Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  Understanding that these Juguan priests didn’t eat meat, they were offered vegetables, bread, cheese and wine. The others all watched what they’d do.

  Hunger consumed Alex to the point where he dug into the plate without a second thought.

  The others didn’t pay any attention to him as they watched both Zawat and Calosh both take their dagger and place its sharp tip in the webbing between their pinky and ring finger, drawing a small, but steady amount of blood for their eating rituals. They then wiped the blood onto their opposite index finger hand and encircled the ceramic plate as thanks. They then placed a droplet above their chin, but below their bottom lip to prove they would not overeat or risk upsetting those who do not have a proper meal at the moment. Lily and the others watched as their fascination at these practiced movements were identical and pushed their own hunger aside, temporarily.

  Still eating ravenously Alex felt an odd sensation as his stomach began cramping. His lips began burning, but the food on his plate didn’t carry any form of peppers. He stopped eating and took a drink of the smooth wine and see if the burning would pass. It did not and his stomach began cramping harder. Then he looked down at his nearly empty plate and a chill swept over him.

  Zawat dropped his head and whispered a short prayer and picked up a boiled carrot and went to put it in his mouth, but something stopped him. He looked to see a large hand wrapped firmly around his wrist and followed the limb to meet Alex’s intense grey eyes. “What is the meaning of…” He tried stating angrily, but was cut short. “Poison! Don’t eat anything. The food has been poisoned.” Alex warned through his teeth as he gripped his stomach and released the priests hand and jumped to the back corner of the tent to violently retch.

  “GUARDS!!!” Allahandra yelled in near panic.

  The front of the tent opened with enough force that the seam ripped up to the top fold. Seeing Alex vomiting, Shade standing and snarling and the others in a panicked state made the soldiers choice clear. Weapons drew down upon the two wide eyed priests, but the queen’s yell to halt aggressions came just one moment before they would be killed. “Find anyone who had contact with our food. It has been poisoned!”

  “The men!” one of the higher ranking officers yelled as he ran out the tent and stop the soldiers from eating. Already he saw three men already throwing up violently and another laying unconscious. The near area became motionless as orders to stop eating spread. The soldiers quickly went into action.

  The inside of the tent remained deadly quiet except for Alex hurling without forcing himself to do so. Shade only allowed Lily and Ava to attend to him, anyone else caught so much as taking a single step closer were nipped at in warning and if they still continued he’d bite without reservation. The others got the hint to stay away from him. Only when Marlin came closer and get recognized did Shade allow him passed, but no one else would pass.

  “Will he be alright?” Calosh voiced and silenced himself as a sword pressed against his throat.

  “They are not the cause.” Allahandra said. “Someone has tried poisoning us and would have succeeded if we weren’t distracted. Sheathe your weapons and tend to the men I hear moaning in pain.”

  “Queen Allahandra, send for Alop, Wateu, and Opler from my camp, they are skilled healers, especially against poisonings. They are closer and more ready than if you summon those already within the city.” Zawat offered.

  “Thank you.” She accepted and had two runners hurry to the Juguan camp to retrieve the three healers. She had the High Priest say the names again for the runners memory.

  “Is he…?” Calosh asked again.

  “Wait a moment!” Lily snapped and rubbed a wet cloth over Alex’s brow. He finally dry heaved and sat back, trying to catch his breath while his fists balled the tunic at his abdomen. A growl from Shade stopped as she pulled on his tail. He met Lily’s eyes and even words couldn’t express that the danger didn’t come from the priests or any others. He lowered himself to the ground, but the scruff of his neck remained on end. He brought his meat closer and just about began eating to take his mind off things before he caught an unusual scent. He growled at the meat and nosed it away.

  “Shade,” Alex finally spoke, but throwing up the meal hurt his voice. “the food is poisoned.”

  “I know, I just smelled it. Are you well brother?”

  He shook his head and Lily wiped his brow again while Ava stood near, caressing Alex’s cheek tenderly with soft feathers. Her eyes showed concern.

  To the others Alex said “Bring me your plate Allahandra.”

  She looked around and found it with half of its contents spilled on the grass and brought it over. She about asked if he was going to eat it, but everyone watched as he brought it close and sniffed it.

  A moment later he announced “Larkspur. Someone extracted and concentrated the poison immensely. I know this poison. I have ingested it before, but not enough apparently to be properly immune. Do not fear, I simply need… rest.”

  With that he collapsed backwards while blacking out.

