NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: *cracks up* :tongue:
IC:
Si coughed loudly, clearing his throat, fist held in front of his mouth. "Yes, er, yes..." he nodded. "I would like that." He said quietly. Then he blinked. "If you're okay with it?" he asked hurriedly.

OOC: I know...AWKWARD, lol


"I am," Krystic replied, a little more confidently, "Let's go," She took Si by the hand and lead him towards the Royal Bedroom.

OOC: Um...skip to the next day, or do you want to RP some of this out? *further awkwardness* If the answer is yes I'll edit to make this an IC post.

OOC: Your choice, either way, I'm skipping to the next morning. This has a 14PG Rating for the Kiddies lol

OOC: LOL, I know, I just meant until they actually got into bed...but whatever, meh, let's black the screen and move on to the next morning.

It was late morning before a Servant, who had seen the Queen and her new Fiance moving to the Bedrooms, was sent to wake the Queen and Ambassador and so prepare them for the challenges that lay ahead. Within the cool walls of the palace, he moved quickly and silently, in the way he had been trained. No need to wake the Queen with unjust noise. A small tap on the shoulder would do them both.
The Ambassador's room was closer so he eased the door opened and poked his head around to see if the Ambassador was still in his bed. He was not, in fact, his bed looked undisturbed. The Servant frowned, but decided it was none of his business how the Ambassador slept. His business was now the Queen.
So the Kitsune opened the door to the Queen's room and peered around. However, before he could say anything. His mouth dropped in shock.

The Queen was not along in her expansive double bed. In fact, she was with the Kitsune he had been sent to wake first. Both were asleep, cuddling togather like an old married couple. The Servant cleared his throat and recieved no reponse for his troubles. Instead he moved steathily along the wall and threw the curtains open, exposing the sleeping pair to the bright sun of another desert morning.

Krystic groaned at the light and tried to turn away. However, at that moment, her eyes sprung open as she realised who the Kitsune was beside her. She smiled at him, offered him a kiss and cuddled him again,
"Morning," Was all she said, brushing her tail along his legs.

Si squeezed his eyes tightly shut at the intruding light, turning over slightly into Krystic, feeling the kiss on his cheek, the burning ember that was her body against his under the sheets, the silky feeling of her tail as it slid against his legs and hearing her greeting. He opened his eyes lazily, and the first thing he saw was the face of his betrothed. "Morning to you too," he said softly, kissing her back. His eyes drifted over to the window and he saw the servant, starting and sitting up in the bed, sheets falling to expose his bare chest. "Ahhh!" he choked, not having expected anyone to be in the room. He took a second to recompose himself. "Apologies." the Ambassador muttered, lying back into the bed with Krystic.

"Nothing to apologise for, Sir," The Servant offered a quick bow, face reddening with each passing second, before backing quickly from the room. He shut the door silently behind him. His footsteps echoing on the marble outside the room could just be heard over the birdsong and the military calls that accompanied the changing of the Guard outside the palace.

Krystic giggled at Si's expression and placed her head on his chest, beathing silently and comfortably,
"You embarrassed?" She teased as she lay with him, never wanting this moment to end. She was delighted to be with him like this. He was wearing nothing beneath the sheets, and neither was she, which was why she had remained in the bed after he had shot up. She was satisfied with life.

"No," he said honestly, settling back into the soft bed and getting comfortable, curling to conform to Krystic's position against him. "Just surprised. I guess no one really expected this," he waved his hand over the both of them. "Or at least not so soon."
A smile, and he rested his chin on the side of her head, looking down into her eyes, locked in the embrace, gratefully trapped in the time. She hadn't had anything so much as approaching nightmares, he could tell with his mind, his body and his soul.

"I don't care anymore about what other people expect," Krystic replied, honestly, repeating the phrase that had come to her after a long time thinking about it. For the first time in as long a time as she could remember, she had had no nightmares. There was nothing in her past that could affect her as what was happening now. This was where her spirit now rested, not in the past.
"I don't care what other people expect me to do. I'll do the best I can and try to work from there," She was being honest, still embracing him, the support that had brought about this change,
"I am the Queen. It's my job to look after them, not their job to look after me. Mysan's little sister wants to grow up" She purred to him and nestled back into her comfortable position with him in the bed.

"You see!" Si was delighted. "You have found it within yourself, just like I knew. I have told you repeatedly you are not a weak nor foolish ruler, but you needed yourself to look within and find that for yourself." He hugged her close, hands running along her bare skin, over the scars of her whipping. "There was never any doubt in my mind that you could do it, my love." he murmured.

"One thing to say it though, another to do it," She seemed uncertain again for a split second, then giggled at something, "I wonder what the Press will make of this?" She wondered aloud, smiling broadly at the thought. She hugged Si close as well, feeling his warm, strong hands rubbing against her back. She felt warm, she felt safe with him. She cuddled closer to him and just relaxed in his arms.

"There's not much they can make of it, aside from the truth." He hesitated, hands still massaging lightly over her back, moving lower. "At least I hope so," he said with another smile. "We'll have to see at breakfast, when they bring in the morning paper." He moved a leg over hers, tail coming up to wrap and curl around their feet, a complicated position that would take several seconds of careful movements and pulling away to extract one's self from. However, he didn't think either of them would be moving out for a while yet.

"I suppose," Krystic nodded slowly. Her eyes widened as she felt Si's hands stray lower down her back and him rearranging himself. She permitted herself a small smile as he did so,
"Y'know," She said quietly, almost to herself, "I'm not hungry yet. Breakfast can wait." She giggled and kissed him again.

"Mmm, I'm not quite done with you yet..." Si growled in mock fierce fashion, shifting. "I think I'm hungry for something else," he whispered into her ears.
Forty-five minutes later...
Si straightened out his already immaculate robes as he stepped down the stairs to breakfast, Krystic somewhere behind him, still getting changed into the intricate finery that came from being Queen. He hoped to get his hands on a newspaper quick, so he could tell her what had been said by the time she came down.

Laying out the Breakfast table was the same Servant who had woken the Pair earlier in the day. He blushed when he saw the Ambassador approach and offered a deep bow,
"Ambassador," He stated and offered him a seat near the head of the table, "Is there anything you require?" he asked patiently

Si bowed back to the servant as he sat, noticing the kitsune's blush. "Nothing but some of your scruptuous breakfast food, a mug of coffee and a copy of any of today's papers, thank you." he said, nodding to him.

"Of course Sir," The Kitsune hurried from the room and emerged a few moments later with a hot cup of tea, a small plate of waffles and the copy of Mysan's main paper, the one that had nearly 100% Reading Audience amongst the Population. Across the front page, there was an obvious line,

QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAN?

The front page also came with a photo of the Queen hugging Si tightly amongst the throng of Reporters. The terror on her face could not be mistaken by anyone, nor could the look of surprise on Si's face,

Today, amongst the Queen's first conference since her disappearance, she revealled more than she had probably intended with her actions towards the Ambassador of Xiscapia, Ambassador Si. The Ambassador has been amongst us for a couple of months, following the disasterous Battle of Mandalan, but it was only during the Press Conference that anything became known of a relationship.

"I didn't have a clue," A member of the Queen's Staff admitted, "I knew they were close but never this"

The Queen and Ambassador were rescued by element of Alversian, Mysan and Lunasan Forces during the Siege of Gilda, a battle that cost the lives of over 3,000 brave Kitsune. The cowardly Bandits had captured the noble and heroic Queen to try and force a bargaining chip but where repelled by brave Allied forces. So who is this Ambassador?

Alversian and Palace officials were naturally quiet, claiming him to be nothing more than the Kitsune Empire's Representitive to our Planet, a man here to make sure of relations between our warring Nation-States. Fortunately, the Tribune was able to find a reliable source to talk to us about the Ambassador and his account was not favourable.

"The man is a killer," Explained the noble General Doblo of the Dromintine Empire, a man famous for extracting his forces during the Battle of Mandalan, when an Alversian Unit was destroyed by Bandit Cavalry,
"He tried to kill me and Queen is covering for him. Now, I am as willing as the next man to give this Kitsune a chance but he has repeatedly thrown my hospitality back in my face, even trying to take my life. This is not the sort of man that Mysan needs to bring her forward into her golden age?

The Tribune, however, reserves opinion on this man until the Queen herself, the noble and loving Queen Krystic I informs us of the man she has accepted a proposal from. If 'Mysan's Little Sister' is willing to accept him then we may have to resign ourselves to his presence.

Dominic, Currant Affairs Reporter

"Mystery Man!" sputtered Si upon seeing the headline, and read the whole article before setting the paper down. Words flashed though his mind:
"I knew they were close but never this"

the Tribune was able to find a reliable source to talk to us about the Ambassador...

"The man is a killer,"

This is not the sort of man that Mysan needs to bring her forward into her golden age!

If 'Mysan's Little Sister' is willing to accept him then we may have to resign ourselves to his presence.

He slumped back in his seat, staring as the black type on a white background crumpled back across his waffles and cup of coffee. They have no idea who I am. This revelation came as a surprise to him, though he supposed it shouldn't have. And they interviewed the bastard Doblo, although judging by what he was famed for the writer was less than impressed by the man. And they had given him a chance, if the Queen accepted him, they would too.
Still...

"Hey," It was a smiling Krystic, now ornately dressed in a red dress with matching bracelets, anklets and choker. Her smile faded immediately when she saw the expression on her Lover's face. Her own expression become one of alarm and fright,
"What is it?" She asked fearfully, timidly, "What have they said?"

"Nothing bad..." Si thrust the paper to her, watching her as she read. He felt bad for alarming her so unduly. "Yeah. So, do you know a way I could arrange an interview with this Dominic character? He'll probably ask me plenty of questions I don't want to or can't answer, but judging by this article it's high time they met me." he gave a little chuckle. "Is there anything specific, aside from the...obvious, you don't want in the paper?" He paused. The obvious covered so much already...

Krystic read the article and looked up at Si when she was finished. Her ears drooped slightly to show what she thought of it,
"Well, you have been a little out of the public eye," She admitted, "You've been too busy helping me," She smiled warmly at him then looked back down at the paper,
"If you want to have an interview with Dominic, then my staff can have that arranged," She smiled encouragingly, "I know Dominic, he's a good Reporter. He's one of the few that don't scare me"
She gave him an encouraging kiss before sitting down to breakfast,
"Don't be so sad, it makes me so depressed when you are like this"

"I'm sorry," Si shook his head, smiling at her across the table as she sat. "It was an overreaction on my part. I would like to arrange an interview, for today in fact if he can find a place in his schedule. So I can trust this reporter person? Do you know him personally?"

"I think that can be arranged," Krystic nodded to one of the Servants behind the table. He bowed deeply and hurried from the room to complete the Queen's business. At Si's second question, she frowned lightly,
"He's nice," She shrugged, "He likes to get to the gist of the story but he doesn't push and he will write based on what he's been given, rather than his own imagination. I like him," She blushed then looked back at her breakfast, eating quietly.

Si nodded in understanding. "Unbiased reporters, or ethical, hardworking ones can be difficult to find. I'm glad I won't have to fence throughout the entire interview, then." With nothing else to say Si dug into his waffles, taking a swing of his coffee, swallowing thoughtfully.

It was not for another four hours, long after breakfast had been finished, that a Servant entered the Queen's private lounge area to inform the Ambassador that a Reporter was here to see him, claiming an appointment.
Kystic was reading by an open window, a book that had come from her own extensive library. She was laying on her stomach, feet crossed in the air as she turned page after page of the book. She only looked up once the servant had left,
"That'll be Dominic, My Love," She said happily, "Good luck, I'll see you when you're finished" She got up to give him a parting kiss before returning to her book.

"May Qonn grant me his blessing and you send with me the strength I need," said Si quietly, kissing her back before abandoning his own book and sweeping out into the hall. "Take me to the reporter, please" he told the servant, following the kitsune until he met this esteemed member of the press.

