Chapter 138: Devastation

Chapter 138: Devastation
Rojan stood in the middle of the assembly.

He had done this several times for many years without considering it a chore. However, today he was weary.

The last three weeks had been difficult for him.

"Where is the king?" One elder demanded.

"I have told you all already that the King is on a trip, he has some business to attend to across the realms," Rojan replied.

"You did not tell us anything, in fact we requested an audience with you on three occasions and you only grace us with your presence today!" another exclaimed.

"I have been busy since the king is traveling, I am saddled with his responsibilities. Nevertheless, I did send letters responding to your inquisition of the King's whereabouts," Rojan stated.

"Why has he not returned for three good weeks? Wherever he is, does he not care for the rumors that are being spread like wildfire among his people and across the realms?" a third elder asked.

"I am sure once he is done with what he is doing, he will return," he simply said.

A fourth elder slammed his palm against his seat handle "He should return now and dispel these rumors! Unrest is breeding among the people. If the citizens of plane Weode are this anxious, I cannot imagine what is going on outside the plane."

"Who knows what our enemies are planning? We remain vulnerable without a king!" The first elder asserted.

He fell silent and just watched each elder ramble on about their misgivings. After a few minutes of shouting and bickering, they finally quieted.

Then Thaddeus spoke up "Are you sure the king is well?" he asked, quirking his eyebrows.

Rojan sighed deeply.

The truth was that Wayne was not well. Not that he was going to tell them that, he couldn't say it.

These men that were acting so concerned about the king and the welfare of the plane, would be the very first ones to start the chaos if they found out the king was incapacitated. Since Wayne had no heir yet, a fight for the throne would erupt.

They would utilize every means possible, and even kill each other to put their preferred person on the throne, which obviously would be their sons.

He could not let that happen, that would be him letting Wayne down. For Wayne was still alive, maybe just a little sick, but that meant he was still king. He needed to secure his position until he recovered and took charge once again.

He had been terrified that day when Wayne had gone mad.

It had been a catastrophe.

He had only just got back from Uranus that afternoon to find him in a state of dilemma. He had put off any reports of his journey to comfort him, after which he had retired to his room in the mansion to rest that night. The next morning, he was still in bed sleeping when he heard a loud guttural roar that roused him from his sleep.

Disoriented as to what was going on, he bolted from his bed and took his sword, then dashed out to the living area. Ready to battle any intruder.

The roar sounded for the second time, that was when he recognized the voice.

It was Wayne's.

The sound was coming from upstairs, so he sped across the living area and up the stairs to where the voice was coming from. It was Candice's room.

At the doorway, he could not believe what he saw.

He saw claw marks on the wall, the large bed was ripped to tatters. White wool that was used to stuff the pillows and mattress was scattered everywhere. Wayne had completely shifted into his wolf form and was trying to attack Earnest.

"Help me, my Lord beta!" Earnest had yelled and jumped to the side when Wayne had swiped at him with his claws.

He was baffled as to what was going on.

"Wayne, contain yourself!" He screamed, but his words fell on deaf ears.

Wayne took another swipe at Earnest and this time around got him, his sharp claws swiped away the flesh from Earnest's back.

Earnest howled in pain.

Seeing this, he lunged at Wayne and they both plunged against the wall. Earnest used the opportunity to run out of the room and stood at the doorway.

Wayne sprang to his feet and so did he. Raring up to attack him as well.

"What the fuck is wrong with you? Suppress your wolf!" He had glared at his brother.

But it seemed that his words did not get through to him. Now that he was facing him up close he had noticed some disturbing details. His eyes were completely blue, saliva dripped from his fangs and he looked…crazed.

He could not remember when last he saw Wayne in his wolf form. He had mastered his wolf a long time ago, so he was always in control. Only showing shadows of the wolf and displaying minimal physical features.

"Earnest, what in the heavens is going on? How did Wayne end up like this?"

Earnest was about to respond when Wayne charged him, swinging deathly blows at him.

He had blocked, ducked, dodged. Unwilling to exchange blows with him.

But this was Wayne, he was so damn fluid. Despite his madness, he was attacking him with the skilled technique of a seasoned fighter.

Soon, Rojan was having his ass handed to him. Wayne was beating the hell out of him.

At some point, Rojan began fighting back. Giving him blow for blow, claw for claw. If not, Wayne would kill him in this maddened state.

"We must contain him, call the sentinels," he told Earnest who hurriedly ran off to do as told.

Luckily for him, the sentinels arrived. Five sentinels along with himself and Earnest were able to subdue Wayne. After which they bound him in fortified chains and locked him in an empty room in the mansion.

He was grateful he had been around, or else nobody would have been able to restrain him and it would have been a bloodbath throughout the house.

Something Wayne would regret deeply once he came back to his senses.

"Answer the question, Rojan," Thaddeus said, drawing him out of his reverie.

"Sorry, can you repeat it?" He asked.

"Now you pretend not to hear us," Thaddeus said, rubbing his chin.

"If we cannot see the king, then where is her ladyship, Candice?" the second elder demanded.