Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  While the man fell back and ran away as fast as his feet would take them Lily entered the house of the terrified woman. “Come now, let’s clean you up.” The gentleness of her voice and touch helped the woman from crying unbearably. When two more men from their party entered through the broken down front door she clutched Lily tighter, obviously frightened of men. One of them said “Prince Alex ordered us to help clean up the mess wrought here by those miscreants and to help the lady in whatever way she requires till we are no longer needed.”

  Lily looked down at the woman who clung to her and noticed her nakedness. “Very well, but let me make sure she is safe first. Take that trash out first.” She pointed to the man who lay dead and crumpled against the wall with his pants around his ankles. Both nodded and said “Princess.” as if it were and honor to serve. While they went to work Lily nearly dragged the woman into another room to say “I’m terribly sorry for what happened to you and want to help.”

  Between sobs and shakily sliding on a dress the woman asked “Who was that man?”

  “Who? Alex?” The woman nodded. “He is my husband and legitimate heir to Ra’van’s throne. Why?”

  “Because I wished to know my savior…” She sniffled. “He is not as portrayed.”

  “Oh?” Lily asked with a raised eyebrow and listened to the growing propaganda she reiterated and spread by those loyal to the false king. Talking seemed to help keep recent events from completely swallowing her. “My Alex never acts like what others expect. Aye he is a powerful warrior, but his ethics are unbreakable. You needn’t fear being raped again so long as he has ordered it. He is true to his word. Now I must be off, there is much work still to do. If you need anything, ask the men out there for assistance.” Then the woman gasped as the door opened and a large, predatory head came in. Crest let out a small whine and Lily tapped her broad and softly furred chest. “I must go, there is much to do.”

  With that the two exited the room and house, noticing the men and an average size Grizon removing broken furniture and placing the valuables back inside. Crest barely fit through the doorways.

  She exited and met Alex’s concerned stare from atop Shade. “She is rattled and in shock, but I believe you have a new admirer.” Lily teased and heard him sigh. Lily placed a palm on his leg. “You did well and the situation ended as it should. Pillaging is common, but raping is abhorrent.”

  Around them their men nodded in full agreement and a slight bit of fear from how quickly the prince’s temperament alters.

  Nearly an hour after the scene of looting and raping they arrived before the prison and Alex noted it hadn’t changed. The large stage remained a prominent display for the courtyard where spectators could witness the torture and execution of prisoners. But the difference now came as the area remained swarming with bodies of Freelan escorting a long line of disarmed Royal Guards up the small flight of stairs that led to the platform and proceeded them through the lone iron door that remained the sole entrance and exit of the huge prison.

  A squad met them and took charge of Alex’s captives and another few took the confiscated items to put into storage.

  A familiar face stood on the platform and Alex met Rakkian off to the side. Rakkian spoke in undertones while keeping an eye on nearly everything and made sure all went as smoothly as possible. “A private stopped by to see me not too long ago and was incessant that he speak to me personally. Some officers told him to be off, but I stole a glance at him and knew you had something to do with this. He confessed everything and then some. After explaining what you found them doing and your orders, I gave him a mercy killing before telling officers to keep a reign on their men.”

  “Why did you kill him? I had already cut off his hand for thieving.”

  The general gave a grim expression. “Apparently you told him to confess everything to me, but I wondered why you allowed him to live to find me… The private told me all the sickening acts he committed after we captured the city. He raped a boy an hour or two before you dealt with him and I knew that if you ordered rapists killed you would have done him in yourself, if you had known. I received two similar reports and had officers discipline their men accordingly. I must say, the men quickly learn what the consequences are by seeing friends lose a hand or worse. The results, I believe, are working quite quickly.” Then Rakkian took another look at the young prince to say “You do not look well.”

  Muscles felt like rubber, utter exhaustion and hunger left Alex looking haggard and weak. He said “I haven’t had any sleep in nearly three days, haven’t eaten in two and I’m tired from all the killing.”

  “You look as if hunger is of the most concern. Go and find a cook and get a meal in you. Allahandra will be here soon.”

  A nod was about all Alex could muster as he returned to find Shade curled on the ground, trying to rest. Alex dismissed the others, but had his pack search out one of the wagons to find rations. It didn’t take too long to find one because a small caravan stood along the edge of the courtyard of bricked ground. A line formed and moved quickly.

  Just as Shade bit into a leg of lamb and Alex first took a long draft of ale to replace all he had sweat an urgent horn blew off in the distance.

  Many groaned, Alex included. Activity increased as the horn blew in a code that meant Enemy force spotted, prepare for battle!

  “What now!” Lily yelled as she drank the last of her ale and put her untouched plate of food down.

  The horns blew again from the south side of the city.

  A rush of movement caught their attention as Beta charged alone in their direction. Before Alex could ask what happened he said “Rakkian just sent me to find you. He cannot leave his post and has asked you to hurry to the southern gate. A great many men have somehow snuck too close to the city. He says the numbers are about two or three thousand and that is more than a scout party.”

  “We must go. We cannot afford another large battle when everyone is as tired as we are.” Shade groaned as he stood and dropped the remainder of his meal. Crest followed while Alex explained another dangerous setback.

