Chapter 36-Soren's Contribution

"Thanks guys. We couldn't have done it without you!" Ezran said, waving.

The surviving banthers growled with approval, then turned and returned to the forest.

The group made their way across the snowy ground, toward the other edge of the forest, where the trees had been uprooted, and the snow had a massive indentation.

In the clearing ahead, Pyrrah let out a pained roar, as she slowly rose up.

Azymondias let out some cheerful cooes as he walked underneath her.

"Glad you made it." Ezran said, holding up a hand.

Pyrrah leaned down, and nudged his hand affectionately with her maw.

Ezran turned to Zym.

"I'm sorry about your friend." He said.

Zym looked away, a bit of sadness on his face, his eyes traveling to where the other dragon had fallen.

Pyrrah let out a sorrowful growl, as her eyes followed his. She bowed her head.

"You better go home. Your mom will miss you." Ezran said, stroking Zym's head. He leaned in and nuzzled him, and the dragon prince let out a happy coo. "You're the best ally any king could ever ask for. If you ever need anything...you can call on me."

Zym's maw sparked a little, and he let out a cheerful yelp.

Then he turned, and nudged Pyrrah with her head.

She looked down at him, then they both spread their wings.

And took off for the sky, turning back toward Xadia.

"Wow. Look at that form." Rayla said, watching him fly away with a smile on her face. "Ya taught him well."

"My little brother. King. Dragon trainer. Animal whisperer. Is there anything he can't do?" Callum asked, tousling his hair.

Ezran smiled, but it faded slightly.

"Im sorry I didn't really...help you guys. In battle. You guys had to do all the work, it wasn't fair."

"Hey. Who was the one who brought the Banther brigade?" Rayla asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Or the trio of dragons?" Callum added.

Ezran shrugged.

"That was nothing. Just...good communication."

"It gave us a chance. When we didn't have one." Rayla said firmly. "I'm proud of you. We're both proud of you."

"Yep." Callum agreed, patting him on the back. He paused, looking around. "Do I hear...galloping?"

Rayla spun around, deploying her blades on instinct.

"Oh what now?" She asked, eyes darting across the area.

She stepped forward, with the other two at her back.

As they came back to the clearing, a battalion of horse mounted soldiers came riding in.

Bearing the armor of Katolis.

More specifically, the crown guard.

"You see Marcos? I told you we'd find them!" Soren exclaimed happily, jumping down from horse.

Marcos let out a sigh.

"Eventually."

"King Ezran! Prince Callum! On a lesser note, Rayla! Consider yourselves rescued!" Soren exclaimed with open arms.

"Lesser note?" Rayla asked, arms crossed, and an eyebrow raised.

"Hey! You guys are...super late." Callum said, looking at the battalion.

"I mean...still great to see you!" Ezran exclaimed.

"Oh." Soren said, sounding disappointed. "Well that...wasn't what I was expecting."

"Oh. Sorry." Rayla said, cupping her hands together. "Oh thank the primal sources!" She said, raising the pitch of her voice. "Whatever could we have done without ya Soren? Our hero..."

Soren eyed her suspiciously, then looked to Callum.

"Sarcasm?"

"Sarcasm."

He looked over the prince's shoulder.

"You guys uhh...have fun at the Banther Lodge?"

Callum turned around to look at the still burning wreckage of the building.

"Oh. Oh yeah. Sooo much fun." Callum replied with several nods.

Soren nodded, eyes shifting back to Rayla.

"Sarcasm?"

"Sarcasm."

The throne was starting to feel natural underneath him.

After a week or so of meandering around it, General Pryce was finding ruling Katolis to actually be quite nice.

"So...you wish to execute both Opeli and Corvus...two of the most highly regarded, and recognized public servants known to Katolis?" One of the councilors asked.

"Indeed." Pryce said with a nod. "They're dangerous. They're capable of spreading falsehoods and lies, even from their cells. They must be silenced. For the sake of the kingdom."

The massive doors to the throne room burst open.

