The handshake of Honor
All the vampires looked at him in disgust.
He was their friend and future Prince but most of all...
he was a traitor.
If all plans succeeded..
He would have brought the vampires to their graves... now he had to be punished.
"I wished there was a nicer way to this Kurda Smahlt.. but there is no way. You betrayed our clan and you know the laws. I'm sorry to say this.. but you will have to be sent to the Halls of Death.." Paris Skyle said slowly. Kurda nodded his head in shame. The vampires cheered in the backgrounds and he looked up for hope... for anyone to help him from his worst nightmare. Darren Shan stood and looked at him pitifully. He then shook his head and sat back down... ashamed of the outcome of the Prince's actions. The guards escorted him through the hall where he was to be executed.
Arra Sails was in the distance. He was pleased to see her. For some odd reason, she had remarkably survived the fatal wound from his Vampaneze Clan. She looked angrily at him. Larten Crepsley stood by her side, smiling, his hand was in hers and his other around her slender waist. She was smiling at him happily and Kurda was pleased to know that she had recovered and moved on with a happy life.
She whispered something into his ear and headed to the traitor.
"Kurda, I know what horrible things you have done and what your intentions were. Although you were a traitor, you are truly a brave man to face the Halls of Death. I just don't understand why you didn't tell us your plans all along. Maybe things would be different and we with the Vampaneze would be at peace. You are a brave vampire Kurda Smahlt." Arra smiled and held out her hand. Kurda wept uncontrollably and took it. They shook and Arra departed for her mate and they joined hands once more..
At least one good thing came out of all this...
Kurda had received a 'Handshake of Honor' from Arra Sails.
One of the most highly respected vampires in history.
With that thought...
Kurda entered the Halls of Death.
He was smiling when they blindfolded him,
He was smiling when they locked him into the cage,
and he was smiling when they continuously dropped him into the pits of his death....
--------(o)--------
And that was the end of the traitor...
The friend...
The Prince to be...
Kurda Smahlt died happily...
And to him...
That was all that mattered.