There was one large gate they passed under as they came inside. There was a wooden stairwell to the higher levels. Rows and rows of tables and chairs were mostly occupied and a great deal filled the upper sections. Off in the back were musicians playing something that made one’s pulse jump to the tune. The walls were lit by torches and there were many candles on the multitude of chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. People were eating, drinking and having a great time.
That was until The Pack was spotted.
The music stopped, as did most of the conversations. Every pair of eyes shifted to them and Commander Yort finally snapped. “What is everyone’s problem!? If you haven’t seen Shade yet, I’d guarantee you’ve heard about him from someone! It’s not like he’s going to go on a killing spree! Go back to what you were doing!” His eyes narrowed on the musicians until they began playing.
Music might have been playing, but not a single person took their eyes off of them. Commander Yort sighed heavily and walked over to the platform where the chefs were looking at them curiously. The four followed him and some chefs walked back into the kitchen.
A well fed woman with short brown hair waited behind the bar table. She scowled, but kept her comments to herself. Everyone lined up, with Shade and Alex bringing up the rear.
Yort had a tray of meat and mead as he turned to look at the four. “You need to find your own seat and try not to cause an unfavorable incident in the future. I will meet you all in the morning should you need me. If you have problems, send someone for me or a higher ranked official and I’ll see what we can do.”
Lily and Marlin gained the same food as Yort, on their trays. They waited off to the side while Alex walked up to the woman. “What would you like?” She glanced from the raven haired lad with grey eyes to Shade, scowling.
Shade whispered in his ear after he asked what he’d like. “Shade would like a large slab of cooked meat and a bowl of berries. Do you have stock enough to feed a growing boy of his size?”
She finally grinned. “Aye. We have food enough to feed a growing boy. Let me see what I can do.” Her change of demeanor startled Alex for a moment.
She disappeared behind a wooden door. A few minutes later the woman returned with a huge circular tray with slabs of sliced meat which was two hands thick and a wooden bowl of berries was balanced atop the meat. She struggled with the weight, but managed to slide it onto the table. She harrumphed one last time before sighing and then said “I hope this works for him.”
“See for yourself.”
He pointed at Shade and once she saw what the lad meant she began laughing merrily. Large golden eyes were focused only on the tray before him. He had a thin stream of drool dripping off the tips of his sabers and his nose twitched wildly, whiskers flared. He wanted to eat right away.
Alex stepped to the long table and hoisted the meat easily onto his shoulder. He looked at the lady and said “Thank you. I will come back soon to get my food.”
He turned around and saw an empty table in the far back corner on this level. Taking the lead, He was followed by Shade and the others. He walked between the rows, feeling everyone’s eyes studying their every move. They passed many other members who all looked battle hardened, but they didn’t make a move for them. Alex knew if they ever posed a threat that the entire city wouldn’t hesitate to strike. The music was still playing and a few conversations had returned, but things were still tense while they maneuvered to the empty back table.
The circular table they used had four chairs made out of an old wood, but they were sturdy. It was peaceful back here so they took it without any interruptions. He placed Shade’s tray on top of the table and moved the bowl of berries off to the side. Shade’s eyes continued savoring his imminent meal. With his hands freed Alex grabbed one chair and moved it over to another empty table. Shade would eat with them like always. That wouldn’t change.
Lily and Marlin sat their trays down and took their seats. Once Shade sat where the former chair stood, Alex said “I’ll be back soon.”
He soon returned to the lady. She grinned “What will you have?”
“Meat, cheese and bread. May I also have two large mugs of water?” Shade hadn’t drank anything in quite a while.
She smiled again as she went into the back. She returned with his tray of food and two large wooden mugs. The meat was goat, as was where the wedge of cheese came from. The bread was a solid loaf, as long and as thick as his forearm, freshly baked and smelled more delicious than the rest of the course. Alex hoisted the tray onto his hand easily and said “Thank you for the meal. Tell the others who made it I’m grateful for their hard work.”
She smiled brightly. “Your words are kind. I will pass on your consideration to the staff.”
He returned to the table and both Marlin and Shade had begun eating. Shade had already consumed half of his sliced meat. Marlin was still cutting into some of his meat. When Alex sat down, Lily smiled and began eating with him. It was nice of her to wait.
Marlin continued jabbering on and on about Niranene. And later on, Lily and Alex had a conversation about why some certain items don’t affect him. Once Shade completed his hardy meal he grabbed his mug of water in his teeth and reared his head back. As he downed his water several people began laughing from the sight. Alex also noticed that many of the other conversations in the hall had picked up to its original level. There were a few discussions he overheard and they were mostly about Shade or their group. The Pack smiled at each other and spoke, but they could all feel the atmosphere dissipating. Things had finally relaxed with everyone inside the mess hall.
That was until an hour later. All of the raucous conversations and music ceased quicker than when Alex and the others made their arrival.
What had silenced everyone? Alex thought to himself.
