The undaunted troops crashed into their own ranks with more enthusiasm than they had ever hit the enemy. The Infantry ranks were temporarily disrupted by the retreat and already, a small stream of infantry, terrified that their Cavalry had been so easily defeated, were turning and running themselves. The rest stood and waited, their wild cries and cheers silenced.

The first wave had been defeated.

Krystic looked on delightedly at her troops but also with sorrow at the dead who had been left behind in the first attack. Brutal enemies they may have been but they were still living creatures she hated hurting anything like that.

Si's first reaction was a loud snort of disbelief and small chuckle at the stupidity of the bandit troops that turned into a full cheer as the Calvary fled. "Fools," he muttered to himself. The Bandits had no organization, no officers or commanders he could see. Just a very well-armed, extremely mobile mob, aka a horde. For a first test, the soldiers of Mysan with their training had passed with flying colors. There hadn't been so much as a step backward or whimper of fear from any of the defenders that Si had noticed.

But there was still 75,000 of the enemy, give or take a few dozen. As confused and damaged as they were now, the attack had been a small one. An insignificant drop in the tide that was the Bandit Army. If they had expected a quick victory, they were sorely mistaken, and Si wondered how far they would go to win. A head-on charge would leave them with heavy casualties, but would almost certainly ensure them victory if they kept up the attack and did not retreat. Still, such a maneuver would leave the Bandits with a force unsuitable for the larger coming battle if they did indeed make it though, so Si doubted they would take that route.

No, they would try something else.
But what?

The second wave was to be the final wave. The Bandit Infantry, although sectioned off into three as always, were now too frightened to bother about discipline or ability. They just wanted to roll over this defender and finish him off altogether. Unfortunately for them, these Defenders were the Kitsune of Mysan and their Queen was watching. They sat behind their guns and waited calmly, their nerved quelled considerably by the easy defeat of the Cavalry. Now the Infantry were streaming forward, more in terror than anything else. Even from here it was possible to see Lord Moriton, the Army’s General, galloping around on his horse in an attempt to curb his men’s enthusiasm, to stay back and pepper the Mysans with blaster fire. But they were ignoring him and charging forward with fear very evident in their eyes. They had expected an easy victory and yet they had been repelled and even now were on the back foot.

“FIRE!”
The Mysan Field guns crashed back, one by one, throwing their projectiles into the heart of the charging mass, sending men and limbs in every direction. The shells left great gaps in the charging mass and more and more men were simply turning and running from the battle. The battlefield was churning up more and more and the Bandits were starting to stumble and slip over one another. They hadn’t even reached the murderous fire of the Infantry yet.

And most of them never would. As they charged into the maelstrom that was the Infantry fire, entire rows just seemed to twist and fall like dominoes and the men behind had had enough. They turned and fled back in the direction they had come from, hounded all the way by the artillery and the Mysan Cavalry Corps which had been held in reserve in case of disaster. Now they tore into the retreat Bandits, leaving a trail of dead and dying in their wake.

The Mysan troops cheered. They had done it! The Bandit Army of the North was in retreat and the Mysan Army stood firm with minimal casualties. In fact, if anything, they had recaptured dozens of standards as well as many of the guns left behind by the Bandit Army and never used.

“Ma’am,” It was a rather pleased looking Decius, “I think you should return to the palace. We can look after this”

“Of course,” Krystic was staring at the carpet of bodies that lay across the battlefield, “So much death,” She said to herself as she was walked back to where her convoy had been hastily gathered in case of a quick retreat, “A victory,” She remarked sadly to Si, “A bloody victory”

"With all due respect," said Si quietly, "better them than your soldiers. War is not, and has never been, a pretty thing. That was the quickest, cleanest, easiest victory your troops could have hoped for. Rejoice for them, and the fact that their families will be able to see them come home alive once more, that your Army has proven itself a force to be reckoned with. This is a great day, Your Majesty, why are you sad?" He looked at her earnestly.

"Just..." Krystic stopped for a moment, looking on at her cheering troops and the backs of the fleeing Bandits, "I just..." She stopped again, evidently unable to find words to describe how she felt. The young Queen had gone pale after the slaughter and now, back with her royal convoy, she still seemed unable to explain why she felt upset.

