Goodbye 2018

Although I know that, depending on where you are in the World, the new year has already begun, up here, where I live, its still 2018 for about one more hour. As such, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone who has stumbled upon my blog a Happy New Year. Hopefully, you will find your way back here in 2019, you will always be welcome.

Happy New Year.

Chapter 37

Night on the ocean, the ship which served as transport for Eramus and his theater-troupe had cast anchor for the night. It was a warm night and most members of the crew had decided to take advantage of the good weather to sleep on deck, instead of in their usually cramped living-quarters. By sunset, they had all picked out a suitable spot upon which to lay down their pillows and soon enough, the whole ship was fast asleep.

The whole ship? No, two people on deck had not yet joined their comrades on their journey to the Dreamworld. These were two of the newcomers whom had temporarily joined the troupe; a lynx and a dragon. The Lynx, feeling a bit peckish, was chewing on an apple which she had taken from a nearby barrel. She held the apple's twin in one of her paws and she now offered it up to the dragon.

"Thank you, I am not really hungry."

"Suit yourself" Risha said.

Having finished the apple she threw the core overboard, into the vine-dark sea.

"Just think, "she said. "The Day after tomorow we'll arrive in Tiraliros."

"And not a day too soon" Merees muttered.

Risha moved closer to her girlfriend, putting a paw on her shoulder.

"You've been tense ever since we came aboard" she said. "And I think I know the reason why: Its because of that creep Isso, isn't it?" The Lynx practically spat when she uttered the ocelot's name.

Merees sighed.

"Risha, he frightens me. I know; someone like me being afraid of someone like him? Even I think its absurd."

 The Dragon shook her head, her lips twisted into a self-mocking grin.

"I don't think its absurd" Risha said, with sincerity. "However, I don't think you'll need to worry about Isso. He wouldn't dare do anything to harm you while we're on the ship and once we get ashore, we don't have to have anything to do with him again. Besides, if he tries anything..."

Risha left the unspoken threat hanging, but she assumed a stance taught to her by her father and took a few jabs at the air.

..."He wouldn't know what hit him" she finished, placing a paw on her hip with a confident smirk on her face.

"My knight in shining armor" Merees said, giving Risha a peck on the cheek, her cool lips pressing against the younger woman's soft fur. "I'll be counting on you to have my back. Just like I hope you'll count on me to have yours."

"Of course" Risha said, returning the kiss in kind.

"And we both have to look after your brother. Speaking of, there's someone who has really been enjoying this voyage."

This was true, Leorin had taken to life aboard like a fish to water, performing each task that was given to him with unbridled enthusiasm. Now, he slept peacefully on deck; his sister having tucked him in for the night.

The Couple stood in silence for awhile, gazing out at the moonlit sea, their arms wrapped around each others waists, Risha resting her head on Merees' shoulder.

"Do you know what day it is?" Merees asked suddenly.

Risha hadn't really kept track of the days ever since they had fled Vinoli and so, she had to think for a few seconds, before she could give the answer.

"Why do you ask?" She wondered, curious as to where this could lead."Is there something special about this day? Can it be...?"

As if she had read Risha's mind, Meees nodded in confirmation.

"Happy Birthday!" Risha squealed excitedly, prompting a nearby crewman to tell her to pipe down. She hurriedly apologized and turned back to Merees, there was something she needed to ask.

"So, tell me" she said. "How old are you?"

"One-Hundred and Twenty" came the answer. "Well, I will be later today; I was born at noon."

Risha thought back to what she had learned about dragons at school. She knew that they aged at a different rate from most creatures and that by their standards, Merees was barely an adult. Still, it seemed almost unreal  that the person standing next to her had been alive for more than a century.

She hadn't really thought about it before, but Risha suddenly became acutely aware that when she had grown old, with wrinkles around her eyes and gray fur, Merees' appearance would likely not have changed that much and what would happen then?

"Risha, what's the matter?"

The Princess' voice brought Risha back to reality. She looked down at her paws and noticed them trembling.

"Mer..." She began in a hoarse voice.

"Yes, love?"

"When I am old, will you still love me?"

Merees said nothing at first. Instead, she took a firm but gentle grip on Risha's shoulders and gazed into the lynx's eyes with a serious look on her face.

"Risha, there's  something you should know: I have been with other people before you, both boys and girls. None of my previous relationships ended well and when I look back, I think it was mostly because of me.  That's not important though. What is important is this: Whether male or female,  I never felt for any of them the same way I feel towards you. Risha: I love you and I will always love you, no matter what you look like or how old you become. So, stop worrying about stuff like that, OK?"

Risha looked at Merees, the dragoness had not said it, but the lynx realized from the look on her face that her feelings had been hurt. Suddenly, she felt ashamed.

"You are right" she said apologetically, ears drooping. "Deep down, I know you will always love me and I feel awful for doubting that in any way. Its just...I guess I'm a bit insecure: I've never had a girlfriend before and when I look at you...Well, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people think that you are out of my league."

"Why would you care about what other people think? Besides, they are wrong anyway. As far as I am concerned, you are definitely in my league."

With that, Merees pulled the lynx close and kissed her passionately on the mouth.

Risha felt her legs turn into jelly. She closed her eyes, not wanting to be conscious of anything except for the kiss. At that moment, the lynx-girl's entire World consisted of Merees' tongue filling her mouth.

Neither Risha nor Merees knew exactly how long the kiss lasted. All they knew was that their lungs had felt like they were about to burst and so, the two of them reluctantly separated and stood leaning against the rail, gathering their breath.

Risha was the first to regain the ability to speak.

"Wow" she said, shaking her head. "That was...."

"...Amazing" Merees finished the sentence. She smiled at her lover. "You are a very fast learner, Risha."

"With such a good teacher, how could I not be?" Risha smiled back.

Just then, the lynx-girl remembered something.

"Close your eyes" she said.

"Why?" Merees asked.

"Just do it and hold out your hand."

Wondering what Risha could be driving at, the Princess did as she had been asked. After a few seconds, she could hear Risha's voice again:

"You can look now."

Merees opened her eyes and the first thing she noticed was that the ring finger on her right hand now had a ring around it.

"Risha" she began. "This is..."

"My father gave me this ring, before we left Vinoli. I want you to have it. As my first birthday gift to you."

Holding up her hand, Merees stared at the piece of jewelry adorning her finger.

"Risha" she began. "Its beautiful,  but..."

"What is it?"

"Its a precious family heirloom, left to you by your father. Are you certain that you want me to have it?"

"I have never been more certain of anything in my life."

"Than I shall accept it, but I want you to know something."

"What's that?"

Merees reached out and, with her ringed hand, gently touched Risha's cheek.

"That the best birthday present is being with you."

"Aww, you make me blush."

"Don't worry though. I promise I'll get you something really nice for your birthday. Speaking of which, it hasn't already come and gone this year, has it?"

"No, there are still four months left....Hold on, what is that?"

"Where's what? What are you looking at?"

"Look!" Risha hissed, pointing out at the wine-dark sea. "There's something out there! Can't you see it?"

Merees looked in the direction Risha was pointing. At first, she saw nothing, but then her eyes began to make out a shape in the distance.

