One Night in Bastat Part One (complete)

    My son Amon was born on a day where the winds were harsh and sand storms were beating down on the tents. It was also the day Demir and his wife Dali had come into Bastat. The once proud and noble leader of the Unified Nations was now a prisoner awaiting his trial. He had come to Bastat on request, trusting his dearest friend, and my mother in law, Chiyo to guard over him.

    It was a somber yet celebrated day. Demir came in to see Amon and hold him and he was a shell of the man I had come to know. His hair had been sheared from his scalp and his eyes looked hollow and withdrawn. Dali remained by his side, as strong and vivacious as ever.

    “I just hope I am around to see the birth of my own grandchild.” Demir’s voice is weak and distant. “I am afraid the wedding might never happen.”

    “You silence that thought,” Dali pushes his shoulder. “Maitri and Orrick will marry and they will have their child. You will see it with your own eyes as well if I let you.”

    Demir’s sad smile brightens as he looks at Amon. He looks more like me with dark skin and a sharp jaw. But every hair on his body, even his eyelashes and eyebrows, are pure white like his father’s fur.

    Demir hands Amon back to me and sighs, his shoulders have not risen once since he arrived here. I cannot blame him, his whole world is gone and his reputation is sullied. Sanguis Rex and his men saw to that.

    The little golden dragon sneaks into Amon’s crib as I lay him down and curls around him. Baby Addor has taken to Amon and become attached so quickly. Addor is protective of him and guards him at all times, always keeping an eye on him.

    “I cannot believe dragons are so small,” Demir murmurs in awe.

    “He is barely a year old. It takes dragons centuries to get to the size that Addor had been before.” I stroke Addor’s head and he purrs sweetly. “He might get to be as tall as you by the time he’s twenty, but even then he will still be a child.”

    “He will make a good companion for your son.” Demir bows his head. “They will shine as a beacon for Bastat.”

    “I care not if they shine.” I sigh and lean back in my seat. “I only care that they live.”

    Demir’s expression darkens further. “Do not let this new threat worry you,” he starts. “This Sanguis Rex no longer has his armies or his stronghold. He has no walls, no defenses. He is merely a bandit with a magic trick.”

    “Mythri says otherwise,” I murmur. “As much as I admired your Demir, I take everything Mythri says as the entire truth.”

    Demir looks away and Dali puts her hands on his arm. “Let’s go back now. Let her rest.” She laces her fingers with his and turns to me. “Amon is beautiful. Congratulations.” She and Demir leave quietly, an odd spectacle for the once proud centaur.

    I close my eyes, keeping my hand in the crib so I can feel Amon’s heat. As I am drifting to sleep, the door opens again and Chi walks inside.

    “Are you sick of visitors?” His tone sounds guilty.

    “I am,” I grumble and rise up. “Why? Are there more?”

    Chi just smiles.

    I tilt my head. “Fine then. Who all is here?”

    “Half of the royal court, I’m afraid,” Chi’s ears go flat against his head. “They just arrived, so you don’t have to accept them now. I can make sure they’re comfortable and you can see them in the morning.”

    “What do you mean by half?” I grunt.

    Chi sighs and his whole body slouches. “Dhaval has come with some of the royal council to talk to Demir. Amit and Mythri have arrived as well to see the baby.” He motions over to Amon’s crib and Addor pops his head up, looking pissed off that we would even consider letting more people in.

    I rub Addor’s head. “Not tonight, calm your guard.”

    Addor lays back down, curling up to Amon as his eyes close.

    “Why do so many people care?” I stand up with some help from Chi and waddle over to the window. I look outside, seeing the torches of the caravan. 

    “This is Mythri’s grand-nephew, of course she wants to meet him.” Chi kisses the top of my head. “Her sister’s first grandchild.”

    I sigh and turn to look up at Chi. “Doesn’t it all feel strange to you?”

    Chi furrows his brow. “What do you mean?”

    I sigh and wrap my arms around myself. “Ever since Demir arrived I have had this strange feeling of premonition. As if I don’t want anyone to be here at all. I keep thinking that an empty Bastat is better than no Bastat.”

    “Is it because of the everfires?” Chi picks up my staff and looks it over. 

    “I’m not sure.” I close my eyes and squeeze my arms tighter around myself. “I don’t feel like Bastat is safe and the fact all these people keep coming-”

    Chi puts his arms around me and holds me tight. “You just had a baby. You’re being protective and cautious. Of course, it feels strange housing a prisoner and traitor to the entire world here.” He looks me in the eye and smiles. “Your responses are natural, but if you feel this way, perhaps we should talk to Penu or my father.”

