~Zayne~



I sat beside Maya's headstone, pondering some thoughts deeply.


'Oh shit!!" I glanced at my stopwatch. Lost in my words, I didn't even realize when time flew. My thirty minutes are up.


'Maya, this was lovely! Who knows, next time we speak, we might actually meet again."

I rose up from the damp sand of the cemetery. Dusting off the dirt from my trousers.



Leaving her grave, I heard a faint voice like the wind, whispering in my ears.

'Zayne, a curse can be a blessing. Worry for the right things."


Yet again? What does she mean by that? I couldn't just understand what she meant by, ‘a curse can be a blessing' and to ‘worry for the right things'

But one thing, I was sure of, was that it was Maya speaking to me.


I waved it off and continued till I reached the car.

Igniting the engine, I drove out and back to the castle.

And soon I disappeared into the darkness.


I woke up to a different feeling than normal. The morning seemed tense, and choking. The fresh breeze that crashed against my face seemed like hot air, making me very uncomfortable.


I spent the rest of the morning, just pacing around my room.

My body just felt restless.

How could I possibly relax when in a few hours, I'll march up to the pit fight to take on Vadka?


KNOCK

KNOCK


Just then, I heard a loud knock on my door. I could recognize that knock anyday.


'Rowan came in!!" I yelled out to the door. And without any hesitation, Rowan gently opened the door.


'Good morning bro. How are you feeling?" Rowan asked softly.


'Bad. I can't even stay put. I'm too restless!!" I opened up to Rowan.

I feel comfortable only when I tell Rowan. We have been telling each other these things since we were kids, so for me, it isn't much of a big deal.


'You know, we could go to the fields and get warmed up a little."

Rowan suggested. It really wasn't a bad idea. It's better than staying restless in my room.

'But, is there any need? I mean, if I warm up or not, I'm only going to get… '


'Don't say it Zayne. You're not! You need to have a little faith!"

Rowan interrupted before I finished speaking. But if he was in my shoes, would he look at it any different than I am?

Vakda, destroyer of kingdoms, of tribes of kings!

And then you want me to believe that I have a chance, not to only take him out, but kill him!

That's hard.


'Okay, you know what? Let's warm up!" I finally rose up from my couch.


I quickly went into my wardrobe and got changed into my training outfit.


Rowan decided to wait outside. And meeting him there, we went out together.


But just as I took the stairs down, my eyes met Luther.

And gave him a death glare, which really didn't bother him much.

His face looked emotionless. I was sure he would be thinking how he would shape this kingdom in his own image.


But what if he didn't? A quick thought flashed into my head.


'Rowan!!"

I called back Rowan, who was now a fair distance from me.


'Training can wait!! I need your help right now!"

I said before heading back to my room.


'What is it sir?" Rowan asked curiously, a bit still surprised by my decision to cancel training.

'I need you and me to go down to the castle laws and customs room."


'But why?" Rowan asked, genuinely confused by my decisions.

First I cancel my training, only to go down to the laws and customs room of all places.

The room deals with formal documents, very important to the castle.

It also holds in it, the official rules of the kingdom.


That's a room, we haven't been in since I was sworn in officially as king, which was a very long while back.


'You'll find out soon!!" I got dressed into a casual outfit.

And we then left for the custom room.


It was about a ten minutes walk from my room to the custom room.

Reaching there, the whole room seemed very rowdy.

Workers going through and fro with papers of all sorts in their hands.

They barely seem to notice my arrival.


'Your highness!!" a loud voice yelled out. And immediately everyone stopped what they were doing and looked in our direction. There was now complete silence in the room.


'Good day, hard workers of the custom room!!!

I know I haven't come here much, but today, I decided to make a change.

Now in a time where my life is uncertain as it is.

So thank you for the hard work you put in and…you may carry on!!"

I finished addressing them. And from a clap, the whole room soon clapped to my speech.

It really warmed my heart to see their genuine appreciation for me.

Up until now, I wasn't really sure how the people here at the custom room would react to my sudden appearance after a long time.

But ultimately I'm glad it worked.


I walked up to a receptionist by the door. A young lady, formally dressed.


'Hello, your highness." she said very softly. Her tone is gentle as the wind.

'Hello young lady… can I ask for a favour?"


'Yes, of course. How can I help?" she asked.


'Can I see the rules of the castle very quickly?"

My question seemed to leave her silenced. She knows fully well the rules that imply the rules of the castle.

It can only be accessed when the king wants to officially alter a rule in front of the members of his castle.

So for me to access the rule right now despite being king is illegal.

If caught there might be consequences for the both of us.

'Please, I know it's difficult for you to let me. But I just need to check something very quick."

