A/N Things are beginning to heat up! I'm reaching the end of this story (not quite yet though). This chappie might be a bit confusing but just bare with me all with be explained. I would like to thank Farah the Penmage for ß reading it you are awesome. Well I have a week of vacation which is wonderful. I've had 4 weeks from hell and now can relax. Happy Easter! And Happy Passover! My Church has 2 great Easter services, with a pancake breakfast in between (much fun). AND starting tomorrow I can watch movies again!!!!!!! I can't wait 40 days without movies is harsh. Now on to thanks.

Sudha: I have changed Sarees in the first chappie to salwars, thanks for the tip! Also thanks for going to the website! I'm glad you like the story. Do you really think that I've made Zira too perfect though? That's one thing I've been trying to avoid doing. What could I do to make this point better? Thanks again!

Balloonfuzz: I have seen it written Torallans. Personally I like Tortallians (easier to say), but I must say I like Tortillians (as you say), a lot too.

Death By Moonlight: (cool name) Thanks for the review.

Wildmage: I have a feeling that you won't like this ending any better (I'm sorry I love (writing) cliffies). I'll try not to torture you very long though, and get the next chappie up soon (hehe). Thank you for saying that you liked Zira!

cytosine: Yes things are starting to heat up. I'm glad you like the powers of Kingship, I decided that the ruler would have more power than the heir, so the magic would expand.

Exroomie: Katherine and I have decided that the three of us will take a road trip this summer. You better come!

Mackie: I have to read The Blue Sword again. You are the second person that mentioned it, I might have subconciously picked something up, and put it in this story (oops). Thanks for the review. The picture of the dress (along with a whole lot more pictures of characters too) is up on my website.

Ivy Dragon: Ya when my family asks me how the story is going I say "I'm killing off characters at a fast rate" (hehe). Yes Zira is now Queen. The funny thing is that the mistake isn't one. Antithean is based on ancient Greek where the negative is placed before the word. I was trying to show that Shae's accent was coming through, so I had her say "not do" and "not can". I hope that wasn't too confusing. Sorry. Thanks for the review.

Everyone Read Review, and Enjoy!

Chapter XXX: Ends

Falkin woke as the sun was coming through the thin walls of his tent. A silhouette stood silently outside.

"Come in," he said to it. At first he thought that it hadn't heard him because the shadow remained frozen of a moment. Then an arm reached out and lifted the tent flap. Zira stood in the entryway, and she looked as if she had been dipped in pure amber. She was radiant from head to foot. He stared. She walked into the tent as if in a trance, and sat on one of the cushions. Her hair flowed around her like a dark cloak.

"Zira," he said when he could speak again. "What is it?" He wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her, but he felt that that would bring death. She turned her head slowly towards him.

"My father is dead," she said flatly. Falkin stood, and wrapped his arms around her, not caring about the consequences. She was trembling, and rested her head on Falkin's shoulder. "I am Queen." As she turned her head to meet Falkin's eyes, an amber tear rolled down her cheek, and he caught it, brushing it off her cheek.

"Don't worry," he said, and kissed her. "You will do what's best. I know you." Zira stood up.

"Why do you have to make it so hard!" she cried, and looked at him in agony. Falkin stood and faced her, but didn't touch her. He was ready to listen. "Antithean rebels have crossed into Tortall," she said. "Jonathan will declare war again, and Antitheos will be crushed." Falkin kept his eyes on hers. "I can stop it," she cried passionately. "It is in my power." She closed her eyes tightly. "But I can't. I can't do it, Falkin, I want to be selfish, I don't want to be Queen. I want to be normal. I want to be able to choose my path. I don't want to be saddled down with a country that depends on me. It is too much. I'm too young. I can't handle it. I want to be free." Her voice reached a crescendo, and she collapsed to the ground, and her frail body convulsed with sobs. Falkin sat beside her, and put his hand on the small of her back. She calmed, and sat up. "Falkin let me be selfish," she begged. "Tell me to do what is right for me, not for my people."

"If I did, and if you did, would you be able to live? Zira," he said lifting her chin and looking into the amber eyes that he loved so dearly, "it would kill you. Antitheos is your life, the people are your blood. I cannot ask you to be less than you are."

"Do you know what you are telling me to do?" she sobbed. "Won't it kill you too?"

