Chapter 5 – Aftermath

It was two months after that battle, and already no other invasions were reported from the other mob kingdom ships. Austaria had their usual city square victory parade, all while the people were damning the mobs existence. President Steve looked over the massive get together and as happy as he is that he won the battle, he had a rather sad and surprisingly hint of guilt.

Sure, he had a powerful nation with the people adoring him, but he just felt almost antagonizing, he knew he must have really hurt the pride of the Skeleton Princess. Steve is a fair handed leader, despite his nation and himself having bitter enemies, he always treated them with respect, even the creepers. Some may think of him as an imperialist, and some think that he is doing the right thing in expanding Austarias borders, the resources were depleting faster than usual.

The parade was over, and Steve was back at square one, his desk. In front of him stood so much paperwork, bills to be signed, meetings to attend and most importantly find out any suitable candidates to run this country after his retirement. It was all to much for the poor human, he rubbed sleep away from his eyes as he reached out for his coffee cup and took another sip of his standard Joe.

Every second that passes there is always something coming up, should we legalize fireworks in big cities? Should we authorize poisons against our enemies in battle? This road needs to be repaved, permission to construct the inter-provincial highway through Albany, formerly Skeletos. Speaking of Albany, there could be remnants of the former skeleton province still living in the vicinity, which worried him because his people could be killed by them. Maybe he should order martial... no.

Steve quickly had a look as if he sprouted a new idea, he sat up straight and began to shuffle in his desk, immediately he took a sheet of paper, taking up his feather, he dipped it in his ink sac and began to write hastily. After a short moment, he took up the letter and examined it, a hint of worry filled his gut as he wasn't so sure if he should send this to... her.

1st POV

I shouldn't do this, but my heart tells me otherwise, send the letter, don't send the letter, send it, don't send it. It's like a pendulum swinging back and forth in my head, pressuring me into hastily making a choice, a choice that could end up humiliating him or making a change for once. It was always boring, sure I have dedicated citizens who will work and make this economy grow, but it was always the same people, same routine, same... everything really. Maybe trying to make to intermingle wouldn't be so bad, I mean, if we can coexist with iron golems and snow golems, hell even wolves, why not add more to the mix? It's... crazy I know, but it's always good to have one less enemy.

I sighed, when word catches wind, the people, the villagers, are going to immediately find out the Austarian Government let skeletons in their kingdom, yet alone an aggressive mob. Notch almighty the people will hate me for that. But then again, as history states, most villages fought against each other for the sake of glory, and once they found out that their glory meant nothing after we came in, all nether broke loose, there were all time skirmishes, TNT bombings, all that such, but eventually, everyone just started to stop fighting and began to accept that we have a more common enemy at stake. Like trying to tame a wolf with a bone, you won't always get it the first time.

I closed my eyes for a minute and let out a deep breath, this was crazy, but Notch help us all. I closed the letter and placed a stamp on the top right corner of the envelope to insure it's authenticity. I walked over to the black enderchest and unlatched the front, revealing a small black abyss, I looked at the front of the letter which had the coordinates labeled, that way the enderchest can land at the package at the precise location.

Taking in one more deep breath, I placed carefully the letter in the chest and closed it off immediately, it would take a few minutes for it to take effect. I sat back down at my work desk and continued to stare intently at the chest, my heart rate accelerating, I will admit, I am tired of war, and I pray that she will accept my offer, it's a long shot and I am prepared for whatever happens.

SHOOP

- Skelly's POV

I was tired, no exhausted... Trailing through the castle halls of what I call home, I turned left and found myself at my bedroom entrance, pushing the massive doors open with surprising ease, I trotted on in and closed the doors. Taking off my bow, I unstringed it and mounted it on my wall stand, same for my arrows of which I simply tossed away off in the distance.

"Oh my Notch that feels good." I slurred out as I fell face first onto my bed. Today was just a bad day, I just perhaps humiliated myself in front not only the Austarians, but also my own people. I never knew what power they possessed, but then again, what's to expect from humans? One minute their your enemy, then the next they just want to be great friends, honestly, who has such a mind like that?