I said to her again, my voice very pleasant and welcoming.

After a short moment to think, she finally agreed.

Rowan waited at the door, as she escorted me to the back.


We got past a few guards before entering another inner room.


'Woah!!"

Stepping into the room, I was surrounded by shelves of books.

Each of them, well arranged. I couldn't help but marvel at it.


At that moment, I realized the level of dedication the people working here possess. They do their work diligently for the kingdom, and don't even care if they're recognized.


'Sir, we're here!!" The loud yet light voice of the receptionists snapped me out of my thoughts.

'This is the room where we store important documents and other deeds."


'Okay, so where is the rule book of the castle exactly?"

I asked.


'Inside there!" she said pointing in the direction of a small wooden door across the room.

'Here."

She handed me a bunch of keys. The jangling noise disturbing the silence.

I presumed they were keys to the door.


'Okay thank you."


I gently walked to the door. My legs taking slow strides over the other.


The keys were all the same shape and size, so I picked at random.

I gently slid a key through the keyhole and pushed the door open.


Looking around the room. It was dimly lit. Its corners were filled with dust.

My eyes scan the ancient wooden scrolls scattered around the room.


But in the center of the room, rests a large well carved wooden table, and on it, an open book lies.

Its pages were yellowed with its long age, the ink faded, yet readable.

And with a mind full of questions, I slowly approached the book that contains the sacred rules of the kingdom.


I flipped through the dusty pages, my mind searching through each page's content.

I was reading a loud in hushed whispers, my voice echoing in the stillness of the room.


But just as I was flipping through, the boldly written title of a passage seemed to make me pause.

It read ‘Qualifications of a King' exactly what I was here for.

I squinted my eyes tightly at the faded words written in the book.


I carefully read through the passage, taking it word for word.

But as I read through a line, its words dropped a huge dose of reality on me.

The reality was never clear cut as I was made to believe.

I rephrased the line outloud.

‘The succession of the throne is not bound by blood alone, but by the qualities of wisdom, valor and leadership.

And at the wish of the passing out king, he can make anyone he chooses the rightful king'


This means, my heir doesn't have to be related to me by my blood.

This rule here changes everything for me. Luther in the case of my death, doesn't have to rule the kingdom.

My heart felt as though the huge weight was lifted off it.

I could go out a little more peacefully knowing I could leave my kingdom with someone I trust.


I finished reading and closed the book, as well as the door on my way past it.


'What did you do, Zayne?" I met a curious yet confused Rowan who waited patiently at the front for me.


'It's not that important bro, just forget it for now, OK?"

Even I myself, didn't really think of what next step to take to use this new information to my advantage.


'Are you sure?" Rowan wasn't convinced at all.

I won't blame him, after all he spent almost half an hour waiting outside for me, just to hear me say it's nothing.

'I'll just get back to my room, Rowan and I'll be out in an hour to address the people before I set out!"

I waved off Rowna before retreating back to my room.

I entered my room, scrambling for my drawers, I pulled out a book and as well a pen.


With the new information that I've just learnt off, I needed to write something to be given to the castle's judicial staff for the case if I don't return from my fight with Vakda later.

I needed to let them know my choice as the next king and ruler of the Lycan kingdom. Based on the qualities he possesses as well. Rowan!


~Emily~


Second of three days of this near prison feel. I couldn't feel any more helpless than I already was.

But on the good side, my body didn't feel as numb as it did the whole of yesterday.


I could move my arms more freely without battling with intense pain.

I could also stand well enough and walk for a short while before the pain gets to my legs.


But, my mind wasn't just at peace staying here.

Especially today of all days.

Zayne goes up against Vadka. I need to be with him right now, I need to make sure he's in the right frame of mind before he goes to fight.

But rather, I'm just stuck here.


There wasn't any more frustrating feeling than that for me.


'Excuse me." I heard a soft and gentle voice. I snapped my head in the direction of my door.

Steph!

'Hey sis."


'Hi Emily. How are you feeling?" Steph asked, her voice tinged with concern.


'To be honest.. Not that good."


'Really why?" Steph grabbed a seat and set it right in front of my bed.


'Well.. It's Zayne. He's fighting Vakda today and I'm a bit worried for him. And because I'm stuck here, I can't help him."

I said to Steph. I couldn't help but notice her expression chang as Zayne's name escaped from my lips.


'Emily, why do you worry about him? For me, it's best that he dies.

He hates us, always has. And with every chance he gets he will kill us, just like he killed mom!!"


What?? Steph's words stung my heart deeply.


'I thought this injury would change my view of him, but it hasn't.

I'm done with you sis, until you're ready to learn!"

Steph stormed out of the room leaving me speechless.