The hall regain its former atmosphere after they had left the hall, which was rowdy and noisy because of unceasing loud mumurings ignited by each of the two clans. Francis had left Sasan behind when he joined Zari to follow the messenger who led them privately to Makom. The Wol tribe were fully engaged in their discussions concerning the recent arrival of the son of their most respected and honored senior member of their clan which is Ranus whom they regarded as their mentor and model as well as their teacher for those who were privileged to be taught by him while the Doxa clan members were also engrossed in their conversation regarding the fate of the realm, with its safety, now threatened by Vedon and his Zek troops.
"I think that we don't stand a chance against the dark forces if we don't act fast enough to defend Ataxia that will be attacked in a couple of moons since most sects in the realm fully depend on the food provisions and rations which enable them to replenish their granaries which will indirectly feed plebs including the peasants who suffer from severe hunger", a Doxian named Bollop swiftly pointed out with his deep voice that seems to vibrate his red beard laced around green face.
"Hold on a minute. You mean to say that since most sects depend on Ataxia for survival it will be perilous for those sects if Ataxia is subjugated and destroyed, is that right?", Perret, another Doxian asked curiously,
"Absolutely correct, but that's only just a speculation I personally deduced from what I heard and that doesn't mean that those sects will fall apart if Ataxia is captured", Bollop correctively answered.
"But don't they have other independent means of providing rations that will help support the growth of their sect apart from depending wholly on grains gotten from Ataxia?", another Doxian who sat at the far end of the wide table and whose name was Facot questioned which made the others except for Lotus who wasn't paying attention, to turn towards his direction,
"Yes they do have farm sheds outside their city which isn't enough to fill out their granaries especially for those sects whose population is quite large and thus, requires extra resources to help sustain the lives of the masses in their cities", Bollop answered and suddenly noticed that Lotus wasn't listening to their conversation and was paying attention to the discussions made by the Wol tribe,"Isn't that right, Lotus?", he asked Lotus which made her to return back her gaze towards him that had fixed upon the other clan ever since Francis left the hall.
"I didn't hear you clearly, what did you say to me?", She responded with a question which made the others giggle slightly including Bollop, "Please repeat what you said earlier",
"What have you been thinking about that had totally distracted your mind making you unable to hear what I said?", Bollop asked back again,
"Maybe she's thinking about someone special", Perret teasingly retorted as soon as Lotus was about to reply to Bollop. The whole group almost swell up in laughter that infuriated her a lot.
"Since you guys want to make fun of me, I'll leave this gathering and go somewhere else", Lotus threatened as she stood up hoping that they would apologize and ask her to sit down which they didn't but instead, continue to mock her. This made to her leave the gathering and went to sit down beside Sasan who was surprise to see her in another tribe's group gathering, leaving the others in the Wol tribe quite stunned to see her sitting amidst them.
"That's enough, you guys should stop it now, I don't to want hear any more jokes about Lotus again. Do you understand?", Bollop snapped angrily with his deep voice which quelled the laughter at once, sending chill and fright on them. He apparently was the leader of the group which the council bestowed upon him due to his bravery and leadership skills combined with disciplinary actions which were highly placed than most of his young mates. He beckon on Lotus to come back to sit down but she remained indignant and ignored his gestures which clearly told her to return back to her clan.
Meanwhile, The messenger had led Zari and Francis to the East wing of the capitol building where Makom as well as six others were waiting for them to arrive at a private room meant for personal discussions. After treading through the high but narrow hallway to the private room, the messenger hit the door slightly with his right fist that was partly covered by his black robe while Francis and Zari waited patiently behind him.
"You can come inside", Makom ordered impatiently because he had other urgent matters to attend to immediately after he had finished assigning those experts that will be sent to Tyron with the objective of apprehending Akanon and his crew coupled with curbing out the spread of rumors inciting protest in the city. They obeyed and entered into the room, where they saw Makom well seated at the center of the large room while the others remained standing at opposite ends in group of three at right and left side of Makom.
"Stand over there by my left side",Makom ordered at once
"Yes we will but please tell us together with those who are here before you, why you have summoned both of us here" Zari impatiently asked.
"Don't worry about it and without any further delay, I hereby appoint you three at my left side to join Zari to form the four group of experts that will help settle the crisis that's trying to ravage the city. So do you accept the offer or do you decline?", Makom said immediately after they stood beside the three others by the left side,"While a new name which was decided by the four of us will now been given to Francis to bear. The name Selon, was chosen after your great grandfather who fought amongst others to protect the realm from the previous dark forces who seek to wreak havoc in the realms. So that's the name you will bear until you have succeeded in returning the lost sword of Zoa",
Zari wasn't happy with his decision because she had only returned few hours ago from settling a dispute between the Fanco and Danul clan which she luckily succeeded in resolving, giving her no time to rest and report how her assignment went including the promised support from the council as part of the conditions gotten from the negotiations she effectively put in place between the leaders of both clan.
"I think this assignment should given to someone else instead because I feel that I have been treated unfairly this time around by the council leader who is well aware of my recent assignment which was completed this sunrise and while a full report about the incident is yet to be given",Zari said feeling utterly disappointed about Makom's decision
"I'm indeed very sorry that this came as a surprise to you but you are the only one available and capable enough to handle this urgent task right now because we have already assigned all our capable staff to different areas of protecting the city and to send a hundred troops which in turn will combine with troops from other sect in order to save Ataxia from the clutches of the Zek warriors. So there's much work for you and I to handle in order to protect the realms", Makom said,
"Okay...all right, I'll accept the assignment if it's meant to save the ream like you said and when do we get to leave for the city of Tyron?", Zari asked calmly
"You'll get to leave immediately by sunrise, so better start preparing for the trip tomorrow. And as for you Selon, if you have anything else to tell Zari, start talking to her about it now because you won't get a chance to see her tomorrow. Since no further deliberation, I hereby dismiss you all", Makom said as he adjourned the meeting and left the room together with the six group members while Francis and Zari slowly follow behind them.
"He's no way like Ranus at all because he doesn't have his handsome looks", Agamus said in a funny way which made Lotus chuckled as she listened with immense desire and attention to their discussions concerning Francis who recently arrived in the city and who, according to them, did not match Ranus' physical appearances even though he had transformed into his original self.
"That's a lie. I think he still resembles him a little on the face and the shoulders too", Jeddus replied him and whispered softly "And have you guys heard about this rumor?",
"What rumor? Please let us hear it", They all answered except for Jeddus,
"The rumors that is going rampant is all about the fact that.....", Jeddus said with increasing suspense which almost tore them apart,"Being the son of Ranus, that he will be one to weld the sword of Zoa once he find out where it is",
"That's totally not true because I heard that the sword has to choose its owner and it is most likely not to be him because he has to be worthy enough to handle it. And besides there are many worthy fighters amongst us that it could choose", Temmon retorted at once,
"But do you know that it will bring great honor for the clan whom the sword chooses to be it's owner. But in order to find this sword I think some of the clues are inside his head from what I heard about", Sasan said while Lotus beckon for both of them to go outside which they did.
"Tell me about this Francis guy whom they are talking about, I would like to know him much better so don't leave out even the smallest details", Lotus said as they stood by the corridor,
"Why do want to know about him?", Sasan asked her,
"I'm just curious that's all", Lotus replied at once trying to hide her real reason for inquiring about Francis.
"Well, I guess I can't disclose any personal information concerning my master to you my dear since you aren't a member of my clan", Sasan sneered at her and walked back to her seat leaving Lotus stunned and totally bewildered.