7 We Must Return

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CHAPTER 7

~Drakenflare~

By the evening of that day, aid had been sent to the few villages affected by Xavier's actions.

Thankfully, they got help from the Mages' kingdom and rebuilding some of the houses did not take time.

However, while the kingdom went to sleep leaving an eye open in case another attack swooped in, several people stayed awake, making plans.

Deep within a secluded alley in one of the cities of Drakenflare stood an abandoned-looking building with little or nothing left of it.

Not so far off, a dark figure was seen rushing through the corners of the street, hiding from the beautiful moonlight that blessed the already abandoned place with its silvery white light.

With each step taken, the black hooded figure approached a building while keeping his head low all the time.

It did not take long and soon he stood face to face with the door at the side of the building.

The air around him stilled as did every other living thing as he sluggishly lifted his head, revealing a pair of orange gleaming eyes.

"Aririlimcaex. Nif sesame."

At the same time, his hands glowed with an orange light dancing along his fingertips as they descended to the ground where he stood.

Immediately the ground beneath his feet let out a sharp noise, letting out an echo in the dark night.

Following suit, more noise erupted as the ground pulled open, dividng in two to reveal an endless staircase, descending into the unknown.

Bright orange and white light shone from the depths of the stairs, giving a welcoming dance to its guest.

The being let his hands drop to his side before bringing out his right leg and placing his foot on the stair.

****

Seated at a round table in the brightly lit room were pairs of angry eyes of different colours all speaking silently of the anger that rose in their hearts.

Ranging from the sharp creases on their brows, the deep frown and furrows of their forehead to the lazy sitting posture of some of the beings there whose feet tapped to an endless rhythm on the interlocking tiled floor, spoke of their impatience.

A loud grunt resounded from behind them as one of the lone figures stood up, letting his hood fall from his head.

"How long do we have to wait for him?" His baritone voice echoed at them.

"Sit and wait, Jalal," another being echoed from the table, snapping his piercing gaze at the one who spoke first.

"Why?" You may all have such endearing patience, Dristan, but not me."

"Jalal!" A third voice hollered in the seemingly quiet room as he slammed his hand on the table.

Without a word from the others, everyone fell into complete silence as they all swallowed whatever complaint they might have had in their minds.

However, just when the majority thought calmness would return to their group, Jalal voiced his displeasure again.

"I would not keep quiet, Xanthos. I am free to speak my mind," he challenged.

"Fine then, air your views," Xanthos urged, rising to his feet. "Everyone, listen up, Jalal wishes to speak."

A glint of mockery flashed before his purples irises as he announced. Nevertheless, the cold look etched on his handsome face told a different thing.

Everyone knew how much he hated his authority to be questioned but his favourite contender never backed away.

"Thank you," Jalal responded, giving him a mocking bow that barely signified respect. "We cannot sit here and wait for him. We need to discuss this meeting before his arrival."

"True but he precedes. He leads and gives the top news," Xanthos reminded him.

"Yes. Have you considered the fact that what if something had occurred on the way that prompted him to retreat?"

"Then he would find a way," Dristan responded from his seat.

They all knew what it meant when the person they expected spoke of his attendance. No matter what, he always found a way.

"I doubt this time. We cannot waste such an important meeting when the Dragon King is alive."

"And we won't."

"Says who?!" Jalal fired out in rage.

He was mad that everyone just remained calm even though fire brimmed in their hearts.

He had wished to dare who had spoken to say one more word when realization dawned on him.

Instantly, his tightened fist released without a second to waste as his eyes widened in shock.

At the same time, everyone else had their jaws dropped when their ears made reckon with that voice.

As though on track, they saw something move from the shadows in a flash. Before any of them could speak, he was already standing face to face in front of them.

"Says I."

"Zeno."

"He is here."

"For how long?"

Several murmurs resounded around him as they stared in disbelief.

One would have expected them to understand his behavior by now but each time he came late, a different entrance followed.

They felt the air around them drop suddenly as he exuded a maddening dreadful aura, suppressing all opposition against him.

