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What Happened?
The roar of the dragon woke Bao from his sleep. He was dreaming, but the moment his mind wandered back to the events of the day, he panicked. When he came to his senses and looked around, it was night. He is lying beside a fire, outside the forest and back on the road. Everyone else is here as well. Belos, Katz, Keyon, Kikka, Letz, and Maria.
Maria is the only one still awake. She’s sitting by the fire with Kikka sleeping in her lap. She’s stroking the girl’s shimmering hair while in deep thought.
“I’m glad you’re alright Bao,” she speaks silently so not to wake up anyone else.
“What... happened...with everything?” only now does Bao have a chance to try and grasp everything that’s happened these last few days.
Maria gives a silent smile. Of course that would be the first thing the boy wants to know, “I did promise you an explanation after everything is finished. What would you like to know first?”
Right now, the last thing he can remember is the frightening beast that came from the pit, “What was that thing?”
“I heard it too. We all heard it. I'm sure it must’ve been even more terrifying to experience it up close. It was a Dragon. I’ve never seen one, but everyone’s heard the stories. Dragons are humans just like you and me. In the past, they ruled the world in fear, and destruction. Even today they believe they’re superior to all humans and kill without a thought. When Belos told me it was a dragon, I was sure you and Keyon would have been killed.”
Bao thinks about the last moments of the fight. About how Belos dragged Arnit to the pit, “Belos seemed to have known the Dragon was there. It was part of his plan.”
“I’m not surprised. Dragons killed from the skies, but Bolbians came from the sea and murdered countless. Even though they’re moved by different things, Dragons by their sense of supremacy, and Bolbians, by their nature from Su, the two have a mild kinship towards each other. I imagine this is even stronger now that neither group holds the same power they once did.”
“But Belos is the only reason any of us survived. You still don’t think someone can change from what they were born to be?”
“I was surprised to hear that Belos did so much to help you. I really do think he’s trying to be more than what people see him as. I have you to thank for that. If I hadn't met you, I wouldn’t have given it any thought. I think it’s rare, but I’m not sure that a human becoming something other than what they were born to be is impossible anymore.”
What does it mean to be human? Bao wonders how humans can be so different from each other that Sosuns, Redmanes, Sulfuges, Bolbians, and now Dragons can kill each other so easily. He remembers the last time he saw Arnit, hanging from the jaws of the Dragon. At the time it felt like a scene from nature, now he knows there was nothing natural about two humans killing each other in that way.
He closes his eyes trying to block the images as all the memories of death these last few days come rushing back, “Everyone is dead. We’re the only ones left.”
Maria wipes away tears as they form, “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault,” she stops for a moment trying to regain her composure, “Belos told us what happened, but the children wanted to see for themselves. I tried to stop them but how could I keep them from their family? This little girl,” Maria looks gently down to Kikka, “She says she found Barros but... I didn’t recognize him.”
Bao’s eyes are still closed, and he places a hand over his face to cover his own emotions, “No... She’s right... That was him.”
Maria can’t hold back her tears any longer. She covers her face and tries to muffle the sound of her crying, “I did this. I’m so sorry Kikka.”
She keeps saying that, but she hasn’t explained her own situation yet.
“Why did I meet you on the road? And why were those men after you in the first place?”
“Yes, I should start from the beginning. What I've already told you is still the truth. I really did tag along with my brother when he went to the ruins. Along with Keyon, we brought an entire company of servants and guards with us. We’re still members of the royal family after all. There are always people who would be interested in doing the emperor harm,
“I guess we didn’t bring enough soldiers, because that’s exactly what happened. I was in the library when the fighting started so I couldn’t see, but even from inside, me, my brother, and Keyon could hear a battle had started. Keyon ran to guard the door, but if he hadn’t then maybe we could have avoided the rest of our misfortune,
“I told you we were going back so I could get an amulet that I left behind. Well, that’s true but it wasn’t ‘my’ amulet we were trying to get back,” Maria reaches into the bag hanging from her side and pulls out an old piece of jewelry with a deep blue stone in the center.
