Ramaeka (The Ramaeka Series Book 1) (26 page)

"Should I
change now?”

"Nay,”
Tam said softly staring out over the flood of humans and creatures.  "Best
not to let em target ya too early.”

"Tam is
correct, they will be searching for you after the feats that you achieved
yesterday,” Amar affirmed.  "That they do not know of your secondary
form works in our favour.”

He frowned
suddenly and leaned forward.

"Hmmmmm.”

"What?”
Tam and Ramaeka demanded at the same time.

Amar tapped
his lip thoughtfully.  "Not all of this army is real'.

"Say
again,” Tam frowned while Ramaeka leaned forward to peer intently at the enemy;
it looked real enough to him.

"It is
very good work" Amar admitted impressed.  "Indeed I have
not seen the like before, Gasha may be cruel and arrogant but he is talented.
 The back third of the army on the field so far are illusions.”

"Are ye
sure?” Tam demanded.

"Absolutely,
there must be four or five powerful mage's working the spell other than Gasha
himself.  No Ramaeka, look through your magic do not rely on your eyes.”

Ramaeka
obediently pulled on his magic wincing at the sorry state it was in.
 Looking out now he saw each being below shone with their own power and
life force, except as Amar said, the back third which were merely glittering
shadows.  He whistled impressed.

"Ye're
definitely sure?”

"He's
right,” Ramaeka confirmed.  Tam bit his lip then nodded decisively.

"I'll be
right back.”  He bound down the stairs.

"Why
would he do that?” Ramaeka asked.  "Doesn't it waste a lot of power,
especially just before a battle?”

"Gasha
rules on fear and trickery,” Amar replied watching the horde approaching.  "It
seems that we are about to learn that first hand.”

He pointed
downwards.  Following his direction Ramaeka saw the human warlord himself,
riding a strange mottled green lizard which Ramaeka had never seen before.

"Soul
shaker,” Amar murmured.  "Beware of those Ramaeka; they have the
ability to injure your very essence.”

His mouth
suddenly felt very dry; there were so many strange and terrifying beasts here.

"Why did
you make them?” he whispered feeling nauseous.  "All these evil
beasts do is bring pain and fear.”

"That's
what humans say about dragons,” Amar reminded him.  "Every creature
that I made has a reason for existing and every one of them has the ability to
destroy, including humans and dragons.  When I myself was created, a set
of instructions were ingrained into my very being.  Nearly everything I
made was according to those instructions including free will.  The
delicate balance between good and evil existed long before I did.”

Ramaeka
frowned, it was a lot to try and understand especially when he was so tired. 

"Nearly
everything?” he asked changing the subject slightly.

"Well,
dragons were mine,” Amar admitted with a crooked smile.  "Some of my
creations have been warped by sick minds like Gasha.  Speaking of whom, it
seems he wishes to talk.”

Attention
diverted Ramaeka peered over the edge of the tower again.

"How do
you know?”

"The
white cloth they are waving symbolizes a truce in which the two sides may
converse without fear of attack.  Though it is unusual to use the pelt of
one of your own creatures as a symbol of good will.” 

"Well at
least it wasn't one of ours,” Ramaeka grinned with morbid humour.  The
white rag that one of the soldiers was waving was indeed furry and speckled
with blood.

"I wish
to speak with whomever is in charge of this rabble.”  Gasha's nasal voice
was amplified enough that Ramaeka was forced to cover his ears.
 After a few moments the General's voice boomed back. 

"I am he,
state your purpose thief.”

Ramaeka
smirked as Gasha glared up at the wall.

"Let us
talk of thieves then.  I believe you are currently sheltering two such
creatures behind your pathetic walls.  I will have what belongs to me
returned.”

"And what
is it exactly that you seek that you must bring your slaves here with you?”

"Do not
be coy,” Gasha hissed.  "You have my sword you scum sucking fool, return
it immediately.”

One of the
knights who stood behind Gasha and said something quietly.  The warlord
visibly pulled his temper back under control.

"I shall
be fair, open your gates and surrender, return my sword with the heads of the
thieves and I shall allow all those within the walls to live as my slaves.
 Refuse and this city and all within will be nought but ashes by next
sunrise.”

