Representatives 1

¨Everything seems to be a setup orchestrated by the Sixth Princess working with her Guard Captain¨ Wang Geming explained after hearing Xiao Fan ask.

¨So someone finally made a move against another¨ Xiao Fan stated. The rules of the outside were slowly slipping, and everyone was becoming more focussed on gaining one on the other.

¨Indeed they are¨ Wang Geming confirmed.

Though as they were walking back into the safety of the tower, both of them stopped as they heard something. Well, everyone in the clearing stopped since the noise coming at them was too loud to be something small.

What was this sound? It was the sound of thousands of men marching towards them, and as no one in this place held such a big group of men, everyone went into a panic.

No one saw any banners in this group so it was known to everyone before they were in the clearing that it wasn't anyone from the Bald Egle Dynasty, for any formation of this size should have standard beares.

¨Form a line!¨

¨Everyone to their positions!¨

¨Gather the Royals!¨

The first ones to shout from the people camping at the tower were, of course, the Guard Captains. After all, they were the most versed men in the art of war, though some of the Prince's were close. Nevertheless, they took the lead to form a united front before the people they needed to guard would start to bicker on who was leading the men and such.

However, them overreaching their power was a very good thing. The line of men was formed in a minute while everyone who needed to stay at the back was being protected.

Just in time also, as when so, the people who they had heard and noticed way too late came to the edge of the clearing. At the same time, they could be seen, yet the forest hid the exact number of men they had in total.

'Who are these people? They aren't anything like the men from the Bald Eagle Dynasty' Xiao Fan being lucky enough to stay close to the Prince had the luxury of thinking what was befalling them here. For a moment, all his thought went to figuring who these people were, and it wasn't too hard to imagine who they were. From the ragged clothing and lack of weaponry not speaking about armour, one could think that these people were some local tribes living inside this world, they had invaded.

¨I think they are natives¨ He when having figured it out voiced this to the Second Prince and by extension every Royal who was keeping their ears open.

¨It should be so, however, what do we do? What do they want?¨ Wang Geming agreed, but he had other problems after getting this one solved for him.

¨Shall I go and find out? They aren't attacking us yet, so the possibility of diplomacy should still be here¨ He wasn't too scared to go out there, worst case scenario it would take a few seconds before he was pulled out by someone else.

Wang Geming at first seemed not to like this idea ¨Brother we should let him go. Isn't Mask your advisor? No need for us to go out there and risk it¨ One of the other Prince's noted that the idea was a good one.

The others also seemed to agree that sending Mask was the correct decision, none of them had many men who they could trust, let alone were they versed in such things? While they all knew that although Mask was a mysterious person, him having survived the Guard Captains grilling and advising Wang Geming in all matters should the man be the best man for the job.

¨If you want to¨ Wang Geming gave him the go-ahead.

¨What kind of impression should I give? What do we seek from this?¨ He took a few steps forward so everyone could see him as he asked what his purpose going there was.

¨Peacefull¨

¨Strong¨

¨Co-operative¨

Were the first word being thrown at him, and unsuspectedly, they wanted him to do ten things at once.

¨Brothers, Sister!¨ One of the Princes took a forward step out from the line to speak while also gathering the attention of everyone ¨This is only a first meeting. Mask should only seek for a further meeting with these people¨

'Finally someone with a half a brain' Xiao Fan noted as this Prince spoke to his siblings. His job wasn't to make a final deal with them, not at all, his job was just to make the initial greetings and see their stance.

¨Eleventh Brother is right¨ Wang Geming spoke from the line. And this notion soon gained further approval from the others, though there were those few who wanted something else. But they were a minority, and after a few more words, Xiao Fan left the inner ring of soldiers that were protecting the Royals.

Then soon, he came to the outer ring that was the front line. When there one of the Guard Captains who had come with him ordered the line to be broken so that Xiao Fan could get out while he stood at the opening ready for anything.

Xiao Fan being sent a diplomat had taken a huge risk, yet if he wanted to gain prestige amongst everyone this risk was a valid way to gain that prestige. He was taking a big risk, but when one took those, one usually suspected to gain something, though that didn't mean that he was confident.

The opposition towards which he was taking steps still held their bows in full draw as he came out of the line and strolled towards the middle where he hopefully would soon meet a colleague of his in this new occupation of a representative diplomat.

He came to the area that should be the middle and then took the liberty to look at these people who had come for them more. 'What a ragtag group, even the bandits have better equipment, these don't even have clothing covering their chest when coming to a battlefield' Looking at their equipment he felt relieved; however, not for long as he realised that if they came to them, they should have an idea of their strength.

