The Ruins

Namani

RAMAL

Ramal was sprawled out on the ground. She awoke and grabbed her head, as she sat up slowly. Grimacing, she opened her eyes. Her hands went back to the ground. Everywhere she looked was green! There were trees everywhere, and shrubbery that she had only heard of. The flowers were all fully bloomed and beautiful. She inhaled deeply. The air was crisp and clean. The scent of morning glory filled her nostrils.

Ramal allowed her fingers to dig into the soft blanket of dry moss, that was under her. “Where am I?” She questioned. She glanced back at the ground and saw the crystal that had drawn her here. She crawled over to it. Cautiously picking it up, she examined it. It was no longer calling to her, but it still radiated heat. She decided that she had better keep it safe.

Her stomach growled. She no longer had her pack. Her hands flew to her side. Her sword was gone! Panic set in. She then noticed that her clothing had changed as well. She was now wearing black sandals with a pump type heel, and white stocking that went to her knees. Her new kilt was green and black plaid. She had black suspenders that went around her shoulders to hold it up. The suspenders had clips that resembled clover.

Her arms were bare. The shirt was a pink peasant top, that dropped slightly, and accentuated her breasts with its ruffles. She was clean. Her hair and nails were also neat and clean. As she felt her hair, she noticed that she had a jeweled clip, pinning her hair to one side of her head, and the rest had been combed over the top. She was also wearing a necklace! A long, thick silver link chain that had a pendant at the bottom. It hung between her breasts. The medallion was gold and had a dragon on it.

Ramal was very confused. How did she get here? Where was here? What happened? The last thing she could remember was being pulled by the gemstone. Before that they had defeated the Orcs, and Ishloche was burning the contamination. She was with Lanai and Jakombie…. She also remembered Krag.

Why did he irritate her so? He was doing his job. He was used to being commanding, and in charge. Ramal sighed and took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Mentally she pictured his strong arms and legs, lean body, long dark hair, and chocolatey brown eyes. She felt her ni***es harden. Her eyes flew open. “Well, that’s enough of that!” She reprimanded herself. Time to find food.

Ramal let out a substantial breath and stifled a yawn. She raised her self to her feet. She heard birds singing and bees buzzing. She looked for them. She mimicked the tune the birds sang and they echoed their approval. Ramal smiled. This place was amazing. She walked toward the birds. Her senses were all on high alert. She heard the sound of water running down rocks. She followed the sound.

The landscape was picturesque. A spring was flowing downhill from the pool of water ahead. The pool was crystal clear. Willows hung loosely from the terrace above. Boulders surrounded the pool, and a small waterfall was gently dispensing into it. It looked safe. Ramal felt peaceful. She went to it.

Coy fish were swimming in the depths, along with other types that she had never seen before. Their colors were darting together and then apart. The rocks at the bottom looked to be precious stones; rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds.

She gently waved her hand through the water, back and forth slowly. She then cupped her hand and lowered her head to drink from it. The water tasted of purity, and minerals from alkaline. Once sated, she looked into the pool and saw her reflection. She was beautiful! She had never really thought about being pretty before. She felt her hair and her long neck, and shapely shoulders. Her hands went to her breasts, she swore they had grown as she looked down at them. She noticed the corset she was wearing under her shirt that was pushing her breasts up and her stomach in. It was strangely comfortable.

Ramal’s thoughts again went to Krag. Did he think she was beautiful? She sat at the bank and wondered. What she was supposed to do here? She tried to feel the pull from the ground and the water. All she felt was serenity. The songs that her mother taught her came to her mind. She began to sing. Her melody carried through the area like an amphitheater. It was eerily stunning. When the song had ended, she leaned her head back and relaxed into the grass. She closed her eyes and meditated.

ISHLOCHE

Ishloche rejoined the war party. “We must go the cave.” He told them. He eyed Krag suspiciously. “This threat must end. We need to rid the Earth of their virus and their kind. “ He looked to Jakombie. “You know the way. You will lead us. “ Ishloche pawed at the ground. He looked around him and saw what they had accomplished. Krag and the men that had only minor injuries put up tents and gathered wood. “Lanai, I will speak to Namani, you will cook the fish that he provides and feed these men.”

She nodded to Ishloche. They had already built a fire pit and shelter. Ishloche breathed slowly into the pit and set it ablaze for them. Jakombie brought some more wood for the fire. Lanai went to gather herbs. The large dragon set off to talk to the river monster.

Ishloche made the trip in a few short bursts. His long legs had made it easily. The bank was covered in ash. Smoke dust drifted upward as his huge paws landed. He walked a step further, placing his feet into the river.

Namani surfaced and looked him in the eyes. He slithered back and forth like a giant eel. “Dragon.” He puffed as his head came above the water’s edge.

“Namani, I see you. I respect your vengeance. I need you to feed these men. They are good and true warriors that have helped us defeat the scourge, that came into your waters.” Ishloche’s eyes narrowed. His scales flashed orange, green and yellow, as a threat to listen.

Krag came up next to Ishloche at the water’s brink. He had his spear ready to fight or get food. He had placed the spear in the fire to rid it of its contaminants. He waited for his next move.

Namani swirled and dived down. His thrust his fin forward and flipped a large number of salmon from the water with his tail. The fish flopped along the bank trying to get back home. Krag speared them through the eyes, as fast as he could. Pushing the fish down his rod as he filled it to its threshold.

“Thank you both.” Krag spoke benevolently. He turned around and hiked the way to the fire with the fish. His strut was fast paced and sure. He was curious as to how they came to be in the midst of monsters. He was anxious to eat. He handed the spear to Fin.

Ishloche stayed at the river bank and spoke with Namani. He told him that “the men would bathe and get water at their leisure and weren’t to be harmed.” Namani lamentably agreed.

Krag began assembling a fire roasting spit, with the branches and rocks that they had acquired. Once finished, he stuck the spear over it. Fin had separated the fish on it evenly.

The men moaned in hunger and pain. Lanai returned with her arms full of sage and roots. She threw some of it on the fire. They would eat well today. The aroma of the meal filled their nostrils. The sage also helped in calming them all.

Jakombie came to her side. “Well done.” He told her. The four of them began to feed the assembly.