After his meeting with the Imparetor, Chris had managed to acquire a room for their stay. The room in question was in the western tower of the Spinxan base. The great monument rose forty meters into the air, it was made from a series of completely yellow bricks which had faded slightly from the the constant beating of the Dunara province's harsh sun.

The room was larger than Chris had expected it to be. It was a single bedroom with four bunk beds spread to each side of the room and a single large window to the northern wall that allowed sunlight to illuminate the room and allowed a cold breeze of air.

Its walls were painted with a dull blue colour that had long began fading and had been chipped off in some areas. It was not exactly the most inviting place to be in, but Chris was too exhausted to care.

The beds were comfortable enough to sleep on, though they felt slightly worn out like they had been in use for hundreds of years. It reminded Chris of the oldest pieces of furniture in the palace.

But even with the smell, Chris fell upon the bed, his mind and body both screaming for the sweet embrace of that ambrosia known as sleep. He slowly drowned into the weightless ocean of the subconscious, his world darkening and his mind freed from the shackles of the waking world.

But this pleasurable existence was denied of him as a the sharp sound of wood being occasionally banged upon, knocked him back to the material world.

"What the hell... Who the hell? " the disoriented prince mentally demanded as he rather ungracefully rolled off the bed and onto the ground head first.

"I am coming!" Chris snapped, his voice sounding like the growling of an irritated bear.

But the knocking did not stop and Chris gnashed his teeth together in irritation as he staggered upwards and towards the scarlet door.

"Will you stop it already, I am here!" he snapped as he pulled the door open so hard that he almost tore it off of its hinges.

His fury disappeared into a puff of confusion as standing before him was none other than the Provincial Minister. Besides her were two aids, as well as two Knights and two Asikari guards. Standing not so far from them was Imparetor Monze who looked unamused and just as irritated as Chris had been just a few minutes before.

"Provincial Minister Abeth?" Chris asked unable to believe his own eyes as he looked the fae from head to toe.

"My dear prince Christian, please do forgive me for not being here to welcome you to our precious city," the Provincial Minister responded with a smile.

Her voice and her manner of speech oozed with a charisma and grace that no doubt helped in her elections, but Chris was not only irritated but he had no time for political fakeries to be so easily swayed. His time at the capital was filled up with more of it than he would have liked.

The Provincial Minister reached forward and she planted two kisses on each one of his cheeks. The sensation of warm lips being applied to his flesh sent a shot of electricity running down his spine and his face heated up. The shock of the situation was the only thing stopping Chris from shrieking like a banshee.

"Th.... That was unnecessary," the prince stuttered out.

"Nonsense, consider it the first part of my apology for such initial inhospitality. I should have been here to welcome you and I can't just let this stand," she responded and Chris could not help but notice the Imparetor rolling his eyes.

"Well, I look forward to that tomorrow..."

" No, no, no," she cut him off while wagging her finger as if he was some naughty child. " That simply can't do. I have already prepared a little get together with our dear mayor and plenty of the city's most influential people. They are all looking forward to meeting you tonight. Besides, the prince of Avalons presence in Anabia must be made known, for the people."

" The people or your little game of thrones. Damn politicians, if I had my way I would behead every single one these vultures by my own hand," he thought as he forced a smile knowing that he was effectively trapped.

"Of course, it is just a little get together," Chris said expecting the worst. " Are you coming Imparetor Monze?"

The Imparetor simply shook his head as he said " I don't have time for these kinds of... parties."

"Oh Monze, when will you stop being such a stick in the mud. You could enjoy your time and maybe meet someone who catches your eye," Provincial Minister Abeth said and though he appeared ready to roll his eyes once more, The Imparetor simply said.

"The only mistress I owe my time to is to my appointed duty here. As I would expect from you Lady Minister," he then turned his head to Chris and said, " I wish you a good evening, may your activities spread goodwill and peace across the city."

The words were delivered in such a dry monotone manner, it was almost as if he was reading off some prewritten notes with all the disinterest in the world. Imparetor Monze saluted them with his right fist placed directly over his heart before he turned and walked away.