There was a
long pause, Ramaeka could see the smirks on the faces of those around Gasha,
they knew he would not let them live.  The warlord himself stared
arrogantly at the wall, waiting.

"That
does sound unreasonably fair Gasha, though I think it would be hard to turn
stone into ashes,” came a new voice.  A voice which Ramaeka recognized
instantly.  What was Stripe thinking?  Why was the General allowing him to
speak?

"Who are
you?  I will only talk with your leader not some ill bred idiot.”

"Well I'm
afraid I want to talk to you Gasha so I suggest you clean the muck from your
ears and listen carefully.  Especially because I have something that
belongs to you.”

Somewhere in
his chest Ramaeka's heart gave a great whump then flopped down into his
stomach. What are you doing?  He thought fingers digging frantically into the
stone of the tower.  Gasha stepped forward, scanning the wall intently, his
fists clenched.

"Who are
you, you pox ridden scum swimmer? I will skin you alive.  I will make you
beg for death before I even think of allowing you to die!”

"Yeah,
yeah,” Stripe interrupted coolly.  "You might actually remember me from
Porkae old man.  I was one of your little thief boys about eight years ago
when you were still the thief lord there.  You had my feet caned once for
walking too loudly, but then that might describe a few of us I suppose. If it
helps I was the little blond kid with the bit of black in his hair who was so
good with locks.  I once broke into the Lord Treasurer's house for you.” 
There was a long pause as Gasha absorbed this.

"Ahhh yes
now I remember, little Stripe.  And where is your friend?  What was
his name now?  That's right, Shadow wasn't it?”

"So you
do remember me, I'm honoured.” 

"You were
a loyal and talented servant to me once.”  Now Gasha's voice was silky soft.

"Your
reward would be great if such loyalty still proved true to me.”

"I'm sure,”
Stripe replied wryly.  "But that's not why I wanted to chat.  I
wanted to offer you a deal.”

"I'm
listening.”

"I want
to challenge you to a one on one fight.”

There was
complete and utter silence for a long moment.  Then Gasha exploded into
laughter.  Taking their cue the horde quickly followed suit.

"I could
have sworn I did not include insanity when I made him,” Amar said grimly.  "Obviously
I was distracted at some point.”

Ramaeka was
too numb with horror to reply.

"Why
should I even consider your childish challenge?  I remember you Stripe.
Always sneaking away to watch the soldiers train when you should have been
working.  Trying to secretly fumble your way through their exercises, imagining
yourself a great warrior indeed.” 

"Because
if you don't I'm going to make sure you never find this sword again.  You
may have noticed yesterday that we had a little 'natural' help with your flying
monsters.”

Gasha ground
his teeth.  "Elementai are fickle creatures at best.”

Ramaeka could
almost see Stripe shrug casually.  "Maybe but are you willing to take
that chance?  I wonder how many worlds away they could take it before they
lose interest.”

"And what
did you wish to wager on this challenge?  Do you want me to promise to
withdraw my horde if you win?  If I win are you going to throw open the
gates to us?”

"Don't be
ridiculous,” Stripe scoffed.  "If I win you'll be dead, if you win
I'll be dead and you'll have your sword back since I'm going to fight with it.
 All I need is a guarantee that nobody on either side will interfere until
the fights done.”

Gasha looked intrigued;
several of his officers began to talk to him rapidly.

"Yer
friend's a brave 'un.”  Tam had returned while Stripe spoke.

"He's a
rockhead is what he is,” Ramaeka growled.  Tam chuckled.

 "That
too.”

"Can I
trust your people not to interfere?  Perhaps we should exchange hostages?”

"Not a
chance,” was Stripe's firm reply.  "You don't need to be scared
Gasha, they'll stay out of it as long as yours do.”

"Fine, I
accept,” Gasha spat clearly annoyed by the taunt, juvenile though it was.
 "One hour from now directly in front of the gates so your people
will find it hard to shoot me down.”

"Agreed.
 Let's push your lot back a hundred or so yards as well shall we?
 Give us some room to manoeuvre.”

"Very
well.  One hour.”

"One hour.”

 As the army
retreated, Ramaeka stormed down the stairs ignoring the startled archers, Amar
and Tam followed hastily.  They found Stripe at the base of the wall
listening to what the General was saying while he checked his weapons.

