"Your majesty, I must persist..." An older lion said, sitting at a long table along with six others. "the celebration must be either canceled or postponed. With the war with the Eye of Michael, the dangers against you and the people have greatly increased."

King Aromar stood at one of the room's window's with his back straightened and kept a stern gaze out into the courtyard of the castle. "The centennary celebration is the most important event of our time. It must continue.."

"Sir, have you taken into consideration that your safety and the safety of your people will be at risk?" The lion interrupted. "A widely known public celebration will only give our enemies an advantage. Assassins will be able to freely enter and do as they please. Our people know this and fear it."

"Then we tighten security and reassure the people they have nothing to fear." King Aromar stated before turning around and facing the table. "The point of keeping the celebration going is to show our enemies we do not fear them. I know the risks, but I want my people to celebrate another two hundred years and give them assurance that we will be around for another."

"Do you honestly believe a public celebration will give assurance to your people?" A voice at the end of the table calmly interrupted. "It will only give your people reason to quarrel and turn against your future decisions and consider you a foolish king." The sloth's voice was older and slightly rumbled with age, an edgy, slow breath was taken with each pause in sentence.

Aromar's ears folded back and looked over to the sloth and eyed him suspiciously as if he was just insulted. "And how would this be a reason to quarrel?" he asked in a serious tone.

The sloth sat upright in his chair at the table, both arms resting upon the table's surface. "The celebration, itself, may not be the reason. But the war with the Eye of Michael was started on you refusing to aid them." A slow breath was taken. "Refusing to aid them against a land of magic users. ...Now rumors have grown and prejudice has built against the magic users of your land. That same prejudice will cause quarrel within your celebration with all who attend." The sloth took another slow breath and arched a brow. "And your people will blame you for it."

"I'm going to have to agree, Your Majesty." The lion spoke before the king could retaliate. "This 'magic user' problem is growing out of control. There is a reason why the Eye of Michael wanted aide against a magic user's land. Magic users are unpredictable and cant be controlled. How are we to know their intentions if they were to attend the celebration? They could attack an entire crowd. The people know this and will fight any magic user attending the celebration."

The king arched a brow, his features becoming irritated. "This 'magic user' problem was created by the Ministry. Where was this problem before any of this began?" The king asked sternly, looking to each person at the table. "Were we not living peacefully with magic user and normal person before the ministry asked for aid against a land we have also lived peacefully with?"

"Magic users are unpredictable, King Aromar." The sloth spoke again and took an edgy breath. "Who is to say that they aren't planning to fight against us? How is anyone to know how powerful an individual may be or their intentions?"

Aromar quickly responded. "A normal man is just as unpredictable. We cannot know their intention if we haven't spoken to them. A group of 'normal men' could rally a larger group to fight against another."

"But a normal man..." the sloth narrowed an eye and tilted his head slightly. "isn't capable of destroying an entire city with one word or thought. Nor is he able to control the weather to snow when it is supposed to be a summer day. People of such uncontrolled intentions should not be allowed.." a long breath was taken. " ...to roam freely during an important celebration with hundreds of people attending."

"A person with magical ability will have the same intentions as a man without it." King Aromar stated in a louder tone. "They're no different than a man who lives his life peacefully on a farm or in an office. They live no differently because they are the same. Do we not have magic users within court? Do I not have healers within the military's ranks to heal wounded soldiers?" The king narrowed his eyes, mainly focusing on the sloth and the older lion. "Just because the Eye of Michael believes in something, does not mean our people have changed."

"I agree with the king." A canine in blue robe stated, still sitting at the table. "We have lived with magic users in peace. Why should their intentions change because the ministry says so? Wouldn't they be more willing to defend their lands and fight for Faholgal since it is the ministry who is against them? They have no reason to fight against us."

The sloth took another edgy, long breath before speaking again. "And what would the king do if the magic users DID fight against him?" he arched a brow again. "Is there a way to control them if one of their assassins came and used their power against him? What would stop all magic users to rebel and take over the land they've strived to control? We all know their numbers have increased over the years."

