~*Gold Solace*~

I look at the book sitting on my desk with curiosity. It had an old, beaten white leather cover that held together yellowing pages. The title was located near the top, and the name of the author was nowhere to be found. What kind of idiot gives a book some lame title like "The King?"

Sighing softly, I lean back in my seat and run a hand through my hair. Why was that guy so protective of this book, and why was he looking for me? Shaking my head, I stand up and make my way out of the tent. If I spend too long in here, I might blow my cover.

And that's never a good thing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"That is such a lovely piece." A woman's voice echoes from somewhere behind me. Sighing silently, I plaster a fake smile on my face before turning too see an elderly woman gazing at one of my larger pieces. "What do you call this one?"

I stand up from a rickety wooden stool and brush my hands on my paint covered jeans before taking a look at the painting she was speaking of. A small sense of pride fills my chest as I gaze at the painting.

The subject was a darker skinned woman pulling the hood of a cloak over tangled, raven black hair. Her blue eyes shone as brightly as the snow covered landscape behind her. She is one of the best kept secrets of Minecraftia; Wither, the leader of the special forces.

"I don't really have a name for it," I admit, shrugging my shoulders.

"You don't have a name for such an amazing work of art?" The woman looks at me with a stunned expression on her face.

I shake my head. "No. I painted it a few years ago, and I just recently found room to put it out here."

"I see." The woman nods before turning her attention back to the painting. "Such attention to detail. Is this woman real?"

"Yes actually." I couldn't help but crack a small smile. "She's an old friend of mine."

"I would love to meet such a beautiful woman as herself," the woman says with a small sigh. "I run a model agency up north in Hero'brech you see." A model agency in the industrial city and not in Trunkeet? Interesting placement I would have to say.

"She lives in Aneh, but before you head there I should tell you she is painfully camera shy."

"That's too bad." The woman shakes her head before holding a hand out to me. "Thank you for sharing with me!"

"Of course. I'm glad you were interested in my work." I smile and reach out to shake her hand. As I grab her hand, I feel a small slip of paper hidden within her palm. I take the paper as we shake hands before waving goodbye as the woman leaves.

Once she was far enough away I take a look at the slip of paper in my hand and unfold it to reveal a note written in Wither's neat handwriting.

Tomorrow the weather will kill. I recommend leaving your jackets at home. Althought Mavies says otherwise, cast them away anyways. Leaving them at home won't hurt at least. If you require assistance, please contact me!

I couldn't help but laugh at the message she sent. It was a halfhearted job of hiding the real message.

The kings have called for our assistance. Meet at capital.

~*???*~

I assist my father as he casts a fishing net out of our small, wooden boat just off the coast of Eluk, the largest island of the Island Nation.

"Where have all the fish gone?" my father mutters, looking into the clear blue water with narrowed eyes.

"Maybe Minecraftian trade ships are scaring them off," I say with a shrug. "That does happen, right?"

My father shakes his head. "No. This month's trade happened two weeks ago. The trade ships should be scaring fish this way if anything." He stands up on the boat before looking out on the horizon, toward the mainland where the rich kingdoms thrive. I wonder what it's like to be from the Mainland. To be around so much technology, and different landforms. The jungles of our islands are boring.

"Luk'yehan, swim to shore and get the coastal guard," he says after a few moments of silence between us. "Tell them there is a fleet of unfamiliar ships headed our way."

"Right!" I nod to him before diving into the waves and swimming back to shore. Let's hope these unfamiliar ships are just new designs...

As I reach the shore, I turn around to see four large ships growing larger on the horizon. How did I not notice them earlier? Shaking my head, I turn my attention back to my task at hand and race to find a member of the coastal guard.

~*Lachlan*~

"My king!" A frantic voice calls from behind me. I turn from my conversation with Rob to see a young messenger running toward me. He was out of breath, and shaking rapidly. Every time I try to speak with him something happens...

"We can finish out conversation in a second Rob." I cast my old friend an apologetic smile before turning my attention to the messenger. "What is it?"

"I have a message from Emperor Wojcik." The messenger says once he catches his breath. "He said that he isn't scared of your proclamation, and that he plans to turn the Island Nation into Imperial Territory." I close my eyes to fully absorb the messenger's words. He's attacking the Island Nation.

Island Nation...

"Send a message to Queen Sei'eah of the Island Nation and tell her to protect her beaches until we can send men out to protect them. The empire will not be taking another kingdom."

"Yes my king."