The nation hanging on the thread of hope, the men and women of Verencia battle with the darkness, rescuing whoever they can, fighting the enemy from off their land, they all believe in the strength of their nation, their ability to always rise through the toughest of trials, a people bred from the harsh winters and wars from many generations. And through them all, they have always been a people led by a strong frame, the one they call king or queen. It is today, one prepares for another meeting with his King, his suit properly prepped and shoes cleaned by the servants in his home, his demeanour one that always keeps them in shape, as they are always wondering what is on the mind of the man who's only second to the king, a man always serious, never being able to guess the correct answer.

"Your Grace, the chauffeur is ready," A servant comes, bowing to the man known as Highsword, Eidrik.

Without an answer, the Highsword finishes checking himself in the mirror, stepping away with the servants accompanied by his side, their heads bowed as he enters the car, watching as he leaves from the estate, his destination to the castle. There he makes his way through the palace, greeted by the guards and servants of the king alike, pacing his way up to the briefing room where he sees the King, sighing to himself as he looks at his Majesty drinking tea as he views out the window, a man not even bothered by the enemy that threatens his country.

"Your Majesty," The Highsword calls, Horik gently turning around with a smile as he sets his cup on the table.

"Eidrik, do you understand why a dragon knows when not to scare his enemy?" The King challenges, Eidrik chuckling at his random question, nodding his head to his words.

"You are ready to make your move?"

"I am, yes. I should host my guest, you see. I don't want them doing anything out of the ordinary because....they're bored. So first, I will hold a press conference on the matter"

"Yes, that is best for now. A word from the king himself would be needed in these times. I'll have it set up, and the reporters contact"

"Hmm, and secondly, a talk with our guests from Blackshore," The King declares, a smiling man who has nothing to be afraid of it seems, the Highsword wondering what he's up to, suppressing his feeling of being proud of his friend.

***

And a day passed, all over the nation, citizens catch seats by their television, some by the giant screens of the cities, and some on their phones or computers, all watching as the King is to discuss on the matter of what is happening, the reporter stating that it is the first time the King has gotten in front of the cameras since the crisis has begun, as there he communicates with his people, their cries, their worries, their will to fight back heard by him, assuring them that they will overcome this darkness that plagues them, and that he as their King will see to that, his aura an immense force they cannot help but be awed that, a beacon of hope. But in that very message, he calls out to them, his enemies, and in his words bear the tone of honesty, he sympathizes with them, even bashing himself, having his people having to suffer because of his oversight, telling them he would like a chance to converse with them, asking them what they may want, that he would be most welcome to them, this very enemy also watching from their side, a twisted smile formed on her face, Sierra who drinks wine to this feeling of victory she soaks up.

So set in motion, preparation for that very idea, a conference with the King himself, her subjects in the works of setting up cameras, while the leader herself, occupied in her chambers with a glass of wine, she drinks to her ego being satisfied, a mighty king at her mercy, she giggles, looking into the mirror at her naked reflection, admiring her own gorgeous figure as she toys with her red amulet still on her neck, this time her eyes blue like the sea, as she's assisted by her fellow sisters who help her in dressing for the occasion while Caterina stands in smiling at her mother-figure being delighted, fitted in a charming black dress that sparkles over her naked body, an attire that showcases her most impressive assets, made to be seductive in every way; her neck bearing her amulet that compliment her fair skin, the cleavage of her well-shaped breasts matched with a well-placed mole a dare for them to desire to see more, the most impressive in the room, this dress tightly suited to her small waist, very well complimenting her rounded backside, with her clean-shaven legs being sure to have a spotlight as well, and her makeup even more glamorous than usual, her red lipstick compliment her plump lips.

"You look marvellous, your excellency," One sister awes at her beauty, Sierra giggling at her compliment.

"My yes, of course, I am," She continues to giggle. "I am to have an audience with the King himself, after all. A woman's best strategy in warfare is her beauty, you see. No man can resist a woman who knows the extent of her appeal"

"I see, madam. Very wise," The sister says, her head bowed as she speaks, her face flushed in quick blush, her legs feeling like they're melting, as on her chin is Sierra's fingers that raise her eyes, the sister wooed by her beauty as another woman, resisting the urge of looking at her breasts.

"We as the sisters of our own destiny have gained a monumental achievement that no other has done as I have. And what took so long? None of them had my intellect, my power, my beauty. Isn't that right?"

"Yes, madam," The sister's voice shakes, her face let loose from Sierra's grasp, but hers quick to the excellency's shoulders, providing her with a careful massage.

