“Open your eyes child.”
The great, booming voice snapped Raam from his trance. He strained to open his eyes but they felt heavy and sluggish and resisted. As they slowly opened he realized he was not truly awake. He did not see the drab, thick cloth of his tent or the warm glow of the candle he lit before his meditation. Raam sat alone in blackness surrounded by a thick grey fog that smelled faintly of burning timbers. He was unable to move, frozen in the same cross-legged position he remembered settling into to begin his trance.
As he blinked to try and sharpen his mind a horrifying vision began to come into focus.
A giant yellow eye rimmed with bright red scaly flesh pushed through the fog. The bright yellow of the iris was cut by a deep ebony pupil, which focused upon him. If Raam had been able to move, a shudder of fear would have coursed through his body.
“Look at you my child. You are your mother’s son” the great voice echoed all around him.
Raam willed his lips to move, to scream out at the apparition before him, but he was paralyzed and unable to muster even the slightest whisper.
“You have accomplished much in a very short time.”
“I know you have many questions. I will have answers for you in time.”
“You are destined for great things Raam. Your blood is more portent than that of any petty mortal king.”
The great yellow eye blinked and focused even more sharply upon him.
“Beware Raam. Many would plot against you.”
“Mortal fools.”
“Pay close attention to the knight. He made a deal with powers he does not understand. I smell the stink of the magical curse upon his soul. Do not be caught unaware when it comes time for him to pay the price for his foolishness.”
“I will be watching you child.”
With those words there was a moment of silence shattered by a magnificent roar and a blast of dry intense heat.
Raam’s eyes flashed open and were drawn to the flame of the small candle in his tent. The flame glowed bright red for a moment and slowly flickered down to a soft yellow flame.
