Esmerald was confined to his throne, to stare at the curtained walls and flickering candles that adorned the sconces. He was to have council with his galleria of blundering morons and to be presented with his gifts... today was his birthday and despite that his nation be in an up-roar over the event he found it to be a complete waste of human thought. Another year older, another year closer to death... what was to celebrate? At least that was his thoughts on such things. Half way across the world though, there was another celebration being held, not for a birthday but a festival. Diamond was being sworn in as King, his father had passed only a day or so ago and they needed a new leader... he was young yet, no older than twenty but he had spent his entire life preparing to embrace this moment and take over the throne. He stood atop the balcony, staring out the crowd that had gathered before his castle...

"My people..." He exclaimed. "I have seen the streets of the povershed and the ill-stricken... it is my deep desire to re-write the wrongs that my father brought to you. I will nourish these lands... and return to them a glory that was only existant long ago. Let our sands shine golden again!" The crowd roared and he was confident that his promises could be kept. "...Find me someone of half decent intelligence!" He had turned to his fathers advisors.. the left overs a broken rule. "All of you are fired." He pushed past the people he considered imbaciles and looked to his guards. "You, you go out and find me someone with a un-biased view of these people. I seek someone of wisdom, not knowledge." That, was the begining of his rule... and a good start. So far...

Esmerald had received wind of the change of leadership in the deserts but paid no heed for the new king was young and naive and was more than likely no better than the father of who's throne he'd be taking over. Esmerald was experienced with these things.... though he hated to be king, he would not give up his lands to someone with no experience. He watched the crowds gather in his court, exotic dancers set to please him though he found no interest in their hedonistic ways. They claimed it to be an art, but where was the art in flaunting something for all mens eyes to see? "Please, all of you leave me be... "

(i'm sorry if it's kind of crappy i'm thinking up a way to set up the plot o.o... feel free to fill in where you want to. x3 )

Morgan Elizabeth hung around in the shadows, watching the events of the day with narrowed eyes. It was the King's birthday- and she knew he was not enjoying it. He had never seemed to be one to enjoy such things, especially when they were made into some big, flashy festival. Pushing dark hair over her shoulder, she crossed to where her lord was sitting, bowing shortly to him.

"My lord," she said softly, lifting her eyes without unbending. "May I have a word?" In truth, it was only a ruse, her pretending to have an urgent message so that they may both escape. She thought she had had enough until the dancers came in- then she nearly threw up. It was not only disgraceful that these women would expose their bodies that way, but then they would claim it to be art? It was maddening.

In another part of the world, a bright, merry young girl bustled through the palace, humming to herself. It was a rather busy day- The prince, of course, was becoming the king. She was still saddened by the death of the last king, but she was happy for Diamond- he was ready for this, and he wanted to do so much good for his people. She actually hadn't seen the young man all day- of course he was busy, what with ceremonies and speeches going on. She pushed open a door and peered in, spotting King Diamond talking to some of his guards. She hung back, unsure of whether he was busy or not.

[[Thats perfectly fine ^.^ sorry that mines a little... lackluster :sweat:]]

Esmerald was relieved when someone with half a sense of mind approached him. He stood from his throne, even as the festival continued against his wills. He lead the young woman from the main hall where the dancers continued their flaunts and sins. "What is it Morgan?" His voice was a deep and lustrious sound, one that rivaled the purr of a lion. His hair was a cascade of loose black curls that fell over his shoulders like springs. He had lead her away into one of the empty back hallways so they might talk in quiet... even though the sounds of music and horns billowed through every hall in the castle, waking even the skeletons in the dungeon. The castle wasn't so much a home to Esmerald as it was a prison... the stone walls and dark halls were the nightmares of his reality. He despised every moment he spent on the throne, he seeked the freedom of that was only had on the outside of this fortress. "...I despise this court, this entire place is rotten to it's core, yet to try and fix it now would only cause a deeper chaos than what stands now." He leaned the weight of his body against one of the decorated stone walls, his arms crossed over his armored chest as his deep green eyes shut into contemplation. "you'll have to excuse me for my words... but I hate this place more than I hate the begging people who plead at my feet. Yet now in the south there is another king rising to power, and he... will be as foolish as the last..."

