The Death of Addor 1 (complete)

    I don’t remember much of time before I came to live in Bastat. What I do remember is continuously traveling and seeing the world from my parent’s arms. I can remember their low, hushed whispers as they discussed traveling through Rakshasa Country and how dangerous that could be. They claimed to be an upstanding merchant caravan taking goods between the countries. But really, they were smugglers and traffickers who dealt in stolen artifacts and animals. One of the things I remember most is the cries of the animals at night.

    Traveling through Rakshasa Country was dangerous, for one they were on high alert after the Gnoll invasion. Getting through their port was a challenge, and my parents were always on edge while we were in the central city. The horses that the Rakshasa raised were in high demand so at nights my parents snuck out to steal from farms and even the royal stables. A royal stallion would fetch them enough money to live on for months.

    Afterward, we had to travel deep into the desert to escape the ports and their customs checks. It was going to be a long and arduous journey even without any hiccups or troubles. It was always so hot, and the sun seemed to be glaring at us the entire time. I knew then what my family was doing was wrong, and there were so many times that I wanted to untie the horses and let them go free, but fear held me back. My father wasn’t the most patient or understanding person, and I had seen him slap my mother if she spoke out of turn more than once.

    At nights, when my parents thought I was asleep, I could hear their anxious whispers. The journey wasn’t going as well as expected. They had to use their own supplies to keep the horses healthy and in proper shape for sale. We were getting desperately low on everything, and they weren’t sure how they would make it with everyone there.

    That was to be the lesser of their worries in a day or two. What happened then is what keeps my memories of my past vague and buried deep in my mind. I was sitting in the back of the wagon, trying to keep the sun off my face. I had laid down to try and sleep and was woken by the sound of shouting and screaming.

The wagon was jostled and stopped then a moment later is lurched again as it started to curve and turn. I looked out the back, seeing men on horseback race alongside us and blocking us in. I gasped and ducked back into the wagon, hiding under a pile of rugs.

I heard screams and cries, the sound of blades hitting against one another. I smelled fire and smoke, but I didn’t move. I kept myself still under all those rugs no matter how hot it was or how hard it became to breathe. The screaming was starting to go down, and it became laughter.

“That’s the last one I think,” a dark voice chuckled.

“The woman was screaming about a baby or something,” a slightly high pitched voice snorted. “Do you think there is a kid around here?”

“I haven’t seen one,” the dark voice said.

The wagon jerked and wobbled as someone stepped inside. I held my breath and kept myself still.

“Get this wagon hooked up,” the dark voice says. “We’ll take this back to base.” he walks across the floors going through the crates and boxes loaded in the back. I then feel the rugs start to move on top of me.

“Reggie!” A voice calls out. “We need you to come out here!”

“What the fuck is it?” The dark voice snarls. He walks away, and I could finally breathe again. That was my first mistake.

The rugs get ripped out from over me, and I stare up at the man above. He grabs me by the nape of my neck as I scream.

“I found the baby!” He laughed as he carried me out of the wagon. 

“What are we going to do with her Reggie?” One of the bandits asked.

Reggie tossed me down on the ground. “We’ll take her back,” he says with a laugh. “She’ll be ripe in a few years, then Lord Rex will be able to use her as he sees fit,” he says. “Just need to brand her is all.”

One of the bandits held me down as I scream and cried. The sand was hot against my skin, and when I looked up, I could see the members of the caravan dead all around me. They ripped open the back of my shirt, and I felt Reggie’s blade start to dig into my skin.

“Oh my god!” A scream of horror and panic ripped through the laughter.

“Dragon!” 

The air went dark for a moment as the bandits panicked and ran. I was left scrambling in the sand, trying to catch my footing. I kept tripping and falling into bloody sand. I found my mother and that was the last thing I remembered until someone spoke to me.

“You’re safe no child,” the voice was loud and booming.

As I lifted myself from the ground, I looked up at the golden dragon standing before me. I was out of tears no matter how hard I sobbed.