"Its probably just another ship" she said. "After all, we are hardly alone out here on the ocean."

"I think its heading towards us".

Indeed, the mysterious shape slowly and steadily drew closer to the theater-ship. Now, Merees too was getting worried.

"I'll go wake Eramus" she said.

Moments later, she returned with the troupe-leader in tow. The Latter was dressed in a morning-robe and carried a spyglass. Despite having been chased out of bed, he showed no signs of being tired.

"Very well" the old faun said. "Let's take a look at what we have here."

He brought the spyglass to his eyes.

"It is indeed a ship and its coming our way" he muttered and then suddenly, he cursed loudly and almost dropped the spyglass.

"What is it?" Risha and Merees both asked with one mouth.

"See for yourselves" Eramus said through clenched teeth.

He handed the spyglass to Risha, the lynx took it and brought it to her eye. Through the lens, she gazed at the approaching ship and the figures, dressed in colorful rags roaming its deck. Then she saw the flag and a fist closed over her heart.
It was a flag that the lynx-girl had previously only seen in books: It was black as night and on it, lit up by the moon, a white skull grinned maliciously.

Chapter 36

It is unknown whether any of the soldiers or officers of the Vinolian army had imagined the welcome that awaited them upon returning to their nation's capital. As the troops led by General Jeraddin made their way through the cobblestone streets, rose petals were strewn across their paths, while thousands of men, women and children, waved tiny flags and cheered loudly. 

Although knowing what we now know regarding the Conquest of Frigonia, it would be unfair of us to blame the Vinolians of the time for this collective display of patriotic fervor. After all, they had just trampled into the dust, a nation that had been their rival for so long and besides, they needed something to make them forget the terrible fire which had ravaged the oldest parts of the city and despite the best efforts of the fire brigade, had claimed a not insignificant number of lives and a decisive victory over an old enemy would therefore seem as good a reason to celebrate as any..."

- Excerpts from The Reign of Argath I by Pelagius.

******

As he soaked in the hot bath that had been prepared for him, Jeraddin's mind drifted back to a few hours ago, when he had been standing on one of the palace's balconies, looking down at the masses below. After she had pinned a medal to his chest, the Queen had given a speech, praising the superiority of the Vinolian way of life, which was proven by the courage of her soldiers.

"And as your Queen We promise you" she had continued, voice booming. "That those who did not make it home will not be forgotten. They are the greatest of heroes and a monument shall be erected to their honor, so that their names can live on forevermore!"

The Crowd had gone wild, cheering both Jeraddin's and the Queen's name at the top of their lungs.
Had the circumstances been different, this proof of his countrymen's admiration for him, would have caused Jeraddin's heart to swell with pride, but the circumstances being what they were, the lynx could find no joy in it. Still, he had waved his paw in greeting, hoping that his smile would not appear to forced.

Once the crowd had gone silent, the Queen had ordered the King of Frigonia and his uncle to be brought forth, along with a wooden chest. The Two ermines had been dressed in plain, brown clothing, making them look more like peasants than members of a royal family. Nevertheless, despite the defeat they had suffered and the humiliating terms they had to accept, the two of them had held their heads high, ignoring the disparaging words that the crowd had shouted at them.

As he reached for the bar of soap, Jeraddin recalled how much he had admired the courage and dignity with which Frigon and Orloff had faced this ordeal:

The King of Frigonia and the Queen of Vinoli had stared into each other's eyes. Then - his face briefly contorted by rage and humiliation - Frigon had knelt down, opened the wooden chest and from it, had removed the silver crown of Frigonia. A tear had gleamed in the young ruler's eyes as he had gazed upon what had once been the symbol for his authority. With a deep sigh, he had reluctantly offered the crown to Argath. She had accepted it and after showing the crown to her people, had placed on her own head.

This gesture actually caused the crowd to cheer even louder than before; something which Jeraddin had not thought possible and it was with a ringing in his ears that the lynx had taken his leave of the Queen and headed for home.
Home, yes, but only for a few hours. Later in the evening, wearing his gala uniform, Jeraddin took farewell of Albert and left for the palace, where a Victory Feast was to be held, with him as the guest of honor.  Since his new home being located closer to his destination than the previous one had been, Jeraddin had opted to walk there, instead of taking a cab.

It was not just in the palace that a feast was held. Indeed, the entire capital was busy celebrating the capital. From every tavern and every private house loud noises and cheers could be heard and the streets were filled with people, leaving one party to head for the next one. Frequently, some of them would recognize Jeraddin and ask him to join them for a drink, but the lynx politely rejected their offer.

Soon, he arrived outside the palace. He gazed up on the majestic building, as he had done many times before. It looked the same and yet, there was now something ominous about the edifice. Despite there not being a cloud in the sky, Jeraddin half-expected the roar of thunder and a lightning bolt to tear the sky apart.

Oh, well, he thought. At least there's one person in there that I want to see again. In spite of everything.

****

The day after Felix' and Lucinda's dinner with Cornelius, a servant knocked on the door to their domicile and informed Felix that the Queen had invited him over for tea.
 Until recently, Felix would have accepted such an invitation gladly. However, the things he had learned from his older colleague had only solidified his suspicion that Argath had orchestrated the King's death and he feared that he wouldn't be able to be in the same room as the Queen without giving himself away, thus putting himself and maybe his family in danger.

Still, Felix realized that it would be even more suspicious if he rejected the hospitality of his monarch and so, a few minutes later, he found himself  seated in a large, overstuffed armchair, with the Queen herself pouring him tea.

"One lump, or two?"

"No sugar, thank you" Felix said. "Your Majesty" he added, quickly.

Argath shrugged and immediately put three lumps in her cup and proceeded to stir it with a tea-spoon whose handle was shaped like a dragon's head.

"Its good to see that you have recovered from your illness" she said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. You are too kind."

Felix stared at the light-brown liquid in his cup and inhaled its fragrance. The tea smelled delicious. He was just about to sample it, when a terrible thought struck him: What if the tea was poisoned?

Don't be ridiculous! He admonished himself. Why would the Queen poison your tea? She can't possibly be aware of the things you've found out yesterday and besides, you're both drinking from the same pot.
This reasoning seemed sound enough, but, as we all know, fear is seldom ruled by logic. The Idea that his hostess, or someone else, had tampered with the tea was still firmly lodged in the iguana's brain, refusing to depart.

"Is the tea not to your liking, Councilor?" He heard the Queen ask.

Felix hurriedly shook his head, as he desperately tried to think of an excuse not to drink.

"No, Your Majesty, it smells divine, but its a bit hot for me, I shall wait a few minutes until it cools down."

"There's no need for that" the Queen said and, turning her head towards the door she bellowed a name, which almost made Felix jump out of his seat:

"Nasari!!"

Footsteps could be heard outside and soon, the door opened and Nasari entered the room. She stopped in front of Argath, her gaze lowered submissively.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"The Councilor's tea is a bit hot. Blow on it, will you?"

The presence of General Jeraddin's wife in the room had temporarily rendered Felix speechless. He had never really paid my attention to Nasari before, but now, he felt compelled to take a closer look at the female cat standing in front of him. She was quite attractive, Felix had to admit. Not as much as Lucinda, of course, but enough for one to sit up and take notice.

