“Alex,” Lily started up another conversation. “will it be permissible to trade my obligations away from Niranene?”
The mood of the room shifted and he said. “I don’t see why not, but if I may ask, what are you going to do?”
Lily’s voice became as unreadable as her expression. “Actually I plan on staying by your side. You have no one to guard your back besides Shade. And you carry a staff, a normally nonlethal weapon. A lot of people are uncomfortable around either one of us, even if they do remain polite. Would it be alright?”
Alex’s eyes remained stunned as Lily remained expressionless. What is she planning? What could she possibly want to protect me from? She now had that proud warrior look to her again. He noticed. If he were to have said something along those lines to her he’d be blushing if not bruised and beaten. It was like she was suppressing something in her words, but he couldn’t tell what it was.
“That will be more than acceptable, Lily.” He said and then the playful edge to the queen’s interruptive tone brought him out of his mental stupor. “Since you and Shade have done so much, I’d like to know what your next move will be.” Though she asked that question she was smiling at the two mischievously.
Things were silent for several minutes while he methodically sought for an answer to her question and not her expression. “Actually, I’d like to assist your warriors on the northern gate. Maybe I could help with something like fortifying the wall and gate. I need to work with my hands. It might help clear my head and be able to better process the cryptic information Shade found.”
“Do what you can. Oh and keep my medallion on you at all times. Right now I have something to do.” She arose and left through the double doors. All of the outside guards encircle around her as the doors were shut.
“Marlin, we must also go. I have to do my rounds.” Niranene said and Alex’s friend seemed delighted. Marlin was entranced by her.
“Hey Marlin, can you help me for a moment?” He turned to look at Alex as he stood up and pulled out the golden medallion from his pocket. “Can you use your hook to put a hole in the top of this for me?”
“I don’t see why not, gold is especially soft.”
Marlin caught the circular metal in the air and pulled on his collapsed item. He pulled the three pronged hook along with three feet of line. He placed the hook on the floor and the top of the medallion was placed over one of the hooks barbed prongs. With a quick and powerful stomp, the softer gold was instantly pierced by the hook. He lifted the hooked medallion and caught it. The barb flattened and the medallion easily slid out. “Here you go.” And he tossed it back to Alex. The hole was the perfect size. Then the line retracted the hook back to a resting position.
“I have been invited to the evening meal.” Niranene said for Alex. “We will see you later tonight. I hope we can become good friends, Alex. And I cannot forget about the marvelous Shade. He is a rare creature that I must study while the chance is available to me.” His ears perked from the sound of his name. He then smiled at her. She blinked at him for a moment. “I’m sorry, but my duties cannot wait much longer.”
She left the room with Marlin following suit.
“So what’s on our list for today, Alex?” Lily asked with a rosy smile.
“We are going to see where they could use assistance. But first I need to string this onto a thong.”
Before the three of them left the palace he found a leather string from his pack and threaded it through the medallion. After that, he hung it around his neck, tucked it under his tunic and departed.
The three made it to the northern gate and on the enormous stone wall, waited the busy warriors. The main gate was closed and barricaded from the inside, but there were still three lines of guards blocking anyone who might want to leave. Every warrior’s eyes focused on their approach, but said nothing.
Just before they stopped, Alex’s eyes caught sight of a familiar item on top of the wall. There were three hooked claws on top of each hand. He took a deep breath and called out to him. “Captain Maiot, can we come up!?”
Extremely dark eyes searched until he found them in the middle of the road. He gave a half smile and ordered his men. “Allow them passage.”
The guards moved away and showed them the way to ascend up the wall. There was a semi-large stone staircase which they used to reach the top of the wall. They had to walk in a line up the stairs, but up here, ten men with their arms stretched out still couldn’t touch the others fingertips. There was much room and it was needed. The entire northern side was lined with guards and weapons, waiting for the inevitable battle to ensue.
Many heads turned in their direction, but everyone remained at their posts.
Maiot met up with Lily, Alex and Shade, looking calm and sure. “What brings all of you up here? Do you need the general for something?”
Alex smiled, shifting his weight. “I was wondering if we could do something to help. Where do you think we could be of use?”
He grinned. “We can use all the able bodies we can. Follow me and I’ll put you to work, ya.” He turned and they followed.
Over the next seven days several things have happened.
After Captain Maiot gave them something to do, Alex helped the men fill up the oil cauldrons and set them up atop the wall, ready to be lit and poured into the moat should the enemy get too close. Someone made a special leather harness for Shade so he could assist with pulling heavy objects up onto and along the top of the wall. With Shade’s help they pulled large chunks of stone onto the wall. They would be ammunition for the few people who also have extremely large items such as their own catapults, ballistae and trebuchets. There were even a few strange item users who could shrink the stones and throw them and once the stone leaves the item they grow into its original size and crush the enemy.
Everyone appreciated the support and especially Shade’s strength.