They wouldn't come here to be slaughtered on mass.

After a while, his head found itself looking at the centre front of the formation where he could see people having some pelts and fur coats on them discussing the same way the Royals had been a minute ago 'Most likely thinking how they should continue' he reasoned and hoped that it would be to send a person.

On the other side.

And indeed they were discussing ¨Fellow Chiefs, what do you think?¨ One of the ¨Chiefs¨wearing a wolf headdress asked the others.

¨I don't like that wall of spears¨

¨Their archers seem scary¨

¨Based on equipment were are at a disadvantage¨

Many of the Chiefs seemed not too confident in taking this group of strangers head-on. They knew that they had more men, yet the opposition seemed well equipped, and their tactics were overshadowing their simple loose and mixed formation standing by to rush into them.

¨All you always want to hide in the forest¨ A man who had a different approach came up to the front. The man had a distinct opinion when it came to fighting, and it might have something to do with how his skin was covered by heavy armour as were his men.

¨If you didn't hog all the armour and weapons we might charge at them straight away¨ The man with the wolf headdress noted that.

These natives weren't like the Bald Eagly Dynasty. They were a loose coalition hastily gathered to drive these invaders out of this place, binding them together was very little, and they all had their own quirks and strong opinions when it came to others in this coalition.

¨Kids... kids...¨ Yet the person keeping them in check was revered enough that they would take being called kids by the hag.

¨Today is a good day for a battle... The Gods have told me this¨ The hag came to the circle the Chiefs had been quarrelling around, while behind her a beautiful young woman with long black hair followed.

¨Is this true? Have the Gods really told you this?¨ All the burly men quieted down in an instant when the hag came to them, even when she insulted them, they didn't say a word back to her.

¨Of course, even my apprentice came to the same conclusion. If she can see it anyone with one working eye can see it¨

¨They seem to have sent a diplomat. How should we answer?¨ One of the other Chiefs noted that the opposition was in a talking mood.

¨Not now¨ The man in the wolf headdress punched the other Chief in the stomach before continuing ¨Your apprentice? Isn't she one of them? Her words might as well be a trap to lure us in!¨

The other nodded or did something else that indicated their agreement, even the one punched nodded, showing his agreement.

¨Now that you finally have something to criticise me with will you be using it in every topic?¨ She laughed a little ¨Anyways, she came to the same conclusion as me¨

¨It is still a valid point!¨ He defended his actions how he had been using this newfound fact to criticise her in everything ¨How about we sent her there and see how she'll do for us. She might as well offer our full surrender to them¨ This time the man laughed with a few other Chiefs.

¨Sure¨ The hag didn't deny his request ¨Fei Sun¨ She then called for her.

¨What is it?¨ She came next to her where she then lowered her head so that she could hear her Master better.

¨Go and meet the other diplomat¨ She pointed her stick towards the direction where Xiao Fan was.

Fei Sun also looked towards there, yet when she did so, she brushed her eyes once before thinking of anything 'Xiao Fan?' She had no idea why would Xiao Fan be there, yet not wanting to show too many emotions she continued ¨What do I do?¨

¨Say that they need to get out of here or it is a battle¨ The hag briefly explained everything Fei Sun needed to say.

¨I see. I shall deliver this message¨ Not asking for anything more Fei Sun left towards the meeting spot.

¨We either get them to leave peacefully or you get to show your strength to the Gods in glorious battle¨ The hag stated to the Chiefs, who still didn't object her words.

'!' In Xiao Fan's head confusion grew to a level that was visible to his opponents when he saw that from amongst the important-looking people, a very familiar figure departed towards him. Fei Sun might have swapped her clothes to be more fitting with the others amongst the natives with her own twist, of course, yet a wife was something Xiao Fan wouldn't forget without enduring a concussion.

Yet while he was confused Fei Sun only smiled and acted like she was still a single lady from the Rising Fox Sect and came slowly walking towards Xiao Fan.

'Why is she...' Xiao Fan's confusion wasn't getting any better even if he had a good amount of time think since she was approaching him so slowly. He simply couldn't put the pieces together, yet as he couldn't, he forgot that part. If one couldn't figure it out, one shouldn't think about it too much.

He followed one of the many sayings he followed.

And so, when Fei Sun came close enough, both of them raised their hand as a form of greeting.

The first one to talk was Xiao Fan ¨I represent the Bald Eagle Dynasty, the group you see behind me are all part of it¨

¨I represent the Holy Coalition. And I come with one message only, leave or die¨ She smiled when saying this.