His Days Are Numbered

''I think you have to call the party off at this time and hear from the Princes.'' Xavier reminded Prince Bane not to get carried away by the euphoria that the party carried around the palace.

''Are they all drunk enough? I want to have their word that they will back Persia. If possible, they should sign up so that they will not be able to change their minds later.'' Prince Bane did not feel any bit of the euphoria of any party, instead he was worried sick.

''They are drunk, that I can assure you, but too drunk to not know that they are having their signature on an official document is what I cannot guarantee. We can only hope that it is the case.'' Xavier replied.

Prince Bane shook his head wearily. He wished that at this time, just like it had been in the past, he could have his way easily.

''Fine, just send them in then. I hope I can just have this pass. By the way, where is Sent? What is she up to? Where is she?'' Prince Bane suddenly remembered that he also had Sent to worry about.

''I don't know.'' Xavier shrugged, the man was tired of Sent. At least everybody that could, had asked Sent to leave the party but she was hostile to them, so they let her be.

''Please, tell the Princes to come. I hope this works out as it should.'' Xvier did not even wait for Prince Bane to finish speaking before turning around to go and get the Princes. Before long, the throne room was reeking with alsohol and sex as the Princes strutted in one after the other.

Prince Bane made sure to take a close look at each of the Princes as they entered, looking for a sign of weakness especially in their brain, but to his surprise, all the Princes appeared to be very agile.

''What?'' Prince Bane muttered to his hearing alone.

How could it be? All that food, wine and women was not enough to render the Princes close to incapacitated?

''Prince Bane, this is the first time you have treated us to such a luscious party. I mean, when I was leaving my kingdom to come for this imromptu meeting, my family were worried because everybody knows the narrative about Persia and how it concerns the seven kingdoms, but to my surprise, it's totally different. In fact, I cannot wait to go back home and tell everyone how nice the Prince was to us.'' One of the Princes, excited after such a luxurious party, said to Prince Bane with genuine happiness.

Prince Bane glanced at Xavier and both men exchanged secret smiles of pleasure. They both started to think that, maybe, they had hope as far as the Princes were concerned.

The Princes obviously enjoyed the party, so maybe they will feel inclined to cooeprate with Prince Bane and Persia as a whole.

''Well that's good to hear.'' Xavier was the person that spoke up first as he watched the other Princes agree with their comrade.

''In that case, I guess it's certain that Perisa will have your support as far as taking sides between Magus is concerned?'' Prince Bane asked.

''We will wait to see if the treaty will be signed first, Prince Bane. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Obviously, you still want to be in control of the eight kingdoms, so if you decline signing the treaty, maybe there will be no need for us to have this conversation, right?'' One of the Princes quickly said.

This Prince who had just spoken was one of the ones that knew the reason behind the lavish party that Prince Bane suddenly threw for them. Well, all the Princes knew that Prince Bane was trying to buy them to his side, but what they did not know was that the party was going to be a major means.

This Prince made sure not to drink a sip of wine from that party, neither did he accept any women from the bunch that was generously given to them. He made sure to keep a clean slate so that he could talk back at Prince Bane without feeling guilty.

''Yes, yes, I think I agree. Just do what you have to do as the Prince of Princes and let us be as we have no say in the grand scheme of things, to be honest. Whoever comes out as the authority between Magus and Persia is who we will automatically follow. That's just total reason.'' Another Prince joined.

Xavier shook his head more because the Princes were right than any other thing. They would have to look for a way around not signing that treaty if not there was no way the seven kingdoms would back a kingdom that was not strong just because they wanted to be nice.

The meeting soon came to loggerheads, and there was no decision reached as the Princes left back to the seven kingdoms, satisfied that they had not let their will down, and that they had stylishly removed themselves from Prince Bane trying to roped them in in his decision making process that had everything to do with him and nobody else but him.

''What are we going to do now? I cannot see myself giving in to those Princes in Magus. I cannot sign that treaty, Uncle Xavier. I just will not sign that treaty.'' Prince Bane relaxed into his chair as he spoke his mind.

Indeed, how could he sign a treaty that will make a kingdom that he had ruled over with thick gloves become superior to him. Prince Bane knew that Magus was the better kingdom compared to Persia. Already, more than seventy percent of the food produced within the eight kingdoms came from Magus, and if Magus dared to cut off the food supply, then everyone, including Persians will starve to death.

It was as if Prince Bane just realised that fact and he sank even deeper into his chair, knowing that his days as the Prince of all Princes were numbered.