亚洲综合中美

“Father...” taking a step closer, “-are you ok?” asked she gently poking his cheek.

“Don’t I look alright?” came a soothing reply, “-anyway, care to give your old man a lift to the airfield?”

“Old-man,” sloppily dropping her hand, “-sure, father, let’s go.” Turned in haste, her expression was of mild annoyance. The habit to never speak of his troubles made her angry. “Father,” at the car, “-if ever the day comes where you need help, please reach out. You have me, mother, Julius, Lizzie, and everyone in Arda to have your back. Asking for help isn’t a shame.”

“I know it isn’t,” close behind, “-I’ll consider it one day.” Smug to sit inside, they drove to the runway where the jet was lined and ready. Exchanging few good-byes, he took-off for Elendor. The place where he spent many months in the company of her majesty the Queen.

Smooth and uneventful, the plane flew towards the sea. “éclair, how are things in Elendor?”

“Not that great, master,” said the butler through a screen. “There’s been skirmishes at the Eastern-border. King Juvey the Cray seems to want to start another war.”

.....

“Isn’t the non-aggression pact active?”

“Who knows how long will a piece of paper hold the belligerent king.”

“Good point,” he paused to stare at the clouds, ‘-best rest. I need to be ready for when the time comes.’

“Master, I’ve informed the head-butler of Queen Ela III to have transport be readied.”

“You did what?” the would-be silence broke.

“I don’t detect any Phantom linked vehicles and forces in Elendor, therefore, I thought it best we contact her majesty.”

“éclair, you’re wise but too wise. The head-butler is a rather troublesome individual. What is done is done...” the less amiable response had the spirit wonder.

Thus, a whole 11 hours passed. Fondly enough, the time was 11:00, the 18th was here. The jet touched down at the private royal family’s airfield. On the outskirts of the capital city of Lazuli. The tarmac felt hot to the touch, the risen heat rendered the ground blurry to the eyes. Now, things may get confusing. The kingdom of Elendor splits into five provinces – each one bigger than the other. In fact, the kingdom held most of the land in Iqeavea. Counting among the five provinces, one had Dreqai, Melanthorn, and Elendor just to name a few. Yes, Elendor was the name of a province as well as the Kingdom. Situated to the North, Elendor is very much a place for mining. Queen Ela III of Elendor also made her residence in the province.

Stepping off the jet, a red carpet rolled to lead towards a black-limousine. The unforgiving sun kept on blazing the vicinity. It was the real-life version of an oven. The airfield itself held many hangars as one would expect.

“Hero king of Arda,” said a well-dressed man with long stashes that twirled at the proximities. The eyes were clear and vivid, the brows – plucked and trimmed, the ears, very sharply edged, and the nose rounded off and polished as if a crystal ball.

“Head-Butler Malta,” said Staxius walking on the seemingly melting carpet. “You needn’t have to go through such trouble for a mere welcome.”

“You’re wrong, sir,” he took a step back in astonishment, the hands and arms made waves – in all accounts, tis was melodramatism.

“There we go again,” whispered an assistant steps away from the car.

“We must tend to the hero king,” approached the butler with hand close to his chest, “-we must not disrespect HE,” the pitch rose as if a singer, “-who saved us in the war,” back to the norm. “So you se-”

“Enough,” interjected Staxius, “-I don’t wish to come across as rude, and forgive me if I’ve cut thee off, there’s no need for drama. The sun has me by the throat, if we are to stay longer here, I fear I may melt. Would that not be a greater insult?”

“Ahh yes, his majesty is very much right...” bowed and moved backward as if a reversing truck, “-please, have a seat,” the door opened.

“Thank you.”

“I understand why master seemed too distraught earlier,” whispered éclair.

‘And who do you think is responsible...’ the words stopped at the lips for the limousine accelerated brazenly.

“DRIVER!” crept from the front seat, “-WE HAVE A GUEST IN THE BACK,” the same accent, the same variation, and the same overzealous passion. The energy given was in no way negative, no, it was an infection. A malady many people subconsciously emulated as he would often pressure the conversation. The passion which would influence most in the first few days would often turn to dismay. The over-active persona would have many fatigued and become annoying.

“King Haggard,” the window separating the driver and passenger rolled, “-Queen Ela III wishes to speak a few words.”

“Courtesy states one must present himself before the monarch without care for the reason.”

“Wise words,” the barrier rose once more. ‘The heat of Elendor is never-ending.’ The roads outside were moderately filled with vehicles. The people here were of darker complexions for the sun was prominent. The soil, richer at Hidros, was hard and dry – not the same as a dessert, but close. The drive took a few minutes until a natural barrier of leafless trees. A path stretched out the main-road with, ‘private property,’ written on a notice board. A few distances inside, the noise of the main-road dwindled to the voice of nature. Gates atop which stood guards in watchtowers overlooked said entrance.

White against cleanly cut greenery, a humongous palace erected itself a few kilometers from the main gate. A big fountain of clearly crystal blue water flowed, long was the dryness of the soil gone, the lush courtyard, well-maintained flowers, and plants; not to forget, the palace itself. Protected by a natural wall of the forest, followed by man-made walls with electric fences, tis was the Queen’s residence. The limousine, a mere pebble compared to what the lady owned, went around the fountain to the main-entrance. Stairs of white lacquer adorned with matt-black lines and circles sprawled to form an art-piece. Maids made rounds tending to the bushes and cleaning.

