Regal Of All

Chapter XX

A/N: As I said at the beginning of Regal Of All, if there is a strange word that does seem like it's English (such as sacerdos) type it into Google Translate.

The notes of a woefully sweet melody danced on the light breeze underneath the mournful sky, the delicate chimes gave off silver notes that lingered in the quieting air of the paling heavens. A thin lock of hair trickled down my cheek, hiding the watery eye that would not shed another tear. Time for tears was over, I told myself when I woke this morning beneath the azure ceiling. I had actually fallen asleep outside with an oak tree providing not nearly as much protection as Onyx who stayed guard until I resentfully accepted slumber. By then I assumed he had flown back to his lair later on, wherever that may be.

My eyes sought out the end of the cobblestone path on the horizon, it was nowhere in my sights. The path rushed through the grassy burial grounds and branched out it seemed at random to where a plot of some family wealthy who enough to have their loved one laid at the Nobles Cemetery. The grounds were well-kept and I thought it to be very fine and the prettiness of it all was grand, until I remembered that there were hundreds of dead people beneath my feet. My pace quickened slightly in an attempt to get away from the dozens of people marching behind me, their drumming feet a heart beating. A rueful smile played on my lips as the prince led the way for Tristan, Alyn, Leonora and I to walk before the procession that was headed by the High Sacerdos. The crowds of citizens from Lugebit swarmed around her private plot, the casket laid open and empty for all of Regnum to see.

My friends by my side, we solemnly halted a few yards away from the side of the casket. I had a bouquet that was made up of pink carnations, some yellow and dark pink roses along with a couple irises, and they shook like a tree in a hurricane in my trembling hands. Alyn came bearing a wooden Cypress bowl filled with strawberries, a a sliced kiwi, a couple of mangoes and a few raspberries. Tristan cradled a small polished lump of emerald, the rarest gem of them all. Finally, Lea placed herself on my other side and carrying a dagger encases in a soft red leather sheath that was finely crafted. Bringing gifts was the least we could do, since the Prince had organized everything else.

A stern look on Colby's face hushed the murmuring crowd into a grave silence that hung impatiently in the air, then finally the last of the procession halted and saluted. The High Sacerdos wore shimmering robes of silk embroidered in gold lining, they rippled in the ever-so-small breeze as he strode over to Colby who stood tall in front of us nearly touching the casket facing the far-reaching audience. The breeze continuously picked out the same strand of hair from my tight bun, it was terribly irritating.

I wished this funeral would just begin so it could be done with, I did not particularly want to be here for any longer than needed. My friend was dead because of her valor and this ridiculous competition to wipe out a species that wasn't all that bad, but had had a terrible ruler. Oh and not to mention because of my crazy idea... Oh you just had to be so sympathetic to the dragons, Kayelana! Look where it got you... And now I've gone and dragged Lea into this mess I've created, just because she wanted an adventure. It ended with a death of friend, the loss of many innocent dragons, and a debate between if I should be crowned winner of the Pugnam Games or if another "complete pair" should be. But there should be no arument, Acacia should have won. Her and Lea. I don't deserve it, not the fame or riches or anything. How could I let this happen? I've done this. It should be my body laying deep in the ground, lifeless, and Acacia should be here holding this bouquet. I think as my jaw tightens, Please someone start talking so this funeral can just be done with, please...

Colby cleared his throat and spread his arms wide to address his subjects, the wrinkly Sacerdos planted himself beside the Royal, his white beard rippling with every movement. Colby will speak now?, I've been saved... again, I think gratefully.

"Dear people, we are gathered here today to commemorate the passing of a great warrior, Acacia Sumners. Whom fought valiantly 'till the end and died with the most utmost honor and respect. She, along with her fellow comrades, Leonora Consco and Kayelana Crystalbrook succeeded in destroying the formidable Great Dragon Lord, Ignis," he paused and replaced his hands be his sides and sent out a powerful look over his people. I licked my lips, that shouldn't be my name being said.

"She was wonderful person, a superb warrior and a beloved friend. Acacia shall be well-missed; Regnum Kingdom will never forget her sacrifice. Now, for a few words from her special friend, Alyn Rosgarum, who also fought in the Pugnam Games." Haha, 'special friend', they really couldn't come up with another label for Alyn? I think chuckling to myself.

Al seemed really on edge, judging by his twitchy hands and how he'd pushed back his hair three- no, four times before he got to his place to speak. Poor guy... Pushing his shoulders back he straightened up and pulled it together.

"I could go on and on about how incredible Acacia was, but I'll try no to ramble." Alyn started, all eyes on him. "My buddy, Tristan, and I we met up with Acacia and her friends, KK and Lea before they went up the mountain to try and slay Ignis. We had our own thing going on, until they came around and messed it all up," Lea's braid whipped over her shoulder as she spun her head to thrown a look at Al. Tristan ducked his head and grinned while I raised an eyebrow at Al who turned and smiled at us. "Well, maybe it didn't go exactly like that... Anyway, Acacia was always super-cool. Even when I looked like a mess and humiliated myself, she would never laugh unless I was too; she could instantly become friends with anyone and make them feel better. She seemed to take care of all her friends, and you could always rely on her to be good friend," Alyn paused and looked down, getting all choked up. "I'll knew forget her, she was so unique and unlike any girl I've ever met before. I miss her." He snuffled and a few wispy tears dripped from his long lashes.

The back of his hand quickly made them disappear as quickly as they came. I blinked a few times to clear my blurring vision, I will get through this. I gazed out to look over the crowd, and now I finally see some individual people instead of a rush of color and skin. They each have their own stories, I realized, each one has had their own loss. My mind stumbled across this realization just as I spotted many young girls crying, many women and a few little boys, and then a few elderly men, maybe they lost their daughters or wives... My vision swept over the people and the more I looked the more I saw of weeping women and grieving men. I am not alone... we are never alone.

Alyn slumped back into line, clutching the bowl of fruit while Colby introduced Lea. I looked to my side; her eyes were closed and her chin dipped downwards as she whispered her eulogy to herself from memory before she spoke aloud to all who attended this grand funeral.