Nasari bent down, picked up the cup and blew; her breath making tiny ripples on the tea's surface. Having done this, she put the tea back down on its saucer.

Felix wanted to say something to Nasari. He wished there was a way he could let her know that he was on her side, but he knew that for the moment, such a thing was not possible.

"Thank you" he said and, praying fervently that the tea contained nothing dangerous, took a sip.

"Delicious" he said with sincerity.

To his surprise, Nasari thanked him.

"You made this?" Felix asked, feeling a wave of relief wash over him.

"I did."

Feeling quite sure now that there was nothing wrong with the tea, Felix took another sip. It tasted as good as it smelled. For a moment, the Iguana forgot where he was and in whose company and he closed his eyes as a wide smile lit up his face.

"Excellent" he murmured.

Just then, he was abruptly brought back to reality by the Queen telling Nasari that she could leave.
Bowing, Jeraddin's wife left the room.

On the table stood a tray, made of silver, upon which a pyramid made out of buns had been arranged. Fluffy, golden-brown and sprinkled with cinnamon. The mere sight of these treats could cause one's mouth to water. Having taken two buns, Argath pushed the tray towards Felix.
"Have a bun, Councilor. They are freshly baked", she said and bit into one with relish.

Felix thanked the Queen and took a bun, which he dipped in the tea. Truth was, while there was no denying the quality of the baked goods, the iguana did not have much of an appetite. Although the tea had soothed his nerves somewhat, being in the same room as Argath was enough to make him feel on edge.

Unexpectedly, Felix found himself thinking back to the time when the two of them had first met, in the summer a few years after the death of Felix's father. It was at that time, that Argath had unexpectedly decided to pay a visit to her old friend, Felix's mother, Maja. The future Councillor had only been a child at the time, but the Princess had spoken to him as she would to an adult. At the time, Felix had found this flattering. Now, though, he could not help but ask himself what had been going on in Argath's mind, behind her genial smile and affable disposition?

The Queen wiped the remnants of her seventh bun from the corners of her mouth. She then slung her left arm over the back of her chair, while fixing her eyes on her guest.

"I understand that you and Lucinda paid a visit to Cornelius recently."

"Your Majesty is well informed", Felix said, inclining his head slightly.

"I must say that I'm surprised that you accepted his invitation. Considering your past differences."

"Well, Lucinda and I went there in the hope that the dinner would serve as an olive branch."

"Oh? And did it?"

"In a way, yes. After a few bottles both Cornelius and I had forgiven each other. However, he also admitted to having an ulterior motive for inviting us. He wants to return to court and was counting on me to persuade Your Majesty to let him back."

"Out of the question" Argath said, in a tone that made it clear that this matter was closed, permanently. 

A silence sank over the small gathering. After awhile, the Queen spoke again:

"I have been with a lot of women in my life, Felix" she said, sounding almost wistful.

Felix said nothing, but only nodded politely, waiting for Argath to continue. 

Where is she going with this? He wondered. No, wait, I think I know.

"However, among all those women, there was only one who made my heart sing. That was Maja, your late mother. When I was with her, I felt at peace. A word from her and I would have forgiven those who had wronged me. With her gone, you are the only thing I have to remind me of her and those precious moments we shared together. No doubt that is why I've always looked with favor on you and, by extension, your family as well."

"We are all deeply honored and grateful to have Your Majesty's friendship."

Argath clasped her hands together and nodded. A thin smile danced over her face.

"Do you remember when we first met? I asked you what your favorite subject in school was and you said 'painting'. Correct me if I'm mistaken."

"That's right. Your Majesty's memory is like a steel-trap."

"As for me, my favorite subject was history. As a girl, I studied it passionately and soon, my knowledge of it eclipsed my tutors and as my knowledge grew, something became increasingly obvious to me. Do you know what that was?"

"I'm afraid not, Your Majesty."

"It was the realization that Vinoli is a chosen nation, superior to all others with their barbaric and unjust laws. For example, even today there are nations in which people like old Cornelius or myself can be thrown into prison, or even executed, merely for following our natural  tendencies. I ask you, does such a society really deserve to be called civilized?"

Felix shook his head vehemently.

"Absolutely not, Your Majesty."

"Exactly!" Argath rose from her chair and began to pace around the room, her crooked tail swaying menacingly behind her, like a malformed snake, waiting to strike.

"The World would be a better place if these nations were made to embrace the Vinolian way of life, even if it is under duress. I never voiced my opinions on this matter to the late King, knowing that he would be against it. Now, its different though; I am the head of state now and I intend to turn Vinoli into an Empire. An empire on which the sun will never set."

As he listened to the Queen's passionate tirade, Felix thought back on what he had found out at Cornelius' place. When he had listened to Cornelius reading from his father's journal and learned about the existence of Argeron, the iguana had found himself empathizing with the sister of the long-deceased Prince: From what had been written in the journal, it was clear that Argath had loved her older brother deeply, idolizing him even and Felix could certainly understand that his early death had left her with deep emotional wounds that, in her mind, could only be healed by punishing those she held responsible for his death.

Then and there, although he did not condone her actions,  Felix had understood, why Argath had taken them. Here and now though, seeing the Queen talk about the plans she had for her Kingdom, Felix could not help but wonder: It was clear that this idea of making Vinoli into an Empire had been an obsession of the Queen's for ages.  If so, what would have happened if Argeron had lived and succeeded his father on the throne? Would he have been in line with his sister's plans or would he have rejected them outright? In that case, what would Argath have done?

Felix was brought back to the present by the realization that the Queen had stopped her pacing and was now looming over him.

"Building this Empire will take time. It will also take blood, sweat and tears, but those who stand by my side will not find me ungenerous. In a World where Vinoli is the dominant nation, they will be the elite of this new order. However, for those who choose to stand in the way of Vinoli's destiny, there will be no mercy. No matter who they are, my fire will consume them and their names will be wiped out, so that it was as if they had never even existed. Now, I ask you, Felix: Are you with me?"

"A-absolutely, Your Majesty" the iguana stammered.

"And do you promise not to have anything to do with old Cornelius anymore?"

"I do."

The Queen nodded, apparently satisfied.

"Good" she said and extended her hand, the one that wore the ring with the royal insignia. Felix immediately rose, got down on one knee and kissed the ring. "Then you may leave Us, We shall see both you and your wife at the feast celebrating our victory over the Frigonians."

Felix left the Royal apartments on unsteady legs,  gritting his teeth and hoping that he would find his way to a lavatory in time.

Chapter 35

Risha woke up convinced that during the night, a tiny demon had entered her head and was now busy using her brain as a drum. Sitting up, the lynx-girl gazed around the room through heavy-lidded eyes. She turned her head slowly toward the other side of the bed, excepting to find Merees there. To her surprise, there was no-one there. Two alternatives presented themselves: Either, Merees had woken up early and Risha had been so deep in sleep that she hadn't noticed. Or, she had never been in the room at all.

But why would that be the case? Risha wondered. Did something happen yesterday?

