亚洲综合中美

“I second that,” they firmed, “-the king’s last action as head of state. You can feel the tension gather,” commented Markus, “-a monarch of his caliber will never be born again, I swear on my good name, find me anyone who may best his natural charisma. None will come, I dare say, none shall ever rise to his stature.”

“Why are we speaking as the king won’t partake in political matters?” Estranged regards rebutted against King Frederick. He fixed his brow and leaned, “-did I say something wrong?”

The others waited gleefully, “-Frederick,” said Elixia, “-you do not know our master as we do. I don’t blame you, Frederick. Thing is,” she stared at the king’s distant back, “-we’ve known this day would come. I was specially trained to handle what may come, far as our king is concerned, Hidros’s foundation is set. We shouldn’t keep the opposing council waiting.”

At the door’s clamor earlier, mumbles escaped many lips, “-why is he here?” they hushed under smiles, “-we agreed on the condition he wasn’t here.”

“I don’t know,” whispered another, “-I was assured by Hidros’ Prime minister that the king was well and truly leaving the post of head of state...”

“Settle yourself,” came a composed demeanor, “-we shouldn’t be dismissed so easily.”

.....

“Lord Whein.”

“Seeing Hidros have brought their king, we must change our battle strategy. I will lead the negotiations – representative of Jian-Dho and Konak, am I understood?”

“No arguments here.”

“Came for the paycheck, could care less about the result.”

“And you?” Whein’s older sense of superiority weighed upon an average-looking individual. The man, aged somewhere between thirty-five and fifty, kept a neutral expression. He’d occasionally flash his pupils left and right in a state of perpetual fidgeting, “-will that be okay?”

“No,” came a normal response, “-you and I, Lord Whein, you and I,” a bit of tension echoed in the speech, seemed the vocal cords weren’t pleased for stuffiness followed the ends of articulation and projection, “-we will lead in negotiations.”

“As every bit, the child as they say,” remarked Jian-Dho’s representative, “-I find it hard to think you are the leader behind the revolution. Then again, I suppose having a leader like you is bound to fail.”

“Enough,” echoed Konak’s representative, “-we shouldn’t fight amidst ourselves,” as tension stacked; a shadow suddenly loomed upon the crowd. Igna’s unperturbed expression dug straight into Whein.

“I hear the commotion. Would be nice to see a united team,” he kept on Whein, “-I came by to wish luck, seems my actions won’t do much save increase the growing disagreement.”

The mediator of the negotiation, the Duke of Kreston, Pope Carrigan II, entered the conference room. He presided over his seat which stood in the middle to the side. Chatter dwindled, for he kept a strong gaze at both parties. Silence painted white, “-greetings, I Carrigan II, the Pope and Duke of Kreston, will be acting as mediators in the coming negotiations. Without much time wasted, I’d invite both factions to the tables.”

Thus began the battle. Both sides slotted in their seats. Whein’s confidence appeared flawless as his partner, the leader of the Revolution’s faction, remained more or less in his seat. The constant taps and kicks were noticeable but barely audible. A fog seemed to enshroud those sat behind, their faces or reactions seemed not to matter. Hidros’ side radiated. Igna sat openly with the others taking seats behind their kings. The players were ready and the stage was set.

“Before we start, Duke of Kreston, would it be alright if I have a smoke?” he looked at the other side, “-is that okay?”

“S-sure,” escaped from the back, Whein remained steadfast, “-sure.”

“No,” came the revolutionist faction’s leader, “-without disrespect, I’d greatly appreciate it if his majesty would restrain from smoking?”

The mediator crossed his arms, “-my liege, the castle is yours, you can do as you please. I have no objections, however, I’d appreciate if his majesty could perhaps think a bit about the others?”

“Right, I take it back,” he withdrew the cigarette and stared at the Duke, ‘-why is he getting annoyed?’

‘Majesty, please,’ spoke via the strained expression, ‘-don’t start the games... I don’t want to do this...’ he shuffled a few pages and spoke, “-please, introduce yourselves.”

Frederick’s interest was piqued. A few elbows right begot a cold, “-what?” from Elixia.

“I’m sorry,” he leaned and spoke in the softest way he could, the opposing side gave short introductions in his peripheral, “-excuse me, Lady Elixia, I don’t mean to bother. I find it strange why King Igna would openly ask to have a smoke when he could just do it?”

“Simply put, it’s mind games. By taking initiative, the master made his intention clear. They’re in his palace, in his playground. Whein and the others involuntarily agreed, master was only testing the waters to see where the crowd stood. Revolution’s rep caught onto the subtle move and disagreed.”

“Amazing,” awed the king, “-I can’t believe so much happened in such little instance.”

“Well, there’s more to come. Pay attention to master’s demeanor and how he’ll focus on him.”

“Whein Ko, Representative of the Desok Alliance. I speak today on behalf of my masters and have full authority on what is to be discussed. I hope we can come to a peaceful resolution.”

The stranger personage stood, “-the name’s Krith Seol. I’m the man behind the Revolutionist factions,” he pointed at Igna, “-I come to see you, king Igna, the man who destroyed my plans... I will have my revenge, you hear me, I will have MY REVENGE!”

“SILENCE!”

“...” the pope’s thunderous voice resounded in those sat closest, “-I apologize for Krith,” said Whein hastily, “-he’s a bit weird. I trust you forgive the lack of decorum.”

“Weirdness makes the world fun,” came a surprisingly understanding reply, “-Pope, if you would?”