  Lily tried, but couldn’t stop his fall and feared the worst, but Allahandra pressed two fingers to the side of his neck. “His heart is beating steady, for him at least. I think the poison made him too exhausted to remain lucid. He hasn’t had proper sleep lately either. Take him back to Lady Hanna’s estate to rest. She offered it to me once we met up a few hours back. He will be safe there while he rests.” She then turned to the others. “You heard him, the poison is concentrated Larkspur. Tell the coming healers, it will make the diagnosis much quicker to find a cure.” Then to her guests she sorrowfully admitted “Please forgive how events tonight played out. We must call this meeting closed. You and your men have my word that you will not be harmed. Please, return to your men and in the morning I’ll send someone to fetch you so we may talk in a much more formal atmosphere. Allow your priesthood to know that I’m considering the proposal immensely. We can work out the details later.”

  “Thank you for giving us amnesty for the time being and do not be too upset, I owe my life already. If not for Alex we all would have eaten our last, deadly meal.” Zawat smiled humbly and called the other three to help get him out of the tent. “And tell the prince, if he needs any help to send for me. I wish him a speedy recovery.” With that he and the others left into the night.

  Lily tapped Shade’s side and gained his attention. She had him crawl closer as she and Marlin both carefully laid Alex over his back. Ava flew and perched herself between his ears after standing up. Allahandra asked if Alex might need to see a healer and she shook her head. “As a Furion he’ll become immune to the poison. By the morning he should be better. If not, I’ll bring him to a healer.”

  Shade exited the tent and met Crest’s demanding stare and he told her the short version of what had happened. She told him she’ll stay and try to find the culprit with Allahandra and wrote in the dirt with her paws to let Lily know what she planned to do. If she found something she’d track them down soon after. Marlin also said he had to check and make sure Niranene remained safe.

  Shade quickly made his way back to Lady Hanna’s mansion with Lily and Ava. Hanna and her old childhood friend were there in the lush meeting room and showed Lily where they could stay. The room remained dark, but quite spacious as they laid Alex on a medium size bed to get some rest.

  Chapter 12

  “He’s waking up.” Marlin informed the still room.

  Bright light filled the room through an open window making Alex eyes immediately water from the sharpness of the rays. Several voices spoke all at once, but his headache dominated every thought. Slowly he sat up, feeling completely exhausted. “Can someone close the curtains?” He asked hoarsely for his throat felt like sand grating against silk.

  Sunlight dimmed quickly and Alex eventually noticed the expectant faces surrounding the bed. The whole pack stood around and made the average sized room feel overly crowded and suffocating. Only four figures not of his pack stood within. Bet
a, Rakkian, Allahandra and Breaker stood expectantly off to the side. Clift and Crest laid over in a corner, trying not to take up much space, but their expressions of worry remained. Only Lily and Ava sat on the bed with him while Shade, Marlin, Niranene and Krum stood together at the foot.

  “How are you feeling?” Lily asked and placed a cool hand upon his.

  “My stomach’s still hurting and a throbbing headache is making light and sounds more acute and painful, but at the moment I’m thirsty and starving.”

  “I’ll have food brought up immediately.” Rakkian said and quickly exited the room, his metallic greave and boot items clicking loudly on the wooden floor.

  “The last thing I remember is speaking with Zawat and being poisoned. Will someone tell me what has happened and how long I’ve been out.” Alex then began stretching slowly in bed, working out the sore and protesting muscles.

  Lily began “Firstly, it is midmorning and you have slept soundly for several hours. After finding yourself poisoned we brought you back to Lady Hanna’s estate unconscious. Niranene says the accumulation from a lack of sleep, battle fatigue and poisoning caused you to sleep more deeply than usual.” The brown haired, blue eyed healer nodded when he glanced. “Shade, Ava and I stayed with you until Marlin found Niranene and Krum to see what they could do. Niranene said you were severely dehydrated and together we got you to drink a small amount, only enough to replace the minimum amount you needed. We tried waking you at sunrise, but you were far too exhausted to react. Till now that is.

  “While we looked after you Allahandra and Crest remained behind to find out just what exactly happened. Around thirty others had been poisoned, but the Juguan healers arrived too late for three men who succumbed to the poison’s effects. Your quick and accurate diagnosis of the poison Larkspur saved time and the lives of others. With Crest’s talented nose she scented down everyone who accessed the food cart that had been brought in from Allahandra’s request last night.

