Purple Dragon [REPUBLISHED]

Chapter 30: The End For Now

"I know you're confused," Radisha said leading Amasya into one of the empty tree houses. It was simple, with a downy soft cushion shoved in one corner.

"You're definitely in big trouble," Amasya agreed.

"I want you to know," Radisha said softly. "Cass and Xaria might not be dead."

"That makes me feel so much better, thanks," Amasya said sarcastically. If Eira had survived as well, Cass and Xaria would be most certainly be tortured. Thinking of Eira's creative methods of torture, Amasya almost wished they were dead. Almost.

Radisha sighed. "We will find them, I promise. But for now, we need to be readying for war."

"War? Why?" Amasya asked confused. "There's no immediate threats."

"Legions are revolting against their government. Many flee to Arvia or Boreala, the only safe places besides Olesia. Chief Afu has put strict laws on all Rogues in Cham. Your country is afraid. Nothing is safe anymore. The time is come for revolution. It's time we put a new ruler on the throne." She gestured to Amasya.

"I don't know why I'm the rightful ruler, exactly," Amasya confessed.

"The Amethyst Egg has always been the source of power for all Androsythians. It has always ruled the country through the Chiefs. And you are the Amethyst Princess. Or perhaps the Queen works too." She smiled at Amasya.

"Not funny," she grumbled. She didn't especially want dragons to call her 'Majesty'. 'Princess' was bad enough.

"Will you lead our people, Amasya?" Radisha asked solemnly.

Amasya thought back on her life. Memories flashed through her mind like a slideshow. She could see her mother protecting her from the rumors and lies, taking the brunt of the insults. She could see the Branwenn charging at her. She could hear her aunt telling her that she would never be the same again. She could see Osma clutching the broken body of her son.

And she could see her friends. Everett and Sabra. Judd and Darrock. Edin. And...Cass.

Finally, she could see herself. She was a long way from that angry dragon at her mother's funeral. The one who glared at anyone who made eye contact. She was so much more than the rejected little cripple. The freak. She was something heroes were made of.

"I-I don't know how..." Amasya faltered. She finally broke down, and the tears began to slide down her snout. "Too many have died...how can they forgive me?" she sobbed. "I killed my own mother! My friends!"

Radisha laid a paw on her. Looking into her eyes, Amasya could see she understood. Radisha had lost her father and had failed in protecting her tribe.

Amasya could see into her soul for a moment. She could see the torment that haunted Radisha all the days of her very long life. She briefly wondered what it would be like to live with the constant pain, the knowledge of her failure. She didn't think she could bear it.

"Here," Radisha said. "I want to give you something." She disappeared into the next room and rummaged around, and came back holding a thin chain.

"What is it?" Amasya asked, confused. She touched the gold chain. It was very old and incredibly valuable.

"It's a pendant," replied Radisha. A golden medallion hung from the chain. "It's called the Dragon Egg. It belonged to my father and to the Chief before him and all the ancient Chiefs. It was mine. Now it's rightfully yours."

"It's beautiful," Amasya said, touched that Radisha would entrust her with something so valuable. She slipped the precious locket over her head. It fell in just the right places, as if it was made for her.