Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: penny@agora.rain.com (Penny Hutchison) Subject: [Rat Tales] Leah's Story Message-ID: Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1993 01:47:33 GMT [ADMIN] this is the first of a series of bedtime stories that ar'Elya is telling to Little Rat and Kev. Little Rat is used with kind permission of the Dreamer. Feathers swirled away from the door as ar'Elya entered Kev's bedroom. Two would-be innocents hid half-full pillows behind their backs and smiled guiltily at their host. "Surely there is some less messy way for you two to relax before bedtime," she gently chided as she put three mugs on the table. Kev just grinned as Little Rat said " But we seen you an' 'Raelf doin it an' you's ALWAYS real quiet afters!" "Hmm, that's true, but we also clean up afterwards." The two kids looked in dismay at the drifts of feathers on all horizontal surfaces. "You DID have to use the large pillows, didn't you? Here, put those down and take your drinks" She handed them the steaming cocoa, then stepped back to observe the chaos. "Well, if you two clean this up, it would be long past your bed time by the time you got done, and it's certainly too big of a job for me. But I do have a friend who could help with this, and afterwards she could tell you a bedtime story. How does that sound?" "What's a bedtime story?" Kev turned to Little Rat and hissed, " Don'cha know nuthin'? It's what big folks tells kids so dey don't get bad dreams." "That's partly it, Kev," ar'Elya replied, "I also want you to meet some of my friends because you'll be seeing them a lot around the lighthouse, and it would be nice if you knew something about them so they won't be complete strangers to you. Okay?" Both kids nodded as they sipped and swung their feet. "Oh, Leah, would you please come in?" ar'Elya called out the door. A pretty blonde lady with smiling eyes came in. "This is Little Rat and Kev. Little Rat and Kev, this is my friend Leah. I'll see you two in the morning." ar'Elya hugged both of them and left. "Oh, my," sighed Leah as she took in the feather blizzard. "This IS bad, isn't it? But I know who would be very good at this sort of job." She snapped her fingers and with a series of small*POP*s the room was aswirl with small, sparkly dragons. Six of them flew to one of the pillow covers and held it open as the others darted around the room gathering feathers in their forepaws and dropping them in, then flying off for a new load. Kev was laughing at the sight, and Little Rat gave a small gasp and turned accusingly towards the lady. "I knows who you is. You's dat princess dat Reelya dressed like." Leah chuckled. "That's right, Little Rat. At least, I used to be a princess. Would you like to hear my story?" "Sure," Kev replied, "lotza da good stories has prinsesses in 'em" Leah raised a hand and whispered <>. The room dimmed, leaving a bright spot of light around Leah. Little Rat craned her neck to see where it was coming from, but couldn't. "Magics" she muttered. "Once", Leah started, "long ago in a place very far away, I lived with my family high up in the mountains. My people had at one time been many and powerful, but by the time I was born there were very few of us and we were scattered in small pockets throughout the ranges. We were being hunted by those who had once been our friends. We used to share our knowledge and wisdom with them, but now all they wanted was our treasures. Even that we had shared on occasion, but the Hunters were certain we had much more, and grew greedy. They even became proud of how many of us they could murder. They would drag the bodies into their towns and hold celebrations..." She broke off, her eyes dark, remembering, and shuddered. "It's da same everyplace. Da gangs know you got jangles and dey beat you up an' go party." Little Rat said sympathetically. Kev, sitting at her feet, soberly reached out a small hand and patted her knee. Leah blinked, and smiled down at him. "I'm sorry, now where was I? Oh, yes... "Because our numbers were dwindling, the females were closely guarded. (Why, asked Kev; Cause dey had da babies, dumbnog, said Rat) We couldn't help defend our families, and we were forbidden even to use our magic to help. When I was born, my family rejoiced because there had not been a princess born in ever so long. I grew up loved and spoiled by my parents and brothers, but as I grew older, I became more and more frustrated that I could not help protect my family in any way, nor use the magic that was my birthright. I could feel the very aether flow through my body, but as much as I begged, I was never allowed to learn as much as the smallest cantrip. My family knew that I would want to use my gifts to help defend ourselves against the Hunters. My father told me the greatest gift I could give my people was to bear many young. I knew this was true, but I still chafed. One day, a stranger came to our stronghold. At first it was feared