And in stepped a smug looking Rayla.

Elven armor still tattered, as she walked confidently into the room. The guards exchanged a look.

As Soren walked in behind her.

"What is the meaning of this?" Pryce demanded. "That elf is a traitor! A deserter! Soren, place her under arrest."

Soren rubbed the back of his neck.

"Ehhh...sorry, no can do." He said with a shrug.

Pryce's eyes widened.

"What?!"

"Yeah, while Rayla and myself don't always see eye to eye but...she's really not the traitor type."

Pryce's eyes were wide with anger, and he stood up from his throne.

"Guards! Seize her!"

"Like I said." Soren said, pulling out his sword, and shooting the approaching guards a warning look. "No. Can. Do." He turned back to Pryce. "Now you on the other hand..."

The door opened again, and Opeli and Corvus strode in.

"You're definitely the traitor type." Soren finished, arching an eyebrow.

Pryce's mouth quivered with anger as he saw them.

"Guards! Seize them all! I have the authority here!"

The door opened one more time.

And this time, Ezran strode in. An angry look on his face. His brother walked in behind him.

"I don't think you do, General." Ezran stated. "In fact, I think you have a lot of explaining to do."

Pryce opened his mouth. Then he closed it, and hung his head.

"Do you have an explanation? For why you locked up my closest advisors, attempted to have my friend and bodyguard charged with treason, and had myself and my brother declared dead?" Ezran asked, stepping toward the throne.

Pryce narrowed his eyes, as he looked up at the young king.

"I did...what I felt needed to be done. To make Katolis strong."

Ezran's expression did not break. Or soften.

He opened his mouth, feeling an urge to bring up Lord Viren. Then he looked back, and saw Soren standing by Rayla. And thought better of it.

"Take him away." He commanded, refusing to look back at him.

The guards swiftly stepped forward, and removed General Pryce from the throne room.

Ezran slowly looked back up, to his throne.

And with a brief hesitation, he stepped forward, and came to sit in it.

As he did, the room bowed before him.

Rayla smiled warmly, as she too joined in the bow.

Ezran managed a smile himself, as he looked out across the happy faces.

"King Ezran. The people believe you are...you know." Corvus pointed out. "You may wish to give a speech."

Ezran nodded.

"Tomorrow." He agreed, exchanging a weary look with Callum and Rayla. "It's been a long, difficult journey. For all of us. We need to get some rest."

Callum yawned as he collapsed onto the side of his bed.

"Oh sweet royal bed. How I missed you so." He said, as he flopped forward to lay in the middle of it.

Rayla pulled on some pajamas, pausing a moment, to look at her battered elven armor.

It had seen her through so much. But she would need a new one. She set it down on the dresser, and looked down at it, examining each scrape, each rip.

"We have really good seamstresses, they could definitely make you a new one of those." Callum said, noticing her dwelling on it. "You better not be thinking of throwing it out."

"Nah." Rayla replied, with a smile. "We'll keep it here. Sentimental value and all that." She turned, and arched an eyebrow. "Take up the whole bed why don't ya?"

Callum let out a relaxed sigh, as he got comfortable.

"I mean, if you insist..." he began.

"Nah, move on over." Rayla replied, charging in and pushing him toward the edge. "Nobody likes a sarcastic mage."

Callum shrugged, as he rolled over to look at her. "You seem to."

"Ehh, ah tolerate ya." Rayla conceded, leaning in and giving him a kiss.

Callum looked up into her sleepy eyes. He paused a moment, hesitating to bring up what he wanted to bring up.

He finally took a deep breath, and bit the bullet.

"So...when are you planning on going?" He asked.

Rayla's expression softened a little, a touch of sadness in her eyes.

She held his hands tightly.

"Let's...talk about that tomorrow, okay?" She asked, reaching up and holding his cheek. "Tonight, lets just...be here. Big day tomorrow, ya know...public speakin and all that mess."

Callum nodded, reaching out and wrapping his arms around her, as she did the same.

It took mere minutes for the two to drift off into sleep.