If he wasn’t quite so annoyed he was certain he’d of fallen asleep during the whole thing. As it was hardly an interesting argument playing out before him. The grizzled feline which had tipped off the display of loud voices and accusations was upset, at least originally, by his neighbor letting their children steal from his crops. The neighbor claimed this was impossible and that it was the local patrol that had run off with the vegetables. The patrol then claimed it was bandits, and had pointed the finger at a trio from the far side of town who had been attending a wedding near by. They had also been clearly drinking. Which made their finger pointing a little suspect. But the target of their blame, the teenaged daughter of another neighbor of the first feline hadn’t yet showed up to offer up her explanation.

Izixs could tell them all to shut up. And then expel them from the room. But given this was the seventh ridiculous argument he’d endured that day, he wasn’t expecting the next angry farmer, merchant, or craftsperson to provide anything less bothersome. And so he let them rail and blame and yell and growl.

‘I wonder if this is why Lilumeleat the second went crazy?’ thought Izixs. ‘That would explain much.’

His thoughts drifted as the anger before him continued to twist and turn. The daughter showed up. And then her friend who she then blamed. And then that friend’s mother. Who then pointed the finger right back at the old feline, claiming that she saw him burning some of his field as it had been struck by a fungus. The various parties began to shift their argument from blame to anger at being accused without proof.

‘Maybe this had all been a big mistake,’ thought Izixs. ‘I didn’t have to be here. I didn’t have to accept.’ And indeed he hadn’t needed too, even though his acceptance of the throne made the politics of that moment much easier. The other pretenders had been at best only equally qualified in terms of succession after all, and among them, he didn’t quite trust them to be competent. And neither did anyone else. The dragon had had plans for what to do after accepting the title. And yes, he had put them for the most part into motion. But still, despite the softness of the seat and the comfort of the clothes and the sweetness of the wine, it was not where he wanted to be. The perks, while nice, were at at odds with where his heart felt he should be, and what should be. It had been a chaotic time since the fall of the old line and the revolts of that day. But the solution to the land’s predicament would be a long time coming. Especially given the resistance that had already formed against his reforms.

‘Did they really think it was all a trick to give me even more power?’ he thought to himself. ‘Maybe I should invite them here to show them what that actually brings you. I don’t want to be an autocrat.’ His thoughts were interrupted more from spilling some of his drink than the slow retreat of the arguing assembly. Izixs sighed. There was no one though he could trust to ascend to the throne and not make the situation out there even worse. Or to do so without lopping off the dragon's head. ’I don’t want to be here… but I also can’t let anyone else sit on this throne. But how to prevent that while… ending… ending this madness?’

He rolled his eyes as the next party sought audience, no doubt aiming to gain restitution for something pointless.

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An amazing piece by  Deriaz. Fantastic details, excellent choice of outfits, and that expression... perfect! The dragon, forced to take power to avoid other less scrupulous types doing so, is not exactly happy with the life it has given him. If you like this, make sure to fave the original here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/22933720/