Blood Bride (Aarabassa World) (11 page)

Lady Vatara felt truly pleased with herself after meeting with her commanding leaders.  Their eagerness in supporting her to become the overall leader of the vamplin race was a boost to her ego. Nothing could possibly stop her. Indeed the Emperor himself had assured her that he would assist her in gaining the power that she sought. 

Sipping from a chilled glass of the Great Bear’s blood, she curled up her lips.

‘I must arrange to have a session of feeding direct from one of those wretched bears. Some warm fresh blood would give me the strength I need just now.’

‘Yes, my Lady,’ Commander Sherat replied, pampering to her every whim whilst he spied for the Emperor. It would not do to have her supporting her brother. So far, she was playing the role of puppet perfectly.

A loud booming thud caused the walls of the ichale to vibrate and the ground trembled.  Lady Vatara looked expectantly at the Commander, waiting for him to dash outside with urgency.  He, in his turn, looked at the Lady and decided to act in the role of subservience, for now.

‘That, my Lady, will be the gharang arriving. The Emperor begins to merge his armies.'

‘Has the Emperor gone mad!’ she cried alarmed. ‘Those creatures are our enemies. They cannot camp with us. You must get them to leave or our people will arm themselves for battle.’  Forcing her way past him, she charged through the exit to see for herself as the huge flying reptiles landed on her doorstep.

The gharang dwell in the ocean and come upon the lands only to feed. Lady Vatara looked upon the giant reptile. He, in his turn, looked down at her with glinting ruby red eyes and a snarl to his sinister smile. Here stood bitter enemies. The gharang would think nothing of tearing a vamplin apart for its next meal. Yet all was eerily silent. The vamplin males had not armed themselves in protection. The solitary gharang had landed in the middle of the camp, a high risk for one of his kind to go alone amongst his enemy. 

‘What are you doing invading my camp gharang?’ she yelled at the monster, unsettled that her people remained so calm. ‘You are not welcome here. Take your stinking carcass and flee, while you still can.’

‘Silence vamplin,’ his deep voice gurgled. ‘I am sent here by the Emperor. My kind have no longing to be here amongst our fodder. We are to settle next to the female vamplin leader. The Emperor commands this.’

He gave her no opportunity to reply. Taking flight, he joined others high in the air where they had been silently circling the camp below. They bellowed shrieking calls to each other and flew to the distant edges of the vamplin camp. The silently gathered vamplins, who had watched with dismay, slowly returned to their tasks accepting all that was transpiring.

‘How can this be Commander Sherat’? Lady Vatara was not impressed with this plan, even if it was the command of the Emperor.

She marched towards her ichale, determination shining in her eyes.

‘Surely the Emperor knows we cannot abide these creatures?’

The Emperor knows all Lady Vatara
a monshaad Lord spoke in her mind as he slowly materialised above her head. 

‘Where is your Emperor?’ she yelled to the yellowed stinking haze hovering above her.

Nay Lady, he is OUR Emperor, yours and mine. He is the Ruler of all.

‘My brother will not fall for this you fools. He will never forgive me if I allow the vamplins to fight alongside the gharang.’

It is not for Lord Fiendrac to decide who will be in the Emperor’s army my Lady. Do not concern yourself with the thoughts or actions your brother may take.

‘My Lady,’ Commander Sherat interrupted the communication. ‘These are powerful creatures to have on our side. You will have a strong army to lead.’

‘What!’ shrieking at the top of her voice she turned to her leading commander. ‘How can we be sure they won’t turn around and kill us?’

The Emperor will vouch for your safety in this matter my Lady,
the monshaad Lord assured her.

Your Commander speaks the truth in this. All manner of creatures will be gathering at the borders.  Show your strength, if you are to lead them, Lady Vatara.

‘Tell the Emperor that Lady Vatara awaits only his command and she will lead his armies to the Light Side. There we will defeat every creature that is the Emperor’s enemy,’ she shouted.

The monshaad bowed his shadowed head and faded away, leaving behind an obnoxious aroma of foul smelling gasses.

‘Commander Sherat we must gather our leaders. It is time to move on with our planned strategies. The Wall will soon be destroyed and we must be ready. We will make our race strong on the sweet blood of humans. I have a plan to assist us in our efforts so we can adjust to the brightness of this sun on the other side. Come, I wish to discuss the Changeling.’

Commander Sherat followed her as she addressed him. At last, she was playing the game again. He knew the plan well, it only needed deploying and all would be as his Emperor had ordered. The Changeling must now be captured.

I
t was a fine moonwake for a dragon to be soaring through the light blue skies overlooking the mid-mountains of Ginnung. Or, it would have been if one was alone, but this little turquoise dragon was doing his utmost to fly upside down, inside out and every which way he could possibly twist his reptilian body.