The guard that Diamond had beckoned away to find him a suitable council rushed through the doors, leaving Diamond alone to his sanctuary of a room. He threw himself down onto the many cushions and massive pillows that made up his throne as his sheer white and leopard skin harem like skirt fell over him. He wore a shortened vest that matched the adornment of clothing and fine sandles adorned his feet. Around his head was a leopard skin sash, that he used instead of a crown. These animals he wore... were all animals he had defeated himself through the battle field and he wore them with great pride. His skin had a beautiful coconut tan, while his hair was unlike any others of the desert people... as red as the sun was hot. He stared out of the open aired windows of his throne room, past the balcony where he had given his speech and where the crowd was still gathered to welcome him. He had quite the long day and it was only going to get longer. There was still much to do and much to concentrait on. "You left me a disaster father... that was your way though, you were never one to clean up your mistakes." He could still envision the image of his father, the decrepid old man as he was and it angered him so. "...You ran, like a dog you ran... you always had to be loved you couldn't stand anyone to hate you. You knew though... on your death bed... that I loathed your very existance because I knew what you were leaving to me." His head fell back onto a thick pillow, the ruby locks fall all about as they were as untamed as his spirit. "What a waste of a father..."

Morgan Elizabeth bowed once, then straightened up and leaned on the wall across from Esmerald, her cat-like green eyes watching him carefully. She had never seen him look so... worn down. Of course, he was still regal in every sense of the word, but she could tell he was irritated. "My lord... Esmerald," she said carefully. She hadn't called him by his first name in a while- and it felt odd on her tongue, almost foreign and strange. "You're words do not fall on deaf ears. Even as I live and breathe, I sometimes wish to be rid of this place. I stay only for you." The young woman said the words easily- she was not one to play word games with her emotions. The only reason she stayed in the dreadful place was because of him, because she couldn't imagine what pit of obscurity he would sink into if she was gone. "And why do you worry about this young King if you think he will be foolish? It is not the first time, nor the last, that the Southern Kingdom has had a foolish ruler- and not once has it affected us." She shrugged, shifting on her booted feet. She didn't wear a regal dress like any other women might- she wore straight black edged with silver, boy's trousers made to fit her slim frame, and a black, corseted vest with a dark grey button-up shirt underneath. Her dark hair fell freely, falling in a straight, sleek river down to her waist.

"My lord," Madison called out hesitantly, her head peering into the room. She didn't know how he would feel about her being there- the new King could be unpredictable to her sometimes. "I wish to have a moment, if you are not too busy?" The formalities felt stiff to the young, reckless girl- she was really no more then a child, at 18 years, but wise for her age- but she felt that her King was due them.
She stepped into the room on slippered feet, her hands clasped behind her back. She wore the clothing of her people- a dark green top that stretched across her chest and tied behind her neck, with a veil of gauzy material in the same shade falling from the top and providing a little protection from the sun for her stomach. A brown skirt was wrapped around her hips and the top part of her thighs, a long stretch of brown material falling down the front, almost to her ankles. Her long, dark brown hair was pulled into a ponytail, off of her neck. She shifted a little on her feet, standing awkwardly in front of the door as it closed gently behind her. She had only heard the tail end of his mutterings- but it had been enough. She had long suspected that he didn't like the old King, but she had never been sure, had never known it was this deep.

"This king..." Esmerald spoke with a humbling tone as his head turned to the side, peering into the darkness of the corridor. "His father had brought him to this kingdom while he was still a youth. He was as tempermental as the sun is hot." His arms did not unfold from over his chest as he removed himself from the wall, walking further down the corridor, expecting her to follow. "This new king he may be foolish, but it is that foolishness that will be a breath of relief to his people the start of a fire to the surrounding lands." Esmerald pushed open a door that lead him into another great room, where he crossed the marble flooring to the center where a great fountain made of marble as well bubbled and flowed freely. "...The father of this foolish king was a kind man but he was not worthy of a throne. His people suffer greatly now as their food and water grow more and more scarce with each passing day. At one time... the dead king had tried to negotiate me out of the throne but as little as I wish to hold my place in this castle I can not hand these lands over to a fool." He reached his hand out to the fountain, water spilling over his fingers until he turned to her. "...The southern dynasty is the only dynasty after my throne, and this new king will out live me... that I am sure."