"I don't like death" She explained sadly and at great length, "I don't like to see others being killed, even my enemies. I look on those Bandits and I think, what are they leaving behind? Do they have families? Children expecting them to come home? They're lying in a desert plain, son" She took on the mocking voice of an older woman, "Daddy's being eaten by the vultures. Don't worry though, it's all right" Her voice broke at the last part and she quickly turned to gaze out at the empty desert.

"Your Majesty, if you are ever going to order another battle again you must understand this," Si leaned forward, gently reaching out and putting a hand on Krystic's knee to draw her attention. His next words were soft and serious. "These people were ready to butcher your soldiers. They made their choice in coming here, if they threw away their lives then that is something they will have to take up with some deity after death. If any one of those bandits came upon you and I in the desert, do you know what they probably would have done? They would have stripped us of all valuables and clothing, tortured and killed me and raped and enslaved you. They aren't robbers and outlaws and marauders because they have children that need feeding or wives that have to be taken care of. They are there because they are greedy, or weak or stupid or power-hungry. You can never combat your enemy fully if you feel sorry for him."

"That, Ambassador," Krystic gave a weak smile, "is why I leave the killing up to Kitsune like you" She quickly turned away again and it was a silent trip back to the city.

It was not until they reached the city and the crowds of cheering people that Krystic realised the scale of her victory. The most feared Bandit force, the Army of the North, had been defeated with virtually no Mysan casualties. This army had been undefeated in a decade and it had taken the new Mysan Army just a few moments to rout it completely. Only now were figure coming through for the losses of the battle. 210 Mysans had been killed or wounded in return for over 10,000 Bandits. It was a glorious victory and one that would mark a point in Krystic's reign, wither she wanted it to or not.

She was glad, though to get back to the palace, where the Courtiers applauded her and congradulated her on her decision to send the army, ignoring the fact that it was the troops themselves who had shone in the battle. Decius and Bywater would still be at the battlefield, counting their spoils, while Krystic was here to reap the political benefits of her victory. One of which included a visit from visiting Ambassadors assembled from all of Mysan's Allies, there would be at least a dozen attending a ball to celebrate the victory. The hall was already being prepared.

Krystic seemed less than delighted,
"When are they coming?" She asked gloomily.

"That, Ambassador, is why I leave the killing up to Kitsune like you"
Kitsune like me? Si wondered. I've only ever killed one man, in self-defense. I felt nothing for him: He murdered my defenseless escort, and he would have shot me next. I don't kill: Does she mean us, the Xiscapians? Why did she say that...
"Who are these dignitaries from the other kingdoms?" murmured Si. "I know much of Mysan, and a little about the Dromintine, but very little about the other people of the plains."

"Not much to know" Krystic waved dismissively, "There'll be a representitive of Alversia of course, and probably General Owens himself. Then there will be you, of course, acting as Ambassador for the Xiscapian Empire. The others I'm not so sure about" She frowned and turned to a Courier nearby,
"Excuse me," She askd politely, "Do you have a list of people coming to the ball tonight?"

"Uh...of course ma'am," The courier seemed stunned by the politeness of the young Queen and handed her a clipboard. She took it back over to Si and began to read the names, adding little comments as she went along,

"Ah yes, Ambassador Nysan from Lunasa, that's the other Kitsune Kingdom on the plains. Don't know much about them" She shrugged and went on, "General Owens and General Sharpe from the Alversian Army of course. Ambassador Vanden Borre from Sepria. They're a new Kingdom to the plains, don't know much about them" Krystic sighed and flipped the page, "General Maxanxa of Loscopis. I hear he's a rather direct fellow, even amongst his own people" Krystic added dryly before continuing,

"Ambassador Li of Ferra, nice people, very diplomatic but rather stubborn, I'm afraid" She shook her head and smiled, "Captain Jus of Illondia...that should be nice, I'm told their good Singers," Krystic giggled and reach the bottom of the page, "Frent of Monso, he's a nice man, I've met him before" She shuddered slightly and came to the last name on the list. She gasped in outright shock at what she saw, she looked at the page again, as if trying to see if the wording was different but it was not. She could only gasp again and look over at Si with some trepidation,

"Finally..." She gulped, fearing the words about to come out from her mouth and what reaction they would provoke from the Kitsune ambassador,

"...General Doblo of Dromintine"

There was a physical struggle on Si's visage as he forcibly prevented his face from contorting into a snarl in front of the Queen. It had happened before, and he rather it not occur again. "That...man," he spat finally, shaking his head, "he doesnt deserve to come here. I hope he is humiliated by the other Ambassadors, though I would never dream of attempting anything myself. Anyway," he sagged slightly, "it sounds like an interesting group of people. I only heard Lunasa mentioned once," he thought back to his conversation with the bandit Marxius, grimacing slightly, "are they a break-away kingdom from Mysan, or independently formed?"

