7 CHAPTER 6 (1/2)
The clap from the crowd was much louder as the doctor stood up and straightened his black suit. He was a middle age man with bard gray hair. He wore calm posture over his aging face and he was nowhere near hurry, as he glided to the direction of the king.
”Why have you chosen to rip off the feathers of a living raven?” The doctor asked. He was standing on the podium now but the pomposity resting on his shoulders couldn't let him remove his hands from his pocket. The king looked him in the eyes trying to place a finger on those words.
”Perhaps, if the raven is worth the effort” The king looked thoughtful trying to choose his words carefully and also trying to maintain his humor. Doctor Jakins he knew was among the few who thought him too young and naive to be king.
”What is it that I heard?” The doctor paced around the platform as if in deep thoughts. ”Oh, yes, I remember, it is said that even the raven with the strongest wings soar higher than the weaker ones. And even the best hunter deserves the greatest share of his game.”
”But what do you have to say when the hunter or the raven is amidst the strongest and the brave?” The king asked impatiently. The once joyful crowd was now a quiet cemetery; if one listens closely, one would hear the heartbeat of the one sitting next to him. The ear has never heard, neither have the eye seen anyone, who spoke to the King with such arrogance.
”Why the riddles old friend?” The king asked, more calmly like a gentle Tiger whom everyone thought timid.
”Am not accepting that” the doctor roared, all calmness gone. His gray hair seems to stand on his head and his silver colored eyes were filled with hate as they stared at the king coldly.
”It belittles my personality; what do you take me for, a beggar for honorary?” Jakins spat ”I can't condescend to receive the same price as these brats.” He pointed at the three youths in their jumpsuit. ”And for your -”
”ENOUGH!!” The king slammed his scepter so hard that the ground shook. His gold colored robe was already glowing and his eyes too, were more gold now than brown. The whole crowd got tensed. It was bad enough to provoke a Gold, but making him transformed into a full Extractor? That was worse.
The enforcers were on the platform almost immediately, fully transformed. Their silvery skin which was glowing with eye blinding light, could be seen ten miles away, it was as if their lambent glow was pulsing slowly. Their silver bows were ready with transparent arrow. All trace of their humanity was gone.
Jeff stared with wide mouth; their eyes were as white as snow, flashing its gem like a blue fire. Their dark hair and black gear was the only contrast to their silver skin. Apart from the books he had read about the Lambent of Vale, he had never seen anyone transformed fully into an Extractor.
”You will speak no further” the king commanded, his glowing body was ebbing away, and his calmness returning.
”Am s...o...rry my l...o...rd” The doctor stammered out of embarrassment than fear ”I didn't -”
”The king said enough you will speak only when spoken to” the leader of the enforcers shouted in a loud deep voice, a voice of order, a voice from one who has pledge their allegiances to serve. To serve and to uphold the truth, that was the motto.