Chapter 13: Coronation

tinton - 2 1/2 seconds
specton - 2 1/2 minutes
Toton - 2 1/2 hours
minton - 2 1/2 days
daycon - 2 1/2 weeks
quant - 2 1/2 years
galant - 2 1/2 centuries
Metson - 2 1/2 inches
heckson - 2 1/2 miles
tetson - 2 1/2 acres

Bill Axor (AKA Ambrose) - Lion clan
King Tomco Traxor - Bill’s dead father
King Tobias Traxor - Bill’s dead brother
Queen Niaco Traxor - Tiger clan, Tobias mate, now Bill’s
Twitty Glax - Grey Tabby clan, bill’s body guard and mate
Glenna Nox - Bengal clan, Bill’s body guard and mate
Mikos Glac - Chartreux clan
Commander of star crusier - Wire hair clan
General Roth - Leopard clan
Henna Glac - Chartreux clan, Mikos mate, Xendran Doctor
Theta Panadon - Cheetah clan
Cornelius Glax - one of Bill’s Uncles, Grey Tabby clan
Conrad Nox - Bill’s other Uncle Bengal clan
Assassin group - Jaguar clan
second assassin group - Ocicat clan
Gregor - Cougar clan
Gwayne - Panther clan
Thomas - Lynx clan
Mileen - Lynx clan Thomas’s mate

Bill had dropped to his knees as he tried to gain more control. Remembering all that he’d done earlier, he slowly relaxed, feeling his control slip more into place. Even so, Bill was still hard-pressed to stay conscious as the partial cure raced through his veins.

“I hope that I was right about the Ocicat clan member,” Bill thought. “I’d really hate to have to be the one that extinguishes their clan. Though knowing Niaco, it would happen sooner than later. God only knows the amount of bloodshed and civil war that would follow.”

Trying to calm down more, Bill felt the heat start up in his limbs again, though nowhere near as bad as what the Doctor had given him. Shaking his head, he had to agree with the Doctor; the cure was almost as bad as that which it cured. Shaking almost uncontrollably, Bill could see that he’d just have to ride it out. “Damn it! I just hope this doesn’t take that long. I still have to be crowned in a Toton and a half.”

Roth and Bill’s mates, along with the Doctor, watched as Bill visibly relaxed, seeming to get much of the trembling under control. Roth held the Doctor back when she tried to move forward to Bill. “As I have always been told, Doctor, looks can and are deceiving. In case you haven’t noticed, he is still clenching and unclenching his paws. I fear that if you were to approach him, he’d rip you apart, probably wouldn’t remember either.”

Henna looked closer and nodded. “I have to thank you, Sir Roth, it appears you have saved my life again.”

Roth shook his head. “As I said, I would be remiss if I allowed harm to come to the palace Doctor. Plus, I think that he’d have my head one way or another!”

Here Roth laughed as Henna’s eyes got large, and she was staring at Roth as if he were crazy! “Really, Sir Roth? I am not that important!” Henna said jokingly.

Roth turned to stare at her incredulously. “You seriously underestimate your importance, Doctor.” Sighing, Roth then grinned. “Perhaps we can have your husband beat it into you? No?”

Henna growled then hissed as she took a swipe at Roth. “Let him try!”

“So you are as much of a hellcat as I was told. That is a good thing. It puts me more at ease knowing that you will kill an enemy as well as heal one,” Roth said with a sly smile.

“I am a clan leader’s daughter. I could demonstrate some time if you wish to disagree again, Sir Roth!” Henna said, a menacing swish to her tail as she stared at Roth.

Smiling broadly, Roth told her, “I think I might enjoy that, though I have seen your skill against your husband’s other mate.” Leaning close, Roth whispered. “You both may kill him when you three decide to have kits!”

Henna growled again, swiping at Roth’s face, nearly catching the side of it. His respect for her skill raised another notch or two.

“I have no interest in kits! I am not some soft female that requires kits to make my life complete or meaningful! If you continue like this, Sir Roth, you will get a firsthand example of my skill!” Henna hissed at Roth as she got into a more defensive stance.

“I assure you I wasn’t picking a fight, though I will defend myself if I am attacked!” Roth replied, going into a more defensive stance himself.

They stopped when they both heard Bill roar out in pain, then it was all quiet. Both of the combatants looked at each other, then scrambled to look around from their hiding place. Bill was on his back, his chest heaving, though there was no other movement.

