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Paha walked the palace's hall ways. The party was no more then a couple hours away and two of his daughters had gone missing. He didn't really want to look for them. But he knew how Nihl was, never one to pass up an easy lay, he knew he couldn't just assume they were sitting some where.
Glancing behind him, Leonidas prowled silently. "You can relax it's not likely we are going to be attacked here." Paha said knowing the Lion demon was likely never going to relax. He had hoped this party would help the man, make him ease down. But it seemed to be doing the opposite.

Leonidas shook his head before turning his fiery gold eyes to his king and commander. "I will not relax and risk your safety." he said dryly.

This made Paha laugh. "I believe my daughter are more in danger then I."

As if on que one of Paha's younger daughters came from around a corner. "Daddy!" She said picking up the hem of her ball gown and walking quickly to meet the two men. "Daddy! Skyden and Morgan, we found them!"

"Well good, where have they been?!" He demanded his worry being quickly replaced with anger.

"They said they didn't want to go so they were going to go home!" The young girl explained quickly, Paha did have a tendency to shoot the messenger.

Leonidas was relieved. They weren't hurt only being spoiled brats. He had been on edge ever since it was brought to his attention that two of Paha's daughters were missing. Not time mention he couldn't shake the feeling of de javu.

"They are both in their rooms right?" He was already stomping past his daughter who did her best to stay out of his way. "Good I think I will go pay them a visit."

By the time Paha reached the room Zanna and Shaylee, the two girls' mothers, were already chewing the two out. "How dare you defy your father's will?!" Zanna was asking clearly agitated with the two girls

"Yes I want to know what in your right minds were the two of you thinking?" Paha asked walking into the room followed closely by the silent lion. "You could have gotten hurt by anyone outside these walls. Not just to hurt you, but to get at me. My children are my weakness, and it would be best to keep everyone from having a chance to hurt me." He said walking to stand between his two wives to tower over the girls who sat on the bed with their heads hung low.

Morgan was the first to respond. "You brought us here to parade us in front of the king, well I refuse to be showed off like one of your well bred horses." her own anger coming to life.

Skyden drew strength from her sister. "I won't be auctioned off to the highest bidder, father." she spat.

Paha built himself up, anger boiling under the surface of a perfectly calm face. Some thing he only did when he was likely to hurt some one. "I don't care what the two of you think you can or can't do. I am your father and if I find you match the king well, then you better believe you will be marring him. If I find Leonidas would fit you," He pointed to the man still behind him "then you will be in his bed the following night. You don't question my judgment. Not at all. Now dress up let your mothers do your hair, an be ready when I call you." His voice wavered with his strained control, he wanted to scream at the two of them, wring their necks, and shake them into compliance. But that would get him no where with these two head strong girls.

The two girls said no more as their mothers came to their sides and dragged them off to change.

Paha stood their silent for a few moments trying to let his anger go. Leonidas moved up beside him. "I don't envy you for your children." He said placing a hand on his shoulder and giving it a little squeeze. "Best we go get ready ourselves." Leonidas turned to lead the way out, mostly to make sure no one was waiting around the door to attack.

Less then half an hour passed by and the they were dressed in their best. Leonidas wore a General's jacket a short tunic tucked into a thick leather belt hanging heavy with a bejeweled sword, trousers tucked into thick well oiled leather boots.

Paha worse a lose fitting tunic tucked into trousers and boots. A small gold crown sat on his head. One taken from the last ruler of Karmea, Paha guessed the thing was as old as him, always being taken from the last rulers head.

The two went to yet another door. One that was shut tight, one that neither dared to open with out a knock.
The lead healer emerged a large smile on his face. His thick short hair falling infront of his emerald colored eyes. "Hello Paha, Leonidas. Is it time already? Man the time just flies by ya know? Oh well. Just give us a minute." He said with a smirk and a dark twinkle in his eye.

Both men did their bests not to snap as Gavin disappeared behind the door, and soft murmuring began, along with shuffling noses. A minute later Gavin reemerged with a fluster Abarden, his second in command when it came to healing.

Paha chuckled softly. "If we disturbed you two, you can go back to." he coughed "Back to bed. I only brought the two of you just in case the girls fought one another."

