by Corin, G.
"Sorry,” he yelled grinning wildly.
Continuing to fly as fast as he could, Ramaeka noticed two more flying creatures approaching out of the corner of his eye, one was a flying lizard, the other was covered in spiky feathers. He felt a shiver of magic on his back and grinned, it felt like Amar had just glued himself on.
“Close your eyes,” Ramaeka called. Closing his eyes he used a light spell he remembered from battle training. He banked abruptly as the brilliant light flashed in his opponent’s eyes, blinding them momentarily. With a squawk and a growl they collided mid-air and spun away to the hard earth. As he opened his eyes again a clap of thunder boomed out and another flying lizard monster went sailing past, its wings burnt to a crisp.
“Rocks,” he said in surprise, swerving away. Amar laughed behind him.
“I will protect your back,” he called.
Ramaeka laughed. “Well what are we waiting for then.”
They were now close enough to the city that Ramaeka could make out the soldiers and archers on the wall. It was now almost completely night, the last dim shreds of day falling away before the darkness. Torches began to blaze throughout the fortress. As Ramaeka observed the humans below loaded items into a strange looking contraption, like a giant spoon. Standing back one of them hit a lever releasing the spoon which leaped up hurling its contents towards the enemy. Cocking his head around he tracked the object as it hit the horde below, exploding on contact in an immense fiery explosion which consumed those unlucky enough to be close to it.
"Ramaeka,” Amar yelled bringing his attention back around. Another flying lizard had caught up to him and was grabbing at Amar who turned it into charcoal. Looking back beyond that Ramaeka's heart clenched in fear as a wave of darkness seemed to rise into the air. Gasha had mobilized his entire flying contingent to capture them and the sword.
"We need to get to the city,” Amar shouted over the wind.
"Really? I didn't realize,” he yelled back sarcastically grunting with effort. He could feel the weight of Amar's glare on the back of his head and rolled his eyes.
"Hold on.” He pushed himself harder than he had ever flown before.
"Dragon boy,” a voice murmured right by his ear. Thowra was easily keeping pace with him.
"The gate will fall soon,” he swirled away for a moment before reappearing on his other side.
"The creatures have almost broken through. If it falls, so does the city.”
"I've got my own problems at the moment,” he managed to gasp, his lungs burning. How could he be expected to do more than he was already?
"Leave that to me and my brethren,” Thowra grinned fiercely.
"But what can I do?” he desperately tried not to whine, he would not whine. Thowra gave him a friendly buffet.
"Look to your element,” he said. "If they can’t get to the gates they can't break through.”
With that the element whipped around and headed back towards Gasha's flyers.
"You heard?” he called back to Amar.
"Yes and it is even more insanity than raiding Gasha's camp"
"Just more of the same then,” he panted. With a growl he angled his wings, curving down towards the gates, he had to trust Thowra to take care of the enemy at his back. In front of the immense iron gates four huge trolls were ramming diligently with a black battering ram, its end shaped like the head of a dromon, a terrifying monster of the sea.
"Brace yourself,” he called to Amar as they hurtled downwards. He felt Amar change his hold, bracing himself for impact and took a deep breath calling up his faithful fire spell. They took the trolls completely by surprise slamming into them in a fiery collision. As the trolls and those unfortunate enough to be near them screamed in pain, Ramaeka slid across the ground in front of the gates. Before the pain from the impact could set in he reached down and wrenched the earth power he could feel beneath him. He had never done anything like this before in the barren rock of his home and only the once since leaving, the day his siblings had attacked. Never had he felt such overwhelming power, the immensity of it scared him. Dimly he felt Amar's presence on his back, his energy so similar to the flood drowning Ramaeka. Fiercely he fought to control it, pressing at it with his will, forcing it to channel through him. The earth drew up the rock for him, crushing it against the door; he used the heat of the deep parts of the earth to smooth his barrier down. Impenetrable, he burned into it, unmovable.
And then Amar grabbed his mind yanking him back to the surface.