    I sigh and lean into him, letting go of myself and hugging him. “You’re right. I’m just worried about Amon with Demir here. Who knows what some people are thinking now?”

    Chi kisses the top of my head. “Amon is safe, I promise you that.”

    I smile and nuzzle to his chest. “You best keep that promise. If you cannot, I will not promise your own safety.”

    He laughs and squeezes me again. “That’s fine, I can live with that.”

    The next morning I am greeted by the company of almost all my extended family. Mythri and Amit have arrived, as well as Himank and Dhaval. Damini has stayed behind with Chirayu and Devya at the royal court while Dhaval is dealing with this Demir situation. 

    Along with Dhaval, members of the royal counsel have arrived as well. This includes Dinihari, heir to the Kobold empire, King Habbar of the golems, Czarina Mila of the Polar North, and Queen Aisling and her husband. They have come to interview and meet with Demir to discuss his crimes and hear his confessions. 

    “Doesn’t it make you want another one?” Amit says as Mythri holds Amon.

    Mythri glares up at him. “It makes me want grandkids. How old do you think I am anyway?”

    “Ageless,” Amit counters easily and kisses Mythri’s cheek.

    Himank rolls his eyes. “You best start pestering Dhaval for children before you come anywhere near me with it.” He takes Amon next, grinning goofily at the little bundle before holding him close.

    “You’re good at that,” I remark.

    Himank chuckles. “I was the only one who could get Davya to sleep when she was newborn. I’m like that with most women,” he says with pride.

    Mythri pats his knee. “Sure, baby, sure.”

    “How’s Dhaval?” I ask quietly. “I know with all this on his shoulders now, he must be in a state.”

    Amit sighs and shakes his head. “He’s been incredible through all this. I’ve helped him as much as possible, but he’s doing amazing on his own. I’m very proud of him.”

    Mythri smiles brightly. “Mila has been a major help to him as well. She came down to assist him not long after Demir was brought here. She’s been by his side this entire time.”

    Himank snorts and tries to cover up his snickering. “Sorry, sneeze.” It wasn’t a sneeze, he obviously knew something.

    “I’m glad to hear he has help,” I sigh. “Before seeing Demir, I wasn’t sure how to take all of this. But once I saw his face-” I close my eyes. “I knew right away. And your letter, Mythri,” I shudder. “I can’t imagine what you went through.”

    “I hope you never have to imagine it.” Mythri sits beside me and squeezes my hand. “Chi told us you’re having reservations. If so, you and Chi and Amon can come stay with us in the palace.”

    “We would love having the baby there,” Amit says with a smirk as he takes Amon from Himank.

    “Addor as well.” Mythri grins as the baby dragon crawls into her lap and curls up, looking very much like a rough stone. She rubs his back and smiles gently. “Chiyo told me he won’t leave Amon’s side.”

    “It’s like they’re brothers,” I laugh. “It makes me happy knowing Addor loves Amon so much. I can at least feel safe knowing he’s here.”

    There’s a knock on the door and Chiyo comes in. “All of you get lost. I want to see my grandson.” She snatches Amon delicately from Amit. “You men get out of here, go on. Get.”

    “Glad to see being a grandmother has softened your edges, Auntie Chiyo.” Himank teases as he bends down to receive a kiss on the cheek.

    “You're not cute anymore, so don’t try to play me.” She swats him as he and Amit leave. She huffs, plopping down and sniffing the top of Amon’s head. “That’s the good stuff. That new smell. I used to torture Chi and Maitri when they were newborns, sniffing their hair right off their heads.”

    “He still has a bald spot.” I pat the back of my head.

    Chiyo sighs, looking like she’s relaxing for the first time in her life.

    “How is Demir?” Mythri asks. 

    “Not good,” Chiyo grumbles. “He has absolutely no will left.”

    Mythri’s expression is grim. “Not even with his own grandchild on the way?” She looks down at Addor in her lap. “Maitri looks ready to pop.” Maitri and Orrick have both been staying in the Rakshasa court through all of this. Othet is with them as well, wanting to see over Maitri’s health since Penu and Chiyo tended to me. 

    Chiyo pulls up Amon’s blanket. “Barely.”

