Back in the shadowed halls of King Drokan's palace, the air hung heavy with dread. The crimson sun had only just begun to rise, casting blood-streaked light across the grand marble floors. Inside the king's chambers, the atmosphere was even darker. King Drokan, pale and sweating from days without rest, sat propped up in his grand bed like a restless beast caged in gold.
At his side stood an old woman, her silver hair braided into coils that whispered of generations past. Her eyes, sharp as daggers, bore the weight of untold secrets. This was Queen Zaphira—Sahabi's mother, Adam's grandmother. A woman feared, respected, and only whispered about in certain corners of the realm.
The king's physician, a gentle and loyal old man, adjusted a cloth on Drokan's head. "Sire, your blood pressure is unstable. Please, just rest for an hour. Your heart—"
With a hiss of fury, Drokan moved faster than anyone thought him capable. A hidden blade flashed in the dim chamber light, and with a violent swipe, he slit the doctor's throat. Blood splattered across the silk sheets as the man staggered, gurgling, eyes wide with betrayal. He fell to the floor with a sickening thud.
Zaphira, unflinching, simply placed a hand to her forehead and exhaled.
"Did you have to kill him?" she said coldly. "He was one of your best doctors."
"He ordered me around," Drokan growled, chest heaving. "I'm the king!"
"Yeah, yeah. Sure," she muttered. Then she grabbed him by the collar and yanked him forward with surprising strength. Her voice dropped low, dangerous. "But I swear on my mother's grave, Drokan… if you ever call me kill someone and the blood spoiled my dress again, I will cut off your weewee in your sleep. Understand?"
Drokan, eyes wide with sudden clarity, nodded quickly. "Yes, my queen."
She smiled sweetly, patted his cheek. "Good. Now, today, you rest. No arguments."
"But… who's going to hold the council meeting? Who will lead the kingdom while I'm in bed?"
She turned toward the door, her golden robes shimmering like fire. "Have you forgotten who I am?"
Drokan groaned. "No, Zaphira."
"Then act like it."
With a commanding wave, she called forth her pets—two massive beasts, a breed somewhere between lion and sabertooth, their eyes gleaming with intelligence and menace. They followed her like shadows as she exited the chamber. Drokan muttered into his pillow:
"I pity the council today. They're in grave danger."
---
The Council Meeting Begins
The great council chamber was filled with unease. Seated around the oval table carved from the bones of a thousand-year dragon were the kingdom's most powerful lords and advisors. But today, something was off.
The throne was not empty—but it did not hold King Drokan.
There sat Zaphira, her poise unshakable, her two monstrous pets flanking her like twin reapers. The councilors stared in stunned silence.
Amos, Drokan's elder brother, stood abruptly. "How dare you sit upon the king's throne, woman! Have you lost your mind? Do you have a death wish?!"
Gasps echoed across the hall. Eyes flicked between Amos and the queen. No one dared speak aloud the obvious—he was courting death.
A deep, thunderous growl erupted from the beasts. The sound shook the very windows.
Zaphira didn't flinch. She simply said, "Boys… sit."
The two beasts immediately obeyed, settling beside her like statues of death.
But her gaze didn't shift. It remained on Amos.
"I wasn't talking to my pets," she said, her voice both honeyed and razor-sharp. "I was referring to you."
A cold shiver crawled up Amos' spine. He lowered himself back into his seat, the color draining from his face.
Zaphira smiled. "Now, let's begin the council meeting."
---
Matters Discussed in the Council:
Zaphira stood as the scribe began listing the reports. She moved from the throne and paced, her presence filling the chamber with command.
1. The Disappearance of a Border Patrol Unit – A full squadron was found slaughtered along the eastern ridge. No survivors. No witnesses. Only a sigil drawn in blood—an ancient symbol of a forgotten clan.
Zaphira paused in her pacing. "Bring me the map," she ordered.
A servant scrambled to lay a large map across the table.
She scanned the eastern ridge with a keen eye. "This symbol… it's not forgotten. It's forbidden. Seal that area immediately. Triple the watchmen. And find out who among the patrol leaked their route. There's a traitor inside our own walls."
2. A New Threat Emerging in the Southern Wastes – Survivors from the ruined Enchanting Queen's territory have migrated north, bringing word of three mysterious wanderers responsible for leveling her citadel in a single night.
Zaphira turned to her spy master. "Details?"
"Minimal, Your Majesty. Survivors speak of a white-haired youth, a woman cloaked in shadow, and a man whose eyes burned like stars."
She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Stars, you say? Hmm… perhaps our dear Adam is still making waves. Interesting. Continue monitoring. I want updates every six hours."
3. Massacre in the Deep White Snow Forest – Entire camps of bandits and outlaws found mutilated. Witnesses speak of glowing blades, a silver-haired warrior, and a man with burning eyes. The council feared the rise of an unknown force—but had no names to confirm.
Zaphira narrowed her eyes. "The same trio again… but always leaving before dawn. Mysterious, poetic, and dangerous."
She turned to the room. "If they are enemies, we eliminate them. If they are allies, we find them first. Either way, they are a storm coming to our gates."
From his corner, Victor—King Drokan's younger brother—tightened his jaw. He knew who they were. He knew the scent of the storm that had passed. But he remained silent.
---
Final Decisions and Threats
Zaphira moved swiftly through the rest of the meeting, tackling everything from spy networks in the east to corrupt grain merchants in the west.
"Lord Harron, your taxes have not reached the capital in two moons. Are you keeping gold for yourself or simply incompetent?"
"My queen, I—"
"Silence. You'll deliver triple next moon or your head will sit on your own grain cart. Understood?"
"Y-Yes, my queen."
She turned to the generals. "Begin war drills in the northern barracks. I want our forces winter-ready. And someone find out what the new king of Veridia is plotting. He's been too quiet lately."
The meeting stretched long into the morning. Treaties were negotiated. Spies' reports read aloud. Lands reassigned. Rumors of rebellion squashed.
Then, finally, Zaphira stood.
As one, the council rose.
"That will be all for today," she said calmly.
She turned without another word. The two beasts let out a final, thunderous roar, shaking the council's bones to their core. They followed her in perfect step.
Only rwomen remained seated long after she left: Victor and his younger brother Alex.
Alex muttered under his breath, "I hate that woman."
Victor elbowed him sharply. "Be quiet. Even the walls have ears."
He leaned closer, whispering so low even shadows couldn't hear.
"Don't worry. Soon… we'll get rid of my evil brother and his wicked witch."