"Zira I want you to be selfish," he stood and faced the tent flap. "Mithros knows how much I want you to be." He turned back to her. "A few more words would convince me. Are you willing to speak them?" He ran his hands through his blonde hair. Zira's lips parted slightly.

"I don't know I DON'T KNOW!" she screamed, and Falkin saw a silhouette stop outside the tent to listen. "I can't choose, it is death in both directions. It is a lonely death in one, and one with company in the other." Falkin shook his head.

"It will never be lonely," he said quietly. A single tear rolled down his cheek. "There are worse things."

"Are there?" she asked desperately.

"Yes, it would have been worse if I had never met you. If I had never grown to understand and love you. I would not be the person I am today without you. Zira, you" he trailed off, and just looked at her. She closed her eyes.

"Falkin, I love you, always remember that." Falkin smiled sadly, and walked over to her.

"I know," he said, and leaned down. The kiss was gentle. "I love you too," he said when his lips were free.

"I could," she paused. "I could make it easier." Falkin looked down at her. "I could take away your pain."

"How?" She reached out, and put her hand over his heart. It began to glow amber, but she looked up into his eyes, and faltered.

"No," she said. "I am too selfish to do that. Forgive me."

"I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you did," he said with a wry smile. "Will you return to Tortall?" She carefully untangled herself from his arms.

"Yes, I leave tonight."

"And you will stop this war."

"With the help of Eimar," she smiled, "yes."

"I will go to the border with the people from this encampment. We will try to hold the Tortallians back."

"No," she said. "You would be hung as a traitor then. Falkin you are a Tortallian knight, you have sworn your life to King Jonathan."

"My princess, I cannot fight for Tortall. If I did I would be a traitor to you. As for my life it no longer holds meaning. I must help these people, your people. I will go to the border, and hold back any who wish to invade." Falkin's voice was firm.

"Falkin, Tobit's on the border. You would have to fight him. I could never ask you to do that." Falkin's expression wavered for a moment then steadied.

"He is sworn to his men, he must do what is right for them just as you must for your people. I am in charge of no one. I may choose where to place my allegiance and it is with the Antitheans, and if I am hanged for it then so be it."

"I cannot force you," she said quietly.

"Don't try," he begged. She smiled, and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Lead my people well." He grasped her hand and kissed it.

"I will."

~*~

Tobit's shovel threw dirt into the air. His men were singing a funeral dirge. He joined in, his husky baritone mixing in with the rest. The dead were lined up on either side of the trenches they were digging. He had refused to let his men burn the Antitheans. Zira had told him a little about Antithean religion, and Antitheans were buried. His men insisted on separate graves though, and so Tobit was digging the Antitheans' grave. He pulled himself out of the deep trench, and looked at the bodies. Most were young, some even around thirteen. He couldn't let his men see him cry, so he hid the tears rolling down his cheeks by throwing the bodies into the grave. It was unceremonious, but he knew that Shae would forgive him because he had prevented them from being burnt. Shae. He let a body fall. He face came before his eyes. Could she still love him after this? Would he be able to face her? He picked up the last body. It was of the leader of the rebellion. He carefully pried the hilt of the knife out of the cold dead fingers, and closed the staring brown eyes.

"Rejoin Eimar with joy," he said awkwardly in Antithean. He climbed into the trench with the leader's body, and gently laid him on top. "I'm sorry to have taken all of you so young. I hope that your families will join you when their time comes. For now sleep in the arms of Eimar, who created and sustained you." He then began covering them with dirt. When the funeral mound was completed he stuck the hilt of the leader's dagger into the ground, and turned back to the trench being dug as a final resting place for his own men.

He walked among the dead bodies from this side, putting names to faces, and tears streaming down his face. Some of the men were friends of his. He remembered them joking in the mess hall together, so boisterous and full of life. One off the men left of digging, and stood next to Tobit.

"They were young, but they did their part. Do not mourn them, they are in the Dark Realms now, beyond pain. Weep for their wives, mothers, sisters, fathers and brothers. The Dark God claims his own."

"Yes," Tobit said. "But it seems so senseless."

"They fought for what they believed in," the soldier said simply, and Tobit looked at him. He saw a man weathered, and old before his time, and willing to give everything for his country. A man who would go to the death on an order given by his commander.

"I do not deserve these men," he thought. "I will make a vow of my own. I will go to my death, perhaps not for my country, but for these men. I am a knight of Tortall, and cannot break the promise I made to my men."

"Forgive me Shae," he breathed. "Forgive me Zira."

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