If this doesn�t get anywhere soon, I�m going to have to get really pissy here! thought Oceana.
�We need to expand our borders, but they will not negotiate! We want to have the line extended to ten feet beyond our bank of the river but the King of Lox refuses to even consider it!� shouted Council member Oslang.
�And the King of Nath is not willing to sell us the fifteen hundred acres of the forest border that Your Majesty proposed. However they are willing to sacrifice-�
�ENOUGH!� yelled Oceana above the din. A sudden silence filled the hall as she slowly stood up. �We have been here since early morning and all we have accomplished is to bring about more difficulties. I am going to end this meeting and assign certain members of the council to investigate these problems. In one month we will reconvene and see if we can place ourselves above childish bickering. This council meeting has come to a conclusion.� With that, she swept out of the room. As soon as she turned down the hall that led to her room, her personal page came running with a frantic look on his face.
�Your Majesty! Your Majesty! You�re late for the audience with the Chancellor Lend from the kingdom of Pelth. You must hurry!�
�Oh shit! The council meeting lasted so damned long! I didn�t even realize it was this late!� said Oceana as she picked up her skirt and started running.
�Your Majesty...Lesha has your formal gown waiting for you in your room, please HURRY!�
As soon as she entered the room, Lesha grabbed her wrist and plopped her in the closet to change. �Oceana you have fifteen minutes to change!� shouted Lesha as she was getting out the royal staff that Oceana used. It was a thin, cylindrical piece of sterling silver that tapered off in the end and was set at the top with a pearl orb, that fitted perfectly in Oceana�s palm. It had been given to her by her parents on her eighteenth birthday to symbolize her status. They had also given her a royal crown that held nine pearls and nine diamonds set on a band of sterling silver that matched the staff perfectly.
�Alright! Here I am. Lets fix this dratted hair of mine.� said Oceana as she began brushing her long hair.
�Dear, let me.� said Lesha as she took over the task of putting up Oceana�s hair. �Remember, relations with the King of Pelth are not going smoothly. In fact, I heard a rumor that the king is willing to declare war on us if his chancellors do not get what they want.� As Lesha was finished she carefully place the crown onto her hair.
�Oh Lesha...has it really come to this point? Daddy passes away and every kingdom feels like this is a grand opportunity to tear apart my home?� implored Oceana.
�I�m sorry Dear. Your father and mother never intended to pass away this early and leave you with these burdens, especially since you are only twenty-five. But...Oh no! You only have a few minutes left! HURRY!� said Lesha as she pushed Oceana out the door.
�Good-bye Lesha. Please make sure that you have the white gown ready for me as soon as I come back and attend dinner. Wish me-�
�Oceana! Your forgot your staff!�
�Oh thank you! Wish me luck!� shouted Oceana as she ran down the hall.
Poor child, she�s only twenty-five. She doesn�t deserve to have these burdens placed upon her. But, she is a bright young star among us and if anyone can pull the kingdom together it is her. If only she doesn�t have to bear it by herself. Grudgingly, Lesha as she turned and headed back into Oceana�s chambers to clean it up.