"So her medication is blood. Drink more if she bleeds from where?! What is she a Vampire or something?!" he thought as he walked back with her. He walked out when he recovered and followed Marianna back towards the castle, as she explained what was that all about.

"Why not have meat every once in awhile? Like every other week?" He asked when suddenly his eyes went alert and drew his blade as a cloaked person jumped from the shadows, Zianro blocked the person's dagger and the two fought for two minutes before Zianro ran the man through, but not before getting a small cut on his cheek as a reward.

"Well, not bad for my first opponent on this job." He said as he flicked the blood off his blade and sheathed it. "So Mary am I worth what you paid me?" He asked with a small smirk as he checked for anything. "The clothing, Beracian silk. Should've guessed this was their first move. They've probably closed up their border on Zankor's side." As he listed off the details his mind felt like it was racing and he rubbed it to keep from getting a headache.

"This job is gonna drive me insane, I know it." He muttered as he continued his walk with the Queen.

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Marianna's walk was desterbed by an assassin. The civilians either ran, or watched the fight between her bodyguard, and the assassin from a safe distance. The battle lasted for several minutes, ending when Zianro ran the would be assassin through with his sword. He was so proud Marianna didn't want to spoil his achievement, but he should know that she hired the assassin herself.

Marianna finally spoke. "Dear Zianro I hired the assassin myself. I had to test your ability see it for myself. Do you honestly believe that the Beracian's would be able to send a assassin so quickly. It take at least two days to make it from the Zankor, Beracia border. The servant's are really Imperial Guards dressed as Servants, a fail-safe in case you were killed. I'm impressed you've done well. Come along now there is still a ways too the castle."

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When Zianro heard her words his small grin faded. "You doubted my skills? Oh, that wounds even the pride of my Ancestors. Even Na'ari himself just did a roll in his grave." He said this in a mock hurt tone as he walked back with Marianna to the palace. He considered what he was doing payback for some of the teasing she did.

But the time they got back to the palace it was in the afternoon and Zianro was doing his duty as always, he considered trying to figure out the best time to train and sharpen his skills. His mind hiwever was troubled. His vision said to beware of another evil. But he didn't know where and when to be wary of it. He pushed it out of his mind by keeping an eye out for any dangers in the current room he was in.

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Apon returning to the throne room, Marianne saw fit to address Zianro's earlier comment about his ancestors. "Zianro I highly doubt your ancestors turned in there grave, you see there dead and the dead do not move, furthermore there remains are probably none existent any longer. The creatures of the dirt have likely broken down the bones, if your lucky you might find a bone chip." Marianna had watched the man's expression. She loved to torment Zianro it was such a fun way to pass the time. Marianna had sat for a few more moments before standing. "come along Zianro I grow weary, and wish to retire to my chambers."

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Zianro frowned. "Remind me to tell you how expressions work." He mumbled as he scratched the back of his neck. After a few more moments he was told to escort her back to her chambers. "As you wish Marianna." He stated as he walked with her.

He hoped she didn't get any other ideas to torment him. Or tease him, or both. This week seemed like it was going to be... Interesting.

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A week had passed the Empire was busy, troops being armed and prepared for war. A army of Two Hundred thousand men was prepared to March. The embassies Marianna had sent out one week prior had returned , and we're awaiting to be summoned to report the other countries responses. Today was to be a busy day for Marianna.

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Marianna was seating apon her throne when general Vargas came to report there progress. "The troops are awaiting your orders to March. Tell me who we are to strike, and I will make sure we are to succeed." Marianna had stared at Vargas with cold eyes. " You will do well to keep your words Vargas For if you fail and return to me alive I will kill you myself. You are to attack Beracia I trust you have a plan to remain undetected once you cross the border. You are dismissed" Marianna had sat a few moments before speaking to a Guard. "Bring the Messenger from Meira."

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Zianro was standing at a Pillar watching all the access areas of the Throne Room, learning all of them during the past week. He watched the Messenger enter the throne room.

"The People of Meira Congratulate you on capturing a Hostage in order to try to negotiate with us. We will take your words in consideration, as without Meira, the Pillar of Meiran, the Entire Continent falls with us." The messenger stated, "However, the Queen must warn you that the King of Beracia will be enraged with this, and will no doubt send an exploratory army to find out what happened during the events of your ball and what you're up to, if he hasn't already."