"What would you have me do? Hang every magic user in Faholgal? Or just imprison them?" Aromar responded, his voice more calm and features nearly stoic."

The old lion stood from his seat, a worried expression on his face. "We must act, your majesty. Our inaction is perceived as weakness. Don't let this 'magic user' problem get out of hand and be the end of us."

"If my people break the law, they shall be punished. Until that day they shall be protected."

"But when they break the law, you wont be able to punish them." the sloth responded before a deep, edgy breath was taken. "This is for your safety, Aromar. I would hate to see you and your people.. suffer... for the foolish decision of allowing magic users to take advantage of your.. most important celebration."

King Aromar's features hardened with both ears folded back. "Enough of this. Magic user or not, they are still Faholgan. And they are still my people. If the magic user has not shown any ill intent or attack on us so far, this is no reason to fight against their own king. Especially when their king fights against a force that would have them exterminated." The king said and turned his gaze away from the sloth and looked to everyone at the table. "I am not ignorant of the dangers, my lords. But I will not punish my people for how they chose to live... only for their deeds."

"Then what are your plans for the celebration?" The old lion asked, his tone low and discontent.

After looking back to the lion, the cougar king responded. "The celebration will continue as planned. Security will be tightened and doubled, if needs be. But I will not fear what may happen. I strive to bring hope to my people in times of war... and show the Eye of Michael's mistress we have no fear even in the face of adversity." The king ended and turned back to the window, waving his hand to signal to the men at the table the meeting was over.

Every man at the table stood and bowed at their own leizure in respect. Aromar would only turn slightly and place his fists at his waist as he acknowledged everyone's bows and departures. A short moment passed before everyone left minus the old lion, who had respectfully waited by the table while everyone left.

Once there was only the king and the lion, Aromar finally turned to glance at the lion. "Is it your goal to turn against everything I say? Or is it some strange motive to make a fool of me?"

The old lion gave a short bow. "No, your majesty." he said and stood up straight. "I only considering the worst of things that may happen. It is for your safety and the safety of our people."

"And you feel magic users would be against our safety? They've never caused trouble before. One or two in a village or city may cause trouble, but so does any man with a desire for more than he owns... or with evil intentions." The king paused a moment to watch the lion before continuing. "There is evil and corruption in our lands, but that does not mean they are all magic users. There are good people, who use magic, out there too."

The lion gave a short bow and briefly closed his eyes. "Yes, your majesty. I will not question your word again." he said and looked up to Aromar again. "I pray my king will keep me as his advisor."

Aromar waved it off and looked out to the courtyard again. "You have commited not crime against me."

"Thank you, My lord." The lion said and was about to turn to leave before he stopped himself. "Sire?" he said outloud and stepped closer to the king. "About the war with the Eye of Michael..."

Aromar quirked a curious brow and turned to look at the lion again.

"When we have won the war, which I am sure we will, what are your intentions afterwards?"

"When we win the war?" the king questioned.

The lion gave a quick nod and continued. "Our strength has only increased since our last war with the ministry. No force will be able to defeat our armies."

The king's brow lowered before fully turning toward the lion. "Are you so confident in it? Our strength has increased, but so has the ministry's. We cannot underestimate the armies which fight against us."

"You doubt your own military's strength?" the lion asked.

"No, I do not. I feel we have the strongest force in his part of the world."

The lion quickly interrupted. "Then why do you doubt the inevitable outcome? The Eye of Michael could not defeat us years ago, they will not defeat us now. I suggest we make plans for after they are defeated."

The king's brow lowered frustratedly. "They could not defeat us." he paused as the lion's ears perked up. "But we did not defeat them either." The king's voice became more stern as he saw the lion's hopefull features lower disappointedly. "We ended in truce."

"A truce which brought a treaty that was never honored, my Lord."

"Which was further reason for this war to start. But just because we feel we can win this war, does not mean we will." The king stated, eyebrows raising. "We can only plan for what happens during the war, not build up our pride and plan for the victory which we are not guaranteed ."

