Chandeliers were brightly lit above the oval table, and several luxury desserts and drinks were set in conjunction with the urgent council. Some of the members were busy ordering the chefs to serve them their palate. It was not foreign to see the king's council filled with numerous delicacies ranging from the northern to the southern lands. It was customary. All those who held a diplomatic relationship with Deatrius's ruler would be well aware of such matters. The clattering of spoons, knives and forks signalled that they were enjoying the desserts regardless of any urgent matter presented before them.

Standing high and tall as he set foot into the council halls, Grayson heard the noise die down. Just like the dark crows that descended beyond the crown during King Solvarion's coronation, whispers overtook their greedy chews and nervous swallows. Across the table, the frozen glass throne that was coiled with ancestral serpents glowed at his presence. It brought a sense of relief towards Grayson as he was aware that the throne mirrored the ruler's emotions occasionally.

Usually, the royal family's emotions were sealed before them, but to please his father, who was their private advisor for nearly two hundred years, Grayson was aware that King Solvarion did it on purpose. He could afford to lose anyone in the council except his father, one whose power was bestowed by the ancient serpents on these lands. Even then, Grayson knew he could not live off his father's authority to survive this trial. Those soldiers were his responsibilities, and he failed to return with an appropriate answer.

"Are you feeling better, Grayson?" King Solvarion questioned, setting his glass down as he studied his features thoroughly with crystal-like eyes. "Your father told me that you are still in a recovery phase, but since there are pressing matters at hand, we had no choice but to disturb your rest."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Radiance." Grayson stood up from his seat, bowing to the king with his palms crossed just above his forehead as respect. "With the rest days granted to me, I am getting better. I am ready to conquer all matters presented to me. There is nothing more salient than my missing soldiers."

Whispers began to echo in the halls, followed by several dissatisfied murmurs. Two judges across him were already casting him a side glance, muttering words like selfish, incapable and ignorant. Lifting his head high, Grayson gazed towards the king, who raised his palms. Immediately, all voices faded against the walls, silencing themselves from further mistakes. Tightening his fist under the table, Grayson leaned his back onto the cold glass chair, which acted as a soothing touch for a moment. Yes, he was guilty of his missing soldiers, but never in his life would he allow them to spew nonsense about him or his family in front of the king. The Ji family will not be humiliated in front of the king, the court and the soul and magic of the ancestral serpents carved within the glass throne.

"Really, General?" the judge chirped in. "Your refusal to attend the council proved otherwise. Even with such casualties, you returned intact with a lover. Wasn't it true that you return alone while our husbands, children and sons rot within the sands and seas? How convenient was it not for you to escape our doubts?"

"Escape is too heavy a word to describe it, Lady Aurelia," answered Grayson as he turned to look at her. "One must not be quick to spread rumours which are not true to their roots. I appreciate your doubts about me as it proves to the court that my return is cardinal. My soldiers are indeed my responsibility. I will ride out by myself in search of them by dawn tomorrow."

"It's almost five days, and even if you found them, what would they have become?" questioned the healer, who fixed her eyes on Grayson. "When my daughter joined the forces, I knew this day would come. The life of a soldier is never certain, and it is no foreign knowledge to me. All I ask... It is for you to return her to me if she is found. I hope the Kharan Seas will provide mercy to my daughter just as I did to you."

"I have no promises that I will return her to you in good form, Lady Veilbinder," stated Grayson as he bit his inner cheeks. "I can only offer my strength and power in search of her. She is a reputable soldier in my team, and I will not let her reside in the cold seas and dark, unknown lands for long."

It was not mercy, Lady Valtheris, the Veilbinder had offered, but stern mockery. Grayson felt the weights balancing themselves above his head and shoulders. On a deeper level, they were forcing him to perform a miracle. It was never unknown to the court that he, Grayson Ji Wenxiang, would go to infinite lengths to prove someone wrong. The court members were provoking him either to shame him and his family here or to drag their high reputation from the court. And, Grayson would never allow them to indulge in such luxurious prices. He would refute those assumptions no matter what. Tomorrow he will ride out before dawn. Alone.

"Ease your doubts and worries," King Solvarion spoke, the ring on his finger clinked onto the crystal glass adorned with gold beads. "I personally selected Grayson as the General in my kingdom. Your doubt towards him would be equivalent to your doubt on me."

The king's eyes darted around the court, silencing them from their upcoming protests. His voice was steady yet firm, and Grayson found himself letting out a long sigh. How long was it that he sucked in the cold air in the halls? He faced the king, head held high in the air and his chin stuck out proudly. Regardless of how the court has viewed him, what matters most would be King Solvarion's opinion of him. Deatruis does not belong to any Lord or Lady in the kingdom except for His Radiance. Such tales had long been spread.

"And, I believe," King Solvarion continued, holding his glass high, facing Grayson. "The Ji sons and daughter will never fail my judgement towards them. After all, they were the ones who brought me real victory in times of chaos and strong diplomatic relations. Something..."