His mission, to shake off the human that clung to his back laughing and yelling as the dragon failed to rid himself of this leach. The dragon swirled himself upright and dived with all his might towards a dark bottomless crevice wedged between two tall black towers of granite. He soared passed the sharp cutting tops in his attempt to stamp fear into his passenger’s heart. Even the bright sun could find no way of entering this dark crevice. They penetrated a dark abyss, a sharp chill cut through the air where the shadows could find no warmth. The mouth gaped open as the tiny spec of a dragon and his fare plummeted into its obscure depths.

The human did indeed tremble for a moment, as the speed of flight took him spiraling downwards so fast that the skin on his cheeks quivered with the force. He closed his mind to what he could see and entered into a deep concentration of meditation, as he had been taught. Hovering slightly above the dragons body, he followed every twist and turn that the dragon attempted in his fury to rid himself of this human parasite. Abruptly the dragon swiftly turned around returning to the sunlight above. Soft human skin and shiny dragon scales collided as the human jostled upwards then settled back down upon the dragon’s body. Finally, the dragon gave up and landed with a thump that must surely have been uncomfortable, for his human passenger anyway.

‘I told you I was ready,’ shouted a young male voice. ‘I told you, I told you,’ the voice yelled repeating the words in the dragon’s ears.

‘Well, young Master, you have proved me wrong and I must congratulate you in being so attentive in your lessons,’ the dragon praised the boy. He then Changed back into his human form.

‘I believed you to be inattentive when all along you were absorbing my teachings. You have learned well, how to use your will of balance. Well done Raphael.’

‘This calls for celebration Saurlton. Can we practice the force of movement? I am sure I have almost mastered this,’ the boy’s eagerness made the old man smile.

‘I tried this whilst you were gone and I moved a small rock across a table. If I can succeed at this then I can protect myself from almost anything and surely return to my kin.’

As they walked together, the Ancient Mage proudly placed his arm across the young man’s shoulders.  His free arm grappled with his staff that gave him balance as he hobbled on the uneven rocky ground. 

‘Raphael, we have spoken of this many times. You cannot yet return to your folk and this will remain the way of things for a time yet.  They cannot know that you live. This will inform the world that you are in training and I don’t wish the Emperor to know our true strengths.’

Changes are to come and you are the one to be my apprentice. I am weakening in my age and one as young as you will protect the creatures of the Lightlands from the evil that is upon our doorstep’

Raphael was silent. He stooped as he limped next to the mage. The news of his Father’s death had saddened him, causing him to miss his brothers dearly. Since becoming Saurlton’s apprentice, it had meant he had chosen the path of magic and could not return to the life of a Prince. Saurlton worked him hard as he trained him for battle. He knew he could never return to the soft life of a royal noble. He was content with his new life but longed to tell his kin that not only was he still alive but he had learned the skills of magic and he was quickly becoming fitter.

He respected the advice of his teacher, and remained hidden deep within the caves. He studied hard and practiced even harder at becoming a skilled mage. Still a scrawny lad he practiced long and hard to rid his body of the kink in his spine, which could never have been repaired in his normal life. He still limped but the stoop was becoming less prominent. His Master’s healthy broth strengthened his bones and toughened his muscles but his ability at mind over matter was the key to becoming a powerful mage. He was not going to be a nipper much longer. Already he believed he would reach his brother’s shoulders in height. Amos and Leon would be so proud of him if only they could see him not only walking upright, but also capable of running, although be it slowly, and able to ride on the back of a dragon.

‘I know these things you tell me Saurlton but I love my brothers sorely and miss them in my heart.’

‘Fear not little one, soon you shall be united for a time. I did not say that you would never see your brothers again, only that you could never return to the role of a human Prince. That is behind you now Raphael.’

Saurlton paused to look up at a flight of dragons shadowing them as they passed overhead. This was the sign he had been waiting for. 

‘Come on boy. Let’s take flight again, I have somewhere to take you.’

‘Can’t you admit defeat? You cannot shake me loose when we are in flight.’

‘No, no boy. This will be a smooth ride. I know when I am beat. No, there is someone you need to meet.’

Raphael stood back as the mage altered his form from a bent old man to a flighty little turquoise dragon, putting down his long neck so the boy could climb up and position himself for flight. Opening up his strong wings, Saurlton flapped them and his reptile body instantly raised itself from the ground and gained height with the air currents.

Soon they were following the path of the flock of dragons before them. Raphael looked down at the passing mountains, some covered in well-established alpines and purple heathers, others looking bleak and less inviting. They passed over bright huge dry boulders of red rock then in contrast sharp grey slate threatening to land slide if any creature dared to step upon it. To the right he noticed three peaks of black volcanic boulders where deep black crevices appeared randomly. Who knows what manner of creatures dwelled within. Rumour had it that serpents belonging to the Darklands had become trapped following the end of the Serpent Wars. The boy shuddered as he recalled the memory of Saurlton’s test when he flew within these fissures. He new he had been pushed to the limit, and only a few more moments may have seen him falling into the abyss. Saurlton must have sensed his power weakening but had said nothing.

This old man was a true friend, nay almost like a father. Certainly, his own father had never cared for him as Saurlton did. He trusted the old mage and wherever they were heading, he knew there would be good reasoning in it. 

