King Ezran sat on the throne of Katolis for forty-two years: a very long time. To make a comparison, the reign of King Harrow II had lasted in all sixteen years: less than half of that of his son.
We have said that after 1263 he gradually withdrew from the political scene: this does not mean, however, that he was not interested in the kingdom. Simply, the sources do not report any important activity performed by Ezran in that period of time.
He devoted himself to both his family and his culinary studies.
"The role of grandfather suits him perfectly, much more than me," writes Callum in 1270. " It is not uncommon that he skips meetings of the Imperial Council to spend time with his grandchildren, being replaced by Prince Harrow. Rayla says he's doing it to get his son involved in the government, and maybe she is right, but I wouldn't bet on it."
Ezran was the first, and only, ruler of Katolis to be interested in cooking. It was in this period that he wrote the monumental culinary treatise "De Arte Coquinaria", which represents a very precious source for the study of the eating habits of the time.
On June 18, 1280, the Emperor was holding an audience in the city's main square: it was a particularly hot summer, and Ezran sat under the sun for hours. Suddenly he collapsed: he had had a heart attack. The King was immediately transported to the palace, and the best doctors were called, but it was too late.
So died, at the age of 52, Ezran I, King of Katolis and Duren, Emperor of the West.
His body was exposed to public veneration for seven days, according to the Katolean custom, then was brought to the Valley of the Graves with a solemn procession. Twenty thousand people accompanied Ezran on his last journey: they had come from all over the empire, men and elves, to pay homage to the great ruler.
Even delegations from neighboring kingdoms arrived. From Lux Aurea came queen Janai herself, and in the following days she would have returned to the Valley of Graves several times to pray both on the tomb of Ezran and on that of General Amaya.
King Vigimer II and Xerxes, the High Director of Neolandia, were also present at the ceremony.
According to tradition, the task of lighting the funeral pyre rests with the High Cleric: before Lord Eutychos could approach the body of the King, however, a tremendous roar was heard, and the light of the moon was obscured by an immense shadow. Azymondias, the Dragon King, had come to greet his old friend for the last time. It was him, in the end, who burned the pyre with his azure flames. Ezran's ashes were collected in a golden urn and buried in the great mausoleum of the Kings of Katolis, next to the faithful Bait.
Its simple epitaph is still visible today at the entrance of the monument. It reads:
"Here lies Ezran of Katolis, friend of the dragons.
He brought peace to his kingdom,
there is no greater glory for a king."
