by Corin, G.
Unlike Alekra both of these women were clearly fighters. They wore armour over leather tunics, the steel of the armour decorated with intricate patterns and runes. They were also covered in weaponry of all kinds which Ramaeka had never seen before. He leant forward to get a better view; Stripe would like to hear about the different weapons they carried.
He must have made some noise, because suddenly the purple haired woman swept a bow expertly arming it and pointing in his direction.
“Who’s there?” she growled.
He stood up and walked out towards them, after all they had apples which were Stripe’s favourite and would make a great addition to his supplies. They both scowled ferociously at him as he walked forward, the blond picked up a massive axe, hefting its bulk with ease.
“Hello,” he said politely smiling at them. “Do you mind if I gather some apples too?”
“Yeah we do actually,” the blond eyed him up coldly, fingering the blade of her axe. “We do not want our supplies contaminated by some man child.”
“Oh sorry,” Ramaeka said confused. “Er, are you allergic to boys then?”
The blond glared at him; however the purple haired woman snorted in amusement, lowering her bow.
“Let him be Gelber, he’s just a boy,” she told her companion sliding the arrow back into the quiver slung across her back.
Turning to Ramaeka she looked him over. “Tell you what little boy; you can have some of the apples in exchange for one of your rabbits. Game is unusually hard to find in this forest.”
“Sure,” Ramaeka said cheerfully, it wasn’t as if he couldn’t find some more after all.
“But wait,” he frowned. “Won’t you get sick, if I’ve contaminated it?”
The woman laughed. “Nay we won’t get sick; our tribe just do not get along well with men.”
“Oh,” Ramaeka replied pulling off one of the rabbits. “That’s good then. But you’re not from this forest?”
“Nor even this world,” purple hair replied examining the rabbit. “We have travelled here to find the one they call Gasha.”
“Gasha,” Ramaeka scowled. “That evil son of a wavaki just massacred a city over that way.” He pointed back the way he had come.
“The General is going to fight him and his army over at another city more to the north I think.”
“Do you know where?”
Both women studied him intently now.
“No,” he said slowly. “I’m not really from around here myself, but my friends know where it is, I can take you back to where I left them if you want?”
“We would be grateful,” purple hair told him. “We too seek to battle him. He massacred his way through our world, killing some of our sisters and many of our Girdin,” she paused. “My name is Parrit and this is my sister warrior Gelber.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet two warriors such as your selves, especially if you mean to fight Gasha,” Ramaeka told them bowing. “My name is Ramaeka.”
Parrit grinned at him. “It’s nice to meet a male with a little respect. The men of our world would never refer to a woman as a warrior.”
“Well they’re not very smart then,” Ramaeka frowned. “I’ve never met two people who look more like warriors than you two.”
He yanked off his shirt, tying the arms and neck with string to make a sack for the apples. Parrit kindly helped him to fill while asking about the massacre at Porkae. The blonde glowered unnervingly at him as they worked causing him to fumble occasionally. He was relieved when they finished and he could finally lead them back towards where he had left his friends. As he emerged, Shady whacked him lightly across the back of the head.
“You’ve been gone for hours,” he said annoyed.
“We were getting worried,” Stripe said frowning at him.
“Sorry,” he replied sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. “I ran into these two warrior women in an apple grove. They want to know where to go to fight Gasha.”
Stripe and Shady both gawped as the two women followed him into the clearing. Ramaeka grinned as the two women glared at them.
“It is a pleasure to have two of the women warriors of Shapir at our camp,” Amar said formally, rising to bow slightly at them.
The women blinked in surprise at that.
“Thank you young one, it is nice to meet one with manners,” Parrit replied glancing coolly at the other two boys. Both quickly dropped their gazes blushing furiously.
“My apologies,” Stripe said recovering himself. “Any warrior who fights against Gasha is welcome.”
“Thank you,” Parrit replied walking into the glade and seating herself near Amar. Gelber seated herself across from her companion glowering at the rest of them, her axe resting on her knees.
“Ramaeka why don’t you give that rabbit to Shady to cook, I’m sure our guests will join us for a meal,” Amar said calmly.
Ramaeka handed the rabbit to Shady with a grin and went to find some water to clean up. By the time that he had come back, laden with some watercress that he had found by a small stream, Shady had a pot of rabbit stew bubbling over a fire and the women were telling the other boys their story.
“.. and he slaughtered many of our Girdin which was an inconvenience.”
“What are Girdin?” Ramaeka interrupted.
“Sorry,” he added hastily as Amar frowned at him.
Parrit shrugged.
“Our male stock so to speak.”
At Ramaeka’s confused expression she elaborated.
“Our people are all female; it is rare that we allow men into our sacred forest and halls. The Girdin live beyond our borders and in exchange for our protection they help us with the burden of breeding.”
“So wait,” Stripe said slowly. “You protect their borders and uh, they help you have kids?”
“Exactly.”
“But they don’t call you warriors?” Ramaeka asked trying to hide the unease he felt. This was completely different from what his father had planned with Alekra.