The Reporter, as it turned out, was not that much older than Si. In fact, he looked younger. He was sitting in a chair, one of two that were in the empty room, tapping idly on a small table with a notepad and a pen upon it. He stood as the Servant led the Xiscapian into the room and offered him a bow, green hair cut short between his grey furred ears. He carried an air of confidence that one could only get when working in an area of immense personal priviliage and control.

"Ambassador" He gave an encouraging smile and indicated to the other seat,
"Allow me to introduce myself. As you doubt have guessed, my name is Dominic and I am the Currant Affairs Reporter for the Mysan Tribune, the largest paper in the kingdom. Now this will be a fairly informal chat, I am only here in order to relay a few details about yourself to the Public so they may build a better relationship with you following your engagement." He smiled, "yes, we know about that. Don't worry though, we shall not release the news formally until we have some details to go along with it. Are you okay with that, Ambassador? Is there anything I have said that you disagree with?"

Si gave his own bow and took a seat, no expression flickering over his face as he had been taught in the Diplomatic Corps when dealing with the press. "You revealed you knew of the engagement and announced it to Mysan in your article," he said blandly to Dominic. "And I once again must say I do not think General Doblo is a reliable source under any circumstances, but you made clear your contempt for him in indicating his, ah, fame." A slight smile, he couldn't resist. "Other than those, your article was a fine, truthfully informative piece of work. I look forward to letting the general populace know a little more about the Mysan Mystery Man."

Si honestly didn't know whether he would rather have announced or had Krystic announce their engagement themselves, but he had proposed in a hall full of Ambassadors, so most of Mysan probably knew before the press had printed a word of it.

"Ah yes," Dominic gave a small smile, "That was, what we call in the Press, Damage Limitation. By the time we went to press, there were at least a dozen rumours about you, the Queen and the stage at which you were at in your relationship. We thought it would be best to tell the truth there and then and so squash as many rumours as possible." He gave a small shake of the head,
"Ah yes, the great General Doblo. Unfortunately, my Editor insisted I get someone close to the Royal Family to talk about you and most were either bound by Royal Decree or Alversian Military Orders not to disclose information about you. General Doblo was the only one, so to speak, although I have looked into his military record and I am not impressed. Did you know that the food he wasted last year on campaign could have fed a full Infantry Battalion? Besides," he shook his head, "That's besides the point. I would like to start the interview now and I would like to, if I may, start at the beginning,"

He held his notepad in one hand and his pen in the other ready to write,
"Can you tell me some basic details about yourself? Not a major recount but a few important instances from your life before Mysan?"

"I am, as you know, a full Ambassador in the Xiscapian Diplomatic Corps, a citizen of the Kitsune Empire in service to the government. I have a full education in the school system and passed near the top of my class at the Diplomatic Corps Academy, fully qualified for field missions. I am a devout servant to the Church of Qonn as well. I am thirty-two years of age, and I acted as a negotiator and ship's Ambassador on an Xiscapian combat vessel during one of our wars. I was handpicked for this assignment by my superior, Chief Ambassador Vanadict, and was personally knighted by the Emperor for my work during the conflict I mentioned before. I have served in the XDC for four years now, and I plan to continue for some time now, Qonn willing."

"Ahem," Dominic made a small noise as he wrote down a few details in the notepad before looking up,
"You said you were knighted by the Emperor, of Xiscapia I presume? May I ask what you did in the conflict that deserved a knighthood?"

"Yes, Emperor Foxfire Rose, Year of our Lord Fourteen, for my actions at the battle of Nova Max. The back story is rather long and complicated, but essentially a ally of convenience called the Intergalactic Empire of Greal to the Kitsune Empire was attempting to export some of it's citizens to be killed by another nation, ethnic cleansing as it were. Xiscapia took offense to this, of course, and rescued most of the civilians before they were transported or killed. I, along with an Alversian Captain, held a meeting with the representative of Greal and both convinced him what he and his comrades were doing was wrong and managed to get them to deed the protection and responsibility of the citizens over to the Kitsune Empire. For this I was knighted."

"Ah yes, very good Ambassador," The reporting Kitsune smiled at that, as if he were smiling at an idea in his head, before continuing,
"Now, may I ask what hobbies, if any, you have?"

"Hobbies." Si had to think for a moment. "Previously, I spent my spare time reading, history and current events mostly, and occasionally writing an article for a newspaper or magazine or a paper for a journal. Sometimes I would immerse myself in a VR, but I find reality to be much more interesting than anything I can make up in my head."
OOC: Night.

OC: G'night.

"Very good Ambassador," Dominic nodded as he wrote, "Very interesting. Now, tell me what you think of Mysan and, in particular, the Queen? Can you give me any information with regards to your engagement?"

"I think Mysan is a fine example of a thriving kitsune city, it could be virtually any city in the Kitsune Empire if I didn't know better. I am impressed by the training, skill and fortitude of the Mysan Army, and I believe I owe my life to them at least once, probably twice over. Similarly I am in awe of her citizens, with the vigil held when the Queen was in the hospital, the relaxing, hospitable atmosphere the kitsune of Mysan exert and the loyalty and care they direct to their ruler. The Queen herself is an able ruler, I believe that in the short time I have know her she has changed considerably, permit me to say her days as 'Mysans Little Sister' are over. The Queen is sensitive, considerate, kind, energetic and intelligent, all virtues she has exhibited in my stay here. As for our engagement, all I can tell you is that we are both very happy to be betrothed and that the proposal was made last night at a Royal Feast."

"Ah," Dominic smiled again as he wrote down a few more items, "Have you any words on your potential conviction? I hear that the sentence has been commuted until the war is over?"

"I am confident I will not be tried for capital punishment under Mysan or Dromintine laws. The exact and final verdict has not, technically, been decided yet, and I may have some things of my own to say to a Court of Law about a certain General."

"I see," Dominic wrote a little more, "Can you tell me what you think of the Dromintine? Of all the Plains Allies?"

"Sadly I have not been able to meet most of the representatives from the Kingdoms of the Plains in-depth, so I do not feel entirely qualified to say anything for or against them. However, I know most if not all of the Kingdoms were out in force searching for myself and the Queen when we were kidnapped, and for this I owe them my thanks. Furthermore one Nysan of Lunasa has been a great friend and ally to me, he served as my defense lawyer at the trial. As for the Dromintine I do not feel I can judge an entire Kingdom by the actions, words and personality of one man, so for now I will decline to comment."

"I see," the Kitsune nodded and made another small note. He looked for another moment then gave a small nod,
"Thank you Ambassador, but I think I have all I need to make up a little dossier on you for the people. You should expect it sometime either tomorrow or the day after. Thank you for your openess and honesty Ambassador," He rose and gave a small bow to Si before being escorted from the room.

Si bowed back to the reporter and made his way back to the lounge area where Krystic was waiting. "Hey," he kissed her in greeting, "it went really well. You were right, Dominic was very friendly and not at all intrusive. He said we could expect an article in a day or so."

"That's great!" Krystic seemed delighted by the news from Si and kissed him back happily. She then looked back at her book and shook her head,
"I'm bored. Let's go and do something more fun!" She giggled and tugged on his sleeve.

"Such as...?" Si willingly allowed himself to be dragged off, heavily reminded of the times when he had first met Krystic. "We've done the hot springs, and the crystal cave, what else is there now?"

"Dunno," She paused for a moment, looking thoughtfully cute. She brightened up then instantly, grinning,
"Perhaps the Blue mountain? We have to wait until dusk though"

"Where is the Blue Mountain?" asked Si curiously. "And why would we need to wait until dusk to go there?"
OOC: TG

"Well," Krystic stuck out her tongue as they reached the stables, where a series of fine and expensive horses were waiting,
"You'll have to wait and see"

"I've always liked surprises," Si smiled to himself as he mounted a horse, rather more comfortable astride it than he had been previously. "So only you know the way to this mysterious mountain, my love?" he asked Krystic teasingly.

"No," Krystic mounted her own horse at the same time as three dozen Mysan Cavalry Troopers did the same. All were armed with katanas, rifles and more weapons besides. They looked as though they were ready for anything,
"But I'm the only one who really knows what the mountain can do at sunset. Come on!" She kicked the horse forward into a trot, "We don't want to miss any of it"

Si chuckled as he saw the escort approach, jerking the reins to make his horse begin to move after Krystic. "I'm sure I don't." he murmured as he bounced and bobbed on top of his steed as they moved at a brisk yet comfortable pace over the stone roadway.

It was not long before they were well out of the city and closing in on the border of the Mysan Kingdom. They were getting near to a large mountain range. Krystic happily trotted along in front. A dozen of her Guards were in front and more were behind. However, as they were getting closer, the sound of drums and trumpets could be heard throughout the plains, accompanied by a deep rumbling.

Krystic curbed her horse as her escort took their weapons off their shoulders and peered at the horizon,
"What's that?" She asked, an edge of fear in her voice.

Si craned his head around the horses, looking for any sign of movement or recent encampment that suggested people were in the area. "Perhaps one of the Kingdoms has an army out here on manuvers?" he wondered aloud, strongly suspecting otherwise. If the noise was what he thought, they needed to get out of here, fast. However, Si could not and would not leave Krystic behind, though he saw she sensed it too.

The Escort was about to reply when he looked at something over Si's shoulder. At the same time as he looked, his face paled to a deathly white and his mouth dropped open. The rest of the escort were the same, frozen in their positions, unable to do anything but stare at the sight in front of them,

"Qonn alive, deliver us" One of the men muttered at the same time Krystic screamed.

Along the top of a nearby ridge were a never ending line of troops. They were Bandit troops. The banners flew in the light breeze and the horns were deafened out by the cheers and jeers of the Bandits. They were only interspaced by the lines of guns that were aiming down at the Queen's party in the valley.

"C'mon!" One of the Escorts yelled, "We need to get to shelter!" He pointed to a small village, formed up into a small fortress, abandoned. Krystic was still staring at the Bandit army, frozen by fear.

"Krystic!" Si reared around and literally screamed in her face, putting his hands on her shoulders. "We need to get out of here, now!" He could hear the whoops and cries of the bandits, the smash of hoofs against dirt and rock, terrifying close. That fear and his overriding concern for Krystic shut out any questions of how or why the bandits were here, leaving Si with only an adrenaline rush and the urge to flee.
But he wouldn't do it without Krystic.

The escort were already galloping towards the village, preparing to fortify it against the Bandit Army that had appeared. They were not advancing into the valley but standing and chanting. Krystic heard Si's scream and turned to face him, her face paled with fear.

She managed to turn her horse and gallop towards the open gates of the village fortress. The Queen's escort had formed up along the roofs, doubling as walls. They were preparing to repel an attack while the Queen and her Fiance raced towards the safety. Once they were inside, the gates were shut and locked. Then the Kitsune prepared to defend the Queen.

"Si" Krystic hugged the Ambassador tightly, her terror obvious, "What's going to happen?"

"I have no idea," Si replied honestly, staring out towards the horde of bandits. "We need to get inside, and see if there's any way we can signal Mysan to come to our aide. We won't last long if they attack full force." The Ambassador mentally swore at his own carelessness of neglecting to bring a blaster. He felt so exposed, defenseless, and he knew that there was a very real and even likely chance that all the troops, he, and Krystic could die today.

It was at that moment, when the group's position seemed untenable, that another trumpet sounded throughout the valley. This one was different to the Bandits, for it was not as deep and lasted far longer than any Bandot horn had done so. One quick look up the slope behind them would see that the horizon was now blotted out by a new Army. This one wore gleaming armour of all shapes and colours. Above it flew the banners of Mysan, Alversia and every plains Kingdom imaginable.

Already a column of Mysan troops were marching down their side of the valley towards the village.

"Oh thank Qonn," Si breathed. Then a thought struck him. "We need to leave, now!" he shouted. "When the armies clash, we'll be right in the middle! We need to make it over to the Plains side, where it's safe. If they start coming," he pointed to the wall, beyond several houses and a few dozen yards he knew the bandits to be standing, "we might have only seconds before they're on us and it's over."

