The Folly of Ramaz

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The Folly of Ramaz

• By Lisa

Ramaz woke with a start, sitting bolt upright in
bed. The dream had come again. She was alone, in
the middle of a bunch of jeering people, throwing
sticks and rocks, and scorning everything she
knew and believed in, and at their lead, goading
them on, someone... She struggled to remember
whose face the figure wore. Failing, she shrugged
off the icy feeling of the dream, and got up. She
went down the stairs, pulling her fingers through
her hair as she went. Ramaz lived in Ossechi,
the blessed city as the inhabitants called it,
although that was a gross overstatement. It sat,
nestled in the edge of a mountain range. The
mountain range was in the centre of the
formidable Swanha desert.
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The sun-blasted city was surrounded by a dried
mud wall, which was purely ornamental, because
their hadnt been anyone, not a single person, to
come from the outside for four generations. The
gates, thick fortified wood, stood loosely open,
leading out to the well yard. Rude mud huts
huddled miserably at one end of the isolated and
massive city, starkly contrasting to the
extravagant palaces at the other. The poor and
the rich lived side by side. Ramaz was quickly
jolted out of her daydreams when she stumbled on
the rough stairs. The mud was getting rotten and
crumbling in that spot. Father would fix it, but
with all the extra work the salt merchant Kanji
was piling on him, he hardly had time to sleep.
In the kitchen, she pulled some dry bread from
the cupboards, and mumbled on it as she waited
for Tanya, her mother, to get up and boil some
gruel. Her mother would probably work too, but
she had a bent back, and walking for her was
painful. Finally, Ramaz got tired of waiting, and
went out to get some water to wash with from the
well. She felt much refreshed after she splashed
some of the cold water on her face.
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She was about to fill her bucket, when a
familiar voice called out, Ho, Ramaz! Youre up
early! It was Zakath, her new friend. He was
much older than her, she wasnt sure just how
much. He was shunned by most people, because he
came from the part of the city where the
cutthroats and drunkards dwelt. She liked his
company, though. Ho, Zakath! She called back,
Youre up early yourself! I got tired of waiting
for Mom, so I left. What are we going to do
today? Zakath always had something new and fun
for them to do together each day. He had so many
ideas. I thought we could ride a horse up to
talk with that old
hermit, Shallag. He lives just over that foothill
there. Its about a 3 hour
ride, one way. But, we wont have time for
that if after the fasting! It is supposed to take
all morning!
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So dont go to it. Its all a fake, anyway. How
would the stuffed shirt old priests know when
god is angry and needs to be appeased?! Come on,
you know theyre corrupt. Ramaz was shocked.
That was heresy! How could he even think of it.
But, she really would like to go... Reluctantly,
she said Well, only if no one notices. If one of
the priests found out, wed be whipped! Want
to make it even more immoral? Zakath said with a
ghoulish grin. Ramaz was confused. Why was Zakath
acting so strange today? He was usually a good,
law abiding citizen. What was going on? Im
listening. she said cautiously. What if, he
paused for effect, we took the team of blacks,
Banshee and Quicksand? But those are the high
priests horses! They were selected specially for
their quality! What if we were caught, what if...
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Zakath cut her off. We wont get caught.
They will be at the fasting. They wont even need
their horses. We could take them, have a blast
riding them, brush them, and then slip them back
in their stalls. No one will know. Besides, if
for some strange reason we get caught, I will
take all the blame, so they only whip me. But,
But, Ramaz struggled for a reason to object. But
she couldnt stop wondering how great it would be
to ride such fine horses. Okay. But we better
not get in trouble! She said finally. They did
their preparations stealthily, packing food,
water, and a tent for emergencies. The hardest
thing Ramaz had to do however, was lie to her
mother about where they were going. She loved her
mother dearly, and it wrenched at her heart when
the last thing her mom said before she left was
her favourite goodbye, Go with god.
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It was easier once they were on their way. They
spoke little, concentrating on the joy of riding.
