Phoenix Reign

Chapter 3

The next day we laid our fellow thief to rest. The entire camp, including the visiting divisions, gathered around a large bonfire set up in the middle of camp. We all wore our ceremonial uniforms and our faces grim. The deceased thief was laid on a wooden platform in the middle of the fire and we stood quietly around it.

Alan walked up to thief and placed a golden stripe of paint down the tattoos on his right upper arm. The stripe signified that this thief was retired. Alan stepped off the platform and turned to the crowd.

"Today we see the highest form of honor in our clan," he said, "We see someone who died protecting our ways and ideals. And that is the highest act that a thief can do. May he rest in peace." Alan motioned for the man holding a torch to light the fire. As the fire rages, Alan gave a golden feather to the mother of the deceased thief as a condolence. She took it with shaky hands and one of the men next to her comforted her.

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I sat in the armory, listening to the clang of the metal as Lucas warped the metal of my armor into place.

"I don't get it," I said after a long silence.

"Don't get what?" He asked, still focused on his work.

"Why would he want me?" I replied.

He looked up for a moment, "Who is 'he' again?"

I growled, "The king of Xabia, idiot! Keep up!"

He shrugged, "In my defense, we were just talking about the tournament."

"So? You need to keep up with the conversation!"

His only response was another shrug.

I turned back to the matter at hand, "Still, why would he want me? He didn't seem to like me very much when I was in the palace."

It was not really a secret that I was from the palace, but not many people knew that I was one of the princesses of Xabia. Only Alan and Zoe knew for a while, but Lucas is my best friend, so I told him when were little.

"Well," he pounded the metal again, "you are the only one that can claim the throne."

I jumped of the table wear I was sitting, "But he already claimed the throne. Why would I take it?"

"There is a rumor that none of the phoenixes have claimed him."

In Xabia, to become the legitimate ruler, you have to be claimed by a phoenix, If it refuses to, that could mean chaos for the kingdom.

"Really, but they keep saying that one did."

"Maybe they are just afraid someone will take it from them. If I was them, I would bet on that person being you since theoretically, you are 'lost'. They are just trying to shut you up." He explained.

I frowned, "Then that would mean that I am putting you guys in danger."

He looked at me, "You are not putting anyone in danger. We're thieves. We are always in danger."

"But still, we need to do something about this."

"There is nothing we can do without starting a war and you know how Alan feels about that."