The dragon lowered his head down and sniffed the top of my head. “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered. “You’re with Addor now.”

A kind voice was all I wanted. I reached out, hugging Addor’s muzzle. He picked me up and set me on his back and flew with me into the sky.

I woke up later in Bastat tended to by Chiyo.

“Did you get them finally?” Chiyo asked Addor who was guarding outside.

“Not all of them. Some got away because I was worried about her,” Addor replied. His voice was stricken and guilty.

Chiyo sighed. “You did what was right. You saved the girl, that’s what matters here.” She looked back at me and touched my cheek. “We’re going to take good care of you here. What’s your name?”  

“Maeve,” my voice tremored when I spoke.

“Maeve,” Chiyo whispered. “You have a home here. I’m so sorry for what happened to you.”

As days went by Chiyo tried to find a family that would adopt and take me in. But I kept running away. I never left Bastat I always went to the one place I felt safest. I went to Addor.

His cave was at the edge of the Bastat, and I quickly came to call it home. No matter how much Addor tried to argue with me that he wasn’t a proper parent, he never asked me to leave, only to consider the wisdom Chiyo was trying to give me.

It became apparent that I wasn’t going to stay with any family in Bastat, so Addor and Chiyo made it to where the cave was liveable for me. Addor became my father, and I grew to love him with all my heart.

I continued to grow up in Bastat where I became close friends with Chiyo’s children Maitri and Chi. We attended school together, and they would come and fetch me at the cave every morning so we could walk together.

“Good morning, Addor,” Chi would chime.

“Good morning, my children,” Addor bowed down to look at them. Addor and Chiyo were close, bonded really. So Chi and Maitri were like his own as well. “I didn’t think there was any school today.”

“Lessons are on hold,” Maitri replied. “Demir is coming to Bastat for one of his visits.”

Addor chuckled. “Is that so? How good of him to show up.”

I came down from my loft where my bed and things were. I had already lived half my life in Bastat and had seen Demir countless times. I was never sure why a visit from him was such a big deal to all of Bastat, aside from the fact he was the ruler of the entire empire.

“I take it you three will be dealing with Orrick and Vela?” Addor asked.

Demir’s children were close to Chi and Maitri as well. Orrick and Maitri were especially close, in fact, there had been betrothed when Maitri was born. Or that’s what Demir liked to claim on the matter.

“As always,” Chi says with a bright smile. He then reaches out, taking my hand. “I promise we’ll take care of Maeve.”

Addor smiled. “You always do.”

“I’ll see you later, Papa,” I told him. “Unless you’ll come to greet Demir too?”

“Dragons don’t pay mind to rulers,” he replied, as we always did. “I’ll do as I please, just as you will I’m sure.”

I kissed the tip of his snout then ran along with Chi and Maitri down into the main square of Bastat. Usually, these visits from Demir were fun, but nothing ever really happened. Demir always arrived with gifts to bestow on Chiyo and the rest of the village. There would be a great feast held, and it was like family had returned from a long absence. 

But when we met with Demir and his family that evening, there was a dark cloud hanging over him. He greeted Chiyo, only relaxing in her presence.

“What’s going on?” Chi asked Orrick.

Both Orrick and Vela looked anxious. The two centaur were downcast and not their usual selves. Vela, who was usually has hyperactive as a sugar-high dog, was withdrawn and stroking her braids.

“There’s this blood wizard,” Orrick whispered to us. “He’s been attacking properties around our kingdom, leaving them destroyed and barren.” His tone is somber and anxious. “But what’s most unnerving is that no people are left behind. Not even bodies.”

“What?” Maitri gasped.

“Is this wizard taking them?” I asked.

Orrick shook his head. “We don’t know for certain,” he says. “But we suspect he’s using them to build his army.”

Chi squeezes my hand under the table. “Like he’s controlling them?”