"Yes, Your majesty. But what if we do come out victorious and the ministry is destroyed." The lion asked insistantly before briefly looking around the room for any on lookers. "What if we expand our own borders over the ministry's lands? If the ministry is no longer there to claim it, it should be rightfully yours to claim."

King Aromar's face hardened and brow lowered. "I am no tyrant, Lord Aragut. I will not claim land just because I defeated its former master."

"But, your majesty, it will be ours for the taking. No one will have claim over it since the ministry will be no more. Who is to take it, if we do not?" the lion insisted.

"Why not give it back to the people it was originally taken from? A war shouldn't result in a people being forced to serve a different master. I would be no different than the ministry's mistress."

The lion stepped closer, his brows risen. "But you are a greater king than the mistress. You are kind and giving where as the mistress is hateful and only takes away from the people. The people of those lands will beg to be Faholgans after you have taken away the tyranny of the ministry." The lion paused as he lowered his brow and ears folded back. "It is heresy to not make claim more land for Faholgal when it is presented."

"It is not heresy when the land is not mine to claim." The king's voice was stern and spoke quickly.

"It is yours to claim, My king. Your campaign will prove victorious and the land shall be your prize. You know this to be true." The lion's voice was insistant and grew angered. The king's stubbornness will get the best of him. The ministry's land belongs to Faholgal. The ministry took it out of tyranny. Faholgal should claim it out of its own right against the ministry.

"You will silence yourself of this. Just because it 'might' be available does not mean we should claim it as our own. If we win this war, the fate of that land will be decided then and by ITS people... Not by me. If we fight for it, we fight for the people to take back their land." The king raised his voice and spoke with a snarl as anger rose within him. "We fight for peace, not tyranny. I am no tyrant and never will be. I serve my people and will serve the people of other lands. And if you had any regard for your position, you will not speak of this further!"

The old lion was frightened at first, but quickly became angered and stepped away from the king. "As you wish, your majesty." The lion said before quickly turning and sternly walking toward around the table and toward the door. As the king irately turned toward the window, the lion had stopped and turned back toward the king. "You may not fight to make Faholgal greater, but others will. We are meant for greatness and if you do not wish for that than maybe the future king will." the lion snapped. He waited for the king to quickly turn around, but before the king could retaliate the lion stormed out of the room.

The hall Lord Aragut walked down was somewhat empty. The servants were busy with their duties while the guards were securing the castle as were their usual duties throughout the day. Echos of clatter around the castle rang within the hall as servants moved and performed their duties.

Lord Aragut was presumably alone as he walked down the hallway. All of the other advisors had left before him before the king rudely spoke to him. But now that he's finally left, the old lion was alone to depart to his own quarters... Until he turned left to another hallway.

"Lord Aragut.." The sloth said casually, leaning against the wall just around the corner where the old lion turned. "I hope your talk with the king went well.. enough."

The old lion jumped and halted in surprise, completely caught off guard to the sloth's pressence. He had only heard people in other rooms and far from the hall he was walking through, he had no idea the sloth was going to be just around the corner. "Lord Ture'. I assumed you returned to your duties as the other advisors had."

The sloth took an edgy breath, unfolding his arms to clamp his hands behind his back. "Walk with me.. Lord Aragut." The sloth said as he stood up straight from the wall and motioned the lion to walk with him down the opposite hall. After the lion hesitantly turned and walked beside him, the sloth continued. "That was quite an unpleasant.. meeting.. with the king, wouldn't you agree?" he asked, keeping his gaze forward.

"I do." the lion replied, briefly looking to the sloth as they walked further down the hall. "The king still insists to keep the celebration going and allowing those.. 'magic users' to attend unchecked."

"I'm sorry to hear that. ..A very unwise decision on his part." The sloth only paused briefly. "...What are your... opinions on this war with the Eye of Michael, Lord Aragut?"

The lion arched a brow, lowering his gaze down toward the carpet infront of him. "I feel we will win it, the king doesn't feel that way."

"He doubts his own strength?"