" Please don't leave me with these snobs," Chris mentally screamed in desperation as he saw the Imparetors figure vanish down the stairway.

" What a truly dreadful fellow, a few drinks and some actual friends would do him some good. Anyway my dear, now come on," She said as she grabbed his hand and she pulled him out of his room and towards the hell that awaited him.

XXXXXX

Chris was happily disappointed in a good way as this whole event turned out to be no more than a hundred peoples and he was sure that a good number of them were servants and bodyguards.

Provincial Minister Abeth had taken him through the city and towards a marble white building near the heart of the city.

All the way she could only talk herself up. She went on about all the great things that she had done for this entire province. She took credit from everything good and everything bad she subtly pushed to the city's mayor and the Imparetor.

Chris simply nodded in agreement and every promise she wanted out of him he sidestepped with vague and noncommittal responses. Ever since his return from earth, he had been given a crash course into how to handle politics.

And as much as he had hated every lesson, or the tests which involved him being thrown to the wolves so to speak, he could not ignore the results.

The trip was an excruciating thirty minutes of just talking, but eventually they arrived at their destination. And they found a mob of journalists and even common citizenry waiting to greet them.

Chris's mood fell fouler as he was met with hundreds of flashing cameras and millions of questions from the journalists before he had even exited the car.

"Christian, Christian, what is the purpose of your stay in Anabia!?..."

"Are the rumors true that the government is negotiating with the Lunar empire?!..."

"When will we enter the current war effort!?..."

"Is the king finally going to address the constant threats?!..."

"Are you and Katherine Amaron in a relationship?!..."

Chris could only respond by continuously saying, " I am not at liberty to say anything. I am sorry."

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Thankfully the constant bombardment ended as they finally passed through the buildings doors, leaving the screaming journalists behind for a whole new headache.

The little get together was held in the upper floor of the building and as soon as they stepped through the door and Chris was met with the eyes of a hundred men and women. Human, Fae and Elf alike looked at him with both excitement and a predatory hunger.

"Into the maw of the beast I go," he thought as Provincial Minister Abeth stepped forward grabbing a glass of wine from a plate carried by the nearest server.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of Anabia, I present to you Prince Christian Ddraig!" She declared with her glass in a toast.

Many followed suit and Chris forced out a smile that he had long learned from many such functions. He stepped forward and grabbing a glass with wine in it and he declared out.

"My fellow countrymen and women. I thank you for this welcome, Anabian hospitality has far surpassed my expectations and I can only hope to return it in full to you, to Anabia!" he raised the glass and many followed suit before gulping down the wine, though Chris didn't take more than the barest of sips.

Drunk people were more manipulatable, that lesson was drilled into his mind many times. The Provincial Minister hooked his arm and she herded him through the crowd with all the pride of person showing off their prize gryphon.

"You just have to meet Doctor Gresham of IWD. His conglomerate has served Avalon well in its medical research department. In fact sixty percent of earth refugees in Dunara have found employment under the IWD," the Provincial Minister said as she led him to a stocky human male with a long bushy moustache that made him look like some kind of bipedal walrus.

"I wonder how many favours and transactions she is cashing in on just by having me meet these people," he thought as he faked enthusiasm and he took the Doctors hand which he shook while saying.

"It is truly an honour Doctor Gresham, your work here is truly exemplary. I will not fail to bring this up in the capital," as he spoke he saw a smile grow on the Doctors face.

"I am humbled your grace. It is truly an honour to have my actions recognized," Doctor Gresham responded with a bit of a slur in his speech.

"He is drunk already?" Chris fought to keep surprise from overtaking the false mirth plastered on his face.

"Can I join in on that royal invitation," a new voice said butting into the conversation.

The voice belonged to a young fae with one of the thinnest moustaches that Chris had ever seen. The fae in question was dressed to impress and he carried himself with a confident swagger.

"Aris Livingstone, what a surprise. I thought you would be too busy to join us, " Provincial Minister Abeth might have kept her smile, but it was now strained.

