(AN): Thank you to all who reviewed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Destiny.

Chapter Fifty

Accepted

Messiah

Castle

Since Gil had heard the report of Dearka's failure over the attack at Boaz, he became very annoyed and obsessive. Gil called continues meetings between his knights leaders, and it all came down to the same conclusion. Gil wanted to evade ORB again, he had spies that reported the ORB Kings new border security measures and he could not raise a large enough force in time that they would have a successful raid before the new security measures went in place. Gil was well aware of this himself but he wanted ORB badly. Gil was so wrapped up in this that he didn't even know what was going on around him anymore. Gil was finally convinced to wait until they could rebuild their forces to try another attack on ORB, but that didn't stop his planning.

City

After two days of riding the messenger and Jibril's subordinate finally arrived at the city. They had no trouble at the borders or anything like that, as the subordinate knew all the ways into ZAFT, which made the messenger a little confused. The subordinate knew he had to go to Azeral's estate that was located near the castle. The subordinate had to make sure he kept Jibril's letter a secret.

"Are you sure you know where to go?" the messenger asked.

The subordinate looked at him, "It is not far, just keep quiet and let me do the talking."

The messenger agreed and they rode right to Azeral's estate.

Azeral's Mansion

As soon as they arrived at the gates they both got off their horses and walked up to the guards. The guards instantly knew this man, but the subordinate needed to put on a show.

"I bring a message to the governor of Messiah," the subordinate said, knowing the guards would play along.

The guards looked at him, and then nodded over to the other guard who went inside the estate.

"Who sent you?" the guard said.

The subordinate smiled, "An old acquaintance named Allster."

The guard looked at them, "Very well come with me," the guard said as he started leading them into the estate.

The subordinate looked back at Allster's messenger and was pleased he seemed to by their little exchange at the gate. He knew he had to get down to business, so he left the situation alone.

Inside the Estate

Inside the estate Azeral was sitting in his main room going over some documents when his first gate guard entered the room.

"What is it?" Azeral said as he looked at the guard.

The guard stopped in front of him, "Sir, it appears Jibril's subordinate is here along with another man."

Azeral smiled, "Well then, show them in and don't say anything."

The guard nodded and went to greet them as they entered the estate.

After the guard left Azeral smiled, it appeared that Jibril must be trying to make a move so he was anxious for what they had to say.

After a few minutes the guards entered with the messenger and the subordinate.

Azeral looked at them, "I welcome you to Messiah, now what have you come to see me about and please be frank I have very little time."

The subordinate smiled slightly as the messenger never saw it.

"Sir we bring a request from George Allster with the assistance of Lord Jibril," the subordinate said as he knew Azeral would play along.

Azeral smiled, "Very well, what is his request?"

The subordinate handed the letter over to him, but without the messenger knowing the subordinate had slipped Jibril's letter under his. When Azeral grabbed the letters, the subordinate stared at him in the eyes and juggled the second letter a little. Azeral knew what he did, and since they had planned for exchanges like this he knew what to do.

Azeral took hold of both letters and turned around to walk back to his seat, but as he was walking he slipped the second letter in his clothes. After Azeral sat down he read the letter. As he was reading he had a slight smile which turned wider as he read. After he finished he looked up at the messenger.

"It is your Lord who requested this?" Azeral told him.

The messenger nodded, "It is Sir, will you do it?"

Azeral smiled, this was perfect for what they were planning. "Rest assured I will accept his request."

The messenger smiled, "It is most appreciated sir."

Azeral looked at him, "It will not be cheap,"

The messenger nodded, "He will pay anything sir."

Azeral smiled, "Very well, now leave so I can draw up the papers."

The messenger looked at him, "But sir, we don't want this to be on paper."

Azeral glared at him, "Than find someone else, but I doubt you will."

The messenger thought for a second and then agreed. "I understand sir, we will take the papers."

The messenger started walking out of the room with the subordinate until Azeral spoke again.

