Short Stories From The World Of ARTK

An Empress's heir, part five

  Alexander paid no mind to the fact that their were witnesses as he collapsed before Arabella's body, Vindraeriass's massive body casting a shadow over the funeral guests. This were not supposed to happen. She'd been an otherwise healthy woman, no indication that childbirth might be that harsh on her body and yet......

When he began crying, he could not stop. It were sunset when the ceremony began; well past dark when it ended, and it took one of their servants coughing to snap him out of it.

No one needing to say so..... but he would be his son's assumed regent until he came of age, and it weren't a great look for him to spend multiple hours with his head on the ground, so many tears flowing that a small wet spot were left when he finally brought himself to rise.

He were expected to say the words. If she were to die at all, she deserved a dragon rider's death- but this were the closest she were ever going to get.

His voice came out hoarse and scratchy, on the verge of disappearing all together. His mouth would open and close multiple times, yet he did say what were required of him. "A..... Avesaoq, Vindraeriass."

Even the dragon hesitated, aware of it's massive size, how hot it's flames burned- and of how it loved the small beings below. When it did release it's flames, it did so in a small stream so as only to burn the pyre- and not the entire mountain range around them. To anyone it were an extraordinary sight, one that Alexander himself would never grow used to- though he could almost hear Arabella's voice behind him.

"It is only a dragon, my love."she'd say. "Sooner or later you'll grow used to it's presence- just like any person does with anything else."

And with that, he began balling again.

For he knew this great empire she'd built was fucked without her.

——-

His face were completely blank, free of any emotion as he made his way to Vindraeriass in the dragon stables- Arabella's closest servant following him. The man had taken to staying by his side as much as he could, to make sure the regent of the empire did not hang himself- and though it'd worked so far there was nothing in the world that could stop him from doing what he were about to.

"It has been a few weeks, my......" Still, no one were quite sure what to call him. He were The consort emperor while she were alive, though no one dared refer to him as anything but emperor. Through his mother's empire he were a prince, though none dared to call him that either for obvious reasons. "My regent. Have you thought of a name for the boy yet?"

"Arabella did." Alexander mumbled. "She wanted to name him Ashwood. After.... After the tree he were made under. Oh, don't look at me like that. You would understand if you'd seen it. It is...."

"Beautiful, my regent?"

"Yes. Very... very beautiful." Alexander sighed, tired of being followed. "Why have you come here? I do not need an escort."

  "Forgive me, my regent I know it isn't my place but.... Where are you going?"  It were a reasonable question, but Alexander certainly weren't in the mood to give a reasonable answer. When he turned on the man he did so quickly, then would later be said to fly so quickly it were a wonder he didn't fall or the dragon didn't break a wing.

  He had spent too long allowing the woman who birthed him to get away with certain things. Crimes against those who served her,
The abuse of her magnificent creatures(Alexander took no pleasure in the knowledge that they'd have to be involved in this), believing she had any more of a right to them than the other dragon riders of the world- but worst of all she'd forgotten something.

  She'd forgotten how to truly fear anything, and Alexander were determined to remind her.

  Because before the day was over with, he were going to fucking kill her.

  He mounted Vindraeriass as quickly as he could-

  Then commanded Aythos and Paddos to follow.