  Once everyone mounted, Shade and the others ran hard down the main street he once ran with Lily between his teeth. A great many also raced to the street and sped to the southern gate.

  Five minutes later Shade arrived and had a path cleared so he and Alex could reach the now opened gate and lowered bridge. Sweat and blood clung heavily to the warriors of Freelan and the most common aspect were just how tired a day’s long siege and taking a large city could exact. Since there remained many resistance pockets in the city only a handful of commanding officers and their men could be spared to confront the newest threat.

  Reaching the gate Alex, Lily and Marlin dismounted to find a different looking Commander Yort and the leader of the Grizons. Lily was the first to exclaim “Yort, what happened to your left arm? It’s gone!” She said and many eyes turned to the pained commander. He was the first important person who met Alex and the others when they reached the first destination to join Freelan within Alluan’s boarders.

  “Earlier this morning” Yort began and pain remained a constant sign sewn into his expression. “I became distracted for a moment and a stray grapeshot destroyed my arm. I had to be rushed to the healers, but nothing could be done because it had been pulped so I had them amputate it. My men still needed me so I forced Niranene’s medicine down to dull the pain while another cauterized my shoulder with the bottom of a cook pan.”

  “None can say you aren’t dedicated to your men anymore.” Marlin joked.

  “There’s that.” Yort said stoically. “At the very least I didn’t lose my good arm and can still fight.”

  “Speaking of, where are they? Better yet, who are they? The main contingent of Royal Guards couldn’t have arrived yet and more than that they wouldn’t be coming from this direction.” Alex requested while moving, trying to keep his limbs from cramping.

  “Reports are sketchy because this blasted cloudy night cannot give
a clear identification of who they are, but they number greatly. In our current condition we will be hard pressed should they decide to attack.” He concluded and gently rubbed all that remained of his shoulder.

  “Rest now Commander. I’ll take over and resolve the situation. Hopefully I can turn them back without a fight.”

  “Much appreciated.” And Yort returned to the bulk of his men with his concerned partner.

  With nearly perfect night vision Alex spotted movement of many men on foot about three miles away and had the men and fiends form up and pass beyond the gate to stand in the open, with him standing point. If a fight couldn’t be avoided they would need open ground to be best effective since not one of the approaching force rode horseback. The fiends had the advantage.

  Ava flew with ten other Fury and came to report. The news set Alex’s blood afire and he barely could maintain a coherent thought as all his hunger and weariness washed away. It wasn’t long before he spotted red sashes and full red robes of Juguan priests. Anger flooded his system at recalling the small village that had been used as a murderous sacrifice, but the main picture came from the spitted babe who had been ripped from her mother’s womb for the ultimate sacrifice.

  Each priest and acolyte wore a curved dagger at their hip for sacrificing lives to bring back the dead Ancients who bestowed the gift of items to mankind.

  Shade too snarled when hearing this and many of the Shadow Fangs stepped away from the raw hostility rolling off the two. They couldn’t ever recall seeing the High Alpha or a Furion ever looking more deadly than at that moment. They understood that blood would be spilled without hesitation. Even Marlin and Lily had to step away in fear of what they had never seen before.

  And the rage in Alex’s eyes and barred teeth alone revealed he would take them all out himself with little trouble. The torn earth under Shade’s claws proved he would likely take all on himself. Surviving would be the only luxury should the priests somehow escape.

  When a mile stood between the two forces the priests came to an abrupt halt and made no signs of aggression or approach. Ever so slowly sanity and logic returned to the brothers, but not an ounce of benevolence would be granted to the Juguan. The two groups remained stationary, making sure that an attack wasn’t forthcoming.

  Fifteen silent minutes passed until a single individual in a full red robes and a shaved head, carrying a white flag of truce stepped forth and approached. Still Alex and those following waited until the man stopped a hundred feet away to shout “We come here in the name of peace!”

  “What is it you want, Priest!” Alex demanded and stretched his Dominance out, but kept it from being unbearable. He wouldn’t take chances or have his own men not be able to defend themselves should his ability infringe on their own survival instincts should combat be joined.

  “The High Priest of the Juguan order and priesthood wishes to speak with the one known as Prince Alex Sheulson of Ra’van and Queen Allahandra of Alluan about a truce and possible alliance between our peoples!”

  Whispers through the ranks sped to everyone and even Alex felt astonishment stop him short. Never would he have considered this and his anger settled to a simmer, granting further control on his emotions. He knew that the priest couldn’t lie under a Furion’s dominance, but he could have been told to say this while those in power planned for something unsavory.

  Knowing how Allahandra would handle this, he emulated her by being diplomatic, even against an enemy. “I am Alex Shuelson, but what could King Yosh want to have dealings with me for. We don’t have the same ideals about life and freedom and I see only ruin of an alliance between us.”

  The man showed to be obviously startled, but quickly said “You have misunderstood what I mean, I speak of the true High Priest, Zawt.”