 "Are you
out of your worm ridden mind?”  Ramaeka was so angry his voice squeaked a
little as he yelled at his friend.

 "It's a
good plan Ramaeka,” the General interjected kindly as Ramaeka glared up at
Stripe who took a step back.  "If it works.” 

"Thanks,”
Stripe muttered as Ramaeka went red with fury.  "Did you know your
eyes go all dragony when you’re angry?”

 "I like
this plan.”  Gelber and Parrit had also arrived.  "I wish only
that it was possible for me to accompany you.”

 "That's
because you are as crazed as he is,” Parrit said fondly rolling her eyes as
Stripe and Gelber exchanged wicked grins.  Ramaeka grabbed Stripe by the
shirt and shook him slightly.

 "You're
going to die!” he yelled.  "I'm going to have to watch you die!
 I told you not to do anything stupid without me!”

 "Calm
down Ra,” Stripe patted Ramaeka's shoulder soothingly.  "I know what
I'm doing, believe it or not, and even if I didn't the challenge has been made
so let's work out what I should do out there.”

 "But I
haven't even been through my reasons of why you're an idiot yet.  It’s
such a long list it may take a while.”

 "Perhaps
you should tell us what you have in mind Stripe,” Amar interrupted kindly
before Ramaeka could actually start on his list.  He shot Ramaeka a look
that reminded him that they had already gone on their own suicide mission the
previous day.  But that was different he thought mutinously, we actually
stood a chance.

 Relieved
Stripe quickly began to elaborate on his plan.
 "Gasha's easy to anger which I can use to break his concentration, he's
bound to make mistakes when he's in a rage.  He's alright as a fighter,
maybe just above average.  Plus I have his weapon of choice which means
he'll be forced to use something else which he doesn't handle often so he'll be
uncomfortable.  He was very reliant on his sword.”

 "Will
that not work against you as well? As you have just acquired the sword
yourself",” Parrit interrupted.

"A little,”
he admitted.  "But that's the thing with this sword, it's like it
knows me.  It already feels more natural than my old one.”

 "Alright,
'ee's easy ta distract 'n 'e won't be comfortable inna physical fight.
 Anythin' else?”  Tam asked.  Stripe nodded.

"He's
left-handed, weaker on his right.  Normally he gets others to do his dirty
work for him so he doesn't fight all that often.  And the last time he saw
me fight was when I was eight years old so he's bound to underestimate me.
 He could never really believe anyone was better than him at something. If
it was just a physical fight I think I would stand a fair chance of winning.
 Unfortunately he's far more powerful than I am.  I'm hoping if I
keep him distracted and keep moving around I might get a chance to slip under
his guard and kill him.”  He stopped and looked at them expectantly.

 "It's
the closest we've got to a decent plan at this point,” the General observed
shrugging.   "You seem to have a firm grasp of strategy for your age;
I suppose you would have to grow up fast living on the streets of Porkae.
 However I would advise you against underestimating Gasha in any kind of
fight.  He is extremely cunning and he will do anything to win.”  

 Stripe nodded
seriously.

 "Isn't
there anyway you can protect yourself from his magic?” Ramaeka asked giving up
on sulking for now; he'd never been very good at it anyway.

 "There
is one thing,” Stripe grinned holding up a hand which started to glow.
 "I've been practicing and I haven't been using my power to fight
with so I'm still fresh.  I thought I'd better save it just in case.”

 Amar shook
his head.  "I continue to be surprised by you two,” he said wryly
which Ramaeka knew meant he was impressed.  "I would keep that hidden
until you get desperate, let him underestimate you.” 

"How'll
ye get the lad down?” Tam asked the General.  "Seein' as the gates be
blocked.”

 "I
thought our dragon might be kind enough to drop his friend below.”

 Stripe
smirked.  "Gasha will hate that.”

 "Indeed,
you must be very careful Ramaeka, keep an eye out for any attacks. I'm sure
Amar will cover you from the tower just in case.”

 Ramaeka
squared his shoulders feeling strangely relieved that he would be involved,
despite the fact that he was taking his friend to his certain death.

 "And if
Gasha or his mouldy horde does anything that even smells like cheating I'll be
down to pick you up again whether you like it or not,” he told his friend jutting
his chin out stubbornly.