My thoughts were interrupted by a light knock on my door, I sat up and looked in the general direction at the source of the noise. "Milady?" I heard a female voice faintly through the door.

"Come in." I answered, the doorknob twisting and a maiden dressed in a rather typical maid outfit entered in with a rather shaken up expression, but what caught my attention was a letter sealed in an envelope in her hand with an Austarian... wait, Austarian?

"What is that?" I asked, my tone growing in concern and worry.

"A-a letter f-from A-aus-Austaria your highness." She said, her voice now shaking more same for her hand.

"Let me see that." She jumped up off her bed and quickly snatched the letter off of the maids hands.

She ripped the top and dumped out the contents, a letter that had a familiar signature on front and an Authentic Austarian seal. The white cross and yellow and red back ground. She opened he letter and began to read.

7/21/15

Dear Skeleton Princess,

I understand that this letter may come to you at quite the surprise. I wish to assure you that this letter is nothing of war or any type of harm written within the contents.

Recently your attempts at trying to reclaim your former territory has caused quite the stir within the villager people as well as the Austarian Government. I president Steve have taken the required measurements to insure that the villager people are safe from harm and the effects of war. This is absolutely nothing personal and just to service the people and their rights.

Sure, the 'benefit of the people...'

However...

I also understand your attempts in trying to reclaim your former territory as well. This is why I have decided to write this letter as not only an apology of ridding of your soldiers, but also an offer that may come more than a surprise to you. To explain, both of our people has been in utter conflict for what seemed like centuries, to put it all in one spectrum. I intend to end that conflict.

Skelly stopped reading, that certainly got her attention, she continued.

I know it sounds radical and almost impossible, but I President Steven intend to unite both of our peoples to coexist with one another. I will admit, it's going to a rocky road and will experience several blockades ahead, but from experience it did take a long time to unite all the villagers together and erase all conflict.

Skelly could not believe what she was reading, 'Coexistence? Is he mad?"

Plus, in exchange for a peaceful attempt at coexistence, you can also learn about how us humans or villagers (however you like to put it) and can learn new technologies and new ways of life.

She then had another side of her, 'The technology part... doesn't sound... bad.'

As I said, it will be a hard road ahead for the both of us, I know you have experienced and still are possibly traumatized by the recent battle you have experienced. I all I need is your approval, it's your choice, I'm not forcing you into anything, just know that your people can benefit from our alliance.

She looked again in disbelief, 'How can our people benefit? The villagers will just treat us like trash!' She thought aggressively.

Then her other side took over, 'No, you looked what it read, imagine all the technology they have! Our people still rely on banging rocks together to make fires! We still have horses while they have what they call 'cars!'

Her thoughts shifted again, 'Cars cause pollution! We need to keep striking them until they give up!'

Skelly's thoughts were going all over the place, back and forth, back and forth, she couldn't make a choice.

'Attack them? Are you mad?! That was hardly an army they sent out! Our arrows only grazed their troops! And those massive metal cannons, we lost half our troops! Do you want's to make that decision again? Also who cares about pollution! We all make sacrifices!'

"SHUT UP!" She screamed out of nowhere, clutching the sides of her head tightly, her maid immediately out of panic and concern quickly left the room. She hyperventilated but eventually calmed down. She picked up the letter that has fallen on the floor and read the last sentence...

I thank your for giving time to this hastily made letter and as I said, it's your choice, but again, your people may need this.

Sincerely yours

President Steven of the Republic of Austaria.

'For the benefit of the people...' Those words echoed through her head. This was going to be possibly the worst or greatest decision of her life as a ruler.

She flipped the letter to the back and began to write a response letter, but something caught her eye, on top of the letter was a small sentence.

PS: No need to respond, just circle one of the choices listed, if you choose yes, you will require just two bodyguards, our police force will take care of the rest. The letter will be returned to the previous sender.

Yes or No

Her heartbeat began to increase, it was a simple answer but one of the most dramatic choices to be made. Her hand hovered over the first choice, but her conflicting side of her mind began to control her body and hover over the second choice. She realized she had to make a quick decision, or she was sure she'll drive herself mad. Without hesitation...

She circled 'Yes'...

(To be continued...)