Abarden reddened slightly and turned away. But Gavin came to the rescue, well sort of. "No it's fine. I was just showing him a new way of caring for another's body. To heal it properly of course." Every one knew damn well that was not what he had meant. They all ignored it, but Abarden, who looked unbearably ashamed.

"Alright then." Leonidas said walking away not wanting to hear any more. He knew the two of them had a relationship, he just didn't want it waved around in his face. Not to mention he really didn't like Abarden, he was after all, a tiger the scourge of all evil if you asked him.

The little group made their way into the giant hall already decorated for the ball. "well this should be fun." Paha said glancing around at every thing.
~ ~ ~ ~

Skyden and Morgan sat silently as their mothers worked quickly making them as pretty as possible. Their sisters were already dressed and ready to go. But their failed escape plan had left them to be the last in line to be prepared.

When Zanna stepped back she smiled down at her daughter, who didn't look the least bit happy. "You look stunning. You are sure to catch an eye or two." She said full of pride.

"Oh good, so daddy can marry me off. Or I can be dragged out into the garden to be raped." Skyden said glumly before standing up to join her sisters all egarly waiting to head into the ball room.

Morgan was just as unhappy as Skyden. "Will you stoppet already?" She swatted at her mother's hands as she finished a small braid in her hair. "I don't want to look good for that human!" She growled.

Shaylee grabbed a handful of her daughters hair and pulled back, not nicely, so Morgan was forced to crane her neck to look at her mother. "I don't care." She tugged lighter this time. "You will go out there, smile, dance, and look pretty and catch a suitor's eye." She growled back before letting her hair go and fixing it.
~ ~ ~ ~

In the town, along with several other young girls, were being prepared for the ball. One in particular was being dressed in the best her father could afford. Laci stood infront of a seamstress making last minute adjustments on her beautiful ball gown. A pin here and a stitch there. And she was ready to go to get her hair done, along with a little makeup.
Her mid back length brown hair had small braids holding her bangs out of her face and the rest hung in long waves of silky smooth perfection. Light blush was added to give her a healthy glow.
An hour later and she was loaded up into a carriage and whisked to the palace. Her father sitting beside her. "You look lovely sweetheart." He said patting her knee lovingly.
Laci didn't say any thing and looked ahead as the Palace came into view. Slowly they pulled up to the entrance of the palace and a guard came down to open the door and help her out.

Paha looked up upon hearing the king and his group was arriving. After all he was the only reason Paha had bothered to drag himself and half his family to the mainlands. Quite a task even for the great lord.
"Ah there is the birthday boy!" Paha called loudly as he walked over to greet the family. "My don't you girls look lovely." He said taking time to register their efforts to attract male attention. "Millin, you may be fighting a few men off today." Of course he meant that about the eldest daughter.

Leonidas came up behind Paha, still his silent shadow. "Greetings." He said nodding his head to the family. A small smile slowly replaced his scowl, the girls reminded him of his daughter a little. It went with out saying he had a s soft spot for kids.

Laci and her father walked up the palace steps and were asked by a man out front for names so they could be announced. This took her slightly by surprise. She had never been to one of these kinds of parties before.
Quickly her father gave their names and the two entered as the herald called out "Sir Luke Caswel and his daughter Lady Laci!"
The two descended the stares to greet the king. It wasn't like she really wanted to be there or even meet the king, she would much rather be at home reading a book. Living in the life of a fiction character rather the boring life she really lived. But because her father had insisted she go to this birthday party she had agreed and dressed up in this ridiculous fashion.

Paha looked up again and saw a young girl, dressed to impress. "Guess it's time for me to go get my own daughters." He said bowing his head slightly and excusing himself.

Leonidas did the same and followed quickly next to Paha nodding his head for Gavin and Abarden to take up the rear. Maybe not the best place for two gay men. But it was better then leaving his back exposed.

Paha entered his daughters' rooms and quickly motioned for all of them to head out to the ballroom. Giving the two trouble making sisters a warning glare. "Lets go girls. I need you outside."
All five of Paha's wives had agreed to attend. So Paha took two and Leonidas, Abarden, and Gavin escorted his other wives out into the ball room.
He had nothing to worry about with these men, two were gay and wouldn't be interested in his wives and well Leonidas was as interested in his wives as a neutered dog. Nothing to worry about at all.

