Exodus(Journal Of Baobab Of Pantala)

Exodus-Journal 2:Entry 6:Heroes Are Never Forgotten

Mid Sumner 6,217 A.S.
Eight years have passed. Raegel has grown so big and healthy. I am so proud of him. Every day I see his happy little face I can't help but smile and ruffle his hair.
   But the sad things I have seen over these past eight years were the tribal tensions and skirmishes between the Pyrrhian and Pantalan dragons and Alagaesia dragons, Urgals, and dwarves. We Riders tried to keep the matters under control but we couldn't. I lost my friends Badger, Swamp, Honey, and Limenitis to one of the scuffles. With my two best friends in the whole world gone, there was nothing but a hole left in my heart that not even Marula, Viserra, or Raegel could fill.
   Raegel also has been picked on for his unusual appearance. Often being called a half breed. A hybrid. A filth on elven bloodline.
   All of this sadden me so much to where I couldn't even work on Domia abr Wydra for a whole year and year after that. Losing my parents and younger brother and sister was hard enough, but losing my friends and my son being picked on was just too much.
   I would often lie awake at night, wondering if I could have done something to prevent all of this pain and misery.
   Viserra and Marula would try and help ease the misery in my heart but they can't. It's just too much to forget about.
Pain is something that can never be forgotten. Only remembered.

6,217 A.S. A week later
Today was a special day, even in my depressed state. I have to be there for Raegel. He needed me more than ever.
   Viserra, Raegel, and myself walked to the center of the elven capital, Ellesméra.
   In the center of the city was an emissary of the order of Riders I was from.
   Neither of the two orders of Riders still conceded to join each other.
   A line of young human children—all children of Pyrrhian and Pantalan Riders—stood before the Rider emissary.
   "Go on, go get in line." I heard Viserra say to Raegel.
   He looked so nervous and afraid. It reminded me of myself when it was the day the Rider came to see which of my kids in my village would bond with dragons.
   I then remembered that it was only me, Badger, and Honey that bonded with dragons. The only ones in five generations in our village to bond with dragons. It brought tears to my eyes as I thought of our good times together.
   "Hey, are you okay?" Viserra asked me.
   I wiped the tears away. "Ya, I'm fine." I responded, trying to keep my voice steady.
   Viserra didn't ask me anymore questions. She just returned her gaze to the line of children.
   I felt Marula press against my mind to try and comfort me, but I didn't let her in. I just wanted to be alone in my misery. I deserved it for not taking care of my friends better. I should have done more to help them but I didn't. I deserved whatever fate awaited me.
   I then heard the gasps.
   I looked up to see a little dragonet with dark green scales, brown and gold scales freckled on its face, back, legs, tail, and wings. Its eyes were dark brown with forest green ringed around the pupils.
   I realized that the dragonet was Marual's son; the father was unknown.
   I also saw that it was Raegel who was holding the little dragonet in his arms.
   A ghost of a smile touched my face as I looked at my son smiling at the dragonet.
   The other Rider said something to Raegel and Raegel nodded.
   Raegel came back over to us with the other Rider; I didn't recognize the other Rider.
   "What's his name, sweetheart?" Viserra asked Raegel.
   "Oak." Raegel responded.
   "That's so cute."
   "Baobab, can we talk?" The Rider asked me.
   "Yes." I responded.
   "In...private."
   I nodded.
   We walked over to the edge of the gathering of elves and used a spell to prevent eavesdropping.
   "I'm so sorry to ask this of you with your son and all, but could you be a diplomat between the Pyrrhian and Pantalan dragons and the Urgals, dwarves, and Alagaesia dragons. I know that you went around Alagaesia taking notes about the races and that they got along with you well, even the Urglas. Which I must say is quite impressive based on their war like personalities and culture. I really do hate to do this to you and your family but you are the only one who the races really trust. Just think about it." He told me and walked away.
   I pondered over what he said for the rest of the day and into the night til the next morning when I knew my answer.
   "What's wrong?" Viserra asked me, touching my shoulder at the table.
   "Nothing." I responded. I wanted to tell her the truth but Raegel needed his mother, not two missing parents.
   Viserra glanced across the table where Raegel was feeding Oak pieces of fruit.
   "Raegel, why don't you and Oak go explore the gardens. I hear that the orchids are beautiful. And maybe you and Oak can work on your leafspeak with the elves." Viserra said to Raegel.
   "Okay, mother. Come on Oak." Raegel said and left the treehouse they moved to when Raegel was born.
   Viserra sat down next to me and clasped my hand in hers.
   "Baobab, you can tell me anything, you know that. So please tell me what's going on. You haven't been sleeping well of lately. And I don't need Marula telling me that. I can notice on my own. So please tell me."
   I really wanted to tell her but I didn't want Raegel to grow up with parents like I did or lose them like I did. He needed to have at least one surviving parent if I died in trying accomplish peace.
   "Tell her or I will." Marula threatened me.
   I sighed.
   "Viserra, that Rider from yesterday offered me the chance to become a diplomat between the races and try to make peace with the Pyrrhian and Pantalan tribes between all the other races. But—,"
   "You're afraid that you might never return like Badger and Honey." She finished for me.
   I nodded glumly.
   "Viserra, I don't want you to come. Raegel needs one of us alive to help him."
   "Ya well, Oak also needs his mother and I'm going along to make sure that Raegel and Oak get to keep the parents they know. And there's is nothing you can do to stop me. I won't accept no for an answer. I'll follow you if I have to." She said stubbornly.
   "Fine." I gave in. "But where will Raegel go. Badger and Honey were his godfather and godmother. He has no aunts or uncles. No grandparents, unless your parents are willing to take him in. He has no one but us. Viserra he has no other family."
   "The Riders will take care of him til we return. I know they will. Most of my kind may not accept him but the Riders will." Viserra told me.
   Having no other choice, I agreed. It was the only thing that would be good for Raegel. He would need to go through his training anyways.
   "Then it's settled. I'll tell Raegel in the morning."
   I nodded and went to go contact the current leader of my order of Riders.
   It was time to be hero. To honor my fallen friends, who were true heroes and would continue to be until the end of time. They would never be forgotten so long as my journals still survive throughout the many ages to come.

P.S. I hope you all are enjoying so far.