“Using his blood magic, I suppose. Dad has been locked away with his council day and night trying to figure out what to do. He’s scared he can’t protect his people.” Orrick shook his head slowly. “Five villages,” he whispered.

“How many people?” Maitri’s voice trembled.

“Over seven thousand people,” Vela murmured, still stroking her braids. “They’re all in the mountains where he’s hiding.”

“What about the Golems?” I shook my head. “Surely they have some answers?”

Orrick’s frown went dark, and he looked away.

“Habbar has been cast out,” Vela says for him. “We just took him to Dhaval on our way here.” Her usually bright eyes are wide and full of dread. “He can’t return back to his kingdom, and he doesn’t know what’s become of his people.”

A cold dread falls over me, and I cannot find the words

That evening when I returned home, Addor noticed my lingering sadness.

“Daughter,” he says, “you usually come home drunk from laughter when Demir visits. What happened?”

“Somethings wrong,” I whispered to him. “Orrick and Vela told us a blood wizard has been attacking villages around Demir’s kingdom.” I pulled my knees to my chest, hugging them tight. “Over seven thousand people have just vanished. And King Habbar-” My voice choked off then and Addor’s tail wrapped around me.

“I have seen many wars,” he sighed. Addor’s heart was heavy. “And I suppose, like any parent, I wanted you to know a world where there wasn’t one. But the fact of the matter is is that there are always people with evil intent inside their hearts. They may think their ways are just and noble. Even Demir with all his good intentions is still seen as a villain.” He nuzzles to the top of my head.

“I can’t hide the evils of the world from you, Maeve,” he says. “All I can do is protect you from them.” He then holds out his hand before me, and between his claws, he holds a small stone. Heat radiates from the tips of his claws, and his palm and the rock starts to glow and smolder. It snaps and crackles, and then in a moment, it radiates with pure light.

“I can teach you ways to protect yourself,” he told me as he placed the warm stone in my palms.

I fashioned the stone into a staff as a means to channel the magic Addor taught me. He gave me old books to study from and used his own knowledge to bestow upon me few mortals ever got the chance to know. Years later, I was still learning how to hone myself as a mage, but I was grown and helping use my powers to keep Bastat safe.

“Dragon mages are a rare lot you know,” Chi said to me one day as I practiced out in the desert.

“I do!” I say with a smug grin. “But why are you telling me such a thing?” I wave my staff in the air and point it at a bush that suddenly lit on fire. I yelp and jump back while Chi laughed.

“I take it you didn’t mean to do that?” Chi smirked.

I scowl back at him. “Not exactly,” 

Chi used to be shorter than me but in his late teens shot up like a weed. He was taller than his father now, and he towered over me, which I hated. I looked away from him and put the fire out with another spell.

“I only brought it up because Demir has been sending Mother letters about you,” Chi says. “He wants you to become a teacher in the Capital.”

I make a grimace and stick my tongue out. “If we want his people to become mages then he should just send them here and have Addor teach them.”

Chi frowns and looks away as I cast another spell that makes the bush grow outward and start to bloom. 

“What’s that look about?” I snap at him.

“Maeve,” he says seriously, “Addor is getting old. He isn’t what he used to be. Even in the last year-”

“Addor is fine!” I quickly interrupt him. “Dragons don’t get old like that, they aren’t like us, mortals.” I look at the stone in my staff and remember the day Addor gave it to me. “Dragons live longer than we do, they’re close to forever.”

“Yeah,” Chi puts his hand on my shoulder. “But close to forever isn’t forever.”

I yank away from him. “Don’t count Addor out like that. He’s just gotten lazy is all,” I say with a dismissive shrug. “I say, becoming a teacher to willing students would perk him right up. I hope that’s what your mother replied in her letters to Demir.”

Chi sighs and looks away. “I’m not sure what she’s told him.” From his tone, I can tell Chi is lying to me.

