Regal Of All

Chapter XIX

A/N: Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I haven't found the time. Now we are nearing the end of our adventure with Leonora and Kayelana (and Acacia) in Lugebit, of Regnum Kingdom. Also, if you don't remember Colby flip back to chapter 5. Read on warriors!

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Alyn used the willow tree as a punching bag. Tristan held a poker face and did his best to bandage my broken left wrist, which was very hindering when it came to dragging Acacia's body up onto Onyx for the trip here.

Lea was off with Onyx re-braiding her hair while I was sitting with Tristan just outside the willow's hair on a rock. It was a few minutes after dawn, we all held ourselves together long enough for the burial of Acacia (Onyx dug the grave), who was under six feet of ground on the other side beneath the willow tree. Now, Alyn in very upset; he apparently had a crush on her... That didn't really go anywhere. Tristan and I sat in casual silence as I try to clean my face of the dried tears.

There was nothing to say, "I'm sorry for your loss" would never cut it. It was a beautiful, the sun was shining. How rude, the sun doesn't even have enough respect to dampen its light while we mourn, I thought bitterly. But I stopped thinking about it, I really didn't have any more emotions to go through, nothing more to give. Acacia is gone, that's all there is left right now. I heard something, probably his fist collide with the tree trunk. Poor Alyn had to deal with the anger and sorrow of grief on his own, I felt bad, but Tristan said he likes to do hard things alone (after all Tristan is his best friend, not me).

The corners of my lips flicked up into a tiny, sad smile. "What's that for?" Tristan asked.

"I just realized that I know nothing about you, or Alyn, even Lea. And not a whole about Acacia either," he nodded, "None of us, Lea, Acacia or me, ever talked about our personal lives, how things were before we entered the Games. I don't even know if Acacia has any family, or where if she does. They'd probably want her body- oh we shouldn't have buried her!"

"It's okay, we don't even know about them, so what else could we do? Anyway, her family would be okay with us burying her here where it's peaceful instead of in a crowded family plot at a graveyard in who-knows-where or being cremated. Am I wrong?"

"Yeah, you're probably right." The serene silence washed over us once again.

The plan was that the four of us would be brought back to the town by Onyx (who would fly off and go on his own) where we would make our way to the Dining Hall again and would share the news. That was all I cared about, forget winning the Games, this was much more important to me. I heard the punching stop, the birds' songs ceased to be heard- all was still for a moment. Then I heard my heart beat once more, it was time to move on.

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Colby was the most amiable person I've met, pleasantly laughing and taking me by the arm and pointing out all the important parts of the castle. But of course he wasn't just a person, he was a royal- and considering everything, it took everything I had not to faint out of awe. His fine golden hair held an angelic sheen. He shook everyone's hands, smiled with pearly-white teeth when it was called for and surprisingly looked a genuinely upset when Lea told of our tale and explained Acacia's death. I had nothing left to say on the matter.

Until, that is, the dearly beloved Prince Colby stated firmly that there shall be a funeral ceremony held in honor of Acacia, since she was the only warrior that had been killed in the Games; but Alyn made it very clear as to where her body remains, underneath the willow tree. Of course I was asked to write a memorial speech. And my response: "How about no?"

Colby, Alyn and Lea would speak then instead. The rest of the day was spent with the pretty-blonde-announcer-singing-lady careening the Lea, the boys and I around making plans; choosing flowers and colors of silk and such frivolous things that she probably could careless about.

Although, this isn't about her anymore. Well, I shouldn't say that either. This event is about her, but it's really for us, the people who knew her at the end and she left and died for. The people who saw her last and cared, truly cared. What did she die for? What do you really think KK?

I don't know, I just don't really know anymore. All that is for sure is two days hence Regnum shall hold the ceremony of Acacia Sumners underneath the blood orange skies. Where they all, all those people, have better weep in love, gratitude and respect- or if nothing else, fear.