Ramaeka (The Ramaeka Series Book 1) (29 page)

“Where should
I start?” he asked nervously, wishing he could refuse Isahn.

“Perhaps from
the last time we spoke,” Isahn suggested, settling back into his chair.

Once he
started, Ramaeka found it almost too easy to tell everything that had
happened.  It helped that Isahn proved to be one of those rare people who
seemed to absorb what they heard no matter how ridiculous.  Ramaeka kept only a
few things to himself though he suspected that Isahn might know exactly who
Amar was.  Isahn just nodded thoughtfully to himself, in fact the only time he
interrupted was when Ramaeka was describing how he and Amar had stolen Gasha’s
blade.

“Ha!” he
said.  “That will teach him to be so careless.”

When Ramaeka
finally finished his rather epic story, Isahn tapped the flask in his hands,
refilling it.  Ramaeka blinked down at it in surprise before drinking.

“You did
extraordinarily well,” Isahn said looking at him with what Ramaeka thought
might be respect.  “Far better than many dragons three times your rank.  Far
better than I would expect from any offspring of Ramanae, though I cannot
dispute that he raises his children strong and tough.”

Ramaeka
fidgeted uncomfortably, blushing both from the praise and from the criticism of
his family.  They may be horrible and trying their best to kill him but they
were still family.

“My apologies,”
Isahn said.  “I should not criticise your family in your presence, I hope you
will forgive me for being so rude.”

He smiled as
Ramaeka nodded quickly.

“I’m afraid I
am rather frustrated with your father at the moment.  An Empara dragon has
almost absolute rights in his own territory; the kidnapping of young Alekra
earned nothing more than a few words of censure.  You’re death, on the other
claw, was to be brought up at the next Conclave since we were unable to collectively
decide on a punishment at the previous one.  However with the news that you
were still alive, many of the other Empara’s thought that it should no longer
be a concern.”

“So he isn’t
being punished for any of it?”  Ramaeka wasn’t overly surprised; his father had
always seemed too powerful and sure of himself to be conquered by anything,
even the law.

“At this point
no,” Isahn sighed.  “The Conclave is split; the conservatives are following
your father’s lead.  I was lucky to have enough support to pass the human
protection law at the last Conclave.  There were enough conservatives upset by
your death to vote with me on the issue.”

He smiled
warmly at Ramaeka.  “In a strange way it was thanks to you and Ramanae that it
was passed.”

Ramaeka
laughed sheepishly, his father would have been furious.  It was an ironic
tribute that Ramanae’s act of underhanded cruelty towards the humans had led to
their protection.  Isahn waited for him to settle down before starting again.

“Now as to
your future young dragon.  Have you had any thoughts on what you would like to
do now?”

“I want to
stay with my friends and hunt Gasha,” Ramaeka said firmly, trying his best to
meet Isahn’s eyes.  The Empara dragon nodded thoughtfully.

“I can
understand why you would wish to remain here, however I hope that you will
consider my offer of a position at my school.”  He held up a hand as Ramaeka
began to protest.

“Let me finish,”
he said.  “Firstly, what you have learned and achieved has been thoroughly
impressive, I hope that my current students are able to learn from your example
if you do return with me.  What most concerns me is that I have received
reports from several different well-placed dragons that your father has
covertly ordered your death.  While luck and skill have kept you safe to a
point so far, think what will happen if some of your more powerful siblings are
sent after you.”

Ramaeka hung
his head, he had hoped that his father would ignore the fact that one worthless
little son was still alive.  Isahn was right, if any of his more terrifying
brothers or sisters came after him he would be doomed, not to mention anybody
who was travelling with him.  Just look at what a score of dragons had done to
Gasha’s horde.

“He won’t dare
touch you while you are under my protection,” Isahn said softly.  “However that
can only generally extend within my own territory.”

“So I would be
stuck in the same place again with no freedom,” Ramaeka said unhappily.  “How
is that any better?”

He hated the
thought of being trapped once again in one place, especially when he had
experienced so much freedom travelling with Stripe and Shady.  Seeing new
places and meeting new people.  Isahn was shaking his head.