"You fool,” his friend yelled pulling at one of his wings. Ramaeka turned to look at him, the movement taking more effort than it should have. He was glaring at him, his eyes sparking red and yellow. He's afraid Ramaeka realised in surprise.
"You were not ready for such a thing,” Amar said hands shaking as he clutched at Ramaeka's wing. "You should not have been able to do such a thing.”
Ramaeka looked at the gate, or rather where it had been. Now it was a thick solid wall of black rock so smooth not even a cave bug could find a foothold to climb it. I did that? He thought dizzily.
"We need to get over the wall,” Amar said his voice still tight. Ramaeka nodded in agreement, the soldiers and creatures around them were beginning to recover and advance on them. One of the trolls groaned and rolled over. Ramaeka winced as he pulled back on his haunches, both of his wings felt like they had caught fire. His left side where he had slid along the ground was a mess from numerous cuts and bruises.
"I don't know if I can fly,” he admitted softly to Amar, it was hard to breathe; he thought he may have broken a few ribs. Even if he had wanted to he couldn't reach the earth’s power, it felt miles away.
"Yes you can,” Amar placed his hands palm down on Ramaeka's head. For the second time in minutes strange energy flooded through him though Amar pulled away before he could become overwhelmed again. His ribs popped painfully then eased, the pain from his side dulled to a light throb. He felt rested and wide awake though his magic was still a shadow of itself. He bound into the air with a whoop from under the very snouts of the trolls, flicking one with the sharp end of his tail. He beat his wings to gain height before hitting a beautiful thermal and circling upwards. Drifting on the wind for a moment he peered through the rain to see where Thowra and his brothers were. The wind Element appeared to be enjoying himself; he had called up cones of wind and had sent them spinning through the enemy. The flying creatures were sucked in and thrown about before being tossed out to crash into each other or to tumble awkwardly to the ground.
Those who escaped Thowra met his brothers who were apparently storm Elements. They paced the sky pitching shards of lightening and chunks of hail while rain roared down on those below, pounding them to the ground. Thunder shook the air. Ramaeka turned tail and fled towards the city, while he trusted Thowra, he did not want the Element’s brothers to mistake him for the enemy.
As they glided down he saw the archers on the wall point up at him, raising their bows.
"Uh oh,” he muttered before dodging the first two, the third grazed his shoulder before Amar waved a hand and made the rest swerve away.
"There,” he called over the roar of battle and storm. With dragon sharp eyes Ramaeka picked up the figure of the General from where Amar pointed. Taking a chance he dived, racing past cursing men on the wall. He banked a few meters above the ground, landing, to his embarrassment, in a rather ungainly heap. The General strode towards them sword drawn, his face black with anger.
"Hold General,” Amar quickly slid off Ramaeka's back holding his hands up to show the General that he meant no harm. The General halted in surprise, his eyes sliding between Amar's sodden figure and Ramaeka still lying in a heap on the ground.
"What in Rama's name...?" he began still holding his sword at the ready. Amar stepped up to him talking quietly but rapidly. Ramaeka ignored them for the moment searching the faces around them for their former companions. He didn't recognise anyone to his disappointment and with a sigh he turned to chec
k his wounds. They were faded as if they had been healing for several days already; he also had far too much energy considering how low his magic was.
"It will not last.” Amar was standing beside him again. Behind him Ramaeka could see the General talking with several of his soldiers most of whom were eyeing him suspiciously. Join the line he thought wearily. He turned his attention back to his friend.
"I'm not sure I want it,” he admitted. "It feels strange.”
Amar smiled crookedly. “You will need it for the coming battle. As long as you do not do anything ridiculous it should last for a while, do not ask for more as I have none.”
Ramaeka looked at him worried. "You're out of magic? Is that safe?"
He sighed and rested his forehead against Ramaeka's neck. "It is complicated,” he mumbled. "And there is nothing safe about any of this.”
"You keep saying things like that,” Ramaeka suddenly felt annoyed. "Do you not trust me or don’t you think I would understand?”
After everything that they had been through since they had met surely he deserved some kind of an explanation.
Amar looked at him sideways for a long moment then slid a hand affectionately over his neck ridges.