Krystic did not move, motioning ahead at one of the gates, frozen in fear. It was obvious what she was pointing at. The gates were already creaking and groaning from the impact of people forcing against them. The Queen's escort was standing in formation, preparing to repel whatever came through the gates. Krystic stayed with them, too frozen by fear to move.
As the first Mysan troops flowed into the village, the mighty guns began their bombardment of the opposite ridges while the gates seemed to disintergrate, revealling thousands of Bandits charging through the opened gates.

Si lunged, grabbing Krystic around the waist and bodily throwing them both out of the way into a side alley. Si hit the ground hard with her on top of him, knocking the breath out of him as he heard the Mysan and bandits begin to engage. He gasped as he climbed to his feet, tugging at Krystic. "Got to...move," he panted, urgently trying to make her stand.

Krystic merely stood limply, watching the action in the main street. Watching her Kitsune being torn apart and tearing apart the enemy in return. She seemed unable to move, even when a Bandit came for her and was cut down by a half-dozen bayonets. She looked to Si, eyes wide in fright and tried to say something, but only a small whimper came out.
A flood of Troops were now fighting from the town, and the clash of steel on steel and the high pitched screams were deafening

Si stared. Krystic had frozen up, from fear probably, and she could no longer speak or move, and the Ambassador knew that if even one lucky bandit managed to slip past, he could easily kill the Mysan Queen. There were ways to fix this, but Si had neither the luxury of time nor know-how to attempt them. Stepping towards Krystic he turned around and blindly guided her hands around onto his back, clasping them around his chest from behind. He then reached back and, both hands just under her rear, boosted her so that she was hanging off his back. Staggering only slightly under the weight, Si lumbered off, seeking an exit. He knew that if any bandit happened upon them, they would be as good as dead. Si was defenseless, and while he had been trained in the arts of unarmed combat, he would have to drop Krystic to do so, which would leave her entirely open to attack.

Krystic was again limp in Si's grasp, seemingly unable or willing to act in the field of slaughter that surrounded her. She just clung on and hoped that her Fiance would be able to guide them to safety. However, at the end of the street down which they were running, they were blocked by a Kitsune. He was well dressed but not in any uniform and he was carrying a katana that was not his own,
"Well, well, Ambassador, we meet again," Marxius laughed at the sight of the Ambassador and Queen, "Carrying Mysan on your shoulders again I see"

Si stopped abruptly, nearly falling. There was nowhere to go: Retreating would only bring them back into the battle, and there were no side alleys or doors he could escape to. The Queen's Fiancé slowly set her down against the wall of the alley, stepping away, stance wide and hands up, balled into fists. "Your obsession with power it most tiring," he called. "Your army will be crushed here, and you will die, you and all your nightmares of power. Just give yourself up now, don't make it hard on yourself."

"What?" Marxius laughed, "I believe I'm the one who holds the katana, not you. I will win this battle and when I do, Mysan will be the first to fall. I'll make sure of that" He gave an evil grin, "You think you have what it takes to beat me, Ambassador?" Marxius twisted the katana through his hands, spinning the blade with the ease of any master.
OOC: TG, Xis

"Not without a sword," said Si flatly. "Will you simply run me though, defenseless, like a coward, or will you hand me a blade and allow yourself to claim your new Empire in the time-honored tradition of a duel?"

Marxius laughed at the Ambassador's boldness and went for something in his belt. He pulled another katana from behind him and threw it to Si,
"My old katana," He explained as he readied himself, "I like yours too much, it's many times better than mine. En guarde!" He laughed again.

"Hmph," Si dropped the sheath to expose the blade, holding it before him. He could tell Marxius was a master swordsman, and wondered, not for the first time, if he was Xiscapian. He was obviously of Xiscapian blood, all kitsune were, but where had he obtained that sword and who had trained him?
Si slipped into a defensive posture, leassons from his family, friends and old teachers coming back to him on blade-to-blade combat. He calmly waited for his enemy to make the first move, katana held in a guarded position angling across his chest and stomach, held with both hands.

Marxius leapt forward with Si's katana, feinting an attack at Si's head but changing his direction at the last minute to flick at Si's thigh instead. His eyes never lefts Si's, a small smile on his face as he duelled.

Si jerked back reflexively at the lunge, and this saved him from being sliced across the thigh, holding his sword tightly. Seeing the opening he swung his blade at chest height at Marxius, twisting as he did so to bring himself behind the enemy kitsune. This would allow him to execute a finishing move if his attack worked, and if it did not he would have precious seconds to plan and react as his opponet worked out what he had done and made his own reaction.

Marxius was better at swordfighting than he had first appeared. As soon as Si had evaded his first attack, he rolled forward and so missed Si's counterstroke and he was facing him again. The two Kitsune squared off again, except Si had made a mistake, for Marxius was now between him and the huddled Queen.

Si had been intent on striking his foe down quickly, and only now he noticed his fatal mistake. Envedoring to put himself between the kitsune General and the Queen again he quickly began circling in that direction, slashing repeatedly, almost wildly, to keep Marxius on the defensive and concentrating on blocking the blows.

Fortunately, Marxius was too focused on their battle to notice the Queen behind him. He circled with Si, easily deflecting or dodging his attacks while not lashing out himself. He was cold and calculating with his own attacks, his eyes never leaving Si's,
"Are you not wondering where I'm from, Ambassador?" he laughed, "Not wondering of my past?"

"Your past matters not," Si hissed, lying even as he did question the past of the bandit kitsune. "Only your future matters to me, the one where your death draws ever closer..."

"You're lying," Marxius stated with glee, "I know you're lying. I could tell you all about my past and I guess I will," he said this as he fought quickly with Si, a battle to the death,
"What if I told you I was once an Ambassador like you? A Diplomat with peace in his heart and harmony sprouting from his mouth. What would you say?"

"I would tell you you are a liar," growled Si. "Scum of the galaxy like you could never aspire to such a position. You would grab all the control and power you could," he parried a blow, "not unlike old Monta. Go ahead and tell me your life story, Ambassador." He smiled mockingly.

"It's simple," Marxius parried a blow as he talked, "I was sent by the old King of Mysan to talk with the Bandits, to try and persuade them to give up their warring ways and leave Mysan in peace. Of course, when I got there, I saw the light," He laughed aloud, "The central bandits have new terraforming technology that they could use to transform this planet, turn it into a green haven. All we need to do that is the land of the kingdom and their slaves to construct the device. Once I have all that, I shall rule the most prosperous planet in the galaxy!"

"Once again you amuse me, General," Si said, not a flicker of any such merriment showing on his face, "terraforming, hah. Where in all the galaxy would they have gotten such technology? Salvaged it from the desert, did they? Or maybe they stole it off an Alversian freighter," he rolled his eyes, words sarcastic. "And once you have this powerful planet, how do you ever expect to compete? Your weapons are outdated, you have no land vehicles to speak of, you have no Navy of any kind, your population is tiny compared to most space-faring nations and the will of your people will be weak and demoralized under your harsh rule. No, General, I don't think I agree with your vision: It is a foolish plan, with little hope of succeeding, and even if it did, you would only be exposing Mysan to attack from other nations. Give it up, for you will die here, and your dreams of oppression with you."

"We'll see who dies, Ambassador," Marxius laughed as he lashed forward again, this time however, he made a mistake. He reached a little too far, the result of trying to cut Si as much as possible. He was off balance and open.

"Memento mori," whispered Si, leaning back and deflecting the katana blade, in an instant sliding his edge across that of Marxius's and coming free to stab to the stomach, inside his defenses.

Marxius gave a loud gasp of pain. Then he stopped. He looked down at his stomach, then up at Si in disbelief. Slowly, very slowly, his katana came loose from his hand. It feel to the sand, settling peacefully in the soft surface. The Bandit General tried to speak but got only a whimper for his efforts. The Kitsune lowered himself to his knees, holding on to the wound in his stomach. He looked at the Queen, still cowering behind Si, then back up at the triumphant Xiscapian. The rest of the battle seemed to have faded away, the dimishing number of bandits meant nothing. The capture of the town meant nothing to this small trio.
Marxius was now lying on his side, hissing with the pain he was feeling. His body was trembling, though from pain or fear it was hard to tell. He shook his head sadly and looked up at the Ambassador again. He offered him a smile, not the evil smile that Si was used to, but another warmer smile. The smile seemed to change his whole face, the gaunt ruggedness seemed to vanish, the lines beneath his eyes and the harshness in his pupils were replaced. His skin seemed to soften, his frown vanished and his eyes were filled with the warmth that only a love of peace could truly hold.
Marxius managed to take one hand from his stomach and rummage through the pockets of his cloak. After a few moments, he took a small, heart-shaped locket and handed it weakly to Si. His smile vanished in another grimace of pain. He gave a choke to indicate his end was near. However, through tremendous personal strength, he managed to force his final words from his pain-filled body,
""I was a servant of the People,
I was a servant of the Emperor,
I was the servant of honor, my life was not my own,
when the people had need of it.
I betrayed them for my selfish desires, I lost sight of my honor,
I lost sight of my ideals and my mission,
Now my life is given for the People, for my Emperor,
and for my honor."

After reciting this and making sure the locket was in Si's hands, Marxius coughed violently again, he looked back up at Si, his eyes already dulling,
He managed to force another sentence from his mouth,

"It was a lie," he whispered, "My command was a lie, please forgive me. Please...ask...Mysan...for...give...m..."
With a final sigh, Marxius' body went limp and the Bandit General was dead.

The locket was opened to reveal a photo inside. An old black and white photo that showed a female Kitsune not unlike Marxius himself, sharing many of his features. Unlike the former General though, she seemed to exhume warmth and happiness, she seemed to show delight in her very soul through her eyes. Even her smile expressed her utter joy. Beside the photo was a phrase hand-written,

'Dearest Marxius,
I have heard of your new assignment and I wish all of Qonn's luck upon you in this dangerous task. I give you this so we never be parted. I want you to know that wherever you go and whatever you do, you shall have all my love and support. Good luck, my hero, may Qonn bring you back to me soon.

Your Dearest Sister,
Hannah'

Krystic had read the inscription and now there were tears in her eyes as she looked back at the dead General, then back at the picture,
"That poor man," She whispered, "That poor, poor man" She shook her head.

Si held the locket in one trembling hand, reading the inscription inside over and over and over again, reciting the last words of the bandit to himself. He then looked down at the blade still held in his other hand, and slowly turned it so that the point was facing the ground, and rammed it in, the sword sticking up as a quarter of it was buried in the ground. Looking back to the locket he swallowed hard, felt tears gather in the corners of his eyes and fall. He had killed this person, this Xiscapian, but what had he died for? Who had he been, why had he been sent, what was his mission?
"We will need to," Si's voice choked up, "bring him back to Mysan for a proper burial."

He fully intended to find out who Marxius had been and why he had been sent here.

Krystic gave a little nod. The sounds of battle had finished, indicating that the village was still in Plain's control. She was still staring at the dead Kitsune. Her eyes glanced over to his locket every now and then but her attention was mostly on him. She shook her head, the tears in free-flow now. This was the man who had had her whipped, almost killed and looked as though he was enjoying it. Now though, she felt nothing but sympathy for him. She had been so caught up in her hatred that she had not stopped to think that perhaps this General had thoughts, feelings, family"

"What did he mean?" She asked, whipping away a tear of her own, "What did he mean by a lie? What was a lie?"

My command was a lie...
"I know not. An Ambassador, a soldier, from Xiscapia? When, how, why? So many questions his passing leaves us with." Si shook his head. "I was not told of an Xiscapian ever having set foot on this planet. Perhaps he was an Alversian kitsune. I will check the archieves of the Alvo vessel in orbit to see if I can ascertain who Marxius really was."

"He was a monster," Krystic still could not take her eyes off the body of the Kitsune, "He was such a monster. Why do I feel so sorry for him?"

OOC: TG

"Because even though he was a monster, he was still enough of a person to love," Si held up the locket in silent testament. "You are not crying for him, you are crying for who he was, who he might have been. You are feeling the grief of those who knew him, you are sad because only in his passing did he repent, when it was too late." He finished solemnly.
OOC: Responded.

