by Corin, G.
"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.
"Agreed,” Stripe slapped him on the shoulder, his eyes already gleaming fiercely with the thought of the coming battle. Parrit handed over a flask of water and some food.
"Eat and drink only a little, you do not wish to be weighed down in the fight but you will need the energy.”
Ramaeka and the others waited patiently as Stripe ate and drank before he began to warm up. As the hour drew to a close he visited the privy and then joined them on the top of the guard tower. The others wished him luck before stepping below to give Ramaeka room to change. Drum beats signalled the end of the hour. Ramaeka suddenly found it hard to swallow.
"Are you scared?” he whispered.
"Terrified,” Stripe replied softly
. "I can do this though. Trust me.”
Ramaeka nodded. He slid into his greater form and let Stripe clamber on his back.
"Hold on,” he warned and launched himself over the edge.
Chapter Thirteen
As they glided down, Ramaeka kept a sharp eye on the Warlord. If his temper was as bad as Stripe had implied then there was a very real possibility that seeing Ramaeka would cause him to attack. After all it wasn't every day somebody stole the most precious treasure of a feared Warlord.
However, despite some ominous stirring and a few growls from amongst the horde, Gasha made no sign that he was interested in attacking though his eyes followed Ramaeka intently.
Ramaeka back winged neatly, landing so that Stripe would have the walls of the city at his back rather than the horde. Growls rumbled unbidden in his chest as Gasha smiled coldly pointing a long elegant finger at him.
"I won't forget about you thief.”
Stripe slid off his back as Ramaeka pushed down his urge to fight and tear this human apart. At his friends warning look he backed away, baring his fangs disdainfully with a soft snarl. When they had stolen the sword he had kept his eyes averted to avoid Gasha’s wrath now, up close again, he could finally take a good look at this human who had caused so much pain and suffering to others.
The man was tall and imposing, cold grey eyes peered arrogantly down an arched nose. A dark trim beard framed a small cruel mouth. He was also seething with magic Ramaeka realised, and from the different colours that swirled within him, not all of the magic was his own. He fought down a shudder.
"He goes unharmed until we finish our business together,” Stripe said sternly.
"Of course,” Gasha gave him a mocking bow.
"Now if your friend would back off, perhaps we could begin some time today?”
Stripe ignored the jibe and leant his forehead against Ramaeka's cheek, probably knowing that he was angering Gasha with his casual dismissal Ramaeka thought darkly amused. He leaned into his friend slightly though he kept his eyes firmly on the human and his distant horde.
"If this doesn't work out, I know you won't run so I want you to do something for me,” Stripe murmured. "Finish him off before the horde gets here. If you cut off the head of the serpent, its body might wriggle for a while but it’s powerless. The city will have a chance that way.”
Ramaeka nodded imperceptibly. If there was nothing else he could do then he would see his friend's plan through to the end.
As Stripe stepped forward towards Gasha, Ramaeka eyed the horde. He could see several knights and soldiers in the front ranks attempting to subtly hide crossbows and longbows, just waiting for him to take flight. In order to gain height to get back over the wall he would have to angle out towards them slightly, and they knew it. Each was probably hoping to be the one to bring him down thinking it would put them in Gasha's favour.
Ha! Well good luck to them he thought scornfully, backing up to the wall on the left of the sealed gate. He wasn't going to be caught out so easily, let them think he was backing up to gain momentum.
With one last look at Stripe, Gasha and the twitchy horde, he turned and easily scrabbled up the wall, climbing it as easily as he had scaled the walls of Talok.
Leaping from the top of the wall, he glided down to the base of the stairs where he could change form away from prying eyes. As soon as he had changed he turned and charged back up the steps.
"Did I miss anything?” he panted, pausing at the General's command post.
"Just the disappointed expressions on the enemy’s faces when they realized you weren't going to fly,” one of the soldiers reassured him with a grin.
Ramaeka waved his thanks and ran back to the guard tower, half collapsing against Amar as he peered over to see what was happening. Both Stripe and Gasha still stood facing each other, they hadn't begun to fight yet to his relief. He accepted gratefully the flask of water Tam handed over as Amar filled him in.
"So far they have merely insulted each other and each other’s parentage. I believe Stripe may have won that skirmish though I will not repeat what he said to do so,” Amar told him still holding him steady. Ramaeka grinned as Tam laughed. Travelling with Stripe and Shady had definitely exposed him to some creative cursing; he could well believe Stripe had won such a fight.
"Aye a strong imagination on that un,” Tam agreed. "Shoulda seen their faces when ya climbed yon wall, was like they'd just bin told ta eat dirt.”
"They should have realised I wasn't that stupid,” he retorted wickedly. Amar hushed them, and Ramaeka turned his full attention back to the duo below.
Stripe was yawning at something a red faced Gasha had said.
"That's all very nice,” he drawled. "But I thought we were here to fight, not compliment each other. Why don't you stop standing there trying to look pretty and we'll get down to business.”