“Not
necessarily,” he said.  “I travel through the human worlds often and I doubt
your family would dare attack me.”  He grinned coldly, showing his fangs. 
“What I am offering is a chance to train and learn with us until you are able
to protect both yourself and your friends.”

“Which will
take years,” Ramaeka interjected.  “I’m still just a undersized Skaire.  It’ll
be forever before I’m big enough or tough enough.”

“That brings
me to another point I wanted to make, Amar informed me that you had been
suffering from random pains, is this true?" 

"I...,”
Ramaeka swallowed his mouth suddenly dry. 

"It's
alright Ramaeka,” Isahn smiled and patted his hand where it was twisted in the
blankets. 

"This is
a normal part of being draconian.  It's surprising for your age, usually
we don't go through our first change until around sixteen years of age, but you
are very advanced for your age.” 

"Sir?”
Ramaeka squeaked.  He couldn't be going through a change so soon. 

"As I
said, it is unusual but not unheard of.  Even if you do not stay at the
school it is important that you return for your first change.  The first
one is always the most important because it begins your true connection with
your element of power and with our home. In your case that would be with the
element of earth.  Being in Amaria will strengthen that bond." 

Ramaeka
struggled to breath; he thought he would have more time before his first
change.  He definitely wanted to ascend to the next level, and of course
get bigger, but the change was notoriously painful.  Every couple of years
it drove a dragon insane or killed them. 

"It is a
painful process,” Isahn said watching him intently.  "However it is
well worth the struggle, it is a right we earn through pain.” 

"Come now
Ramaeka,” he smiled at him winningly.  "If your brothers and sisters
made the change, surely you have nothing to fear.” 

That steadied
Ramaeka instantly.  He was right of course, if his siblings had made it
not just once but several times, then he would be fine.  

"I told
Stripe I would go hunt Gasha with him,” he told Isahn unhappily. 

"Na, it’s
okay Ra.” 

Both Ramaeka
and Isahn jumped a little as Stripe slipped back inside the room.  His
friend glared up at the tall dragon. 

"You best
not be lying.” 

Isahn bowed
his head slightly in respect. 

"I am
being honest,” he told them.  "Things are beginning to change through
all the worlds and it is young people, like yourselves, leading the changes for
good or bad. Amaria and the human worlds need both of you to be prepared to
your full potential.” 

Stripe
shrugged.  "I don't know about that but Ramaeka's important to me and
a lot of other people, we don't want anything happening to him.” 

Ramaeka
flushed and looked down at his blankets.  Hopefully they would stop
talking about him as soon as possible. 

"He will
be under both mine and my highly trained staff’s protection.  Not even
Ramanae dares challenge me directly and I know more of his secret dealings than
he is aware.” 

"Wait,”
Ramaeka protested.  "I haven't decided yet.” 

"You
should go with him,” Stripe said.  "Learn everything you can and then
come back and we'll finish that scuz Gasha together.” 

He grinned
cold and fierce.  "Then we'll go deal with your dad.” 

Ramaeka nodded
unable to stop a matching grin spreading across his face. 

"Should I
be afraid?” Isahn asked fascinated.  "Because I am starting to feel
concerned.” 

"You'll
keep me informed of what's happening right?”  Ramaeka asked Stripe. 

"Of
course, we'll find a way to get messages through to you.  With the help of
Lord Isahn.”  He bowed formally to the amused dragon. 

"I will
organize it immediately,” he promised blue eyes dancing.  Ramaeka
suspected that Isahn had been even more mischievous than he was as a youngling. 

"One last
thing before I leave you to your rest Ramaeka.  Our mutual friend Amar has
sent a letter and a package to me for you.  He was forced to leave rather
abruptly, though I'm sure you will understand why.” 

Ramaeka really
hoped that meant that Amar had needed to get home before he was discovered not
because he had been found out.  Isahn handed him a letter and a wrapped
parcel then slipped out the door before Ramaeka and Stripe realised he was
leaving.  Stripe stared after him before shrugging and turning to eye the
letter and parcel.  To Ramaeka's relief however he didn't ask about them. 