Krystic recoiled slightly from the expression of fury on Si's face but approached happily again once she was confident and happy there was no danger. She frowned, trying to remember when she had mentioned Lunasa but then maybe the Alversians had mentioned it to him,
"They split away from us nearly five hundred years ago" She explained, though not without some nervousness as to Si's reaction, "They felt our line of Kings was leading Mysan to disaster. They may be a younger city but Qonn has blessed them with more than competant leaders so they are equally as powerful if not more so, than us now"

Si frowned for a moment, then nodded. He had to remember, he reprimanded himself, that to these people, without ships or speeders, anything over twenty miles with their terrain was quite a distance. "Sad that relations are not kept up," he shrugged, "but understandable. When are the diplomats to arrive, and what can I do, if anything, to help with the preparations?"

"They'll arrive in the evening sometime" Krystic seemed oddly dismissive, then her sad demeanor changed to it's normal happy and cheeky smile. Krystic had had enough depression for one day,
"Come on" She grabbed Si by the wrist and began to pull him along, "We can get ready later! Let's go and so something interesting" She grinned and pulled him to the edge of the hallway, to a door nearby.

OOC: lolololololol...
IC:
"Whoa, okay," said Si, as if he had a choice. It was something kin to being dragged along by an excited child, but Si enjoyed it and would take this behavior any day over the dreary, sorrowful self Krystic had lapsed into recently. He followed her to the door. "Where are we going?" He wondered vaguely if, against all odds, Mysan had a nightclub somewhere. Krystic seemed like that kind of person.

OOC: What? Lol

"Come on" Krystic smiled in delight, she was glad to have something to take her mind off the event that would occur tonight and that included meeting with the dignataries. All would be polite, she knew that, but she did not like thinking that they would all be judging her and delivering verdicts back to their own Masters at what they thought of her. That was what unnerved her at the moment.

She smiled at Si and skipped down one of the corridors,
"What sights of Mysan may I entertain you with now, Ambassador?" Krystic teased the term and poked her tongue out at it's exagerated pronounciation.

OOC: I don't know, for some reason the words "We can get ready later! Let's go and do something interesting" just amuse me.
IC:
"I don't know," Si said in nasally, over dignified tones, crossing his eyes, "perhaps a concert hall, or a delightful opera," he chuckled at her expression, realizing she probably had no idea what opera was, thank Qonn, and dropped back into his normal voice, uncrossing his eyes "or I believe you mentioned something about springs south of the city. But! Whatever Your Majesty wishes to show me I will happily observe." He grinned.

OOC: Ah

Krystic frowned at the term 'opera' and was about to ask what it was when she decided it probably wasn't important. Not to her anyway. She giggled delightfully at the impression Si made of a dignitary then nodded in her most authouritive tone, ruining it with giggles,
"Yes, I believe we can examine the Springs to the south of the city, Ambassador Si," She poked her tongue out again, "Would you care to escort the Queen to said Springs and enjoy a soak before we attend tonight's grand ball..." Her voice pitched slightly at these words and she looked momentarily frightened before disguising it with another beaming smile,
"It would be quicker on horses," She pointed to two in her own stable, "Come on" She pulled him towards them.

"I've only been on a horse a few times, the first time and the last time I was thrown off," he shook his head, knowing the last time he had ridden a horse had been a rather different occasion from the first, but it didn't matter. "I hope these great royal beasts take to me better than the others," he said dryly, approaching the steeds with some caution.

"Don't worry," Krystic chided as she easily swung onto the biggest one, the one standing furthest from Si, she was also riding bareback and the mare seemed surprised to have the sudden weight on her back. She stirred nervously but Krystic patted her on the neck and whispered to her gently, the mare calmed down with the words and waited for Krystic to give it instruction.
She looked over at Si and laughed,
"Don't worry," She giggled, "It's a big docile mare, she won't move a muscle and she's very forgiving." Krystic backed her own horse from the feedtray and took hold to the length of rope used to guide it.