Gazing towards the court members, King Solvation slammed his glass on the table, making the wine splatter. The table began to sizzle, emitting a foul scent in the air as he wiped it with his fingers. Behind him, the throne turned orange like the tangerines that grew in the royal farms, mirroring the king's wavy emotions.

"None of you could offer," the king resumed, resting his back on the chair. "I would expect such petty behaviour from anyone but not from my selection of court members who would represent me outside of my kingdom. Seems like reshuffling is in order during the next Shedding Grails."

One would think the council members were afraid and would abide by the king's words, but as a man with experience, Grayson knew that this dissatisfaction would not end there. They all knew going against the king would bear the worst outcome; hence, executing their foul thoughts outside of these very halls would be their goal. He noticed several council members glaring at his family. Grayson would respond most of the time, but just as he tried to sit upright, he felt a sharp sting on his chest. It felt as if a feral animal was chewing at his heart, trying their best to rip those arteries away. Biting his inner cheeks, he fisted his palms together.

"Tomorrow, Grayson will ride out as promised to search for the missing soldiers," the king announced, offering a warm smile towards Grayson, who responded. "And in the meantime, I do not wish to hear anyone crowding the Ji family's home regarding this matter. Ambrose..."

"Yes, Your Radiance," Ambrose, the Head of the Ji family, responded immediately.

"I believe Grayson is still in his recovery period, and if there is any ruckus in your home," the king spoke gently, offering Ambrose a wide smile. "You are free to usher them away. Send them to me instead. I will be glad to attend to them."

Beneath the king's concerns, Grayson was well aware that it was something for exchange. His family was well known for centuries, dating back to his late great-grandmother, they always reminded them of the king. Generations passed, yet they always had one motive towards the Ji family. Perhaps even two. His father, who was well aware, always reminded him and his siblings to be careful while threading with the king's affairs.

Knowing too much about the royal family would be a burden and not a blessing. It was their tradition to keep the Ji family matters as far away as possible from the king's knowledge, no matter how close they were. Grayson thought it was silly at first, but after what happened to Artie and Carl, he began to wonder if -

Grayson pressed his back against the cold chair, setting his elbow on the handrest upon feeling something gnawing onto the skin of his shoulders. It felt as if several claws were trying to rip his skin apart. A burning sensation surged through his spine, spreading itself among his system. They danced their way along his veins, engraving themselves proudly like historical carvings in the royal shrine of Deatrius. Tightening his grip on the chair, Grayson reached out for the glass of water. Next to him, Ezekiel looked concerned, yet both of them tried not to draw attention to themselves when the king spoke.

Crimson red swirls popped before his sight, staining his perfect vision with blood-like marks. Grayson rubbed his eyes gently, only to be blurred by cherry watermarks that curled against the appearing vines. They were clouding his view of the council and the scenery by the glass window behind Lady Aurelia. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Grayson felt something chewing on the skin on his shoulder bit by bit as if forming a pathway for a new company. Pressing his back onto the chair, Grayson gritted his teeth the second he felt a sharp split on his shoulders, followed by multiple continuous piercing sensations around it. It made him restless, and he lost concentration on the council discussion. Nothing could ease his weary mind about what was happening to him since he returned.

Was this a punishment for him for his failure in saving his soldiers?

Or was it a reminder that his life will no longer be in his control?

"If there are no more questions from anyone," King Solvarion announced, setting the royal jade guide on the table. "Then, you are all dismissed. I expect my selected council members to be on their best behaviour and not act like juveniles. Until the next council."

Everyone exited the halls in silence. None dared to glance at the king, including Grayson, allowing him some peace. As the warmth of the sun bathed Grayson's cheeks, he tilted his head and stretched despite the burning sensation behind his attire. He needed to head home and soak in the herbal bath he had prepared on behalf of a medic's help from the village.

"Gray," Ezekiel called out, chasing after his little brother, who walked ahead despite him shouting his name a couple of times. "Grayson! Slow down."

Grayson paused midway. His body was still, eyes focused on the road ahead.

"Grayson, you are not riding out alone tomorrow," Ezekiel mumbled, catching his breath. "Who knows what kind of beasts are lurking in those lands? The story of new creatures seeking shelter in the near spaces did not go unheard of. Gray?"

The voices around him turned inaudible. The trees, once painted green and brown, turned red, curled with vines and blooming petals. They hooked themselves behind Grayson, spreading freely across the abundant source. Next to Grayson, Ezekiel yelped, catching onto his brother's body, who fell limp without a warning. He tightened his grip onto Grayson's shoulder, letting him lay in his arms.

"Grayson!" Ezekiel whispered, patting his brother's cheeks.

Across the kingdom, a pair of red petals danced in the air, merging with the vines draped all over the rooftop. It sang tunes only two would understand, and even then, they would remain forever clueless.

While they clawed through their journey, somewhere, some place began to crumble like croissant flakes. 

Word Count: 2,084 words

Cumulative Words: 17,427 words