Epilogue

I walked down a long hallway lit up by the sun shining through windows. The statues of Skyler, the dragon were already being torn down, Tarsus' ones were nothing but a large pile of ceramic or stone dust. Some of the citizens waved their hellos at me, and out of habit, I replied. I found myself heading towards two large doors big enough to fit Skyler. I figured that was where Sapphire was taken to be mended. The doors were made of marble which I assumed represented the entrance to Skyler's room. I opened one of the large doors using the air element. Slowly, it creaked open. I saw Sapphire being hand fed grapes and apples while lying on her back on a nest of large cushions, her wings spread wide.

"I see you've taken to the royal life fairly quickly." I said, walking up to her.

"I think we've deserved it. I'm still having trouble believing we actually won. I imagined the whole thing dragging out until dawn or something. But I'm glad it didn't." she replied, craning her neck to look at me.

"You look like hell." she said. I chuckled, sitting down beside her.

"And you look bigger. Easily half the size of Skyler." I replied. She snorted, a waft of black smoke hitting my face.

"At least I didn't have trouble with the door." she said. I laughed.

"Well you didn't have to open it. I reckon if you stick a wedge under those things, Skyler himself couldn't get in." I retorted, leaning against her. One of the maidens caring for Sapphire offered me some fruits from the basket. I took an apple and thanked her.

"Now that you're the King, will you accept that role or will you return to being a blacksmith?" she asked.

"A King can be a blacksmith if he so desires. I think I'll have to stay here. It would be very difficult to keep you around with that lifestyle. You'd get bored of being human over time and you'll want to experience things only dragons want to experience. No, this life would be easier for the both of us. And I think the girls are excited about becoming Generals." I replied, taking a bite of my apple.

"But what would you want?" she asked. I thought about this, chewing on the bit of apple in my mouth.

"I want to be the king. I don't want to return to a burned down village and I certainly don't want to remember all that I've lost there." I replied. Sapphire smiled, giving a light growl of approval.

"Sapphire, we need a stronger bond than Tarsus and Skyler ever had. And for that to happen... I need to know how you feel about me. Do you consider me a father, a brother, best friend? How do you feel about me?" I asked. Sapphire didn't reply. She seemed nervous.

"You told Edna you considered me a daughter... I simply consider myself yours. If you want me to be your daughter, sister or something else entirely, then that's fine with me." she replied, sounding shifty.

"But what do you want to be?" I asked.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out. But not now, my bruises ache." she said. I scoffed at her, showing her the bandages around my shoulder.

"That's rich. I got stabbed, but you don't hear me complaining." I said.

"You're complaining now." she retorted. I sighed, leaning into her.

"You're still completely hopeless. You're overemotionally, wittily, completely hopeless." I said, scratching a spot under her chin. This caused her to start thumping her feet in the air. The handmaidens giggled.

"I may be so, but that's your problem." she said. I chuckled, tossing the apple in the air for her to catch. She swallowed it whole, licking her lips.

"Well, we'd best go and see Skyler, he's requested that we personally see to his fate." I said, getting up and making my way to the door. Sapphire followed behind, opening the door for me.

"Show off." I said, making my way over to the courtyard. Everyone in the White City was gathered around Skyler who was chained to the ground. Children had thrown rotten vegetables at him. A few tomatoes hung from his face and one was stuck to one of his horns. Sapphire and I walked up to the large dragon, my face up to his.

"Why did you request us to decide your fate?" I asked him. The entire city was silent, waiting for his reply.

"Because you earned the right to do so. You killed my rider and as such, you have the right to kill me." he replied.

"Do you want to die?" I asked him.

"I don't. Though I can't see myself living without Tarsus. I'm uncertain. I didn't always agree with everything he did, but I didn't try to persuade him otherwise. I'm sure Sapphire can understand what I mean." he said. Sapphire nodded.

"I can." she replied.

"Would you think it cruel if we were to let you live freely?" I asked him.

"No. I can find another rider, and hopefully, live peacefully. I would not seek revenge. And Sapphire would know if I were coming. In defeating me, she has received the title of Dragon Queen. So do as you will." he replied, closing his eyes. I smiled, the crowd beginning to chant towards his death. I looked at Sapphire who had the same smile on her face.

"Alright, we've come to a decision!" I called, the chant stopping. Skyler looked at me with big golden eyes, the only thing about him that wasn't white.