As she washed her face, Risha wracked her brain, trying to remember the events of the evening before. Yesterday, Doctor Hieronymus had hosted the farewell-party for his guests and the theater troupe.

Everyone had been there. Well, everyone except one person; that disagreeable ocelot had not been present, though Risha vaguely recalled that one other member of the troupe had headed of to their ship with a plate of food, no doubt meant for the jerk. Anyway, the party had been splendid. Their host had really gone all out and as a result, everyone present had had a great time. At least, as far as Risha could recall.

Moments later, Risha now fully dressed, left the guest room and went downstairs. The demon was still there, though its drumming had grown less persistent. As she traversed the stairs, the smell of coffee filled the lynx-girl's nose, causing it to twitch in anticipation.

Coffee! Sweet nectar of gods! At this point, she would have killed for a mug. Scratch that, just a few drops would suffice.

Guided by her nose, Risha entered the dining room and found it empty. No doubt the others had already finished their morning meal. She went into the kitchen and immediately helped herself to what was left of the morning coffee. Sitting down at the table, she brought the cup to her lips, blew on the coffee's surface and swallowed a mouthful. She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of the divine black liquid surging through her system. Another mouthful and the demon was silenced. Forever.

Feeling a lot better, Risha thought that she should try to eat something. In the kitchen, she found some leftovers from yesterday's party, which she took with her and began to consume. She ate slowly at first, still unsure if she would be able to keep the meal down, but with every bite her appetite gradually came back, until finally, she ate with relish.

Having emptied the plate of its content, Risha decided that she should go and see what the others were doing on this, their last day on the Island. She headed out to the veranda, where Merees was busy teaching Leorin how to play Xecho. Both of them were deeply engaged in the game, staring intently at the board.

Let's see, Merees thought to herself. If I move my knight over there, it should allow me to take out Leorin's tower, but than I'll leave my wizard unattended...

The Dragoness' deep concentration was abruptly broken by two arms wrapping themselves around her. Surprised, the Princess turned her head slightly, to see who it was.

"Good Morning, Sweet-Scales" Risha said, as she lovingly nuzzled Merees' neck.

"Oh, its you" Merees said, distractedly. "Good Morning."

Having expected a bit more than that from her girl-friend, who had now turned  her focus back on the board; Risha found herself a tad disappointed. Very well, if she wasn't in the mood, so be it.

With a sigh, Risha removed her arms from around Merees' chest and walked over to Leorin.

"How's my favorite little brother today?" She asked and feeling affectionate, she reached out to playfully tussle the fur on the cat-boy's head.

To Risha's surprise, Leorin turned and glared angrily at her.

"Don't touch me" he hissed, his ears flat on his head.

With those words, Leo stood up, almost knocking his chair over and, before his sister had time to react, stormed off into the garden. For a moment, Risha remained frozen on the spot, completely taken aback by her brother's reaction.

What's gotten into him? She wondered, shaking her head in disbelief. With a shrug, she glanced at Leorin's side of the board.

"Hey, Mer?"

Merees, who had been playing with one of the pieces, put it down.

"Yes?"

"Did Leo get annoyed because he was about to lose or something? I swear, he can be such a baby sometimes."

She shook her head at her brother's childishness, but stopped  when she noticed the stern look on Merees' face.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked, her head tilted to one side, left eyebrow raised.

"Let me ask you something", said Merees. "How much of the party do you remember?"

Risha shrugged.

"Not much, but I did wake up with an awful headache." She smiled nervously. "I guess I didn't go easy on the liquor, huh?"

"That's putting it mildly. Sit down, please. I think we should talk."

Risha swallowed, Merees did not look angry, nor had she raised her voice. Still, there was something in her tone which made Risha feel as though a pit had just appeared in her stomach. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she sat down and listened as Merees recounted everything that had happened last evening.

*****

Leorin sat on the beach, staring out at the ocean. A tiny crab scuttled by, stopping near one of its kitten's toes and studying it, trying to determine whether to pinch it or not. A stone which landed close to it, made it think differently and it disappeared as quickly as its tiny legs could carry it, angrily snapping the air with its claws. At first, Leorin considered throwing another stone at the crab, but thought better of it. Instead, he turned his gaze back toward the ocean, his mind drifting back to home and to his parents, especially his mother. How he wished she was here now, instead of his stupid sister. Who needed her anyway, or girls in general for that matter?

"Risha, you jerk" Leorin sniffled. A fresh tear appeared in the corner of his eye and made its way down his cheek only to be stuck dangling in his whiskers. He brushed it away, but no sooner had he done that, before a new one appeared to take the place of its fallen brethren. Soon, the tears were streaming freely down both sides of Leorin's face, while his small body shook with anger.

Suddenly, Leorin's ears picked up the sound of  two distinct pair of footsteps approaching. Then, he heard a voice above his head:

"Leo, your sister has something she wants to say to you."

Leorin did not turn around.

"What?" He muttered in a surly tone.

"I'm sorry."

The words caught Leorin's attention. Slowly, he turned his head slightly and was face to face with Risha and Merees. The former was standing up, but the latter had dropped to her knees, her eyes were red and puffy, proof of the tears that she had shed not long before.

This sight caught Leorin with surprise. During the short time he had been alive, he had seen his sister look at  him in different ways. Sometimes, her look had described affection, other times frustration, but the emotion that was no stamped over Risha's features, was one that Leorin had never seen before. At least, not in relation to himself:

Shame.

Staring at this image of remorse in front of him, Leorin felt all the frustration and anger he had carried with him melt away, like the final remnants of winter in springtime. Before he knew it, he had thrown his arms around Risha, his tears running down her neck and the collar of her shirt.

******

Finally, the moment had come for Risha, Leorin and Merees to leave the sanctuary of the island and journey out into the World. Everyone had gathered aboard the ship, where words of farewell took place.
"You will always be welcome here" Hieronymus said, as he took Risha's paw in his own and shook it.

"Thank you for everything, Doctor" she said. "You too, Amelia."

The otter-girl, released Leorin from the hug she had caught him in and looked up.

"Come back soon" she said.

"You're absolutely certain you want to stay?" Merees asked Luke. She was wearing her cloak, which was now repaired. She and the siblings had picked it up from the tailor and while they were there, Merees had also brought new clothes for the three of them.
Luke shook his head.

"No thank you, I've had quite enough of sea-faring. I wish to stay here and learn from the Doc. Besides" he added, his paw brushing against Amelia's. "There's another reason why I wish to remain."

And so, having said all that needed to be said, Doctor Hieornymus, his adopted niece and Luke, all disembarked as the ship set sail.
Risha, Merees and Leorin stood in the prow watching and waving, until finally, the island and the friends they had made there had vanished from sight.

Final Space

Sorry about the lack of new content the past few months. It was not my intention to let the blog go on hiatus for quite this long, but unfortunately, sometimes these things happen. Nonetheless, I offer you my apologies.

Anyway, not too long ago I wrapped up the eight season of Friendship Is Magic and originally, I had intended to write something about it. However, nothing I wrote really satisfied me, so I decided to put that idea on ice. However, I will briefly, give my opinion on this; the show's penultimate season, before we move on to the main event. 

