Chapter 79: Escape
A/
Raven did not touch the ground even once but Robin did. Training with Slade was always difficult, he'd keep too many secrets from his apprentice. But even getting out after dark was difficult, the wolf could show if he were summoned on time too. Their first destination was the hall where rides or dragons were kept so they could escape from this 'castle in the sky'.
Luckily for the two there were rides available just as Neiji had said when the wolf had not come round. By wing
Whatever that meant…
"Ravenna…um, thank you —
Shh!" She grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him back to the wall. "Someone's coming." She whispered.
/
"Love is a dangerous subject. Under all circumstance do you believe that he has found out?" That man…. Roku leaned in towards the conversation. Could that be him?
"I agree, but yet…my heart knows of the curse. It tangles up the world's control and destroys life as we know it." Raven scowled at the subject till her brow was lowered. "Come on…" They could not stay and listen further. They had to go now. Robin nodded towards her and agreed. The dragon rides were very sturdy and swift at this time at night. So loaning one would not hurt either. Raven took out her bag from under her cloak; the one thing they had returned to her.
"Ravenna, I know who that man was. He was the doctor who drugged my counterpart Robin, it turned him into a part of Rokuro's beastliness." He explained. She turned to him from the dragon's reins. "Robin never mentioned that." Raven was sure of it, this was truth from within Robin and Roku's conscious mind. She grabbed tight of the reins and was about to grab hands with Roku when the voices grew nearer.
"Ok, time for liftoff. Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" with the flick of the wrist she and Roku were off into the night.
/
The sky bedazzled each teen as if this were the first time of theirs' flying on a dragon's back. It was magnificently planned out for the best as Robin's Roku was holding a hand out to the clouds. And the air! So cool and clean. It was indeed magical. "I've never been out of doors with a lady in most of my years…" He smiled.
"Except your sister right?" Raven joked, she was also letting back her hair with the breeze as uplifting as ever. "I, can sense spirits here. They want to protect us." She sighed as her face was whipped by cool air. Roku soon was fidgeting with his hands and the small gloves covering them. "Um…they are here by my father's wishes…you know…" he looked at Raven who was frowning again. She then smirked as wide as she did when smiling. "You really are a brat you know that.' Raven saw as the son of Rokuro burst into tears of sadness and joy. "Oh gods! How happy I am to hear you speak to Robin in that way! Thank you, you don't know how happy you've made him…sniff…" curling up in the seat of the dragon's saddle and coach he was soon fast asleep beside her into the night.
The ride wasn't bumpy at first but as soon as they had landed outside the castle walls in the sites of a village the dragon dove down by Raven's command. Roku woke to quite a startle as he was jabbed by Raven's elbow as the landed down below the clouds. There was a road right under the dragon's body and it lead to the village. On the road stood a cloaked figure that looked in their direction alone. "I knew you'd come." It said softly.
B/
"Who is that? Is it the mysterious sender?" Asked Roku almost sounding excited. Raven looked overhead so that she could get a look at the person or spirit of the place. "Who goes!" The figure called to the two. Raven stared at Roku then turning to the figure she spoke. But was rudely interrupted by the god-like prince. "Who wishes to know?"
The figure frowned at him. "I do yah gwit! Now come give yer ol uncle a hug." Raven was confused by this. She turned back to Roku. "You know this guy?" She asked. He shook his head to her. "Nope, never met till now."
"Hmm…" Raven looked back over her shoulder. "Hi, I'm sorry but he doesn't recognize you —
Of course he don't! You were taken as a child Richard, your memories released from your mind. Even from those you thought ye knew." The stranger sighed. "I am an uncle second and brother first of your grandfather, from your mother's side of the family." Roku stood straight up in his seat. "That woman! I was shown her by the lackey of Rokuro, my father!" He cried. The older man nodded. "So you do recall some memory of your true birth parents, good, you'll need it where we're going." He turned to leave while waiting for the two. But Raven stopped him. "Wait." She called over to the stranger.
"How do you know about—
Him? Why deary, he's me flesh an blood, can't forget the first time I laid me eyes on im'. He was soon to be king of the castle he was. Till his father broke the law and the promised not to harm you or your mum. That beast…" he clenched his fist tight as he could leaving the fingers scrambled. "Oh what I'd give to see my niece return with her son and daughter…"
Raven held out a hand to him that he obliged towards. "Thank you Ravenna, I knew your mum too you know, kinder than any guardian mistress." She gasped, looking back to Roku who proceeded to leave the coach.
He smiled in a worried way, rubbing the back of his neck and shoulder. The secret was out.
/
They walked into town by foot of course, no horses or dragons to ride, but the dragon did follow until it was asked to stay out side the city. The group thought it best so the dragon agreed to it. The rest made their way down alleys that curved this way and that. As if in a dream things began to become hazy. Raven got dizzy and Roku got hyper. The man stayed the same. He soon brought them to a spot that was an ordinary coffee shop. Raven looked puzzled at the place. "Here?" She asked. "No he said, There." Next to the coffee shop were a branch of shops, and some wineries. Weird. Was this guy a drunk?…
Going into a shop he called for the others. Roku was happy to be asked in while Robin was suspiciously wondering why they were being asked to come with this man at all. Raven was last to step into the place with knees shaking back and forth. She finally made her way in when an old woman introduced herself as owner of the small location.