"Why did he do it?" She asked sadly, still looking at the Kitsune, then she looked at her Fiance with a terrible sadness,
"What convinced him to do it? Why?" She seemed so caught up in her sadness, the man who had almost ruined her people had a heart, he even had a family.
"How are you going to find out about him?" the Kitsune Queen asked

"I will conduct a full search of both Alversian and Xiscapian archieves and records to see if I can find any reference to Marxius. I think I have a sufficent access level to find out about him, at least on Xiscapia. I don't know about the Alversians, it might take a little digging, but I'm sure I can come up with something." Si gazed down at the body of the bandit. "If all else fails, I can always find a match between the picture and the name Hannah."

Krystic gave a small nod as Soldiers moved into the street. They were the Alversian Kitsune of the 612th Battalion and they took one look at Marxius body and cheered aloud. They moved off quickly to spread the news.
"Your Majesty!"
It was Bywater, with a bloody arm and a bloody sabre. He looked from Si, to the Queen to Marxius and he froze, eyes fixed on the body,
"Is that...him?" He asked in wonder.

"It is," Si nodded and picked up Marxius's scabbard from the ground, sheathing the blade in one deft motion. Dropping it onto the body, his picked up his own sword by the hilt and removed his sheath from the cooling corpse of the bandit, closing it in as well and restoring it to his place on his belt. "I would like to return to Mysan and get into contact with Xiscapia and Alversia when possible."

"Of course", Bywater nodded, the battle was as good as over. The Bandits had retreated from the village with the news that their leader had not returned with them. Morale had collapsed and the Bandit Army had fled. The great battle had been nothing more than a mere skirmish, yet it was enough to break the Bandit effort. Si had redeemed himself as far as any court was concerned.

It was not long before the Queen and Si were amongst more cheering and celebrating Citizens in Mysan. They knew what the victory meant for their people. It meant the end of the Bandit threat. They were as good as defeated.

Once outside the broadcast room, Krystic and Si parted company, the former with a kiss for the later,
"Good luck," Was all she said. She could not be enthusiastic about what had happened. What she had seen.

Si kissed Krystic back without a word and entered the tent, striding across the room past the jubilant servant to the station. In seconds he had called up the Xiscapian military Holonet, and began to shift though it, typing in likely keywords. He got a few matches to the name Marxius, but all of them were either KIA, had died of old age, or were provably on Xiscapia or one of the colonies. No luck there. He went to the Ambassador section, and began his search. It was not until he got down to the academicals records that he found something. It was a short blurb, detailing the training of an Alversian kitsune named Marxius for deployment back to Alversia.

Closing that, he knew that it had to be him. The history matched with his story, and it made sense he would be trained on Xiscapia, as the diplomatic program on Alversia was mainly meant for ship captains. But who had sent him? Unless the standard mission briefing and reports were highly classified, Marxius had never been a Xiscapian diplomat of any kind. Now establishing a link to the Alversian vessel in orbit, he found himself face-to-face with a young Ensign who he assumed to be part of the communications detail.
"Ensign," Si lowered his head quickly in place of a bow, "I would like you to link me to the Alversian Holonet and do a search in both military and government files for the name 'Marxius', and send to be all relevant matches."

The Ensign nodded and soon Si was connected to the Alversian Holonet. It seemed that the information relevant to Marxius was not classified and Si was easily able to access it with his own clearance code. The file it brought up showed a young Kitsune. He was holding a badge of some kind and his face was full of joy, his eyes full of delight and his smile stretched the whole width of his face. He looked as though he was trying not to laugh at something,
The information read:

NAME: Ri-Sa Marxius
P.O.B: Rio Casa, Xiscapia
SERVICE: APA
SERVICE NO: 2033024/A
RANK: Diplomat
TRAINING:
Military School: 3 Years: Grade A
Military Diplomacy School: 2 Years: Grade A
Rio Casa University: 3 Years: Grade A
EXPERIENCE:
213th Infantry Battalion: Maraton: 4 Years
CURRANT STATUS:
MIA

ACCESS TO MISSION LOGS FORBIDDEN: LEVEL 5 CLEARANCE REQUIRED

Si read what he had found quickly. The most direct route would, of course, be to look though the mission logs, but his clearance was not sufficent so access had been denied. Still there were other ways. He typed an inquiry as to the duration of his MIA status, requested data on his last assingment that Si had a high enough level to obtain, and asked to be notified if the search turned up any next-of-kin.

The terminal paused for a few seconds as the data was gathered, searching all of Alversia's vast military database to find the information needed for the Ambassador. It was not long though, before it appeared onscreen,


NAME: Ri-Sa Marxius
P.O.B: Rio Casa
RACE: Kitsune
P.O.R: Illesia City
OCCUPATION: Diplomat
PARENTS OCCUPATIONS:
Mother: Nurse
Father: Diplomat
PERSONAL RELATIONS:
Hannah Marxius - Sister - Age: 32
Lana Marxius - Wife - Age: 29
Jeni Marxius - Daughter - Age: 6
LAST ASSIGNMENT:
Mission to Negoitiate with Pirates in Outer systems of Alversian DMZ.
Reach a truce to permit Alversian shipping along the DMZ without interference.
Price to be 20,000 Sedar for every ship not attacked.
Mission Successful


Outside the tent though, there was someone waiting for him. Someone who should have been somewhere else but had heard about what happened and had come to see him. The Commander of the United Armies, General Sharpe stood and watched through the tent flap as the Ambassador worked, absorbed by the information in front of him.
"Reading about our great enemy, Ambassador?" he asked in a sof voice.

Si glanced over the information that had come up, and typed an inquiry as to the personal information of the father and wife of Marxius. He then requested the date his last assingment had been completed, and again asked for the duration of his MIA status. Si heard Sharpe's words, and turned in his seat to face the Alversian. "I am," he said quietly. "I'm not done yet, but what I've turned up is...disturbing, to say the least. I will be with you in a moment."

"Of course," Sharpe waited as the information Si requested came up,

NAME: Marxius
OCCUPATION: Diplomat
P.O.B: Illesia
Date of Death: 12/03/2405
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Imma - Wife - Dead: Age 63
Ri-Sa - Son - MIA: Age 29
Hannah - Daughter - Age: 32

--------------------------

DURATION OF STATUS FOR RI-SA MARXIUS: 2 Months
COMPLETION OF LAST ASSIGNMENT: 2 Months

"What is disturbing, Ambassador?" Sharpe asked quietly

Si ignored the question, turning in his seat to face Sharpe, his form was blocking the screen so the Alversian could not see what was there. "How long have you, the Alversians, been aware of General Marxius's presence commanding the bandit army?" he asked softly, eyes searching Sharpe's.

Sharpe looked back, his eyes full of sadness but his face hardened against the Ambassador's questionning,
"At least a year," Sharpe replied firmly and without thought, "Ri-Sa, for that was his name, was in command of the Bandit forces for a year. I see you have many questions, Ambassador, such as why Ri-Sa's profile states he has only been missing two months while he has been missing for a year if not more. I have your answers," Sharpe held up a small key and handed it to the Ambassador,
"To fully understand the situation, you must read his Personal Logs"

Si silently held out his hand and allowed the key to be dropped into his palm. He turned back to the terminal, inserting the device. "There is something wrong here, something nasty, a cover-up I feel, by someone. For what, why and who I know not, but I'll get to the bottom of it." His voice was colored by determination and perhaps the slightest bit of anger. People had died because of Marxius, he, Mysan and all of the Plains deserved to know the full story.

At once, the screen flickered to life and information appeared, long reams of it. However, with Si's prompting, it centered on just a few statements,

31st March
I have arrived on Macronia at last. I am not sure what to expect from my new assignment from Lieutenant Colonel Sharpe, our resident on the ground, tells me that I am in for a rough time. I do not care. My job is to go into the rough areas and smooth them over, prepare them for the terraforming that will follow peace in this land. A revolutionary method, the land will be terraformed around the cities, permitting it to happen without evacuating the great cities. I have seen some holo-images and I am more than delighted by their presence. Their beauty shall be an inspiration to me as I work here. I must take some images of my own to show Hannah, Lana and Jenni. They will be pleased. My heart already pangs for them but I am prepared to miss them for a few months. It will not take longer than that to sort this mess out.

23rd May
I have been here for nearly two months and I find myself in a little problem. From what I have seen and heard from the leaders of the cities, there is little chance of unification within this generation. The cities cannot even agree where their own borders lie, never mind where a terraforming device should be planted. As the land around it is to be changed, we have no choice but to put it into one of the cities. I cannot chose which as they are all selfish as the next and I know all of them will use the device to their own advantage rather than for the betterment of all peoples. Regardless, I am an Ambassador, I have patient and training by my side, I am ready to sit it out if need be. I can forge a life for myself here if I need to. I can cope.

31st May
I must admit here, now, that I am starting to get worried. The leaders I could cope with for a short time, or so I thought, I slowly find my shoulders sagging. I regret that I have risen this morning and slouch to my appointments with the Kingdoms. The songs of delight I sang as I walked have become whistles of doom and misery. To my horror, I find myself cursing the rulers under my breath, taking pleasure in their misery or mistakes. Worst of all, I find myself beginning to give them wrong advice to lead them into these problems. I should inform Lieutenant Colonel Sharpe of my condition and that I cannot continue my work here. When I think of that though, I see the faces of my sister, my wife and daughter, their looks of dissappointment. I cannot let them down. I shall remain true to my goal until my task is complete. That is the way of the Diplomat.

4th July
I have been north to visit the Nomads and what I see has touched my greatly. They have nothing, nothing at all compared to the cities and yet they live as one, happy to share what they have and give everyone a chance. They live in peace with each other. Wandering Bands, even armed, will do nothing more than shake hands, trade materials, then leave the other alone. If it were the Plain's Cities? They would have left a carpet of the dead. I find myself connecting more to their ideals and way of life than to the Cities. I am worried that the terraforming may affect their way of life forever. I shall inform Lieutenant-Colonel Sharpe of my fears.

10th July
The Lieutenant Colonel agrees completely with my concerns and has asked me to add it to the list of requirements that will make up a unifying treaty. However, I drag my heels over the decision. I know that the Plain's Cities, even if they do unite, will never agree to the Nomads having any say in the future of the planet. I know that I shall have to make a very difficult decision. Do I betray the training of a lifetime? Do I abandon all that I hold dear and try to help those I do not know? This path may spill much blood and the thought repulses me. On the other hand, I cannot abandon these good, simple people to their doom.

18th July
My mind is made up. I have heard that Duke Monta has been succeeded by his Niece in Mysan and that she is no less a Tyrant than he. She has continued his path of murder and oppression and they, combined with the Dromintine Doblo have finally pushed me over the edge. I cannot take the man anymore and I know what I have to do. The real people who deserve help on this planet are the Nomads, not the barbarians who live within their walls. I look that those same walls and sigh. When I first arrived, I held them up as a sign of civilisation, a symbol that life could survive anywhere if it could be given a chance. Now they represent that no amount of civilisation can tame evil's heart. That oppression will always follow lawlessness into areas like this. I know that I am now abandoning my Wife and Daughter and the thought depresses me. However, I cannot abandon those people to their fate. I shall steal the blueprints for the Terraforming Machine and I shall take it to them and see what they want to do with it. I know longer care about the affairs of the plain and their oppressive rulers. However, I have a word of advice for the Ambassador who shall surely follow in my footsteps. They will push you to the brink but you must not give up hope. There is good in the plains. Just don't look to high in their society to find it. Good Luck, and to my Daughter, should I never see her again. I love you, I have always loved you and not a day goes by where I don't miss you. I want you to be happy and to be proud of me, I cannot let you do that unless I am true to who I am. I shall see you again, though in this life or the next, I shall leave up to Qonn.

END LOG

Si read the logs, noting the dates, going with Ambassador Marxius though his trials. He felt a great empathy for the Alversian kitsune, their sentiments were sometimes the same. But these other words?
"He was wrong," said Si quietly. "How could his mind have become so warped? 'I have heard that Duke Monta has been succeeded by his Niece in Mysan and that she is no less a Tyrant than he. She has continued his path of murder and oppression.' 'There is good in the plains. Just don't look to high in their society to find it.' Lies."