    That evening there is a massive feast put on. All of Bastat has prepared dishes and drinks to celebrate the arrival of the Royals in the oasis. Mila is the first royal from the Polar North to have ever visited Bastat, a huge milestone for our respective countries. Habbar is a beloved figure for Bastat as well, not to mention the Rakshasa Royal family is in attendance. Despite their reasons for being here, the royal are being celebrated and welcomed by all of Bastat.

    “Let me look at this thing then,” Mila comes up to me and peers at Amon in my arms. “Yes. I do agree that it is a baby.”

    I chuckle. “You never dream of having one of your own?”

    Mila sips her drink. “That’s what Nicolai is for. He’s the one who will provide the grandchildren while I rule.”

    I scoff. “Don’t you want an heir.”

    Mila glances at me. “And who I am to bare these offspring with?” I notice her eyes glance towards Dhaval who is talking to Chi and his brother. She then looks away quickly and stands erect. “It is not my production of children we are here for.”

    “I wish that was all you were here for,” I sigh. 

    “True.” Mila clicks her tongue as she looks out over the crowd. “Dhaval will do what is right by the Unity,” she says. “He will also do what is right for Demir. I have no qualms with his decisions.”

    “Mythri says you’ve barely left his side this entire time.” I glance to her and her hand tightens around her cup. “He’s lucky.”

    Mila smirks. “Of course he is.”

    I notice the children are playing with Addor who is performing small tricks in order to receive bites of food. They toss up raw meat and Addor snaps it with a short burst of fire, eating the meat that drops down. Some are roasting candies over his flames, giggling and happily feeding him from their hands.

    I walk over to them and kneel down. Addor looks up at me and sulks back with a look of guilt on his face. 

    “If he gets sick and throws up acid all over you, you have no one to blame but yourselves,” I say. Addor scurries over to me, crawling up my arm and laying across my shoulders.

    The children all whine and complain I’ve taken their entertainment away.

    “Ok, I have an idea,” I say. “How about we go visit Addor’s cave? You can play around in there for a little bit.”

    The children all squeal and get excited. I hand Amon off to Penu who takes Amon back to the house to lay him down to sleep. I then take the children, as well as Mila, up to Addor’s old cave. I’ve kept it as is after all this time, knowing one-day baby Addor would need it.

    “Will he really get this big again?” One of the children asks.

    “He will, but it will be a very long time,” I tell them. “Dragons never stop growing. They just keep getting bigger and bigger until they’re as big as the sky.”

    “Then how come there aren’t that many dragons now?” One child asks

    Mila smiles from the mouth of the cave and turns to look out over the horizon. She leans against the rock with her drink still in her hand.

    I remember the cave at Grattertock, the hundreds possibly thousands of eggs that covered the walls. “It’s not their time right now,” I answer with a smile. “Dragons rest just like you do. But one day, they’ll come back when the time is right.”

    Glass shatters and I look to Mila. Her eyes are wide and her jaw is slack. She looks back into the cave at me with a look I’ve never seen before on her usually stoic face. “Maeve,” she whispers. “Come here.”

    I stand up and tell the children to stay put. I stand beside Mila and stare out, seeing a lone rider on the high dunes. His scales are blood red and he’s staring down into Bastat. Two more riders come up from behind and stand beside him. One is a young Gnoll and the other I recognize very well.

    “Heinrik,” I whisper.

    Mila turns and looks at me. “I take it they aren’t friends of yours,” she whispers.

    “Far from, I’m afraid.” I turn back and look at the children inside the cave. I then look to Mila. “Stay here with the children. Keep them safe.”

    Mila nods in silence. “What about you?”

    I look back at the riders and the Dragonborn raise his hand. Above him, clouds start to swirl and the sky turns to red. Thunder rumbles and the lightning that flashes is a terrifying crimson. The streaks of light looks like blood vessels on the body.

    The Dragonborn lowers his arm, pointing down at the town and a bolt of lightning strikes dead in the center of Bastat. There are screams of terror and fire starts to spread. The children scream and Mila steps back to comfort them and lead them back further into the cave.

    “Maeve!” She shouts at me. “What are you going to do?”

    I go over to a cabinet and open it up. From inside I take out my old Guard gear. It’s a little small for me now, but the equipment should protect me. I take out the old hunting knife and my bow and arrow. I have to get back down to the village to get my staff, it’s the only way I can possibly fight this new threat.

    “Just keep the kids safe. Keep yourselves hidden and stay as quiet as possible.” I rush out of the cave, sliding down the sand as I try to make my way into the village. I am in a great deal of agony. Having given birth not that long ago I am still healing and weak, but I know what I must do to protect my village. 