Laci did her best not to blush as the attractive man kissed her hand. Had the herald said that he was the king? She thought all kings were fat old men who were going bald. At least thats what almost all the kings were like in her book. But this hansom man wasn't at all like she had expected.
Her father noticing the king's intrest quickly made an effort to keep them there for a few moments longer. "Quite the kid indeed. He'll have his hands full." he said trying to break the small hole in the ice even bigger.
Laci nodded her head. "Rather refreshing really." she said softly looking off in the direction the little girl had run.

Avarossa was about to give chase but her husband beat her to it. The girl was quick for her age. But she knew Grigori could catch her. So she didn't worry. "She is going to be the death of me."

Sable laughed "Oh she isn't that bad. Attorra was much the same, she is likely to grow out of it." Millin's wife joined Avarossa.

Paha came back into the ballroom, a large portion of his family with him. "Now girls, he said turning to look at his daughters, behave yourselves, and dance with nice men, don't leave the ballroom with any one." He said trying to come up with quick rules that would keep his daughters from lusty men wanting to rune them.

Leonidas's attention was snagged when Nissa, Paha's fifth wife, lightly patted his arm. "Maybe you can find some partnership tongiht." She said with a giggle and a wink.

The bewildered man was about to make a snappy retort when a little girl dressed in a white gown her silver hair pulled back into a ponytail, came flying over to attach herself to his leg before climbing half way up his body to rest herself on his hip, her legs wrapped tightly, arms hooked securely. "I thought you said you were going to try and make friends Telmina?" Leonidas asked patently, he would never be angry with the girl. She was just too sweet.

The little ice dragon smiled and snuggled closer. "No." She mumbled trying to stay close to the lion. "I don't wanna!"

Once again Laci's father did his best to keep the conversation going. "I do remembering being his age. Girls were so intimidating back then."
Laci looked at her father as if he had grown a second head. He never talked about himself as a kid. "Oh father I thought you were too old to recall your childhood."
Now it was his time to laugh nervously. He didn't need her smarting off now, of all times. "Ah. No not as old as you think." He smiled. "Unlike you darling still so young and fresh." He said glancing at the king hoping his attention would go back to his daughter.

When Attorra didn't come to her, Paha's youngest daughter made her way over to him. She smiled brightly and held her hands behind her back. "Attorra will you dance with me?"

Avarossa chuckled. "Now now, like I can't handle my own daughter. I do believe I take care of her were you leave for the day to adventure with them." She bobbed her head in the direction of Nhil and Millin.

Paha was itching to introduce Nihl to a few of his daughters. But he was still talking to that girl. And he wasn't rude enough to go over there an shoo the little human family away. "Millin!" He called walking over to the man two of his wives still on his arms. "What is taking them so long?" He asked when he was close enough so he couldn't be over heard.

Leonidas, now slowed down by a queen and a child dragon, eh struggled to keep up with Paha. Once again he looked to Gavin and Abarden to take over watch of the king.

Abarden moved up behind Paha. "My lord." he said bowing his head to Millin as he approached. The wife still clutching his arm let go, and moved up beside Paha. The wife on his left said gave up his arm to let her take it for awhile and went to hold Abarden's arm. He was always more and more amazed at how the wives all got along.

Hadn't she told her father she didn't like dancing? She was sure she had. Why wasn't he excusing them to go do some thing other then send her off to dance? She would have to have a stern talk with her father after this party. She hated events like this. "Of course your highness, it would be my pleasure." She said holding her hand out for him to take onto his arm.

Parry, Paha's youngest daughter, giggled up at Attorra. This was the first time she had danced with a man that her father hadn't hand picked for her. "I am so excited." She said leaning into Attorra's side "How about you?"

Jinx, Paha's third wife, noticed her daughter and Attorra. "I think we should have left her at home." She said in a low voice squeezing her husband's arm lightly.

Paha glanced away from Millin and Grigori to see his giggling daughter. "I can't take my eyes off a single one of them." he said before turning his attention back.
"If he choses some one other then one of my daughters I will be happy. But it would do me some good if he took an interest in one of mine. Keep the ties strong between our lands. Never know if I'll even be dethroned, let alone when."

"Your too strong and well liked by your people to be taken from power any time soon." Nissa said gazing up at her husband with a look of admiration.

