Draco and his men rode for three days, only stopping to rest the horses and to sleep. Draco had to reach the king as soon as possible, it was the utmost importance.

During their travels, Draco barely spoke at all; reflecting his conversation with O'luca and Fyren. The other men didn't contend with the fact, they barely spoke themselves. Their main goal was to get to the king's castle as soon as possible. When they did speak, it was about what was to come and what was expected. War was coming, they all knew that. And O'luca's hinted threat was evidence enough.

When the horsemen finally arrived at the capital, mid-day warmed the large city. The city, itself, spanned for miles. Town houses and shops extended along vast passageways paved in stone. The further into the city the horsemen went, the taller the buildings were built.

At the city's center, a large, white castle stood proud; overlooking the city with tis tall towers and balconies. Blue, white, and gold colored Faholgan flags hung from every pike and tower. Even the castle's guard's, who stood in pairs at each gate, were armed with long spears adorning a smaller Faholgan flag.

As Draco and his men approached the castle gate, each dismounted their horses as they were met by the castle guards. Both guards immediately recognized the general and allowed them to pass while four servants took the horses to the stables.

Walking up the vast courtyard and toward the castle, a servant at the castle doors gave his announcement to alert the other servants and guards of the castle. "General Draco Valcian has arrived to the castle!" After giving his announcement, the servant motioned two other men to open the large castle doors for Draco and his men. After Draco walked through the doorway, the servant walked just behind Draco but to his right respectively. "The king has been alerted to your arrival and expects you in the throne room." The head servant announced.

"Very Good, we shall see him immediately." Draco responded while walking at a fast pace down the marble floored foyer toward the hall leading to the throne room. "See that my men have meals prepared. We've traveled a long way."

"Yes, General Valican." The head servant replied as he increased his walking pace to walk past Draco. Once the double doors were reached, he motioned toward the two soldiers at each door to open the doors. "...General Draco Valcian has arrived!" The head servant announced as Draco and his men entered the throne room. After Draco walked past him, the servant bowed deeply and backed himself out the doors and the doors were closed.

Draco and each of his men walked with their backs straightened and chins erect as they walked proudly and respectively further into the room, being led by the navy colored carpet toward the king's throne. When Draco approached, he made sure to stop several feet away from the throne. Once halted, Draco unsheathed his sword and kneeled; placing the tip to the ground and bowing his head. Carvahall and Porchatis were at Draco's each side, but remained behind Draco at all times. Smith was just behind the other two. All three soldiers unsheathed their swords as Draco did and knelt down respectfully to the king.

The king sat comfortably in his throne, a brightened face appeared once Draco appeared through the double doors; causing him to sit upright. The king appeared aged, but no older than the general. He was garbed in dark blue cloth, elegantly designed and trimmed by Faholgal's best tailors. His pants and shirt were embroidered with gold colored thread and edged with white. A heavy silk and fur robe was worn over his arms and shoulders; embroidered with in gold over a deeper blue. The fur along the old puma's muzzle grew long into a short, gray beard while his medium length, gray gray hair was tied back around to his lower neck.

"Draco, My friend.." The kings voice was weathered and low, but there was a friendly tone to it.

"Your majesty." Draco responded, but kept his head bowed behind his sword.

"These long rides are hard on you at your age, General. And your men appear to have not had a much simpler ride than yourself." The king commented after seeing the four men's condition. Clothing, mainly. But they were also tired and appeared weary. At least the three of Draco's men appeared to be.

"I'm only old on the outside, your majesty. Inside, I'm a younger man who can handle anything." Draco responded before raising his head to look up toward the king, who had stood from his throne and approached Draco. "Although, I don't know their excuses." Draco said with a smirk. Draco didn't see their expressions, but he knew the soldiers behind him were smirking.

The king chuckled and motioned Draco to stand. "Fair enough." he said as he motioned two servants to come. "I will make sure they are fed and rested along with yourself." Once the servants approached behind Draco's men, the king spoke to the three soldiers. "You three may go." he said before Draco's men stood and bowed.

Once their swords were sheathed, Draco's men turned and followed the servants out of the throne room.

By this time, Draco had stood and sheathed his own sword; watching his men leave.

"Now.." The king began before facing Draco again. "Old friend, tell me of your discussions with O'luca. I'm assuming everything went well, you're here in one piece without injury."

Draco's features turned serious as he faced the king. "Our conversation wasn't hostile, but it did turn foul." Draco paused as he saw the king's brightened features turn serious. "Your majesty, it wasn't said directly.. but I fear war is inevitable."

