Rebellion

Disgust

After exiting the dungeons, I walked to the Throne Room. It had been repaired, and a new mosaic had been added. Vines and flowers festooned the halls, draping over statues and adding a vibrant feel to the palace. As I walked, a pink blur shot across the halls and landed with a heavy thump next to me.

"Hi Electra,". I said grinning. She had grown, and was now about double my height. Her scales were even more vibrant and shiny than before and her wingspan was huge!

"Hello Amy,". I rubbed her neck and she hurred happily as I scrambled up her leg. It took more effort to mount her now, like with all the dragons, and as I rode her down the hallway, humans and dragons hurried by. Many of the local villagers, now they did not have to worry about being attacked by Quaem's army, had flocked to the palace, some offering their skills like cooking, whilst others helped rebuild the palace, providing wood, stones and dragon armour. The right wing of the palace was given entirely over to storage: there was a smithy, where each member of the forces could collect their weapons and armour, to giant store rooms which were filled with deer, cattle and vegetables. The hatchery and egg chambers were in the basement, where fire dragons kept them nice and warm. We had even found that some of the villagers had bonded to an egg when they helped us carry them all through to the basement and they were slowly being trained by one of the Anchemi from the cattle farm (Striker had learnt how to fire the lightning bolt that helped them turn into a rideable dragon). Electra interrupted my musings:

Why do you think the council need to see us?

I have no idea. Why do we need a council again?

Beats me

The council was formed when whilst Quaem was being escorted to the dungeons, to help me rule until I was crowned. It was a mixture of six humans and six dragons, with some riders from the Academy, who had come after I sent a messenger to them. One of these was Daniel, rider of the wind dragon Venia. Electra turned left and we greeted the guards (two earth dragons) as they opened the doors. Nodding our thanks, we entered the Throne Room. The huge arched windows had had the glass replaced after the battle and sunlight streamed in, illuminating the table. We took our place at the head, and the whole council bowed. I shifted uncomfortably and Electra murmured to me:

"I will never get used to this,".

I nodded my head in agreement as the council sat down. Daniel cleared his throat and began:

"It has come to our attention that you have been sending out scouts. We would like to ask, who authorised this?".

I spoke up. "I did. Ceylon has escaped and there have been rumours that Sarsians have been seen near the academy,". In truth, Phantom had asked me if he could, but I wasn't going to tell the council that. I didn't trust them enough.

Venia, Daniel's dragon looked at us. "Why?". She asked, her voice soft and melodious. "You don't need too. Quaem is defeated,".

Byron Clandos, one of the top riders in the academy, coughed. "We need to talk about Quaem. What are we going to do with him?".

I stiffened. "What do you mean - What are we going to do with him? He is safe in the dungeons - and thats all there is to say about it,". The council went into immediate uproar:

"He can't stay there forever!".

"We should deal with him,".

"Every day he lives is another day he threatens your reign,".

"Why do you care about what happens anyway? He is your enemy,".

"What if he escapes the dungeon?"

"A swift hanging is what we should do,".

My blood ran cold. I couldn't speak due to the shock. Luckily Electra spoke for me, her voice low and dangerous:

"How dare you! It is up to my rider and I to decide what happens to him, not you. We will not kill him, if only because then we will be as bad as him!".

A member of the council stood up. "I would like to declare a vote. All in favour of killing Quaem by hanging, raise your hand,".

I mentally counted each hand.

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Majority vote.

The same council member carried on talking. "It is decided by majority vote that the despised King, Quaem, will be hung at sunset. Council dismissed!". The council filed out, with none of them looking at us. They exited and the door slammed shut behind them.

I turned to Electra in disbelief.

"What just happened?".