Finalized

**************

CHAPTER 17

'Who are you?'

Xander's brain replayed these words severally in his mind while he thought of how best to answer Xavier and clear all forms of doubt from his mind.

After some seconds, Xander's lips parted to speak as he exhaled sharply. "Your majesty, I am Xander Blaze, Head of House Blaze. I come offering my allegiance to the true king of Drakenflare."

He dipped in his head once more but did not bow as low as before.

Hearing this, Xavier's eyes narrowed further at him. "I see, you are a descendant of Xander."

"Yes, your majesty and from my forefathers till now, we have kept the Aisle of Drakenflame a secret and protected from the eyes of the realm. Waiting earnestly for your return."

"Is that so?" His gaze once more swept through the faces of all present before bringing it to rest on Xander once more.

"Yes, your majesty and above all, we," he spread both hands to the side before continuing, "We pledge our allegiance to you. We and many others who couldn't make it for this first journey."

Each word spoken left Xavier wondering. He did his best to ponder on them deeply before giving his response.

"I understand. I have heard but I have a question for you all."

"Please, do ask," they all chorused at the same time.

Anything at this point to have him agree to their allegiance would be greatly accepted.

It was their belief and although the new king was there, the injustice going on could never let them be subject to him any longer.

Nevertheless, the question Xavier planned to ask them was one they were never expecting.

"I have killed many in my quest for revenge. I plunged the realm into a blazing fury in my rage ten thousand years ago. And upon awakening, I have hurt people."

Xavier exhaled slowly while his keen eyes tried their best to read their emotions to see the ones who were scared and would have faltering resolve.

Fortunately, enough, with all he spoke their hearts hardened and their minds were entirely made up.

Xander had once told them there was something that went wrong with him and they would not know but the realm blamed him.

His allies were among the selected few who believed in him. And now that belief was tested.

"I won't justify my actions. What I did was wrong and I hurt and killed innocents. However, when they took her from me, she was innocent too. Yet she lost her most prized possession twice."

"Say no more, Your Majesty. Please," Xander quickly intervened.

He could see a flash of pain in those eyes and tell that whatever had been done and taken from him must have hurt the most in the world.

Now he and everyone else understood it.

His wife was taken, snatched by the very hands of death, leaving him, her mate frustrated.

"So, knowing that, do you still choose to follow me?" Their heads turned from side to side, glancing at one another.

"Also know, that following me, means being ostracized by the realm and called traitors. If you can't you may leave now. I would not hold you responsible nor do anything for you. But if you choose to st…"

Before Xavier got the opportunity to complete his speech, their voices interjected to his surprise.

"We choose to stay, your majesty."

Quickly all of their heads lowered in salute, bringing their right hand over their chest. "You have heard, your majesty. We chose to stay," Xander echoed out.

At this point, Xavier knew it was useless to try to change their minds. Even if he left them out there, their resolve was strong and they wouldn't budge.

However, he planned on putting their loyalty to the test later.

"Fine. Welcome to the Aisle of Drakenflame. You may enter."

"Thank you, Your Maj…"

Their words immediately remained stuck in their throat as they saw him suddenly disappear right before their eyes.

Even Raven who was watching the entire scene from where she was and hoping she could eavesdrop on their conversation was stunned out of her wits when she saw him disappear like that.

A few minutes passed and they remained hovering in the air in wonder while searching for him.

Bu the time three minutes was up, Xander called out to them and they proceeded forward.

This time around, there was no block or strange energy. The aura they felt changed. It was obvious the palace welcomed them.

****

On the other hand, the meeting surprisingly went on for another day to ensure all planning and analysis were done.

For now, they agreed not to attack and wait for his next move, taking into consideration that should they be rash, not only would Zephyr lose his daughter but who knows what other hell would be upon them.

Although Zephyr did not agree with what they were proposing, he had other plans himself.

Walking briskly past the hallways in the meeting house, Jared's brows drew close together while balling his hands at his side as he continued in his steps with Zephyr walking behind him.

How the meeting had ended hadn't been in his favour.

He wanted and needed Xavier to be killed quickly. However, the assembly of kings refused that.

What more could he do at this point in time other than to take matters into his own hands?

BANG!

Swinging the door t the side, Jared walked in before Zephyr as the latter closed the door behind them.

Wasting no time, he lifted his hands in the air and created a barrier in the room. The last thing Zephyr wanted was any of the rulers listening to their conversation, especially Aragorn, the elf king.

"How dare they!" Jared thundered in rage.

"Your majesty…" Zephyr called out to him in a somewhat low tone.

Turning around swiftly, Jared glared at Zephyr as he poured out his rage.

"It is easy for them all to sit down there and not be bothered by anything going on when we all know that the first point of attack would and always be Drakenflare!"

"Yes, sire. I understand you but please calm your temper."

"Calm! Zephyr how can you still be calm knowing your daughter, Raven is with that beast?"

"Because I know venting like this would not get her out of there, Your Majesty."

Jared's chest rose and fell with a great burst, but he tried to remain calm. "Not helping," he informed Zephyr after some time.

"It would and if it would please you to hear, know that I am not leaving things as they are. I would have spies infiltrate his hold."

"How?"

"There are ways and you may have heard about the secret supporters he had. I believe any time soon, they would begin to try to flee."

"What!"

"Yes, your majesty. If you had known, you would have weeded them out since but I do not blame you. The past rulers should have known better."

"Zephyr," his eyes flickered in fright at the probability that his kingdom was soon going to be divided or better still taken from him.

"I have a plan, Your Majesty. Be rest assured and support me."

"Fine. I would trust you. Anything to ensure the disposed-off dragon king does not take the throne of Drakenflare."

"Got it."