The King's brow lowered. "That is a strong word to be saying involving who we treaty with, Draco."

"A treaty, we know, has already been been acted against by the ministry." Draco quickly responded as he glanced to the guards at each side of the throne. But guards stood still as if nothing altered them; only fullfilling their purpose of guarding the king. "But that was not the discussion with O'luca." Draco's hands moved his back and clamped together. "She requests our aide to move west and 'control' the Sel'kanites."

"The Sel'kanites? But they have no business with the Eye of Michael... they're a peaceful people who mind their own affairs."

"Which were exactly my thoughts and protests on the matter. But she stated the Sel'kanites use of magic is out of control and chaotic. She feels if they are left unchecked, they'll grow further into chaos and effect our lands." Draco stated as he watched the king's thoughtful, but stern gaze.

"There is no need to control what is not out of hand. The Sel'kanites have been friendly to us for centuries.. and they have used magic well before that, from what we know of them." The king stated before his gaze turned to one of the large stain glass window.

"I stated the same thing, your majesty. But she continued to insist upon the matter."

"And this is why you feel war is inevitable? Because O'luca wants to invade the Sel'kanites land?" The old mountain lion paused to look back to Draco sternly. "You do realize it is only to control more land for the ministry?"

Draco's brow furrowed as he turned and took a few steps to his right. "I feel it goes beyond that." Draco stated as he glanced to the stained glass window. The window held the image of the gryphon king, the first king of Faholgal, standing upright with his wings proudly extended and a long sword clasped in his taloned hands. "Whether we decide to help her or not, she will fight against us to claim our lands." Draco finished and looked back to the king.

The king arched an eyebrow and eyed Draco. "She wouldn't dare, what would cause you to believe this?''

"Because she indirectly threatened to fight against us if we chose not to help her." Draco quickly replied, his features appearing angered. He wasn't angered by the king, but by the threat from O'luca and how it was presented. "Her exact words were, "If I receive no aid, then I will set my sights on another land I've been interested in for a while." And after she said this she looked at me in a way that completed the threat."

The king's face riled and became angered. "How dare she even THINK of threatening us."

Draco turned fully and stepped back to speak directly to the king. "Her actions were what spoke the loudest. She's a hippocrit. She speaks of magic users as evil and abusive, yet she favors someone more cruel and uses his own power to manipulate others." Draco paused briefly as the King gave him a more alerted gaze. "He goes by the name of Fyren Valente. He came into our discussions and was introduced to me before I was rudely ushered out. He stated he was in charge of foreign affairs in regards to controlling rebellions against the ministry." Draco took a deep breath. "General Antonis and Murdoc Convel told me about this Fyren, your majesty. He has unseen powers of manipulation and torture. And if O'luca is allied with this sort than she is obviously not against the use of magic." Draco shifted his head closer to the king to show his seriousness. "If she has lied about controlling the Sel'kanites for using magic, than she is obviously using those lies to get at Faholgan lands."

The king rubbed his chin lightly in thought. This was a lot to comprehend. Draco was quick to his statement about war and what he's saying was appearing to be more assumption than actual fact. But the king could not deny the dishonesty and manipulation of O'luca. He couldn't deny the possiblity of the consequences of not acting on these threats. But war had to be avoided. Their last war with the Eye of Michael devastated both of their lands... and now Draco speaks of war coming again. The king had to protect his people, ...but what would be worse? Devastation of war... or being overthrown by the ministry's deception?

"Are you completely sure of all of this?" The king inquired, a more sorrowful look given to Draco.

"With everything within me, your majesty. I may be a general, but that does not mean I desire war. Our people deserve their peace, and war will only bring them suffering. But if I am right... and O'luca wants claim over our land,... then war is coming whether we choose to have it or not." Draco's voice softened as he finished.

The king's brow raised, but his gaze lowered to the ground. "You and I have been good friends for many years. Even when we fought together in the battlefield when my father ruled so long ago. I trusted you with my life then, and I trust you now." the kings saddened gaze raised to Draco before he continued. "But if you're wrong..."

"If I am wrong, then O'luca has threatened some other land instead of our own and will fight to control that land instead. She will hold our treaty with lower regard, for sure. But we both know that treaty was never truly honored." Draco turned to look upon the two soldiers guarding the throne again. "If we do nothing, then we allow O'luca to act. And I will not allow our people to suffer because we failed to act, ourselves."

The king looked back to Draco with a more serious gaze. "And what of General Antonis, the rebellion general?"

Draco briefly glanced back to the king before turning around to walk a few steps to his left. "He does not know yet. But I feel the danger for him has only increased. Fyren said this, himself. And O'luca was quick to add she would 'ravish' any land he's on."

