Chapter 2

Favor

A/N: Here it is! Enjoy and let me know what you think. I don't mind a little feedback :)


A plane was flying into Kyrat by the end of the week. On it was one of the few allies Pagan Min had. Due to the civil war that's torn through Kyrat, Min had lost many contacts and a lot of support from countries around the world. San Marella, however, has remained close with the unstable country for several years and hopefully for many to come.

The plane landed in Kyrat International Airport. Inside was Emiliana, the leader of the European country San Marella. Along with her were her nervous adviser, Gabrielle, and former mercenary now guard, Severino. She couldn't go anywhere without the two tagging along. Like everyone back at home, they believed she was bound to get into trouble. Whether it was the agreements she made or people she agreed with, problems were sure to arise.

"You can't just hand that kind of power over to ah kid! The country will be in flames over night!" One politician said in an interview three weeks after she was crowned.

Just as expected, San Marella began to suffer under the rule of young Emiliana, but nine years later, she's managed to resurrect her country from the ashes. She owes it to the King of Kyrat for all his help, or better yet the war that called for millions of dollars San Marella's weaponry.

Emiliana glanced over at her adviser who was sitting next to her. She nudged the anxious woman and grinned.

"How come you always get nervous whenever we come here? Let me guess, it's the mountains? Afraid of heights, Gab?" Emiliana joked.

Gabrielle gestured outside the window, wide-eyed.

"No, it's the heavily armed men walking around everywhere in those red berets. It's those gunshots you hear in the distance followed by some tiger mauling someone's face off. I don't feel safer here and you know that. Please remind me again why our biggest trade is weapons for war?"

Emiliana held up one finger and explained. "One, war equals money and that what's keeping our country happy, right? Second, you insisted on coming anyways so you brought this on yourself." Emiliana said.

She and Gabrielle rose from their seats and exited the plane. She turned towards her guard and asked him to get her bear. "Would you feel safe if you have Lotso around?"

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "You should really put that thing back where it belongs, in the wild."

She winced at the approaching brown bear as a soldier of the Royal Army arrived. The soldier escorted Emiliana and her entourage of two to a cargo van.

"Help them get the bags would you, Sev," Emiliana commanded.

Severino nodded and walked towards the pile of luggage lying on the concrete.

Everything was placed inside the van and the three were heading towards the North with Lotso being held in a cage riding in a truck behind them. Emiliana gazed up at the Himalayas. No matter how many times she's seen them, she can't help but admire the grand snow covered mountains.

Gabrielle jumped at the sound of nearby gunshots. Sev rested his hand on her shoulder and nodded, assuring her she'll be kept out of harms way.

Emiliana and her companions arrived at Min's palace. They were brought inside where they were greeted with the sweet smell of burning candles and sight of warm autumn colors. The place was decorated with beads strung up on the walls and old relics. They walked into a dining room where a painting of King Min hung on the back wall. Emiliana looked at the painting, admire the artist's fine work. They really captured his likeness along with the uncanny feeling of him watching your every move.

The two San Marellian woman sat down at the table while Sev stood off to the side. After a few minutes, in walked Pagan Min. He was clothed in his iconic pink suit, texting on his phone before taking notice of his guest. He grinned at them while putting away his device. He took a seat across from the two ladies.

'Welcome back to Kyrat. It's been quite some time, hasn't it Emiliana. Glad to know you haven't forgotten about me." Pagan said. "Would either of you care for a drink?"

"Yes we would," Emiliana replied.

Pagan poured a bottle of wine into three champagne glasses. Emiliana grabbed a glass and took a sip of the soothing wine. Gabrielle took caution before taking a drink. She remembered the last incident that happened with a glass of wine at the King's palace. Someone had downed a shot of whiskey and was coughing up their own blood moments later. She looked over at Emiliana who seemed well, but she refused to touch her glass.

Pagan grinned at the sight of hesitation coming from the adviser. She was smart for taking caution. Min recalled back to that glorious moment when that poor sap choked on his blood and died right where Gabrielle was sitting. He was amused by the whole thing, but less than pleased with the crimson stains left on his dining table.

"You should take note of your adviser, Emiliana. Should you end up dead before dinner you only have yourself to blame." Pagan smiled, gesturing over to Gabrielle.

Gabrielle shot her eyes over at Pagan and felt her face turn red. There was something that bothered her about the blonde-haired man in front of her. The intensity of his eyes on her was paralyzing. She wasn't sure about what to say. She remained quiet. She adjusted her glasses followed by a faint smile appearing on her face.

Emiliana smirked at Pagan's remark. "I bet that would make everybody's day." She thought.

"What can I say, I can't turn down a glass of fine wine." She circled the top of the glass with her index finger.

"Then I hope you won't turn me down. I didn't just invite you here for a party. I'm asking for your assistance, militarily wise. I know you're already supplying my army with the finest weapons, but I'm not asking for anything major. Just enough to take care of those goddamn terrorist. As Paul might have told you..." Pagan stopped when he saw the confused expression on Emiliana's face. "Oh wait, did he tell you? It doesn't matter now, the point is I brought here for a favor and it would certainly be great if you agreed. I mean, tell me you didn't piss off those people back at home for nothing. You know how they get whenever you come around this neck of the woods."

Pagan took a sip of some wine, studying the worn, yet strong face of San Marella's leader. Her forest green eyes were squinted as if she was trying to see through Pagan. She caught onto his manipulative bullshit long ago and heard stories about how he came into power. Backstabbing wasn't something Emiliana was foreign to. She and grandfather before her done it by associating with King Min.

She and Pagan have come a long way to suddenly turn their back on each other. After all, he was one of the few who supports her as a leader and friend. Emiliana softened her stare at Pagan and smiled.

"I know, but they'll have to deal with." Emiliana leaned back in her chair. "Alright, Min, I'll do it. I'll let you have my military's assistance."

Pagan grinned and rose his glass.

"Here's to the end of an old chapter in Kyrat and a new one."