The King and his merry men

[Gilgamesh]

The smug prime stood sarcastically before the King, her bow more theatric than earnest. Gilgamesh’s hands clenched around the golden throne, the lack of respect for her one true King had earned his ire. The instinct to show this petty prime the exact distance between their positions was screaming in the King’s mind. Allowing himself to grit his teeth for a few seconds, Gilgamesh managed to get himself to calm down. Maybe this would be a good chance to use the carrot instead of the stick.

Gilgamesh readjusted himself in his seat, leaning backwards, pressing his fingertips together. Managing to conceal most of the aggression in his voice, he spoke, “You have been traversing my troubled city and have come at the fortunate time of my return. I need something done. I can offer you power, respect,” The King raised his eyebrow before he held out his hand to open a golden portal. “Wealth?” Golden coins and jewels poured out of the portal raining into his hand. The shining and endless nature of the golden coins was enough to tantalize even the most selfless of people.

Marisa rolled her eyes and her already relaxed body posture slumped even more. “I already have all the power I can want.” Gilgamesh forcefully smiled at the girl’s bluff, she was completely unaware of what power the King had seen recently. His smile slowly turned into an intimidating frown, “What do you want then? I have blessed you an audience with me and my patience is wearing thin.” He tapped his fingers impatiently on his throne, awaiting her answer.

Sarcastically, the girl tapped her finger on her chin, pretending to be lost in thought. An even more obnoxious, “Hmmmmmm…” resonated throughout the throne room. Marisa was pushing the King’s buttons and knowing Gilgamesh’s incredibly short fuse, it was working wonders. Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes at her, letting her know that if she wasted any more of his time, the meeting would go south.

Quickly ending her charade she spoke up, “I wouldn’t be opposed to obtaining some land in the city.” She flashed the king an impish smile, while swaying back and forth. His old habits made a brief return in his mind. This mongrel would dare ask to take something as precious as his land?! The gall of such a low being as a Magus! Shifting in his seat, he rested his hand on his fist to contemplate her request. The more he thought about it, her leasing land with her undying loyalty and respect would not upset him. She would definitely need to display this form of dedication through her actions, however.

The long pause the King had let sit in the room had settled uncomfortably. Twiddling her thumbs, Marisa kept on making weird faces at the King, expecting her decision soon. Gilgamesh spoke up, his commanding voice resonating through the room. “I will grant you this on the condition you are loyal to me.” She followed up with a sarcastic head nod, however Gilgamesh chose to ignore this disrespectful sign.

“You must first do something for the good of the city.” Gilgamesh had interjected, “I had recently gifted my people a hospital which should alleviate many problems. Your job is to merge my glorious new hospital and the existing support, I believe it was called the Golden Cross.” Gilgamesh smiled at the apt name of the group. “You will help move any resources they have as well as any wounded over to my hospital and protect it from raiders. Do I make myself clear?”

Giving the King another sarcastic bow she spoke, “Why of course. Anything for you.” Maintaining her bow, she backpedalled out of the room. Gilgamesh was just glad she was gone, not destroying the mongrel gave him a large migraine. Dave popped his head in the room and took a deep breathe to try and speak.

Cutting him off, Gilgamesh’s let his bitterness carry on in his voice, “Just send the next mongrel in.”