A Game of Chi Book II: A Throne of Tears

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Razza is dead. She's gone. Because of that lion brat. Despite the wonderful food placed before him, Ripnik couldn't concentrate on anything but the death of his mate. After putting away the Woosh's Speedor, he had returned to Blackcastle, only to find Razza's body there, a deep gash in her chest. No one else had seen it; the other ravens had no doubt been too drunk on their victory to even notice. When Ripnik was eventually found by his fellow Black Raiders, Razar and Rizzo, they had brushed him off and had brought him to the hall, where Lord Rawzom was hosting a second banquet. They wouldn't understand, Ripnik thought. They don't have mates. They don't love anyone. Not like I did. "You're hilarious," Razar had told him when he saw Ripnik sobbing over his mate's body. Growling, Ripnik had spun around and grabbed Razar's neck, and had really considered crushing his windpipe until Rizzo separated them. "Razar," the other raven had rumbled. "Try to be a little more sensitive." Razar had cackled and rubbed his throat. "I'm just saying, Rip. Do you not have the slightest sense of irony?"

"What do you mean?" Ripnik had demanded. "Answer carefully."

"Is that anyway to address your captain?" When Ripnik had started towards him once again, Razar had backed up. "All I'm saying is that you must lack empathy or something. You want to kill that lion, right?" Ripnik had nodded vigorously. "Because he killed a loved one of yours?"

"Yes, of course."

"Then surely you understand why he killed Razza. He must have found out that we were in the midst of slaughtering his people. If killing him is justified because he took your mate, then her death was justified because we were killing his people." Ripnik had paused. "But... but Razza didn't do anything! She was new! To be honest, I don't even think she had the stomach for that at all!" Razar had shrugged. "So? Did every single lion we killed personally attack us? Did they even attack Crooler yet? You have to be consistent, Rip." Ripnik had punched Razar in the face, but the worst part of it was that he had no way of disagreeing with him. But it doesn't change the fact that Razza's gone.

Returning to the present, Ripnik slowly picked at his food, still distraught. The hall where the Raven Tribe had massacred Lennox and the lions had been thoroughly cleaned up; the blood and corpses which had stained the floor had all been removed. Despite the hall usually looking welcoming to him, Ripnik could think of nothing but Razza's death. He was seated next to Rizzo, while at the head table on the other side of the hall, Rawzom, Razar, and Ranzak were seated and enjoying their food. "You're not going to eat?" Rizzo asked, biting a piece of bloodied meat. "Why waste it? I wouldn't even notice the taste of it." Rizzo shrugged and stabbed the meat off his plate with his fork, putting it on his own. Ripnik drank some wine, hoping that it would soften his emotions, but the feeling of anger and guilt did not subside. I shouldn't have brought her into the Black Raiders, he thought. If she had just stayed home instead of helping me close the gate, that brat wouldn't have gotten her. If I hadn't left her behind and taken that damn Speedor, I would have been there to protect her. Thinking back at that red-maned lion, Ripnik took another drink of wine. He obviously took the Woosh's Speedor and escaped the city. Before he could refill his cup, Rawzom stood up and clanged on his goblet with a knife. "Raven Tribe!" he called. "I hope you've enjoyed our food," he began, "or at least, I hope you're enjoying it more than the lions did!" Ripnik did not share in the laughter of the other ravens, and thinking back to Razar's words about the nature of their massacre, suddenly felt sick to his stomach. However, knowing that Rawzom would call him out if he left, he remained seated. "I would like to thank you all for everything you did during our excellent setup," Rawzom continued. "With Cousin Ranzak's help, we have secured 10,000 Lion Drachmai to use, and with their army decimated, the Lion Tribe has no way of forcing us to make good on our loan! Another special thanks is due to Razar, captain of the Black Raiders, who personally slew "King" Lennox by his own hand! Or should I say, hook!" Razar stood up and took an elegant bow, and the ravens cheered. "I have sent Lennox' head to Crooler in the Citadel, and once she receives it, we shall be in good favour with the Queen of the Seven Animal Kingdoms. And best of all, not a single raven perished by lion hands! A better victory could not have even been dreamt of!" Ripnik grit his beak, but kept his silence. "After finishing dessert, you may all go. This is a victory for the Raven Tribe! Gold and Glory!" Rawzom rose from his seat and raised his goblet into the air, and the Raven Tribe did the same and cheered. "Gold and Glory!"