“Thank you for the truth. Now hand me your item so you will know the truth of my words.” He did so reluctantly, but didn’t have a choice. Alex clutched it in his left hand and brought it forward so Yort could easily watch it for any lies. “Now let me tell you what she has been through to come here, knowing her past deeds.”
He explained about how she killed her commanding officer to save a Freelan family. Takka gave the ring for her because she passed his preliminary test. He laughed when Alex explained how they rescued her from Central City. Yort stopped once his item didn’t respond to a lie. Yort was told almost about everything about how she has changed from her former life and into the one he was proud of. At times Yort couldn’t stop himself from looking at Lily in wonder.
“Now here is what you are going to do.” Yort’s eyes widened at Alex’s ruling. His commanding cloak didn’t weaken even once during the whole speech. It was a frightening thrill to have, but it wasn’t right to force Yort’s submission. Unfortunately it was necessary for them to continue being together. “Lily will not be arrested or harmed by anyone and she will stick with us. She will not be executed after being detained and tortured because she doesn’t need to be put in that predicament ever again. I will take full responsibility for anything that should happen. She will be by my side and will be a great asset to the cause. She wants a chance to prove herself to others and that is why she is here and not deserted us. She has changed to better herself.”
“Are you sure about that?” He smiled in a way that said she wanted something else altogether.
“It doesn’t matter why she is here. Her thoughts are hers alone. Lily has her own reasons for keeping secrets, just as we all do. Whatever she told you shouldn’t be reiterated. I’ll wait until she wants to tell me herself, if ever.”
He smiled deeper and changed subjects. “Alright. Lily will be your number one responsibility. I will not put her under arrest, but I will keep an eye on her regardless. I do not want to wake up with a blade to my back.” His eyes spoke that he was telling the truth. He was deathly afraid of her as well he should be.
With that said they turned around and headed back. Everyone had remained where they were and all silently watched the two men returned.
Eventually he walked over to Lily and Shade, while Yort walked to his men. The commander was the first to speak. “Lily of the Blood Moon is to be watched, but not be placed under arrest! Alex has convinced me that she is different now. We will give her a single chance. The moment she becomes a threat, we will act. If she runs away, she’ll be found and properly arrested and tried for her crimes. Until then, she and the others are now members of Freelan.” He then walked up to his man and grabbed her items. He brought them only as close as he could to them because Shade started to growl. It wasn’t a friendly approach and Shade sensed it. Yort then turned around and ordered “Saddle up so we can get away from here and back home.”
All of the members began walking back to their horses, periodically glancing back in Shade’s direction. The feeling of authority subsided in Alex.
A hand on his shoulder made him turn abruptly towards Lily. She looked both puzzled and pleased. “What did you say to change his mind about me?”
Alex’s next move came without warning, in the form of a smile. She blinked several times in confusion. “We can discuss it on the way. Right now we need to get moving or risk being left behind.”
Lily released her hold on his shoulder and walked around Shade to retrieve her items. Alex strapped his pack on and Marlin gave him back his staff. He then leapt atop Clift. Soon Alex climbed atop Shade and offered a hand to help Lily up to sit behind him once again. The other newbie’s were riding on the spare horses that were brought along with the riders.
Commander Yort turned to Alex and Lily. “We had better move on out of here. One of my men said we were in the clear, but we don’t rely on chance. Keep up if you can.”
In response, Lily embraced him from behind again. Just her touch made Alex joyous that they were together and safe again.
Soon the group started running north once again. Both Clift and Shade were laughing at the mediocre pace these steeds could run. Clift might not be a fully fledged warhorse yet, but he was certainly more powerful than these stabled horses. They weren’t even trying to gallop and Shade could do circles around the entire company and not lag behind. Their journey had made both Shade and Clift powerful runners compared to these steeds.
Clift and Shade ran together on the far right of the formation. While they ran, Alex explained how he’d changed the commander’s mind. She said she was grateful and hugged his back with a gentle gesture. Unfortunately her firm breasts pressed into his back and he could feel the exquisite contours. Alex needed to bring her hands up higher on his midsection once he felt a sudden, personal sensation coming to life and the pressure was uncomfortable.
He also spoke with Shade to catch him up on the events and also to clear his vivid thoughts of him and Lily.
Suddenly Lily’s hands slid too low after Shade made a small bound over a large rock. A singe giggle escaped her lips before she moved her hands back up. All of the muscles over his body locked in embarrassment. He was mortified, knowing what she now could do to him. Alex’s face flared, but was glad she could only see the back of his head.
She didn’t say anything on that subject, but she did ask a question. “Alex, how did you get me out of their circle before they could catch me?”
Lily deserved the truth. “Sometimes, something happens to me and my body has a reaction. It’s like I’m taken over by some other power. It isn’t reliable, but it has helped me save you thrice. When we first met, when I rescued you from the prisons and just a few moments ago. Everything seems to slow and…” He continued explaining the odd sensation that occurs.
A minute later she said “I’m glad to have you around.” And for the first time she rested the side of her head against his upper back. It was a pleasant feeling for her to rely on someone, but it was still new for her to do so.
