Max: The Rise Of House Chron

COUNCIL OF BARONS.

CHAPTER 9: COUNCIL OF BARONS. 

The atmosphere at the Sovereign's hold was quite tense. Events of the previous night caused the Sovereign to tighten security at the hold. Although activities went on as usual, there was a renewed sense of alertness by everyone, especially the guards. 

Along the massive hallways, footsteps could be heard as Lord Julius made his way to the hall of council. The Sovereign had called for a council meeting with the Barons earlier that day at dawn. 

As he got to the door, the sovereign guards bowed, and the steel red doors slid into the wall to the left and the right automatically, sensing his presence. He didn't as much as nod in acknowledgement to the salutation of the guards. He ignored them and walked in.

Up ahead at the round table, he saw lord Castor and lord Kole chit-chatting. They seemed rather at ease. 

"What are you two so engrossedly talking about?" lord Julius asked, pulling out a seat among the four empty seats at the majestically crafted table.

"Oh, just family stuff," lord Kole replied. 

"I see. Family is all that matters, eh?" lord Julius responded, then he smirked. 

"Speaking of family, I see that congratulations are in order, lord Julius. You're soon going to be in-laws with His Sovereign. You must be feeling out of this world right now," lord Castor said. 

Lord Julius chuckled softly, then looked at lord Castor. "You seem bothered by that, don't you?"

"Bothered?" lord Castor scoffed, "Why would I be? On the contrary, I am glad. It is about the future of the sovereignty and nothing else, isn't it?" 

Lord Castor looked straight at lord Julius, maintaining a mild smile. It was visible that lord Julius was pissed, but he kept his anger at bay, trying his best to be civilized. 

"Of course!" lord Julius broke the silence. "Aren't we all making our sacrifices for the betterment of the sovereignty?" 

"We all are. Some, more than others," lord Castor chuckled softly. "I truly wish young Percy a happy home, although I doubt he'll be able to have one, knowing where he's coming from, and he is just going to be Lady Raika's consort." 

Lord Julius sulked, hearing what lord Castor said. The atmosphere was tense at that moment, and lord Kole knew it was about to go down if he didn't mediate to de-escalate the tension.

Just as he was about to intervene, the door slid open and lord Maryl walked in hastily. Meeting the awkward silence, he furrowed his brow. He could sense the tension. 

"What'd I miss?" he asked, sighing, as he sat at the table.

"Nothing important. Just two adults joking around. Isn't it, lord Julius?" lord Castor asked, smiling.

"Of course," he replied, forcing a smile as well. 

"Where is His Sovereign? I thought I was the last to be here?" lord Maryl inquired. Just then, the doors slid open once again, and His Sovereign walked in. 

His guards waited outside the hall of the council. The Lords stood to their feet as he walked over to the table and sat in his chair, which was crafted differently from the rest.

"Have your seats, my lords," His Sovereign said, and then they all sat down. His Sovereign looked to the side and saw one of the chairs unoccupied as all five of them were seated. He sighed softly and looked away.

"I hope I didn't keep you all waiting? I had to see my daughter off as she reports to the academy to begin training," His Sovereign said. 

"Lady Raika is really fortunate to get to have you see her off, Your Sovereign. Our wards weren't able to have us see them off due to this emergency council meeting," lord Julius said. 

"Well, you all will get to see them in the near future," His Sovereign responded, closing that chapter. By his countenance, they could tell that he wasn't in a good mood. 

"We all know what necessitated this meeting. Last night's attack during the Betrothal Ceremony was outrageously annoying, and a slap to our faces. It will send a message to the people that we aren't as strong as we claim to be," His Sovereign began. 

"This move will enbolden our enemies to dare to do such again in the coming days," he added.

"Officers of the hold should be questioned, Your Sovereign. The perpetrators couldn't have gotten in without help," lord Kole suggested. 

"That is already being done as we speak. I can't have one who is disloyal within our ranks," His Sovereign replied, and lord Kole nodded. 

"Your Sovereign, this is even more reason why unification of our houses is paramount. You will have the full unwavering might and loyalty of the Silver Guards of House Alakkan, Your Sovereign," lord Julius said.

"I don't need your support, lord Julius. The Silver Guards are mine to command whenever, and however!" His Sovereign responded, angered at what lord Julius said. 

"Of course, Your Sovereign," lord Julius bowed. Forgive me for speaking out of turn." 

His Sovereign gave him a wary stare, then looked away. 

"Having analyzed the attackers, it was found that they are ungifted. They got their powers from the use of TS-1000, and they were no ordinary people," His Sovereign said.

"But I thought we had curbed the production of that enhancement drug, taking down its major producer in the black market," lord Maryl said.

"Yes, we did. But it seems someone else has taken up production of the drug, and its distribution," lord Kole replied.

"Who then could it be?" lord Castor asked.

"The Equalizers," His Sovereign answered. "They are the only ones currently bold enough to attack us, although the man we captured hasn't said a word even after so much torture." 

"If they can produce it themselves, and have it administered to their soldiers, it would spell disaster for us all," lord Maryl said.

"Indeed it would. But then again, it takes a lot to create just one dose, so we needn't worry," lord Julius tried to sound optimistic.

"This is the same attitude that caused last night's incident: underestimating the enemy. And we shall not make such a costly mistake again. We will find their hideout and end them once and for all. Nothing shall contend with the Sovereignty," His Sovereign said, looking really serious and determined.