It was sadly they dismounted outside the crude
hovel where Shallag, a stranger to Ramaz, lived.
As they went inside, a harsh, slightly insane
voice called out You again, Zakath. I havent
seen you for awhile. You have been unfaithful in
visiting me. When he and Ramaz saw each other,
they both came up short. He wasnt used to
visitors he didnt know. She, however, was
repulsed. He was a tiny, gnarled old man. His
face was purple tinted, and his lank hair was
once white, but now filthy brown. His nose was
crooked, and he was none too clean. Flecks of
spittle flew from his mouth when he
talked. Breaking the awkward silence, Zakath
said Shallag, this is Ramaz, my friend. Ramaz,
this is Shallag. She wants to know about, Zakath
gave the old man a meaningful look, The
Faithful. Ramaz was relieved that the old man
didnt offer her his hand. She didnt want to
touch him. Oh. Come in then. The man said
shortly. He led them in, and seated them at a
wood table. When they had sat down, and he had
got them a drink, which looked suspiciously like
spirits.
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He began to talk. A long time ago, this city
was filled with the faithful. We worshipped the
true god, Kaal. He rewarded us greatly for our
faithfulness. It was him who called us, The
Faithful. But, Ramaz cut in, the priests
told us that Kaal is the god of the underworld.
He is evil beyond imagining. How could he be the
true god?! No, my child. He is not god of the
underworld. Dwenai, your god is Kaals brother.
He was the weak one, jealous and spiteful of the
worshippers of his brother. He betrayed Kaal,
stabbing him in his back. He threw him into the
deepest pit, and locked away him there. Ramaz
was mesmerized. Her mind was drinking in the
words, but her eyes were riveted on Zakaths
hands, which were twirling and gesturing
constantly, seeming to add to the story. She
noticed, rather absentmindedly, that Zakath was
also chanting under his breath.
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As the man went on with his rant, Ramaz was
slowly began to consider the possibility that
they were true. She listened, outraged inside
about the treacherous Dwenai. But, from a sense
of duty more than anything else, still put up one
weak protest. But the priests, they wouldnt,
they would never... Oh the priests, the
priests, Zakath said irritably, breaking off his
chanting, you know they are corrupt, Ramaz. Look
into my eyes, and tell me theyre not. Gazing at
his eyes, so blue as to be almost purple, she
found she couldnt deny it. When the man had
finished, and she had drank her cup dry, she was
churning inside. How could everything be such an
outrageous lie? She rode back in silence. After
giving her that much time to stew, Zakath said,
You could fix it, you know. There is a
way. Ill do anything! Ramaz cried. To let
Kaal out of his pit, all he needs is one faithful
worshipper, willing to risk everything. All he
needs, is a Dwenai worshipper who
sets fire to the temple.
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The holy temple?! It came out as a half
shriek. Then she thought about it. Actually,
its not all that holy I guess. Ill do it!
Tonight. Excellent! said Zakath, Good
luck! That night, she snuck out of bed quietly.
She grabbed a torch, and slunk to the temple,
determined to end this abomination once and for
all. When she got there, something strange
happened to her. She felt almost like some one
else was doing this. She watched indifferently,
not really interested. She didnt turn a hair
when her hand raised the torch by itself, and she
breathed fire from her own mouth to light it.
Then she flung it high, high into the air. It
almost floated down, then settled with a thud in
the thatch roof. A sheet of fire went up with a
whoosh. That was when reality came flooding
back. She screamed in pain as she realised what
she just did. She now knew everything the greasy,
old man told her was a lie. How couldnt it be?
It was ridiculous.