What is that supposed to mean? Her words could be taken a hundred different ways, but the words were received with reverence. Oh Lily, there is so much that I’d like for you to hear, but I’m not secure enough to explain myself as it is. Hopefully my jumbled thoughts could become coherent when the time is right. Maybe you might not hit me this time. Alex thought jokingly.
Lily’s soft touch, along with her warmth was more of a comfort than he could have ever realized or imagined. Lily was by far the strongest woman he has ever met. She could fight and survive the most brutal of battles, but this was the first time she has clutched someone in such a way. That was a certainty. He could feel how uncomfortable it made her because she was holding his midsection awkwardly, but having her like this was one of the happiest times in his life.
She held him and didn’t inflict any pain.
Then Alex glanced to his left.
Marlin was looking at the content pair and a proud and satisfied smile spread across his lips. He then mouthed the following sentence. ‘It’s about time she did that.’
Alex grinned until his jaw ached.
Chapter 18
While everyone ran for the full day they eventually settled in for the night under a clear and starry sky. Three small fires sat amongst the riders and The Pack. Though there weren’t any Guards around no one took any flamboyant chances and alert their presence. The Freelan warriors and new members huddled close to the fires so as to block their orange light because it would be a brilliant beacon on this arid and grassy plane. Alex’s pack stayed together and Commander Yort, along with two of his most skilled warriors, sat with them. They did so only to keep a watch over Lily, The Pack all knew but didn’t state the obvious reason aloud. The battalion had brought plenty of food on their travels and all ate well, even Shade burped in satisfaction.
A few hours after nightfall one of the women approached Yort and she whispered in the commander’s ear. He then whispered back. She put a fist
to her heart and walked over to grab a fresh horse. She mounted and headed north, leaving ahead of the entire group to deliver a report, undoubtedly telling of the unorthodox recruits being brought.
In the morning everyone continued heading in the same direction. They continued running in the same formation all day and only stopped twice, to take a break. Near the late afternoon the plane changed and trees began breaking the open terrain into a sparsely wooded forest.
That night more Freelan members wanted to know about The Pack and where they came from. And they especially wanted to know more about Shade because he was such a misunderstood creature. He wrote more in that night than in a week with Lily, but he enjoyed it. He fed off the attention and praise others gave him.
Around noon on the next day the company began slowing to a trot. Sparse trees began thickening into a lush wooded realm, full of life and hunting opportunities. Off in the distance Alex could see why they slowed in their travels. When they crested a hill, above the tree tops, there was an enormous castle city laid out before them all.
Commander Yort exclaimed. “Welcome to Freelan headquarters. This is the Royal City of Alluan. This will be your new home. Welcome to the family!” Everyone became quiet as they approached the city mainly because of seeing its beauty. Some people sighed at the sight, knowing a new home was within reach.
The Royal City was four or five times as large as the Nicronane’s Trade City. Alex could easily spot a wall surrounding the entire city, but the walls were made of enormous cut stones. The wall had a light gray look with flecks of black and green moss growing in a seemingly random order. They were undoubtedly siege walls of the greatest defense and to see them from such a distance gave a safe feeling. Above and behind the wall stood five large stone buildings or should be referred to as castles, but the one that looked to be in the middle was by far the largest building ever seen. Around the major buildings was the city and inhabitants. The buildings looked to be made of the same stone that made up the impressive walls. The city was surrounded by farmlands and stables and there were many who were out cultivating the crops. It also allowed the city to see for several leagues around its borders. Several streams bled into the city and also to the farmers for irrigation and drinking. The streams were too straight and perfect to be natural, but were made a very long time ago. They looked to be made around the time the city was first constructed and maintained since. Even from this distance all could see the city walls were surrounded by a moat. The sky above was partly cloudy, but they barely moved so Alex knew that it wouldn’t rain today.
Then Commander Yort gave everyone directions on how to enter the city.
There was a stone road two leagues ahead and once they made it there, the traveling positions had changed. Commander Yort took the lead on the road and all of his men followed him in a single line. Clift followed in behind the last horse and Shade took rear point.
It was a single lined procession that slowly moved along the road. Clift and the other horses’ hooves made the sound of the arrival even more dramatic. Shade didn’t even make a sound as they moved, but his ears were swerving in every direction, taking it all in. His tail kept moving from side to side and his excited eyes took in the new sights. His nose twitched at all of the new smells. Alex could tell he was eager to meet everyone though his brother remained quiet.
They all knew that they had successfully made it to their destination. Finally.
Deciding to stretch out his stiff legs, Alex tossed his right leg around and landed on the road. Shade and Alex smiled at each other. Lily just looked at them grinning at each other like idiots, but continued riding.
Anticipation continued building in each of the people as they moved closer and closer. Some of the farmers stopped working to gawk at the sight of the line, especially the rear. Shade loved the attention. They all had walked another league and a half when the city became easier to see and Alex was wrong. This Royal City actually was four times larger than Trade City to the south.
