Mythri & Sanguis (complete)

    After all these years, I have come to realize that death is always following me. I know death is with everybody, but for me, it always feels like death is walking beside me, watching me, and waiting for that moment I feel safest. It then comes out, showing me its face before it goes screaming back into the shadows beside me.

    My mother and father, my children, my sister, even my husband, have all been affected by how death follows so closely at my side. Now, death is back to scream at me.

    I wake up as salt water starts to flood the room. I sit up from the cold, damp floor. I lift myself up and look around the cavernous room. 

    “Mom.”

    I lurch from my stupor and turn to see Dhaval chained to the wall. His hands are above his head, and there’s a chain around his neck. His clothes are ripped open, and his chest is bleeding. I tug on the chain around my ankles, and I rush to his side. I thrust my hand between the chain and his neck. I notice then my palm is cut. 

    “Are you ok?” I gasp.

    “Don’t worry about me, Mom,” Dhaval shakes his head. “Look.”

    I look around, seeing Dali, Charlee, and Nadeem chained to the wall.

    “Mom,” Dhaval whispers to me again. “Go check on them, hurry.”

    I look to my son, fearing to leave him to hang on the wall like that.  I slip away from his side and go to check on the others.

    “Dali,” I pat her cheek gently. “Come on dear, wake up for me now.”

    She captures my hand and groans. “Mythri?” She peels her eyes open and touches my face. “What’s going on?”

    Charlee lifts her head. “Sanguis,” she murmurs.

    I move over to Nadeem, tapping his cheek as he starts to stir. He too has a cut on the back of his arm.

    “He has my baby,” Charlee struggles against her chains, but she’s held in place much tighter than the rest of us.

    “Don’t hurt yourself,” I coo as I go to her side. “Calm down now.”

    Charlee snarls and thrashes, and I force her down. “Tearing your skin off isn’t going to solve anything,” I scold her.

    Dali stands up, touching the back of her head. “Where are we?” She whispers.

    “The caverns under the castle,” Dhaval replies. “The dungeons are on the other side of these walls,” he coughs.

    I go back to his side, slipping my hand under the chain against his throat.

    Nadeem growls. “I swear to the gods,” he lifts his head. “I thought I saw Wulsi before I was knocked out.”

    “Wulsi?” I turn towards him.

    “It wasn’t,” Dhaval huffs. “His name is Edragon, he’s Wulsi’s son. I met him when we were battling Sanguis in the Berkset.”

    Nadeem rises from the water. “That’s impossible.” He shakes his head and sighs. “Edragon was killed by loyalists after Wulsi was executed.”

    “He wasn’t,” Dhaval grunts. “He’s very much alive and has been working for Sanguis since his father died.”

    I lower my gaze as I take in this news. Wulsi had tried to kill my family and me before, now his son probably wanted to finish all that.

    “But why are we here?” Dali snaps.

    “Reginald of Veleryn is also with Sanguis,” Charlee murmurs. 

    Dali goes quiet, and her jaw drops slowly. She turns around and braces herself against the wall. For the longest time, she is silent and says nothing.

    “Mom,” Dhaval whispers to me. “You need to get out of here. Find a way to free everybody and just run.”

    “I’m not leaving you behind,” I hiss at him. “How dare you even think that.”

    “They obviously all want us for something,” Dhaval snarls. “Some unfinished business or something to do with that Sanguis. Please, you have to run. I’m one less thing you have to worry about.”

    I scowl at him. “You’re not just my son, you’re my king,” I snarl at him. “I am not leaving you here.”

    “Oh good, everyone is awake.”

    I look up, seeing a man with one arm and many scars on his face. Dali lurches, and she glares at him. If it were possible, I swear all her hair would have risen up like snakes and lashed out at this man.

    “Well, well,” Reginald smirks as he looks at her. “If it isn’t my darling former bride.”

    Dali screams and tries to rush at Reginald, but her chains choke her off before she can even reach him.

    “Oh, what?” Reginald tilts his head. “Don’t you like the haircut I gave your husband.” He opens his coat, revealing he’s wearing Demir’s braid like a badge of honor across his chest.

    Dali starts spitting out such vitriol and bile from her lips, using her native tongue to curse Reginald and the ground he stood. I couldn’t understand a word, but I could understand all the bitterness and anger she was using to say it.

    “Fucking stop,” Edragon shoves passed, Reginald. Dali’s chains wrench her back as they tug back into the wall. “You’re an embarrassment,” he snarls to Reginald.

    Reginald’s lip curls and he steps away, going back into the shadows of the cavern. Edragon steps out, looking over us as he stands with his back to the ocean.

    “Where’s Therea?” Charlee screams at him.

    Edragon turns to her with a look of disdain. “You think you can be a proper mother to her after what you did?” He spits on the ground in front of her. “It is disgusting how you debased yourself with someone so pitiful.”

    “Better than you!” Charlee snaps.

    “What’s going on Edragon?” Nadeem snarls. “What are your plans with us? I know each of us has wronged you in some way, but why hold us all here like this? What do you have to gain aside from your own vengeance and bloodlust?”