she was a Hunter, but they had never allowed their females to be Hunters before. She also had no weaponry, and when approached by our scouts, actually greeted them in our ancient tongue, which had been forgotten by the Hunters long ago. It was soon clear that she did not come from the Hunters. She stayed with us for many years, becoming my father's trusted advisor and my dear friend. She gave us two great gifts. She helped us to get in contact with the rest of our scattered people, and because of that, helped me to meet a Prince." "Prince Charming?" asked Kev. "Well, to me he was", smiled Leah. "My father declared that no man had ever done as great a deed for our people. We held a grand ceremony. My bethrothal to the Prince was announced, and my father made my friend an honorary member of our family, enobling her with the Golden Wing. All my people came from far and near to view this, as it had never been presented to an outsider in all our long history. Because of the gathering of our people, my father decided to have the wedding ceremony right away. Soon afterwards, my friend announced she had to leave us, and she took me aside for a private farewell. 'I would love to see you happily married with your children around you, but I've already stayed so long', she told me. 'I wish you many years of peace and joy, but please remember, if you ever need me, just say my name, and I will come.' "I did have peace, and joy, and also children, but it was all too short." "Usually is" whispered Little Rat to Kev. Leah only sighed and riffled Rat's hair. "Remember the Hunters? My friend had given us information about them that helped us keep safe for a long time, but it was clear that there were many more of them than of my people. At first it was small fights and skirmishes, but then they happened more and more frequently, until finally the Hunters formed armies bent on wiping us out, and there had never been enough of our people to hold off against an army. It became so bad that it was decided to put all the females and young into one safe, defensible place. Unfortunately it was too little, too late. The last days of my people finally came." "One by one the males fell, my brothers, my husband, and even my father who was ancient and most powerful. The hunters then easily broached our last stronghold and began their last, bloody deeds. Many of the females were old and feeble, no great challenge for these mighty Hunters. Finally there was just my children and myself left. My babies were young, so young. I was held back and had to watch them being clubbed, the Hunter's coarse laughter drowning out their cries. "Everyone and everything I had ever loved had been killed, and there were only the Hunters and me. They chained me and beat me, demanding to know where our treasures were. I tried to fight, but I had never been trained how. My father, my brothers and my husband had promised to defend me always. I couldn't even call upon the Flame, which had been the primary defence of our people, because I had never been taught. I fought with my body, but there were so many of them, so many... "I was not a great enough challenge for them, so the Hunters finally abandoned me for their treasure hunt. It was hard for me to breathe, harder for me to think, but then I had remembered another promise made to me, and I called my friend's name. Several heartbeats passed, but just before I had lost all hope, a great silvery light shone out. I could hear the despairing, frightened cries of the Hunters as if from far away, but then I saw the dear face of my friend. "I can help you,' she said, stroking my neck,' if you want it. Will you come with me?' "Yesss," I sighed, "there is nothing here for me now." There was a long pause, and the childred stirred restlessly. "What happened den?" demanded Little Rat. "Where'd ja go?" Kev just hugged his stuffed dragon fiercely. Leah raised her head and smiled at them, her eyes lightening to grey. "Why, she took me to where she lived. She healed me, and taught me the magiks and defences that my family did not." "But weren't you mad at 'em, fer not teachin' ya?" asked the Rat. "Yes and no, Little Rat. They were doing what they thought would best save our people, but if females knew these things, we might have held out longer. I think we were doomed anyway, unless we could have been friends with the Hunters, but they did not want us for friends." "Are ya still sad?" Kev asked softly. Leah rose and gave Kev a great hug, "I was, little one, for a long time, but my friend has given me so much." The dragonets had long ago finished re-stuffing the pillows and were perched sleepily aroung the room. As she rose to go they flew out the door, all except the littlest one which had fallen asleep in Rat's lap. Leah picked it up gently and stroked it as she turned to go. "Leah?" "Yes, Kev" "Did you have many children?" "Oh, yes, Kev." Leah looked out the door. "and they were swift and beautiful. Goodnight."