The morning welcomed Pamella with a fresh air. The chickens, or what appeared to be some kind of strange things that were between being a chicken and a lizard, accompanied with the sounds of moving carts and the yelling of the people on the shops and that passed by, made the last of her drowsiness wash away. Hei Bao, Jiti, DuZhi, Xián Len and she were seating inside a restaurant near the Dragon King's Palace. Weng Lin sat in between HeiBao and DuZhi, followed by a young waiter handling them their morning tea. A platter of nuts and dried fruits laid in the middle of the table, while a just steamed sweet bean paste bun was placed in front of Pamella.

She had long gone decided to just accept what was offered to her without questions to her companionship. She had wondered how they paid for all the provisions and the nights they stayed at some place. She was poor in the World she was in. She could understand the origin of Hei Bao's money, but how did Xián Leng get money was her question. He had been a tree for hundreds of years, where could he make money enough for sustaining both himself and Pamella. She could think of many theories, but why beat up her brain with such difficult questions when she could just enjoy it by the time being. She grabbed the bun and took a bite from it, savoring the creamy sweet feeling. She glanced at the cup of tea that if she could draw in it coffee with her Qi, she would be completely pleased, but unless she wanted it to taste to ink more than real coffee she better accept the tea as it was.

Weng Lin took a sip from his cup and spoke.

-          As promised, I contacted His Majesty early this morning by a messenger, all that we need to do is present ourselves at the meeting hall and the meeting can take place.

Pamella eating some of the crumbs stuck to her mouth sides,

-          And... How are we supposed to enter the Palace? Do we just pass the guards just like that?

Weng Lin corrected her, while he pointed towards a kilometric line of people in front of the King's Palace entrance.

-          Not exactly Master Chu... You will need to do the line if you want to get in and meet the King.

They all exclaimed,

-          HUH?!

He continued.

-          You see... Even if the matter is an important one, your petition for him to attend to you was unexpected and out of his daily agenda, thus, the only way for you to have a word with him is in the form of a commoner; following the day's Royal Attendance.

Still unbelieving Pamella commented,

-          With the "Royal Attendance" you mean, that awful long line of people? I didn't think we had to do such a thing! With what is HIS MAJESTY so full on his schedule? What does he do, that he can't take at least an hour of his "oh so royal" time?!

The people at nearby tables glanced at their table. Pamella's voice had been loud enough to get their attention; even the young waiter went to their table to ask if everything was alright. After Weng Lin assured the man everything was fine he turned smiling towards Pamella. She could tell he was forcing the smile; she also used that smile when she was at college and people got on her nerves, but she had to maintain peace.

Xián Leng touched her shoulder gesturing her to lower her voice. She didn't notice her voice's volume had gone to their MAX. She crossed one of her arms, while with the other, she took irritably the cup of tea. As she gulped down the last of it, leaving her with some bitterness she raised from her seat and quickly cupped her hands, bowing her thanks and headed out from the place frowning. The people in the table she just left looked stunned.

Weng Lin internally cursed.

That dammed húndàn! Doesn't he know about respectful etiquette to his superiors? If Lord Zhu didn't tell me not to harm that guy, I would've turn him into rags already.

Xián Leng turned towards him while at the same time he rose from his seat. Hei Bao and DuZhi followed.

-          Sorry about that Captain Weng Lin... She... HE, has gone through a lot lately and has been in a hurry all the while. Please forgive his attitude; don't take it personal.

DuZhi couldn't watch any longer.

-          My Lord, you don't need to ask forgiveness for that unmannered jerk! You...!

A hand had covered his mouth and wrapped over his neck in a dead lock. Pamella came back after realizing she had stupidly sprinted without everyone.

-          Well, well, well...Aren't you quite the talker DuZhi~ What are you guys waiting here for, let's go do that dammed line before it becomes impossible.

This time she bowed and gave her thanks in a more acceptable way than before. They walked away while Pamella dragged DuZhi and he cursed at her. Hei Bao glanced back at the still seated Weng Lin until his vision of him came to his limit.

Weng Lin chuckled and said to himself,

-          That cat is very obstinate. He still considers me as a threat. If I were him...