"You stay; I want you to be present that way Allster or this Jibril won't feel I'm taking advantage on the price." Azeral said hoping the messenger would by it, and he did.

The messenger bowed and left the room. After the door was shut Azeral looked at the subordinate.

"Now that he is gone let me read what Jibril has written." Azeral said as he removed the letter from his garments and started reading it.

Azeral

I know by now you have accepted this agreement, it should help in our efforts. Make sure you give me two copies of the acceptance letter, which I know you already made Allster's messenger accept to taking. Make sure you send you're most qualified person, as this will turn the suspicion to Allster, he will take the fall for this leaving my name unknown.

The King is planning a major ball in exactly two weeks; I want it done at this ball. I will get your man into the castle to get it done. The rest will be up to him, this is a major step for us, we will start putting things in motion once the King is overtaken with grief, and as you see even if it fails we will still be unknowns so I believe it is a risk worth taking.

I set up a safe house in Onogoro so your man can stay there once he arrives, it is located on the map at the bottom of the letter in Onogoro's downtown district, on the night of the ball I will have my subordinate get him into the castle. He is to take care of it and then leave; once it is done I will get the acceptance letter and make sure Allster gets the blame, so make sure his name is all over it. This is our chance and we must take it.

Jibril

Azeral finished reading the letter and smiled.

The subordinate looked at him, "Can it be done Sir?"

Azeral smiled, "It will be done, go wait with the other one while I write up these letters."

The subordinate bowed and left. Azeral knew just the man to see about this, but first he wrote the acceptance letters and left the room.

After about ten minutes of waiting, Azeral returned with the letters.

The messenger looked at him, "Will you do it Sir?"

Azeral smiled, "I will do it, here is the letter," Azeral said as he handed it to the messenger. As the messenger looked at it Azeral quickly handed the other one to the subordinate without the messenger knowing.

The messenger smiled, "Lord Allster thanks you sir."

Azeral smiled, "I put the price in the letter, we will arrange for it to be transferred to me during the event."

The messenger bowed and started leaving the estate, the subordinate and Azeral shared a short look and he two left, once they were gone they immediately left Messiah heading back to ORB.

After they left Azeral immediately headed straight for the castle.

Messiah Castle

Rau Chambers

Rau was sitting in his chambers when he suddenly got a knock at his door.

"What?" Rau said.

The door opened and revealed Azeral.

Rau looked at him, "If your meeting me, than I guess you got something else from ORB."

Azeral looked at him, "That's right, and I need you to choose your best warrior."

Rau looked confused, "For what?"

Azeral smiled, "For the assassination of the ORB King's future wife."

Rau smiled, he knew what Azeral and Jibril were planning all the time, and he only made them think he was with them, but he had his own agenda, but this would provide him with some entertainment, and he even got a better idea.

"I see, I will help you," Rau said.

Azeral smiled, "Good, who will you send on this task, I have all the details in this letter."

Rau looked at the letter, "Let me read it."

Azeral handed him the letter, and Rau read it, it was then he got an even better idea.

"Very interesting," Rau said.

Azeral looked at him, "Do you know someone to send."

Rau smiled, "Yes... I do know who to send, I will go myself.'

Azeral looked at him with big eyes, but Azeral remembered he was a great assassin, and if this would be able to succeed it would be best for the general to go.

"Are you sure about this?" Azeral asked.

Rau smiled again, "This will be quite entertaining, and since I have to do it in front of a major crowd, it makes it even better."

Azeral looked at him, "How do you plan on handling it?"

Rau looked at him, "With this," Rau said as he pulled out a new weapon that was developed by ZAFT, it was only one of this kind of weapon so far.

Azeral looked at it not knowing what it was.

Rau noticed he was confused, "This is a crossbow, it shoots arrows several times faster than a bow,"

Azeral looked at it in awe, "I see, you think you can get that into the castle."

Rau smiled, "According to this letter along with my skill I will have know problems."

Azeral smiled, "Very well, you will leave in two weeks, and I will handle things around here."

