Atalya and Alfonso walked up the long dark stairways and took the elevators in which connected Upper and Lower Valua. The route between the two cities was long because nobody wanted any confusion between civilians of either. Upper Valuans didn't especially want to be close to Lower Valua anyway, but walking between the two cities was quite a hike. Alfonso noted that it had been much easier when him and his men had come down for now the entire way was uphill. Other people must have realized that too because there were many benches scattered on the sides of the walkways. He looked at the landmarks and decided that they were about halfway there. Even if they weren't, he didn't think he could go up another stair. He peered down at Atalya who seemed to be having as much trouble as he did, mostly because of her dress. She had to hold up the many petticoats in order to make her way up the stairwells. He also noticed the way she was holding up her dress. She didn't seem to care much about modesty because all the way up to her mid thigh was showing. He had never really seen that much of a woman's bare leg before. He scratched that thought. Of course he had. Vigoro and his women and he supposed he could count Belleza. Even though he had never seen her bare legs the boots and pants she wore left little to the imagination. He had never seen the legs of a woman in which he found desirable. Then again, he never found many women that were all that desirable.

" Want me to help you with that?" He offered to her. She took his hand, which he held out to her and to her surprise it actually helped a lot. She was quite tired and motioned towards the bench once she got up the stone stairway. He looked quite smug and his confidence never faltered but she could tell he was possibly more out of breath than she was. He sat down on the bench and she practically collapsed onto it beside him. It was all part of her "innocent maiden" act. She crossed her legs and pulled her skirts down, just noticing that he was staring. When one had eyes as beautiful and bright as his, it was hard not to notice when they were looking at you.

" So tell me, what is your father like?" He asked trying to make conversation. She thought for a moment then came up with a concoction of half-truths that would satisfy him.

" Well, he is part of the Valuan Army. He isn't very well known though, a very honourable man. He is sent on tough missions that the Armada isn't needed on." Some of it was true. The parts about him being an honorable man. Alfonso was still looking at her, as if expecting more. " Oh, he is wealthy." She added and nodded vigorously.

"How wealthy?" He questioned. " Very wealthy." Atalya assured him. He seemed to believe her.

" That's kind of what my father is like. He was away a lot though during my childhood. Whenever he came back he always brought me back things though." He said, sort of staring off into space.

"What kinds of things?" She loosened her dress up at the top to expose a bit more cleavage for two reasons. One, because it was hot. Two, it was part of her act. Lots of people thought it would be cold in Valua because no sun got through the clouds but really it was the opposite. The little sun that got through was trapped in and kept the country hot and muggy. A little like a greenhouse. 

" Well, once he brought me this animal. Even now were not sure what it is. I called it Antonio. It was, and still is quite an ugly creature but in a cute sort of way. I still have him and many others of his kind. I get my servants to breed them because they are really powerful war animals." * He tried to keep his eyes off her but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't pry his gaze from her, especially her chest. " I keep them at the palace." He finished.

" You live in the Imperial Palace?" She asked with an expression of awe on her face.

" Sort of, I don't really but they have rooms for all the Admirals because in certain situations they like to have them present in case something occurs." He said in a matter-of-fact tone.

" So, you've met The Empress, and the Prince?" He noticed how she didn't add on the "may she live forever" suffix as most Upper Valuans did but that was probably because of her excitement.

" Yes, multiple times. She is a very regal woman who looks very good, considering her age." He said. " The Prince Enrique looks quite a bit like the Empress, but he hasn't yet gained her conquering spirit."

Atalya nodded. She couldn't believe it. She was being taken to the Imperial Palace. What a story she would have to tell her friends and mother about when she got back. She might have the honor of meeting the Empress and the heir to the throne! This was something that most people in Lower Valua only dreamed about. Perhaps she would come back rich!

" Are you ready to continue?" Atalya touched his hand lightly. He shuddered then relaxed before he replied.

" I guess so." He got up and she followed.

The rest of the way was less tiring than that first half for some reason to him. It might have been the temperature change. Or it also could have been the fact that she was clinging to his arm the whole way…

Author's notes-

*- I think it's a cross between a bull and a rhino. Lol!

Anyway, sorry for the short chapter. Couldn't think of a better cut off point. But as I said before, I need reviews!!! Well want them.. yeah anything is ok, I will actually be happy with flames as long as they are constructive critsism. Plus my hot dos need some barbequeing done. Mmmmmmm… hot dogs….Bye Bye!

-Dani