"Well
it's not the original plan, but I guess it'll work out in the end.  We'll
work out a code before you leave so I know they're treating you right.” 

Ramaeka nodded
fighting a yawn, all this talking had worn him out.  Stripe smiled. 

"Read
your letter then get some rest.” 

He left as
Ramaeka waved, closing the door behind him. 

Ramaeka leaned
back ignoring the itch of the bandages and the dull throb of healing injuries
and contemplated the package.  Suppressing his curiosity for the moment he
opened the letter first.
My friend Ramaeka 

My deepest
apologies for not being present when you awoke from your injuries.
Unfortunately my guardians have become suspicious of my activities and I was
forced to return immediately to conceal my deception.  You will be
relieved to know that, while they have questioned me extensively since I have
returned, they are unable to prove anything.  The only one who might have
proven my absence is the kindest of them all and does not seem inclined to be
concerned. 

I would like
you to know that I am proud of how much you have learnt and what you have
achieved, you have done exceedingly well.  However if you put yourself in
such danger again I may be forced to take action.  I have never been so
afraid before.  I will continue to watch over you though from a distance
for now.  Continue to practice what I have taught you. 

If my opinion
counts for anything I would advise you to take Isahn's offer.  You will
need both the training and the allies that you will make in Amaria for the
future.
Your friend
Amar

Ramaeka smiled
sleepily, relieved that Amar hadn't found himself in serious trouble.  He
ripped the paper wrapping the package off, too tired to worry about making a
mess.  Ramaeka grinned, the box underneath was wooden and delicately
carved with dancing dragons.  Inside he found a mix of both apples and
oranges, under which was a box of the sweet Amar had once given him while they
were trapped in the mountains.  And at the very bottom of the box was a
book.  He slid his hands reverently over the leather cover before flipping
it open to read the title and laughed.  It was a book on healing herbs,
most probably the one that Amar's other body had been reading. 

Amar had the
best sense of humour he thought snuggling down into the blankets and giving in
to sleep.

Ramaeka
stretched and yawned.  He had finally been able to catch up on sleep in
the three days since the last battle with Gasha.  Glancing over at his friends
who now shared his room, he smirked as Stripe drooled a little in his sleep.
 They definitely deserved the rest.  After the dragons had allowed
Ramaeka and Shady out of bed yesterday they had been busy, despite their
injuries, helping with the small number of seriously wounded and cleaning up. 

A runner had
been sent after the evacuated city dwellers and soldiers with orders for them
to return.  In the meantime those in the city rejoiced and celebrated
their victory. 

Silently he
slipped from the room where they had been resting, determined to find something
to eat.  He made his way down a stone path in the direction of the eating
area; hopefully Tam would be there already.  He was always two steps ahead of
everybody else.  Glancing around as he walked into the dining courtyard he
noticed the General, Tam and Isahn sitting together at one of the tables which
had almost disappeared under the amount of food that it held.  His stomach
growled hungrily and forced his feet in the direction of the table.  Isahn
looked up with an amused smile, clearly able to hear the gurgling of his
stomach as Ramaeka approached, but merely gestured for him to sit and eat.
 Ramaeka had absolutely no argument with that and with a polite nod at the
General and a grinning Tam, sat down and almost inhaled the food. 

It was a fair
amount of time before he slowed down enough to notice what was happening around
him.  By that time Stripe, Parrit and a still pale Shady had joined the
table and were watching him with expressions of awe and amusement. 

“What?” he
asked sheepishly. 

Parrit
chuckled.  “You are a strange young thing Ramaeka.” 

He scratched
his head. 

“What do you
mean?” 

“She means you
just devoured eight pies, a pot of stew and three loaves of bread while we have
been sitting here.  Which has been about ten minutes,”  Stripe said
trying not to laugh. 

“M’hungry,”
Ramaeka mumbled continuing to eat though a little slower.  He glanced at
Shady. 

“You’re
looking less dead,” he told him.