Rau smiled, "I understand, I will handle this."

Azeral smiled again and then left.

Rau watched him leave, "A very interesting day, this shall be quite fun, and who knows Mu La Flaga he might have a chance to fight again, but first I will accomplish my goal."

Rau said as he was looking forward to leaving. Azeral returned to his estate as he did all he could.

Onogoro

The messenger and the subordinate returned to the city from Messiah two days after they meet Azeral. The border was security was going to take play around the time of the ball, but with Rau's skill he could easily get by it.

When they returned they immediately went to there Lords. Jibril was pleased and he prepared everything that would be needed. He briefed his subordinate on how to get the man inside the castle, and to be on the lookout. Jibril smiled as he held the letter that would make Allster get all the blame.

In the Allster estate, George was very proud of the news as was Flay; she was extremely excited that Lacus was going to get it. George read the letter and was a little angry at the price, since it would almost make him bankrupt, but he was hoping Flay would be able to marry the King to make up for his lost money. After George read the letter he burned it. George smiled as he was glad everything looked like it would go his way.

Rau was one of the happiest of all; he knew how to avoid border patrols, and to get into the city as he was once there long ago. Rau started working with his new crossbow and the range and accuracy were almost perfect, all he had to do know was wait.

Two Weeks Later

The two weeks went by fast as all the invited guests were either arriving or had already arrived for the Kings ball. Kira and Lacus had been able to keep their secret and were looking forward to letting everyone know it. With three days before the ball the main guests were still not their, which didn't surprise Kira any. Kira knew his sister would hold out until the last second to arrive. Nicol was also not their, but would probably depart on the same day as Athrun, so Kira expected both of them in the upcoming day.

The news of the Boaz battle did spread though out the city and Kingdom, but the people heard of their Kings effort in driving them back so they were not too worried, and they also felt the need to celebrate. Over the past week arrivals to the city brought a lot of income to the merchant shops. They council had asked Kira to fund the festival the people wanted to have though out the week, and Kira graciously accepted. The city had never been livelier and all people truly seemed happy, it was almost if peace was finalized, but Kira knew all to well the ZAFT Emperor would not let it end like this, so he decided to savior the peace while it lasted.

Messiah Castle-Three days until the King's Ball

Over the past week the Emperor didn't let up, but Rau managed to avoid his meetings so he could prepare. Rau decided to keep this to himself as only Azeral knew about what he was up to. Rau knew if he succeed he could return and have give the news to the Emperor which would bring what he wanted and it would help achieve his ultimate goal. Azeral and Jibril had their own goals and believed the Rau was on their side, but Rau was only using them to achieve his own purpose.

Rau was planning to leave today, and if he could avoid trouble at the border whose new defensive patrols had taken place he should arrive in Onogoro with a day to spare. Rau grabbed his equipment he sheathed his sword and picked up his new toy the crossbow. Rau had to leave the castle without the slaves noticing or they would inform Andrew. Rau knew all about what Andrew was and who was helping him, but he said nothing because he found it more entertaining to see what could happen. Before Rau left the castle he ran into Azeral.

"I take it your leaving?" Azeral said.

Rau looked at him, "He wants it done at the ball, so I have to leave now."

Azeral smiled, "I see, I look forward to the good news."

Rau smiled and started walking towards the gate when he grabbed a guard.

"Yes general," the guard said.

Rau looked at him, "I think those slaves are slacking off, go do something about it," Rau said as he pointed over towards Andrews helpers. The guard agreed and went straight over to the slaves, Rau smiled as they were to busy paying attention to the guard that Rau was able to leave the castle unnoticed. Rau smiled and walked out of the city. He had a horse on the outside waiting for him. He got on his horse and started heading straight for the ORB Border; he knew it was only a few days to Onogoro. He rode quickly and was looking forward to doing the job and hopefully dueling Mu again.

To be continued…

(AN): I hope you liked this short chapter; the next chapter will take place two days before the ball. It should be up by Wednesday. Bye for now.