"Here dear, take a whiff of this and you'll feel better." It was a sandbag full of warm smelling herbs from Africa. How nice… Raven noticed now that this was an enchantment's shop. One that sold magical items from all around for a modest price. These two; the man and woman were its owners. "Had ya gone scared for a moment didn't I?" The man chuckled softly. The woman was mad as she hit him in the back of the head with a wooden spoon. "That's what ya get for bein associated with them sorcerers! Scarin me half to death's arms ya did, honestly George? What were you thinkin?" He turned to meet her. "Sweet love, I've brought guests! It's our nephew! Richard." Young Roku was not pleased with the bunch. "Is this how my father treats peasant and merchant folk? Now I see there is flawed silence between us." The old man and woman began to laugh after staring him down. "Let us speak to Robin, he's in there ain't e?" Roku stood back from the group. "Raven…." He groaned. She only stood with a burrowed brow. "How did you know where to find us? And why do you claim to be related to him." She questioned. The two old folk looked at one another and sighed. Looking at the children now the old man spoke.
"I'm sort of with another group ya see. We work for the higher ups of the spirit world as sorcerers and sorceresses, which's our game. But we needed to know if he was still alright. Roku's been planning something big that you ought to know about." He whispered. Raven and Roku leaned in. He's… —
Knock, Knock, Knock.
"This is the royal guard! You are highly suspected of treason and will thereby be brought to justice."
The old folk didn't have time to do much but away they whisked the children from their shop out towards the back of the streets. The guards were already checking the place for traces of anything useful. The others were close to the gates of the city and beyond the front of the area from a shortcut route. Be quick children and don't look back. Without hesitation Roku and raven were handed two amulets like the ones they'd been give by the guardians. Roku a dragon Raven a coloured orb on a chain.
Away they flew on their midnight ride.
/
Have they returned to me?
"Not Quite lordship. But I sense they are near." Slade told the great Dragon king within his imprisonment.
Good, you have served me well Slade, and for this you are to be rewarded a great deal.
'Like an apprentice?" he asked knowingly.
You have one do you not? I've given you magics haven't I? Be grateful to me for I deserve such. Now go and great them, they must be tired from their flight.
"Hmph." Slade let the dragon rest peacefully in its chamber as it as not to be burdened until morn. Slade smiled. He had an apprentice to train, not fully but so that it burned a bit on the inside. Just to know whom its master was.
At the entrance to the castle the dragon was now very tired leaving the two to stay on its back for rest. The sun was coming up and clouds were slowly clearing. And there to greet them was Slade and his wolven pet at the least, none of them were very happy. All but Slade who still kept that grin.
C/
The next morning Robin was wide awake and ready for a new day, training that was…Going over to the mirror he took up a brush and cob but instantly dropped them when h saw it looking back at him.
"Mornin Robbie!" The self portrayed freak in the mirror smiled. It was evil Roku, the counterpart from before. Not normal Roku in his own body but himself. Richard Grayson. That was bad as of now. No protection as the boy stepped back and waited for the demon to come through the mirror. "Did Sladey scold you last night, brat?" It asked sitting on top of his dresser. Robin wanted to punch that thing in the jaw but refused the wish only wanting to speak back. "So. What's it to you?" he answered roughly. The Evil twin looked at its fingernails, long and sharpened. "Training today right?" it asked. It seemed bored, trying to lure out Robin and his darker side.
"Like I care. Slade's got another thing coming if he thinks I'll go through another session of torture."
"Oh-oh, mister dark side is it? Well it doesn't seem to pay much mind in you kid. By the way…Slade asked me to give you this." Holding out his palm, dark Roku unfolded it to reveal a crushed tree of life amulet. "Said he didn't want you toying with your powers too soon, too dangerous for Little Richie." He mocked. Robin now held the thing in hand. It was his, not Slade's to decided on. That freak… Robin looked at it and closed up his palm bringing it to his side. "Tell Slade…"He began.
"To SHOVE IT." The creature from the mirror now was angry. "No one talks to a descendant of the Dragon king like that!" he shouted. Going towards the mirror back onto the dresser. "You're gonna pay, you and your little friends? They're gonna all pay. And you know what? There's gonna be nothing, you can do to stop it. Ha." And with that, he was gone.
/
Going downstairs he met up with Starfire who was not in control. "Tell your friend that he is not welcome any where near myself or our comrades!" she yelled. With that she fled from his sights. Slade was next to appear by him. "Have a nice rest?" Robin didn't answer. Instead he kept walking. But Slade grabbed him by the tricep and Robin turned to protest. Wrong answer. He was hit right in the side of his face. He fell down onto the stone flooring. Slade hovered over him adjusting himself above. "What was that?!" he cried. Slade smirked "Heh. You disobeyed me. Today and last night. THAT was punishment for both." He finished. Robin watched as the man began to walk off towards the door Robin needed to pass through. "Meet me on the fourth floor at door number 2. Then we can begin."
When he'd gone Robin was left upset as he growled and punched his fist into the floor. After he'd gotten himself dusted off someone else came from out of the shadows. He got into fighting stance and was going to attack when he realized who'd been watching. Alice. She was wearing a long skirt embroidered with flowers in red and maroon. Her shirt was puffy and lady like. With a white colour, rest was black. "I'm sorry he hit you." She replied. He smiled weakly back to her. 'I'm fine, but why didn't he see you?" She fidgeted with her black handkerchief. "I was using my magics but he knew, he always knows…" she said slowly. "Good luck today for your training session, I'll be there." She smiled. Eyes shut from something. So did he, smiling back with his mask in place.
Session began in ten….
