by Corin, G.
Relieved, Ramaeka relaxed slightly, letting out his breath with a soft rush. He could smell the good smell of roasting meat beginning to drift through the shaft behind him; hopefully it would overwhelm his own scent.
It was a long wait. Ramaeka thought wistfully of the magic displays and exhibitions of power that would be going on outside right now. His father would be creating living creatures out of rock and opening vast chasms in the mountain before their guest’s very eyes. His brothers and sisters would be exhibiting their great strength and size with displays of their fighting skills. He pushed the thoughts determinedly to the back of his mind, having the knowledge of the most important issues in Amaria would be worth the loss of entertainment.
Finally voices clamoured down the corridor into the hall. The members were approaching. Ramaeka wriggled in excitement, ignoring the slimy drip from the vent onto his head and arms.
Looking terribly strange in his lesser form, his father led the dragons into the hall, his long black robe sweeping imperiously across the floor. There were sixty-two members in all; they were soon seated along the length of the massive table centring the room. Ramanae sat at the head of the table with Isahn facing him from the other end. As the official guards of the Concave left the hall, closing the great doors behind them, Ramaeka peered eagerly down at the dragon said to be the only one that his father feared. The first thing that he noted rather jealously was that Isahn was tall, perhaps the tallest in the room. In contrast with Ramanae’s dark hair and pale skin, Isahn was white haired with a light brown skin. He had wide grey eyes and a kind open face. Ramaeka pulled his attention away from the dragon as his father stood up, as host he was officiating the meeting, and he immediately called for it to begin.
“What are the issues to be discussed?” he asked the older dragon to his left. The dragon stood and nodded to the other dragons.
“The issues to be discussed are as follows,” he announced.
Ramaeka listened with interest as he listed several laws under review, the guarding of the borders with the Wavaki, budgetary issues and several duels to be judged.
“Also Lord Isahn wishes to discuss a law to protect the sentient beings known as humans, making them illegal both to catch and consume.”
“What?!” Ramaeka jumped as Ramanae leaped out of his chair.
“That is preposterous,” he snarled. “There is no need whatsoever to protect humans; they are nothing more than a pest and a half decent meal.”
“Perhaps,” replied Isahn calmly in a deep, clear voice. He looked politely at the Speaker who nodded for him to continue. “However, they are growing everyday in intelligence and strength; they have also multiplied through many of the worlds that Rama created. What’s more we are more than able to support ourselves hunting in our own world.”
“So you believe we should fear them? Run like cowards and hide in our one small world.” Ramanae was so furious his hands were shaking. Several of the other dragons murmured in agreement with him.
“Nay, dragons run from no being,” Isahn replied easily. “But I believe they will grow into a great race one day, and shared knowledge on both sides would be beneficial. Indeed I have heard rumour that Rama himself has recently created four new humans with his own hands. It is said that each of these four males has magic to change existing humans into a new breed, a more powerful race.”
“Then we should hunt down these new humans, and dispose of them. Not all of us fear four puny humans Isahn,” snorted a thin sour looking dragon. Several dragons including Ramaeka’s father growled in agreement.
Ramaeka was surprised to see Isahn look amused rather than angry.
“And Rama? Do you fear the creator? Because he is fond of his new creations.”
Many of the dragons shifted uncomfortably. Ramaeka wasn’t surprised; he shivered just thinking of having to face the creator in battle.
“Bah,” his father snorted. “From all accounts Rama was tricked into a binding covenant to never interfere directly with humans unless there is dire need; I fear no being that can be tricked by a human.”
Isahn smiled, “Rama made the covenant in respect of the humans wishes, and while he may not interfere with humanity there is no such covenant protecting us from his wrath. I have no doubt that he could soon persuade you to fear him again Ramanae. Surely you must have some respect for him, after all you named every single one of your children after him, and yourself too.”
His father glared down at the calm dragon facing him. The older dragon to his left coughed subtly.
“If you would be so kind as to draft a proposal for the law Isahn, we will vote over the issue at the next Conclave.”