“Here we are,” said Malta opening the door, “-her majesty is inside, please, follow me.” Over the stairway they went just as a group of ladies left.

“My, if it isn’t Mr. Haggard,” paused one of the ladies with light and short dress. Her straw-hat was very much feminine.

“Lady Leina,” nodded he.

“Her majesty must be lonesome to call onto the handsome King of Arda,” added one of her peers jestfully.

“I’m honored to be compliment by a lady who is far more handsome than I.”

“Ever the charmer,” winked Lady Leina, “-good-day.”

“Good day to you as well, my lady.”

Continuing inside, the retainers gave smiles, they knew him and so did he. Greetings were exchanged in the form of smiles or nods of the head. After what seemed to be hours, Malta arrived to a tall ceiling room.

“Please, wait here as I go fetch her majesty,” the loud doors closed leaving him alone. The domed roof, designed by a very symmetrically focused architect, held an ever-big chandelier of what seemed to be diamonds. Two very tall windows were at diagonals to one another. The frilly curtains helped in blocking the torturous sun. Under the chandelier rested a star-shaped table surrounded by couches. The pillows matched the texture and fabric of the couch which followed the table that in turn followed the curtains and wallpaper.

“King Staxius,” opened the door brutishly.

“Queen of Elendor,” returned he standing to greet the monarch.

“It’s Elina,” she facepalmed to then exchange kisses on the cheeks. “I didn’t realize you would come so quickly,” caressing her neck down to her cleavage, “-I’d have gotten ready.”

“Ever the jester,” laughed he, “-there’s no need to be ready for a married man.”

“Humph,” her eyes rolled, “-so, what brings you here?” the posture turned to be dignified.

“I came to seek an audience with a man I met many years before,” they sat whilst maids brought in refreshments.

“Do tell,” said she.

“Happened at Dreqai during the convention of arms and weapons. You know, the day I met GateSix and purchased a few weapons. I came in contact with Mr. Elon.”

“Oh...” her speech slowed, “-old man Elon.”

“Why do you sound so suspicious?”

“Well,” sat all the way back the couch, “-Mr. Elon is a scary man. Don’t be thrown by his age, that man can fight, and dirtily at that. He’s the owner of the Elon Conglomerate.”

“I know... the Elon Empire that has a lot of brands and shares into most of the businesses known to us. There’s no escaping the brands, from Hidros to Iqeavea, Alphia, and the world over, the man is present in every single place.”

“Why do you want to meet him so bad?”

“Don’t know yet, I need to speak to him for advice. The man’s age and experience are what I’m after.”

“To be frank, your impressive as well. Phantom is on its way to becoming a powerhouse of their own.”

“I suppose...”

“Staxius,” her head shook, “-look at my wrist.”

“Why?”

“Look!” she pointed, “-Meldorino, you see, a company you OWN.”

“Not anymore,” the words were harder to say, “-I was played a fool in Alphia. The conglomerates are far too powerful for us to take alone.”

“Is it money you’re after?” she glowered.

“No, money isn’t the issue, that much we can handle. There’s something I need but can’t seem to grasp – maybe I’ve grown senile.”

“The search for knowledge,” she hugged onto a pillow, “-I understand what you mean. Besides, as a member of the Argashield Federation, tis my duty to help our leader.”

“No, please, this isn’t relating to the Federation.”

“Who cares,” she laughed, “-Staxius, you really mustn’t be so cynical of people. I’m your friend, I trust you – I don’t expect trust back, but at least, believe in me.”

“S-sure,” he smiled, “-please, Elina, can I ask for a favor?”

“Now that brings a smile to my face,” returning the pillow, “-Malta, Eghushi, Toe, and Meut.”

“Have thee summoned us, majesty?” four yellow mist materialized.

“Go and arrange a meeting with old man Elon. Tell him the King of Arda wants an audience.”

“As you wish,” they vanished.

“Did you have to call onto the assassins?”

“Listen,” her face sunk into sternness, “-getting a hold of lord Elon is hard. Even if you manage to speak to him, the man is probably a decoy or a clone of some sort. Remember, it’s the Elon Empire, there’s no way he’ll come out for a king. Not even the Emperor was able to speak to him.”

“I suppose your right.”

“Now then,” her persona changed, “-come, let’s go into the capital and walk around. There’s no way I’m letting you off that easy this time.”

“Are you sure thee wishes to be in my company?”

“Obviously,” she stood to pull his arms, “-come on, let’s go, I want to see a movie.”

“My attire isn’t exactly suited for the weather here...”

“Don’t worry,” she clapped to which retainers came, “-please, show his majesty to the changing room. I shall be readied as well.”

“Just like old times?” smirked Staxius.

.....

“Just like old times,” she winked.

To the south-west of Lazuli, after the great-forest of Iethlo, onto more rocky plains, surrounded by cliffs and greenery, stood a massive mansion. Inside was as if a small-town.

“Lady Alison,” came a man dressed formally, “-we’ve received this from the Queen.”

“The Queen?” stopped shy of an open-roofed hall with a fountain in the middle, “-why would she send a note?” intrigued, she read whilst holding her breath.

‘The day has come,’ thought she stomping towards the front where the hall gave onto a balcony.

“Master Elon,” called she respectfully.

“What is it, dear Alison?” returned a man sat on a hung couch watching the birds fly.

“It’s as you said, the day is here.”

“Please child, no riddles.”

“Lord Elon, it’s him, the boy,” said she excitedly.

“What boy?”

“Here,” the note was handed.