Alex nodded toward Commander Yort and he smiled before spurring his steed forward, returning the procession into the city.
As the convoy continued, Shade and Alex began walking. Soon they watched as people left the crowd to only return with more spectators than before. Soon the entire street was packed tightly with people who wanted to see the unorthodox arrivals. The little boy giggled and waived excitedly at everyone, enjoying himself. More and more children started coming closer to see the Shadow Fang. There were even some gutsy children who moved closer than the adults ever dared, but they steered clear of his tail for their own well being. Shade loved being the center of attention and this was his moment to shine.
They walked for close to an hour and the people continued applauding and cheering. Many homes and shops inside the city were made of mostly wood, but there were some made of stone; like a small castle for a lord or lady. There weren’t any beggars or homeless unlike at Trade and Central City. Freelan worked together, like a family, rather than forced to do things independently. It helped for everyone to do their part, but retained their independence to do what they wished. They continued walking down the main street and then turned down a road. At the end of this road waited the second largest of the five large buildings they saw outside the gates.
This building looked to be fourteen stories tall and Alex couldn’t see around the side. All he knew was that it was massive. Many windows lined the building, showing fourteen levels. There was a large wooden double door at the top of a staircase made of stone. The building was like a large cubed castle. Alex guessed that this was going to be their barracks.
He wasn’t proven wrong.
The people continued following Shade until they passed the last house and onto a wide space that was covered with the paving stones. Then the people started to quietly leave and the silence was a comfort. Lily handed Alex the boy and he ran off into the crowd, giggling like never before. He waved at Shade one last time before disappearing, Shade winked goodbye. The space before them was cut into a crescent-like courtyard. Off to the left side of the opening was a large stable, housing hundreds of horses, and also a fenced in area for them to roam.
Each of them stopped while the thirty other riders dismounted and led their steeds over to the stable masters. All of the men walked through the barracks double doors and once the last person entered he shut the door behind himself. Commander Yort then walked out in front of the new arrivals. “We welcome each one of you to Freelan. Follow me inside so we can get you a temporary room. Once you put your things down we will meet back here and head over to the healers to check everyone out. After that, we will head to the dining hall.” He then turned to his right and said “The stable masters will care of the horses so please dismount and hand them over.”
When Marlin dismounted Alex walked up to Clift to ask “What are you going to do?”
He looked down at him and then over to the stables, tossing his mane. “I guess I’ll go and meet my new companions. I promise to behave and not cause too much of a panic. Who knows, maybe I might find me a mare.” Alex smiled up at him and the chestnut stallion grinned.
“I will take him if you don’t mind.”
Alex turned around to see a large teenage boy. He was sweaty and smelled like he has been dealing with horses all day. He reached up to grab Clift’s mane but he snorted angrily and raised himself up. Clift lifted his head proudly and puffed his chest in defiance. Before something dangerous were to happen Marlin grabbed the boy’s wrist.
“Listen. This is Clift. He is a stallion who does what he wants. He will follow where you need him to go, but it will be dangerous if you force him to do something against his will. Be sure no one rides him, but me. And if he wants out, don’t stand in his way.” Marlin released his grasp.
“Aye, Sir.” The boy bowed and took a step away. He was surprised Clift followed after him so easily.
The rest of The Pack smiled.
While Clift walked to the stables Alex walked back to Shade. Lily had already dismounted and rearranged the pack on her back. She smiled as he walked closer. “That child was a little cutie. He seemed so happy.” She smiled a little more beautifully. Lily was honest and it scattered his thoughts. She spoke like an actual woman, rather than a hardened warrior. It astonished him.
“Alex, what are we doing now?”
He met Shade’s eyes and told him “We are getting our temporary rooms.”
They all then followed the commander as he led the group to the building.
Marlin and Alex opened both doors so Shade could fit more easily. After they fell in behind him, Commander Yort began speaking. “This room is where most of us rest and socialize in our downtime. All rooms on the first three floors are for the lower officers. Since you are all new, you will stay on the seventh floor or higher… Alex?” He moved around to find the bearded commander. “Will Shade be able to reside inside?”
“Aye, he knows to do his business outside.” Alex was glad Shade couldn’t understand the embarrassing notion.
“Alright then, follow me.” He turned and walked through the room.
The social room held round tables and chairs. There were many other Freelan members and some jumped out of their seats when they spotted Shade. There were a few of the ones who rode with them and they explained that everything was alright. The ceiling was lit with a wheel of candles. There was a solid stone floor beneath their feet and it was cool to the touch. They continued walking directly down the middle of the room.
Once they finally reached the end, several minutes later, a single stone staircase was winding up in a squared pattern against the back wall. Off to the left and right were rows of wooden doors that led to the officers quarters.
Alex followed after Shade and began walking up the steps after everyone else. Shade easily maneuvered all the way to the seventh floor. The stairs were more than adequate enough to support his size and weight. It was another quiet procession as they studied the new surroundings.
They stopped as Commander Yort turned to The Pack. “These barracks hold four people to a room. I’m guessing that Alex and his crew will stay together in one room. You may go to the end of the hall after you rounded the corner. You seven will come with me.” He pointed in the opposite direction.