    I look back up at the horizon, seeing the three riders are not alone. They are flanked by more Gnolls and other soldiers. They start riding down into Bastat as the Dragonborn keeps sending blood-red lightning into Bastat. The oasis is on fire. The smell of iron is heavy in the air along with the screams and panic of the people. 

    I have to find Chi, I have to find my son. If I can get to my staff, to the everfires, I can protect them. I then feel a heavy weight on my shoulder and see Addor is perched there.

    “You should have stayed in the cave!” I snap at him.

    He hunches back, tiny wings spreading and he opens his jowls. From inside I see the everfires circling and dancing. They trail out, going down along my arm and to my fingertips. I feel their power and their message to me and I raise my hand to the sky. Using the everfire, I deflect a lightning bolt sent down by the Dragonborn. It’s not enough, I still need my staff to guide and wield my powers. But for now, the gift from Addor is enough.

    I rush down into Bastat hearing more screams and rises of panic. The ground is sticky and wet and when I look at my feet I notice they are starting to turn red. I raise my bow, shooting Gnolls off their horses and sending people towards Addor’s cave.

    Thunder rumbles again and I send the everfire out, deflecting another bolt. Only it’s not good enough, the lightning still crashes down, only just on the outskirts of the oasis.

    “Maeve!” I turn, seeing Himank and Dhaval standing together over the corpses of the enemy riders.

“Oh thank goodness!” I rush over to them. “Have you seen Chi?”

“No,” Himank replies with a dour expression. The front of his clothes is covered with blood and his paws are stained red. Himank is a doctor, no doubt he’s already tried and failed to save someone.

“Have you seen Mila?” Dhaval asks, moving closer to me.

I nod. “She’s up at Addor’s cave.” I point upwards. “She’s guarding the children. They should be safe there. I’ve been sending people there when I find them.”

“That’s a good idea,” Himank glances back to the cave. “Is anyone hurt?”

I shake my head. “I’m not sure.” Behind me I hear screaming mixed with the laughter of Gnolls. I turn quickly as I see Gnoll’s approaching down the street dragging a corpse with them.

Dhaval pushed Himank. “Go up there,” he commands. “Guard the cave, keep those who have survived and the children safe.”

Himank knits his brow together. “Dhaval, are you sure? Wouldn’t you rather-”

“Go. Now.” Dhaval commands. He then turns to me and we run off together into the village. 

There are already bodies in the street, both Gnoll and the people of Bastat alike. There are smears of blood on the walls, a sign of the Gnolls mocking and tormenting their victims. Above the storm clouds are gathering and knitting together and I can see the flashes and bright veins of the lightning. 

“I need to get my staff,” I whimper to Dhaval. “And find my son!”

“I’ll get you there.” Dhaval takes hold of my hand. When thunder rumbles again I try to deflect, but I fail once again, only keeping the blood lightning from hitting directly into the village.

We reach my hut, having to fight our way through many of the raiders. My arm is going numb from using the everfire and I am no longer able to hold my bow. I have relied much on Dhaval’s strength and fortitude to get me where I am.

As I smash through the door I see a horrible sight before me. Dhaval holds me back and steps forward. He kneels beside the body, seeing that the head is gone. I already know who it is, it is obvious it is...was...Demir.

Addor jumps down from my shoulder, screaming as he races towards the back of the house. I hear crying and I jump over the body and Dhaval. In the bedroom there are two men. One is holding Demir’s head by his ear. The other is cooing over Amon in his arms with my staff is right behind him.

“If it isn’t the little Dragon Mage.” The man holding Demir’s head says. He turns and looks at me. “How are you old friend?”

“Heinrik,” I snarl under my breath.

“Reginald, please.” He bows low.

“Stop tormenting her,” the Dragonborn says. He turns and looks at me. His blood red scales glimmer in the dim light. He’s gently rocking Amon in his arms. I then see Addor peering out from under the bed. His teeth are bared and he is readying himself for an attack. 

“It is so lovely to finally meet you, young Maeve.” He smiles. “Your attacks have been quite aggravating to me tonight.”

“I could say the same.” I am trying with all my might to raise my arm, but I can still not feel anything below my shoulder.

“You’re bleeding.” Sanguis raises his hand and I feel a tug at my womb. “You best lay down and rest.”

I’m lifted from the ground and tossed onto the bed. Addor lunges out at that moment, biting Sanguis’ hand and ripping off his finger. I hear yelling and screaming and Amon crying, but my vision has faded. I see nothing but black before my eyes.