It took a couple of tries, but Si managed to mount the horse, sliding somewhat uncomfortably into place. The mare snorted and pawed the ground, shaking her great head as Si watched in apprehension. He shifted as she did, feeling the warm flesh and strong muscles beneath him. The kitsune tentatively took what passed for the reins and looked at Krystic expectantly. "Where's the start button?" he joked.

Krystic giggled happily before easily riding the horse from the stables and into the street. She moved through them quite happily, feeling at home on the barebacked horse. What she did not see where the five blue-coated Mysan Cavalry slip into step behind her, acting as an escort,
"Our Galactic brothers can jump and glide," She mocked, "But can they ride?" She asked.

Si pulled at the reins, and his horse broke into a steady trot, keeping pace with Krystic's. He barely even had to guide the mare, she seemed to know where she was going. "We're about to find out," he said a tad nervously. "How far are the springs?"

"Not far," Krystic reassured him, riding as easily as one would a bike. They moved through the bustling and cheery streets with ease, stopping every few moments while Krystic's escort opened a path through the crowds for them. They trotted along for ten minutes, passing numerous other horsemen, wagons and women selling various foods and clothing. It was a bustling part of the city and in the centre of it all were the springs.

It looked like a normal, crystal clear, blue lake but in the desert, that was a rariety. The palm trees that surrounded it were also rare and, although Kitsune were dipping in and out of the water with ease, it seemed as though the water was as smooth as glass. Of course, apart from every few minutes when a great column of smoke flew high into the air and soaked all around the shore with the cool water.
"The Miscan Springs," Krystic announced, swinging off the horse with ease.

Si saw nothing particularly impressive or unusual about the springs, but he knew in the desert any water, especially an oasis such as this, was very rare. He had been in hot tubs and baths that seemed similar to this back home, and he wondered if the experiences would be alike. Jumping gratefully off his horse, the Xiscapian Ambassador surveyed the springs. It was like a huge, natural communal bath, right in the middle of the city. It was entirely possible Mysan formed around these springs, like ripples from a stone cast into still water. He indicated the springs, not knowing what customs, if any, might need to be observed upon entering. "What now?"

"What now Ambassador?" Krystic mocked, "We jump in, obviously" She poked her tongue out again then run forward a few steps and leapt into the clear blue waters of the lake. She disappeared for a few moments before reemerging, still wearing her expensive dress,
"Come on!" She called to Si, floating easily with no effort on the surface of the water, "The water's very good for healing skin or tissue problems. Any kind" She gave a small shudder, "Even scars"

Si took a step forward out of his boots, shedding his heavy, formal robe for the lighter tunic underneth, and made a running leap into the spring, splashing water all over Krystic. Plunging into the spring he surfaced, shaking his head wildly to get the hair out of his eyes, feeling the sand and dust he had somehow picked up dissolve away from his body. Clothing billowing almost weightlessly about him, Si stretched luxeriously, flopping back to float next to Krystic.

"Of course, the lake does have another funny feature" Krystic smiled as she sat up in the water, as one would do so while sitting in a chair and yet the water supported her weight, she smiled at the expression on Si's face,
"The water's more buoyant than normal" She explained, "That's why you float so easily. It also helps to heal the...wounds...on my...back" She finished meekly before continuing on, trying to block the statement,
"What do you think?" She asked, "We like to come here and relax for a few hours"

Si's eyebrows returned from their near-vanishing adventure into the depths of his bangs. "I've only ever heard of something like that happening in water where the salt content is extremely high, and even then not to that extent," he did his best to ignore her words about her scars. Si had no wish to bring her back to her former moody self. "It's pretty incredible," he sat up like her, cross-legged with his hands on his knees, "we don't have anything like this on Padga."

"I know!" Krystic seemed proud that the Springs were in her Kingdom and no where else. It gave her a sense of uniqueness, something to be proud about. Krystic was immensely proud of her people as they were of her, yet she always lived in a constant fear of rejection. If the people protested outside her palace then she may die of dispair. After years of being locked in a cage, all Krystic wanted was acceptance.

