The King's Remorse

Epilogue

It was just one thought. A simple message sent between neurons. Stating only that his hand should reach out. One decision that had altered the course of Ragdon's history so drastically that there was nothing that could be done that would let Ragdon go back.

The decision?

The decision for Bryant to let his fingertips brush the Amethyst Throne.

But there was no controlling the Amethyst Throne, only being controlled.

King Garonda XIV sits, or rather kneels, on the ground. His hands are tied behind his back, much like Wolf and Dove's when they were brought to the foot of the Amethyst Throne however long ago that was.

The former King of Ragdon had been doing a lot of looking back upon his life now that he was staring death in the face.

Funny how death looming just in front of you lets you remember everything so clearly, eh, he thinks.

King Garonda XIV doesn't regret his decision to become a vessel for the Amethyst Throne. He would do it again in a heartbeat.

What he regrets is not letting Ice join in and placing the curse on him where his heart would only beat four times a year. He had done that out of anger, when he had snapped at Ice for getting on his nerves. A childish move, like Clap. Oh, he really hates her. She would be the first to go if he were still a vessel for the Amethyst Throne. Yes, yes, she would.

He blinks slowly, thinking of how he would get his revenge and make it up to Ice; he had been his closest friend. If only Ice could see that he had tried to make Ragdon a better place. Maybe then he-.

King Garonda XIV is snapped from his thoughts by a huge paw cuffing him across the face, claws just barely digging into his skin. He looks up and is greeted by Phoenix's seething face.

"Get up. You have an audience. Told ya you'd have a crowd." Phoenix curls his lip into a smile that's all teeth and glinting, curved fangs.

Phoenix leads King Garonda XIV up the narrow hallway, through the remains of his castle, and down to the White Tent Sea. It's a long walk, one that King Garonda XIV stumbles on frequently. More than once he falls, groaning as he slams into the ground and hissing as the black cat bats at him until he gets up. The rope holding his hands behind his back bites at his skin and wears it raw.

Eventually, the two come to a platform that resides below the Earth Tree. Its ancient branches twist toward the sky. King Garonda XIV looks up at it. He hadn't left the Amethyst Throne in so long. He'd only seen it once after he touched the Throne and only very briefly, when the Throne had allowed him to shift into the dragon. Oh, how he missed the dragon.

The power surging through his veins, the adrenaline that made everything seem sharper, the excitement as he bathed the traitors in flames. What he would give to experience that again.

"Up." Phoenix jerks his head into King Garonda XIV's leg, and the twin horns on his forehead dig into his thigh.

Nasty little cat.

King Garonda XIV walks out onto the stage, losing his balance only once due to his bound hands. He looks out over the audience, and it appears most of the Ragdonians living in the White Tent Sea are here. Even a few children. The looks on all of their faces are all ones of disgust and anger.

"I'm gonna kill him," someone says, shoving forward.

"Me too!"

"I'll help!"

"Count me in!" The crowd starts moving as more and more rush the stage.

"Ah, ah, ah," Phoenix snaps, flames leaping into the air from his pelt. "I said you could watch. He's my kill. You try to kill him, I kill you."