"We should celebrate. After all, what's an accomplishment without a little reward?" Sierra challenges, looking behind, to the eyes of the sister giving her the massage, her eyes softening down to her lips she caresses with hers, Caterina awkwardly looking away while the others watch in pure pleasure, hypnotized by their lady's charm as she takes a soft hold on woman's tongue with the embrace of her teeth, gently inducing it out of her mouth, a delight to her massager whose throat is grasped, and gently pushed away with a pleasurable experiencing.

"Let me pass!! Sierra!!" They hear a commotion on the outside, as Commander Elvin appears, crossed as she views her in her dress. "Sierra, what do you think you're doing?!"

"Commander Elvin, my dress, rather too charming even for a king, is it?" She challenges, showing off the contour of her sumptuous figure to him.

"You dress like this in vain! It will get you nowhere with him," He states, an offence to the lady, as her mood grows sour from his presence.

"Careful with how you speak to me, old man!" She warns him, feeling distaste from his presence.

"Listen to me! Do not get on that conference with him. We had a strict plan to remain unseen and unheard of, while we broke down their defences and created confusion amongst their rank until our power grew too strong for them to face, and I plan to stay by that plan! You don't have any idea of who you're dealing with!" He challenges her, hearing as she giggles, recognising that her ego has gone out the roof.

"Of course I know who I'm dealing with, Elvin. Just another man for me to seduce and to play with however I see fit!" She says, still admiring her beauty in the mirror.

"Not this man, no!" Elvin shakes his head, Sierra sighing as she tries to pay him no mind. "This is a King from a lineage of monarchs who have been favoured by the gods themselves. Throughout history, every enemy who has dared to face them head-on has been utterly squashed, none have come close to taking their kingdom"

"That Highsword, Derek Walker, he did it," She smirks.

"And failed to remain on top, because just like all the others, his tactics were too aggressive and rushed!" He corrects her, his voice heightened by his frustration.

"Ah Elvin, always so paranoid. Are you saying that I am just the same? I am being careful as ever. All that will happen is for us to have a little chat. I am setting my traps here, Elvin. And once he's been charmed, his country will be mine. Be creative, Elvin, nothing is static. This was always to be apart of my plan. He too won't help but be curious. Just as all the men in high places had"

"Horik and these men are not in the same lane. Do not do this," Elvin warns.

"Hmph, we'll see," She smirks, turning to see another woman entering her chamber.

"Madam, the room is ready," The woman bows.

So the game begins, confidently she makes her way to the board room, Elvin behind her shaking his head, not satisfied with her way of doing things, watching as she gets in front of the cameras, a woman set on dominating her opponent, wanting to prove the old Elvin wrong. And on the count of three, goes on the cameras, and beheld to her is the King he steadily goes to take a seat, his eyes so charming, his physique so confident as he sits comfortably, but he too will fall at her feet, she says in her mind with a gorgeous smile.

"Your Majesty, a pleasure," She bows her head, greeting the King formally, as his Majesty silently observes her, seeing how fabulous she's dressed for the occasion.

"You must be the leader. Hmm, how unexpected," He greets her. "It is nice for you to answer my invitation"

"My, thank you, your majesty," She smirks. "I must say, I understand we may not doing so under the best of terms, but I am honoured to be speaking to such a man of as yourself "

"Your accent, you are Leartelén++-," Horik figures, his changing of the subject unexpected to Sierra, but relaxed she stays.

"I am," She smiles, her fingers edging against one another. "Have you ever been to Leartelé, your Majesty?"

"My wife tends to drag me there from time to time. She loves the culture. It's romantic," He compliments, as Sierra pours herself a glass of wine.

"I see, your wife has great taste, your Majesty," She drinks.

"And how is the weather in your current state of place? How is Blackshore?" He challenges her, his eyes commanding, Sierra shifted into a second of panic, subtle dry swallowing her wine, yet she smirks, breaking eye contact at her nails pedicured to their finest as she scoffs.

"It is always so gloomy here, your Majesty," She tells him, walking by the window, her walk a seductive play, hypnotizing many present in the room alongside her, baffling Elvin. "Dark clouds, and monsters all about. But it does have its perks. You should visit. Perhaps we could have tea...and perhaps you'd see all the lovely citizens of your nation who have made their home here"

"Hm, and I am hoping you're treating them kindly," Horik smirks, Sierra's attention turned to the outside as she drinks.

"Why have you insisted on speaking with me, your Majesty?"

"Well, my lady, I am wanting to reach an understanding of where you're coming from? What is it that you desire?"