Shade was laying on his side after eating so well, but his head came up and alert. He was speaking with his back to the entrance of the hall. Lily, Marlin and Alex were still sitting around the corner table having a reasonably long conversation about how amazingly large this city is.
Once they heard the noises stop, they ceased their conversation.
Everyone in the hall was gawking toward the entrance, but as Alex followed their line of sight everyone shot to their feet, sounds of chairs grating the floor shattered the silence for only a few seconds. It was like a wave as everyone stood at full attention. Some swooned because they had drunk too much liquor, but they tried sobering up as fast as they could. They’ve never seen any group move like this when they were just relaxing.
Alex’s questioning thought was asked again as he tried determining the cause for the reaction everyone had. He stood tall, trying to look over others. There were too many heads blocking a clear view. Alex was a tall man, but he wasn’t tall enough to see what others could.
Lily and Marlin stood by his side and Shade rose to his full height as well. He raised his head taller than his brother so he could see clearer. His eyes narrowed, but he couldn’t lock onto a specific spot. They were darting to several areas, but not clear enough to focus.
Alex wanted to ask what he could see, but before he could there was a deep and rich voice. It had an accent, one like Alex faintly remembered from the past. It boomed and echoed off the walls, but it seemed almost playful.
“I hear we have some new recruits! I was told that they were here! Did we miss them!?”
A fainter voice spoke. “No Sir. They are still in the back, General.”
Many eyes widened. The reason everyone went to their feet was because a general had appeared. Alex whispered into each of his companion’s ears and they had the same reaction, fear in seeing a high ranking officer. Shade knew what a general was from all of the books he has read from Alex’s old collection. Alex wasn’t sure how to react, but he knew to hold his tongue unless spoken to because flippancy could endanger all of them if anything was said out of turn.
Every head in the room turned toward them for a moment once they
realized what had been said.
There was a large motion of moving people as they made way for a general. There were whispers and glances filling the room, some shot accusation stares at the corner. The sound of shuffling feet was irritating. It was then that Alex gained his first glimpse of the general.
He was a very tall man; even taller than Alex was. He stood about six foot eight. His skin tone was extremely dark like Takka’s and Alex remembered that was the accent he recognized. People continued to move so the general could continue heading in their direction. The closer he moved the more of him they saw. He was clad in a green and gold tunic, but his legs seemed to be armored. The leggings were definitely an item, but unlike Lily’s liquid-like armor, his were solid and removable. There were three sharp spikes on each bend in the knee and a pointed spike where the tips of his feet are. His arms were twice as bulky as Alex’s and his neck seemed too thick to be possible on a man. Over each of his hands were silver-like gauntlets with a sharp spike over each knuckle. The gleam of another item was peeking over his shoulder, but Alex wasn’t positive as to what exactly it was. He became dumbfounded to see so many weapon items belonging to a single person. He was inconceivably powerful.
Then Alex realized that he wasn’t alone. Two more men followed behind. The two men each had different types of items, but they wore the same attire as this general. One man had what looked like an oval, full bodied shield slung behind his back and the other had what looked like three sharp and curved claws wrapped over his hands. The two men were true warriors because of how fluid and sure they walked. They weren’t brothers, but they moved like they were.
The general’s dark eyes shifted to Shade once he was close enough. A smile spread across his face as he stopped only four paces away. He also had the whitest teeth Alex has ever seen, even whiter than his own. He seemed pleasant, but his movements said otherwise. He was prepared for an attack.
Once he came close enough to see each of them, his eyes moved off Shade. The dark eyes measured each of them in turn. Marlin stood calmly as he measured the three men. Lily stood and casually rested her hands on the pommels of her short swords. She too looked at the others like Marlin. Alex on the other hand stood with his staff in his right hand and kept it close to his side. He didn’t plant the butt on the ground, but it seemed as if it was. His eyes locked onto the general’s only.
“So you must be their leader.” He sounded sure as their eyes connected. And his men stood directly at his side.
If he did perceived the tall boy as a threat then Alex needed to be prepared as well. He calmed his voice and made his words ring true. “I’m not the leader of my friends. They look to me for advice, but I do not order them to do anything against their will. There is a big difference between a leader and a friend.”
Alex saw the general’s clawed companion move to intercept him for such blunt words, but Alex took a half step forward and flipped his staff. He pointed the end of the staff in the center of the warrior’s throat with less than an tenth of an inch to spare. He had the advantage and the other man knew it. He became motionless from the speed of the counter, but the staff didn’t even shake as it remained at the ready. Several people gasped at Alex’s explosive movement, but none dare moved.
The general began laughing. “You moved quicker than my second in command. You must be a good fighter.” He then looked between the two. “Both of you relax. Maiot, he wasn’t being malicious in his words. He was stating a fact that a leaders quality should be as a friend not as one who thinks he is superior.”
Alex stepped back and returned to his earlier stance. Maiot rubbed his throat and smiled weakly. “If you moved that dangerously with only wood, I’m actually afraid of what your item might be.”
“You don’t need to worry about that because I don’t have one.”
He laughed and rubbed his bald head. Then stopped once he saw the recruit’s empty expression. “Wait… you’re serious?” he remained silent.
