Page 112 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

“According to my grandfather some of these vampires are immortal. I’m sure I know a

sultan or two that wouldn’t mind a drop of that.”

“May I ask him a question?” Ramoth said.

Judar nodded and Ramoth spoke to the Rhune Mystic.

“There was a caravan of camels, it would have been a mile long, coming from Morocco

through the Sahara. It is missing. We believe it was ambushed. What do you think happened to

it?”

Maran Dara looked at Ramoth with his glassy grey eyes. He was a Rhune captain, and was

cosmically connected to the desert ethos of the fox, the falcon, and the scorpion. He knew the

secrets they knew, and his heart held true to their creed; my cousins and I against strangers.

“The ghosts of the Sahara took it,” Maran said.

“Ghosts?” asked Ramoth and glared at him.

Judar removed a pouch from his waist, took out some gold and paid the Rhune Mystic.

“What are you doing?” asked Ramoth.

“Buying the rabbit. Exotic pets are emblematic of a great pasha.”

“You are already great. You’re the conqueror of Timbuktu,” said Ramoth.

“I was not referring to myself. The pet is for the new governor of Timbuktu.”

Ramoth sneered. “I see. And who is that?”

“His name is Ramoth Pasha.”

Judar chuckled at Ramoth’s now quizzical brow.

“You are serious? Ramoth said. “Me, governor and a pasha?”

Judar bowed and thanked Maran Dara, who watched as they walked away with the bagged

rabbit. In his heart he knew that his fate, and the fate of the Rhune Mystics, would be forever