[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=60122859]Link to all chapters[/url] "This is Elite decoy with the flood news network." "In a recent market report, it seems that firearms are becoming extremely expensive while melee weapons are becoming cheaper and more reliable. It is assumed King Harlow's buildup of the flood army is finally effecting the market of non-firearm weapons. Many have criticized the king on his longstanding military buildup policy, often referring to it as unnecessary. More on this at eleven." He ruffled some papers on his cheap wooden desk. "The search for missing Flood news anchor Sled Dog Style has been called off. It is assumed she became lost on a short trip to the pony sanctuary Ponyville. Please, if you have any details, please call. A large reward will be given for any information you may be able to provide." Panzie switched the television off and reclined in his royal couch. He yawned under his helmet. A replacement for the one destroyed in the battle with achronos. It had taken months of difficult rainbow forging, but his new set of armor was finally complete, as well as comfortable. Panzie took a moment to view his room. The royal quarters made up the largest room in the living quarters of castle Eros. This room was decorated with various tapestries of gold and blue to ward off the cold grey of the thick stone walls and was sparsely populated by very comfortable chairs, as well as a very complete library of some of the greatest writing by renowned flood writers. From the outside the castle appeared small, but a sight to behold. Hewn from the very chest of mount muffin, a part of the vast range of the pegboy mountains bordering the flood and the government challenged land of Reach. Eros castle rose from the side of muffin mountain like a dream. Its high altitude kept enemies at bay, while allowing an unprecedented view of Eros valley to the north. Approach from the south was blocked by the mighty sage's beard, the largest, tallest, and overall sexiest mountain in the entire flood. The walls of Eros castle were even thicker than those of the burned husk of keetchenate. Granite, with AA guns, rocket turrets, and heavy machine guns. How Rogue managed to assault the castle and take down the corrupt count of Eros, Cree, was beyond his ability to imagine. Panzie jumped to his feet and winced. The evil scar across his abdomen still burned with the evil of Achronos's sword. Panzie was glad it's evil was now relegated to the showcase on a nearby wall. Panzie ignored his burning scar and strode to a nearby window. He looked through the portal at the mountainous green valley below. As small as Eros was, it still held one of the most populous non--capital cities in the flood. It was also very remote and supplies were few and far between when they were needed most. Fortunately, the rich mountain soil allowed an unprecedented growth of mushrooms. Mount muffin mushroom muffins were widely known in the flood as delicious and expensive. The slam of a door startled panzie and shook him from his mental rambling. As comical as she was regal in her royal Eros robes, Rogue still looked on panzie with a look of mischievous danger. She dropped the look with a sigh. She slumped her shoulders and plopped down into one of the blue cushioned chairs near the door, then rubbed her temples. "Why do they ask for more troll defense towers, we already have twenty." Panzie strode over and began to massage her shoulders. "You're the one who killed cree. They have to have [b]someone[/b]to complain to." Rogue groaned. "Care for me to take over for the day?" Rogue looked at panzie with a relieved, smile. "please" Panzie chuckled and opened a cabinet with a large cape inside. Blue with gold fringes, the royal colors for the count of Eros. With the fabric firmly attached to part of his armor, he headed for the door. Rogue playfully interjected before he could open it. "Don't forget that [b]I[/b] am the one who makes all the important decisions, you just help" Panzie chuckled. God he loved his wife. The trip to the royal court of eros was boring and short as it always seemed to be. Another day of repetitive money requests, guard and city watch improvement proposals, land development charters as well as public disputes and marriages between the more wealthy patrons of Eros. They weren't exactly difficult, just boring. He entered the brightly lit royal court of the castle, the decision and royal dictate center for the entire city. Panzie regaly sat in the less ornate, wooden throne that set upon a dias beside the solid gold, well furnished chair reserved for rogue. As he did, several villagers and well dressed citizens entered and lined up to offer proposels and other things that would require the count