"I only have limited power, not just because of the covenant or because my power is tied up with my creations, though that is part of it. This is not my real body.”
Ramaeka blinked at him, wondering if his ears were full of moss.
"I'm sorry?"
His friend grinned mischievously looking like a child of Ramaeka's age suddenly.
"I have guardians who watch over me, as I said I am still young. I thought it would be a good idea at the time, I do not remember my family and I thought it would be nice. Unfortunately the people who were appointed to watch over me and keep me safe were not interested in being my family or even friends; they just wish to control me. So I had to find a way to sneak out."
"You snuck out?” Ramaeka stared at him. It actually sounded a lot like his own home.
"Not exactly. Have you heard of a simulacrum?”
Ramaeka shook his head fascinated.
"Well in the simplest terms, I created a copy of my body and placed a measure of my power within it. I then linked it to my consciousness and well,” he pointed at himself awkwardly.
"Unfortunately I could only put so much power in without alerting my guardians, if I take anymore my shackles will alert them.”
He fell silent, letting Ramaeka chew it over in his head. He wondered what the penalties would be for Amar breaking the covenant; could he even do such a thing with those beautiful, horrible shackles on?
"So you're two people right now?” he asked curiously. "What’s the other you doing? Do you know?”
"Drinking tea and reading a book on healing herbs,” Amar replied promptly. "They like me to try and see things from a human point of view.” He smiled and added. "I am very bored.”
Ramaeka snorted then nudged him. The General was approaching and he wasn't sure whether he knew who Amar was or not. Best to keep quiet just in case.
The General nodded at Ramaeka.
"Good to have you on our side youngling. Though it would have suited me better had you been a little larger.”
"It would have suited me too,” Ramaeka opened his jaw in a dragon smile ignoring the pale faces of the guards behind the General.
"He done as good as any o' the bigguns at the gate,” commented a ratty looking soldier with red hair. He saluted Ramaeka casually. "Won't be gettin in any time soon.”
"Won't be gettin out neither,” another soldier put in dryly.
"Sorry, I lost control a bit,” he admitted sheepishly.
"Ignore 'im,” the first soldier told him with a friendly grin. "Ye did a fine job.”
"We will be talking about control in the near future,” Amar said sternly. As Ramaeka turned to give him his most woebegone look he relented with a smile, reaching up to scratch him behind an ear to his pleasure.
"I will say this, you are full of surprises."
Turning he looked at the General. "Where would you like us sir?"
The General glanced up at the storm ridden sky.
"With the strange weather we're having I doubt Gasha will be attacking anytime soon. At least not in force until his reinforcements arrive.” He switched his attention back to them. "If you could head towards the north east of the city? There have been reports of a few monsters breaching the eagle ridge. You'll find the lad you're after in that direction too,” he smiled grimly as Ramaeka lit up at the hint of Stripe. "He's been fair useful too, very talented for his age and training or lack of. We'll call from the wall if we need you back.”
With that he strode away followed by the other soldiers except for the friendly one.
"Reckon I'll go with ye; make sure our boys n girls know yer friendly.”
Amar nodded. "That would be appreciated thank you.”
He waved off their thanks and led them east through the city. As they ran along the cobbled streets Ramaeka couldn't help but admire the city. Like his home it was carved into a sheer mountain range but unlike the grim bleakness of his father's fortress it was obviously normally a beautiful place. Statues and gardens centred every street; the houses were all built with the beautiful pink native rock. All of the streets were well illuminated by crystal lamps which Ramaeka was impressed by.
Along the way several soldiers attempted to stop Ramaeka but each time their soldier guide glared and sent them away with barked orders. Ramaeka formed the idea that he was highly ranked in the General's army. They met no one other than soldiers as they went, their guide explaining that the citizens that couldn't fight were hidden in the caves where they cooked and looked after the injured. The city itself was only accessible from the south, the rest was encased in the mountains or ridges as their new friend informed them
"They's each named after some beastie" he explained in his thick drawl. "Me name's Tameri by the by, Tam for shorten’n.”