Zianro looked at the messenger and thought he had a point. If Beracia got a hint of something wrong, they'd send a small army to investigate, like a Vulture showing the kill to a large predator.

"It is therefore fitting that your messenger tell you that we demand the safety of our heir, along with the respect given to us as the founders of Civilization. Signed, Queen Alexandra."

Zianro sighed. Meira may be the founders of civilization, But Valsir was the Cradle of life in his Views. He looked towards Marianna to see her reaction.

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Marianna smiled when the messenger ceased to speak. "That is two of the four down." she spouted of most likely thinking aloud. Marianna had spoken again "You are dismissed, please inform the messager from Orina that I have summoned him." once the messager had left she began to think aloud again. "There heir will be safe I will consider returning him, then again I'm probably going to take over Meira as well. They may have found the continent, and I may have some famliy ties with there royal family, But they rely on the past as the founders of the continent." she waited a moment before realizing she had said that aloud. "Zianro what do you think on the matter I know you heard me."

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Zianro shifted a bit at her words. "Uncomfortable is one word I would sum up on what I think. Your musings in front of me makes me once more questioning if you'll really leave Valsir as is." Zianro stated. "However, I feel that your strategy for the war so far-" he stopped when the doors opened again and he sighed, Orina's messenger was next.

He didn't pay attention to Orina's message, or Durn's. Orina's was the same as Meria's, a willful bowing out of the affairs of Zankor and Beracia. However, Durn's messenger stated that a Regent lord has been established and they demand the return of the King and his Heir, or Durn shall mobilize and make ready for war.

"So much for Durn being slow..." Zianro commented. Then Valsir's messenger arrived.

"Queen Marianna Murdock, long may your reign be. I, King Ragnar VII, after much deliberation and council with the Elders, have agreed that the terms of Alliance are Favorable. We lend several of Valsir's finest hardened warriors to bolster your numbers. In return for the following, the Alliance be sealed by Marriage to any Valsir Warrior bloodline, From the King's bloodline to the Sacred Azura bloodline." The messenger bowed and left.

The moment the messenger did, Zianro slid down the pillar he was leaning on, his face in full shock. Valsir did agree to the terms, but also subtly said to Zianro 'Sorry! You're on your own!' Ragnar was cruising for a fistfight should they encounter each other again!

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Marianna was not surprised Orian's response was the same as Meira. Durn sending a messenger was a bit of a surprise, but Marianna always had a back up plan. If Durn would assign a lord regent and demand there king back. Then she would make a deal with there king before releasing him. Here planning was interrupted with a few words from the Valsir's messenger. Alliance be sealed by Marriage to any Valsir Warrior bloodline. Marianna had shoot up from her normal posture. Her back now straight and attentive. Her eyes wide, she nearly jumped from her throne. She looked at Zianro before saying. "It seems Fate has given us are reasoning........ husband."

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Zianro heard Marianna as she looked at him and stated something in a teasing fashion, basically, using the terms of Valsir's alliance.

"N-N-Now wait a second!" Zianro shouted. "Let's try not to take advantage of what Ragnar said! We need to get to know each other and things, and courtship, and other things!" His mind was basically in panic mode because of what he heard from the messenger from his homeland.

Then he had a feeling of dread. "How would my sisters react to this?!" he thought. He then started to take deep breaths to calm down. "Plus, I'm sure there are other warriors wanting to line up to try and win your hand.." He said shyly, tapping his foot on the floor of the throne room.

How could this moment get any worse?

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Marianna smiled before saying. "what were the two things to told me you wanted the most the first day we meet. Your family provided for and your homeland to remain the same. Are you saying your mind has changed? this is the only way I will accept the conditions given by King Ragnar. You will take my hand in marriage or there will be no alliance." Marianna may benefit from this arrangement, in the form of a heir to take the throne when she passes away.

At the moment her mind raced. "Why would King Ragnar make a Marriage part of his terms, was he hopping that a marriage would prevent Marianna from breaking her deal. Or maybe once she passed away, the Visarian would try to manipulate the heir to in order to gain more power. Doing away with the Zankor Empire entirely."

She throw away her worries and focused on a more pressing matter. She clapped her hands twice once again gaurd had entered, she instructed him to fetch the King of Durn.



