One Night in Bastat Part Three (rough draft)

Grief doesn’t even begin to describe the suffering going on in the Rakshasa Kingdom at this moment. The village of Bastat is gone and with it a legacy and heritage of an entire people. The heartbreak and burden is far too much to bear. In all my years as king, I never had to deal with something so hopeless like this. I grieve for my son, the king, as I mourn the loss of my brothers and sisters in Bastat.

I have joined the search party, combing through the ruins of Bastat to search for bodies and possible survivors. The horror is indescribable and more than lives have been lost. There are futures in the ash. Futures that will never come to be all because of the greed and blood lust of a single man. 

Demir is gone as well. His life lost trying to protect a child and the leader of Bastat. Penu didn’t survive and the child has been taken hostage by Sanguis Rex and his men. There is no hope here, no matter how we all try to look at it. I have lost battles and wars but this is the first time it has actually left me hollow. I can understand losing a fight, but this loss I cannot justify.

We’ve lined up the bodies in the sand and covered them, although the wind is making things difficult. Men, women, and children all lie under royal cover as they wait for their burial. Those who have survived have many choices before them. Some want to stay and rebuild, others have been offered permanent homes in the royal kingdom. Even Imani has held out her hand, opening her kingdom as well to the refugees. 

Othet and his family are at a loss. They lost so much in the attack. They lost Penu, they lost Amon, and in the ensuing battle both Chi and Maeve were gravely injured by Sanguis. The damage is yet unknown but they are both healing slowly due to their grief.

“I should have been here,” Othet’s voice cracks as he stands over the bodies. He has prayed and offered peace over each body. He has not slept at all and he has refused all food given to him.

“What would it have changed?” Mythri asks. “You are needed now more than then, Othet.” She places a comforting hand on his back. “Your children need you. Those that are alive need you.”

Othet struggles with this knowledge. His guilt at not being in Bastat during the attack is obvious and I understand that. He had been in the royal castle, overseeing his daughter Maitri while she was going into labor with her first born. 

“I will kill that monster with my own two hands.” Chiyo rises from the ground, having prayed beside Demir’s body for hours. “I will take my grandson and I will tear that bastard limb from freaking limb.”

“I cannot stomach more violence,” Othet’s voice breaks.

Chiyo closes her eyes as tears roll down her cheeks. “What else can be done? How else are we supposed to act? I don’t know what to do!” She throws herself in Othet’s arms and Mythri tends to them.

I walk over, seeing Tiye with a group of younger sabertooths who survived. I walk over to her, handing her my sieve of water. “You need to rest.”

She takes the sieve and drinks. “I can’t stop now. There’s still so much to be done.” In her hands I see she’s holding a charred and ruined doll.

“Who did you lose?” I put my hand on her shoulder.

Tiye stares into the ruins of Bastat. “Too many,” her voice shakes. 

“Why did you not ask Alexander and Aahna to come with you?” I ask as I move her back towards the shade of the rocks.

Tiye shakes her head. “I don’t want them to see this.” She looks back down at the doll, rubbing it between her fingers. “I want to go home and see them without seeing Bastat in their eyes.” She looks up at me. “I want to find home as I remember it somewhere.”

“Sit down and rest,” I tell her. I make her sit down with some of the others. “Mythri will be bringing food soon. Not to mention Arjun will be bringing supplies in later with Imani’s men.”

Tiya presses her forehead to the doll and an older sabertooth woman comes to her side. I am amazed by the strength in these people and their desire to comfort and help their own. I only hope I taught my people the same strength while I was king.

We bury the dead that evening, going far into the night as it gets cold. Dhaval has already begun preparations for permanent markers for the grave, but for now, each mound is marked with a wooden beam with the names of those known carved into them. In the back, Chiyo dug by herself a grave for Demir. She has sat beside it ever since.

In the morning, Arjun arrives with the supplies he has donated as well as Imani’s men. Imani’s men start cleaning up and clearing out the ruins of Bastat and have even started building temporary shelters. Aksha, Imani’s heir, has come along as well. She is tiny and frail but she has the same ferocious spirit that her mother possesses. 

“Uncle,” she beckons to me. “How is Dhaval?” She asks, taking hold of my hands. “I know how gentle his heart is, he must be bearing this guilt with quite a lot of pain.”

I squeeze her small hands. “I am afraid he has taken all this upon his shoulders.”

“I see,” Aksha turns, looking out over the ruins. “Our land is still open to the Sabertooths who wish to stay with us. But I understand their struggle, home is home.” She sighs and shakes her head. “Mother says there are other colonies out there, vagabonds and nomads who follow storm clouds and shadows.”

“They are extremely unpredictable,” I tell her. “It would be more likely for the people of Bastat to join our kingdoms rather than join them.”

Aksha sighs, holding her head wrapping closer to her neck. “I hate to think of our people fading away so easily,” she whispers. “The Sabertooth have long been a symbol of strength and survival for the Rakshasa. It is so painful to see that symbol dealt this injustice.”

