The servant was surprised as to how the door hadn't opened because the room had definitely recognized the king. Only under his touch the vines would move. He remembered clearly that with Daryn and his wife, the doors of the room had opened. However, the girl whom he was with wasn't his wife. That's why he hadn't suggested that she also put her hand on the panel.

Shocked, Caleb asked, "Why isn't it opening?" he was now doubtful if he really was the king of Ixoviya.

​​

After a momentary hesitation, the servant addressed Elize. "M'lady, please put your hand on the panel on your side."

Elize stared at him for a second and then looked at Caleb after turning her head to adjust her vision. She was already feeling scared and goose bumps lined on her skin.

"Put it baby," Caleb assured her, feeling her fear.

She nodded after swallowing her saliva and then placed her hand on the panel. To her utter shock the flowers turned to look at her and the vines started moving under her hand. They intertwined as if trying to form a pattern.

The servant was stunned and his eyes popped out. "My liege, she is—!" He started to shiver. "Oh my Lord!" Suddenly all five of them bowed to Elize.

Elize hadn't recovered from the shock of the servants bowing to her that the wooden door cracked open.

The servant pushed it open and Caleb picked up Elize to carry her inside. Once again, Caleb heard faint whispers in the bedchamber. He thought he was imagining.

There was a flurry of activity around them. The servants immediately opened the curtains of the room. They used their magic to put things in order. Caleb and Elize watched them with wonder.

Ten minutes later when everything was spic and span, the servants bowed to them and left.

---

Daryn didn't wait for more than ten minutes in his chamber and walked out to meet people he had in mind and the first person was Sherwin—the blind blacksmith and the winged demon.

He was sitting across the dimly lit shop behind the tavern and watching the demon hammering a hot iron rod to smoothen it into a sword. "Why don't you use the compress mill to flatten it?" asked Daryn.

Sherwin stopped hammering the rod. At the intrusion his wings started to susurrate in agitation. "This is not just an iron rod," he hissed. "It has more metals inside. The mill will not be able to flatten it," he replied dryly and continued to hammer it.

It was after he stopped that Daryn resumed talking. "I want to know the way to enter Zor'gan."

Sherwin jerked his head sharply to the sound. "Do you even know what you are saying, Lykae King?"

"I do," replied Daryn as he tossed a small piece of cheese in his mouth and drank the brew that the owner had offered him on the house. "I need to know how to enter Zor'gan. I know I wouldn't be allowed a normal entry, so you have to tell me how to get there without anyone noticing me."

Sherwin placed the hammer on his left on a trestle table and traced the edge of the workbench in front of him to navigate his way towards the hearth, which was beginning to die. He added more logs to it and only after it glowed and warmed to his satisfaction, did he come back. He picked up the brew in front of him and gulped down half the pitcher. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and after putting the pitcher on the table he said, "Going to Zor'gan means courting death. Kar'den is a mean king. He will whiff you out in a minute and send his army to kill you. So forget it." He took another gulp and asked, "Besides why do you want to go?"

Daryn sipped his brew. He wasn't going to be sent off so easily. "There are not many places, which will give refuge to Sedora. From what I have heard they are forming an alliance called Mozrath, which includes Kar'den, Áed Ruad and… I am sure that Sedora is a part of it. My informers have told me that there are several small factions of the Lore who have also joined Mozrath like the leopard shifters and dwarves. So maybe, Sedora is there."

Ignoring his assumption, Sherwin guffawed baring his yellow fangs.

"What is there to laugh?" he asked dryly.

"Do you know that some from Ixoviya are also in Mozrath? Focus on them."

Daryn's face paled. His body froze as he stared at Sherwin. "Who all?"

Sherwin turned his head towards the hearth. He brushed his hand over his left eyebrow and said, "I don't know, but I have heard so." He sipped the brew.

"Tell me more," Daryn growled.

Sherwin said, "Start your search from there."

"Who all in Ixoviya are with Mozrath?"

"I don't know."

Not being able to extract anything else from the blacksmith, Daryn finished his brew and left for the castle. As he walked through the streets, he looked at the clear sky and silvery leaves of Yelgra trees whose leaves were lightly blowing with the warm breeze. It was beautiful and he hoped that things in Ixoviya settled for good. He was tired of this never-ending war.

As soon as Daryn stepped in the castle, the servants informed him that the council meeting had started. He rushed to the meeting hall and found that Caleb was already present there along with the council members. All rose to their feet and greeted Daryn. His team of Lykae was also present. He looked at Caleb and mentally passed him the message that Sherwin had given.

"So which are these factions who are revolting and what is the reason for rebellion?" asked Caleb.

"My liege, there are two chiefs who have rebelled and they both live in the settlements, which border the kingdom of Ixoviya," said Canton.

"Where are these chiefs? I would like to talk to them."

"Talk to them?" Canton snapped. "They are not the types to be talked with. You just have to suppress them by killing the chiefs!"

"That is ridiculous. I would like to talk to them first and know the reason for their rebellion unless you already know." He turned his head to gaze at each council member. When he looked at the werewolves, they all shook their heads.

"They suddenly revolted last night and set some home on fire. So we don't know the real reason," said one of them.

Caleb looked at Daryn. "What do you think brother?"

Before Daryn could speak, Canton urged, "There is no point in discussing about them. If we have to suppress the revolt, the only way would be to kill them."

'Do you think these two chiefs are Mozrath?' asked Caleb mentally.

Daryn shrugged. 'Then they are too foolish to rebel openly.'

"I would like Caleb's coronation to take place tomorrow!" said Daryn.

The council members nodded. "It is a good idea, my liege," said one of them. "We have been waiting for you."

Canton agreed with them. "Yes, we must coronate him tomorrow."

Caleb pursed his lips.

After a few more important members, the meeting ended.

"I would like to meet the chiefs, Canton," said Caleb before he left.

Canton stared at him and replied, "Okay, my liege, but it could be a risky affair. Your powers as a sorcerer aren't developed and those are powerful warlocks. So…"

"We'll see," said Caleb. "Just arrange a meeting." He was shocked as to what happened next.