Timur- The Arrangement

Prince Timur Valter Persson puts the finishing touches onto his uniform and heads to the throne room. Timur is the crown prince of Voyna and a great warrior. His parents, Emperor Vladislav Timur and Empress Ira Persson, proud of his well-deserved accomplishments.

"You wanted to speak to me?" Timur asks upon entering the large room.

"Yes, Krystaliv has responded to our notice of acquisition very, interestingly," the Emperor comments.

"How do you mean?" Timur approaches the platform where his mother and father were seated.

"It seems that they do not wish to fight us."

"So, they're just going to give us their planet?"

"No, it seems as though their king wants a different form of battle."

"Oh?" Timur replies with a nervous tone. Every Voynan knows the Krystaliv people are more advanced in their technology which makes a fight with them less desirable.

"King Tushar has requested your hand in marriage to his daughter," Timur's mother tells him.

"And I have accepted his offer."

"What?" the prince roars.

"I knew you'd be upset, but at least you have some say in the matter."

"Some?! Father, what's going to happen if I don't like blue-skinned women?"

"Then I will speak to Tushar. He doesn't want to fight, and to be honest, I don't think we'd stand a chance against them. Tushar has agreed to my terms and has invited you to stay with them. You leave tomorrow."

"But Father-"

"Timur, your father has made his decision, I suggest you follow it," the Empress says firmly.

"Yes, Mother…" Timur storms out of the throne room and back to his. He enters to find servants already packing his belongings.

"What's going on?" Karolek, Timur's personal guard asks as he walks in to see the hustle and bustle.

"Didn't you hear, I'm getting married," Timur tells him with a less than enthusiastic tone. Timur watches as another servant begins packing all of his warm clothing.

"To whom, not that woman?" Timur gives his guard a disapproving look.

"I know you don't approve of my girlfriend, but at least act like my subordinate when speaking to me," Timur reprimands. Karolek rolls his eyes. "And no it isn't her."

"Then who?"

"My parents have arranged my marriage to Krystaliv's princess."

"What?" Karolek exclaims. The servants stop hearing his outburst. Timur pulls his guard into his bathroom for more privacy. "You mean to tell me you're engaged to one of those blue-skinned ice people?" Karolek says after Timur tells him the whole story.

"Not officially. They were nice enough to give us a trial period before I decide. Not that I have much of a decision. It's either marry her or go to war."

"And the former seems more likely as their technology is far more advanced," Karolek comments.

"Thanks, that makes me feel so much better," Timur says.

"When do you leave?"

"We leave tomorrow, first thing."

"You know, there are some days I really hate being your guard and this is one of those times."

"Buck up, at least you aren't the one marrying her."

"That I don't envy you. You've heard the rumors right?"

"I don't believe rumors, and you better not either if you want to keep your position," Timur threatens. He had heard the rumors about the Krystaliv people, but there was no proof or evidence of what they suggested.

"I'm just looking out for you my Liege," Karolek says.

"How about you go get packed, we can gossip about this on the ride," Timur snidely comments. Karolek gives Timur a mock salute and leaves. Timur sits on the bathroom floor, dreading what the next few weeks will bring.