    Edragon scoffs. “It isn’t for myself that I hold you here,” he replies. “Someone else has asked for your presence. You have also given an offering.”

    I look at the cut on my hand then to the cut on Dhaval’s chest and Nadeem’s arm. Charlee and Dali are the only ones without cuts. 

    The hair on the back of my neck begins to prickle and stand on end. I then hear the weeping and terrible cries of a very small baby.

    “Therea!” Charlee yells. “It’s Mama! Mamas here! I’m here!” She struggles against her chains, cutting her wrists and ankles as she tries to stand.

    I know her panic and desperation all too well. Back when Dhaval was still small enough to carry Wulsi had tried to kill him and all my children. I can remember the rush of fear and primal instinct that came with wanting to protect your child.

    “She’s with her father,” a dark voice slithers from the shadows.

    Charlee’s expression is pure fear. She goes so pale so fast I fear for her. She shakes her head over and over. 

    “It can’t be. It can’t. It can’t.”

    A man steps out of the shadows, a Dragonborn with blood red scales. He’s draped in a black robe, and his scales look wet and new. The little baby in his arms is fussing and kicking, and I see the small cut on her tiny finger.

    “It’s nice to meet all of you, at least,” he says with a soft smile. “I am Sanguis Rex,” he says. “No need to worry about introducing yourself to me, I am very familiar with all of you here.”

    Charlee screams and then sags in her chains from fainting.

    “How is this possible?” Dhaval roars.

    “Oh it’s actually quite easy,” Sanguis hands Therea over to Edragon and saunters towards Dhaval. “I’ve been practicing it for ages and ages, back when I found the works of Balafelamona. I haven’t had a chance to use it, so I suppose I should give you my thanks, little king.”

    “Now,” he whispers with a low voice. “There she is.” He steps towards me. “I have been longing to meet you for so long.”

    “Stay away from her,” Dhaval snarls.

    Sanguis chuckles at Dhaval. “I can understand why you’re so protective of her. After everything she has done for you.” He kneels down before us. “I always wondered what it was like to have the blood of a god flowing through my veins.” He then smirks. “Unfortunately I may never know.” He leers at me. “There are no gods here.”

    “I have never claimed to be one!” I hiss at him.

    “Certainly you have said so, but the world sees you as so much more.” Sanguis chuckles. “And while you may be no deity, you certainly are blessed. You survived the Gnoll slavers attack as a child. You were raised in the castle as a servant and became a queen. You found family lost. You gained family new. You became the queen of the greatest kingdom on the face of the earth.” Sanguis tilts his head and smiles. 

    “I would much rather have that sort of blessing than be a god any day.” He reaches out and touches my cheek, and Dhaval thrashes in his chains, roaring and snarling in Sanguis’ face.

    Sanguis takes a smooth step back and looks down at Dhaval. “You and are share blood now, little king,” he says. “When you killed me you signed over your fate.” He opens his robes, revealing stripes similar to Dhaval’s appearing over his scales. 

    “It takes the blood of powerful people to start the spell, but it is only able to be activated by my blood and the blood of my killer.” He closes his robes and sighs. “You and I are now bound together.”

    “You’re much more cunning than that, Sanguis,” Nadeem snarls. “You chose the right people to ignite the Nations. You chose a beloved figure in the world, one that brings hope and joy to many. The queen of all the nations and the mother of the new dawn. And then you chose me, the leader who overthrew your last teacher and has become the symbol of peace in Culuweth.”

    Sanguis smirks and steps towards Nadeem. “So, you knew about Bethsabe and me?”

    “Her name is written in the ledger Charlee gave us,” he snarls. “I found your little rock to hidden in her things.”

    “I know you did,” Sanguis laughs. “Bethsabe gave me everything I needed to know. She was a wonderful person. You share her blood, so for me, it was a win-win with you.”

    Therea screams and Charlee’s head slowly bobs up. “The-” she whimpers. “Therea,” she shudders.

    “My love,” Sanguis slips down and holds her in his arms. “I was so worried for you. All this time.”

    “No,” Charlee cries as tears fall down her face. “Let me go. No!”

    “I know you feel guilty for what you did,” Sanguis whispers. “I’m so sorry you had to make that decision. But you were right, my love.”

    “Sanguis please,” Charlee sobs.

    “I don’t blame you at all,” Sanguis says as he removes her chains. “You did it for our child. You make me proud.”

    Charlee snivels and sobs, gemstones clatter all around her on the ground. “I want my baby,” she whispers to him.

    “In a moment, this isn’t done.” He stands up. “I’m waiting for someone else to join us if he will.” Sanguis turns as Regilad falls onto the ground, unconscious and bleeding.

    “You can come out now,” Sanguis sings. “Charlee has been waiting on you.”

    Esdras steps over Reginald’s body. “You knew I was coming.”

    Sanguis scoffs and shakes his head. “I cannot decide if you are a great fool or a brilliant man.” He takes a few steps towards Esdras. “Either way, I hate you with every fiber of my being. You have committed a crime against me which I will not allow to go unpunished.”

    “No,” Charlee rises up from the ground.

    “Mom,” Dhaval starts to shake. “Mom it hurts!”