"I was attempting to allow you a few more moments of life, but if you insist,” Gasha snarled obviously trying to hold on to his temper. He stalked forward drawing a sword from his belt, its blade black as night, reminding Ramaeka of the vision Zanir had shown him. Stripe drew his own blade still smiling brightly.
"Promises,” he said striding forward to meet Gasha
They met with a shuddering clang of metal on metal Gasha used his height advantage to press down on Stripe, forcing him back a few steps before he broke away whipping his bade down towards Gasha's right. The Warlord caught his blade quickly, sliding his own down along Stripe's towards his chest. Stripe fell back, sweeping out with his foot while bringing his blade up to meet Gasha's. Gasha stumbled back a few paces breathing hard. Both were beginning to sweat in the midmorning sun.
“Stripe is holding his own well,” Amar murmured beside Ramaeka. Ramaeka felt rather than saw Tam nod in agreement. Personally he couldn’t really tell. Why couldn’t humans just fight like sensible creatures, with the claws and teeth Rama above had given them? Or well the Amar beside him. This whole oversized knife obsession was driving him to insanity.
Down below Gasha had begun to talk again as the two of them slowly circled each other.
“I’m impressed,” Gasha said watching Stripe for any sign of weakness. “You’ve actually learnt something since I last saw you.”
Stripe smiled coldly. “What can I say, with a sword like this,” he moved the sword slightly, catching the light. “It’s hard not to be good.”
Gasha’s eyes flickered down at the subtle movement and Stripe took the opportunity to lunge in lightening fast. Ramaeka was impressed despite himself by how fast Gasha recovered himself, yanking sideways so that Stripe’s sword sliced across his chest rather than into it. With a furious yell the Warlord swept out a foot, hooking it around one of Stripe’s legs and yanking.
Stripe rolled to his knees as soon as he hit the ground, barely avoiding Gasha’s black blade. He was forced to shuffle awkwardly backwards and parry on his knees as Gasha brought the sword down over and over in a black rage.
“You stupid, flea-bitten mongrel,” he snarled eyes wide with fury as he drove Stripe back, spittle flying from his mouth. Stripe scrabbled in the dirt, throwing a handful of dirt into Gasha’s face causing him to stumble backwards. Ramaeka sighed in relief as Stripe regained his feet, though unfortunately he wasn’t fast enough to take advantage of Gasha’s discomfort.
They both stepped back again desperately trying to catch their breath, both sweaty and dishevelled. Stripe was reasonably unscathed save for a few minor scrapes and bruises as far as Ramaeka could see while Gasha’s chest bled sluggishly. Maybe Stripe could do this he thought gleefully. If he could hold Gasha off for long enough for the loss of blood to catch up that is. To his surprise however the Warlord was smiling as he caught his breath, face covered in dirt.
“So you like playing in the dirt? Well allow me to extend your playtime.” Smearing his own blood down the black blade he pointed it at the ground in front of them muttering so softly even Ramaeka couldn’t make out exactly what he was sayi
ng.
“Here we go,” Amar murmured. “This is when the battle will become truly interesting.”
“What’s he doing?” Ramaeka demanded unable to take his eyes away as the ground began to shift down below.
“Magic,” Tam said disgusted. He spat contemptuously over the side of the wall.
Ramaeka gasped as three figures burst out of the ground, pulling and ripping limbs free as they climbed out. All three stood over a head taller than Stripe; their stone bodies carved in intricate detail, Ramaeka could even make out the creases and folds of clothing. Their faces on the other hand were completely blank Ramaeka saw as they turned to look at their master.
“Is this cheating?” he asked Amar softly. “He’s using other creatures.”
“I do not believe so; they are merely physical representations of his power. As I told you he is rather skilled when it comes to magic.”
“He doesn’t use it like us though; he has to use words and chants.”
Amar smiled quickly at him. “He did not have such a good teacher.”
Ramaeka snorted in amusement before focusing back on Stripe.
Gasha was laughing cruelly. “Let’s see what you can do against my mud monsters Stripe-dog.”
Stripe slowly sheathed his sword to Ramaeka’s surprise, looking around he realised everybody else was confused by the move as well. Gasha frowned and waved the monsters forward. Stripe crouched slightly, grey eyes steady as he watched the mud monsters. He brought both of his hands up to chest level, palms to the sky.
“What’s ‘e doin?” Tam asked confused.
“I don’t know,” Ramaeka muttered. Amar shook his head as well.
“Perhaps he is creating an energy blast as I once taught you.”
Stripe’s palms began to glow; Ramaeka guessed that Amar was right, though there was something strange about the way that Stripe had balanced himself. And surely he knew one blast would not be enough to destroy all three, it was too slow to gather more than once. If there was one thing that Stripe was good at it was planning and strategy so it just didn’t make sense.
However instead of forming the energy into a ball to throw, Stripe slowly closed his hands, still glowing with energy, into fists. The first of the mud monsters put on a burst of speed and slammed a huge fist down at Stripe who dodged. Its fist hit the ground with a resounding boom, creating a dent and sending up a thick cloud of dust.
