Free Ramaeka (The Ramaeka Series Book 1) by G. Corin Page A

someone that looks
like they might have some money but ain’t really got that much at all.”
    Ramaeka
nodded.
    “Right then
let’s get back to camp and see what the plan is.” 
    As Stripe
pulled him away, Ramaeka flicked one last look back at the city.  This would
definitely be an adventure for him.
    Shady was
waiting for them when they got back and had begun to cook evening meal.
    “Yeah I know
it’s your turn to cook,” he told Stripe impatiently as his friend protested. 
“But we’re going over the wall tonight so we need to get things rolling.”
    “You’ve been
in then?” Stripe asked eagerly.
    “Yep, went over
at the same place as last time, met up with some of the old crew.  Old Ma
Dresden’s gonna put us up.”
    “Great,”
Stripe grinned widely nudging Ramaeka.  “Her food is the best; a man could
thrive on edibles like hers.”
    “What about
boys like us?” Ramaeka asked innocently.  Stripe sputtered as Shady smirked at
him.
    “We need to
head out as soon as it gets dark though,” he informed them.  “They’ve got
serious guard on at the moment, apparently Gasha is moving up northwards.” 
    He and Stripe
exchanged a significant look, before he continued.
    “The best hole
in their guard is swap over at evening.”
    Ramaeka
interrupted him.
    “Who’s Gasha? 
Why are they guarding against him”? 
    Secretly he
almost feared that it was another dragon, maybe one who would recognise him,
though he’d never heard the name before.  Stripe hesitated before replying. 
    “You remember
the stories I told you about the Thief Lord who ran our gang in Porkae?”
    Ramaeka
nodded, wide eyed.
    “The one who
whipped your feet for making too much noise?”
    “That’s the
one.  Well for about a year before we left he started to expand his interests. 
Killed off all the leaders of the opposing gangs, brought off or threatened a
heap of Jinglers and Jabberers in the higher city.”
    “Jinglers and
Jabberers?”
    “Rich lords
and council men,” Shady explained coolly.  “They tried to fight back at first
but then he got hold of the Lord Governor’s wife.”
    “What
happened?” Ramaeka asked.
    “Skinned her
alive with a salted knife,” Stripe said shaking his head sadly.  “She was a
good un’ too.  After that they folded and Gasha, the Thief Lord, pretty much
ruled the city.  Until the General hit back.”
    “We were
already gone by then,” Shady continued.  “But we heard Gasha had gathered an
army of bad men and he started attacking some of the other cities.  So the King
sent the General down with his army and they drove Gasha out.”
    “Wait who are
the King and the General?” Ramaeka demanded.
    Shady raised
an eyebrow at Stripe who frowned.
    “The King is
the ruler of Quandin, the biggest kingdom in Skyde.  King Phaenin the third to
be exact.  General Graidy is the greatest soldier in the King’s armies.  He’s
amazing.”
     “He’s okay
for a soldier,” Shady rolled his eyes at Stripe’s enthusiasm.  “Anyway the
General caught him between cities and flattened his army.  They drove the
survivors including Gasha back into the Great Forest and he just disappeared.”
    “This was
three years ago, about a year after we left.  Then a year ago rumours started
drifting around that Gasha had returned.  Whole villages were wiped out over
night but nobody could trace the people who did it,” Stripe shook his head in
disgust.
    “Until about
three months ago.  Gasha came out of nowhere with a massive horde, not just
made up of men but also creatures out of people’s nightmares.  He wiped out a
full third of the King’s army and has been working his way up the land since.”
    “He’s
unstoppable,” Shady scowled.  “Which is why we’re staying as far away as
possible.”
    He glared
meaningfully at Stripe who looked wistful.
     “Mind you if
I had a magical sword I’d be unstoppable too,” Stripe grumbled.
    “A magical
sword?’ Ramaeka