Si looked up to Sharpe. "Is the preservation of one way of life worth the destruction of another? This terraforming," he jabbed his finger at the screen, "created nothing but problems. The Kingdoms could not be trusted to use it responsibly, but when the bandits took hold of it they planned to use it to destroy the Kingdoms. The idea should never have been introduced. But these nomadic tribes, the bandits...I assume Marxius abandoned his post to join them? I do not understand Marxius's actions, I do not understand why no one told me any of this before now. I could have bargained, there could have been a way to peace, that's all he wanted. But the bandits were painted as savage enemies, and you stood by and said nothing." He looked accusingly at Sharpe. "You knew all of this, but you said nothing."

"By the time you arrived Ambassador," Sharpe emphasised the title as if to suggest that he was not a military man and would not understand, "By the time you arrived, Ri-Sa was long gone. He was caught up in his war to listen to reason and refused our every peace settlement. Ri-Sa was in Dromintine when he heard of Queen Krystic's rise, do you not remember how her Uncle controlled her from behind the scenes? He did not hear about that, all he heard was that she was continuing his policies.
Do you think I enjoyed keeping this information secret? I knew Ri-Sa very well, I knew him as a Diplomat and as a Friend. How do you think the Plain's Cities would have reacted to the news that an Alversian National was leading the Nomadic Bandits? You were lucky in your timing, for you have arrived in the era of Krystic, Nysan and their Generation of more tolerent, understanding rulers. The older Generation shared more with Monta than Krystic. We had to improve their way of life. The wars were not over the technology Ambassador, they were in Ri-Sa's mind with regards to who he thought deserved this planet."

"Then he is an idiot for believing all that he hears!" snarled Si, standing abruptly. His eyes flashed and his voice was low and threatening. "This generation was that generation, the people who were in power then are the same who are in power now. Did you not think I would want to know why this was happening, what oath could have compelled you to keep such secrets from me? As the second Ambassador I deserve to know the actions of my forerunner, but they were not revealed to me so as to protect the image of the People's Republic. Obviously it was not believed, even as a diplomat from Xiscapia, that I could be trusted with such sensitive information!" Sharpe could almost feel the anger at being deceived rolling off the kitsune Ambassador."

"I'm glad you think so Ambassador," Sharpe's voice was cold, icey cold and his eyes were devoid of anything but that coldness. His voice had not risen but had dropped even lower, a sign of the General's fury,
"This Generation is not that Generation, Ambassador, three quarters of the Kingdoms had different rulers than the one's you have met. Old men, paranoid, insisting on their right to rule anyway they please and their insistance on war with each other. The information was kept from the Kingdoms so as to protect our presence here, in the same way you could not summon a Xiscapian Army anytime you pleased. We had to stay here and Ri-Sa would have approved of the decision. Are you telling me that the Kitsune Empire has no secrets?" Sharpe offered a little smile that showed no warmth or amusement, "Besides, Ri-Sa's work is complete. The Kingdoms are co-operating and the Nomads are willing to sit down and talk. We can make this planet better for everyone involved. Or would you prefer to keep them living in grinding poverty in a lifeless desert?"

"We," the words seemed to be coming out with great difficultly, as though Si were forcing them, "do not keep secrets when the lives of innocent people are at stake. It does not matter to me that you did not tell the Kingdoms the identity of their greatest enemy, but to not tell me, a friend and an ally, is an insult. Why you choose this course I do not comprehend. The Nomads were nomads, once, but now they are bandits, and it is all because of Marxius, because no one saw fit to stop him or try and reason with him until it was too late. You had the power, General, you said you knew Marxius well, but you ignored the danger until it became so great thousands of people had to die to stop it."

"You think I didn't try to stop it!" Sharpe shouted now, losing all of his self control, a great explosion of anger and frustration at the Ambassador who did not seem to understand why he had had done what he had,
"Of course I tried to bloody stop it! I begged with him, reasoned with him, pleaded with him not to go but his mind was made up, he would not back down and he would not hand the terraforming technology back to us! He could have wiped out the plains with that technology Ambassador! We lost thousands yes but we saved millions. Say what you will and think what you will Ambassador, I did what I had to because I had no choice. Either fight my oldest friend or leave and let him kill millions. We had no choice Ambassador." Sharpe turned on his heel and left the room,
"We shall be leaving tomorrow, the People's Army has no need to be here anymore. When we go, pretend that our leaving wipes this whole business clean. Ri-Sa would want to be remembered as the Diplomat he was at heart, not the killer that this planet shall paint him as. You are more than welcome to tell his daughter that her father became a killer of cities."
With that, the Alversian was gone.

Si stared at the Alversian as he swept out of the tent, balling his fists, panting slightly. It wasn't until now the diplomat realized he'd been sweating, and now he sunk back into his chair, suddenly exhausted. "Cho ai Ông ta, Hay Ai Ông ta?" he whispered. For who he is, or who he was? He realized it would be up to him to inform Marxius's next-of-kin as to his fate...and what had transpired here. There was no question in Si's mind that this kitsune, Ri-Sa, did not deserve to be remembered for his good deeds. He couldn't simply tell his family that Marxius was a murderer and had killed thousands of people, but to not tell them would be an even greater injustice, and to not tell them at all was unthinkable.

This was not something for Si to decide. I need help. he thought. I don't know how to deal with this, to balance between the kind man Ri-Sa was and the monster he had become. Someone must know how to work this out, it is too great a problem for me.
Someone.

In a flash Si was on his feet, running for the tent flap. His fatigue was forgotten, pushed away by this sudden burst of energy, as he tumbled out into the darkening, rapidly cooling desert air of Mysan. In the distance he could see Sharpe's retreating form, going towards the edge of the city to where his horse was probably tied. Running across the sand and stone street, Si called out. "General!" he panted, dodging passing kitsune and tents, catching up with the human. "General..." He put his hands on his knees, bending slightly, catching his breath.

Abruptly, he sank down onto one knee, a gesture of either great respect or a submissive form of sorrow. "General, please accept my most humble apologies. I...I was impulsive; I was still fresh from the battle and...You have to understand, he nearly killed her. If I hadn't stabbed him, if I'd lost, we both would have died. I needed someone to direct my anger at, and you were the closest person at the time. I know what I said back there was unforgivable, blaming you for all this, but all I ask if not your forgiveness then only your understanding of why I said what I did."

Sharpe turned to see the Ambassador come towards him. He saw the movement of sorrow but made no move of sign. All evidence of the anger and that had plagued his voice just moments ago was gone. He gave a small nod of understanding,
"Of course, Ambassador, you are forgiven. You must realise that Ri-Sa Marxius was a good friend of mine and it tore me that I had to fight him. I guess the lie made it easier for all to face each other on the battlefield, which we were doomed to do, I'm afraid. Ultimately, his family shall have to be told the truth. That he lost sight of what he held dear and it cost him his life. If you had not killed him Ambassador, then I would have had to. Thank you Ambassador, I shall see you at the wedding." he smiled, "Have you actually set a date for it yet?"

"Thank you, General," Si stood, brushing himself off. "No, the Queen and I have yet to agree on a date. I don't even have a ring..." He trailed off. So much had happened in such a short span of time. If anyone had told Si, mere days ago, that he would end up marrying the Queen of a forgotten Xiscapian colony, proving instrumental in helping to unite all the people of an entire planet, being kidnapped by a mad Alversian kitsune former Ambassador and personally killing said person, he would have laughed in their face and called them a spinner of tall tales. "But, you said the Alversian forces are moving out tomorrow, will you return to attend the wedding?"

"I was awaiting an invite," Sharpe betrayed a flicker of a smile before his face melted back to it's normal, neutral visage,
"The Prime Minister of Alversia shall be attending if that is okay by you and the Queen, Ambassador, she is rather keen to see this planet where so many of our troops have been deployed."

Si thought he felt his heart stop. "The Prime Minister?" he asked incredulously. First the Vanadict, now the Alversian PM. What next, Qonn himself? "There is so much to be done..." He stared at Sharpe. "I must go speak with the Queen." A hurried bow. "If you'll excuse me, General." The Xiscapian Ambassador hurried off, obviously flustered and definitely worried.

The door to the Queen's private lounge was open, the sounds of a crackling fire evident from within. There were no guards outside the door as there usually were and, once one was inside, it would be obvious why. Both Guards stood growling, weapons raised at two figures not far from the window. The bigger, stronger one was wearing the armour of the Mysan Army while the other wore a simple but delicate and elegant gown.
The Soldier was Monta and he was holding Krystic beneath him, a knife to her throat. She looked at Si as he entered with wide and pleading eyes while Monta just laughed,
"Nice to see you again Ambassador, I knew we'd meet again"

"Kry-" Si broke off, staring, not beleiving his eyes. The bastard snuck in here, and now he's got her! His hand drifted to the hilt of his katana, then stopped just before touching it. Si doubted he would be able to draw, cross the room and strike Monta before he cut Krystic's throat.
"What do you want?" Si asked quietly, hand still near his sword. If the oppertunity presented itself, he would not hesitate to slay Krystic's Uncle.

"What do I want?" Monta seemed to laugh at the question, never loosening his grip on the Kitsune Queen. He pretended to think for a moment, repeating the words over and over again,
"What do I want? What do I want. I want nothing Ambassador, there is nothing left for me, I'm a dead man. You see, a dead man. I may as well take this filth with me before I go though," He tightened his grip slightly and laughed as Krystic flinched under his grasp,
"I hear you and her are engaged," He said, smiling the smile of a madman, "You enjoy screwing my Niece?"

"My private life has no bearing on this situation," growled Si. "Release her, or I'll end your miserable life right here. This is your only chance, Monta."

"My chance is long gone, Ambassador, now answer my question," Monta tightened his grip on the Kitsune, while she shivered delicately in fright,
"Please, Uncle," There were tears running down Krystic's cheeks, "Let me go" It came out as a choked sob.

"Here is your answer, traitor of trust!" Si exploded, stepping forward, one hand behind the other, palms out. A burst of many-hued blue energy shot out and washed over Krystic, seeming to go though her, and hit Monta full force, tossing him away several feet up the wall before he fell in an uncontrolled tumble to the floor. Leaping over the Queen to position himself between her and her Uncle, Si drew his sword, blade shining as he raised it over his head.

Monta opened his mouth in shock as the energy hit his chest and threw him back. As soon as he had let go of Krystic, the two Soldiers on the other side of the Queen leapt forward and grabbed Monta. But it was too late, the blast of energy had killed the old Duke.
"Si!" Krystic threw her arms around Si's waist and sobbed bitterly into his chest, she was not only crying for her terror, but the fact that her Uncle had been killed.

Si dropped his sword onto the floor, embracing Krystic, wondering dully why life had to be so cruel. Hadn't she suffered enough? "Shh, shh," he stroked her hair, lips near her ears, warm breath felt on her skin, "he's gone, you're safe now..."

"My Uncle," Krystic sobbed in a terrible sorrow and regret, tears running freely down her cheeks into Si's robes, "My own Uncle wanted to kill me." That was all see could think about.

"He's gone now," was all Si could say. He couldn't truly comprehend any member of his own family trying to kill him, but he didn't have a complete bastard for an uncle like Monta. Privately he wondered what was so surprising: If he could beat and abuse Krystic, wouldn't he be capable of killing her? But Krystic had been though a lot today, probably more than anyone should ever have to, enough pain and fear to last a lifetime, events that would take a long time to heal from spiritually, well after any mental or physical scars had faded. All he could do was hold her, and try not to look at the crumpled form of Monta cooling on the floor.

The younger Kitsuen held Si and cried. There was nothing else she could do but cry. Although Krystic had hater her uncle for all the abuse and torture he had caused her over the years, she had too big a heart to really hate someone deep down. She had hoped her Uncle had felt the same yet it seemed he did not. All she wanted was for someone to smile at her and tell her they were proud of her. Everyone just wanted to hurt her. Everyone but Si.
"I..." She managed to choke out, "I want to give him a good funeral. To tell him, I'm sorry for not being a good Niece" In her poor, tortured mind, Krystic's natural instinct was that Monta's death was her fault.