“They are still that symbol, Aksha,” I tell her. “Look at the survivors.” I cast my eyes around those who are still here. “They are still strong despite their pain. They will survive despite this malice.”

Tears slip down Aksha’s cheeks.

I gasp softly and put my arm around her. She tentatively puts her arms around me, hiding her crying face. She reminds me so much of her mother, my dear friend. “Was there someone here you cared about?” I ask.

“He used to sell to my father,” she whimpers. “He made such beautiful fabrics.”

I hold her fast. “I am so sorry.”

“I don’t know if he’s alive or dead.” She wipes her eyes and stiffens her jaw. She looks out again. “But knowing him, he died to protect his home.”

Bastat had been an untouchable gem in my youth. It had been a place of legend and myth where only few dared go. Now, it has become a place that has touched the lives of many. My wife and friends have all been affected by Bastat and the people within it. It is no longer myth but a reality that I have loved for decades.

I don’t want to leave, but I know I must to tend to my son. He has been working feverishly to assure Bastat is protect as well as seeking counsel as to what to do next. Now that Demir was dead and Sanguis Rex was back for sure, the next move had to be calculated expertly. 

Mila, Czarina of the North, has been with Dhaval this entire time. She had also been in Bastat during the attack and had protected a great number of children. The two had always been close, as children I had toyed with the idea of marrying the two and combining the Polar North and Rakshasa Kingdoms. But that is not my decision to make, I am just happy the two have remained strong friends.

When I come back home there is a silence to the castle. Everyone is in shock and mourning. Demir’s family is staying with us and while they wish to celebrate the birth of Orrick’s daughter, it is hard to find much more to be happy about. I find Dhaval and Mila talking with Dali as well as Habbar and to my shock, King Niran.

“What’s going on?” I ask as I look over the group. I move slowly into the room. “What’s happened now?”

Dali stands up. “Sanguis Rex has taken Veleryn,” she announces with a cold voice. Her eyes are clear but heavy, I cannot imagine what she has been going through. “He has also taken Gravelmeuse as his stronghold.”

I feel the air sucked from my lungs. “What of Aisling and Jasper?”

“Still alive.” Habbar shakes his head slowly. “Or so my men in the stone mountains have reported. He has forced Aisling into bending her knee to him and has taken Jasper as his guard to assure she remains loyal.”

“Who knows who else he will try to take now.” Mila rises from her seat beside Dhaval. “He’s after the world. We can’t let him slide like we did Demir.”

Dali doesn’t even glance back at her.

“Sanguis will make us all his slaves!” Mila slams her fists down onto the table. “He is going to turn us against each other one by one. Soon enough he will have us all at each other’s throats and the Unified Nations will be one of war and backstabbing. He was not afraid to use murder and blackmail to get his way. He is not above turning an entire world against itself. He’s not just after the world, mark my words, he’s after ending it on his own terms!”

Dhaval puts his hand over Mila’s and she looks down at him.

“I will protect my people.” Mila squeezes his hand. “I will protect all peoples if I have to. But my kingdom is mine, and so are all yours.” She then motions to Habbar. “Sanguis can’t control the Golems but I will bet you all I hold dear he is trying to find a way to deal away with them.”

Habbar stiffens but he nods. “I have thought the same thing.”

“He has taken Veleryn again, no doubt the Goblins will be taken over again as well. The mines will be threatened and since he already has the stone mountains Obresh will be a likely target.” Mila closes her eyes and laughs. “The Unified Road will be used against us.”

“Nadeem has his men stationed in Obresh. He has a general and an army there protect the ports,” Aksha says with some hope.

“It was Gnolls who attacked Bastat,” Mila glares at her. “Sanguis Rex is using them for a reason. He’s going to turn the world against the Gnolls again. Trust was never strong with them since Nadeem took power. Now, I highly suspect that with news of this new attack people will start to mistrust the Gnolls yet again. They’ll turn and the Gnolls will have no choice but the run away.”

“The small angry one is right,” Habbar nods slowly. “I say we take her predictions and begin protecting the Unified Road.”

“Are you willing to offer your men for this Habbar?” Dhaval asks, still holding Mila’s hand.

Habbar nods. “Aye,” he agrees. “After what I saw in Berkset I will offer everything I have to keep his power from spreading. The horrors in that mountain will remain in that mountain or I will die before I see it again.”

“Do not divine your own end just yet,” Mila replies. “We will all see Sangus Rex dead and his corpse prostrated for all to spit on before we all die.”

Dali turns and looks at Mila. “What makes you so certain.”

“Rage,” Mila says with a grin. 

“This is a threat we’ve never seen before,” Aksha interupts. “How are we supposed to ward off someone with the powers and magic that Sanguis has?”

King Niran moves for the first time since I entered the room. He sighs and sits up in his chair. “He is not the first.” He takes something from his robes and lays it on the table before Dhaval.

