Epilogue

Ziarre stood quietly staring down at Lazaro, who was now shackled and awaiting his punishment. As she figured would happen, the nobles decided against being ruled by a corrupt King. She now only had to do this just right so she wouldn’t piss Ash off too seriously. All of Terra, along with Tiara and Ash, had decided when they won the war it would be Ziarre who would rule over both lands, but she did not want that kind of responsibility. It was hard enough for her to rule over Terra and force her supposed people to listen to her and her rules. No, Ash was Lazaro’s son, he should rule over the Floating Isles. If she did this correctly, he would be by morning.

Raising her voice for all to hear, Ziarre told Lazaro: “For your punishment, I desire your resignation as the King of the Floating Isles.” There were no murmurs of outrage or appall from the nobles at her words, everyone knew that is what she would call for. Lazaro snorted in derision. “If I do thusly, who am I to leave as my successor? You?” Ziarre smiled slightly as she raised her head, she rather enjoyed breaking all of Terra's nicely laid out plans.

“No Lazaro, it will not be I who shall rule over the Floating Isles.” She ignored Ash’s hushed; ‘what are you doing?’ as she watched Lazaro squirm on the ground. “If not you Queen Ziarre, than whom do you propose I leave in my stead?” Her smile broadened. “The rightful heir and my personal guard.” Once again she ignored Ash’s words as Lazaro raised his head and stared directly at him. Despite his softly spoken words, Ash appeared stoic beside her. Lazaro bowed his head, no one would accept Ash if he did not name him as his successor.

“As you wish, Queen Ziarre. My son will succeed me.” Ziarre took a step closer to Lazaro, he had to name Ash personally or none would accept him as their king. “Name him properly, Lazaro.” Lazaro’s right eye twitched angrily, he knew he had to comply or suffer worse consequences. “My son and rightful heir to the throne of the Floating Isles is Ash Cassiel.” He growled out just before gasps and murmurs erupted from the nobles. When they quieted, he finished: “I rescind my kingship of the Floating Isles onto my son, Ash.” A grim smile appeared on his face as the crowd began cheering. “It won’t last long however.” He whispered under the noise.

Ash shifted to stare out over the inhabitants of the Floating Isles incredulously. This was not how it was supposed to be. Ziarre was supposed to rule over both Kingdoms. Naming him as the Isles’ new King only complicated matters. It kept the two Kingdoms divided, instead of uniting them under the same ruler. Ash’s eyes darkened slightly as he stared over at Ziarre, she had done this on purpose. Though he could understand why she had, it still should not be this way. Sighing deeply, he looked out over his people again. Cleaning up the damage Lazaro and Agustin had done would take a while to complete, as well as electing new Lords and Ladies to lead the separate isles. The next few months or even years, were not going to be enjoyable to say the least.