The captured spy didn’t give up any more information about who his accomplice was; even till the day he died. During a break in the interrogation process, the man somehow managed to bite off his own tongue without making a single sound. When the interrogators returned they found his lifeless body.
The hunt for the special item still remained elusive to all. There was one artifact that the queen inherited from her forefathers, but it was just too enormous to move. Allahandra was getting frustrated on what it could be; just like the rest of them were, but she still hasn’t given up on finding it yet. Whatever this thing is, it must have a deep rooted meaning, but being blind to its presence left everyone’s stomach knotted in difficult ways.
Lily rarely strayed from Alex’s side once they exited the castle. She was telling him about a new book she has been studying from the queen’s extensive archive. There was a lot of military tactics and jargon that she was explaining. He didn’t find her explanations relevant, but he did love hearing the sound of her voice. He missed her humming most of all. It felt good to have her talking comfortably rather than go insane when she becomes quiet.
Two nights ago they saw their first glimpse of the orange light. It was off in the far distance, at the very edge of the forest. Everyone was preparing for the unavoidable battle. The drawbridge was raised and everyone took defensive positions. Weapons were prepped and ready and the oil had been set to boil.
All day today Shade, Lily and Alex watched from above the outer wall as the intruders slowly approached, but stayed just out of range for the night, preparing themselves for the morning fight.
It was a few hours after midnight while the three of them carefully watched the stationary contingent, from high above the siege walls. The nine thousand fighters stayed just out of the city’s weapons range, but only just. The city was on high alert and everyone was on lockdown until the threat could be eliminated.
“It’s the calm before the storm, ya.” Alex almost yelped at hearing a voice come from behind. The city and everyone were quiet, which made his voice carry. They turned around to find Genera
l Rakkian standing behind them. “No matter how many battles I’ve been in, this feeling still puts an ache in my belly. On the other hand, it lets you know that the threat is real and your about to put your life on the line for something you believe in.”
“Truer words have never been spoken.” Lily admitted with a dazzling smile. “Is there something we could help you with, General?”
“Not really. I just needed to take my mind off the battle that will rage when the sun burns the sky, ya. We can all barely see in this wretched night so they will wait until morning to increase their accuracy.” It was strange because Alex could clearly see them, even in this minimal amount of light.
They all turned to stare down at the enemy camp and Rakkian leaned against the walls ledge. All remained quiet and even Shade didn’t have anything to say. Alex couldn’t tolerate the silence any longer. “Rakkian, could you tell me what it was like being under my uncle’s command? I have only seen him as my uncle and never a warrior, like you have.”
An honest and nostalgic smile appeared on his dark skin. “That I can do,” For the next hour or so he told them what it was like serving under Gambit the Red Soil. Apparently Gambit was a risk taker like Alex, but he always pulled through his missions somehow. In Gambit’s entire career against the king, he had only lost ninety one men in battle. Rakkian was still in awe on how he could do such feats. The general said he has over twenty scrolls filled with the names of those who’ve lost their lives under his command, in the attempt of freeing the people.
And then somehow Rakkian began speaking on a different topic altogether. He seemed to like to talk and was actually gifted in telling stories in detail. This one was about his closest subordinates and cherished friends. Apparently Rakkian rescued Captain Maiot from a raid when he was just a boy. Maiot and Gyro have been almost inseparable as long as the general has known them and they work together like no other in his entire force. And his third officer, Gyro, was the next topic he spoke of fondly. He explained on how they became comrades about six and a half years ago. Apparently he was critically injured and took a long time to heal after the battle in which the walls were breached. From the descriptions he gave them, Gyro was in bad shape from that fight.
Things became quiet again and Alex watched the enemy camp. Even from the distance he saw a change in the enemy. He saw everyone standing, almost as one. “General, they are all getting up!”
He took Alex’s words seriously, even if he couldn’t see what the young Furion could. He took a deep breath and shouted. “Everyone! Prepare for battle! Light the missiles and…”
Instantly everyone on alert and setting up for the battle. The siege weapons were already preloaded and everyone was brandishing their items.
Suddenly there was a horn being blown from the enemy camp.
The battle was underway.
Shade, Lily and Alex were of no use on the wall because they were all close range fighters and they needed long and midrange fighters up on the wall. They then ran to the center of the northern road and stood behind the now seven thick lines of tense warriors.
Suddenly there was a simultaneous flash of light with the sound of an explosion. Something powerful struck the outer wall, but the fortification didn’t even shake. That was a great relief. There were orders shouted from officers and groups of warriors were running over to different areas. Then there were explosions only they were further away. Freelan was fighting back.
The calm was over. The tempest was here.