Diamond raised his head from the pillows, looking to the woman that entered into his room. She had always been a loyal servent to this court... she was no older than himself and he grew up knowing her all his life. If there was anyone in this world he could trust it would be her as she knew many of his deepest secrets. He head fell back into the pillows once more with ease his amethyst eyes wondering over the sandy ceiling as the suns rays beat down onto his already tanned flesh. "Have as many moments as you wish, I only need enough moments of my own to gather my thoughts." Diamond covered his face with his hand as he crossed his legs. He was still young, and very beautiful... his skin wasn't marred with sun spots or scars and showed no signs of age other than youth. He was in fact... the youngest king to ever rule over these burning lands. "Tell me, as you have knowledge of these lands and have traveled farther beyond these castle walls than myself, what do the people need most? What do they require? Land... food... water?" Diamond gritted his teeth, rising from the throne of cushions as he stalked to towards the open door that lead to the balcony where he had given his speech. He stood in the door way staring out into the bright day light. "...Forget my questions..." He nails dug into the thick adobe that made up the walls, he looked over his shoulder to her when the idea struck him. "...I have rid myself of the staff of my father, what say you to taking their place? I don't need the corrupt advisors that ran this country to the ground. You've known nothing of the corruption of wealth... it would be your opinion that I could trust the most than any others." If anyone knew him the way an advisor should it would be her, and if she knew him the way he thought... she would say yes. As he never accepted No as an answer...

She followed down the hall, listening as she looked at the tapestries. They were made of beautiful colors and fine materials, but they were a real eyesore. She joined him at the fountain, letting her fingers drag over the water as well, their ripples meeting. She almost slapped the water when he finished- she took a few deep breathes to calm herself before she replied.
"My lord, with all due respect, you must not speak so," she said, struggling to control her temper and keep it out of her voice, to appear cool and collected even though she figured he probably saw right through her. "I refuse to.... And even if you leave us and this young fool tries to take our lands, I won't allow it. You're people won't allow it." She turned back to the water, leaning over and reaching out to grab a feather floating on the water. One of the exotic dancers must have come through here- a few had had feathers on their costumes. She grabbed it and straightened up, examining the wet, jewel colored feather. She turned to look at him, her eyes unnarrowed. She looked very young, and vulnerable at that moment in time. It was hard for her to think of him being gone. Then she blinked, and her eyes narrowed back up, her cool, controlled mask slipping back on.

Madison smiled and sat at the side of his bed, her legs folded beneath her. She frowned slightly when he asked the questions- the people needed food and water, if anything. But he told her to forget it just as she was about to answer... and her jaw fell open with his next words, her golden eyes wide. "M-my lord," she gasped, rising to her feet. "I... this is so great an honor...." For a moment, she forgot that he was the king and she merely the subject... she sank onto the bed, her legs weak with shock. "If you think it is wise," she said after a moment, praying for her voice to stay steady, "then I have no reason to refuse you, Diamond." Of course she couldn't refuse- he wouldn't have taken no for an answer anyways. "I'll admit I have little experience in the manners of the court... But I swear to you I will do my best." She smiled weakly, her hands twisting nervously in her lap.

Esmerald knew that even though he too was young himself, He was not a vital a fresh youth like the new southern king. "It will not be yours, or the peoples choice of wether he takes over these lands Morgan. He is the type of man that either gets what he wants, or dies in trying to do so." A slight smile came over his lips as he thought about what he had said. "Much like myself when I was younger." Esmerald was a very relaxed king, he took everything his people told him in stride. Problems were easier to fix when he did not look at them as problems... and though his people were happy and rejoiced that he was a kind king who did all in his power to bring them peace and comfort even to the weak and elderly.. there was still an age old issue... that despite his attempts would not be fixed. The people livestock of cattle, sheep, chickens... were being picked off by the wolves at an alarming rate. Though he allowed for all people to hunt these wolves, and any other creature that treaded onto their land it wasn't enough. Even when parties were formed and they raided whole packs of these creatures... these creatures picked off the weaker female cows instead of taking on the bulls and with no females to give birth to further generations of cattle... it was very hard to come by another cow. "I understand, that this dynasty ends with me. Perhaps that is my own fault though or perhaps it is the other kingdoms. No matter who's it be, I am happy to call myself the last of the Ammon's." it was true... Esmerald Ammon had never taken a wife, not a princess or towns woman. He had never bore a child with anyone he had been with... he was the last survivor of the Ammon family name and even his dreams told him his name would end at the point of Diamonds sword.

Diamond turned to the young woman, his arms still stretched out betwen the door frame as a brilliant smile came over his lips as shimmering and wonderful as the gem he was so named after."You don't need to have experience in the manners of my court... You are the court. Everyone else has been fired except for my messengers, armies, and you... Your word is what I will rely on and trust as you've been down on the peoples level and know what they desire, see what they need and hear what they need." He removed himself from the door way, walking towards her he placed a slender and soft hand to her jaw. "I will give these people everything they need, even if it spoils them to their deaths. Let them die fat and fed than starved and thin." His slender but toned arm wrapped around her shoulder, making her walk with him as he lead her out onto the balcony to take a view over the lands. "... what do you think would be the best course of action to bring my people what they need?..." He questioned, knowing that she had more than likely over heard quite a few of the political babblings that went on between his deceased father and his messengers.