“Nay, they call us Langney,” Gelber said grimly. “That means she-demon or unnatural witch.”
“Never the less, they were under our protection and we failed them. That and the murder of several of our sisters spurred Gelber and I to take an oath to find and kill the miserable rat Gasha.”
“This is a grim undertaking,” Amar commented softly. “Especially as you have been drawn out of the sacred land.”
Ramaeka watched with interest as Gelber and Parrit exchanged startled looks.
“What does that mean?” he asked.
“It is unusual for an outsider to know of our ways.” Parrit looked intently at Amar for an explanation.
“I have travelled much in my time,” he said meeting her eyes fearlessly.
Uneasily she looked away.
“We are not permitted to leave our lands save once a year if we wish to breed. By doing so both Gelber and I have forsaken our vows to our people. It is unlikely that we will be allowed to return despite our council’s approval for our vengeance.”
“That’s tough,” Stripe said.
“It is the way of things,” she shrugged. “Ramaeka said you would be able to point out the direction in which Gasha was travelling?”
“Of course we will explain how to get there,” Amar was telling them.
“Thank you,” Parrit replied gratefully. “I am surprised though that the three of you are not headed into battle, having seen such atrocities in this city you left.”
“We can’t take Ramaeka into battle,” Stripe said staring at his hands glumly.
“Don’t make this about me,” Ramaeka interrupted firmly. “I wanted to fight and I still do.”
“You’re a bit young boy, even our younger warriors do not begin to fight until they are fourteen,” Gelber said eyeing him with interest.
“I am fourteen,” he replied fiercely. “And I don’t care; I want to protect my friends. And anyway if this man can’t be stopped then he’ll just end up taking
over and killing everyone anyway. Or at least making us slaves or something.”
“He has a point,” Amar interjected calmly. “Gasha has already ravaged several worlds. His army has become immense from warriors, willing or not, that have joined, that includes beasts and monsters of great evil who are willing to follow a strong master. The army at Jangor really has little hope against such forces, but if they fall then this world will as well.”
“You think we should let a fourteen year old go to war then?” Stripe said sarcastically. “How long do you think he’ll last against an army like that?”
“I am saying that at this point every man; woman and child should be given the choice. Stand and fight now or run and hope that those brave enough to fight will pull off a miracle,” Amar replied meeting Stripes glare steadily. “Ramaeka is much stronger than you seem to think. There are few fourteen year old boys that could endure what he has already endured.”
Stripe dropped his gaze, fists clenching.
“You wish to fight then?” Parrit asked Amar.
“I wish to help, but I will not leave Ramaeka either,” Amar replied glancing over at him.
Ramaeka met his gaze in surprise.
“Then you’ll fight if I do?” he asked unsurely. “You’re one of the most powerful people I’ve ever met and I don’t think I’ve seen even a part of your real power yet. The people at Jangor need you.”
“I know,” Amar replied uncomfortably, ducking his head. “I will not go without you though.”
Ramaeka rubbed a hand through his hair, this was hard. He knew that Amar was very powerful, that he could change the course of the war. He didn’t understand why he wouldn’t leave without him, Ramaeka. Stripe was right he was only a kid, and this was a lot of responsibility. Looking around at the faces of his friends, he knew what he needed to do.
“Stripe,” he said. His friend looked up at him, face haggard from worry.
“I want to fight, and I know that Amar will be a big help in the battle. But you’re my best friend and I won’t leave without you either.”
Stripe met his gaze intently before looking over at Shady who was glaring at the ground. Taking a deep breath he straightened, clearly having made up his mind.
“We fight then,” he said firmly. “Maybe we won’t make a difference but I won’t be ruled by someone like Gasha.”
He glanced over at Shady who looked back at him in frustration, before shrugging and going back to his cooking.
“That’s the spirit.” Parrit leant over and whacked Stripe on the back almost sending him to the ground. Ramaeka grinned in relief as his friend smiled weakly at the warrior woman, rubbing his back. Finally the decision was made and a weight seemed to lift off the camp, the light heartedness affecting even the two tough female warriors. The only person that remained gloomy was Shady who sat by himself. He ignored everybody, even Stripe when he tried to talk to him. Stripe finally sighed and walked over to join Ramaeka.
“Will he be ok?” Ramaeka asked his friend anxiously. “I didn’t mean to upset him.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Stripe replied scuffing up his hair and grinning as Ramaeka tried to smooth it back down, scowling at him. “I’m glad we made this choice, it didn’t feel right leaving.”
“Yeah,” Ramaeka sighed. “I just wish Shady felt that way.”
“He does,” Stripe said calmly. “Deep, deep and even deeper inside of him, he’s just scared.”
“Can’t blame him,” Ramaeka said. “There’s some scary stuff out there.”
“Like Amar,” Stripe replied with a grin. “He scares me a bit sometimes.”
“Me too,” Ramaeka grinned. “But I know that he’s good, probably more good than I am.”
“Definitely better than you,” Stripe agreed laughing. “He doesn’t steal fruit out of my bag when he thinks I’m not looking.”