They had caught up with the larger dragons that were now beginning their descent. None of them communicated with him but he sensed that Saurlton was Mindtalking with them. As they plummeted nearer the ground, he focused on some tiny dots that moved across the flat rocky landscape. 

Saurlton, are we meeting someone on the ground?
he Mindtalked

Patience boy, you’ll find out soon enough.

Raphael could only imagine what Saurlton was planning. Was this another test of his skills?  Was this something to do with that monshaad Emperor? He knew better than to ask Saurlton, for no answers would be forthcoming. He needed to test his skills of patience and wait a few moments longer to unravel the mystery.

As they neared the group of shapes, he could see the powerful bodies of large horses but there was something strange about their contour. Tall slender dark skinned human men rode confidently upon their backs. What was that he had noticed? A light skinned human at the lead.  Hah! Now he could make out the strange shape to the powerful horses, they were true centaurs,  half human-half horse. They were truly magnificent beasts and not at all perturbed by the presence of a large flock of dragons landing to greet them. 

As Saurlton landed, the party of centaurs and humans had halted, to await the dragons.  Raphael dismounted and Saurlton Changed his form to that of the old mage. Raphael followed Saurlton as they made their way carefully between the huge bodies of the dragons.

The humans did not chatter, nor did the ccntaurs show any signs of nervousness. These creatures must be allies. Sometimes he wished that the old man would explain more to him, but all he would say was not to get caught up in the politics of armies. Surely, this must be a gathering of armies readying for an impending battle. So, why had Saurlton brought him here?

Trying to make some sense out of the reasoning behind Saurlton’s thinking, he noticed the light skinned human running towards him. Squinting his eyes at the bright sunlight, he wondered if he was under attack or maybe it was another test. He remained alert and ready, closing his eyes to concentrate and ready his defenses. He had better not make his attack too strong, surely this was only practice after all.  Bracing himself, he waited for the other to close in. He must not open his eyes and be distracted. Sinking into his deep inner calm senses, he patiently waited until his attacker was almost upon him, and then he would let out a wave of gentle force. Opening his eyes, he witnessed his attacker flying through the air as his magic did the work intended. Saurlton was laughing out loudly.

‘No, boy,’ he barely managed to say in his amusement. ‘This is not a test. Look to see who you have just thrust aside.’

Laughter rang in his ears confusing him. He wavered to balance, watching his attacker shaking his head in an attempt to get back up and regain his balance.

Realising his mistake, Raphael ran over to the intended victim and attempted to assist the poor blighter from the floor.

‘My apologies Sir,’ Raphael whimpered in his equally shocked state. ‘I thought my Master had set me a test.’ He reached down to the dazed human who in turn looked up at him dizzily.

‘Leon!’ Shouted Raphael in an explosion of joy. ‘My brother. It’s me Raphael.’

‘Thanks Raphael. You’re still beating me with your tactics, I see,’ Leon laughed reaching out almost blindly for Raphael’s offered arm.

‘I meant no harm. I thought I was being tested. I… I…’ Raphael stammered in his confusion.

Leon held him rigid, hands grasping his shoulders tightly so he could look upon the boy and check this was indeed his loving little brother, and if it was, he would never let him go again.

‘Raphael,’ the brothers hugged closely. Salty tears mingled with sweat upon Leon’s cheek.  Closing his eyes tightly he could not believe he held his little brother safely in his arms. ‘I thought you lost Raphael. I feared the worse.’

Raphael was the one to break the bondage. Gently he eased his arms to hold on to Leon’s elbows.

‘Whoa there brother, it takes more than an evil monshaad Emperor to block my tactics.’

Laughter rang in the calm air. Those witnessing smiled fondly at memories of their own loved ones. The old man was truly pleased, content that he had made the right choice when the dragon’s had informed him of Leon’s arrival. It was time for Raphael to come out of hiding, especially where his kin were concerned. They would not be together for long but Leon deserved to know of his little brother’s fate.

‘I want you to meet my mentor Leon,’

Raphael led Leon over to where the old man was leaning on his staff, watching the happy scene unravel.

‘This is Saurlton Barronz. He saved me when my life hung on a very fine thread. He fattened me up and cared for me.’

Looks like he stretched you also, I can no longer call you “little” brother,’

Leon turned to face the old man and took hold of his hand.

‘I can never repay you Saurlton for the kindness you have shown to my family, by saving my brother. Though you have spoiled him I can see.’

‘I have become very fond of the boy I admit and I may have put too much meat in his broth, but there you go. Now he looks down at me when we speak. This I can live with.’

Raphael looked at Saurlton with the eyes of a proud son. He did not disclose to Leon that Saurlton was more of a father to him than the King had ever been. These were his private thoughts and Saurlton on his part would not wish for Raphael to speak disrespectfully of his father. 

All made their way back to the dragon’s lair. The centaurs trudged through the mountains taking the easy route with the help and assistance of the obliging abapes. Raphael travelled on the turquoise dragon to return quicker than those on foot, and help organise a celebration feast.