Ashelin managed to figure out how to secure a sarong around her after a few tries, but before she could even approach the door, it opened.

Two soldiers decked out from head to toe in red and black combat clothes stood there, holding impressive guns.

She rolled her eyes. "All this for me?"

"You're due at the dinner table," one of them declared.

"Did the king get over his temper tantrum?" She sneered.

The other soldier motioned with his gun for her to exit the bathroom, and she strutted between them.

"You're not going to live through the crab rangoon with that attitude," he warned.

They led her down a hallway and into a ridiculous dining room, adorned with a huge painting of the King himself. She was amazed by the lap of luxury Pagan had created for himself, and wondered how shitty the rest of Kyrat must be for him to have all of this.

One of the soldiers shoved her down into a seat at the foot of the table, and they each took a place on either side of the door.

Ashelin sighed. With guys like this everywhere, it was going to be difficult to make an escape.

She thought about Pagan's son, how he'd said he was coming to overthrow him. Maybe if she could hook up with him he'd be able to help her get out of the country.

"You can leave," the King said simply from behind her and she turned to watch him enter. The soldiers stepped out and he closed the door.

His short blonde mop was perfectly styled, not a hair out of place. He had on a fresh pink suit, dry and creaseless. He slowly circled the table, watching her like a wary predator.

"I would assume that you're weighing your options of escape," he said.

Ashelin decided to stay silent.

He reached the head of the table and made a slow show of pulling out his seat and perching on it. "Try the crab rangoon. It's divine."

She crossed her arms. "Are you fucking for real?"

Pagan laughed. "I assure you I am very much 'for real,'" he replied and lifted his fork to his mouth. He took a sensuous bite, moaning a little as he tasted the food, and then cocked his head at her. "Are you?"

She sighed. "Am I what?"

"For real?" he asked. "Your story about being torn from your pirate lover and sent here as an act of vengeance."

"My... pirate lover." Ashelin stabbed at some food with her fork as a blush crept up her cheeks. Was that what Vaas was?

"I know all about Mr. Montenegro," Pagan said in between delicate mouthfuls. "Self-proclaimed pirate King, drug lord, tyrant, killer, all around insane person. I've always wanted to meet him."

"I don't think you'd get along," she muttered.

"We're not terribly different, he and I." He seemed to drift in his thoughts for a moment. "But I think you're exactly right."

"Why am I here?" Ashelin sighed, putting down her fork. "Are you going to kill me, or try to force me to marry your son, or what?"

"I don't think he would have you, to be honest." He laughed bitterly. "The little shit is too noble for that. Even if I did manage to keep you under my thumb until he got here, he'd probably help get you out of Kyrat. I am ever the impulse buyer."

"So, what now then?" If he was to have her executed, this could be it. She was tough, but not tough enough to fight her way through an army.

"Well I can't just ask for a refund, can I?" Pagan seemed to be talking to himself more than her. "Not like I'll be dealing with Volker again once I'm out of here."

Ashelin picked at her food again, annoyed. She was starting to think this man was unstable, which would make him harder to manipulate. Her stomach growled.

"Eat, will you?" Pagan snapped. "I've executed three chefs this month to get a decent meal."

She wanted to refuse just to be stubborn, but her stomach betrayed her and she took a bite. The dumpling crunched delightfully in her mouth and the creamy filling was heavenly on her tongue.

"So Vaas crossed Hoyt and he hurt you to hurt Vaas," Pagan mused. "If I were to let you go, right now, what would you do?"

She weighed her options and decided she could be straight with him. She could lie, and be convincing, but she had a gut feeling about this man, and she followed it.

"Logistics of getting back to Rook Island aside, I want to kill the bastards that did this to me." She clenched a fist. "That includes Hoyt."

"And if Vaas is still alive?" He raised an eyebrow. "Then what?"

"Then I rescue him," she said, "and he can deliver the final blow."