Their words were heard by most everyone in the hall. The general also realized this and looked at the crowd. “At ease! Go back to what you were doing before I interrupted your evening meal!”
For the first time Alex saw what was on his back in the general’s turn to the crowd. It was a two sided battleaxe and it had a thick handle as long as its owner’s arm. It wasn’t difficult to realize that the general specialized and was lethal in close and hand to hand combat.
Slowly the music began playing and everyone took their seats. Most everyone quieted so they could eavesdrop on the general’s conversation. Most eyes returned to their group once again.
The general looked at all of them. “Would you mind if we may join you?”
“Pull up a chair.” Alex said and looked at Shade. “It’s alright. He wants to talk.” Shade nodded and laid on his belly next to Alex’s chair, but his back legs were tightly planted underneath and his front legs were outstretched. He usually does this incase he needs to stand instantly.
When Alex turned back around, the three new guests were staring at him, but the general’s eyes were calculating something. He wasn’t gawking like everyone else who’s heard his talent for the first time.
He turned his chair to the side and began rubbing Shade’s back with his left hand. Predatory golden eyes were zeroed in on the second in command. Maiot wasn’t slow as to why Shade glared at him. At least he didn’t growl.
Marlin sat at the back end of the round table while Lily sat between them. The three guests rearranged their previous order. The general sat next to Alex, but he sat in the chair backwards with his legs open. The shield man laid the item on the floor and sat between the general and Maiot. It was a silent moment for everyone until all had settled into their seats.
The general took a deep breath while looking at the four of them. “Since you are new around here, I would like to introduce myself. My name is General Rakkian. I am nine-and-thirty years of age and I am the head general under the queen. Now may I get to know each of you, ya?” His eyes shifted to Alex’s right for only a moment, he meant for his man to introduce himself.
“I am Gyro, I am a level five weapons class who specializes in the ultimate defense.” The man with the shield said evenly.
“I am Captain Maiot. I too am a level five, but I specialize in close and midrange attacks. I am second in command under our top general.”
Then it seemed prudent that it was their turn to introduce themselves. After all, the highest ranked officer took time out of his busy day to personally visit them. Even if they were the lowest subordinates of Freelan, it wouldn’t have been wise to remain silent. Rakkian seemed welcoming enough.
Patting his brother’s back he said. “This is Shade. He is only a year and a half old, but he is smarter than your average human. If you would like to speak with him without me present, you may write to him. He can both read and write so don’t even speculate that he is an ignorant fiend.” General Rakkian nodded while looking at Shade.
He then spoke for himself. “I am Alex. I’m nineteen and I can speak with fiends and animals. I was born without an item and I think that is why I might be capable of speaking with all manner of creatures…”
“Who was the one who gave you that ring?” The general interrupted suddenly, peering at the silver ring expectantly.
“My uncle, Gambit.”
General Rakkian’s eyes widened and his voice had to be cleared before he could get out “Would that happen to be Commander Gambit… Gambit the Red Soil?” Alex nodded and the General’s brilliant grin widened. “This is great news… I was in his battalion when I first joined. He might have only had a level one item, but I couldn’t ever best him in battle. We sparred together and I learned that a level one could beat a level five if they are more experienced. Where is he? Did he come with you or is he still retired? How is he?”
Alex’s throat swelled so tightly that he couldn’t speak.
The general caught the expression and understood. “I see…” his expressio
n became less animated, disheartened. His eyes shifted to his left and his voice became lower. “I received a report yesterday stating that you would be joining us Lily of the Blood Moon. I know who you are, ya. Be not afraid of my men for I have ordered them to leave you unharmed, while you remain on good behavior. Watch where you tread and go not alone without another with you, for danger is present. Just know there are many who are after your head right now.”
“I’m not unaware of the crimes I have committed in the name of the king. If it wasn’t for Alex, I would still be doing what I was ordered, uncaring of the lives I’ve ruined or would still be ruining. But I am grateful for your warning, general.” She said evenly and calmly. Alex was proud to see how she’s changed.
General Rakkian’s eyes began calculating again as he listened to her.
“I’m Marlin I’m five-and-twenty years of age. I’m mainly a water type weapon user, but some of my skills are land based and also reside mildly in the specialist class.”
“Terrific. We need some aquatic item users, ya.” Marlin began shaking his head in a halting manner. “What is the problem?”
Marlin’s voice became unmovable. “I’m sorry, general, but I’m not going to stray from my pack. We work well together and wherever they go, I go. If you wish for me to do anything else I’ll gladly take the responsibility, but I will not be separated from them.”
A smile crept across the general’s thick lips. “So you work well together?” He began scratching his smooth chin. “I want to see for myself just how well you are. How about we have a test of sorts, ya?”
“What kind of test?” Alex asked, drawing attention back to himself.
“Something simple and easy... I was thinking of pitting my very best team together against you so that we can judge your skills. How about it?”
Untamed Gift (Book One of the Items Trilogy) Page 39