  This time it was Alex’s turn to be startled. “It cannot be! Zawt and his believers were exiled after Klen was killed by Yosh. Zawat’s order couldn’t have survived the vast desert.”

  “It is the upmost truth I assure you Prince, for he is my father and has chosen for me to speak on his behalf to make sure that negotiations go smoothly. We have come to offer our support and ask for a singular favor in return. Will you allow a peaceful meeting of my father and yourself with Queen Allahandra?”

  “Give me a moment!”

  “Of course!” and then the man remained still.

  The familiar tickle occurred in his throat as Alex spoke with Shade and explained just what had been revealed. During many of Gerieg’s stories and lessons they learned much more about Jugo, a very southern kingdom of Ra’van and what they did and believed in. During the winter months within the Shura Mountain sanctuary many stories were explained in detail when little else could be done to occupy their time, but the most topics were mainly on how to deal with different people of different lands. Even Gerieg believed Zawt had died many years ago. Shade gave his council on the situation and agreed to his sibling’s proposal and Alex turned to a nearby pair. He took his ring off and tossed it to the young lad and his Shadow Fang companion. The boy looked oddly at it as Alex ordered “My ring will grant you an audience with Allahandra. Give it to her. Go and tell her to meet me here as soon as possible and to bring a contingent of powerful guards just incase this turns out to be a trap. She needs to know this is a top priority since the city is almost completely secure and this very well may change our future plans.”

  The boy nodded and tapped his partner. They turned around and sped towards the gate with all haste.

  “You four, find a tent and set it up. The queen will arrive here shortly and need privacy. You ten, secure the area. I don’t want any surprises while we are holding talks of importance. None are to approach the tent or come within two hundred feet. If anyone does you have my permission to deal with any threat.” As the soldiers selected began to work one of the men in rank shouted at Alex “You cannot seriously be considering allowing these butchers anywhere near the queen?”

  In response Alex clearly said loudly, especially for the benefit of the priest “I’m only allowing this because this sect of the Juguan religion has never taken the life of another creature for the sake of pleasing the Ancients or themselves. They never kill because it goes against their beliefs. They will defend themselves, but will not kill an enemy, no matter the situation. They would much rather die first. And if they prove to be followers of the bastardized interpretations and followings of Yosh just to lie to me, I’ll kill them all without losing an ounce of sleep.” When nothing else was forthcoming Alex looked to see a full grin spread on the priest’s face. He seemed joyous as he turned around to inform his father of the granting of an audience.

  I just hope this doesn’t come around to take a chunk out our hind ends. He added in thought.

  Nearly an hour passed before a ‘clop clop’ could be heard from over two hundred cavalry mounted individuals on the brick road. In the center rode Allahandra, surrounded by exceedingly powerful warriors. She had taken Alex’s word seriously and took command of these level four and five warriors and left many others to finish securing the huge city. Those behind Alex spread apart to allow the protective fighters to do their duty and bring the queen to the prince. Only Lily and Marlin remained and were engulfed by muscle and many high class items. Allahandra pulled on the reigns and extended an open hand, offering the ruby ring with two dots connected by a line. Alex took his heirloom back while saying “Thank you for making haste.”

  “This is quite unconventional, ya. I took all that I could spare.” She gestured to those surrounding them. “I didn’t believe what the messenger said at first till he gave me your ring. The arrival of Juguan priests has upset a great many of my men and I could not console them for I do not know why they are here. Takka and many other specialists are at a complete loss as to why they are here, what they are after and how only a short time ago they were found. But Angie has informed me that the red color that will be of pivotal importance has at last arrived. She knows not what they are after, but knows f
or certain that the Juguan is part of our destiny. Mine in the very least. I just wish that she could see the outcome and know if this meeting will be beneficial or detrimental.”

  “Come, the men have set us a tent up and secured the area. We need to speak beforehand.” Alex raised a hand to a simple gray tent before dropping to the ground. Torches ringed the wool tent, allowing plenty of light inside, but not allowing shadows cast as one would if a fire were burning inside. The tent had sprung into being two hundred feet in front of Alex’s line while the Juguan would need to travel much further to reach the tent. He would not take many chances against these priests. During the wait Alex and Shade kept a close eye on the assembled and watched as they made camp.

  She looked to her men. “Make a perimeter around the tent and have none approach until I say so. Tricks or foul play will be dealt with by force.”

  Jiggling and clicking sounds of metal came from those who came with her and made a quick pace to completely surround the tent.

  As the perimeter closed, the fiends too stood around, adding a more vicious visage to ward off any attempts at approaching in any direction. Many of the priests stopped what they were doing to see what occurred, but remained wise enough to not approach any closer.

  While they walked to the tent Alex whispered “Allahandra, before we send someone to let the priests know it is time to hold a meeting I must show you something in private.” She only nodded.

  Shade slipped into the tent first, making sure it remained secure and no traps had been laid. When he stuck his head out only Allahandra, Breaker, Alex and Ava entered. Lily understood, but Marlin became sullen since he couldn’t be privy to this conversation. Being dear friends meant more to Alex than anyone knew and Marlin remained one of the very closest, but some secrets had to endure despite how outdated some customs were.