Thanks for Inda for reviewing. Oh just to reply to her on her review, just because some people think someone is meant for each other doesn't mean that they are. Trust me I learned this from a heartbreaking experience, mmmh maybe that's why I'm writing this? Oh well…

Oh by the way I named Fanelia's army the Grand Army mainly to symbolize how Fanelia grew stronger after being rebuilt.

Chapter 3: Council with Bad News…

Van walked into the Council room. He had rebuilt it differently that what it used to be. He had it rebuilt so that all the Chief Advisors could see each other, and all the while, they could also see the King. (I can't describe it here; it looks like the UN room though) He saw the Chief Advisor of Defense talking to some of the Guard Officers and some other men Van overheard the words 'how many have died?' and 'cant hold out much longer' Damn that doesn't sound promising. He sat in his assigned chair, at the center of the half circle shaped room. The only Chief Advisors present were the Chief Advisor of Defense and the Chief Advisor of Foreign Relations. He also saw some other people there, mainly officers in the Guard, and some people who looked like tribal members. Well at least the Chief Advisor of War isn't here.

Van thought over the Chief Advisors and how they came to be. When he was rebuilding Fanelia, some of the survivors came back to help with the rebuilding. When some of the survivors remembered their King, they pledged helping him in any way. He remembered when he asked, "Is anyone willing to fill the roles of the Chief Advisors?" and the joy and pride in his people when all of the survivors raised their hands, all of them willing to help bring Fanelia to its former glory. When he was to pick the Chief Advisor of War he thought long and hard over who to appoint the role to. After all I didn't want some crazed madman wanting only to start wars left and right! After a long time, nearly 4 months, of deciding whom to pick he chose a man named Jarred. (Anyone know who this guy is form?) He chose Jarred because they shared the same ideal about War, that it should be avoided at all costs, and only be entered if all attempts to avoid War had failed. Seeing him here would only mean that War is inevitable. Van though solemnly.

Upon Van sitting down, a Palace Guard next to him proclaimed in a high voice "Lord Fanel has taken the Main Chair! All will be silent until the King has allowed us to talk!" God I Hate that! Van thought nastily in his mind, they can't talk until I ALLOW them! I'm going to have a talk with Arias (Chief Advisor of Orderly Conduct) sooner or later.

He let out a small sigh, Oh well… "What is the matter?" he asked. "Lord, we have received a message asking for help from a small tribe near the borders of Fanelia. They seem to be under a continuous raids by a band of mercenaries with guymelefs." Stated the Chief Advisor of Defense. Van looked at the Chief Advisor of Defense. A small, respectable looking catwoman. Jasmine, is her name right? I like her; she cares a lot for the well being of Fanelia. One of the reasons why I chose her as the Chief Advisor of Defense. "So? Why haven't we responded with aid?" Van asked, very confused. Chief Advisor of Foreign Relations spoke up. "Well your Majesty, it seems that the mercenaries were hired by Asturia."

"What?" Vans' sudden outburst did not really surprise anyone, they all thought the same thing when they found out too. "There must be some mistake! Austuria would never…there's no way..Austuria?…hire mercenaries to attack a defenseless tribe? But why?" Van asked, no real answers coming to his confused mind. Chief Advisor of Foreign Relations finally answered his question. "Well some officials of Asturia believe that one of the tribe members is a criminal, wanted for the assassination of Asturia's King some time ago." "What? I have never even HEARD of a King from Austuria being assassinated.!"

Van replied, he was about to say something when Chief Advisor of Defense cut him off "Your Majesty! Whatever the reason may be," she hesitated as sadness seeped into her body, "whatever the reason may be, the Asturian government has given the mercenaries full permission to persecute all suspected members of this crime. We have tried sending messages to Asturia to desist in this course of action, but we receive no reply from them. And Asturia seems very intent on bringing the criminals to justice, be it as live criminals or as dead corpses." Everyone in the room grew silent.

They're going kill every one in that village! Van started to remember how he had met Merle in the same fashion. Sadly there were people in the world that had extreme hate for the 'beast-people.' He immediately thought of how many catpeople were orphaned, or had lost loved ones, just because Asturia wanted revenge for a dead king. He suddenly felt an uncontrollable anger. Without a word he stood up and walked out of the room. "Lord please wait!" someone shouted behind him, but he didn't even care to respond.

They are attacking people in MY Kingdom! They are attacking defenseless people! They aren't even being given a trial, they're just being killed! Van could feel his blood boiling in his body.

"Lord Van!" he turned around to see Merle, a lot of Palace Guards and the two Chief Advisors running up to him. When they saw the look in his eyes, they understood what he felt. Out of all of them Jasmine and Merle understood the most. Jasmine because she was a catwoman and Merle because, well besides being a catwoman (yeah she grew up from being a catgirl) had lost her family in the same hateful manner.

Merle ran up to him and hugged him, tightly. "Be careful Lord Van," she said quietly. Van felt an odd, but not unwelcome feeling wash over him. He put his hand over her hair, running his finger through it, for once truly Cherishing a hug from Merle. He had never noticed how Lovingly she hugged him. Why haven't I ever noticed this before? Van asked himself. "Don't worry Merle I will be." He reassured her by returning her hug. He faced to Jasmine, "Chief Advisor of Defense." "Yes My Lord." Jasmine bowed before Van, obviously knowing what would come next was an Order. "Inform the Chief Advisors of current events, tell the Chief Advisor of War to prepare the Grand Army in case they are needed, though I hope I am not leading us to War." "Don't worry Your Majesty, if you do, it is for a just cause." Jasmine replied, still kneeling in front of him. Van wasn't so sure if she was right in saying that. He hoped he wasn't causing a War, but he just couldn't let innocent people die on his land without doing something about it. Merle, almost sensing his self doubt, turned up to him, and with a smile and cheer in her blue eyes, said "Don't worry I'll always be by your side, backing you up Lord Van."

Smiling at Merle, Van turned on his heel and ordered a Palace Guard to come forward.

"Send a message to the Palace, tell them to release the Escaflowne."

El Verdadero Odio:

EDIT: Made a few changes.