“Me and my brother can’t use magic. We were relying on Keyon to check for dangerous magic and when he ran to block the door, my brother kept moving through the chamber looking for another way out. He found this amulet but before he could even open the chest it was stored in, the magic inside reached out and took control of him. I didn’t even know that was possible, but the magic in this amulet is complexly gone now,
“My brother rushed out of the library and Keyon used his own magic to get the two of us to safety. When we made it outside and looked back, everyone was dead, and my brother was gone. I don’t know how it happened but if I want to get my brother back to normal, I feel like this amulet will be key.”
Maria gently puts the jeweled amulet back into her bag, “I’m sorry I misled you Bao, I wanted to trust you but there was so much going on that we needed to keep you at arm's length just in case.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Hearing things from her perspective, Bao can’t blame her for not being upfront about things. He doesn’t hold it against her. Still, that is a lot of information to process. What exactly is magic? Maria probably isn’t the one to answer that since she can’t use it either, but she should be able to give a little more information than what Bao has.
“When I was fighting the assassins, they said I had death affinity. Keyon also said my spear was a dead giveaway of betrayal.”
“I don’t know myself, but Keyon told me to be careful around you. He said your spear has very powerful death magic infused into it. I can’t verify myself, but I’ve been told sensing magic is almost like scent. Some smells you get used to over time, and some are so potent that you can't focus on anything else. Even if someone has never seen a type of magic before, just like a smell, they can usually tell if it's pleasant or vile,
“I think anyone with magic affinity can sense the magic in your spear. Apparently, it’s almost too strong to ignore. Doubly so since it is death magic. I can’t tell you any more than that but after you fought the assassins, Keyon did tell me that he believed you had no knowledge of what you were holding. He trusts you and so do I.”
This is the first Bao has ever heard about this, “My spear originally belonged to my older brother, I took it after he died. Before that, it was traded from the Orcans living in the rivers and oceans around the jungle. They didn’t say anything about magical properties when they gave it away. Sosuns, Redmanes, and Orcans are all on good terms in the jungle so I doubt they would have hide something like that from us.”
Maria doesn't have anything to say about that, “I see. When we get to Tab, I can have mages and weapon smiths look at your weapon. Maybe they can tell you more than me or Keyon can.”
The mention of Keyon reminds Bao of another question of magic, “When Keyon uses magic, he says something every time.”
“That’s right, people who use magic can only use one affinity. They can always use their magic but if they worship the god that magic is derived from, it becomes even more potent. Keyon is very different. If he invokes a god’s name, he can use any magic. It’s a power unheard of anywhere in the world,
“I’ve been told Keyon has the potential to be the greatest mage the world has ever seen. Even so, he hates using magic. It's because of his father. His father is also a powerful mage. An ancient elf who has gone mad with age and power.”
Bao was surprised, “His father is an Elf?” one of the few immortal races among Dragons, and Bolbians.
“Only his father. Keyon isn’t a Sosun or an Elf. He’s a Half-Elf. He won’t live forever like a full-blooded Elf, but he’ll outlive both of us by several generations,
“After his father disappeared, he was sold into slavery and suffered at the hands of his father’s enemies. Eventually, he found his way to Tab where he was freed. He took up the sword and joined Tab’s military. Keyon hates magic because of his father and only uses it when he absolutely needs to.”
“He’s a powerful fighter, magic or not,” not only has Bao seen Keyon fight up close, but he’s also traded blows with him, “I understand where he’s coming from though. Being born with expectations that you never asked for. I’m sure he’s been working to break away from his father’s name all this time. Not pursuing magic is just one part of that,” Bao has a better understanding of Keyon and a new respect for the struggles leading up to now.