"I questioned him the same way. He doesn't feel that we should aim for the outcome. What king questions his own military's strength and doesn't plan for what happens after the war. Everyone knows Faholgal's army is far stronger than the ministry's.... Yet he refuses to plan for victory." The lion stated, a disturbed look upon his face.

"There's more to it than that... isn't there?" Lord Ture' questioned calmly, only briefly glancing toward the lion. "Something the king said has disturbed you and you dont feel as if you can... trust his.. judgement?"

The old lion looked up, his face appearing irritated as he recalled his conversation with the king. "Not only feels as if we may not win this war, but his decision about the ministry's land was near heresy. It is Faholgan law to make its lands great. What better way than to claim lordship over the lands of the defeated enemy? He refused and said he would 'give it back to the people before the ministry took it over'."

"Increasing our borders is the best move for Faholgal. There is no reason not to." The sloth slowed his pace and stopped at the end of the hallway. "What are your plans on the matter? Surely, you cannot sit around and do.. nothing. As the king washes his hands of this."

Lord Aragut looked around the hall after the sloth stopped, halting at the end of the hall with him. He noticed the hallway was darkened by the shadow of the wall. There were no windows down this way, only dim candles. The hallway led to a pair of doors, which appeared to stand alone with no other room nearby. Lord Aragut knew it was another meeting hall, a rarely used meeting room... ideal for secluded conversations.

"There is nothing I can do, Lord Ture'. Surely, you know, no one has word over the king." The lion stated. "The king's word is final, I am only an advisor for the king."

"Hmmm.." The sloth groaned lowly before taking a long breath. "But if it is best for Faholgal and your.. people... wouldn't you be driven.. to act?"

The lion looked down thoughtfully. "Yes."

"Then what is stopping you?"

"What can a person like me do? The only person who can make a decision to change the land or gain it for the better of the people is the king." The lion said hesitantly, but continued with more irritation. "Gaining land is only ideal.."

"For gaining.. profit?" The sloth interrupted with a smile.

Lord Aragut lowered his brow as he quickly looked up to the sloth. "What difference does it make? The king has made his decision."

The sloth turned slowly and motioned his hands infront of himself as he walked around the old lion. "And what if the King wasn't around to make such a foolish decision? Would you find a way to gain the ministry's land after this war is won? Or even before... with the 'magic user' problem out of hand... Wouldn't you... take action?"

"An advisor has no word. And even if the king wasn't around, the prince would have the final decision." The lion spitefullly noted.

"And what if the prince were... suddenly in charge?" Lord Ture' questioned, his voice lowered as he turned to face the lion. "It would be a shame for a foolish king to... end his reign suddenly."

"Keep your words silent." the lion seriously said. "Such talk would have you hanged."

"But it is the same words that are running through your mind as well." The sloth smiled innocently. "The king is old, age betrays a man and can end his life when he least expects it... And when that day comes... The new king will need guidance. A king who will be more ..'understanding' of such affairs. More.. manipulative, you can say."

The lion's features softened a bit, heavily thinking upon the sloth's words. It could work, but they will have to be secret and well planned. He has served the king for decades, but the king has grown foolish and sloppy. Faholgal will not last until a new power reigns. "What is your gain in this, Sloth?"

"Me?" The sloth's eyebrows rose innocently. "I only want what's best for Faholgal. I will not see it fall to a mad man." His brows lowered to this, but kept his smile. "And what are you to lose? You wouldn't. You would only gain in control and wealth if everything succeeds. Besides... even if the prince fails as well... Your family name is also royalty." the sloth said lowly. "You would be next in line, minus the queen... but she can be easily dealt with as well."

The old lion's brow lowered, along with his gaze toward the ground. It was true, how he was next in line if the royalty should fail. Then he would have all the control he would ever want and ensure the.. success of Faholgal. It was only best, he had to do it. ..For the people's sake. "Alright. But if this plot is discovered, it will be our heads."

"We wont be discovered, My lord." The sloth smiled and turned to walk back down the hallway. "Do what is best for your people, ..my lord." The sloth said and left the lion alone in his thoughts at the end of the dark hallway.