"Don't be sorry," murmured Si. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't deserve anything he did to you, he was the problem, not you. Monta was twisted and evil, nothing he did was right, he tried to kill you to get revenge on both of us. Your Uncle was a small-minded, abusive person, you need to forget everything he's told you."

"I can't," Krystic cried, "He was still my Uncle. I loved him. I just wanted him to feel the same way about me," Krystic sobbed and buried her head in Si's robes,
"No one ever seems to love me," She remarked sadly.

"Don't say that," Si said gently, putting his hands under her chin and lifting her face so he could look at her. "You know I love you, and all the people of Mysan love you. Monta never loved you, he only saw you as a thing, a way to power. Forget about him," he smiled placidly, "we still have a wedding to plan, don't we?"

"Yeah," Krystic offered a small smile, to show that she was trying to put it behind her. The thought suddenly came to her that she would have no family at her wedding. She was the last in her line. The young Kitsune gazed into Si's eyes and sighed,
"Shall we go?" She asked quietly, almost a whisper.

"Yes," Si nodded, embracing her tightly before pulling away to lead her down the hall. He knew it would take a little time for the young Queen to adjust to the events and their consequences, but by the wedding he knew she'd be back to her old self. In the meantime, there was so very much to be done...

Krystic sighed happily in the embrace before allowing Si to lead her down the halls of the palace. It made a change from her leading him, however, at this time, she needed guidance. She needed leadership.

OOC: Skip forward to the wedding or...?

OOC: Sure
IC:
Macronia Orbit...
An Xiscapian Wasp class Cruiser (http://www.moddb.com/images/cache/mods/82/8237/gallery/thumbmoty_53379.jpg) came into realspace above the planet, moving into place beside the Alversian warship. A message was sent to the vessel:
Chief Ambassador Vanadict requests permission to go down to the surface to attend the wedding of Ambassador Si and Queen Krystic.

Mysan...
It was the day of the wedding, mere hours before it was due to begin, and the Palace was a frantic hive of activity, decorating, setting up accommodations for those who would be attending, making food, and other related things. In all the confusion Si hadn't even seen Krystic since the day before, and even now he was being led away to be put into a suit. He wondered vaguely where General Sharpe, who he had chosen as Best Man, was, if the ring he had ordered was secured and how Krystic felt. Si felt partially excited and partially so nervous he thought he would throw up. Even now delegations from other Kingdoms were arriving, and he knew as they did the Chief Ambassador and Prime Minister would be doing so too. More than anything, he was afraid he would somehow embarrass himself, or worse, Mysan or Krystic during the wedding in front of these people of power.

A message was quickly sent back to the Xiscapian warship, a quick message from the Destroyer,
Certainly. The terraforming is still not complete so
a shuttle would be your best bet for it. The Prime Minister
is already in attendance

On the planet, the changes were already being made. The desert's harsh life was melting away to reveal splendid fields of bright green grass as well as tall strong trees. The area around Mysan was now filled with golden corn and elegant blue lakes. It was a wonderfully cool day after the desert's heat and many a citizen shivered in their thin clothes. Despite this, there was nothing that would keep them from the palace, to watch this momentess occasion.
Krystic was not in sight, nor was General Sharpe, who stood with the Prime Minister of Alversia and her escort of a dozen Democratic Guards. Men who, despite the native Royal Guards best attempts, put all the militaries of this world to shame. It was something when no Prime Minister under DG Escort had been killed or wounded or even attacked in their history.

It was not long before Sharpe poked his head around the door, dressed in his best Uniform, he gave a small nod to Si,
"Looking good," he whispered, "The Vanadict's arrived and so's the Prime Minister. You nervous?" he asked.

Si swallowed hard. "Even going into battle was less nerve-wracking than this," he whispered back. The Ambassador was not dressed in his robes, but rather a fine black suit, elegantly tailored with white buttons, hair meticulously shaped into a soft dome with the bangs out of his eyes, a contrast from the norm for Si.

Chief Ambassador Vanadict had arrived, unguarded and unescorted, at the gates of Mysan. She wore the same robes that Si had been wearing, deep purple and black, flowing down almost to pool on the grass as she stepped into the kitsune city. The Palace was not difficult to find, but she was truly seeking the Prime Minister. Best to let her know Vanadict was here, and perhaps speak about this planet and the recent events. After all, whatever affects Mysan will affect Alversia, if they intend to keep an open line of communication and diplomacy with the kitsune, that is.

"Relax," Sharpe laughed, "If it's any consolation, the Queen is as terrified as you" He paused for a moment, talking to someone behind the door,
"It's time," He stated simply, fully opening the door.

The Prime Minister was busy talking to Nysan of Lunasa, a darkened Kitsune who rivalled the Alversian for size and far outmuscled her. She turned to face the Vanadict as she entered, offering her a bow,
"Welcome to the wedding, Vanadict," She smiled in greeting, "It is a pleasure to meet you"

Si just nodded mutely, stepping out the door, struck dumb by his nerves but determined that this would all go well.

"Likewise, Prime Minister," the Vanadict bowed. "Greetings to you as well, Nysan of Lunasa," she bowed to him as well, "I have heard much about you, how you fought both on the battlefield for your Kingdom, and in court on behalf of Ambassador Si. For that I wish to thank you," another, smaller bow to the towering kitsune, "for all your help."

The church into which Si was led was as large and as expensively decorated as the palace, if not more so. The light seemd to gleam from every coloured glass window while candles burned in golden chandeliers. The crowd had assembled into their pews and now turned to watch as Si headed down the alter, Sharpe at his side. At the very end of the church, standing at the altar, dressed in her beautiful blue dress, was a very nervous Krystic. Beside her was the Chief Priest, an elderly but kindly Kitsune who took his religious duties seriously but still found time to smile at his young Queen who was shivering from nerves.

Nysan had merely bowed to the Vanadict, kissing her on both cheeks as he had done with the Prime Minister before turning to watch the ceremony take place. There was a total silence in the great hall. Only Si's footsteps echoed amongst it's panelled walls.

Vanadict had colored ever-so-slightly and turned with Nysan to watch Si walk down the path between the pews, smiling softly.

Si's throat caught when he saw Krystic, and at that moment he couldn't have spoken even if he had wanted to. He could feel the eyes of dozens of people on him as he walked down the eternally long asile, one foot in front of the other, tunnel-vision fixed on the Queen. It seemed like the long walk would never be over, the platform on which the ceremony was to be preformed as distant as the end of the universe...

Owens smiled when she saw the Vanadict's reaction to the gesture from the Lunasan. It was not dissimiliar to her own when he had performed it on her.

Once Si had reached the platform, Krystic slipped her hands into his and gazed into his eyes. Even Si would be able to see that she was breathing deeply in an effort to keep her nerves under control and her eyes were filled with a mixture of terror and delight.

The Priest nodded to both then began,
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in Mysan in the eye of Qonn, to witness the marriage of Si to Krystic, from Empire to Kingdom. To you both," He was talking to the pair now, "Do you, Si and Krystic, promise to be ever faithful, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death you do part, the steel like pact of marriage that has brought you both to this great day?"

Krystic nodded, muttering a small, "I do," then watched the eyes of her fiance nervously.

Vanadict smiled serenly from her pew. It was relatively rare she got to witness a wedding, diplomats did not usually wed until they were retired or bound to Xiscapia, so this was a treat.

Si looked nowhere else but Krystic's eyes as he made his own vow. "I do." he said, quietly but in the silence of the church it was loud enough to be heard by all. He held Krystic's hand gently, running his thumb across her knuckles, trying to sooth both his and her mind. He almost couldn't beleive he was here, in this moment, seconds away from being forever united with the one he loved, a perfect second of endless years.

"Then I pronounce you husband and wife," The Priest waited patiently until Si had slipped the ring onto Krystic's finger and Krystic had done the same, he smiled then proclaimed,
"In the eyes of Qonn and the State of Mysan, I declare this loving couple joined for all eternity. You may now kiss the Bride," He took a step back as the crowd cheered and applauded. Owens was amongst them. Krystic's beaming would not remove itself from her face. She was married!

The chapter of terror from her past was over. Well.

Almost over.

Si slowly leaned forward and, wrapping his arms around Krystic's shoulders, kissed her firmly on the lips.

Vanadict applauded loudly as the other guests around her cheered and clapped, the same smile on her face.
OOC: TG

Krystic melted with delight in Si's arms as the crowd clapped and cheered. This sound was echoed all over the city as Mysan's Kitsune discovered the truth, their queen was married!
Once the general ceremony was over, the crowd were given a chance to mingle with the newly wed couple before they were dispatched for their honeymoon.
"Well," Krystic stated, her voice laced with nerves, "I guess I get to meet some powerful people eh?"

"Think of it as your final test," said Si happily, holding a glass of fine wine and drinking from it deeply now. "It'll be fun," he licked his chops, "I've never met the PM, but Vanadict's not so bad, I promise." He grinned. There was nothing, he decided, nothing that could spoil this moment for him.

The Prime Minister and the Vanadict stood idly nearby, exchanging conversation on nothing important. They both turned as Si and Krystic approached. Owens turned and instantly, upon seeing the girl, felt a powerful maternal instinct towards her. She did not know why. Perhaps it was because of her looks. The young Kitsune looked at five years younger than she was, and perhaps something to do with her eyes. There was something in her eyes, a tortured innocence, that demanded the Prime Minister wrapped her arms around the Queen and hugged her to show that she was warm and safe.

However, she resisted the urge. She did know if the Vanadict was having the same feelings, but Owens smiled and bowed,
"It is an honour to met you at last, your Majesty" She stated.

"Hi," Krystic said shyly, she was standing behind Si, half-concealed by his body, as if hiding behind her husband.

Si bowed deeply to both the Prime Minister and the Vanadict. "Prime Minister Owens, Chief Ambassador Vanadict, you honor us deeply with your presence," he intoned, straightening up. He had to admit, he hadn't actually expected the new Prime Minister to be, well, female. All the Prime Ministers Xiscapia had known in the past had been male, usually older ones at that, but Sami Owens was a younger women, and, if what Si had heard was true, relatively untested.

Vanadict saw the same the Prime Minister did: A frightened but brave girl, a child really, thrust into power with all the people of an entire Kingdom looking up to her and her counterparts in other Kingdoms watching her carefully for weakness. She felt only pity for Krystic, and a little admiration for what the Queen had overcome to get here. The fact was, she reminded Vanadict of herself, not so long ago. "Ambassador Si, congratulations," she returned with a bow, then a deeper bow to Krystic. "And my congratulations on your wedding, Your Majesty, and our thanks for hosting our diplomat with all his..." her eyes flicked over to Si briefly, "eccentric manners."
Obviously the Vanadict did not approve of how Si had handled General Doblo.

"Think nothing of it, Ambassador. It was my pleasure to be here," She smiled, "We have been aiding Macronia for some time now, and I thought I may as well come and have a look at what our Army is doing out here. You are enjoying your posting here?" Owens asked calmly, aware of Si and Doblo's feud.

"It's okay," Krystic said weakly, "He helped me through a lot these past few weeks," She tried to smile and failed. It was not lack of friendlyness that stopped Krystic but her nerves and natural shyness. She didn't think she had anything of interest to say to this person of power. So she was silent.

"Very much so, Your Maj- er, Prime Minister. Mysan, and Macronia, have been quite the experience for me." He smiled politely.

"Our diplomats are there to help in any way they can," murmured Vanadict. "So, Your Majesty, what do you plan to do, now that the bandit threat has been vanquished and the Plains are being terraformed into healthy land?"

Owens smiled,
"It has been an interesting time for us as well. It will not be long before we shall have to ask the question," Her smile slipped slightly, "Does the planet unite under one government or remain divided? It's a question only the Kingdoms can answer"

"Yes well," Krystic blushed and shrugged, "I guess we'll do as we've always done. Just live our lives in the best we can. Isn't that all we can do?" She asked hesitantly.

"A planetary government?" Si sounded shocked. "I didn't even know such a plan was in the works. How will they ever all unite, permanently into a single nation? There is so much difference, so many different cultures, opinions and ideals. Such things do not happen overnight," Si hesitated as he remembered who he was speaking to. "What is the news on this?"

