[title=grey+white]Chapter 3[/title] Chapter 1 can be found here Chapter 2 can be found here Before I was born, my entire family, along with a few others, was invited to a state dinner at Bryun, the Shardic capital planet. I’ve only seen pictures of it from my history lessons. It’s a planet with rolling hills and valleys that can stretch out for miles. As expected, the Shardic military only allowed my shuttle to enter their territory, with the exception of two escort fighter jets. Amber, Ted and I stand at the exit bay, awaiting touch down at a landing pad in the capital city, Askal. The shuttle rocks just a bit as it lands. I look down at my outfit and sigh deeply. Time to go look like an ass. The doors slowly opens while a walk ramp extends out to the ground. The platform we are docked on is circular and has a speeder hovering near the edge of the other side with three people walking from it towards us. Two are men and the other is a woman, dressed like your typical diplomats, accompanied by a full regimen of Shardic soldiers in their classic multi-colored armor. I’ve always assumed them to be some type of camouflage. I begin heading down the platform, taking the chance to get a good look at this races' shining gem. The city is centered on what appears to be government building, built with marble and slabbed with gold. I can see parks and monuments everywhere. The limit to how high the buildings can go is about fifty stories, most likely done to preserve the skyline, which is barely visible in Fheic unless you live in a high-rise. From what I can see, the buildings are relatively old, for being their capital. And by old, I mean it looks like it did after the rebuilding of the city after the fire that burned it down two-hundred years ago near the end of our war. Although it’s incomparable to mine, it’s still a pretty nice view. I step forward and to the side, allowing the ship’s crewmen to take the luggage to the shuttle. The escorting jets do one last fly-by before heading off to the fleet. I wave them off. "Hello, and welcome to our humble planet! I am Katrina and the three of us will be serving as your tour guide during your stay here." The woman says with a bow. "Thank you for the warm welcome." I reply with a short bow. "Which one of you is a part of the royal family VanderHill? Is it the female?" She asks. I look over at Amber, who is looking back at me. "You weren't informed of which one of us is which?" I ask. "Yes, but your culture is very confusing in the sense of legalities and customs." She replies. "That's understandable. I'm Emeth, duke of the royal house VanderHill." "If you don't mind me asking, what is your place in the line of succession?" "Actually, I'm the fourth duke, but, I'm one of the first in the line of succession. You have to be one of the current Arch and Arch-Duchesses’ children to be eligible." I reply. "I see. I apologize if we aren't being respectful enough. That's why we invited you here, to learn more about you and your culture." "Well, I'm glad you chose to invite my family first instead of the other ones. This would be an intergalactic incident right now." I say with a laugh. "Thank you. Would you like to discuss the training of our three students?" "Training? I wasn't informed of any training?" "But we'd be glad to assess their skills after we get the proper clearance." Amber chimes in. I can feel her eyes staring at me full of disappointment. "Alright." Katrina says while stepping to the side, her arm held out towards the shuttle. I walk forward and get inside the shuttle first, followed by everyone else. "Would you three like a tour first? Or would you like to get settled in before the banquet?" I sit back and think for a moment. "We can tour tomorrow. I have to inform my family that I have arrived safely and that the military detail hanging outside of your space can depart." I reply. "That’s fine. You’ll be staying at one of the most prestigious hotels we have to offer our esteemed guests and their escorts. The security is tighter than the palace." "I will determine that on my own." Ted says, folding his arms. "Be my guest. Driver, take us to A1." The shuttle bobbed and weaved through traffic at high speed and practically forced every other driver out of the way. I assume he has a diplomatic license plate. Otherwise, we'd be getting flipped off right now. Needless to say, we made it to our destination in no time flat. The hotel is dead at the sky limit, with high granite-slab structure with statues and columns sticking out everywhere. When we got out, a team of twenty bellhops came rushing out the revolving doors and took the luggage in one by one. "You won't have to lift a finger while you're here. You’ll be staying in the penthouse. I'll be here to take you all to the banquet in a few hours." She says before ordering the driver to take off again. "Well, that was interesting, and maybe a little awkward." Ted says, his tone showing disapproval. "Just a tad. It's probably because of post-war tension. The Dodeca families aren't exactly nice to them." I reply. "I hope you're right. I'll make sure the luggage gets to your room safely." Ted says, following the bell hops in. "Let's head up. I need to ask my dad about this training thing." I say, starting the walk up the steps. Amber walks close beside me. I cut my eye over at her. She's looking down at the steps with a concerned look on her face. "What are you worried about?" "Hm? Oh. Nothing. Just making sure we aren't forgetting anything." "Alright." I say as we enter the hotel lobby. I ignore everything and everyone in the room that and head straight for the elevator with Amber. We take it up to the penthouse and before we enter, I press the green button on my watch. "What is it, Emeth? Are you alright? Can the fleet head to neutral space?" My dad asks. "Yeah, I'm fine. What's this I hear about training?" "Oh, right. Can you teach them the basics? Just to show our skill and such. Nothing too advanced." "I wish I knew that before I left the palace. I would have brought the training gear." "I told you to bring all your gear!? Are you even hiding your birthmarks from them?" "I have the wristbands on." "They will have to suffice. Remember to always be weary." "I always am when you send me on a mission." I say, before ending the transmission. I walk through the open doorway into the penthouse alongside Amber. "Oh, you should feel right at home here, Emeth. This is almost as big as your room." I look around the room. Everything in the room was either white or brown. And the windows and doors had gold thrown on it. From my quick look over, I could only see four rooms: the kitchen, living room, the bedroom and the bathroom. "Very funny. I believe your bedroom is bigger than mine. Not including the bathroom or walk-in closet.” “Don’t tell me you’re jealous of me now?” “You live in a tree. There’s nothing to be jealous of.” “Alright then. Next time you’re in danger, I’ll take my time.” She says with an innocent smile. “Right…Hey, did she mention where you’re staying at?" I ask, walking over to the bed and sitting at the edge. "No. I guess she either figured that we're a thing, or that your guards shouldn't be sleeping on the job." "Well..." "Don't start. We can all share the room. Ted can take the sofa, I'll take the bed and you can sleep on the floor." "As comfortable as you make it out to be, I'm sleeping in the bed. You can cuddle with me. I don't bite." "I'd rather sleep on the floor. Besides, from what my dad says, you snore louder than your father." "Enjoy it then." I say, throwing a pillow and the top cover at her. “You would really let me sleep on the floor?” “I offered you a spot up here!” “I don’t like sleeping beside pervs.” She replies. “Oh, so you don’t like being wanted?” My eyes bulge at that thoughtless outburst. Amber reaches her hand out and pats my head. “Cute.” “Whatever. I’m taking a nap.”