Basically, while season 8 did feature several episodes I really like, I can't deny that MLP at this point is getting a bit long in the tooth and I don't feel as strongly for the series as I used too. Still, I will probably watch the final season, if only to see how the show ends.

But enough about miniature equines, its time to talk about another cartoon I watched fairly recently: Final Space. 

For those of you not in the know, Final Space is an animated series, which aired earlier this year., created by Olan Rogers. 

I first became aware of this series thanks to a video by Youtube cartoon reviewer EyeofSol, titled Final Space And the " Adult" Animation Myth (found here, in case you are interested), which piqued my curiosity in the show and upon seeing that it was available on Netflix, I decided to give it a go.

Set in the distant future, Final Space is the story of Gary Goodspeed, a young man who, due to certain circumstances, is currently serving a five year sentence aboard the prison ship, Galaxy One. Gary's routine is abruptly shattered when an adorable green creature crashes into him. Taking a liking to the critter, Gary names it Mooncake and adopts it as a pet. 

Unfortunately, it turns out that there are other people interested in Mooncake and soon, Gary finds himself caught up in a mission to keep his new friend out of the clutches of an alien warlord known as the Lord Commander and save the universe from complete destruction. You know, the usual stuff.

That's the basic plot of the show. So, what did I think of it? 

Well, I'm going to start by touching briefly on what is, in my opinion, one of the weakest aspects of Final Space: The Comedy. Now, of course I know that comedy is one of the most subjective things ever and if you found this show to be hilarious, than good for you. Personally though, I found the humor to be very hit & miss. Does that mean I sat through the first season of Final Space more stone-faced than a peeved Clint Eastwood? No, not at all; there was the occasional moment that made me crack a smile, but for the most part, the comedy of Final Space didn't tickle my funny-bone: I knew I was supposed to find certain scenes or exchanges funny, but they did not do it for me. 

Another aspect in which the show falters a bit is in the depiction of its main character, Gary. Voiced by Rogers himself (who also does the voice of Mooncake), most of Gary's dialogue consists of him either yelling in a high-pitched voice, rambling and otherwise being pretty obnoxious. In fact, watching Final Space I got the feeling that Gary could have stepped out of a web-comic and not one of the good ones either. 

To be fair, Gary gets a bit more tolerable as the show progresses and he has his moments that prevented me from completely disliking him, but there were still plenty of times when I wished he would shut up.

That's pretty much all the negative stuff I have to say about this series, because when push comes to shove, Final Space has far more strengths than flaws. 

The show's comedy may be uneven, but it definitely succeeds when it comes to its more serious and dramatic moments.  For example, I may not really be a fan of Gary as a character, but that doesn't change the fact that an early scene showing us his loneliness and isolation made me feel for the guy. Other moments, such as the death of a major character are handled very well. Furthermore, the plot is consistently engaging across the ten episodes that makes up the show's first season.

Finally, the voice actors all do a good job bringing their characters to life. The stand-out among the cast must be David Tennant, whose performance helps make the Lord Commander one of the more memorable villains to appear in a cartoon recently.

Despite a few quibbles, I do genuinely recommend Final Space and am looking forward to the second season and hope that it will prove as entertaining (or more) as this one. If you are in the mood for a serialized space-opera adventure, I say check it out.

My Favorite Animated Shows (2018 Edition)

Way back in 2015, I made a list of what I considered, at the time, to be my favorite animated shows; western cartoons and anime alike. Since then a lot has happened. Not only have I discovered plenty of new shows ("new" as in I hadn't seen them before, some of them are quite old) that are worthy to be included among my favorites, but I've also gone back and re-watched shows that I had not seen for many years. As such, I figured that it was high time that I updated my old list.  Before you jump ahead to check whether or not one of your favorite shows made it, there are a few things I need to inform you about:

First of all, unlike the previous list, this one does not rank the shows in order from best to, well, least best (there's no such thing as a worst entry on a list of favorites). Instead, I've chosen to list them in alphabetical order.
 I realize that this may take some of the fun out of things, since one of the main reasons as to why one would check out a list like this is due to curiosity as to where one's favorite show has placed and if its actually on the list at all. However, I prefer to do it this way. Besides, it will make it easier for me to add or remove shows, should I feel like it.

Furthermore, I've decided to limit myself to shows that have either finished airing or aren't currently airing new episodes.
Finally, if there's a show on here that you haven't seen, I hope that I have, in some way, made you interested in checking it out.
Well, enough of that. Let's get on to what you are all here for. Here we go:

Update 26/2 2019: Space Brothers added (full description to follow)

3000 Leauges in Search of Mother 

With 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother, or Haha wo Tasunete Sanzenri as its called in the original Japanese, the late Isao Takahata (who passed away earlier this year) took a single chapter, albeit a very long one, of the Italian children's novel Cuore and expanded it into a 52 episode long anime, the result was arguably the best example of so-called adaptation expansion ever seen. During the course of its run-time, 3000 League presents the viewer with very believable depictions of life in Italy and South America during the late 19th Century and makes us care for the characters and their plight. A true classic and a worthy show to start this list of with.

Ashita no Joe

I'm a huge fan of Osamu Dezaki and so, it should come as no surprise that he will be well represented on this list, with Ashita no Joe being the first show of his to appear. The oldest show on the list,  Ashita no Joe (or Tomorrow's Joe, if you prefer) is a legendary anime and for good reasons; following Yabuki Joe's career in the boxing-ring as well as his personal growth as a person is fascinating. Definitely an anime that deserves its iconic status. 

Ashita no Nadja

Out of the shows I re-watched before making this list, Ashita no Nadja is most certainly the one that improved the most in my estimation. Not that I didn't like it before, but this second viewing of the series really elevated it in my eyes. The story of Nadja and her quest to find her mother has the feeling of one of those books that you read at a certain point in your life and which then stays with you forever. Add a great cast of supporting characters (including a really memorable villainess/anti-heroine), most of whom gets fleshed out during the course of the story and you have one of the finest works that the Shoujo genre has produced.

Dennou Coil

A great science-fiction series, Dennou Coil is also a rare example of an anime where the one-off episodes are more interesting and memorable than the ones that focus on the main plot. Not that the plot of Dennou Coil is bad, but its not what earns the show a spot on this list. No, what does are the episodes which was dedicated to exploring the setting and the technology invented for the series. Episodes such as the one in which the kids grow sentient beards or befriend a dinosaur-looking illegal were the most memorable ones the show has to offer and the ones that I, having recently re-watched the series for the first time in years, remembered the most vividly.

Future Boy Conan

In many ways, Future Boy Conan feels like a blue-print for Miyazaki's later work. Several character-types and themes appear in this series that will re-occur throughout the famed director's career. Of course, if that was the only thing Future Boy Conan had going for it, it wouldn't be on the list. No, Future Boy Conan is a great series in its own right and, even today stands as one of my favorite things Miyazaki has ever been involved in.