    I look to him, trying to comfort my child when Esdras lets out a painful scream. I look up, seeing Sanguis’ hand is posed a strange position. Esdras has fallen on the ground and is writhing in agony.

    Charlee tackles Sanguis, knocking him down and pulling him into the ocean.

    Esdras falls to the ground, blood seeping from his ears and nose.

    “Mom!” Dhaval shouts at me and I rush to Esdras’ side.

    I check Esdras’ pulse, and while it is faint, it is still there. Reginald groans and rises from the floor. I then look back at Edragon who is still holding Therea. I tug on my chains, realizing I can reach him and maybe take the baby.

    I stand up, and Esdras grabs hold of my ankle. As I’m stunned by his sudden movement the water rises up, frothing and boiling and Sanguis lands before me. I can’t breathe as I look up at him, the rage in his eyes bores down on me.

    He suddenly turns, taking Therea from Edragon. “It’s time to go,” he snarls to Reginald. “Get yourself together,” he hisses at him. “How embarrassing for me.” 

    “Wait! Stop!” Charlee coughs and sputters as she pulls herself from the water. “Give me back my baby!”

    Sanguis turns to her. “I promised I would never harm you, and I intend to keep that even as my heart breaks. But since you will not give me your love, I will take my daughter and leave you behind.”

    Charlee screams as the three men vanish into the shadows. She crumbles to the ground, screaming and in pain.

    Esdras’ hand drops from my ankle, and he goes still on the ground again. The chains release and Nadeem and Dhaval both rise from the ground.

    “I’m going after him,” Dhaval snarls and I stand, putting myself in front of him.

    “No, you can’t,” I warn him. “He has the baby. We have to think of her!”

    Dhaval glares down at me. “Stand aside, mother.”

    “It’s too late,” Charlee whimpers. “They’re already gone.” She falls into Dali’s arms. “They’re already gone.”

    Soldiers find us and take us back to the palace. Esdras is rushed to the doctor. While he is still alive, the doctor believes he may never wake up again. Charlee refused to leave his side and has stayed with him the entire time.

    One evening after the ordeal I find Dhaval sitting in the library where he’s curled up between two shelves, just like when he was little. I have barely seen him since we were rescued. He has been kept busy dealing with the Royal Council and this new threat to the Nations.

    I sit down beside him and sigh. “Well,” I smile, “I always know where to find you.”

    He grumbles low in response.

    “You used to hide here when you were little. Back then you could fit in your pillows and snacks and stacks of books with you. Now, look at you,” I beam. “You barely fit at all.”

    He growls and turns away from me.

    “I should have let you go,” I whisper. “But I was thinking like a leader. I was thinking like your mother.” I touch his back and squeeze his shoulder. “But you’re my son first.”

    “I know,” Dhaval sits up and turns to me. “I know and I-” he shakes his head. “It isn’t that,” he breathes. “It’s because Sanguis is alive. It’s because of me.”

    “Sanguis is alive because of Sanguis,” I say. “You didn’t know what would happen. You are not to blame.”

    “I am lord over all the Nation now,” Dhaval whispers. “What am I supposed to do now that Sanguis and I-” he trails off and closes his eyes.

    “Dhaval,” I lift his chin up. “Sanguis has no hold over you. You know yourself better than anyone. You know what to listen to, and you know what to trust. If something is wrong, you tell me right away, and I’ll know right away what to do.”

    “I’m scared,” Dhaval whimpers. “Mom I’m just-” he hangs his head, and I pull him into my arms. He clings to me like he did when he was small.

    “I’m scared too,” I whisper. “But we have to use our fear to make us stronger.” I push back and look up at him. “Your fear is your greatest strength right now, Dhaval. Use it and let it guide you. In your heart, you know what you have to do.”

    Dhaval closes his eyes and nods. “I don’t want anyone else getting hurt.”

    “Sometimes pain has to happen,” I stand up and take his hand. “The Royal Council is waiting on your word.”

    Dhaval takes a deep breath and nods. “I’ll call them together,” he says. “Thank you for finding me.”

    I smile up at him and kiss his paw. “I knew you needed me. I’ll always find my children when they need me.”

    I go down to the infirmary as Dhaval goes to call together the Royal Council. I find Charlee sitting beside Esdras’ bed, and I sit down beside her. I take hold of her hand. 

    “You should get some rest,” I tell her.

    Charlee shakes her head. “I don’t want to leave him alone.”

    “He won’t be. I’ll wait right here with him while you get some food and some rest.” I coax her.

    She yanks her hand away. “I left Therea alone and look what happened,” she whispers. “I am not leaving him.”

    I sigh and look over as Esdras. The doctors have him fixed up with medicine and a strange breathing apparatus from the Kobolds. Somehow he’s still alive even after Sanguis’ vicious attack on him. In his rage, Sanguis had done something and controlled Esdras’ blood. When Himank did his exploratory surgery on Esdras, he had said it looked like he was starting to boil from the inside out. 

    Charlee reaches out, retaking hold of my hand.

    “It’s alright,” I let her lay her head on my chest. “I’ll take care of you,” I whisper to her. “I’m so sorry.”