ARAGU

Recruits

The evening came, the King summoned the council and the Master of Fire with her apprentice to their conference room. Princess Frea was seated on her chair next to her father's.

"Good evening. I know that you already knew why I called you here." King Drale said, looking at the council one by one.

"With all due respect Your Highness, why is she here?" The male council asked and pointed Xaeron.

"Because you need me." Xaeron smirked when she saw the council's pissed off reaction.

"Enough with your remarks, Xaeron is telling the truth. She is the Master of Fire, that's final. I don't want to hear another word about you doubting her. Am I clear?" The council nodded, "I am pleased with your answers." King Drale smiled.

"We're gathered here tonight because we'll discuss about the plan."

"I thought that the Master of Fire will handle it?" The female council asked mockingly, "If it were up to me, I wouldn't include you in this meeting. But of course, I have no power to do that." Xaeron said with no emotions.

"Xaeron will take care of the plan. I only called you to let you know, that I'll hand the planning to Xaeron. I only need your permission."

"How can you be sure we could trust this girl?"

"Have you heard about the war between the cavalry of Shadow Knights and the Master of Fire?" King Drale asked, "Based on your reaction, I know you did. So that's the proof that we need to trust her."

The council were silent. "I'll start the preparation tomorrow. If you'll excuse me." Xaeron stood up without no looking back then Aera followed her Master.

"This war wouldn't happen if the Princess decided to marry the Shadow King." One of the council said, she was in her mid 50's. "Lucille! It's not right for you to speak like that. You can't make up the mind of our Princess."

Another council said. He was called Tork. "Tork is right Lucille. Who would want to marry the Shadow King? We can't be sure he won't harm Fylux after he married the Princess." Dam said, he was the head of the council.

"If Princess Frea is thinking about the Kingdom and the Araguras, she would marry the Shadow King!" Lucille rebutt.

"Enough!" The King slammed his palms on the table.

Everyone in the room were silent. The Princess ducked her head in shame.

"I'm not a bad father nor a bad king Lucille. If you wished to have someone marry the King, then your welcome to do it." The King said in the most calm way he can.

"Come on my dear. Let us take our rest. This meeting is adjourned." King Drale grabbed her daughter's hand gently, and they walked out of the room.

"Well, there goes our win way ticket out of the Shadow King's wrath." Dam said and stood up.

"What do you mean?" Lucille asked. "The King and the Princess is siding with the Master of Fire, who I believed will win this war." Dam said.

"That means, siding with the King is our great advantage." Tork said. "That is right. But I never doubted the decision of our King. He gained too many victories and glory under his name." Dam walked to the door.

"If any of you wished to betray the King, I'll slay you myself." Dam threatened the other two council. Tork only gulped, "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious." Dam walked out of the room.

Lucille silently scoffed. She knows when Dam made up his mind, there's no turning back.

On the other side of the castle, Xaeron was walking through the hall of fame.