Dhaval lifts the small ruby and looks it over.

“Balafelamona was exactly the same threat,” Niran murmurs.

“I thought she founded the Ruby Empire,” Aksha says with a start. “She banished the Lichs from the land and formed the empire as we know it.”

“She did do all those things.” Niran nods. “But she was not the benevolent hero that legends and songs make her out to be. She was a blood mage, same as Sanguis Rex and just as powerful. She used her dark magic to spread fear and her control across the empire. She rid the world of the Lichs to assure there was no threat to her power.”

I step closer to Niran. “How do you know this?”

Niran smirks up at me. “My kingdom has been around much longer than yours, my dear friend. We have records with dates that you would make your kingdom look like a kitten.”

“I want those records.” Dhaval stands from the table, still clutching the small ruby Niran had offered him. “I want to know more about this Balafelamona and her powers. I also want to know what she did with these lichs. Since they cannot be killed then they are surely still locked away somewhere in the Nations.”

“I’ve heard rumors there is a Lich somewhere near the Emerald Valley.” Habbar replies. “Well, at least, my men in the mines there have refused to collect emeralds anymore.”

“There is a hidden castle between our kingdoms as well,” Niran replies. “There are abandoned sapphire mines near it and rumors have circulated about then still being active for generations.”

Mila sighs. “Sapphires and emeralds and rubies.”

“Liches do not have blood,” I reply. “They would make good allies.”

“Said no one ever,” Mila grumbles. “But right now, we cannot be beggars. Any help we can get to bring down Sanguis Rex is welcomed like family.”

Dhaval nods. “Agreed. Habbar, take whoever you’d like to your emerald mines to see who has taken them over. Niran, Father, would you be willing to go to these sapphire mines and see what the truth is?”

“Gladly!” Habbar growls.

“And what if we find something, my king?” Niran looks to Dhaval. “What are we supposed to offer these creatures to help us?”

“No doubt they have blood with Balafelamona.” Dhaval’s shoulders slouch but his eyes are strong. “Tell them they have a chance to stop her again, or at least someone like her. Tell them they will be protected and they will be able to keep their mines.”

“Now wait a second-” Habbar tries to start.

“A mine is worth this!” Dhaval snaps at him. “I will find a way to pay you back if I have to. But if these mines can be used to lure these men to our side I say we take it!” He lays the small ruby down on the table.

“Gemstones aren’t worth blood,” Dhaval whispers.

I leave with King Niran on his journey home. We travel between the rocky peaks of our kingdoms. There are small villages there, ones that connect to the ports, but they are places not worth merit. We reach one village and we see quite an unexpected sight.

“Did you know there was a castle here?” I ask Niran as we stare up at the massive building. 

“No idea at all.” Niran speaks with a hush voice.

“Maybe there is something to these rumors.” I look ahead, seeing a man in armor coming towards us.

“Lord Albion is expecting both of you,” he replies. “If you’ll follow me.”

Niran glances at me then back to the night. “How is he expecting us?”

“He simply has,” the knight says with a shrug. 

We follow him into the castle and are taken through the halls. We are then led into a dining room where there is a petite woman pouring tea. She raises her hand, moving them to speak to us.

I only understand a little, Mythri tried to teach me sign language ages ago but it never quite stuck with me.

“I am here, Ria.” The voice that speaks chills me to my bones. “Go on, I’ll take care of our guests.”

Ria greets the creature that enters. He is a tall and ghastly sight. His body glows deep blue and his body is mainly bone and what looks like sapphire. He kisses the top of her head before she leaves then turns to us.

“I understand you wish to speak with me.” He ways his hand and two chairs pull out for us. “Please sit.”

Niran and I exchange weary glances but we take the seats. 

“I am Albion.” The Lich doesn’t sit but merely stands beside the table and watches us. “I have been waiting to meet with you both for ages. I knew this day would come.”

“What day?” Niran asks.

Albion takes a box from inside his chest and opens it. Inside is the ruby the size of my fist. “I knew Balafelamona when we were all children.” He sets the box in front of us and from inside I see a faint glow.

“My brother Theodred and I started using magic with her for fun. It soon became much more than fun. It turned sour fast.” Albion folds his arms against his chest. “I do not wish to see something like her again.”

“So you know what is happening in the world?” Niran looks up to him. “The new blood mage that is attacking the kingdom.”

Albion lifts his chin slightly. “I tried to find Balafelamona’s castle ages ago so I could destroy all record of her, especially her journals. But I couldn’t find it. I fear someone has though.” His eyes glow bright blue.

“Sanguis,” I whisper.

“I’ll help you. But you must convince my brother first. You must also leave me and my people alone as you have all this time.” Albion moves towards us and offers me his hand. “I know you’re no longer king Amit, but do we have a deal?”

I take his hand without looking at Niran. “You will have to speak to my son.”

“I look forward to the meeting.” Albion grins.