A young man dressed in dark green and silver robes waited for the king to arrive. He was anxious to be on with his journey. He looked at the people around but said nothing or thought nothing. He did not need them knowing who he was excatly anyway. For safety reasons, he kept his identity a secret.

Eric walked in.He held his head low,due to the fact that he was wearing a baggy white shirt that had a few dirt spots on it and a pair of baggy pants.
"Now...lets see.where is he at?"Eric mummbled,looking around for the messenger.

The man looked over as he heard someone enter. Beneith his hood, a small smile appered on his lips. He bowed deeply as the king passed him. "Milord." he said in a neutral tone. "I hope I haven't come at a bad time."

Eric bowed in return.
"Not at all.I was just hiding from everyone in the kingdom.How may I help you?"He asked.

"Good luck with that, Milord." the man said chuckling a little. "I was asked to deliver a message from Lady Atela. After the celebration of Brumadia, the Empress wishes to finish settling the debate over the lands held by Rome in Northern Asa." He said taking out a scroll with the same message. "The Empress and the Senate wish to have the debate held in Rome instead of in the town of Troy as the previous debate was suppose to be held. They do not want a repeat of what happened to Emperor Rayku."

"alright.When is it?"Eric asked.

"It will be another week or two." the man said. "This gives you enough time to gather your resorces and prepair for the trip."

((I'll send you a pm when we start the debate or whatever you want to call it.))

"Alright,thank you."Eric said.
He bowed and smiled at him.
"and if you wish,you may also stay a while and rest."


((kk))

"I'm afraid I can not accept your hospitality, King Eric." the man said bowing. "I have to continue on my way or loose site of what else I must do." He appoligized. "As a traveler, I give you this one warning." he looked at Eric from his hood. "Do not take the rumors you will hear in Rome to heart. There are many things happening there and, though some are true, only few know the truth behind them." He bowed once more to Eric before starting out the door. "One more word of advice, becareful who you trust with your heart." The man bowed as Susan entered the throne room to speak with Eric. The elf counciler looked at the traveler as he left.

"Who was that. Milord?" She asked turning to Eric as she bowed to him.

"A messenger...from Rome."Eric said.
He replayed the words in his head,trying t figure out what he meant.

Susan nodded curious still about what the man said as she had entered the room. "I recieved word from our spy friends in the desert. They appoigize about not being able to contact us sooner." She said taking out a small scroll. "Seems Diablo is trying to block Rome, Asa and Ren from their allies."

"Your joking.How are they managing to do that?"Eric asked.

Susan sighed to herself. She still wasn't sure how her resources were able to get the information herself. "Diablo seems to have four troops. One stationed in Ren, along the Roman boarder. He has one stationed some where near the Rein-Asa border and his one stationed in the desert. His fourth troop is made up of Estrella, Deivas and Nemesis. They have been keeping the guards and prince busy." She pushed some hair out of her face. "Lady Angela of Ren has been trying to keep an eye on the troop there but hasn't had much success."

"Hmmm......has any action taken place yet?"Eric asked.

"None has been taken on our behalf. I was just informed a few moments ago of this travisty myself." Susan said seriously. "I thought it was best you knew before I deploied any of our army down to the southern part of Asa to drive them out."

Westra had entered sometime during Susan's report and was listening intently. Nostra, Demos and Kiri were there as well. "This is serious. If Diablo's been able to get troops into Asa without our knowledge, then we may have another leak in the castle." Westra said frowning.

eric held his head slightly.
"And yet I have no idea,what so ever,as to what to do."He sighed.

"Sir," Nostra said in his delicate voice, "my butterflies can help with the matter of finding the leak."

"Kiri and I can handle the more physical part of the interigations." Demos said as Kiri nodded.

"I can handle the diplomatic situations this matter may cause." Westra said bowing.

"And I handle the military deployment and placements." Susan said.

"Don't forget about the rest of us." a rather large man said as he entered. His hair was kept short and kind of scraggly. His name was Reglar, an human soldier from the Asan-Roman war.

"The rest of us can help with the interigation as well as seeking out any posslible outside leaks." an older man said nodding as he stroked his white beard. This was Themor, the only counciler left from Atela's rule. He was a dwarf and once a warrior for Asa. Several other council members nodded in agreement.

