XANDER'S POV
The hall in which the council now convened was noticeably terse, and an animated crowd was growing outside, each person straining their ears to hear a wisp of something… anything.
The secretary, a man that looked a century old who was to record the proceedings of the council, was the perfect picture of confusion. Whether it was from the lack of proper briefing as to what was going on, or the abrupt ringing of the petition bell that probably dragged him from his daylight nap… one couldn't be so sure.
"Should we call for an open council?" The secretary asks, scratching at his pale grey-white hair.
"I believe we should," Zenerox Attamas replied, casting a precursory glance at the growing crowd outside through the windows. She spoke from the elevated chair at the head of the council table, her voice carrying a finality that brooked no argument. "Allow only bonded dragon riders who are present to enter, and then seal the doors."
As Xander stood beside Vinnandra, he couldn't help but notice the council members seated above them, looking down with an air of superiority. They seemed like giants compared to the two of them, standing on the lower level, almost as if they were criminals awaiting judgement.
Despite the council's condescending stares, Vinnandra stood unfazed, her head held high, returning their icy glares with one of her own unflinchingly.
Dragon riders streamed in, and most of them were from either Lenklock castle or Attamas castle from the north. If news of the council convening spread to the other places, it would take at least a full day for anyone who wanted to witness the proceedings to arrive, at most two days for the southerners.
From his position, Xander spotted Xylan in the company of Selene and Silas—Selene's twin brother as they made their way into the hall, their faces a mix of confusion. Silas was as morbid as they come—cruel, sadistic, and even crueler. He smirked at Xander in a manner that said, 'I told you so' which Xander returned with the blandest expression of his.
Silas hated him with an unrivalled passion that stood only toe to toe with Xander's equal distaste for him. The man adored his sister and thought Xander wasn't good enough for Selene. Only problem with that thought process was the fact that Xander would rather not be a dragon rider than to entertain the thought of whether he was good enough for Selene Attamas or not.
As the bonded dragon riders took their positions and the doors sealed shut, the secretary's voice rang out, "Let the council commence!"
The Royalty Council's governance was intricately tied to all the provinces in Dragonia. Each major region—east, north, west, and south—is governed by two prominent lords serving as the foundation of the royal family. From these families, one member each is selected to serve on the Royalty Council, totaling eight members. The council's administrative head, elected anonymously by all members of the council, completes the nine-person body.
While council members were re-elected by their respective families every decade, the administrative head's position was permanent, subject only to the three death codes.
Xander felt his father's intense gaze upon him. The man's thirst for control and dominance was insatiable, and the revelation of Xander's bond with Vinnandra only fueled his anger.
"Xander Lenklock and Vinnadra the Hateful, could you tell us the reason for conveying council?" Zenerox asked from the high round table, her face which was surprisingly free from wrinkles despite her old age, twisted tightly from sheer annoyance.
Xander repeated yet again what he already said, but this time around, before a crowd of one hundred.
"I ask that the council revokes Vinnandra the hateful's status as an official slave on the grounds that she is now bonded to I, dragon rider Xander Lenklock, and my dragon Astrid."
The room was filled with gasps of surprise as Xander's words sank in, catching everyone off guard. All eyes turned to Vinnandra, who remained steadfast, her shoulders squared and her stance unwavering.
Zenerox spoke up, her tone dripping with condescension as she addressed the council members. Meanwhile, Selene, from the crowd, tried to catch Xander's eye, her expression silently questioning what was happening. Xander, however, ignored her, refusing to acknowledge her presence or her silent inquiry.
"Heir Xander Lenklock must not know what it means to be an official slave, perhaps we should remind him. Secretary, read the book of codes to him… maybe then his brain will be jolted and this ridiculous charade will cease." Zenerox finishes, her tone dismissive and final.
The secretary cleared his throat and began, "Official Slave; In Dragonia, an official slave is one who has committed high treason against the land but has been spared due to a previous achievement or young age. They are reduced to the lowest status of servitude in a state other than their originating one." He finished.
Xander chose not to dignify Zenerox's condescension with a response. Just as he was about to retort, council member Taramas interjected.
"I believe our focus should be on how this... girl, the hateful, managed to bond. That is, if such a bond even exists," Taramas remarked, casting a skeptical glance at Vinnandra.
"I agree. Her ability to bond is more concerning than her status as an official slave," added council member Ironheart, his gaze predatory as he observed Vinnandra.
Zenerox's voice cut through the room, silencing the murmurs. "Let us not forget, she is the hateful. Neither dragon nor witch," she stated disdainfully. "Whatever bond she claims to have is as cursed as she is."
The crowd murmured in agreement, echoing Zenerox's sentiments. They viewed Vinnandra as cursed and unworthy.
Yes, she is the hateful.
She is cursed.
How ever will something good come of her?
Heir Xander should stay as far away from her as possible.
I wouldn't want anything to do with someone like her.
On and on the crowd murmured, their words an endless stream of disgruntlement. The inside of the hall was growing terser by the passing minute. The Arbiter who was designated to maintain order during open council was unable to control the crowd, or the noise for the matter.
That was of course until she spoke.
"Could this not be an opportunity to discover what I truly am? A dragon rider, a witch, or something in between?" Vinnandra said, her words successfully silencing the noise, and every pair of eyes in the room rested on her in anticipation.