Ramaeka grinned at him. “Oh no, I know that you’re watching, I just don’t care.” He laughed as Stripe spluttered. Despite the decision to head to war, things were beginning to look up.
Of course just as everything began to work out, things took a turn for the absolute worst. They set out on a north east route, on a shortcut that Amar knew, heading out of the ancient forest and into open land. Around midday just as they were discussing a short break, Shady gave a shout and ran back to the group, shadows sweeping over the land behind him. The six of them stopped, looking around wildly; there was no cover in the open fields around them. Parrit immediately armed her bow, while the others scrambled for weapons themselves.
With a growl, three immense stone coloured dragons swept to the ground, surrounding the small group.
Chapter Eight
Ramaeka ducked behind Stripe, hiding out of sight of the dragons. The other five stood back to back, trying to keep their weapons trained on the encircling dragons. This isn’t good Ramaeka thought desperately. They were up against three adult dragons; Shady and Amar were not armed with anything better than knives and slings. Peeking around his friends, Ramaeka looked the dragons over. Two of them were his siblings, the other a dragon he recognised from the fortress, and all three of them were Naight’s, the eighth level of draconian evolution. Really, really not good. There were only twelve stages that a dragon could attain, most only made the seventh level. Gelber, the tallest in their group, barely stood as high as the smallest dragon’s knee.
The largest of the three reared back on to his haunches.
“Well, well what do we have here?” he growled softly looking the group over. Ramaeka’s heart stuttered for a moment, they were talking not in draconian, but in human.
“They can talk?” whispered Gelber to Parrit who merely tightened her hold on her bow.
“Yes we understand your disgusting language little animal,” one of the smaller dragons said coldly, her tail flicking idly.
“We’re not the animals, you are,” Stripe yelled at her.
“I marvel at your witty rejoinder human,” sniggered the dragon.
The other dragon, the darkest in colour, moved restlessly, his tongue flicking out as he inched closer.
“Can we eat them or are we taking them back for Ramanae?” he asked eagerly, eyes hungrily sizing them up. The largest looked them over as well.
“We’ll take the females back; we can use them for breeding. One of the bigger ones each to eat and we’ll take the smaller one with us too,” he decided.
“You will not take either of us alive,” Parrit growled fiercely. Gelber bared her teeth at the largest dragon.
He laughed exposing his huge fangs, each the size of one of Gelber’s arms. “Excellent, we need some stock with a bit of spirit; my father will be most pleased with both of you.”
Ramaeka gulped; there was no way he could allow any of his friends to be taken back to his father. But the terror of what his friends would say if he transformed kept him frozen to the spot. Even if he did change he wasn’t strong enough to beat one Naight let alone three. He was only a Skaire, the first level of draconian evolution.
“Come now little friends, let’s make this easier on all of us,” the largest dragon said smiling toothily at them.
Out of the corner of his eye Ramaeka saw the female dragon pounce forward, trying to take advantage of their distraction. Parrit responded instantly aiming and shooting from her bow. It was a lucky shot hitting the dragon between two of her claws, a painful weak point. The dragon snarled with pain dropping back onto her haunches. The other two both jumped to the attack as well, the smaller dragon leaping at Amar and Gelber.
But Ramaeka had little time to pay attention as the largest lashed his tail out at Shady and Stripe. Shady dodged quickly to the side while Stripe leapt on top of the dragon’s tail. Ramaeka backed away quickly, tripping over in his haste to get out of the way. Stripe ran up the dragon’s body, stumbling as his opponent twisted frantically, snarling as he attempted to capture Stripe in his jaws. Shady took the opportunity to run in and slam two of his knives into the dragon’s side.
He hung on grimly as the large dragon roared in pain and twisted frantically.
Tearing his eyes away, Ramaeka turned to check on the other three. Amar, Gelber and Parrit were holding their own against the other two dragons which were circling them, looking for a weak point. While Gelber spat curses at the growling dragons, Amar spun a glittering web of magic around the three of them. It hovered around them protectively, sparking where the dragons touched it. The holes in the web were small enough that the dragons couldn’t break through but big enough that Parrit could easily shoot her arrows through them. Ramaeka couldn’t help but be impressed by the efficiency of Amar’s magic casting.
“This is too easy,” Gelber smirked making a rude sign with her hands at the dragons.
“Don’t say that,” murmured Parrit as she put another arrow to her bow. “Every time you say that something bad happens.”
Sure enough the female dragon took that moment to prove Parrit right. Leaning back she drove her tail into the ground and murmured in her own language. The smaller dragon fell back licking his lips in anticipation.
“What is it doing?” Gelber asked nervously.
“I don’t know but it can’t be good for us,” Parrit replied eyeing the dragons uneasily.
There was a crackling roar and suddenly the ground beneath them ripped open. The women fell back in surprise as sharp cones of rock burst through the earth. The protective web of magic faltered then disappeared as Amar was thrown backwards by the emerging rock. He quickly rolled to his feet.