" Aris, he is military? " Chris thought as he looked the fae from head to foot and the fae in question didn't seem much older than him.

"And miss the welcoming of Prince Christian to our little backwater. Besides, I might be Imperator Monzes dog, but I am also the head of the most successful start up in Enchantments and Hardware," the fae spoke with self assuredness that would have been repulsive with just how obnoxious it was, but the way that he seemed to get under provincial ministers skin just made it fun to watch.

"Munale Livingstone, Aris rank with the Spinxan garrison and head of Livetech, the largest and most profitable start-up in this whole province," Munale Livingstone said his full attention directed to Chris.

"What is your unit soldier?" Chris asked him.

"Galgan," he responded and Chris cracked a genuine smile.

"Mech pilot, that's impressive. What class?"

" She is a Goliath. Livetech has even upgraded most of the Goliath class mechs."

"I can't wait to see these beauties" Chris had always admired the fourth branch of the Avalonian armed forces. They might not have been the elite one man armies of the Knight cores or the gritty raw fighters of the Asikari, but none of that mattered when you piloted a ten to one hundred meter steel giant of war and death.

"I am sure that we will soon. Your grace, Minister Abeth," Munale responded with a nodded though before he left he said, " Oh lookie, a pissed off Mayor has just appeared. How bad for some of us."

And true to his words, a male elf came along with a group of obvious aids behind him. His scarlet red hair and beard were vibrant and the great gold chain of mayoral rank around his neck jingled with each step taken by his great frame.

Judging by the scowl upon his face, Chris suspected that he was about to see the animosity between the Provincial Minister and the Mayor that Imparetor Monze had told him about.

"My prince, welcome to Anabia," he declared with a short bow which Chris returned with a nod.

"It is a pleasure lord Mayor,".

"Provincial Minister Abeth," The Mayor said with a nod.

"Mayor Dion, I see that you have finally arrived."

The Mayors eyes narrowed at the question and he responded, " I was unfortunately uninformed of his majesty's arrival or the existence of your party."

"Really, I swear that I informed my secretaries to extend the invitation to you, " Provincial Minister Abeth was a truly an actress of great ability. " I will look into it."

"Of course you will," the Mayor's sarcasm could not be kept from surfacing through his tone.

"I need to get out of here?" Chris thought.

"Your grace, I would like to invite you tomorrow for breakfast at Sandpoint House," The Mayor stated.

The Provincial Minister made a winching face before she stated, "I am sorry, his majesty is to be meeting the Runith Society tomorrow in order to tour the Runith Institute. I had sent them alongside my invitation to this get together. Forgive me Mayor, I will be sure to see those in our staff who displayed such incompetence punished."

And this point the Mayor looked ready to crush the bottle in his hand and Chris was ready to chuck his own across the room. He had never agreed to any of this and quite frankly he was getting sick and tired of being jerked around like a toy by these people.

" May you excuse me, I believe that I should mingle around, " he said as he walked away, ignoring both the Provincial Minister and the Mayor's protests.

Chris found himself stopping and shaking hands with damn near everyone he found in the crowd. He spoke to them and with everyone he met he had to hear subtle attempts at seduction or to coax him into supporting possible business ventures.

The only group that didn't pretend to fawn over his every step, were a group of Mizihimo who didn't seem to have gotten over their defeat during the War of Magic over two thousand years ago.

They made a few snide remarks his way and every complement that they made was dripping with such sarcasm that Chris was tempted enough to punch them in the face.

He could only sigh in defeat as more people flocked to him, swallowing him in a wave of sycophants and yes men. This mob of fiends, were far greater threat than any night terror, as for every ten he dispatched with honeyed words, twenty more appeared to take their place.

Thankfully, as the party went on and more bottles of liquor were emptied to their wine glasses, the guests made themselves more scares around him.

Some made their own dealings from the ears of others and others had lost most of their shame to the burning intoxication of wine and had taken each other hand in hand to other rooms in order to indulge in pleasures of the flesh.