Bill could still feel the antidote moving through his body; at least he thought it had started to lessen. Finally, twelve spectons later, Bill felt his temperature and sanity returning to normal. Rising off the ground, he looked around, no longer feeling or seeing thoughts of killing anyone who might approach him. Sighing, he turned toward the palace; might as well prepare for this.

Henna and Roth watched as Bill approached where they were. “Are you feeling stronger, sire?” Henna asked when Bill was beside them.

“That remains to be seen; for the moment, I am feeling far more like myself than I have in a few days.” Sighing again, Bill pointed toward the palace. “Might as well get ready. You know, of course, I am not looking forward to any of this. Whoever said that this was glamorous should have been dragged into the street and beaten to death!”

Bill’s head snapped around when he heard all three of his mates giggling. “Though I know you don’t like it, sire, it is the way things are done. Well, for now anyway!” Queen Niaco told him with a wide smile on her face. “Your brother and I went through the same exercises, so get used to it! You are the next king, after all!”

Nodding his head, Bill replied, “Yes, I know, but all this pomp and glamour really chafes my ass!”

This, of course, brought about another round of giggling from his mates; even Henna had to smile. Roth, of course, could only roll his eyes, though there was a big grin on his lips also. Shaking his head, they all made their way toward the palace. Might as well start getting ready, Bill thought with a groan.

Letting his mates and Henna enter, Bill stopped Roth to talk for a moment. “Until I have a better idea of what to do with her, I want the prisoner treated well. Her father entered a plea that I am seriously taking into consideration.”

“I see, so no torture, no starvation.” Sighing, Roth nodded. “I will inform the others. I am afraid that Gwayne will be most disappointed. He was looking forward to making her talk.”

“I know, old friend. Until we have more of a handle on things, I wish to keep the Ocicat clan as close to allies as I can. I am finding it somewhat distressing that I am having to resort to subterfuge. Already, it is starting to leave a really bad taste in my mouth!” Bill’s face showed disgust as he mentioned this.

Walking in, Bill noticed that many Xendrans had already been hard at work decorating the palace for the coming affair. Groaning again, Bill shook his head, having it hit home that he was actually going to HAVE to be crowned. At the giggling he heard behind him, Bill turned and scowled, growling in a low voice. “I know you are used to it, Niaco, but I am not. As I said, I find this all to be unnecessary!”

Queen Niaco nodded with a sympathetic pat on his shoulder. “I know you are well against this, sire. Please remember that it is a chance for the pride of our people to show.”

Bill’s eyes went wide as he thought about this. Yes, this was something he hadn’t thought of. It was actually making sense to him for the first time. Then he paused a moment as he looked at the wide grin on Niaco’s face; then again, he could be, scratching his whiskers, being manipulated by a clever female.

Bill nodded even more when Niaco quickly looked away after Bill started to stare at her. Heading to his room, he stopped when he saw the garb that they wanted him to wear. “I don’t think so!” Bill roared as he stared at the frilly shirt and tight pants. Turning, he growled at his mates. “I damn refuse! You can kill me now, ending the damn line! I will not, cannot, and will never wear those-- THINGS!”

Turning, Bill started to stride from the room but was stopped by several soft paws of his mates. “Sire, you have to look grand and majestic,” Niaco said with a pleading look.

“Grand and Majestic I can do. I will be neither if I subject myself to being in-- those!” Bill growled, sweeping his paw at the clothes for him there; then suddenly, a light came to his eyes. “Roth! Get my armor! They want me to be a damnable easy target; let’s make it hard for them.” Bill held up a paw to quiet Niaco. “My father, King Tomco Traxor, was crowned in his royal armor. I intend to do the same.”

“But sire,” Niaco started.

“No!” Bill said as he started off after Roth. “If my father thought it was a good idea, who am I to argue with the greatest king of the realm?”

Niaco watched as Bill’s form trailed after Roth, heading for the armory. Sighing, she looked at Twitty and Glenna. “If we ever have kits with him, that in itself I fear will be a grand adventure!”

“I tend to agree,” Glenna said with a nod.

“I honestly find him much more refreshing like this,” Twitty said, drawing several incredulous looks from both Niaco and Glenna. “When he was in all human form, he took far fewer risks. As he is now, I find it far more exciting,” Twitty explained.

Niaco put a paw to Twitty’s head, feeling for a temperature. “Henna, do you think it’s possible she is sick?”