Ten minutes after the battle began all watched as General Rakkian jumped off the top of the wall. Everyone moved away for some reason. Many were afraid he was knocked off from such a deadly height, but the way he moved said otherwise. His body looked calm and sure, rather than frightened as he plummeted to the solid ground. Just before he made a solid impact with the road he brought his fists forward. His enormous arm muscles were perfectly straight and his gauntlet covered fists were clenched. It reminded Alex when they first had their skirmish and he tried punching the ground. The multitude would soon see what Rakkian was planning.
The moment his fists impacted the road, the ground rippled it a wave and caught him safely. Suddenly the entire ground beneath everyone’s feet began shaking. The general’s gauntlets could actually create earthquakes.
Alex barely managed to maintain his balance from the tremors, but some of the men around him weren’t so lucky and ended up on their rear ends. Shade growled at nothing except the ground because he didn’t like the feeling of the ground shaking. Lily had both of her swords drawn as she stood by Alex’s side, completely composed.
Rakkian then shouted, gauntlets still submerged in the road. “Don’t be afraid! My item is doing more damage to our enemies outside!” His words were true because all could faintly hear screams from the men outside the gate and the rumbling sound was greater out there too.
A few seconds later the ground stopped shaking and the general stood and ran back up on top of the wall. Many expected him to do it again, but Alex realized it sometimes take longer for certain items to recharge their effects. It would have to if Rakkian’s items were as powerful as he imagined.
For the next fifteen minutes the fight continued and Alex had the growing feeling that he knew something definitive now.
Something had formulated in his mind, but it wasn’t fully concluded. Like a puzzle, all the pieces were there, it had to be put together. He focused on everything that he’s learned thus far. First, this battle was an obvious distraction for something bigger. Next, there was something that could be detrimental to Freelan once it was stolen and snuck out of the city. Finally, there was something in the general’s earlier stories that made Alex think, but what could it be? He turned it over in his mind for several minutes. It was something he said…
Alex’s head jerked up when he figured everything out and it now made complete sense. And once he did have the answer, his heart began pounding once again. It wasn’t a thing they were after, it was a person. Heat began rolling off of him. It wasn’t just any person. His body began getting stronger and swifter. It was a person only a select few could get to. Things began to slow down in his vision. It wasn’t just one, but two traitorous spies.
He turned to a scared Lily once she saw his furious expression. He grabbed her hips and put her on Shade’s back in under a second, making sure his burning skin didn’t harm her. Shade was instantly alerted to his brother’s state and his ears flattened against his head and a growl escaped his teeth.
He had to slow his voice down because when he spoke the first time it was too quick for his brother to understand. “Shade, we need to hurry back to the castle!” Alex then gave him a quick reason why.
Shade launched himself down the road at his swiftest. His large muscles powered him forward at an amazing speed, but Alex had to slightly slow himself down so they could run together. They were running so quickly that anyone they could see only saw a dark flash from their perspectives.
Lily screamed and her words seemed to drag in his racing mind. “Alex, what is happening!?”
Long strides remained uninterrupted as he ran parallel with Shade. “We need to get to Allahandra! She is the key to the distraction and we need to get to her! It may already be too late!”
Not a second later Alex watched as Lily cut a shallow wound in her forearm. She pressed her crescent blade to the oozing blood and kept it there. He watched as the blade drank the blood of its master and grew into a crescent bladed sword that was nearly half as tall as she. She removed the blade from her arm and flipped it backwards, into a defensive position as she expertly rode on Shade’s back.
They rounded the corner of the inner wall to see it opened and were horrified to find twelve guards dead inside the queen’s open courtyard. Some were disemboweled and some were flattened with what looked like spikes had driven through them. Blood was everywhere, but the problem was that the dead guards were killed where they stood. They knew their attackers personally.
They
couldn’t waste time; they had to get to the nineteenth floor. Shade and Alex leapt over the corpses and into the castle. Together they ran up the spiral stairwell and found several strewn bodies as they raced to be in time. The kills were no more than three or four minutes old. They ran to the highest floor in under a minute.
Once they reached the floor Alex saw the same piercing spikes lining only the bottom of the flooring and the four initial guards were already dead, but only by a minute. Some lifeless bodies continued to twitch. We might make it, he thought.
They shot down to the corner of the hall and there were scorch marks on the walls and more crushed bodies. the guards fought back, but didn’t eliminate the enemy.
At the sound of a terrifying scream they raced for the double doors.
With a single forceful kick Alex shattered both doors inside the war room. Everyone in the room had died except for three standing figures.
Inside the room of six dead guards stood Gyro and Maiot.
They were holding Queen Allahandra by her arms, struggling for freedom.
They were the traitors!
Chapter 25
All three heads jerked in the same direction, once they heard the shattering of the doors that were kicked from their hinges. The room was strewn red with the blood of the fallen guards. The green room was slung with gore and chunks of flesh. Gyro had his shield strapped to his back while holding Allahandra securer than Maiot. There wasn’t time to think after the queen shrieked “ALEX! HELP!!!”
Untamed Gift (Book One of the Items Trilogy) Page 52