Trapped in that overpowering aura, Jalal was forced to take a step back as he stammered his reply. "I-I…"

"What? You can't challenge my stand anymore?" The hollow voice resonated with more dread, sending chills running down their spine.

His eyes glowed once again, illuminating and mimicking the shine in the room.

"For our Lord's sake, I would let this pass. Let this be the last time Xanthos or Dristan gives an order and you fail to adhere."

Not bothering with whatever answer or response Jalal had to give, he turned his head to face the others and removed the hood of his tunic.

"A pleasant evening my brethren. I bring greetings from Xander."

"We accept," they chorused as they straightened their backs, ready for what was to come next.

"Now, shall we begin?"

The second he said that the depressing aura surrounding the place instantly dissipated as life returned to the room and the eyes of the ones before him.

"The time we have been waiting for has finally come upon us. He had awakened," Zeno announced.

"What do we do now?" one of the men before him spoke up.

"Emilian, we must move."

"Move? But the king's guard and security would tighten. It would be hard for us to get past him with our families," another one of them interjected.

"We cannot sit here either, Cadoc. The one whom we had waited for is finally here. He needs us, his people. We must go to him."

"But…"

"Think about it," Dristan began as he rose to his feet, casting his gaze on the others. "King Jared would stop at nothing now that his throne feels threatened, to smoke out all the supporters of his majesty."

"Yes," several of the dragons chorused in agreement.

It was no news how they had been treated before now. They did not need the reminder in fact.

"If we must take action, we take action while the fire is hot," Dristan continued.

"If we give them time to prepare counterattack measures towards us and his majesty, then who would warn King Xavier and better still how would we protect our own when the realm is in chaos against us?"

As much as they wished to counter what Dristan and Xanthos said, they knew from their heart of heart how things were.

"I know you feel fear and threatened by the unknown, brothers," Zeno's voice pulled their attention back to the matter.

"However, I believe we were all prepared for this when our families began this match."

"Back then things weren't this way."

"No. You are right," Zeno applauded. "Things were not this way. Instead, they were the worst," he spat out sharply.

"Or have you all forgotten how the king prosecuted our ancestors immediately after the accession of the throne by the current royal family?"

"No."

"Or have you forgotten how these same kinsmen shunned us, pushing us to the outskirts of the city? Or the conniving ways in which our houses and lands were stolen from us?"

With every word spoken out of his mouth, a different chord struck with the dragons before him.

Each one of them had experienced these sufferings he spoke of and for generations now, it was the same thing.

However, they had hope in their mind and planned such a gathering.

"All the persecution we suffered just so they could ensure we were made powerless never to rise against the new royal family. Have you forgotten all of that?!"

"No!" The dragons chorused in anger.

Their pain and rage had been kindled without Zeno doing so much.

"We are not cowards. We are not weaklings and though this journey may be filled with uncertainty, we shall ride out as true and loyal supporters of his majesty."

He took a deep breath, waiting for them to digest every word he said and for the fire that once burned for generations to be rekindled.

"Great, we have heard you," Jalal chipped in quickly. He ignored the few glares he got from all directions and faced Zeno squarely.

"How sure are you that we are not going to serve ourselves on a platter of gold to be killed?"

"If we were and you believe that, then why are you still here?" Zeno retorted before snapping his gaze back to the audience at hand.

"I believe he would never bring harm to his people. There must be a reason as to why the ancient tale and dread occurred. We must return to him. Only a true pure-blooded royal can rule and help Drakenflare flourish."

"Ignore Jalal, Zeno. What plans do you and the council of four have?" Emilian inquired.

"At dawn tomorrow morning, King Jared rides out for the assembly with his most trusted warlock. Xander informed me of this and said it is best we take hold of this opportunity before Jared's return."

"And?" Cadoc cut in quickly.

"He promised to ride with us and clear the way, especially with King Xavier. However, he would not stay. Someone would have to keep an eye on the king here."

"So, it is settled then," Dristan recounted. "We ride tomorrow."