They remained in the Springs for a few hours before one of Krystic's escort informed her that it was time to return and prepare for the Ball that night. Krystic seemed reluctant but nodded and climbed back onto her horse,
"Back to duty eh?" She said, trying to sound cheerful and failing miserably.

"I'm afraid the job of any ruler or leader is never done," said Si, clambering back onto his own horse. "I wouldn't worry, though. Aside from General Doblo," Si spoke the name like a curse, "I'd expect most everyone to be nice, or at least polite. This is nothing more than a social function, a celebration and a chance to meet the neighbors, as it were." He smiled. "You'll do fine."

It was not long before they arrived back at the palace and entered the hall in which all the preparations had been made for the Ball. The tall marble walls had been decorated with Mysan colours, Mysan flags and the coat of arms from Krystic herself. The whole room had been made into a luxurious ballroom for one night and it looked magnificant. From the great vines carefully wrapped around the edges of the room, to the statues of artificial ice in the centre of a great table containing light snacks for the guests.

Krystic was then split from Si and ushered away by her Aides, who insisted she get ready for the Ball. She looked as reluctant as ever but was still glad to be given some direction by someone. It would be a full two hours before she emerged again.
When she did, the young Queen had undergone a complete transformation. Her long and silky blue hair had been arranged into a ponytail that draped down her shoulder and glistened even more in the light of the hall. She had been given careful make-up to enhance her natural beauty even further while she was wearing a dress far more elegant and beautiful than anything before. For the first time, she was also wearing a small tiara with a series of jewels that acted as a crown.

The breath of the male Attendees was caught by the graceful arrival of the Queen and a series of applause made her already reddened cheeks flush a delicate pink. She approached Si, who had changed himself into something provided by the Palace staff,
"What do you think?" She asked hesitantly, "I feel like a Child's toy doll"

"I feel like a Child's toy doll"
Si's mouth dropped open, at a loss for words. He wore pure white clothing, a suit of sorts with a button-down shirt, a darker white vest, white dress pants, and beige dress shoes. He had been allowed a small embordid Xiscapian flag on his breast pocket and the diplomatic corps symbol (http://antiquesandthearts.com/Archives/Images/AuctionWatch09-10-2002-11-07-18Image1.GIF) just below it. In truth, Si would have been much more comfortable in his robes, and he felt utterly naked without his katana displaying his rank, family and status, but he made do. It would not be polite to argue with the servants who had insisted, and he would have to wait for his sword to show up captured from a bandit somewhere in an engagement.
"You look beautiful," he finally managed, "whoever designed that dress and applied the make-up was a genuis. If you will excuse my boldness, it only enchances Your Majestys natural beauty."

Krystic blushed even more fiercely at the compliment from Si and turned to look around the hall,
"Everything looks ready" She said a little hastily as she glanced around at the decorations in the hall, "All we need now are a few Dignitaries" She looked almost pale behind her make-up and one could see she was trembling from the nerves. Butterflies the size of spaceships roared around in the pits of her stomach and her breath was deep to try and keep control of herself,
"Would you care to join me at the entrance?" She asked in a high-toned voice, "I have to greet the Guests as they come in"

Outside the Palace, a Platoon of Mysan troops were being read orders by their Kitsune officer. All were tall, muscled and fierce looking, for they were part of the Queen's Own Royal Guard, Mysans' elite. They were to provide security in the hall as well as in the ground. Five were to stand on either side of the entrance to offer a greeting sight to the dignataries.

"Of course," Si nodded and smiled, offering her his arm to slip hers though as they made their way to the enterence. He looked approvingly at the Royal Guards as they approached, giving the tiniest nod of recognition. The Queen's Palace was nowhere near as well defended or watched as the Emperor's Palace back in Rio Casa, but Si was confident they could repel a bandit attack in the unlikely event that it came to that. In any case the worst they would have to deal with tonight would probably be some tough, over-protective bodyguards and maybe a couple of drunken diplomats.
OOC: TG.

Krystic stood at the door with Si and one of her Aides who would act as an introducer between the two pairs of Diplomats. Krystic stood in all her beauty, almost lost and uncertain of what to do. She waited, breathing deeply and trembling with the nerves of what she was about to do.

"Announcing!..." The Aide called to signal that the first guest had arrived, "Ambassador Nysan of the Kingdom of Lunasa!"