“Of course,” Isahn murmured.
The discussion turned to other more dull issues, leaving Ramaeka to muse on the debate. Humans had been eaten by his kind for years, since they were created pretty much. Their very name meant small food in ancient Amarian, but Ramaeka had never seen one face to face, or even seen one uncooked. He had not realised they were intelligent. He rather wished he could meet one to see if it was true.
Ramanae called for a refreshments break. Ramaeka glanced down at the dragons who were now milling around gossiping with each other. His father was talking to the thin, sour dragon, who Ramaeka recognised now as Valek, he was a magic element dragon like Ramanae. While all dragons were magically powerful those of the magic element were usually gifted in a particular area of specialised magic such as healing, locating and creating complex spells. Other dragons like Ramaeka as an earth type, had magical ability mainly only over their own element. Valek was supposedly talented in healing magic; however he had heard rumours that the dragon was more interested in poisons and toxins than in helping his fellow Amarians.
Glancing over at Isahn, the light element dragon was chatting away easily to a fire dragon and an ice dragon. As he watched Isahn casually glanced up, looking almost directly at him. Ramaeka tensed in fear as he scanned the wall, his gaze settling on the vent. Ramaeka met his clear grey eyes, his own widening in shock at his discovery. Isahn’s mouth curved up slightly and he winked slightly before turning his gaze back to the two dragons who were debating some point.
His heart beating rapidly Ramaeka slipped back further into the shaft. How had he known Ramaeka was there? He waited in terror for Isahn to announce his presence, for one of dragons to come and yank him out of the vent. After twenty minutes, he heard his father call the start of the meeting again, after another ten minutes with no announcement from Isahn, Ramaeka’s curiosity overcame his fear and, despite his apprehension, he slipped back up to entrance to watch the meeting.
By the end of the day Ramaeka was wet, smelly and well educated on laws around grain and hunting rights. He also knew the situation at the border better than most of the dragons guarding it. He desperately wished to get out of the vent and wash the smell off his skin and find something to eat and drink. So it was in relief that he watched his father call time on the meeting and the dragons rise. They would walk through the rock gardens in order to stretch their legs before the banquet dinner his father announced as he led the group out of the hall. As soon as the hall was clear, Ramaeka slipped out of the vent, taking care to replace the cover. He winced as he saw the marks his hands left on the drapery, however there was precious time to fix that and he slipped quickly across to the servers’ entrance. Putting his ear against the door, he was unable to hear any sound. He quietly opened it and peered out, no one was there. Slipping out he began to make his way down the passage.
“Hey,” called a voice behind him. Ramaeka froze, unable to turn around. Footsteps approached from behind him; hopefully the person wouldn’t recognise him. “Ramaeka?”
Rocks he thought and turned around plastering his most innocent look upon his face. Bakara was standing behind a curious look on his face.
“What on Amaria have you been doing?”
Grinning sheepishly Ramaeka wiped his hands on his short pants. Bakara glanced over his guilty face the
n rolled his eyes.
“Never mind I don’t want to know, go get cleaned up.”
Ramaeka nodded quickly and took off at a run. Ramanae’s entire family was to be present at the feast tonight, even him, so he needed to get cleaned up fast.
One hour later Ramaeka stood dressed in his finest, stiffest breeches and tunic, waiting impatiently to sit down. It had been a long day without food or water and he was starving. The guests were led into the hall by his father, who sat at the head of the main table. Each guest was led to a seat, which were interspersed amongst Ramanae’s family. Ramaeka was seated at the bottom table, where the more unfavourable were seated. Only the weakest members were ever seated at the bottom table. Ramanae stood watching as the guests were led to their seats, a malicious expression on his face as Isahn was led to the seat next to Ramaeka. Ramaeka was barely aware of the frowns and mutterings of the Empara dragons around the room, he was concentrating more on not fainting with embarrassment. And possibly hunger too. Why Isahn? What if he brought up the ventilation shaft?
He glanced up anxiously, Isahn smiled at him.