Commander Yort passed beneath the gate entrance first, after he crossed the drawbridge. The stone walls were twice as large as any that Alex or the others has seen thus far and he spotted several patrolling guards atop them. The protective walls were at least a hundred feet tall. Even the thickness of the wall was almost surreal. This city was an impenetrable fortress that the walls protected from any and all threats. The gate was made of solid metal and half as thick as the stone wall. Some of the men on the top of the walls began running and pointing down at Shade with fright, but they knew well enough not to attack him with so many bystanders near. Alex bet that it was all because of Shade’s ignorant reputation of being a Shadow Fang too. He was the largest of the procession and in this light he couldn’t be missed by any. His tail raised slightly higher once he looked up at the shouting guards on the wall.
The closer they moved to the gate, the louder a strange sound became. Alex could hear people screaming congratulations and clapping. They seemed to be cheering for the safe journey home of the warriors as well as for the newcomers. Nothing but acceptance came from the people of Alluan.
The adoration filled his heart.
Shade and Alex made their way under the gate and suddenly all noises ceased, once they moved out from under the gate’s shadow. Many people became frightfully stunned as they looked at the hulking predator and the ones who remained cheering for the homecoming stopped, once the others pointed to Shade’s presence. There wasn’t any further cheering or clapping like they previously heard. There was just an uncomfortable silence that hung in the air. Most were stunned, but others were trying and hoping to find a place to escape.
Suddenly a group of children, who weren’t paying any attention to their surroundings, were chasing each other. A group of five kids were chasing a little boy, all laughing. They ran past the shocked adults as they came down an alley and into the street. The little boy being chased somehow tripped and rolled into the center of the street. He eventually stopped rolling, but halted less than a pace in front of Shade’s stride.
There were some women who began crying and others who wanted to rescue the child, but were too afraid of moving closer to a grown Shadow Fang larger than the men and far heavier.
Shade stopped and looked down at the child who tripped. The little boy looked to be four or five years of age and his clothes were dirty from playing all day. He was wearing a spiked helm for an item. He had fallen on his belly and he pushed himself up into a standing position. He stood with his back to Shade as he brushed off his clothes while searching for his friends. He looked up at the stunned and wailing adults, and saw their expressions and worry. The boy didn’t realize they wanted him to run because the shouts were too jumbled. He was confused and nervous as he looked around at everyone, but couldn’t understand. Then he slowly turned around. He first looked down at Shade’s enormous paws and slowly lifted his head until he craned his neck as far back as it could go to reach large golden eyes peering back down. Then his muscles froze after his eyes widened in fright.
Shade though looked down at the child in curiosity. Shade was already enormous, but the child could be eaten whole if he chose. Alex smiled as the tension constricted even more as Shade brought his head closer to the boy. There wasn’t any noise except off in the far distance. He brought his nose down to the boy’s face and sniffed, learning his scent. Shade’s whiskers began brushing against the boy’s face, making him cringe away and whimper. Shade grinned and a woman in the crowd fainted from the horrid sight. Shade cracked open his mouth and the little boy saw dangerous teeth first hand.
The open muzzle was immediately followed by a large, wet tongue.
Shade licked the child from groin to crown. The boy staggered back from the playful assault and Shade began barking a laugh. His golden eyes were closed tightly and he laughed even more. It would be dangerous to be behind Shade right now because his tail was wagging as a deadly weapon. Then he pranced back and barked playfully.
The crowd breathe
in a sigh of astonished relief.
“Alex,” he turned back to Shade. “ask the human pup if he would like to ride with Lily.” Shade looked overly energetic, seeming to prance in place.
Alex walked between Shade and the little boy. The procession had stopped and Commander Yort was watching them intently, but not unkindly. Marlin and Clift were a few paces away, grinning, and some of the crowd moved closer to hear the tall raven haired man speak. He then dropped to sit on his heels while using his staff to maintain balance.
“My partner wanted me to ask if you’d like a ride. I saw how the other children were chasing you. Would you like to do brag about being the first in the city to ride a Shadow Fang? They will be quite jealous of you.”
The little boy wiped his cheek as he looked up at the man who spoke in a deep soothing voice. He was a cute little boy with curly brown hair under the item. His little voice reminded Alex of Shade’s when he was just a pup. The pitch was higher than when he would grow into a man. “Really? He wants me to ride him? How do you know?” the boy asked.
“Would you like to or not?”
In instant response his little arms reached forward. Alex wrapped his left arm under his bottom while the little arms encircled his neck. He easily stood and walked around to Shade’s side. Lily reached down as Alex handed him up to her. She sat the boy in front of her lap. His short little legs barely stretched around Shade’s back. He looked back at Lily and then down to Shade. Immediately he began laughing and giggling, throwing his little fist in the air in a personal victory.
One person broke the silence by clapping his hands. Alex couldn’t see who the initial person was in the crowd, but then another started applauding. Soon the gathered throng of people accepted them like they did for the others, if not more.
Untamed Gift (Book One of the Items Trilogy) Page 37