“We’ll meet you down in the courtyard then.” Lily stated and turned to look at Alex. “I’m hungry. The sooner we drop our things off the sooner we may eat.”
He smiled approvingly as they turned around and headed down the corridor. They had left the others and turned the corner. More wooden doors lined each side of the hall. Off in the very end of the corridor looked to be a stone cylinder. Alex turned and saw another one behind them. The cylinder came up to waist high and it was covered with a metal lid. He cracked it open and was assaulted by a putrid smell. This was where everyone dumped all their waste and refuse. They walked down to the very end and opened the last door on the left.
The wooden door had a metal ring to pull the door open and it swung outwards. It was a large door that Shade was easily able to fit through. Inside the room were just the basics. It was a square room with four mattresses along with a circular table in the middle and a candle on top of it. The mattresses were all laying on the floor, one in each corner. The room wasn’t too large, but there was a window allowing some light into the room.
Lily tossed her bag onto the mattress in the lower right side. Shade claimed the upper left while Alex took the upper right. Marlin was content with the lower left. Once their things were dropped, they quickly headed back down the stairs. Before they made it outside Alex still saw a few people looking at their group warily. Trust still needed to be earned.
The four waited at the steps for several minutes until Commander Yort and the other seven newcomers met with them again. He said “Follow me so our healers may make sure you are all in top form. I’d like a good meal in me before nightfall.” They then followed in right behind him.
Shade continued gaining m
ore attention from the people, Alex tried listening to Yort, but couldn’t catch much information with everyone trying to meet Shade. Lily patted his back because she was also trying to pay attention. Shade also enjoyed the architecture and the layout of the city. The roads they took to get here were easy to navigate, but devised in an unfamiliar pattern. As long as you stayed on one of the main roads you’d be sure to find your way through the city, asking for directions would help as well. The group hasn’t even been here for a day and they’d bet by morning they will be the newest attraction and celebrities of the Royal City. They traveled from their new barracks, over to the second smallest of the five large stone buildings.
This building looked to be built like a cylinder. It had only twelve stories, but it was also the newest to be built. They came upon a courtyard encircling the building. The courtyard was surrounded by dozens of sectioned white cloth. They became discrete patient rooms. In each outside room sat a table that one would use for getting seen. Yort had explained that only the sickest and grievously wounded were admitted inside the building, due to the lack of space compared to the size of the city, but no one was ever turned away.
Both men and women were walking around, wearing white vests. There were more healers here than Alex has ever thought possible. Commander Yort explained that only healers wore white so they could be easily recognized. He was also proud in saying that healers of all levels worked here, and quite a few didn’t have the item for it. Alex saw many healers tending to their patients. It was good to know they had a good healthcare system. It was more advanced than I’ve seen in any of the king’s cities or towns. He admitted to himself.
Yort continued to walk leisurely, up to the building and all the healers snapped their neck in their direction. Apparently news spread faster than one thought because only a few healers seemed to become openly frightened with Shade walking casually in their presence. The others mainly gawked.
The entire group stopped at a desk that stood in the middle of the courtyard. There was an older looking woman behind the desk, looking at each of them. She had grey hair and a plump figure. Commander Yort spoke to the woman. “These are the newest recruits and they need to be seen.”
Her voice came out sharp and raspy. “I’m not blind nor am I touched in the head. I will find you a proper healer, but I don’t know what I can do about that thing.” She pointed to Shade.
“We meant no disrespect.” Alex began speaking to the lady, but couldn’t hide his disappointment in her blatant disrespect. “I’m sure he is well even without a checkup, but he has also decided to join the cause of his own volition. I can guarantee he will be kind, so be kind in turn.”
Her eyes narrowed on the tall boy. “I will see what I can do. Go sit at a table and wait for a healer to come to you.” She pointed to an open table with an open curtain. It was too small for all of them, if they stuck together, but separation wasn’t ideal in such a circumstance.
“Follow me, Shade.” The woman’s eyes widened as Alex walked over to where she pointed. She wondered if she heard what she thought she did.
Shade, Marlin, Lily, Captain Yort and Alex sat for an hour by the curtain, hoping someone would finally come. The other new recruits were seen to promptly and went somewhere else. Shade had gotten tired of standing around for so long and decided to lay down right in front of the curtain doorway. They watched closely as the healers and patients gave Shade a wide berth. The older woman disappeared inside the building and hadn’t returned since they began waiting.
People had always feared fiends because of ignorant reputations and misconceptions. Shadow Fangs in particular have had a long and bad standing. They have always been portrayed as vicious and bloodthirsty fiends with an insatiable appetite for people and children, but after meeting Shade Alex knew they were completely false accusations and myths. Fiends have personalities just like people. Some can be kind and gentle and others can be too dangerous to be around. It would take time, but Alex would show that fiends can be both honorable and trustworthy. Shade was doing his best to help in his brother’s quest.