"It doesn't matter what I desire, your Majesty. It is about your people, is it not?" She challenges him, still unable to wipe the smile off his face. "But if you insist, how about I go ahead and tell you what we need for them to stay alive"

"By all means," He gestures to her, Sierra taking another sip of her wine.

"We would love for you to share some of your weaponry with us, Your Majesty. And my army, you see, they're growing rather frustrated. Due to some complications, we've been running low on food. So, it is best you provide us with the necessary amount as well. I wouldn't for these savages to turn to your precious subjects as their next meal"

"I see. And how many will I be having to feed?" The King asks, his unnerved demeanour an unsettling trait to the Lady.

"Oh, an entire nation, your Majesty. Your own included," She tells him.

"Then we have a deal. For each shipment you get, a handful of hostages will be set free," The King proposes, the Lady laughing at his request. "Hmm? Did I say something funny?"

"With all due respect, I don't think you're in the right place to be making requests, your Majesty," She states, going quiet as she watches as he slowly nods.

"Is that so?" He challenges, Sierra drinking wine as she shrugs, wondering why she has become so nervous of him. "You know, back in the Great Depression, there was a man who betrayed his own people, he played a similar card like you are right now. Obviously, that didn't end well in his favour. Because when I ultimately got to the throne, he was hunted down by those very same captives, and even his own soldiers too. I can imagine it was hell for him, as he also watched, in hiding, as all his allies were either imprisoned or executed, including his own son who had followed him into that mess. And I wonder, just as he toyed and killed those who were innocent, can he too feel the tightening of the rope around his neck, even to this day?"

"Hmph! Are you saying I will meet the same fate?" She challenges him, but silent she goes once more, this feeling within her impossible, she thinks, intimidated by his character, feeling as his aura hugs at her skin just through the video call alone, this very power making everybody in that room prone to submitting the same way as he begins playing with the rings on his finger.

"Hm? Oh, you think he's dead? Oh no, I'm guessing he's right beside you," He calls out, many in the room looking around to another, murmuring, their eyes full of judgement as they look at one man. "Isn't that right, Elvin?"

His fist clenched, his eyes shaking, he breathes heavily, as in his memories, he relives the moment of his dear allies, remembering as people cheered as they were imprisoned and some executed, some of these people being ones he cherished the most, one of these people, being his son. His body gone into a cold sweat, there he stands, sensing the overwhelming pressure of the King upon him, and in front, he lifts eyes, to Sierra's own having judgment as well, and her hand gesturing for him to stay still.

"No! I will not just standby!!" Elvin shouts as he rejects Sierra's command, standing in front of the camera, to the boy who has turned into a grown man, a strong King, but one he hates. "You killed my son! And I promise I will avenge him with your blood after we have taken your nation for ourselves. And just as you did with Derek, I will with you! I will drag your dead corpse through the main city to let them see you're no different from a dead dog!!"

"Elvin..." Sierra calls.

"You think you are safe on that throne of yours. Hmph! I want you to know, resting in the most northern region of the world, is our surprise waiting for you," Elvin smirks, intriguing Horik. "That's right, it was the very reason King Harald had the Beastbane fort built in the first place. And we've awakened another one. Not even a man like you will have an easy time facing it. Tick tock! I'll strip that crown from right off your body after you're dead! And I'll have your children become slaves! And I'll burn every single thing your family has built and I will become Ki-"

He's blasted into the wall, by Sierra who has had enough of his speech, a vein strengthened in her head, but calm she tames herself, clearing her throat as she looks up to the king.

"A handful of twenty civilians. A handful of twenty civilians for every exchange," She tells him.

"Hmm..." The King nods. "A deal"

"It was nice speaking with you, your Majesty. Unfortunately, I must tend to other business, so I will have to end this call," She tells him.

"Our first shipment will commence the day after tomorrow. Thank you for accepting my invitation. Goodbye for now," Horik smiles, to the end of the call that he sighs from.

"I will contact the international space station. For now, This may be a trap. Horik, don't think of doing anything rash," Eidrik heeds, Horik given tea by a servant that he sips, both of them looking to see another entering the room. "Vernon? Hopefully, you have good news"

"Aye," Vernon smiles. "We've found the ones who were sending on information to the enemies. We've captured the spies"

"Good," Eidrik nods, turning back to Horik. "So, what's the plan now, your Majesty?"

"What have we learned? She's stationed in the same place as the hostages, just as Kalf had in the file, and it seems they've made a surprise for me too. Well, as I've told you, I don't want them doing anything out of the ordinary, so this party will be prolonged for our guests here," King Horik tells them, going by his balcony, where he looks over the city, sipping his sweet tea.