"Then he must be warned. Tell him to leave his current residency and to find a new place to hide." the king paused and placed a hand upon Draco's shoulder. "If war is inevitable, General Antonis's efforts will be honored. He must survive."

Draco turned to fully face the king and lowered his head to bow lightly. "Yes, your majesty."

"And for O'luca.." The king continued. "We'll wait until she makes the first move." the king only paused as Draco quickly looked back up to him. "In the mean time, we are to prepare for war. I'm leaving this responsiblity on you, Draco. Rally the troops and armies as secretly as you can. Strengthening the border forces is top priority, we will not be invaded without warning."

Draco pulled his shoulders back and lifted his chin formally. "I shall start immediately. No time can be wasted." Draco proclaimed. "I'll send word to Antonis and travel to Allred tonight to begin preparations."

"Draco?" The king interrupted before Draco turned. "You need your rest. You just traveled three days on horseback, can you not at least allow yourself decent meal and a night's rest?"

Draco arched a brow before giving another calm serious gaze to the king. "My duty comes before leizure, My King."

A hurt expression fell upon the king as he responded. "I told you and your men that meals will be prepared for you. You will rest, Draco." A kindly smile appeared as he walked closer to Draco, but continued and motioned the general to walk beside him. "Do not force me to order you to rest." The king looked to Draco as they continued down the blue carpet toward the double doors. "And how many times have I told you to call me Aromar? This 'majesty' name gets old."

Draco quirked an eyebrow and turned his head to the king as he walked beside him. "I'm afraid it is apart of your job description. Lead a nation.." Draco paused and smirked as he looked forward again. "And endure the 'honorable' names a hundred times a day."

King Aromar laughed and walked forward. As they approached the double doors, the two soldiers on the opposite side opened the doorway to give access to the main hall. After walking through the doorway and seeing all of the numerous servants quickly stop to bow, Aromar sighed and spoke quietly to Draco. "I do miss the older days, Draco." He paused and gave a kindly smile and nod to one of the high servants. "Fighting on the battlefield, alongside my fellow man... truly fighting for my people instead of making decisions for them."

Draco turned his head questioningly. "Are you saying you would rather fight in a war than be the ruler of one's land?"

"Oh, heaven's no. Wars are evil affairs and we would be better without them. No one should benefit off of it, not even the politicians.... I only say I miss the fight because I feel that is where true honor resides. Fighting and dying for you people. To protect them from evil and the tyranny of the enemy." The king stated proudly.

"But that is what a king does, ..Aromar." Draco almost slipped by calling the king 'your majesty'. Aromar caught onto it, but wouldn't exploit it as he awaited Draco's reasoning. "You may not fight with a sword on the battlefield, but you fight and lead your people from the evil tyranny of the enemy... Your decisions save the lives of thousands. You hold the greatest honor of all, ...my king."

"Stop trying to flatter me, Draco." the king's tone lowered, but kept a smirk on his face. "Enough about you and I and our purposes in this world." Aromar stopped before another hall leading to another part of the castle. "Please accept a decent meal and a night's rest before you leave... I'd hate to be the first king who begged his own general to eat."

Draco smiled and gave a short bow; realizing the king and him were going their seperate ways for the day. "I will do as you ask, ...King Aromar." Draco smiled.

"Good." The king said before his features turned more serious. "I want your word that none of our discussion will be told to anyone. We only rally and prepare, nothing else." An wary eye looked around the both of them. There were servants in the hall, but none close enough to hear them speak. "There's no telling how many spies escape our detection, O'luca and any other threat must not know of our decision and what is to be done."

"Yes, your majesty. The guards in the throne room along with the servants will need to be told to remain silenced."

"I'll worry about that... you go get some rest." The king quickly responded. "Now, if you will excuse me.. I have more 'king things' to do. Except this time its 'less fighting' and more 'politicians'." The king smirked lighlty.

Draco gave a respectful bow and stood up straight again.

"We will talk again soon, Old friend. And good luck." The king ended with a more hopeful smile.

"To you as well." Draco responded and gave another shorter bow.

After the king turned to walk down the hall, a more thoughtful expression crossed Draco's features before he quickly turned into the opposite direction.

Draco would do as King Aromar asked and rest for the night, but when morning come, he would travel to Allred to begin preparations. Carvahall will be given his own task as well. To send word to Antonis of all that has happened and will happen. Draco's concern would be if Carvahall would make it safely and that Antonis will heed the king's advice to leave the inn.