[Center]- Susa, Throne room of King Zarir II -[/Center]

[B]"My King, a messenger."[/B] the tanned man had fallen to a knee before addressing his monarch. 
[B]"From what land?"[/B] questioned the king. He liked hot days, sitting in the great hall with the wind blowing the magnificent satin curtains and wrapping them around the tall stone pillars that encased the room. 
[B]"From Valhall my King."[/B] this caught the attention of Tourak who slid his hand away from his queens in an attempt to concentrate. 
[B]"What do they want?"[/B] An unannounced message concerned Tourak, he had knowledge of Valhall having traded with them in the past but they did not send messengers for anything but serious matters. His own messenger stood before announcing the reason for Valhalls presence. 
[B]"Give fealty, or be invaded."[/B] He begun, noticing the anger seep across his kings expression almost immediately. [B]"The nation of Valhall, under the new leadership of the true emperor Caylor wishes the fealty of Parsa and its lands. If this demand is not met with unconditional favor the good emperor Caylor will unleash a weapon of devastation that will reduce Parsa to ash."[/B] The king stood and kicked a golden plate full with wine and bread in rage, his roar was heard throughout the corridors or his palace. 
[B]"Why was I not made aware of this, this new Emperor!"[/B] His queen recoiled in fright as she noticed a fire within her husband that had not been unleashed since he was a young warrior. [B]"Send for Kazem! Now!"[/B] throwing his hands and ushering the messenger to hurry he watched as the terrified man scurried from his throne room as quickly as his legs could allow. 

Minutes later Kazem Majidi, the most highly regarded diplomat and personal adviser to the king appeared. [B]"My king, you sent for me?"[/B] He dropped to a single knee as did everyone in the presence of the king, even his most trusted officials. 
[B]"Why am I being threatened by Valhall."[/B] his tone was more of an order than a question which confused Kazem for a second. [B]"The 'new' emperor Caylor has demanded the fealty of my country, of my people. Who is he to demand this!?"[/B] pacing from side to side the King was infuriated. 
[B]"Please, my king. You allow your anger to cloud your eyes. Take a moment and we shall discuss this development to the betterment of Parsa."[/B] Kazem was lucky to be so trusted, as if anyone but him had told the king to calm himself they would find their families head upon spikes before their own. 
[B]"How is this possible Kazem? do we not have our people across the seas? we should have had warning, we should have had information before they ever reached our shores."[/B] He slumped back into his throne, appearing tired from his sudden outburst of anger. His queen, Aliyeh, embraced him softly hoping to calm her husband. 
[B]"We [I]did[/I] have people in Valhall my king. It appears that in conjunction with this new order our spies were rooted out and killed, at first we thought this was simply a matter of ineffectual covers but it seems now as though they were actively sought out and...dispatched.[/B] 

The king stood, his eyes blazing. [B]"Call a meeting of the Oligarchs, I want all my officials and advisers there."[/B] Kazem bowed in agreement and slowly turned to back out of his kings throne room. Tourak sat and turned to his queen. [B]"I want you to use your spies my love, I want to know who has bowed and who hasn't to this terror of our time."[/B] Aliyeh opened her mouth, the scent of her perfume sending Tourak into a daze. [B]"I will my king"[/B] she spoke softly, like honey dripping from a wooden spindle. Queen Aliyeh was known as the most beautiful woman to have walked the earth, and whilst that was enough of a reason for Tourak to marry her it seemed she was much more valuable, being incredibly intelligent and having networks of spies in almost every land that Parsa could stretch its influence to. She is as important to Parsa as the king.