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The dream came again. Only, this time she could
see clearly the leaders face. It was Zakath, her
supposed best friend. She came to later, how
much later she didnt know. Rough, calloused
hands pulled her upright. This was the one who
committed the treason! Kill her! No. said
the calm voice of the archpriest. We cant kill
her. Our God has forbidden it. Instead, I
sentence you to eternal banishment. Leave,,
retched creature! The people drove her out of
the city. They threw things, that she didnt even
feel when they hit. Betrayed, betrayed, was all
she could think. She stumbled out to the path
that led over the one, giant mountain on this
side of the city. She felt sick at the thought of
going over it, to leave everything she had ever
known, everyone she loved. She was so exhausted
she decided to do it tomorrow, and fell
asleep. She woke at dawn the next day. A strange
calm had come over her. She didnt care anymore.
This lasted until her mom came out
to get water at the well. When she saw
her, and looked in her eyes,
she sobbed out Mom!
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She woke at dawn the next day. A strange calm
had come over her. She didnt care anymore. This
lasted until her mom came out to get water at the
well. When she saw her, and looked in her eyes,
she sobbed Mom. But when her Mom looked at her,
all she saw was regret and shame in her eyes, no
love. It was too much. She ran blindly over the
path that went past the mountains. She ran for
hours, until she got to the top of the mountain.
There, she stopped, her lungs burning. She had to
think this through.
If you think Ramaz should try to go back, click
the sun. If you think Ramaz should see whats
over the mountain, click the moon. For a mystery
ending, click the lightning bolt.
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She couldnt go back. That thought stung her,
drained her of all her courage. She couldnt go
back, so I will have to go on. She said
firmly, trying to reassure herself that she would
be all right. But not just yet. I need to rest.
She had a drink from her water skin, and a snack
from her pack, and fell fast asleep. When she
awoke the next morning, she was actually smiling.
She had had beautiful dreams all night, about
smiling, accepting people, with big, comfy houses
that were neither too hot nor cold. They accepted
her in with welcome arms, never asking who she
was or why she had come. She had visions of cool
drinks and soft silk cushions, and satin gowns.
She shook off these cloying visions, recognizing
them for the illusions they were. But she had to
go on. She straightened her pack, and started
walking over the mountain. Then she gasped in
disbelief. Blinding white desert confronted her,
blinding her. But having no other option, she
walked on. She walked all day. The sand heated
up, stinging her feet. She soon drank all her
water, but she wasnt worried,
because up ahead there
was
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Wait just a minute, why was there an oasis with
a villa beside it up there? No one lived out
here. Oh well, it was a good thing it was,
because her throat was getting parched. She ran
up to meet it, and it loomed bigger and bigger in
her eyes. Why, it must be a mansion! She rushed
inside. Weve been expecting you, my wonderful
daughter. It was her Mom and Dad! Ramazs eyes
filled with tears. This was so perfect! You are
probably thinking, what is really happening here?
Well, sadly, Ramaz has become delirious, for want
of water. This perfect house, her Mom and Dad,
were all an illusion. In truth, she was sitting
in the sand, smiling blissfully. She thought she
was having a feast of fresh, delicious fruit
surrounded by her parents love.
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Stuck without water in a desert quickly turning
to night, Ramazs spirit slowly slipped from her
body, because of heat stroke and lack of water.
But, as she drew her last breath, she had a
blissful smile on her face. She was at peace.

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The End (Happy or not, you be the judge.)
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she had done a horrible thing. There was no
doubt about that. They would never except her
back. But, maybe there was another way she could
get in. Yes! She had and idea. She altered her
garments a bit to look like beggars clothes with
an added deep hood, and smeared some dirt on her
legs. It might work. She would sneak in, and live
as a beggar the rest of her life. It would be
awful to be that near her parents and not be able
to speak to them, but at least she would be
there. She started back down the hill, parched
and exhausted. When she finally made it down, she
drank greedily at the well until her knees
stopped shaking. Then she went to the filthiest
part of town, quiet as a mouse, and fell asleep
in a doorway. The next morning, something she
didnt expect happened, which proved her undoing.
She saw her mom. It was in a secluded alley, in
private. She saw her mom, weeping in the corner.
When her mom looked up at her, startled by her
presence, there was a great pain in her eyes.
