The King's Remorse

As Invisible As I Was

The disease lets the dust crumble away so Ice can breathe.

Since he's smaller than Ky or Phoenix, I can pick up and carry Ice with some level of ease. He remains limp in my arms. No 1 looks twice. In my mind, the snake's eyes twinkle with amusement when I wonder what Bryant has planned for Ice. What? The snake doesn't give me any form of response. What does Bryant want with Ice?

It isn't until I've left the White Tent Sea and begun making my way toward Bryant's castle that I start to get questions and looks of confusion.

"Hi, Dust Devil! Might I ask if that is Ice?"

"Yeah, this is Ice."

"Dust Devil! It's an honor to see you. What are you going to do with Ice?"

"The King of Ragdon requested for Ice to be brought to him." I keep walking, hoping that will get the message across that I don't want to talk.

And it seems luck is in my favor.

"Oh, my deepest apologies, Dust Devil. I won't keep you any longer."

"Thanks." I duck my head in farewell.

By the time I'm walking through the doors to enter Bryant's castle, I've been stopped by several more groups of Guard and Soldiers. I adjust my grip on Ice. He hasn't moved since he collapsed except for the slow, even rise and fall of his sides. Whatever the disease did to Ice, it certainly knocked him out thoroughly.

I fight back the pang of guilt that lances through my heart when I think about that. Bryant asked for Ice to be brought to him, so I will carry out his wish.

It's as simple as that. As simple as that.

My arms are aching and begging me to set Ice down as I walk through the halls of Bryant's castle. I pick up my pace. It isn't much further, but it feels like an eternity passes by for each step I take.

The 2 Soldiers standing guard at the double doors to Bryant and the Amethyst Throne stop me before I can enter.

"State your business," 1 of them barks.

No... Come on. I was really hoping to just walk on in there and set Ice down!

"I was told to bring Ice to the Amethyst Throne." Let me in!

"By who?" Whom, I silently correct, though I don't say anything.

"My Sovereign, His Excellency, His Honor, His Highest of all Highnesses, King Garonda XIV."

"You sure?" The amethyst eyes of the snake in my mind harden, and a deep purple swirls in their depths. My heart sinks as the disease takes over my mind, leaving me at its mercy.

"Yes," I growl, voice deepening with the snake's rumble and veins spreading up my neck and running from my eyes like black tears. Horns curl from my head as dust rises from the ground.

"Now," I say. "I'd really like it if you opened the doors so I can bring Ice to our King of Ragdon."

"Uh, y-yeah. Lemme just open up the doors." The Soldiers quickly open up the doors. I see sweat sparkling on their skin.

"Dust Devil! You're back!" Bryant pushes him up to a seated position and moves the purple pillow he had been laying on so it's supporting his back. I stop a few paces from the foot of the Amethyst Throne.

"What would you like me to do with Ice?"

"You took a while."

"Hmm?" Tell me where to put Ice, please. My arms are killing me.