He stood up and started walking towards the direction which his target had taken.

-          I wouldn't to...

The people in the line talked nonstop.  Some spoke about the demons, ghosts and dark creatures that had been invading the forests and didn't let the common people at peace. Others spoke about religious matters while others cursed them from afar. All the talk made the time lost walking slowly and waiting, less sufferable. A woman, wearing worn out rags from too much washing and a basket full of fresh vegetables, in front of Pamella, grabbed her attention. The woman was speaking to a man with a similar appearance only that this one carried a hoe and was a little dirty.

-          You see, the war has been getting out of control lately. Instead of killing themselves at the designated battle fields, they now decided to stain the lands of us workers. How are we supposed to live at peace when they are wrecking the land and contaminating the water with the soldier's corpses?! Not even boiling could make that water clean again!

The news about a war was new to Pamella.

This war wasn't in the history books I've read, but then again almost nothing about this place appears in the Chinese history records.

Noticing that Xián Leng and the rest were talking between themselves and not paying attention to whatever she was doing, Pamella joined the two people's conversation.

-          Excuse me nüshi, what's this about the war?

The two were surprised, both because of the ignorance of the young man and his prince like appearance. The woman spoke again.

-          Young man, where do you come from that you don't know about the already five years long War of the Five Kingdoms?!

The man commented,

-          Maybe he is just messing with us. Kids these days don't show respect to their elders.

Pamella,

-          Huh? No, no. I am not making fun of you people, I... I've been sick for quite some time and the fever; it all made me forget things. So, could you tell me about that War of the...

The woman interrupted her, followed by her explanation.

-          War of the Five Kingdoms. Young man, you at least must know about the five Kingdoms that govern this land...

Pamella nodded. The woman continued.

-          The five Kingdoms have been both protecting their borders and trying to conquer new land. Their rulers wish for power, but also peace and their only resolution was to fight for their believes.

Pamella,

-          So, everything has been for the sake of power and control is what you're saying?

The man went forth and pulled Pamella by her injured shoulder. She was about to weens in pain, but she clenched her teeth to take her mind of it. The man whispered,

-          Not just that lad, there's a rumor among us folk that the Kings are trying to kill each other for a necklace.

The mention of the word necklace made a knot to her stomach.

-          A necklace...? What kind of... necklace...?

The woman with the basket pulled her from the other shoulder and whispered.

-          A necklace that can grant whomever gets a hold on it all the power necessary to control the whole World. If I can be frank with you, I believe the object is evil; full of dark energy.

I bet it could destroy the Universe even...

The man pulled her by the shoulder again.

Goddammit! Quit it with the pulling!

-          But don't mind such things lad. Those are pure rumors based on legends. Non such evil thing as that necklace exist.

The woman tapped him on the chest.

-          You know nothing! That necklace had been under surveillance at the Imperial Pagoda of Luoyang. The recent news is, that a young thief, took away the necklace and has been hiding with it ever since. If one of the Kings find him, what do you think will happen to not only our lands, but us as well?!

The seriousness of things made Pamella tremble in fear. Both the woman and the man asked her,

-          My... Are you alright there young man? Today the Sun is high up and warm, why are you trembling like a cat out of the water?

Pamella cold sweated as she smiled, gave her thanks, and backed herself up to her group.

DuZhi noticed that her hands were shaking.

-          Hey matchstick! Why are you looking as if you've seen a ghost or something?

Xián Leng raised his hand to her forehead, taking her by surprise.

-          You don't seem to have a fever...

She backed away to evade been to his reach.

-          I don't have a fever. I'm fine... Just...

Right at that moment, from inside the palace doors, a voice resonated.

-          NEXT!

The doors opened letting the two people she had been talking to out. They wore dissatisfied and angry expressions. She heard them say to each other,

-          That dammed brute! How will a single "I'll see what I can do." help us?! I don't know if he is the stupid one or that spirit who rules over him?!

I guess I didn't need to know "His Highness" to know what a mediocre ruler he was.

She and the rest passed the giant doors to the palace. They were the last to be attended that day.

The doors closed with a loud *BANG*.

[nüshi]- Respectful for "lady".

[húndàn]- Chinese for "bastard". Vulgar.