Ramaz was unable to control herself. She lowered
her hood, revealing who she was.
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Her mom gasped, but before she could run away,
Ramaz flung herself at her. She fell, weeping,
into her arms. She sobbed out everything that had
happened, Zakaths treachery, her disguise, all
of it. When she was done, her mom shakily dried
her tears. You know what you must do, do you
not? She said softly. No. Ramaz said. You
must tell the archpriest of Zakaths betrayal.
There is a serpent in our midst. Go, do it
now. Taking her mothers advice, she slipped
back on her hood, and went to the palace of the
archpriest. When she was admitted, she told him
all she had told her mom. He looked at her
gravely, and said, I revoke your banishment.
Witchcraft was used, which cannot be dealt with.
I will tell the city at once. So then, there
was a meeting of the city, and Ramaz had to
repeat her story a third time to the whole city.
After she was finished, all eyes turned to
Zakath, who was deathly pale. They tried to grab
him and bring him forward, but he slipped away.
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He fled over the mountain path, shrieking and
foaming at the mouth with fear. In his haste (and
in full view of the crowd) he slipped, and fell
over the side of a tall cliff, plummeting to his
death. Thing went back to normal after a year or
two. The temple was repaired, and Ramaz actually
became one of the most faithful priests. At her
command, the wealth was redistributed. There was
no longer starving poor. To make things perfect,
the citizens continued to worship the great
Dwenai for many years.
The End (And the all lived happily ever after)
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Thank you for reading my story.

• This plot was inspired by a dream.
• I apologize for the length, I couldnt shorten it.

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Lisa Howse
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She tried to think logically, but her brain was
filled with Betrayed! Betrayed! and she wearily
sank to the ground, and fell asleep. When she
awoke, her mouth was dry and parched. She took a
drink from a nearby spring. She hurriedly ate a
piece of hard bread, famished. Then she tried to
think again. To concentrate, she spoke out loud.
I have been banished. They turned me away,
when I needed them most. The Ossechi, supposed to
be the most merciful people, spurned me. Crushed
me under their heel, labelled me lower than dirt.
They were not justified. Zakath used witchcraft.
I could not have resisted. I am innocent! She
shouted the last words in defiance to the
uncaring mountains.
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She kept on like this for hours. The shock of
losing everything pushed her closer and closer to
insanity. She rambled on, cursing everyone from
the archpriest, to Zakath, to her family, and
finally the old man. The old man! Her eyes flew
open. He must have been in league with those
serpent tongued city dwellers! He had tried to
get her like this! How dare he. Oh, but she would
make him pay... He would wish to be dead before
she got to him... She got up, and started toward
his shack. Her last thread of sanity snapped, and
she cackled wildly with as she stumbled down the
mountain. It took three days. She had blisters
on her feet, and sticks in her tangled hair. Her
face was filthy and unrecognizable, in a grimace
of hate for the world. She was weak from lack of
water, and food. But she was here. She was behind
his shack. She silently drew a small dagger from
her boot, and slunk inside. It was over quickly.
She was strengthened by her anger, and he was
only a weak old man. She dumped the body outside.
Then she ate and drank all the food in the house.
This accomplished, she grinned in victory. She
had shown the scurvy, filthy...
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She started toward the city. She would destroy
it with her bare hands, kill everyone in it, make
them pay. Then she would kill the gods, Kaal and
Dwenai. After all, they were at fault too. But
there was a problem. There was a cliff in her
way. She stared stupidly at it, astounded
anything had the impertinence to get in her way.
But no matter, she thought to herself. She would
just walk down to the ground below on the air.
Scornful of this puny act of defiance of the
earth with the cliff, she commanded the air to
carry her. Then, she walked secure in the
knowledge she would float over the edge. All she
felt was a vague sense of confusion as she fell.
But, as she neared the bottom, one image came
clearly to her mind. With a despairing wail, she
called out to it to save her. Mother...
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The End (Bwa Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!)
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