The Kitsune entered the hall and peered down at Krystic, followed by a few more. They were all ridiculously tall for a Kitsune, nearly as tall as an Alversian and looked far more powerfully built beneath their dark skin. Short black hair nestled between the Ambassador's brown coloured ears while his tail flicked in anticipation,
"Majesty" Nysan offered a bow then kissed Krystic on both cheeks. Krystic seemed a little startled and when they backed off, she nodded,

"Hi" she said in a small voice, appearances could be decieving for although Krystic appeared happy and bubbly in private, in reality, she was actually extremely shy.

"...Ambassador Si from the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia..." The Aide was cut off as the Ambassador pecked Si on both cheeks as he had done the Queen,

"Kitsune Empire?" He asked in a deep Afrikan accent, looking at Si with some well disguised curiousity. Every note in his voice seemed to denote immense physical power, "I have never heard of this Empire. You must tell me sometime Ambassador" With another bow, he moved into the hall.

"One down, more to go" Krystic sighed as she turned to see who would be next to approach her for a greeting.

"Uh, yes," said Si, flustered after the unexpected intimacy. But, as a diplomat one had to endure all kinds of customs, so he endured and bowed. "You could have told me they were going to do that!" he hissed teasingly to Krystic, well aware that there was no way the young Queen could have known. "I would have put perfume on my face or something." he joked quietly as the last of the Lunasans passed, trying to lighten the mood.

"I didn't know they were going to do that" Krystic hissed back teasingly the Aide peered out the door and cleared his throat as a sign that someone else was approaching,
"Announcing to Queen Krystic and Ambassador Si, Captain Jus from the Kingdom of Illondia!"

In swept a handsome human with a thin moustache and beard. He looked like a Gentleman from the 1700's in everything from his clothes to his tricorne hat to his mannerisms. The only things to betray his modernism were the long silver pistol in his holster and the silver armour visible beneath his coat,

"Madam!" He cried in delight, making Krystic jump, "It is a pleasure indeed to see such a fine creature glide across our haunted plains" he took the blushing Queen's hand and kissed it delicately before turning to Si and offering him a bow,
"And you must be the Ambassador we've all heard so much about!" he offered a harsh laugh, "I can only hope that Illondia gets to show off her fine assets for you before this ghastly business with the Bandits" he shook his head then smiled again,
"If you don't mind, my soul screams for the soothing liquid of god himself and so I must seek it out" he turned and moved off with his own entourage into the middle of the guests assembled in the hall.

"Unusual one" Krystic muttered, still blushing and still looking insecure, "What's next I wonder?"

Si bowed Captain Jus, bemused by his manner and strange clothing.
"With this lot I wouldn't be surprised if the Voivoide himself showed up," Si muttered, referring to a certain Muri.

And so more and more dignitaries arrived, all greeting Krystic and Si with smiling faces that betrayed their more keen sight, looking over the young Queen who had won such a victory. All types and all shapes and sizes arrived and entered the hall, filling it with a light banter that made the whole night seem joyous.
General Owens and General Sharpe of Alversia nodded grimly to Si before smiling and bowing respectfully to Krystic, mentioning their delight to be here and their joy at the effectiveness of the Mysan Army. Krystic said little to the guests and merely nodded or muttered a greeting. She was very shy and unsure about what to say to these fellow people of power.

Then General Maxanxa arrived, a rough looking man who looked like he had spent his whole life working for something and getting it, and he really wasn't one who felt his opinion should be kept to itself,
"My my," He grinned to the blushing Queen, "I think we should organise more balls" He laughed and kissed her hand before meeting with Si,
"Galactic Empire eh?" His eyes narrowed, "I don't much fancy outsiders here," Then his expression lightened, "but hey, any friend of Mysan is a friend of mine!"
He proceeded to crush Si's hand in a very firm handshake before moving off into the crowd with his entourage.

"Only one lef..." Krystic was interrupted as the Announcer called with a great deal of scorn in his voice,

"Announcing...General Doblo of the Dromintine Empire" He scowled and leapt to the side to avoid a rather impatient and unhappy looking Doblo. With him were two men who could have been mistaken for Bandits and were anything but security.

Where other's had offered Krystic a greeting, Doblo merely looked at the Queen with such venom that the Young Kitsune shrunk away in fright. Satisified at the reaction he had caused he turned to Si,
"Don't I know you from somewhere?" he asked, his eyes narrowing with intense dislike.