"You know." Paha said jumping subjects. "He could always do what I did." Slowly he began to grin. "Take more then one wife!" He pulled the two at his side in, a arm wrapped snugly around each ones back. Then nuzzled both their necks with a chuckle at their giggles and protests.

Abarden couldn't help but roll his eyes. "I think that would be a bad idea to tell him that. If I am not mistaken, His Majesty needs a heir, not many women to keep him busy."

Paha laughed and looked over his shoulder at Abarden. "Really now? What would you know about producing a heir? If you have more women, the more potential to have even more kids!"

Avarossa shook her head. "Lord Paha. I am frankly quite surprised your wives put up with that kind of attitude."

Jinx laughed lightly. "Oh no worries he will have changed his tune by bed time. There are too many of us to push the issue of another wife."

"Still I would never share Grigori." Avarossa didn't want to start an argument but this strange to her. Five women, sharing one man? "I mean no offense of course, just I, I wouldn't be able to share."

Nissa smiled and answered. "Because your in love. The lot of us, are not. We married because it was needed." She patted Paha's arm lightly. "Not that I don't like him."

Leonidas managed to make his way over to the little group. The little girl still clinging to him, and a wife still glued to his arm. "My lord?" he asked a little annoyed he couldn't get free of the two. "May I go put Telimina to bed before she get into trouble?"

Telmina squealed and dug sharp nails into Leonidas's skin. "No, no, no Teli be good." She said hiding her face against his neck.

Paha laughed. "You seem to be handling her well enough."

Laci couldn't help but notice all the girls' glares as she took up her place to dance. "Do you want a real answer? Or one that I have been drilled to say?" She asked noticing another women give her the stink eye. Maybe if she just bowed out of the dance and let the other mob the king she would be spared. "Because honestly your majesty. I hate parties. Not that I am not happy you made it safely to another birthday." She corrected quickly.

Parry giggled again. "Because we can dance close." She said stopping and taking position quickly. "Lets enjoy another year your king has been in good health!" She said stepping in closer then she should have been.

Paha sighed. "Call me paranoid." He scanned the small crowd looking for Nihl and that girl. He spotted them already dancing. "Also I keep having kids and they keep taking up space in my home. I need to find new places for them some how." He said with a smile. [c

Avarrosa balled a hand up and was ready to smack Grigori. he was groping her, again, in public. He clearly needed to be reminded that his actions were inappropriate. "Sweety." She watched as her daughter darted off. "If you wish to be able to use that hand for the rest of the night, may I suggest it be moved?"

"Oh hey Leonidas?" Paha suddenly had a thought. "Will you do us a favor and keep an eye on the little girl? Since you are already playing baby sitter." He grinned again and turned back to the other dismissing Leonidas. "He's great with kids really, has a few of his own back home."

Leonidas grunted and pulled his arm from the Zanna who smiled and walked to her husband. Holding Telmina to his side Leonidas stalked off through the crowd in search of the little human girl.

Laci gave a nervous glance over to the side lines. "I can't say I have seen any Minnows with glares that mean." She kept her dance, moving with practiced ease. She tried to ignore now, the whispering that was starting to happen among the girls, it had started the moment he had moved her in closer. "Your Majesty." She said looking up at him just to take her eyes away from the angry women. "You should know. No one thinks you to be selfish. A good king can never be selfish, a good king is one like yourself who makes sure his people are living well." She wasn't trying to flatter, just stating some of her thought, but of course she had read that before. The good and bad kings of the past. Good kings provided for his people, the bad kings took and taxed his people to no end.

Parry frowned and took another step in as she moved along in the dance. "Oh but that wouldn't be fun."

"I guess I can forgive you. But before we dance." Avarrosa looked to Paha. "Are you sure your general will look after Afsana?" She asked concern in her voice. She didn't like leaving her daughter with some one she didn't really know.

"I assure you, Leonidas would die before he let any thing happen to your daughter." Paha took her hand up and gave it a small pat. "His people value their children, and even more so their girl children. She is about as safe as she can get without Grigori standing over her."

Sighing Avarrosa took her husband's hand. "Let dance before the poor guy comes running back from our little hellion." She smiled up at Grigori.

"Any ways. Millin. Once they get old enough you will be more then happy to send your daughters off to be wed." Paha returned to their conversation. "All their hormones will go off together, and all be in a bad mood together and then, my friend, you will be willing to sell them to get them out the house."