or countess's approval. Panzie allowed his mind to wander as he listened to the various proposals set before him. In the months he was injured and working to heal, rogue had somehow managed to avoid bungie and flood capture, find a place to live, and overthrow a corrupt musician count and take over his county. All while nursing his ass back to health after the disaster of over 9000. Every time he asked she simply told him "it was luck." Much to his vexing frustration at her secretive ways. The citizens continued to pour in for the rest of the day, each one seemed less important than the last. Panzie played with the ring on his finger, a solid white one he forged himself. Wrapped in gold, white, grey and red. The only match in existence sat snugly on rogue's finger. He arched down to sign a proposal for a building permit on the south corner of the city and waved for the next person waiting to come forward. A peasant, this one looking for a new addition to his community. Panzie heard his case and quickly denied the funds. The peasant ran out of the room livid and cursing at the count. Panzie turned his attention back to the ring. It hadn't taken their friendship long to evolve into a strong trust, solidified by her saving him from death, Of coarse, he did stop achronos from killing her. He shrugged. That trust evolved into love over the years. Now after two years of marriage, he was always ecstatic whenever she was around. The cheese to his macaroni and the bacon to his hamburger. She now held precedent above any need the flood, or even the citizens of Eros may have. Panzie rubbed the ring one more time before a loud boom announced someone was entering the cavernous, thought provoking royal court. The man was tall and light skinned with long hair, he was dressed well, better than many of the royal subjects of Eros. It pointed at him being a man of distinction in one of the wealthier counties of the flood, probably sapphire or SSO, or maybe even the flood city itself. "I am a messenger from the grand king of the flood. Am I in the presence of the governing body of Eros?" Panzie frowned. "What is this about?" The messenger scoffed in frustration. "I have a message for the eyes of the count or countess of Eros. Please, if you are the ruler I would like to complete my task, I am very busy." Panzie sized the man up. If he was willing to be rude to low-ranking royalty, he was probably an official arm of Harlow himself. "I am not, but I can carry this message to her." The man bowed respectfully and handed panzie a large scroll-like parchment. "I bid you adieu" With that, the man exited through the large oak doors of the castle and disappeared down the mountainside. Panzie searched the room for the man he needed, and saw him in the corner. The royal steward "Turtle, I need you to cancel any further meetings for the day." Turtle shrugged. "k boss" Panzie stood and stuffed the scroll into his suit's pocket. He nodded at Turtle and headed back to the royal chambers. As he walked, the incredible mountain sunset glittered through a pair of red and blue stained glass windows. He hadn't realized how late it really was. The walk to his room was long and cold with the mountain air, and he felt a bit bored on the trip. He pulled the scroll from his pocket mid-way to the room, and his eyes widened. As he read, he smacked into the door to his room. He shook himself and opened the door. Inside, rogue slept soundly in the large, satin bed. She appeared perfectly relaxed. She snored louder than a caged bear and her mouth dripped with spit that dribbled on the bed. Panzie stroked her hair softly. Eventually, he shook her. Her eye shot open a bit cloudy with sleep. She sat up slowly and whiped the spit from her mouth and smiled sheepishly. The blue satin cover enrobed her in a billion folds. "we have a message from harlow" Rogue's eyes cleared and she frowned. "What could he possibly want with us?" Panzie tightened his lips under his helmet. He unfurled the scroll and read it off. [i]Dear count or countess of Eros. Floodian law requires any county or city leaders in power to come if called upon by the king. As it seems, your attendance is warranted. Please, make every effort to come. Or we'll come for you. P.S. just kidding about the coming for you part, but not really.[/i] Panzie cocked an eyebrow, as did rogue. "Well damn, I guess we have to go to the flood city." Panzie grunted slightly. "You know what happened last time. Rogue smiled It's just so much fun though, now Rogue threw the covers off her to reveal she was completely naked. "How about we go to bed." Panzie smiled evily and pulled the secret latch on his helmet and threw it onto the floor with a resounding clack, then jumped into bed. [Edited on 07.07.2011 7:55 PM PDT]