“I hope you don’t mind if I sit here?” he asked warmly.
“N-no Lord,” Ramaeka managed to stammer.
“Excellent,” Isahn looked up and gave Ramanae a wide cheerful grin.
Ramaeka watched in awe as his father glared at Isahn. He turned away without saying anything however and gave the signal to sit down and begin. Ramaeka sat down in relief and waited impatiently for Isahn to begin serving himself. Guests always went first. The white dragon picked up the first dish, serving himself, then passing it to Ramaeka with a smile. Relieved he dished himself up a huge quantity of the first course, mountain eel in a sweet garlic sauce, and began to eat with relish. Soft laughter caught his attention and he looked up to find Isahn watching him.
“Slow down,” the dragon told him not unkindly. “I believe we still have several courses to go.”
Sheepishly Ramaeka slowed down enough to chew three times before swallowing.
“Of course you must be half-starved, after such a long day,” Isahn grinned wickedly at him.
Ramaeka looked up at the dragon shyly, if he had wanted to the dragon could have had him in terrible trouble by now. Spying on the Conclave was illegal and severely punished with imprisonment or banishment to the wavaki borders.
“Thanks,” he said softly.
“Don’t worry about it youngling.”
The two of them applied themselves to their meals, sharing only polite conversation until the last course when the subject of humans came up at the next table over. Ramaeka watched as Isahn listened to the debate quietly.
“What does the word sentient mean sir?”
Isahn glanced down at him.
“It means that they are like us, they think things through and create new things. It also means that like us they can be destructive too.”
“I think I’d like to meet one,” Ramaeka said absently, then he flinched looking up at the dragon nervously.
“You’re very curious aren’t you?” Luckily Isahn seemed amused rather than angry.
“My father says too much,” he admitted, there was something sympathetic about Isahn that made you trust him completely. “But I like learning, there’s not really much to do up here except fight, patrol and do what you’re told. I think I would go crazy if I had nothing left to learn, and it’s a good idea to stay ahead of the rest if you’re small like me. I wish I could learn more magic and more about the worlds outside Amaria.”
Isahn watched him intently now, holding his eyes with his own, Ramaeka felt as if he was looking into his very mind.
“What magic have you learnt?”
“The basic stuff, the magic we need to survive like making fire and tracking and fighting magic. And some stuff I’m not supposed to know like how to change the colour of something and how open locks and how to turn a difficult baby at birth.”
Isahn blinked at that. Ramaeka felt himself blushing
“It was in one of the books I read.”
Isahn grinned. “Your name is Ramaeka isn’t it? Earth god in High Amarian. Well little earth god, you are rather intelligent for one of Ramanae’s brood.”
He leaned closer to Ramaeka.
“You may be interested to know that I have recently started a school for talented children. At the moment we have thirty students, most your age or a little older. If you ever need a place to stay, you will be most welcome there and you will be under my protection.”
“Thank you sir,” Ramaeka mumbled shyly.
“You are absolutely welcome Ramaeka,” Isahn nodded at him then stood as the other guests began to make their way out of the hall. Ramaeka watched him stride way in confusion, his mind racing with everything the dragon had said.
A hand fell onto his shoulder, glancing up he looked into the cold eyes of his father. “Did he say anything of importance to you boy?”
“No sir, we just talked about the weather and he asked me about what I had learned in magic and stuff,” Ramaeka tried to swallow the lump in his throat as his father tightened his hold on his shoulder.
“That better be all,” he growled ominously before turning and stalking away.
Ramaeka watched him leave, rubbing his shoulder, Isahn’s offer running through his mind.
Chapter Two
Ramaeka fidgeted as he stood in line with eleven of his brothers and sisters. It had been two weeks since the Conclave and his conversation with Isahn. His father had been in a foul mood since the meeting; on the few times that he had seen him he had merely shoved Ramaeka out of the way roughly. Today however he was personally teaching Ramaeka’s class’ flight combat lesson. The lessons were held on a wide clearing at the edge of a massive drop down into the swift river which flowed wild through the mountains. The clearing was large enough to hold thirty large dragons, an open space of dirty ice and slippery rock. His father crouched beside the regular training teacher, a huge stocky grey dragon by the name of Tannis. His name, which meant boulder, was extremely appropriate for the dragon, he was as solid as a rock and being hit by his claw was like having a mountain descend upon you.