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Zianro sputtered a bit as he realized his near panicking made him ruin it for his family and home. "As the Queen demands." He said in a quiet voice, that almost sounded defeated in its entirety. He simply stayed where he was at when the guards went to fetch the King of Durn.

When the guard came back with him, the king looked slightly disheveled, and angry at being treated like this. Zianro didn't expect anything less. Nor anything more. Save for the fact that Durn is about to wage a war of its own against Zankor due to a regent lord. Now that he thought about it, who in Durn would be Regent?

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Marianna had waited until the guards had gone still before speaking. "King Alexander Unknown to you a Lord Regent has been placed into power in your absence, and threats to declare war against The Empire of Zankor. Meira and Orion have decided to stay away from any conflicts that will be come to be. As I have there heirs in the dungeon as well. You know as well as I do Durn has no chance of surviving a war with Zankor. I have a proposal for you, I will release you and you can go back to Durn, but you must kneel before me and declare vassalage to the Empire of Zankor. Your troops and land will be at my disposal when ever I wish. This is your only chance to remain the King of Durn, it is the only way Durn will remain a kingdom at all. What do you say? "

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"Vassal!? Why would I stoop so low?! This Regent Lord won't be a problem once I get out without it!" The king exclaimed as Zianro stood up and gripped his sword. "However, Maybe we can work out the details of Vassalsnip once all this has settled?" The King asked.

Zianro sighed, when in doubt, do a good intimidation. "However your majesty, I don't see anyone competent enough to be a Regent Lord..." The King said. Zianro's eyes widened.

"There's someone else in the background? Is it a Beracian? Or worse, a disgraced Noble from here in Zankor?" Zianro's mind began to think really hard. What exactly is going on in the Continent of Meiran?

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Marianna had started to apply here skills of manipulation on the King of Durn. "You would stoop that low because as I stated earlier if I must I will go to war with Durn, and a war with Durn with out the aid of its allies would be crushed swiftly. You know this as well as I do." then when the king had stated that he saw no Durn nobility that was competent enough to be placed as a regent her strategy changed. "You know I will let you go but I will be keeping your heirs here to insure that talks of vassalage occur, rest assured they will not be harmed, I ask that in return when you do regain control of Durn you Stay out of any upcoming conflicts, as well as inform me of who this regent lord is."

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The King of Durn's face falls as he bows his head in acceptance, as the guards took him away from the throne room. All Zianro could do is heave a large sigh. "That isn't going to end well. We may be dealing with someone who really hates Zankor or your Family." He said as he rubbed the back of his neck. He had a feeling there was more then just Mary wanting to keep everyone out of the way for the possible war with Beracia and its current King.

However, this Regent Lord of Durn worried him. Who or what was this person? This worry plagued him at the pit of his stomach. Which actually started to growl at that exact moment. "Fine time to be hungry." he thought to himself in a scolding manner.

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Marianna turned his attention towards Zianro. "My Dear bodyguard, this is a way to make the snake reveal it's self. If the king does not send a messenger, it means I've found my brother." As she stared at Zianro she began to speak again. "For now we must prepare for are wedding, no? Should it be grand and worthy of a Queen and King, or would you prefer a smaller wedding. I would prefer the grand scale, but you are my bodyguard so I'm open to your suggestions."

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Zianro blushed beet red when she began to speak about preparing for the wedding. That pushed out the question he had about her brother in its entirety. He shuffled his feet as again as he acted like a shy teen, despite the fact he was the same age as The Queen.

"I would have preferred small, because I'm not so great in big parties." He stated. He had no choice but to accept this wedding and marriage. Why did Valsir do it? He had a clear idea why. They wanted to throw him under the proverbial carriage. This was Ragnar's way of telling him, 'You got pushed into this, I'm just making sure you and I get a beneficial gain.'

That still didn't help the blush on his face. "But regardless, it's your wedding and you have as much say as I do. So let's try and figure out a compromise." He said. Now why did he go and say that?! His mind mentally slapped itself to remind him that he did have a say!

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Marianna had placed her hand on her chin, waiting on the reply from Zianro. Once he had done so she had gotten a devilish smirk on her face, replying to him with her usual mischievous tone when she was tormenting him, by perverted means. "If it were entirely up to me I would have a more....... private wedding." She had begun to take great joy in desterbing young Zianro. Staring as if he himself was the only thing that existed in the room at the time, always wanting to see a reaction. That was her rewards his priceless reactions.

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