Chapter 7: Elonians and Canthans
Councilman Ming sat perched on his portable throne, the other three council-members were seated, each in individual thrones, beside him. Each throne was carried by six men and was elaborately constructed of fine wood and gold as well as being inlayed with gems. Ming wore his finest silk robes, underneath of his robe, flexible dragon-scale greaves as well as plate boots. On top of his robe a plate cuirass and gauntlets and on his head a plate helmet encrusted with a piece of bloodstone, just like Tang's armour the bloodstone gave Ming almost complete protection from physical and arcane attacks. Ming's expression was that of anger and annoyance, his fellow councilmen though, did not share his motivations. All three of them were bored, uninterested and annoyed, but because they had to wake up early to get to Ming's gathering, not because they had been given the head of Captain Tang in a basket whilst sitting on their balconies.
The leader of the invasion force made his way to the front of his feral army, contrary to Ming's assumptions there were actually two extravagantly dressed men and one gorgeous woman leading the army. They dismounted their transports, the fatter of the two leaders seemed to fall out of his throne more than dismount it. The other, obviously more military savvy leader dismounted his horse with ease and the last leader, the woman, caught the eye of Ming, she had long black/reddish hair, silken and smooth, like the darkest and finest of wines. Her torso, was perfectly sculpted, she was obviously active and her hands were delicate and supple, like that of the flowers of the Canthan cherry blossom tree. A large, a very large black man walked up to Ming, who had now dismounted his throne. He bellowed in a strong Elonian accent "Bow for the three trade princes' of Vabbi." The three princes walked up to the four councilmen and each bowed, one by one the councilmen bowed back, until they reached Ming. Ming stood their arms folded, flanked by his guards, in anger, he refused to bow.
The black man returned, this time holding a long whip tipped inlayed with iron balls, "You will bow to the trade princes councilman Ming." Ming, clearly no match for the enforcer in terms of size or strength remained defiant and replied quickly. "I refuse to acknowledge the authority of the princes or show them the respect a person in their position would usually receive, I would like to talk to the princes in private." Ming turned around and mounted his throne, the two male princes stormed up to Ming's chair and began to yell frantically, Ming, utilizing his favourite skill to it's fullest potential simply tuned out. "How dare you continue to ignore us you ignorant Canthan trash." Prince Hakim, the fatter prince yelled while pointing his finger at Ming. The second prince, Prince Kasham, pushed past his brother, "Our armies could demolish your pitiful force in a day councilman, you would be wise to show us the respect we deserve, and we refuse to discuss this ever so urgent topic with you until you do so." Councilman Ming continued to sit there, a smirk developing on his face, he took pleasure in seeing the Elonians try to tell him what to do. Princess Dahlia walked up to Ming, she bowed and greeted the councilman, Ming got up off his chair and bowed back, "Welcome Princess Dahlia, I apologise for my former rudeness, are you ready to talk?"
A broad smile broke across Dahlia's face, she turned around and glanced at her brothers, "Of course I am ready Councilman Ming." The two brothers turned and looked at each other, astonished, "How does she do that Hakim?" Prince Hakim turned to look at his brother, "Perhaps it's her genuine respect and good nature that made Ming talk." Kasham chuckled, "Or maybe it's because our sister is a fine piece of ass." Hakim shoved Kasham, "You shouldn't talk about our sister like that, but you probably are right." A dirty idea came into Kasham's head, being the immature man he was he blurted it out, Hakim cast his brother a dirty look and belted him in the stomach, Kasham burst out laughing as he hit the ground, rolling around like a pig in mud. Dahlia gazed back to see Kasham rolling madly on the floor, laughing like there was no tomorrow and Hakim, beating the crap out of him. "Don't worry about my brothers councilman," she spoke in a "here we go again" tone, "They are, as you can see, trapped in their childhood." Councilman Ming, though still annoyed, forced a slight smile across his face. "Shall we go to my tent and converse princes?" Councilman Ming called out. Dahlia immediately followed Ming, Kasham and Hakim looked up, "Hey Dahlia must be going to the meeting," Hakim, stopped belting Kasham and followed Dahlia, Kasham pulled up beside his brother and whispered in his ear, "Hey, maybe she's going to the tent for a different reason." Hakim's face almost turned red as thumped his brother in the stomach, Kasham doubled over in pain but quickly pulled himself back up and ran back to his brother. The three princes and four councilmen reached a large tent, the tent was surrounded by the Tsi-yan guard and was decorated with purple and gold banners, the traditional flags of the Canthan royal family. Two guards pulled apart the curtains and the leaders filed in.