“I don’t even know why you’re out here,” I say as I stab my staff into the ground. The blossoms on the bush start squirting water like a fountain. “You always complain when I practice.”

“I just don’t want you getting lonely,” Chi replies. “Is that so wrong.”

I scoff and take my canteen over to the flowers, filling it up from their spout. Once my canteen is full, the flowers wither away and the bush curls up and float off in a breeze. 

“I’m fine,” I tell him. “You don’t need to worry about me for anything.”

Chi sighs and walks over to me. He takes my hand as I sip from the canteen.”Maeve,” he murmurs, and I glare up at him.

“I’ll always be here,” he says softly, “to take care of you.”

I narrow my gaze at him. “What are you talking about, Chi?” I chuckle nervously. “You’re acting really weird.”

Chi sighs, squeezing my hand. “I love you.”

“Oh,” I look aside as I feel every nerve inside me light up. Behind me another bush lights on fire.

“I wanted you to know that,” Chi whispers. “You can always count on me, no matter what happens. I’ll always stand by your side.”

“Chi-” I whisper. I look up at him. “I don’t know what to say.”

Chi smirks at me. “That’s ok. I didn’t expect you to say anything.” He pets my cheek. “Part of me expected you to stomp on my toe and run away.”

“I almost did,” I laugh as his paw cups my cheek.

“You still can if it’ll make you feel better,” Chi replies with a smile on his lips.

I grab hold of one of his tusks and tug him down, kissing him before letting go. “Nah. I don’t wanna do that.” 

Chi holds me tight in his arms, and I nuzzle to his chest. “I knew all that already,” I grumble at him. “You didn’t need to confess like that.”

“I wanted to, just in case.” He kisses the top of my head.

We walk hand in hand together back home. Once there, I see Chiyo, Maitri, and Othet waiting at the entrance to the cave.

“What’s going on?” I ask. “I didn’t realize we were having dinner together tonight.”

“Maeve,” Addor calls from inside the cave. “My daughter, come here, I need to talk to you.”

“Go on,” Chiyo whispers.

I stare at them, knowing deep in my heart something was wrong. “What’s going on?” I ask. “I know it’s not my birthday. Come on,” I force a smile. “Tell me.”

“Maeve,” Addor calls to me.

Chi squeezes my hand again before he lets go. “I’m here,” he whispers to me. “Remember that.”

I stare up at him wanting him to tell me what was happening. My fingers slip from his paw, and I go into the cave, finding Addor waiting for me. His once golden scales are my copper now. His once bright yellow eyes have gone dark brown. Most of his teeth have fallen out, and his claws are so dull that he can barely pick things up.

I had ignored these things for as long as possible. When I looked at Addor, all I saw was the robust and powerful creature who took care of me, saved me and raised me as his own from the day we met. To me, Addor was the most powerful and frightening thing in the world. Nothing and I mean nothing, could have touched him and caused him anguish,

Now, I realize, Addor is old. His close to forever is almost at an end. My father is dying, and I can’t hide from that fact anymore.

“What’s wrong?” I ask him.

“Maeve,” he says. “You’re my entire world.” He reaches out for me, and I step into his hand. “You have made these years together so happy for me. I cannot thank you enough for being the sun in my life.”

“Dad-” I choke, not wanting him to continue.

“I’ve always wanted to believe I would never have to leave you,” he replies. “But I was lying to myself. I never wanted to see you mourn for me. But I’m telling you, you don’t have to.”

“Please stop!” I whimper as the tears start to flow.

“I know I am not leaving you alone. You have a family just outside this cave,” he tells me. “You have my magic now inside you.”

“Dad please,” I whimper and grab hold of his hand.

Addor presses his forehead to mine. “I have to go, Maeve,” he whispers. “I have to go home.”

“This is home!” I yell at him, clinging to his muzzle. “You don’t have to go anywhere! You can stay here!”