"I suppose," said Vanadict quietly. "You have done quite well recently, and if Mysan continues down her present path I predict she will have a long and prosperous future. However, I was speaking of Mysan-Xis relations. At some point the Imperial Family will surely wish to speak with you, at your discretion of course, about alliances, about trade and immigration and cultural exchanges. It is doubtless premature, but what do you think Mysan's stance on these items will be?"

"Well, Owens shrugged, "It is in the preliminary stages of course, nothing has been yet garunteed. However, we hope that we can get the various kingdoms down to a table to discuss a unified government. It will help Macronia prepare for when she enters the wide world of intergalactic politics. As for now, it is only an idea"

"I...I don't know," Krystic said a little desperately, then she recovered herself, "I am not sure how we will handle such events as of yet, Vanadict. I shall have to discuss it with my Ministers and see how it can be handled"

"Mmm," Si nodded. "There will be much to be done, if Macronia does unite and seeks to enter the galaxy as a power. I think it is a project I would enjoy, and if I am present at any such talks, I would encourage both."

"I realize you do not have the benefit of consulting your aides or ministers, but I want to know what you, by yourself, think." said Vanadict gently. "I will not hold you to anything or quote you to the Imperial Family if you don't want me to, this is my promise."

"Of course the leaders of all kingdoms would be present at all talks," Owens nodded, "I guess that you are now on that list of rulers eh? King Si of Mysan"

"I...I would like it," Krystic nodded eagerly, "I would like to talk more with Xiscapians and the Imperial Family"

Si blinked. "I suppose," he said thoughtfully, as if he had not fully considered the magnitude of his newly aquire position as Krystic's husband. "Yes, I would definitly push for a unified government, if nothing else."

Vanadict smiled. "That's good. We too, would like to open up talks with you and your people, sometime soon. There is so much we can learn from each other, any contact could only be beneficial."

"That is very good thing to hear, Your Majesty" Owens smiled, "We would like the individual kingdoms to come together and make our own contribution this planet rather unnecessary. If the kingdoms can come together as one for defense then we can leave this planet with peace and security."

"I'd like that," Krystic nodded eagerly, "I'd like to see more of my husband's homeworld. He has talked so much about it yet I cannot even dream of it's appearance," She finished shyly, her cheeks blushing slightly.

"Please," Si colored slightly, "none of this 'Your Majesty' nonsense, I don't think I'm ready to be a Lord quite yet. But your words are true, a joining of the Plains kingdoms together would make Macronia far more powerful than it had been previously. Still, it will be tricky business...they showed they are willing to work together, but actual unification may be more difficult."

"Xiscapia is a beautiful planet," Vanadict nodded. "I'm sure one day you will be able to see it, and the capitol. It is radically different from here, but I think you would find it agreeable."

"That is what we shall be discussing, Ambassador," Owens nodded, "We shall be trying to find a basis on which the kingdoms could unify. If it is not possible then that is the decision of the plains Kingdoms. What is your opinion of the Kingdoms Ambassador? Which kingdoms do you think would be best to discuss this with?"

"I think I will," Krystic was quiet after that, still blushing fiercely. She didn't have much to say to this powerful Kitsune.

"Not the Dromintine!" said Si instantly, but then felt rash and hastily corrected himself. "I mean, not if they are like General Doblo and his men. I think the Lunasans are a good people, as are the Illondians, but I did not get much of a chance beyond the interaction at the Ball at the Palace to evaluate the ambassadors from the other Plains Kingdoms. However, I do know every Kingdom that attended the Ball sent out forces to search for the Queen and I after we were kidnapped, so I think that is a good sign."

Vanadict didn't seem to have anything more to say for the moment, simply standing and looking at Krystic, who flushed under her gaze. They just stood in silence, the Xiscapian Chief Ambassador apparently entirely comfortable with it, not speaking as the Queen became more and more flustered.

"That is always a good sign," Owens nodded, "In terms of the Dromintine," Owens betrayed the flicker of a smile, "I hear that you have not been having the warmest of receptions from their Militia? One General in particular seems to spring to mind"

Krystic stood on, her face going a deeper and deeper red. She couldn't bare the silence and soon she had to say something, anything to break it,
"So," She asked uncomfortably, "What do you think of Mysan so far?"

"No, ma'am," Si lowered his head slightly, as if embarrassed. "General Doblo and I...disagree, on many things." He took a breath. "Many things."

"The buildings and architecture aren't unlike Rio Casa, though we have only a few towers. I have seen comforting parallels between Mysan and Xiscapian kitsune, I think we are more alike then anyone realizes." Vanadict smiled. "Do you know the origins of your people, Your Majesty?"

"Disagreement is to be expected, Ambassador," Owens smiled knowledgeably, "You may be glad of some news that we have to deliver to you. A sad business, but one you will be delighted of"

"Do you mean how we got to this planet or how we founded this city?" Krystic asked nervously, "Sorry to be so rude," She said quickly, panicking that she had offended the Kitsune Diplomat,
"I...I..." She stopped for a moment to catch her breath, "...sorry" She finished in a small defeated voice, looking down at the floor in shame.

Si looked at the Alversian Prime Minister strangely. "What is it?"

Vanadict blinked, puzzled at Krystic's reaction. "There is no need for apologies, Your Majesty, you said nothing wrong. I was speaking of the presence of kitsune on this planet...we do not, as far as we can tell, naturally evolve in any environment. How did your people ultimately get here is what I ask."

"General Doblo is to be tried by court martial in a few weeks time. Or so my General tells me," Owens betrayed a flicker of a smile, "He refused to commit his corps to action in the final battle and could have cost the Alliance their victory. He is being tried on one account of military negligence. What would be your opinion of such a trial?" She asked patiently.

"To be honest, I don't really know." Krystic was still blushing from her mistake. She had sounded so rude, so pushy and confrontational. How could she have not offended this powerful diplomat, who was now looking at her, puzzled. It was a gaze which, under, Krystic was starting to melt,
"I...We know that we came from the Plain's Empires a few millenia ago and migrated to these cities. Before that, we...I can only assume that we lived amongst the other species of this planet before that time...I think" Krystic again let her gaze drop to the floor. How could she take this? The young Kitsune wondered, boy was she out of her depth here.

"Not enough," said Si bluntly. "I would add one charge of deformation of character, referring to his attempts to paint the late Captain Mendez as a war criminal, and one charge of threatening the Queen of Mysan with grievous bodily harm. I would like him to suffer for all his crimes, Prime Minister, and also to be able to clear the good Captain's name."

So she didn't know. Obviously Vanadict would have to inquire further, into these Lunasans, but it was clear to her that none of the kitsune on this world suspected what many in the Kitsune Empire were actively supporting. Many scholars and historians agreed to the hypothesis that Mysan and Lunasa were actually, either separate or stemming from the same vessel, lost Xiscapian colonies. Such a phenomenon had never been discovered before, save the long-dead world of Terracropolis where no live kitsune existed. Of course, once everyone was in agreement about what Mysan and Lunasa actually were, then the problems would begin.

Doubtless some would call for the two Plains Kingdoms to be made into protectorates, and the Vanadict agreed with this, at least until (if) Mysan or Lunasa developed starships and FTLi travel. However, others would fight to help the Kingdoms "keep their sovereignty", so to speak, and the whole thing would fall into a great bloody mess. The Emperor had the final say, of course, but his affirmation or veto might be a long time in coming. Vanadict needed to think ahead, and find out how the two Kingdoms would receive this idea.
"Your Majesty, as the highest-ranking Ambassador from the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia, I formally and officially offer to take Mysan under Xiscapian protection, to help further your Kingdom technologically and bring you into the galaxy, as it were. What do you say to this?" Vanadict looked down kindly upon the young ruler, doing her best not to seem intimidating.

"He will be tried for those at a later date Ambassador," Owens nodded mildly, "For now, be grateful for what you have and what you could have lost" She glanced at the Queen quickly before her gaze settled back on Si.

"I...I don't know," Krystic shook her head, "I would have to ask my advisors what they think. Alversia has been talking about unifying the planet into one government. To make us strong together, away from interference. I don't know about that either," She finished sadly, cowering slightly in the face of the larger Kitsune.

"With all due respect, Prime Minister," Si came back a little coolly, "I am. I merely want to ensure that justice is indeed served. If I am to be a person of power here, then I cannot back down on issues I feel strongly about. The time has passed for greedy, self-centered leaders, now the Plains are entering a new era of progress."

"Meditate on it," said Vanadict quietly. "Such desicisons should not be made rashly."

"Of course, Ambassador, of course," Owens nodded, "However, you must have patience. Doblo will be tried for all his crimes. Especially for those against the Alversian Army," owens frowned for a moment before brightening up, "Anyway, this is dreary talk for such a hoyous event. Tell me, Ambassador, what are your plans now that you have married your love and joined the Royal Family?"

"I will have to," Krystic nodded eagerly, keen to please, "I'll talk with my Advisors and my husband to see what they think I should do"

Si seemed taken by surprise. "I don't really know, I haven't looked past the wedding. I suppose I will just do what I've always done here," he smiled, "help the Queen and do my best to serve the people of Mysan and Macronia."

"Good," Vanadict seemed pleased, "do that. The Ambassador..." She frowned, "excuse me, King, knows how to contact me, so you only have to speak with him if you want to talk to me."

"I can think of no better calling for you, your majesty" Owens smiled again before she was distracted by the calls from one of her aides. She gave a small nod to Si,
"My apologies, Ambassador, but it seems I have been summoned. I shall speak to you and your bride later" She gave a nod and followed the aide from the room.

Krystic was continiously glancing over the Vanadict's shoulder at Si, pining to be beside him again, to have his guidance. She smiled though at the Vanadict,
"I do know how to contact you," She did seem pleased, "I will when I have made a decision."

"Thank you, Prime Minister, may Qonn smile upon you," Si bowed as Owens left, turing to walk over to where Vanadict and Krystic conferred. Vanadict was bowing. "Take your time, Your Majesty, we would like you to be certain when you make the descision, whatever it may be." She gave a second bow to Si. "I'm afraid I must be departing now, matters in the Kitsune Empire are pressing and I must tend to them. However, I enjoyed the wedding and Mysan, and I hope to be graced by your hospitality soon again." A third and final bow to the pair and Vanadict left the same way as the Prime Minister had.

Si was beside Krystic now, and he clasped her soft, warm right hand in his rougher, cooler left. "How was it, my sweet?" he murmured, looking at her with an expression of concern.

"It went okay, I think," Krystic sighed slightly, "I made myself look such a fool though. I really did" She shook her head sadly, her ears drooped to show her sorrow.

"I saw little of you after I began to talk to the Prime Minister, but I assure you, in no way did you make a fool of yourself. You held your own." Si nodded solemnly, squeezing her hand.

"I did," Krystic said, "The Vanadict was so calm and cool and I just flapped around like a small school-girl trying to talk to the Headmaster. I made myself look like such an Idiot". She looked up into Si's eyes, "I'm sorry. I let you down," She sighed.

"You didn't," Si sighed. "What will it take to convince you that you really are an intelligent, charming, assured person? Vanadict went away more confident about Mysan than before; She had expected a frightened girl, but she found a strong leader."

"If you're sure," Krystic sniffed, not at all convinced, "If you think I did well. Then I suppose I did," She brightened up considerably on that, smiling, "I just didn't have anything to say"

Si shrugged. "It happens to everyone. When I met the Emperor my mind froze up and I couldn't think of a thing to say, even as he gave me the award. I think he understood, though," he smiled in remembrance, "he kept his questions to those that could by answered with monosylliables. Afterward I tried to apologize, but he just patted me on the back and said, 'May your tounge be looser next time.'"

"Then may my tongue be much looser next time," Krystic embraced Si gratefully, enjoying the warmth and comfort his body gave her,
"So I didn't do too bad?" she asked hesitantly.

"You did wonderfully," murmured Si, nuzzling against her as they caressed bodies.