"We are your advisors and allies, Milord." Susan said smiling gently. "We are here to aid you in these matters. We can answer any question you have and aid you in the decision but your word is law."


((Will make Themor and Reglar's profiles later.))

((kk))




Eric nodded.
"Thanks...I cant imagine where I would be without you guys."He smiled.

"Pull your hair out?" Susan offered with a small laugh.

"Let's get this started." Westra said as he and the younger guardians left with the other council members.

"Are you alright, Milord?" Susan asked concerned for Eric.

Eric watched them leave and shook his head.
"Not entirly.I am amazed I forgot what dead bodies left from murder looked like."He said.

"Milord," Susan said sitting in one of the council chairs, "it means you've moved on. But there is still the possiblity of war with Diablo. If we find a leak, there may be more trouble. Are you going to be ready to face it if there is?" She asked softly.

"Oh god I hope so."Eric sighed,sitting down in the floor,"Still.....what do you know of the queen of Rein?"

"She disappered. No one knows what happened to her. Not many here in Asa knew anything about her except Mitzu and he died at her hand." Susan said thinking. "Why do you ask?"

"Well.....I'm special.I saw her murdered body!"Eric said,staring at the wall across the room.

She shut her eyes tightly., pricking up her ears so she could hear better, leaning forwards slightly.

Susan frowned a little. "I see..." She sighed quietly. "Milord, have the other rulers been informed? They should know as well. It's just a common curtisy." She said softly so that only Eric could hear. She hated the feeling that someone was listening in.

A silver and black butterfly flew around Sunset curious about why she was there. It let out a soft bell sound.

'' WHAT THE H- '' Sunset whispered slightly loud, startled by the bel, and fell over. ''Hi..BYE!!!!'' Sunset said getting up, she ran off like a shot and hid.* CRAP CRAP!!!!!!!!!* Sunset thought dissapointed.

"I just found out about it.It was a recent death.could you please send out the message,Susan?"Eric asked.
He hadnt taken his eyes of the wall yet.

*Hmm....No one saw me...SWEET!!* Sunset thought happily, going back to her original hiding spot

"Of course, my King." Susan said standing and bowing to Eric. She turned to leave. "Is there anything else you need me to do?" She asked stopping and turning to look at him once more.

The silver and black butterfly kept flying near Sunset. Soon it was joined by several more of various colors. A young man watched from his spot on a ledge in the hall. ~An evesdropper.~ he thought frowning. Nostra signaled the butterflies to cause some ruckus. They did as instructed and started to send out diffrent bell sounds across the hall causing the guards to become alerted.

"Yes...please send someone to collect the bodies in Rein.One is in the kitchen...the other in the queens chambers...."Eric said.
He looked around,looking for where the bells were coming from.

"Yes sir." Susan said bowing. She looked out towards the hallway.

"Who goes there!?" A guard demanded as four stopped just outside the ring of butterflies.

"Sorry." Nostra said as he appered in the throne room. "There is an evesdropper out in the hall. My butterflies found her." He said bowing to Eric.

"Oh..."Eric said,standing up,"How many butterflies do you have anyway?"

Nostra thought about that for a moment. "Ummm...." he said scratching his head. "I think...some where around a thousand or so...." He said looking at Eric.

Susan groaned. "They follow him no matter what anyway. He seems to be able to control wild ones as well." She muttered heading out to take care of what Eric asked her to do.

"Wow."Eric said,looking at the few butterflies that were there.

''Eep!'' She yelped. * Whoever thought something so cute could be so evil..* she thought looking at the butterflies.

"I suggest you answer me!" the guard growled at Sunset as the guards drew their weapons. The butterflies kept ringing as Nostra had yet to tell them to stop.

"They are helpful at least." Nostra said thoughtfuly.

"True..."Eric said,heading toward the gaurds and Sunset.

''Sunset Riku'' Sunset stated. '' And you would be? Its not polite to ask of someones name without stating yours first.'' She smirked.

"I suggest you watch your mouth, woman!" The guard growled. "You are tresspassing in the Castle of Asa! Evesdropping on the King is concidered an offence punisible by death!"

"She's an airhead." Nostra muttered floating in mid air. "She doesn't even realize she's being held at weapon's point.