Love of the True

The King, the Servant, and the Punishment

Shyra didn't have much more time to ponder the betrayal. King was right there in front of her with the Queen's servant waiting beside him. Shyra bowed her head. "My king." She then nodded to the dainty pink dragoness. "Greetings, Klimay." Klimay nodded, not able to smile as she usually did.

"Shyramere," King mumbled in the deep voice that demanded respect, "you don't have to do this."

She bowed her head and closed her eyes. Oh, this again? Why do they continue to try to change her mind? "Yes, I know."

"Shyramere..." King shuffled slightly, making his golden scales flicker under the starlight. "I don't feel right about this. This is wrong and unfair. You don't deserve what I have planned."

She sighed, "My king, with all respect, we discussed this all morning and all afternoon; you promised me." King didn't say anything, but only grimaced. "My king, please don't go back on your good word."

He sighed, and shook his head. "Shyramere, you don't understand."

"But I do, my King." She said in an even voice, but still respectful. "I die in Dag's place; I take the punishment."

"But that's just it, Shyramere." He said in a slightly distressed voice. She had never seen King so upset before. Then again, it had been quite a distressing day. "The punishments aren't what you think."

Shyra felt her stomach drop. Suddenly, she felt beyond sick in her stomach and a great dizziness swept over her. "What do you mean?" She asked softly.

"You have to understand," He said just as softly, avoiding her eyes. "before you had come, I had already decided the punishment for your brother. You asked to take his punishment, but it is more than you think. Much more than you thought."

Shyra stared at him for a minute before realization struck her. Horror painted her face as her eyes immediately filled with tears. "My king?" She stuttered, her voice suddenly unsure.

King finally looked her in the eyes. "Shyramere, step down. You don't deserve this sort of disgrace. It will be painful, shameful, and terrible. Step down while you can. I know that you expected death, but this is so much worse than that."

Tears leaked down Shyra's cheeks. Yes, she had expected death. She had accepted death. But this? King was right; this is so much worse than death.

Bowing her head with more tears falling, she mumbled softly. "Do to me what you would have done to Dag, my King. I will take the punishment."

The King sighed, "There will be no convincing you otherwise?" Shyra shook her head, not able to utter another word. "Very well then." He cleared his throat and held his head up in a royal manner. "Shyramere, you are here today because of the horrendous crimes you have committed today. To witness your punishment is Klimay, servant of the Queen of our clan. On this day and this day alone, you have killed a hundred and seventy-two humans, ninety-eight elves, twenty-three dragons, and then..." the king paused, and his eyes became filled with a mix between sorrow and rage, "and then you murdered my son." He growled lowly. Shyramere kept quiet as another tear trickled down her cheek. Oh, Dag, the mess you have created today. "Not only have you shamed you clan, but you have also disgraced your race. Because of your actions today, you have proven that you are not truly a dragon, but a monster. You do not deserve to be what you are. Therefore, you are banished from your clan. Not only that, but you are also banished from your race."