"Thank you," Krystic nuzzled Si and stayed close to him, maintaining body contact at all times,
"What was the Prime Minister like?" She asked, looking up into his eyes.

"Polite," nodded Si after a moment of thought. "She brought several things to my attention...General Doblo is being tried in a court for refusing to go to battle. I don't know what will ultimately happen to him, but once his other crimes come out I would expect either a live sentence or a death penalty."

"I'm glad to hear that," Krystic nodded happily, "He deserves everything he gets." She was silent for a moment before frowning,
"The Vanadict had something to ask of me, something she needed a decision on. I was wondering if you would help me make it?"

Si nodded immediatly. "Of course. What did she ask you?"

"She...she asked me if I wanted Mysan to be under the guidance of the Kitsune Empire. She said they would give us everything we needed to help us defend ourselves. Like an Alliance." She frowned lightly, looking at Si,
"But the Alversians want us to help to create a unified planet with one government. Who do I listen to?"

"Why not both?" suggested Si. "Both are good ideas. Simply accept the guidence of the Empire if and when the Plains are unified, and then you will all be strong enough to defend and help each other. Besides, the Empire can provide much of your starting technology, from weapons to communicators to medicine, to base on while you," he paused, "we, develop our own versions."

"I don't know," Krystic shook her head from side to side violently, always a sign of when the young Queen was uncertain,
"What will the other Kingdoms of support from the Kitsune Empire? I should have asked if the deal was just for Mysan or for all," She shook her head again in shame, "I froze up," She sighed.

"I don't know," said Si truthfully. "I would imagine it only extends to Mysan, and maybe Lunasa. I would expect the Republic would provide for the other half dozen or so..." He shrugged. "They are larger and have more resources than the Empire."

"But that may divide the Kingdoms," Krystic stated desperately, "If we get help and they do not. This may be serious obsticle," She frowned as she looked into Si's face,
"What should I do?" She asked pleadingly.

Si frowned. "Did you not already receive Alversian help, and the others did not? Besides, who is to say the Kitsune Empire cannot spread it's gifts to all? Not I." He smiled. "That will be something you will have to speak to the Vanadict about. But I see no problem with it, until the unification, anyway."

"But all the Kingdoms were offered Alversian help, they just refused and we didn't." Krystic was silent for a moment, "Would the Vanadict mind if I asked her?" She asked her husband slowly.

"I don't think so. That's not what she's like." Si smiled reassuringly. "You can just say no, you know, if you don't want this. No one will be angry with you."

"Will they not?" the young Kitsune asked hesitantly, "won't she be annoyed that I said no? I don't know if I even want to say no yet" she added sadly.

"If Vanadict is ever annoyed by anything, she hides it well." Si affirmed. "I would encourage this, but it's really your desicion, you know your people better than I do. I don't even know what I can do, in my position now." He laughed.

"You can make decisions with me," Krystic put her hand in Si's, "And you think I should accept the help from the Xiscapians?" She asked again, uncertain and hesitant.

Si nodded gravely. "I think it would be a beneficial course of action." he concluded seriously. "Mysan, you, and ultimately the Plains will profit greatly," he smiled, "the Empire can pick up where the Alversians left off. They trained your soldiers and guided you in defeating the bandits, now my people can train your people to be pilots and technicians and help you build your own technology."

"Okay," Krystic still seemed uncertain, "Should I ask the other Kingdoms what they think? Or should I just accept now?"

"Ask away, get their thoughts and opinions. If the Plains are going to be unified, sometime in the future you might be sharing space with them in a political forum, a Senate. You'll need to let them know now that they can trust and depend on you."

"Okay then," The Kitsune was quiet for a while, then she looked up at Si, smiling,
"I don't know what I would do without you. You're like a guiding light"

Si's first reaction was a slight laugh. "You flatter me, love," he smiled. "In time I hope you will be able to make decisions without me. But I will always be here to point you in the right direction, though," his eyes were downcast for a moment, "I am not, of course, infallible."

"Less fallible than me," Krystic hugged her new husband again, "Think of all the decisions I would have collapsed upon had you not been here to help me. I need you," She kissed him delicately on the lips to prove her point.

"I'm glad of it," said Si after they broke away a few seconds later from the kiss. "I need you, too." He took her hand in his, fingers rubbing over the simple ring he had given her. It was made of gold, and had a small jewel that was actually high-grade, phenomenally expensive crystal, the very same that formed the sheet in the cave Krystic had taken him to, only a week or so ago but already like a thousand years. On the inside, intended for her eyes and only hers, was a short inscription carved:
To my Queen/
May you always/
Dance among the stars

Krystic sighed happily as Si took her hands, she could see the ring he had given her. It was simple but so beautiful that she already considered it a part of her soul, in the same way Si considered the katana a part of his. She looked up at him again, smiling,
"We haven't even decided on her honeymoon yet," She giggled happily, the old Krystic coming back after her meeting with the Vanadict. Such meetings always seemed to subdue the more bubbly side of her personality, making her seem more timid and frightened than she perhaps was.

"True," Si had not considered this aspect. He remembered, that night... "Do you have any ideas?" He pushed the thoughts out of his head. Later...

"At the moment? Not really," Krystic blushed, "I can't think of anywhere. Unless there's somewhere up there," She looked up at sky, "to go to."

Si smiled widely. "There a more places up there to go to than I could ever name. Any of the planets in the Democratic Republic, the Kitsune Empire, the Imperia, the Phoenix Empire, the Federation, dozens, maybe even hundreds of world to choose from, all unique, all beautiful in their own ways. You have your pick."

"I could never pick," Krystic sighed, "There's too many places, I could start.
She was silent for a moment, then her face dawned in realisation,
"Why don't I start with your home? You've seen where I live, can I see where you lived?" She asked hesitantly.

"Of course, I would love to give you a tour of Xiscapia," Si grinned. "Certainly it would be an enjoyable experience for us both, and I know there are those at the capitol just dying to meet you. When, do you think, would we go?"
OOC: TG

“I’d like to see Xiscapia. As soon as possible would be good for me,” The young Queen smiled as she held on to Si’s arm, fox eyes meeting fox eyes. She sighed happily, just pleased to be with him, not minding what was happening around her. As long as she could be with her love then she would be happy. It was another few moments before she parted from him, as he looked at her, puzzled, she gave a small smile of reassurance,
“I’ll be back,” She explained mildly, “you start packing while I’m gone and I’ll see you in a few moments.”

She saw his concerned expression and she giggled at him, as if to indicate that everything was alright,
“Don’t worry,” She tapped him playfully on the nose, “I just have to do something important”.

With that, she left Si in the hall alone. Well, not alone, for as soon as the Queen had left, Si was engaged by Nysan of Lunasa, wishing to discuss something important that the Vanadict had just mentioned to him.
It was something that Si could now get used to. In the short time since he had landed as an Ambassador from Xiscapia, walking through the Alversian Military camp and into the desert to confront his fate, there was no one who could have foreseen what would happen to him. In that short time, Si had done more, and been through more, than most would in a lifetime. He had loved, lost, hated, feared, cried and panicked during his adventure but, as the sun set and the end of tunnel was reached, Si had finished his journey. He was now the King of Mysan, sitting beside the one he truly loved and cared about, the one he had saved on more than one occasion during their times together. Si had gone from a regular Ambassador to one of the most powerful positions on the planet. He had watched the Alversians and Plain’s Kingdoms fight an enemy he would never know until it was too late.

He watched as another, darker journey came to a close, one where loyalty turned to anger, where peace had turned to war and where one Kitsune went too far in his desire to change a world for the good, deserting all he knew and cared for. He lost himself. Until it was too late.

Si was not too late though and now he could reflect on the end of the road because, for King Si, the journey was over.

And his was not the only one.

The cavern was as silent and as peaceful as always. The people of Mysan knew if it’s existence but they never saw a reason to enter it’s cold interior. For them, there was nothing there to enthral or to amuse them. It was pointless. For them.

To others however, the crystals that seemed to always shine whatever the weather offered a glimmer of something, they hinted that there was beauty beyond the comprehension of Kitsune and beyond their control, to these people, the caves represented what Mysan and what the planet of Macronia could become if they were given the chance to develop and to shine.

All of this did not matter to one person though. That one person was now walking into the cave, her footsteps echoing delicately in its vast expanse. Her expensive dress fell around her like a gown, a wedding gown. The crystals seemed to wait for her, like a crowd patiently awaiting the speaker to take to the floor and enchant them with his words of wisdom. But this Kitsune did not have that wisdom, though the crystals were her friends none the less.

As the young girl stepped onto the glass-like and gleaming surface, she looked up to see them shining down on her, like lights from heaven, as though Qonn and his friends were looking down on her with pride and approval at what she had achieved. She glided patiently around on the surface for a little while longer, enjoying the quiet that the cave offered her. It was only when she had lain down on her back and looked up at the crystals that she actually broke the stillness,

“It’s been a long time,” She said to herself, “since I have looked at these caves with anything less than misery and rejection. It’s been a long time since you brought me here, as a child, to teach me that some things would always be out of my control and that, as a leader, I would have to realise that. Then you died,” The Girl’s body seemed to rack slightly, as if with a sob, but her voice continued, as if in conversation with the rock around her,

“When you died, you left me all alone. All by myself and surrounded by people who wished nothing pain on me. I don’t blame you, of course,” She sighed, “but it was hard, sometimes, not to question your judgement. When I was laying on my own, in the dark, the metal bars all around me, I cried that I may join you with Qonn, so that I would no longer have to bare the agony that was my life.” There was another pause, as if the girl was embarrassed to talk, though talk she did,

“When I was at my lowest, I came here to try and escape it, to spend a little time outside the iron grip of Uncle Monta. I always liked to think that you were here with me, watching my every move and watching my every tear hit the glass surface. It comforted me and gave me the will to carry on, if only until I could come again and spend some more time with you here.” Another pause, “Then I asked you for help, any help. Our people were entering a time of uncertainty and I needed someone who would guide me, show me kindness were others had shown malice or hate. Then you sent me Si,”

She smiled and got up from her back, sitting cross-legged now still looking up at the crystal ceiling,
“At first, I didn’t want to get near me. Not the real me, the me that cried in her dreams and collapsed when someone I feared spoke to me. But Si saw all of this and saw past it. He showed me something even I didn’t know was there. The real me. Even when Uncle Monta came back and tried to take everything away from me again, Si stood with me, holding my hand and helping me to get past those times. It was not only him there, but you as well. Even as Uncle Monta’s lashes fell upon my back, I knew you were with me, willing me to show the strength you knew was there, the courage that I had hidden deep within myself for fear of punishment. I endured for Mysan, for Si and for you.”

The girl was now walking around the perimeter of the crystal floor, treading gently so as not to slip,
“When Si asked me to marry him and even when Uncle Monta held your knife to my throat, I knew I would be safe. As my Love killed my oppressor with one strike, I felt him squeeze my hand. I thought I had imagined it but now I know what it was. In his final moments, before he was about to die, he was telling me that he did love me. He was proud of me. He was like that Alversian, Ri-Sa, he only found himself too late to change. But I know he’s with you up there. You and Qonn. Anyway,”

The girl had reached the entrance to the cave and was looking up at the roof still, not leaving. She turned,
“I know you know all of this already, Father, but, for guiding me along my destiny and having faith when all others had given up hope, I wanted to tell you something.”

As she spoke, the lights of the cave began to dim slightly and lose their glare. Unknown to all, the gleaming effect was from the dust in the planet’s atmosphere and, as the Alversian terraforming device burned the dust away, the power of the lights began to diminish, darkening the room slightly but still enough to see the Girl. She was smiling at the fading lights,

“Thank you. Thank you for everything. Though you may be gone, I’ll always be able to dance above the light.”

With that, the Kitsune turned and left the cave, her footsteps echoing quietly, growing fainter each time. The light too, were shrinking, as if the girl’s footsteps dictated the pace of their closure. It was only a few seconds after her footsteps had gone and silence had returned to the cave, that the lights died completely away, and the cavern of light fell into darkness.

Their long job was at last complete. Their age of joy gone.

The job of the happy young Queen and her age of joy though, were about to begin.