"Release him and let him go freely." I ordered. The citizens seemed disappointed. Chatter began to fill the air, disapproving glances toward me. Old men thinking I must have been too young to be king.

"Aside from Sapphire, Skyler is the only dragon left in existence. I do not want to be responsible for the extinction of a powerful race. Someone will find this dragon and take him in. He'll be loved and cared for. He'll have a second chance. Everyone deserves a second chance. Tarsus, the previous king had his second chance after killing my mother and father. He blew that chance again after attacking and destroying my home village, wiping out two people very dear to me as well as many more I knew. There is no third chance. Tarsus' death is proof of that. I am giving Skyler a second chance to live peacefully. Now release him. This is your second chance." I said, looking to the executioners. I knew they held the keys to Skyler's chains. They walked forward and undid them. He got up slowly, his torn wing drooping slightly.

"Thank you Zael, but before I do anything else, I should tell you that we are not the last dragons. The Red King, as well as all the other kings possess dragons of different strengths and weaknesses. It is my sad duty to say that Tarsus and I were the weaker of the kings. The strongest of us is the Black dragon Shale. He is the dragon of the Black King, Thowra." said Skyler. Sapphire and I looked at each other.

"Where do we stand?" I asked him.

"If I may stay, I could teach Sapphire what she needs to know to overpower the Red King at least, if that is what you wish. I can teach you to defend your new kingdom against most of the other Kings, but Shale and Thowra are too much for even me to handle. You'd have to find a way to defend against them yourselves." he said.

"We'll accept your offer. Thank you Skyler. Do you have any demands in exchange for your help?" I asked him.

"Just that I have my old room back. That was my favourite place. Tarsus let me sleep there when I was just a hatchling. It holds many memories for me." he asked.

"Very well. Do you mind sharing? I think Sapphire's taken a liking to the room as well." I asked. Skyler shook his head.

"I don't mind. There's more than enough room for us both. And it'll give us time to know each other better. I find that learning is easier when you're good friends with the teacher." he replied.

"Right, that's settled. Now what?" I asked, looking for something to do.

"Now we hold a ceremony for your inheritance as King." said Edna, standing on top of the staircase Sapphire and I had come from. She held a crown which was recently polished in a blue cushion.

"What?" I asked.

"You need a ceremony to be acknowledged as King. So come forth my brother and take your crown." she replied.

"I never wanted a crown." I muttered to Sapphire.

"Just get it over with, then you can throw it away. Or just hang it somewhere for decoration." she replied. I walked forward, climbing the steps to Edna. She bowed and held the crown before me. I took the crown from the pillow and placed in top of my head. As soon as my hands left the crown, everybody began applauding me, acknowledging me as their King.

"For my first rule as King. I must say I never was a fan of taxing, so the taxes will be reduced to half of the current tax and paid monthly instead of weekly." I said. The crowd cheered. I'd obviously done something right.

"Now somebody clean up Skyler, he's going to be Sapphire's mentor and a mentor must look respectable... I think." I ordered, turning around and heading inside. Edna and the others followed me. Skyler remained outside to be cleaned.

"So, what does it feel like being King?" asked To.

"Kind of embarrassing. I feel as though something went wrong with the ceremony. I figured someone would place the crown on my head instead. Oh well, it doesn't matter. It's over and done with and now I can return to sleeping. General Edna?" I called. She chuckled and acknowledged by kneeling down in front of me.

"Oh dear, could you send someone to retrieve Ronar and Lina? They'll be somewhere on the outskirts of the Red Kingdom. And as far as I know, the Red King shouldn't have a problem with you being there. I haven't declared war on him as of yet so there should be no tension between us. Nevertheless, go in farmer attire so as not to draw attention." I said.

"Yes, your highness." she said.

"Don't be vulgar, just call me by my name." I said.

"Yes, Blue King." she said hurrying off. I started, watching her as she ran off chuckling.

"You... damned snake of a woman!" I called, receiving a laugh afterwards. I relaxed, chuckling at her and walking onwards.

"This will take some getting used to, but I think we'll all be happy here Zael." said To. I smiled at her.

"I think so too. I know Sapphire's got the royalty treatment down pat." I said. Sapphire snorted, lifting her head in a superior fashion and walking ahead of us. After a few seconds, she turned her head back around and smiled at us. We all laughed, chasing after her as she ran away. The halls were filled with joy and laughter as a simple game of chase was being played in the halls of royalty.