Si persistently bowed and greeted all who came though, noting names, faces, kingdoms of origin and rule and evaluating each person carefully. He nodded quietly to the Alversian Generals, and grimaced as General Maxanxa's grip nearly made the bones in his hand grind together.
I would think here doesn't fancy outsiders much either, Si thought in the privacy of his own head. Still, it was good to know the man was more or less on his side.


At the arrival on Doblo Si's stance changed slightly, becoming more guarded. He watched the fat man intimidate Krystic with a snarl forming on his face as he reached unconsciously for his missing katana hilt, but by the time the Dromintine turned to him the Xiscapian Ambassador had composed himself. He now wore a tight, stiffly polite smile on his face.
"Don't I know you from somewhere?"
"Good to see you made it out alive, General," said Si softly, voice dangerously low. "I'm sure no one would want anything to happen to the Dromintine Empire's greatest General." He attempted a little fear of his own, lips splitting in an almost predatory manner to reveal sharp, pointed teeth. Carnivores teeth, made for biting though tough muscle and ripping flesh from bone.

"What are you talking about man?" Doblo looked at Si with no recognition, calmly ignoring the canines, although his eyes did avert to them for a few seconds before he looked back into Si's eyes. Indeed, it took several more minutes before he connected the face to a memory in his rather ugly head.

"Ah yes" He smiled grimly, "That ambush" he brushed it off as if it were nothing, "Good thing I survived too, I along was able to pull victory from defeat" he smiled grandly then turned to see who else was in the hall. A hushed silence fell over the crowd as it parted to permit the two Alversian Generals a full view of Doblo. Doblo looked at them mildly while Owens shook his head slightly and Sharpe scowled viciously. With no indication that he had seen either man, Doblo moved into the hall and the chatter began again.

Krsytic returned to Si's side and looked into the crowd were Doblo had vanished,
"I should have stood up to him" She whispered with regret, "I look really weak now compared to all the other leaders" it seemed to have dampened her spirits somewhat.

"Absolute disgrace," Maxanxa was saying to his entourage, "The man is a wreaking ball for his own side. I would rather cut off my balls and eat them than let that man command an Army. I really would" His entourage nodded in agreement.

"I look really weak now compared to all the other leaders"
"He's nothing more than a lot of hot air and stupidity wrapped in a ball self-centered self-preservation," muttered Si. "That man is nothing to be afraid of, unless he's commanding you in battle." he added, privately agreeing with Maxanxa's words. Inwardly Si steamed with the presumptuous arrogance of the man. Alone able to pull victory from defeat? That battle was a disaster for everyone involved except the bandits, and because the Alversians took the brunt of the assault, the Dromintine were able to escape relatively unscathed.
Though not, as it had been established, a violent kitsune, Si felt as though he would like nothing better than to give Doblo a good pounding. However, doing so would not only damage Kitsune Imperial relations with the Kingdoms of the Plains, it would probably hinder and possibly shut down Alversian/Dromintine operations and, even worse, make Krystic and Mysan look bad. So Si held his temper, looking to Krystic. "I think that's all of them. Shall we go in?" he waved a hand to the now-crowded hall.

"Yes, let's" She smiled again and took his hand in hers, squeezing gently for reassurance and moved into the crowded hall, where people had splintered off into small groups and were engaged in everything from gossip to small talk to military strategy. It was a reassuring sound but Krystic was nervous about trying to talk to the Ambassador's. After all, she felt she had nothing interesting to say.

Then they were waylaid by Ambassador Nysan of Lunasa who looked much taller and more powerful than either Kitsune in front of him. He was also wearing a wickedly curved tulwar that hung from his belt. He nodded to both Si and Krystic,
"Nice to see Mysan at last" he said in his African-like accent, "Your men are to be commended for opening the channel"

"Well," Krystic brightened up considerably, glad that someone had talked to her rather than the other way around, "It was their Alversian training that did it"

"Ah yes, the Alversians" Nysan shook his head, "We have not had much contact with them and our Army is more than adequete in it's current form." He waved away any signs of arrogance and smiled at the young Queen, "Tell me Ambassador," He turned to Si, "What can you tell me of Xiscapia? I have wondered what our brothers must be like in space" Nysan had to look down at Si in order to look into his eyes.