“I was born in the Grattertock Mountains,” he continues despite my protests and tears. “Between the wastes and the everfires,” he says. “It is a place no mortal can cross, and only dragons live.” Tears roll down his face and into my hands. “It is where I must die, Maeve.”

“Don’t say that please!” I cry loudly. 

“I don’t want to do this,” Addor whispers urgently. “But I have to. I am old and dying. My years in the captivity of the Gnolls took more from me than I ever could have imagined.”

I’m sobbing uncontrollably, unable to make any argument to make him stay with me. Everything hurts, especially deep inside my chest where it feels like a hand is grabbing my heart and shaking it madly.

“I have loved you more than I ever expected to love anything,” he whispers. “My darling, wonderful Maeve,” his voice chokes. “You will be my final thoughts as I die and I will be happy in them.”

“No!” I scream.

Chiyo comes up behind me, grabbing my shoulders. “Come along now.” She gently pulls me back as Addor raises his head, escaping my grasp. “We have to let him go.”

“Not now!” I cry, struggling against me. “He can’t just go now! Please! I need more time! I haven’t had enough time!” I fight harder at Chiyo’s gentle hands. Chi comes in, taking me into his arms and leading me out.

“No!” I scream again “I haven’t had enough time! I need more time! I can’t let him go now! Please! Please let me stay with him!”

“You can’t go with him anymore,” Chi whispers as he holds me. “I’m so sorry,” he whispers in pain. “Tell him goodbye.”

“I won’t!” I shove Chi off me, and he falls into the sand.

Addor’s wings flap and the harsh wind nearly knocks me down. I watch as he takes off, going into the sky and vanishing above the clouds.

“Come back!” I chase after him, following his shadow in the sky. “Dad come back! Please!” I run as hard as I can, trying to keep track of him. But soon, I lose him. I can no longer see his shadow in the clouds or hear his wings beating against the sky. But I keep running. I keep chasing him.

I eventually collapse and sob horribly.

“I am so sorry,” Chiyo whispers as she kneels beside me. “I know how much this hurts.”

I throw myself into Chiyo’s arms, sobbing into his chest as she rubs my back.

“Chi is named after the name I saw as my father,” she whispers to me. “I watched him die. I held him in my arms during his final breath. That pain has always stayed with me. That misery and absence, it will always hurt, but the pain will eventually turn to fondness, and that fondness eases you into knowing that they are always with you.”

“You got to say goodbye,” I sob. “You got to tell him everything at the end while all I have-” I whimper. “I’ll never see him again. He’ll never know-”

“He knows,” Chiyo whispers to me.

“Does he?” I ask. “I had so much to tell him,” I let my tears fall into the sand. “I was saving it all for when it was important. But...it was always important, and now he’ll never know.”

Chiyo helps me to my feet, and we walk back to Bastat. Chi takes me to his home where he tucks me into bed and stays with me as I cry myself to sleep. Come morning, my eyes are sore, and my nose is raw. Chi brings me tea with honeycomb plopped inside.

“I can’t imagine what pain you’re in,” he tells me. “But I want you to share it with me.”

“I don’t want to share this,” I shake my head. “Not with anybody.” I sip the tea slowly and link more tears from my eyes. “I hate myself.”

Chi's eyes widen. “Why?” He gasps. “None of this was your fault!”

“But I never told him,” I sniffle. “I never told him how much I loved him and how much I needed him.”

Chi takes m tea from me and holds me tight in his arms. I sob into his shoulder. “I never got to say goodbye! He just left me, Chi. He just left me!”

Chi swallows back his tears and strokes my hair. “Then there must be a way to say goodbye,” he says.

“How?” I cry. “”Between the wastes and everfire are impassable to mortals!”

Chi wipes my cheeks and kisses my forehead. “There’s a legend saying there is a path that cuts through the wastes. That’s how dragons came into the empire,” he says. “If this path exists, then we can find Addor, and you can be with him.”

“What?” I whimper.

“I’ll find it,” Chi insists. “I’ll take you to Addor.”