That was good enough for Chris and he managed to sneak out of the main hall and into one of the many balconies. Of course the balcony was already occupied by two individuals, halfway through tearing each others cloths off in an animalistic passion.

They both shrieked in fear upon seeing him and after a few apologizes, they quickly scampered off back to the oblivious spouses that they had introduced to him earlier.

"Here out of all places, damn degenerates," he muttered in annoyance as he stepped forward to lean upon the balcony and allow his face to be washed over by the cold waves of the winds.

The burning sensation in his head was finally beginning to reduce at the peaceful tranquility of nothingness.

"What the hell am I even doing here?" He asked himself.

"Funny, I was going to ask you the same thing, " a male voice uttered from behind.

The Avalonian prince steeled himself for another so called lobbyist, trying to offer "donation" in exchange for a favour.

He turned and he was met with a surprising figure. A elf of great size in rather elegant light purple suit with a red cane in his hand.

"Uncle Dolton?" Chris said in surprise as he looked at his fathers oldest childhood friend and the spy master of the realm.

"Nephew, my have you grown," Dolton walked forward with the same type of exaggerated swagger in his step that most people reserved for showing off to large crowds.

"I.... what are you doing here?" Chris could not believe his eyes as he looked at the ever elusive spy. "Did... did mom send you to spy on me?"

The Elf scoffed. "Of course not, if I was sent here to keep an eye on you, would I have revealed myself just now."

" No, you wouldn't."

" Good boy, now tell me. How much have you enjoyed your time amongst the vultures of Anabia?"

"Is that an actual question?" Chris could feel the stress in his shoulders flair up just by thinking about it.

"You will get used to it. Besides, you did well for yourself, Roland suffered an actual brain aneurism during his first time at a political gathering on his own," Dolton spoke with a mirthful grin.

"That doesn't cheer me up as much as you think."

" Ba, you children of today have no true sense of humor."

"You might want to work on better material then."

Dolton chuckled as he ran his hands across his great beard and he said "True, though the greatest joke today is the number of poor suitors who hoped to seduce you to their beds. So many of them are heart broken, you didn't even spare them a glance."

Chris almost shook his head in confusion as he thought back to his day and to any potential attempts at seduction, but nothing came up.

" I don't think that happened."

Dolton made a snorting sound as he struggled to hold back the laughter boiling in his belly, before saying, "Oh it is true. The level of revealing clothing and the people who fawned so much at you was truly astounding."

Chris ran his hand across his face as he thought about a bunch of strangers trying their best to sleep with him as a political play, and it made him want to draw his sword and to rush into the main hall to perform a slaughter.

But that didn't matter, something more pressing was on his mind. "Why are you here, in Anabia specifically. You wouldn't be here unless something big was happening? "

The old Fae smiled with a side grin before responding, " I am afraid that is classified."

" As your prince, I can be privy to that information."

" And as a Aris rank Knight, you have no power to compel me to do that. Remember, I am a Paladin and the spy master."

"But I am also your nephew, and every good uncle looks out for their nephew," Chris argued.

Dolton ran his hand through his beard again before he finally spoke, "You got me there. I am not exactly settled in Anabia, I am more patrolling the north."

"Patrolling the north?" Chris asked unable to understand as he knew that thousands of men and women were agents under the Silver Hawk which Dolton reigned over.

"There have been some rumblings amongst the northerners. The whole death of reality and coming into this new world at war has left many people on edge. And with the Lunar empire and those idiots from the Ocean Lords at our door stop, a more offensive mindset is taking root."

" That sounds like a problem."

" It is only one of too many. I loath to think of what else awaits us if..." Dolton was cut off by the voice of Provincial Minister loudly calling out.

"Your grace?!"

" It appears that your host desires more of your presence," Dolton cheekily said.

"I swear to Lez..." Chris snapped his head sideways to admonish Doltons jokes, but the elf was long gone, vanished into the very winds as if he bad never been here in the first place "... I hate it when he does that stupid trick."