Ramaeka tucked his wings closer to his body, trying to warm himself in the cold mountain air. Surely there must be somewhere in Amaria warmer than this he thought wistfully. His mind wandered to Isahn’s offer again as it often did, he wondered if it was warmer where the school was. His father prowled back and forth before twelve of the youngest dragons in the mountain hold. He stopped in front of one of the biggest.
“What are our most powerful weapons?”
“Our claws, our tails, our fangs and our magic, sir!” the dragonet responded rapidly.
Ramaeka winced and mentally shouted at his brother, you forgot wings you rockhead!
His father narrowed his eyes at the unfortunate dragonet in front of him.
“Is that it?”
The dragonet’s eyes widened as he mentally went over what he had said.
“Um.”
Ramaeka sighed internally; his siblings were rarely ever very bright though many had the same sly cunning as their father.
With a growl his father yanked his brother forward and grabbed his tail. He dragged him over to the edge of the cliff and dangled his son over the side by his tail.
“Does this bring anything to mind?” he asked coldly.
The dragonet squealed and squirmed in his father’s grip. Ramaeka idly wondered if his tail would stretch. Having a longer tail wouldn’t really be such a bad thing.
“Wings, wings!” the dragonet cried.
“Wings what?”
“Wings, Sir!” he yelled.
With a grunt the black dragon tossed him onto the ground by the other dragonets. Ramaeka snuck a quick look at his brothers tail, it didn’t look stretched he thought a little disappointed.
He pulled his attention back to his father who had begun speaking again.
“Those five weapons are the most important in a
dragons arsenal, never forget that,” he paused. “Today I want to see you use all five of these skills, pair up for a free fight.”
With a sinking feeling in his stomach Ramaeka glanced around. Free fights were bad news, there were no rules and serious injuries, even death were common results, though usually that was with the older dragons. He was the smallest in the group so he was always paired with the dragonet who wasn’t fast enough to grab a better partner. None of his siblings wanted to look weak in front of their parent by willingly pairing up with the smallest in the group. Unfortunately today the slowest dragonet was the one with the sore tail. He scowled at Ramaeka baring his long white fangs as he squared up in front of him, wings half spread.
“You may use any part of the terrain you wish, there are no rules. Except you will cease the moment I give the command. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir!” they all chanted.
As his father scanned the group shrewdly, Ramaeka hunched in on himself knowing what was about to happen.
“You two first,” his father commanded pointing a single claw at Ramaeka and his partner.
The other dragonets moved back creating a half circle around him and his opponent. He crouched low to the rock, spreading his wings and curling his tail slightly for balance. Through the rock he could faintly feel the shiver of power from the earth deep beneath him. Drawing strength from it he took a deep breath, clearing his mind and focusing on his opponent. His adversary was more than twice as large as he was; he was also a rock element which meant that he would be able to draw strength from the fortress behind them and the mountain below them. He was also furious from being humiliated earlier which would make him more vicious. On the plus side being a rock dragon, along with his bigger build, meant that he was less speedy. That and he was rather stupid and dull.
His father brought his tail down with a bang.
“Begin.”
Ramaeka leapt to the side as his brother bound at him, swinging his tail as he leapt. He narrowly missed his opponents shoulder and swiftly turned to face his brother again. With a roar the dragonet jumped forward sweeping out with his claws; Ramaeka feinted to the left then dodged to the right, biting deep into his brother’s ear. Bleh! That tastes absolutely terrible, he thought as his brother squealed in pain. His opponent whipped his tail around, luckily missing him with the sharp serrated tip, but whacked him hard enough across the head to stun him, seizing the opportunity his brother hit him hard with a head butt.