Gankutsuou

The best thing to come out of studio Gonzo. Gankutsuou is an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo, that despite taking place in the future and incorporating giant robots and demonic possessions in the plot, still captured the spirit of Dumas' novel better than any other version I've seen. The Count himself is charismatic, manipulative and completely merciless in his quest for revenge, as he should be and while I didn't care much for his character, I do think the decision to make Albert the protagonist instead of Edmond was an interesting one, since it adds an aura of mystery and terror to the story: Just who is this guy who worms his way into the lives of these families? What is his deal? 

In some ways, Gankutsuou actually improves on Dumas' work. For example, I never found Franz d'Epinay all that interesting in the original novel, but here he soon became one of my favorite members of the cast. In short, Gankutsuo is easily one of my favorite adaptations of a literary classic in any medium.

Gargoyles

I grew up in the 90's and Disney-cartoons like Talespin and Darkwing Duck were definitely a huge part of my childhood. Gargoyles, however, was not. The Show never aired in Sweden and so, it wasn't until much later in life that I became aware of its existence. Better late than never though, as the saying goes. With its comparatively darker and serious plots and art-style, Gargoyles had more in common with shows like Batman: TAS at its best, than its peers. Definitely my favorite animated series to come out of Disney and the best thing Greg Weisman ever created.

Giant Gorg

I've watched my share of mecha anime in my days, including several installments of the Gundam franchise. That said, if I had to pick only one representative of the genre to be on the list, it would have to be Giant Gorg. Featuring a memorable cast of characters, some of which aren't what they seem to be, as well as a great sense of adventure and mystery, this is a show that I would recommend even to those who are not into stuff involving giant robots.

Kaiba

The first Masaaki Yuasa anime on this list. The first half of Kaiba calls to mind the classic children's book The Little Prince, with the main character travelling to various planets and encountering their inhabitants. Although, it should be pointed out that Kaiba features a lot more violence and sexually active characters than Saint-Exupéry's opus. Taking place in the distant future, in which memories can be bought and sold, Kaiba is a great science-fiction story and one of the best short anime I've seen.

Legend of the Galactic Heroes

This is the anime equivalent to something like War and Peace; a huge, sprawling epic with a cast that numbers in the hundreds. I don't know if I'll ever re-watch Legend of the Galactic Heroes, due to its massive length, but it is a show that I will always hold in immensely high regard. I'd go so far as to say that every anime-fan should watch it at least once.

The Long Long Holiday

A children's cartoon set during World War 2? That's not something you see every day, but that's exactly what the French cartoon Les Grandes Grandes Vacances, or The Long Long Holiday is. What's more, despite being for a children, the show does not pull its punches. It starts out fairly light, but as the characters become more involved with the local resistance and the Germans' grip on the village tighten, the show gradually takes on a darker, more serious tone. The final few episodes are among the most intense I have seen. Its not often that a cartoon has me concerned about the fate of its main characters, but The Long Long Holiday managed to do just that.

The Maxx

I've read the two volumes of the original Sam Keith comic that The Maxx is based on and why I enjoyed them a lot, this is one of the instances where I actually prefer the adaptation over the source material. Of course, the The Maxx cartoon is one of the most faithful adaptions of a comic-book I've seen, with only a few minor changes made to the story, such as replacing Erik Larsen's character Savage Dragon (a comic I've never read, incidentally) with a generic detective, or adding a new ending to wrap things up. With its treatment of serious themes, complex cast of characters and some of the best voice acting I've ever heard, The Maxx stands out as one of the most interesting western cartoons ever made. Of all the cartoons to come out of MTV in the 90's (though much like Gargoyles, I didn't watch it until much later), this is my favorite.

Mononoke & Mushi-Shi

That's right, I'm putting both these shows together. They are pretty much two sides of the same coin, with both of them starring an enigmatic character wandering the Japanese countryside, dealing with things beyond normal humans. Of course, there are several differences between them, such as their respective artstyles and Mushi-Shi having a calmer and more meditative feel to it, while Mononoke is more steeped in horror. Either way, both are great shows and definitely belong among my favorites.

Oniisama-E...

The first Osamu Dezaki adaptation of a Riyoko Ikeda manga on this list and although I have a slight preference for The Rose of Versailles, due to its more compelling main character and the fact that it takes place during a very interesting time in history, Oniisama E... (Dear Brother) certainly rivals the older show in terms of characterization and drama. I would also say that this is the best looking of all the shows Dezaki directed and considering how all his shows tend to look great, that's saying a lot.

Paranoia Agent

The body of work left behind by the late Satoshi Kon may have been small, but its quality can not be disputed. My personal favorite of Kon's work is Paranoia Agent, his only series. 

At its core, Paranoia Agent is basically a morality-tale about taking responsibility for one's actions, but its also a great mystery in the vein of David Lynch, filled with memorably weird imagery and characters. Never have cute little plush-dogs been so creepy.

Ping Pong the Animation

Out of all Yuasa's shows, Ping Pong is easily the one that's most grounded in real-life; there are no time-loops or other fantastic concepts to be found here. That's not to say that Ping Pong is boring though, far from it! The various ping-pong matches are both well-animated and full of intensity as well as great vehicles for exploring the characters and their motivations. All in all, Ping Pong is a show that deserves to stand alongside the likes of Ashita no Joe as one of the great works of its genre.

Princess Tutu

The title of this show and the fact that its main character is a duck who wants to dance ballet may lead you to believe that Princess Tutu is going to be something cute and light-hearted. Well, you'd be mistaken; the show is not devoid of cuteness, but its also filled with some really dark and intense moments, particularly near the end. Oh, and as you'd expect from a show like this, the music is fantastic.

Revolutionary Girl Utena

Revolutionary Girl Utena occupied the top spot on my old list and if this one was in any order...Well, it would definitely still be in the top three. No other show on this list is as heavy with symbolism or enjoyable in as many different ways as Revolutionary Girl Utena. It deals with important themes such as growing up, sexuality, gender roles, etc and does so expertly. It has conspiracy, intrigue, sword-fights, great comedic moments and an awesome soundtrack. Moreover it features one of the best ensemble casts in any show, animated or live-action. Basically, Utena is one of those shows that I think has something for everyone and while I do like Mawaru Penguindrum a lot (and am thinking of giving Yuri Kuma Arashi a second go), to me, Revolutionary Girl Utena will always be Kunihiko Ikuhara's magnum opus.

The Rose of Versailles

Its hard to pick a favorite out of Osamu Dezaki's work, but if I had to choose I'd go with The Rose of Versailles. Its often melodramatic as all get out, but the melodrama actually works, since its very easy to imagine the french aristocrats acting in that way. The show also does a good job at highlighting the differences between the petty schemes of the nobility and the much more important concerns of the french people at the time. Plus, The Rose of Versailles features one of the most charismatic, badass and awe-inspiring protagonists I've seen in Oscar Francois de Jareyes. As Axel von Fersen says to her at one point in the show: "Oscar, you are manlier than a man." 

Truer words were seldom spoken.

Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

The newest show on the list, from a chronological perspective. Genroku Rakugo is one of the great character studies of the medium, chronicling the life of one man, from his childhood to his old age, while also letting us know the people around him. Its also a show that should be watched by anyone who appreciates the art of telling a good story. An amazing show that is a strong candidate for my favorite animated show of this decade.