The two continue talking through the night. They still have a lot on their minds. When the sun starts to rise Belos is the first to wake up. Maybe out of courtesy or out of habit, he goes to prepare breakfast for everyone. Soon after him is Katz. The feathered child doesn’t greet the others when he wakes up. He joins Belos in preparing breakfast and packing camp. These aren’t chores, just something that must be done when traveling on the road.
“Without the caravan, what will happen to the children?” Bao asks the final burning question in his mind.
“We don’t have the rations or the connections that Barros had to take Letz to the Redmane nomads. We don’t even know where to look,” Maria is discouraged that after all she’s done, she can’t even do this simple act of charity, “We need to get back to Tab first, then I can make arrangements for each of the children.”
Maria’s words are interrupted by a tired Kikka, “Nooo... We’re a family, we can’t be apart,” the girl is speaking through a yawn while stretching. She’s still tired though and goes back to sleep without any help.
Bao and Maria look at each other both wondering if there’s any way for the three children to remain together.
“The children can’t stay with me. Even if the royal family was open to the idea, Katz is a Strix, Tab doesn’t have a good relationship with the Strix Empire right now. If people found out we took in a Strix child from slavery, it would horrendously misconstrued.”
Bao isn’t going to argue with Maria about politics. He doesn’t even understand half of what she is talking about. Instead, he offers up a ridiculous idea, “What if they stay with me?”
Belos and Katz aren’t far from the fire when they hear Bao speak. Belos drops what he’s holding and stares at the two sitting by the dying fire.
“I’m serious. Would that work? I don’t have any plans after making it to Tab. Why don’t the three kids stay with me while we search for their home? You said there is a Strix Empire? We can start there,” the more Bao talks, the more he starts to buy into his idea.
Maria isn’t too happy about this idea, but she doesn’t have anything helpful to counter with, “You’d need to ask each of them what they want and if they’d be alright with that. It’s a big change from what Barros had promised them,” She smiles a little for the first time tonight, “You’d also need some kind of legal connection to avoid any trouble and I assume you aren’t willing to take them as slaves even if just in name only.”
“Absolutely not.”
“I figured as much. I think I’ve learned at least that much about you.” Maria laughs a little at how Bao wasn’t amused by her little joke, “I guess you’re old enough that you could adopt them. You’re clearly not old enough to act as their father but a big brother can also be a legal guardian. When we get to Tab, I can get some documents drafted for your little family.”
The plan is set. They have an idea moving forward, and Bao is excited about what this new adventure holds. They will arrive in Tab in a few days and after some rest and recuperation, Maria will present him with the legal means to travel with the children.
Bao finally gets up from his place by the fire and prepares to help everyone get ready for the day of travel ahead. When he does, he sees Belos standing in front of them. They lock eyes and Belos falls to the ground in front of him.
“Belos what are you-”
“Please take me as your slave!”
“What? Belos I hate the idea of slaves. They don’t exist where I’m from and I don’t see the need for any now.”
“Please, if you don’t help me, I could die any moment. The royal family won’t help someone like me and the moment I enter Tab as a free man I’ll be killed. I could leave you before we get to the capital but that’s only postponing the inevitable.”
Bao turns to Maria who confirms the truth of what Belos is saying.
“Please... You can’t adopt me like the children but even if it’s in name only, that should be enough for me to live a decent life. So please take me as your slave.”
What Belos is asking is humiliating. He begins to cry out of desperation and shame. He doesn’t want the yoke of slavery anymore but his desire to live is stronger than his shame. Someday the world will be different. Someday there will be a place for him to live free. The Bolbian dreams of seeing that world. To do so, he must continue to live.
Bao realizes that this might be the only way for Belos to survive. He kneels to meet Belos where he is lying.
“In name only.”
Belos looks up to Bao.
“We’ll travel together as companions. We’ll find a place for Kikka, Katz, and Letz to call home. There’s a place for you out there as well, I’m sure of it. I want to see it.”