The Ruins

Meeting after war Chapter 4

He admired her silently. He liked what he saw. He stood up straight, smirking. “Someone’s lively.” He threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh.

Ramal’s glare deepened. She took it as arrogance. She shot him icy blue daggers from her eyes. Her brows furrowed as a pout came to her lips. “Who the hell are you anyways?” She shook her head as she stared at him. He was obviously strong. She didn’t know how far they had come, or why. “What are you doing here?”

Krag eyed her quizzically. He couldn’t believe that they had just fought bravely together. They had moved as one. Their training had been the same. Why was she being so crass? He crinkled his nose. “I am Krag. I lead the army of men that I have gathered from the other side of the valley.” He explained in his deepest voice. “All of our villages were attacked by the Zombocrs.” He spoke as he ran his blades down his tunic, carefully cleaning them, and placing them in their sheathes. “There are few survivors.” His face saddened. He shook his head remembering.

Ramal listened as she watched him. Chocolate brown eyes shown the sadness he felt. She sighed and raked a hand through her short hair. “How many men are here?” She asked him harshly. She no longer trusted anything. She had no choice with magical creatures, that just immerged from out of nowhere. Plus, they had known her mother. This was different. He was just a handsome stranger. Obviously, he had followers, and he could fight. She was on a mission and he better not get in the way.

“We need to burn these bodies as well.” Ishloche interrupted them landing with a thud. He snorted as he sized up Krag. “You all need to move.” His elongated eyes squinted slightly. He motioned for the men to leave the valley and the river bank.

Krag moved backwards, slowly. His eyes could have burst out of his skull. He retained his composure. “A… dragon?” He blinked and sucked in a breath.

Ramal glided to Ishloche, swinging her hips, sauntering as she walked. She placed her hand on his wreath of scales. “No. Krag.” She moved her hand slowly with purpose to Ishloche. “My dragon.“ She smiled wide as she scratched him behind the ears. Her eyes were tinged with mischief.

“Ramal.” Ishloche growled looking at her. “If you are quite finished.” His teeth shown, long, white and sharp. His skin turned bluish grey. His eyes were fierce and his scales were flashing. “We have things to do.”

“O. K.” Krag said finally breathing. He motioned to his men. “Listen up!” His voice was commanding. “ Grab your gear and head out!” He cautiously walked past Ishloche. He nodded to Ramal.

The entire fleet of men stirred at the same time. They listened to Krag, instantly. No hesitation. Ramal was impressed. She shot a glance at Ishloche. He beamed at her. “Get the others, and move.”

Ramal headed to where she left Lanai and Jakombie. The grasses were covered with blood. The entire riverside was red and muddy. They needed to get as far away as they could. The entire place needed cleansed. Lanai pulled out a piece of jerky to regain her strength. She handed some to both of them. Jakombie passed the canteen as they walked.

A glistening rainbow came from the ground. Ramal sensed it pulling her to it. Her head started to spin, she became dizzy and drained. Her stomach lurched. Ramal reached into the dirt and pulled the crystal from the ground. It radiated pure energy. Ramal had to sit down.

Lanai sat next to her. The crystal pulsed the vibes of the bad energy that it had collected. It was telling Lanai to “get away.”

“You have to drop that rock!” Lanai told Ramal. Ramal was sitting cross legged on the ground with her eyes closed. The crystal was clasped firmly in her hands, held next to her chest. She began to rock back and forth. She felt the heat and the magic. A steady pulse took over her head and heartbeat. Thump…2, 3. Thump…2, 3. Thump…. Suddenly, she was gone!

“Oh my God!” Lanai shook her entire body jumping up and grabbing on to Jakombie. “Ramal!” She screamed. “What just happened?” They stared at each other for a moment, then started to run toward the mountain.

CHAPTER FOUR

AFTER WAR

The men had cleared the field as directed. Ishloche set it ablaze. The heat could be felt by everyone. Fire and smoke enveloped the riverside. The flames shot up ten feet high, orange, red, blue, grey and yellow. The Orcs skin crackled and their bones popped as they disintegrated. The same yellow smoke came from where Jaqavious had been.

The men were in awe. They had never seen a dragon before, or the effects of his wrath. “Do not be afeared.” Krag told them. “This noble dragon is cleansing the disease.“ Astonishment shone in his voice.

Ishloche looked up. Ramal was gone. Ceasing the fire breath, he looked around. With things that only he could see, taken care of, he nodded his head at Krag, then jumped toward Lanai and Jakombie. He stopped just before he reached where Ramal was sitting on the ground. “Get back here!” He ordered them. Traces of magic could be seen in the air. He squinted and asked Lanai “What color is the aura of the magic?” He looked directly at her. “What did she touch?”

Lanai and Jakombie had to turn around. Ishloche was sensing magic. He wanted answers and he wanted them now.

“It looks like water vapor!” Lanai told him. “It’s white or clear…. Or something….” She looked at the air, up and down, then around her. She sifted through the dirt and where the rock had been. She searched to find any traces that may be left. If she could find the right crystal, or a fragment of it, then maybe they could follow her and bring her back. She looked up at Ishloche’s concerned face. “ It was a crystal. It was huge and had a rainbow effect. It was magical. It had a powerful force. Ramal couldn’t help herself. She was pulled to it.“ Lanai put her hand out feeling the wafting of magic. “I can feel it.”

“She became lethargic, and started to rock. When she sat on the ground, she was clasping the stone against her bosom. “ Jakombie interjected, staring at them. He scratched his head as his green eyes scanned the area. A hand landed on his side as he focused his attention to the river. He sighed heavily. “Maybe this place had something to do with it.”