Morgan Elizabeth frowned, biting her lip. "Then he will die trying," she said softly, turning to face the water again. She leaned over it, her hair creating a curtain between them. "Esmerald, you know that no one will let them invade this country." She had difficulty swallowing as his words turned over in her head- the last of the Ammon's; the dynasty ended with him; he was the last...
She shook her head, closing her eyes for a second. She needed to keep control- she was of no use to him in this mood. She straightened and turned around, sitting on the edge of the fountain with her arms crossed. "All I can say to you, sire, is that you're people are depending on you. All I can ask of you is to live." She stared straight ahead, her green eyes narrowing ever so slightly as she stared at the marble halls before her.

Madison managed a shaky smile, her face turning a brilliant shade of scarlett as he led her to the balcony. "Well, my lord," she said slowly, bracing her hands on the railing. "More then anything, the people need water. Without water, we can grow no crops, water no animals, and without water we would die ourselves." She turned to look at him, doubt written on her young, pretty face. "But I can think of no way to bring water to our people, unless we can get the cooperation of King Esmerald." The name was thick on her tongue- she hardly enjoyed talking about Esmerald's kingdom, mostly because of the woman that was there. But no, she wouldn't think of it now; she had a more important job on hand.

"It is never a matter of if we let them..." Esmerald turned to her, his eyes deep and unforgettable. He had eyes that could kill... and often did. Widdows and wives fell to his feet from his beauty, he was a man of perpetual youth and beauty but no matter what woman pleaded for him... he took none. He hardly enjoyed his own birthday he couldn't stand wedding ceremonies. "The art of war is not if... but when and how many. He walked once more, from the great marble hall out a set of grand doors into the open air of the sunshine. "When I was born... these lands were covered in flames that consumed all... sparring no child. My father put these flames to rest, qwelling the flames of the southern deserts. When he died and I received the throne... I maintained that relationship, constantly pouring water onto the fire... but this water is turning to grease and these lands will be scorched again. I know I will live to see the fall of this nation... as will you, but I will not be alive to see it's revival. I will fight hard for these lands..." he turned to her as the sun eclipsed his form. "but I am no youth, and though this new king might be naive and foolish I know he is a great bladesman... as his legend has already begun." Esmeralds eyes narrowed, staring to the ground, the grass was begining to dry and brown and he knew the first signs of winter were starting to show. "He wears the animals he has killed with pride... and even men of great promise fall to his blade. The southern nation is known for their great swordsman and riders... if I was to come into combat with him... though I might be a challenge I am no match for the skill he posesses." Esmerald sat back into a stone chair that was placed in the gardens he had entered into, his legs crossed and eyes gazing to the sky.

Diamond grimaced at the mention of Esmerald, his fingers digging into the railing. The cool-headed king of the northern mountains was his greatest obstiacle. He had met him before in his youth and found him to be a brave warrior and indeed a very fine king... but he was also a very stubborn man. "That man..." Diamond mumbled, the dusty winds sweeping away his words. "He posesses the greatest of oceans and rivers known to this world, yet neither of those touch these lands..." His violet eyes narrowed as the golden sands glistened and young childrens laughter could be heard in the distance. "If.. we could build some kind of divergence from that River that flows through his lands... perhaps it would be possible to obtain enough to feed these sandy dunes." It was reaching the peek of mid-day, the hottest and cruelest time of the day. Diamond could feel the sweltering heat and and even see it rise from the sands. Several woman garbbed in their traditional court wear came with large fans to cool him and whom he spoke with. For a moment he enjoyed the soft breeze the fans created but turned to the women his expression saying he was out for blood. "Leave!, Leave this castle! I do not need your services if you choose to cool me over the people!" He scowled and tore one of the fans from the womans hands, throwing it out into the courtyard. His anger was only matched by his ego and self love. He knew he was a gorgeous man and young ontop of it... he knew it very well and flaunted it when he felt the need for the company of a woman. It wasn't anything new to him... but it was his anger that made those same woman run in fear of him. "..Why must these servents be so foolish...I am not so pitiful that I can not fan myself if I get hot." He rubbed his forehead in though, an exasperated sigh escaping from his lips as he leaned onto the balcony. "...A water way system to the people... so they never run out. It is possible... I know that we can do it. It is that stubborn and cold hearted king of the north Esmerald that stands in my way..." He glanced to Madison out of the corner of his eyes. "Have a messenger sent to him...requesting for access to the great river of Albatez."