Simoun

In my old review of Simoun (Please check it out for a more detailed view on what I thought of the show) I wrote that if I was to ever update my old top animated shows list, the show would definitely be on it somewhere. Well, here it is. With its well-developed cast of characters, interesting world-building and great music, Simoun has more than earned a place among my favorites.

Space Brothers

Many shows, whether live-action or animated deal with the relationship between siblings in some ways, it may not be the focus of the show, but its almost always there in some fashion. That said, if I had to pick my favorite sibling relationship it would have to be the one between Mutta and Hibito Namba; the titular Space Brothers. I think that everyone who has a brother and/or is one, can recognize themselves in these two. I know I did. 

Of course, that's not the only thing that earns Space Brothers a spot on this list. Throughout its 90+ episodes, the show presents us with an engaging story and well-drawn characters. In fact, the characterization is one of the strongest parts of this show, Mutta may be the protagonist, but many of the other characters feels as though they are the stars of their own stories, who just happens to cross the elder Namba brother's path.

Takarajima

Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island is the novel about pirates and one of the foremost adventure novels ever written. As such, it is no wonder that it has been adapted many times over the years and though I haven't seen every version of the story, my favorite adaptation has to be this animated series courtesy of none other than Osamu Dezaki. Its not completely faithful to its source material (than again, what adaptation is?), but it captures the spirit of adventure and excitement of Stevenson's story perfectly and the changes that were made are, in my opinion, actually improvements; making an already classic story even better. The characters from the book were never portrayed better  than in this series, especially its two stars: John Silver and Jim Hawkins. Jim is especially great in this one, being a far more entertaining character than he usually is. Furthermore, the characters invented for the series, such as Puppy and Gray, fits so well within the narrative that its hard to picture Treasure Island without them. To this day, Takarajima stands as one of the finest adventure series that it has ever been my pleasure to watch.

The Tatami Galaxy

The final anime on this list to be directed by Masaki Yuaasa. The main character of The Tatami Galaxy lives through several different time-lines and in each one he tries to have the perfect college-experience ("the rose-colored campus life", as he calls it) . Naturally, he never achieves this goal, at first it seems like the blame for this should be laid entirely on Ozu, the protagonist's impish friend, but it gradually becomes clear that things are not quite so simple. The Tatami Galaxy is fantastic; its funny with hilarious rapid-style narration from the main character and it takes full advantage of its alternative time-line gimmick to show different aspects of its cast and of course like everything else Yuaasa has done, it has a really interesting look to it. One that I personally think is great.

The Venture Bros.

Closing out the list we have my favorite Adult Swim cartoon. The Venture Bros started out as a parody of boy-adventurers in general and Johnny Quest in particular, but has since evolved into something much more than that; featuring character-development and story-lines that the things it started out parodying could only dream of, while still being genuinely funny. Make no mistake, The Venture Bros main theme may be failure, but the show itself is definitely not a failure at all.

Excerpts

Excerpt 1:

My name is Argath, I am currently Forty-Nine years old. Normally, this would mean that I have long since reached adulthood, but since I'm a dragon and our species age slower, that means I'm still a child. Although, at the risk of being accused of bragging, I've been told that I am very precocious and several guests of my father's have praised my conversational skills and expressed admiration for my knowledge regarding many topics. I do well in all my subjects, but my favorite is history; both the history of my own country and that of others.

Anyway, since I mentioned my father, I thought I should write a bit about each member of my family.
First of all, I should specify that my family is not just any family, but the family that rules the land of Vinoli and have done so for several hundred years, ever since the people of this land first chose my father to become their King.

I admire my father greatly. There are times when the mere thought of being his daughter fills me with pride. I know that I will not inherit the crown, but if I did, I would strive to follow my father's example as a ruler.

I am my father's youngest child, above me there are three brothers. Kheron is the oldest, he was born without the use of his legs and has a frail constitution. What he lacks in stamina though, he more than makes up for in brains. I think he is the most knowledgeable person in the World and although my tutors are without a doubt well worth their pay, I think I've learned more from him than they could teach me.

My second brother is Thekros and here you must forgive me. I know that one should not speak badly of one's own kin, but Thekros, to be perfectly blunt, is a jerk-face. He and father can't seem to be in a room together without arguing and he's always quick with an insult or a remark, which are always carefully chosen to hurt its target the most.

Finally and most importantly, there's my third brother, Argeron.
Unlike my two other brothers, Argeron and I share the same mother. I've heard that that is a extremely rare among dragons, which perhaps account for the strong bond between us.
Of all the members of my family that I care for, Argeron is the one that I feel the closest to. Despite being the third son, my brother has been chosen to be our father's heir. I know he make a great King and I shall be there by his side, supporting him and helping make our country even greater than it already is.

I realize that I have not mentioned my mother and there's a reason for that: I've never met her. She died giving birth to me. Thekros once said that she died of fright when she laid eyes on me (I told you he was a jerk), which earned him a punch on the arm from Argeron. Thekros did not dare to retaliate, for despite being the younger brother, Argeron surprasses him in physical strength.

 I have, however, seen my mother's portrait, painted by one of our nation's finest artists. When I first laid eyes upon the picture, I was not aware of the identity of the woman in it, but I was struck by her beauty and so, I asked Argeron who he was.

"Our mother" he replied and for a brief moment, my brother looked sadder than I had ever seen him.

Then, he smiled and asked if I wanted to know more about her, this woman who had left this World the same moment that I had entered it.

I said yes and so, Argeron began to tell me about our mother. She seems to have been kind, loving person, well liked by everyone. As I listened to my brother, I couldn't help but think that the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Excerpt 2:

I have not been able to write for awhile and the reason is that I have been busy recovering from an injury.

It happened like this: I was walking in the garden, when suddenly I found myself seized by the urge to climb a tree. Thankfully, there is no shortage of trees in the palace garden, the problem was which one should I choose? I finally settled on a majestic chestnut tree, which I decided would prove a sufficient challenge for my prowess. Perhaps I should point out that I was wearing one of my favorite dresses and, not wanting to risk it being snagged on a branch, I took it off and placed it on a nearby bench.

I decided to aim for the very top of the tree. A daunting task, perhaps, but I am quite a skilled tree-climber and so, I began to move towards my goal, digging my claws into the trunk and branches of the tree.

I estimate that I was about the half-way to the top, when I decided to stop for a quick rest. Spying a branch, which seemed sturdy enough, I crawled out on it. That's when the branch snapped.
I can't recall the actual fall, only that one minute I was in the tree and the next I was not. Two of the gardeners found me unconscious and one of them rushed to fetch the Royal Physician.
The result of my escapade? A few broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder,  a concussion and a sprained tail.

Thanks to the skill of our doctor, my injuries are now fully healed and I am back to how I was before. Well, with one exception; my tail is shorter than it was before and has become slightly crooked. I was quite proud of my tail, which was longer than any of my  siblings and the realization that it would never be the way it used to, caused me to shed the first tears I had cried in years.

After I had recuperated fully, my father had me summoned to his study, where he chided me for being so careless and made me promise not to climb anymore trees. I made the promise with ease, this incident has made me lose all taste for tree-climbing. Besides, I've started to become to old for such childish activities anyway.