Then people around the courtyard started whispering as a young and beautiful woman walked out of the healers building. She looked to be in her early twenties. She had on a white tunic that covered most of her torso’s flesh and pants. She had a mature figure with a large bust. The woman wasn’t very tall, but she was developed. Her hair was dark brown and rested behind her shoulder blades. Plus she had gentle brown eyes, but they were extensively knowledgeable. She wore white shoes and walked brusquely in their direction. In her left hand hung a closed case made of a thin wood. Alex wondered what she wanted…
“Oh we are all in serious trouble now. That old broad sent out our head healer.” Commander Yort said while smiling warily.
Shade lifted his head to look at the woman coming toward him. “It’s about time. I was about to leave.” Shade said, slowly stood up and stretched, showing everyone how long they had to wait to finally be seen.
The healer stopped cold to look at Shade with a curious expression. Her voice was soft as she spoke. “So what everyone was saying is true. No wonder why none of my staff wanted to check you out. You are a magnificent specimen.” She then surprised them all as she walked up to Shade without apparently thinking. She then began to walk around him while murmuring under her breath.
Shade’s voice stuttered. “Alex, what is this female doing?”
“I think she is studying you…”
Alex stopped speaking once the woman looked at him. “You can speak with him?” he nodded casually. “Ok then will you tell him I’ll examine him first. He’s piqued my curiosity.” She began smiling like she had new study material. She didn’t seem the least bit curious how Alex was able to speak to Shade.
Commander Yort began laughing. “Niranene, you need to be examined yourself. Aren’t you the least bit afraid that you’ll be eaten?”
She then glared at him. “Yort, should I give you some of my medicine to silence that tongue?” He stopped laughing as she lifted her case meaningfully. It put him on edge. What did she have for medicine? Alex wondered. “I thought you would see it my way. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to observe a docile Shadow Fang. Now be silent while I work.” Niranene then looked at Alex. “Tell your fiend to stay still.”
She sat down her case and opened it while Alex explained what she said. She pulled out a round metallic, egg shaped item. Seven clear bottles were also inside the case, each one filled with pellets a different color, like the colors of a rainbow. Alex realized she is a level five healer with eight items that were born to her. She stood up while cupping the metallic egg in her left palm. She closed her eyes and placed the rounded metal against his large ribs. She then opened her eyes and smiled.
Niranene gestured to her metallic egg. “This item allows me to see inside one’s body, once I find the heartbeat. He has no internal injuries nor is he carrying any parasites. Your Shadow Fang is in perfect health.” Alex told Shade the good news as she went on. “Who’s next?”
“I am.” Marlin said a little too happily. Alex could see that his friend was instantly infatuated with the healer. He walked right up to her, unabashed, as Shade came over to stand with his brother and Lily. “What do I need to do, Beautiful?”
Niranene smiled and blushed, but kept eye contact with Marlin. “Open your shirt so I can access your heart.” Marlin began unbuttoning his shirt and Niranene’s eyes seemed to almost glaze over once she saw his impressive physique. She shook her head momentarily before she closed her eyes and pressed her item to his chest. She cleared her throat. “You are fit as well.”
While Lily was getting checked Alex spoke to Marlin in a hushed tone. “Her item is similar to yours. Your bobber can see things underwater, like she can see inside the body.”
He grinned back and whispered. “I think that is one of the reasons I like her.” He then began watching the healer’s every move.
“You’re next, Alex.” Lily
said while buttoning the top of her tunic, the liquid metal flashed between her breasts had caught the sunlight momentarily.
He walked up to Niranene and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his tunic. She smiled politely as she looked up at Alex. She then put the item over his left pectoral muscle and closed her eyes. Her brow began to crease and he asked “Is something wrong?”
Her eyes shot open as she took her item away from his firm chest. “I cannot tell. I am…unable to see inside your body though I felt your heart beat quite strongly. I’ve never not seen inside someone before.”
Commander Yort was by his side quickly. “Niranene, what does this mean?”
“That’s the problem. I don’t know.” She began biting her bottom lip.
Alex spoke up. “Do you know the seer, Angie?” They both nodded and he could tell she was well known amongst Freelan. “She had the same problem with me. It was like I was invisible to her. When we met she didn’t see me coming.”
“Really? I’ve never heard her of immediate predictions ever being wrong.” Yort spoke aloud. “I wonder why some items don’t work against you…” He shook his head and glanced at Niranene. “Can you allow him to work?”
“I guess so. He is fit so I cannot see why he cannot. But Alex, if you feel the slightest bit off, do not hesitate to come and see me.”
“I promise.”
His word seemed to ease her worry.
She nodded and looked at the group. “You may do as you like. I have other errands to attend to. Excuse me.” She glanced behind Alex’s shoulder and blushed before rushing off.
Yort soon brought the four to the third largest building. While they walked each discussed why certain items work with Alex and others don’t.
This building was the city’s mess hall and inn. It had darkened to almost being completely night outside once they finally arrived. It was thirteen stories tall and it was loud inside. Three stories are designated for an extensive tavern while the rest are rooms one can rent. Music and too many conversations filled the nearby area. The building was squared off and lined with torches.
Untamed Gift (Book One of the Items Trilogy) Page 38