"I'm Ramaeka and this is Amar,” Ramaeka supplied keeping a wary eye on the houses ahead.
"Ra and Mar it is,” he grinned cheekily, blue eyes dancing. Abruptly he stopped holding up his sword. The air in front of them twisted and Thowra's face solidified in the whirlwind.
He was smirking at the fright he had given them. "I don't believe your enemy will be attacking again tonight.”
"Thowra!” Ramaeka sat on his haunches baring his fangs happily. 'You saved my hide up there.”
Thowra just laughed. "That was the most fun I've had in years.” He floated upside down over top of Ramaeka. "We'll have to go now though, there's a big storm to brew a few worlds over that we're behind schedule on.”
"We understand,” Amar reassured him. “We are grateful for all you have done.”
Thowra shrugged and melted back into the air again. The wind whipped away through the city whistling cheerfully across the buildings.
"Strange friends ye got,” Tam commented eyes wide. "Though t'would be nice iffen he coulda stayed 'n helped.”
"He is an Elementai,” Amar told him. "It is rare for them to involve themselves at all, and while Thowra is a good sort his being here will attract others. Many of them would make trouble just for the sake of it. Trust me you do not want mischief or death here.”
Tam shuddered in response though Ramaeka wasn't so sure, it all sounded rather interesting to him. Before he could say so screams reached his ears. He bound forward, racing three blocks and sliding around the corner. He immediately ran straight into trouble, literally. He slammed into something big and fuzzy with far too many limbs. Fearsome fangs clacked above his left ear as they tumbled over in a heap. He yanked himself free, scrambling backwards as the creature rolled on its back, its many legs waving wildly in the air. As he retreated he stumbled against something. Glancing down he went cold as he realized it was a woman her face swollen and purple, eyes bulging. Horrified he leapt away crouching low to the ground, his skin tingling with fear. Behind him Tam
swore as he rounded the corner but Ramaeka kept his eyes on the creature as it found its feet and faced them. At first he thought it was a giant spider, bigger than he was but when it turned he realized it had the head of a boar, its tusks dripping in poison. It squealed furiously at them blinking multiple red eyes. Answering squeals echoed from above them. Three more of the monsters were hanging victims in webs they had created between the buildings. Now they spun down on threads of liquid web. Tam swept past Ramaeka notching a bolt in his crossbow. He aimed at the spider-boar on the ground, sending the bolt through one of its eyes. Dropping the crossbow he drew his sword as the thing threw itself forward dodging and hacking at its legs. The blood and gore from its eye splattered over one of Ramaeka's claws making him retch in disgust.
Amar ran over to the nearest building, magic glowing faintly in his hands. Gulping Ramaeka forced himself up; he couldn't stay crouched like a baby when his friends were fighting. He hated spiders though and these things were a hideous mismatch of creatures. With a snarl he pulled his claws free from where they had sunk into the cobbled street. Grabbing the stones that he had yanked free he hurled them at the closest beast. It screeched as one left a gash on its bloated, hairy body and launched itself at him. Snarling and spitting he slid out of the way. The spider-boar reared back and shot a translucent string of vile web at him; he dodged and heard the wet thump as it hit the building behind him. He ran forward and rammed his head into its bulging stomach, driving it backwards and over, too winded to even squeal. Ignoring its struggles and venomous tusks, he slid his claws into its throat and bracing himself with his tail, ripped its head from its body. As he dropped the head with a squelch something hit him from behind slamming his head into the ground. Struggling dizzily to get up he felt wet strands of web slap his ribs sticking him to the ground. The pressure on his back suddenly disappeared and he struggled to stand, pulling at the sticky web.
"Easy mate.”
Tam was at his side hacking at the web. As the last one fell free Ramaeka pulled himself up and looked around. Amar stood beside the blackened husk of the spider he had fought looking tired but whole to Ramaeka's relief. Tam slapped his side affectionately; he had only a few minor scratches and looked rather pleased with himself. Beyond him, hacking the head off the last spider was Stripe. Eight other men watched respectfully at a distance, weapons in hand. As the head fell free Stripe stepped back and turned to them panting.