As for the chestnut, it was discovered that it had been infected with some sort of parasite. My father ordered it to be cut down.

Chapter 34

A carriage drawn by two horses sped across the plains, it was escorted by six riders, each of them wearing swords. Inside the carriage, Julius looked out at the Frigonian landscape rushing past his eyes.

What a wild and untamed land this is, the Councillor thought. Lakes and forests, only interrupted by the occasional small village or homestead. How could we let such a backwards nation wage war against us twice?

Julius shook his head in disbelief. Well, there would be no more of that. From now on, the Frigonians would have to embrace a different culture, a culture far superior to their own.

Just wait, Julius mused. We are going to civilize this country. Soon, they'll come to understand that being conquered by us was the best thing that could have happened to them.

Turning away from the window, the wolf glanced at the large sealed envelope lying next to him, before leaning back in the seat and closing as eyes. After all, there wasn't much to look at outside...

...The sound of someone knocking on the side of the carriage caused Julius' ears to perk up. He opened his eyes with a yawn and leaned out the window, turning with a questioning look at the closest rider, a hare.

"Beg your pardon, Sir" said  the rider. "We are approaching Friborg, I thought it best to wake you up."

Julius looked at the direction the rider was pointing at. Indeed, in the distance the walls of a city could be seen.
The carriage passed by the field on which the battle for Friborg and by extension Frigonia, had taken place. For a moment, Julius found himself thinking of all the blood that had been spilled that day on the many Vinolians who would never again see their homeland and for a brief moment, a shadow passed over his face.

The carriage entered the Frigonian capital and Julius gazed contemptuously at Friborg's narrow streets and the thatched roofs of its houses, few of which were more than one story high. People passed by; Frigonians with their eyes downcast and Vinolian soldiers with their heads held high. The Conqueror and the conquered. One boy, upon seeing the carriage, picked up some mud and flung it at it. This action earned him a hard shove from a nearby soldier, which caused the young would-be rebel to end up face first in the muck. At a fruit-stand, two other soldiers were busy harassing the vendor.
Julius paid little heed to these events. It was up to Jeraddin to keep his men under control and besides, the sooner the Frigonians learned who was in charge, the better.

The carriage continued on its way, until finally it entered the castle courtyard. Here, it stopped and the riders dismounted while the driver opened the door to the carriage. Almost, immediately two soldiers; a marten and a cat, came up to the carriage. Upon seeing Julius stepping out of it, they saluted.

"I am here on behalf of Her Majesty" the wolf explained, brandishing the envelope. "You: Show me to the General" he commanded, pointing at the marten. "You: Water the horses."

While the cat led the horses away, Julius followed the marten into the castle. As they walked through a long hallway, the Councilor asked if there had been any problems after the capital had surrendered.

"No, Sir" the marten replied, shaking his head. "The General had all the weapons in the city confiscated and anyway, the King and his uncle under house-arrest." A smile broke out on the marten's face and he shook his head in wonder. "I tell you, Sir, those Northerners know how to fight, but we showed them in the end. Once and for all." He let out a low chuckle, then froze on the spot.

"My apologies, Sir. I suppose that comment was unbecoming."

Julius shook his head.

"Not at all, what you said was completely correct."
The Marten seemed pleased by this and the two kept walking until, finally, they came to two large wooden doors.

"This is the dining hall," the marten explained. "The General is in there right now, eating dinner. He hasn't' had any since yesterday" he added, somewhat unnecessary in Julius thought. What did he care about Jeraddin's eating habits?

The Marten knocked on one of the doors and it was opened by another soldier, this one being a monkey.

"State your business" the monkey said.

"Tell the General that there's an emissary from the Queen has arrived."

At this point, the monkey noticed Julius standing behind the marten and his eyes widened. With a quick salute, he shut the door and then, moments later, opened it again:

"The General will see you, Sir" he said. "This way."

With that, the monkey stepped aside allowing Julius to pass over the threshold. Before he did, the Councilor dismissed the marten, who returned to the courtyard, while the Monkey moved aside so that Julius could enter.

 He found himself in a room whose only decoration were two tapestries wearing the Frigonian Royal Family's insignia. The Wolf looked at them with distaste. There was also a fireplace and a long table made out of oak. At the high-seat of the table sat Jeraddin, cutting into a fried fish. As soon as he saw Julius approaching, the lynx put down his fork and stood up.

"Councilor" he said, bowing slightly.

"General" said Julius, answering the bow with one of his own. "I am here on behalf of the Queen.

Where is King Frigon and his uncle?"

"In their quarters, Councilor" Jeraddin replied.

"Have them brought here" Julius said. "Please" he added.

Jeraddin motioned for the monkey, who had resumed his position by the door to come over and conveyed the Councilor's wishes to him.
As soon as they were alone, Julius congratulated Jeraddin to his victory. The General accepted the praise with a shrug, saying that he was just doing his job.

Finding himself somewhat surprised by this lack of enthusiasm over such a great victory, the wolf was about to tell the lynx about the victory feast which was being prepared as they spoke. A feast which promised to outshine even the one given by the late King Sharan. However, he didn't get the opportunity to do so, because just then the monkey returned, followed by Frigon and Orloff.

"Very good" Jeraddin said. He was just about to dismiss the soldier, when something occurred to him. "Go and fetch a quill and some ink" he ordered.

The Soldier saluted smartly, clicking his heel together and left the room.  Jeraddin turned to his guests.

"Your Majesty, Prince Orloff, I present to you Julius, who is here on behalf of the Queen."

Julius bowed twice to the two royals. Only Orloff returned the bow, the King only stared gloomily at the Vinolian emissary, with a look of utter defeat stamped on his face.

Julius cleared his throat.

"Your Majesty, I bring you the treaty between our countries for you to sign."

He handed the envelope to the King who, reluctantly, broke the seal.

"I should like to read the treaty along with my nephew" said Orloff, throwing a quick glance at the document which Frigon took out of the envelope.

"By all means".

All four sat down and the two ermines unfolded the treaty. In it, The demands were laid out in clear terms:

Frigonia would pledge allegiance to Vinoli and would henceforth consider itself to be under Vinolian rule. In times of war, Frigonia would provide Vinoli with soldiers and a five year service in the Vinolian army would be mandatory for every able-bodied male between the ages of seventeen to forty. Frigonia would also pay an annual tribute to Vinoli in the form of food and labor.

In addition, the treaty continued. To ensure co-operation, a member of the Frigonia's Royal Family will remain in Vinoli as a permanent guest.

Finally, the King of Frigonia would confess to having planned an invasion of a peaceful nation, which was only prevented thanks to the cunning of said nation's ruler.

As he read through these demands, each one calculated to put Frigonia, the nation built by his ancestors, under the heel of its longtime rivals, Frigon could feel the anger and humiliation well up in him. Oh, how he wished to tear this treaty in a million pieces and throw it in the Vinolian emissary's smug, lupine face. But, of course, that was never going to happen. Sighing deeply, choking back the tears which had begun to form in his eyes, the young King grabbed the quill lying next to him and wrote his signature below Argath's.