“Now, Allied nations, please introduce yourselves,” name and title, nothing more, nothing less. It eventually came to the king, “-Igna Haggard, King of Hidros, otherwise known as the Devil of Glenda. Hear me, Desok Alliance, do not be mistaken – we’ve called the meeting negotiations, however, we know full well what it truly means. Therefore, Whein and Krith, I best hope you’re ready, if not,” he grinned, “-I will make certain everything becomes mine.”

‘Death,’ crossed their minds, “-shall we then?” the aura vanished as quickly as it appeared. *Gulp,* “-So, let us begin with the simplest,” he stared at Krith, “-the Revolutionist Faction’s fate. Hidros waged war on behalf of Emperor Essin. Afront to his name is afront to my good name. You, Kirth, mastermind of the Revolution, have since then halted your activities, right?”

Kirth lifted his chin, the fidgeting slowed, “-yes, we have lost the war. The revolution’s disbanded.”

“Are you sure you’re speaking the truth?”

“Yes, I’m speaking the truth.”

“A lie,” echoed from the other side, “-a lie!” said a maiden dressed in religious attire. “On Holy Mother Tharis’ name,” she held a golden scale, “-what the man said is a lie.”

Igna said nothing, Whein’s look of fear at Kirth said all, “-Mediator!” he hailed, “-might I know who the maiden is and why have we not noticed her before now?”

Igna rose his arms, “-negotiations or any legal procedures are overseen by a representative of Tharis’ church. They have a custom of not revealing their blessings to detect lies. The goddess of Judgement is harsh when one of her children decides to use their power for selfish reasons.”

“-how does that affect us?”

“Fairness and justice,” he smiled, “-is it not for the good of everyone that we’re hosting negotiations? Tell me if I’m wrong, would it not have been simpler for us to take what we wanted?” Vacant stares dueled Whein and Krith, neither knew what to expect.

“Enough, enough,” the pope ordered in vain, a little argument broke through Desok’s ranks.

Frederick elbowed yet again, “-what happened now?”

Elixia rolled her eyes and shook her head, “-The church of Tharis is neutral in nature, their teachings revolve around justice and fairness. The sister is a devoted believer, lady Tharis answered her prayers with the gift of detecting lies. It’s not the lies they sense per se, but the intent. I said look at Kirth, what do you know, master’s going after him right away.”

“Why would he bother?” he shrugged,”-Kirth’s no big deal, is he?”

“See,” Elixia smiled, “-the way master described starting with the simplest – an image of worthlessness is instantly projected on Kirth. They’d want to get the easiest out of the way before getting to the bigger problem, the land, which in of itself is no trouble at all.”

“Why are they arguing, are they not a team? I mean, they were united before Igna arrived, they seemed like friends before-”

“The seed of doubt,” she explained, “-the moment master entered the room, he was out for blood. Divide and conquer, he placed Kirth below Whein and guided their thoughts to think of Kirth, arguably the better man, as the lesser man.”

“When did all that happen-”

“Shut up,” she hushed, “-they’re continuing.”

“Enough!” the pope thundered once more, “-if I hear any more bickering, I will end the negotiations with a blank sheet for Hidros to do as they please.”

“Settle down, settle down,” the noise subsided, “-we apologize for the rudeness. Please, continue,” Whein took control.

‘Just like I wanted,’ he looked at the sister who respectfully held the scale, “-Whein and Kirth, please look at the sister, she has a cloth around her neck. A mouth tie, we refer to them as the Silent, in respect for their devotion of not speaking save when their duty calls. If not for me, think of her as one of your own. She’s impartial and will speak to the fairness set by the gods.”

Yian-Dho’s representative shot up and bowed fiercely, “-our people are very religious, so, I would give my thanks to you, sister, for being a devoted follower. I make a humble request of forgiving my comrades and making the negotiations fair.”

Konak’s representative kicked Kirth’s chair, “-don’t forget, this negotiation is already done. We’re here to take back what we can salvage. Don’t fuck it up. Hidros’ affording the losers’ courtesy. Honor their customs,” he inched towards Kirth’s ear, “-don’t screw it up else I make sure your people die.”

“Can’t you see he’s playing us?”

“Enough,” thundered Whein, “-I’ve heard enough. I should have known you’d be... whatever,” he looked at the pope, “-we apologize,” and changed to Igna, “-if you would?”

“Kirth, tell me, is the revolutionist faction active, or have they gone defunct?”

“We’re still active,” came an annoyed response, “-using her in this negotiation is cheating. Call a Moderator.”

‘Moderator?’ cut the crowd.

Igna sat back in his chair, ‘-a Moderator, he’s not from Orin. Kirth’s a reincarnated soul from Scifer’s world. Never thought I see them here, *See the unseen, feel the unfelt, knowledge deep within, awaken for I order so; Eye of Truth.* ‘I expected as much. The man’s gifted in various wars. He has a talent for warfare and knows his way around the table. Blessed to be a Strategist,’ purple flashes flickered, ‘-no reason to hold back.’

“How is the revolutionist faction active, what is your next move?”

“As if I’m going to tell you,” he narrowed, “-I don’t need this, I’m done with the negotiations. Pope, I want out of here.”

“No,” guards blocked the door, “-Whein, as leader of the losing faction, tis thy responsibility. Kirth’s unwillingness to speak has painted a bad image. Despite our best effort, tis how we’re being rewarded.”

“Majesty,” added the pope, “-please.”

Whein’s hand trembled, “-Kirth, I don’t care what the revolution has in mind. I will do my duty towards my people – you, far as I’m concerned, have chosen your path.”

“WHAT?” he lunged and gripped Whein’s collar, “-after all I did, is that how you choose to REPAY ME!”