  “About four hours ago she finally tracked the human and Larkspur scent to one of our chefs that had been established near the courtyard near the prison. Apparently someone told her about the meal being destined to feed Allahandra and the High Priest and sought to stop such a meeting. She didn’t count on you eating as well as she admitted handing you and the rest of us a large meal from earlier. She heavily dosed the food that had been ordered to the tent we resided in because it would be fast acting and nearly impossible to find an antidote quickly enough. The cook has been known to be with us for a long time and thought that while everything remained chaotic in the city she would succeed in killing us. She has been imprisoned since revealing her plot. Crest wrote that she wanted to eat her for such an underhanded trick, but thought she might be poisonous herself and watched her get shackled before coming back about two hours ago.” She smiled weakly.

  “Many of the warriors have become less hostile to the priests, after seeing their healers at work and saving the lives of those poisoned. Still, they do not trust them, but the priests do not hold resentment for they understand how poorly their brothers have harmed their reputation.” Lily then turned to the queen. “Allahandra, care to take it from here?”

  “Certainly,” Allahandra stepped closer with Breaker. “Before that though I just wanted to say thank you again.”

  Alex smiled softly while crossing his legs on the bed.

  “After finding the culprit and the interrogation, I sent a letter over to Zawat and received two hours of rest before he replied. He and his fellow priests wish you well and are content for the moment, sitting outside the gates. He is pleased that we found her and hopes it doesn’t happen again and is in hopes our negotiations aren’t spoiled. He will be here tonight to further negotiations and see to it that we survive the next few days. We have but two more before the bulk of the Royal Guard army arrives.

  “Lady Hanna has also been quite kind to allow us to stay on her property for as long as we wish. We three will speak on our future lands relationship at the evening meal. Already she is open to trading opportunities. But in a few hours she will stand with me as we speak on our policies to the inhabitants of the city. Word has spread of Lady Hanna’s return and many of the older ladies and gentlemen who knew and served her father have already voiced their backing of her return to one of the five seats of Gagiat.

  “Furthermore, the city has been secured and the latest report said that only small resistant pockets are still fighting, but they are being weeded out as quickly and as safely as possible. The Frox have been invaluable already by scouting dangerous areas and reporting to fiends who can write and explain the situation.

  “I have about four more hours till I must speak to the city’s inhabitants and tell them about the changes that will be implemented and in the mean time I’m going to get some rest while I can. But before I do I need to know if you and the others will join me?”

  “I cannot say at this moment.” He admitted. “At the moment I doubt I could stand, but after I eat we’ll see.”

  “Then I’ll leave you to it. Rest well my friend.” And she stepped out.

  Niranene stepped aside as Shade stood and stepped over Crest. He approached the bed and whined “How do you feel, Alex?”

  In response he reached up and scratched Shade’s jaw line. “Be not frightened any further Shade.” And then Ava jumped and landed on his leg. “The three of us had it much worse when we trained with Gerieg, Elo and Sheer. Remember how bad I had it after grabbing Ginger’s poisoned quill? This is nothing in comparison.”

  “That’s true!” Shade rumbled with mirth. “At least you didn’t soil your pants.”

  Alex gently punched Shade’s muzzle and Shade came close to press his furry head against his partner’s. The warmth and closeness eased both of their worries. Not one to be left out, Ava rubbed her feathery cheek against both of her brothers.

  Thinking back just two years ago, Alex smiled at how many people he’s come to love and have it returned in kind.

  A sharp nudge on his foot broke the feeling of contentment and Marlin said “I’m glad you’re feeling better. I need to get some sleep as well. Care to join me, Niranene?”

  “I will, seeing as how I’m no longer needed.” She then tapped Krum on the shoulder and put both hands together and place them beside her head like a sign language for sleep. He whooped calmly and mirrored the sign and made a snoring sound.

  Just as the three walked towards the open door Alex asked “Where are you all staying at?”

  Marlin pointed towards the wall behind Alex. “We are right next door.” And Niranene added “If you need either of us just call aloud and we’ll hear you.” Then they stepped out.

  Crest walked over to sit on the other side of the bed, now that they had a bit more freedom to move around.

  For the next ten minutes all five of them talked casually because Alex’s throat remained raw and mostly they were all too glad to say how worried they all were.

  Then finally a familiar and loud set of feet came in their direction and the door opened to reveal Rakkian entering with two large, heaping tray’s of food and behind him followed five servants carrying either food or drink. Two carried large sections of pig for the two largest eaters. Rakkian offered one plate to Lily and the other to Alex. Then he pulled out three links of sausage to drop in front of Ava’s talons. “I’m sorry I cannot stay and speak, but there are still security issues that need my attention. I will see you later.” And then he stepped around the servants to disappear down the hallway.

  Before Alex even thought about eating he checked that the food didn’t smell of poison. Lily laughed “I doubt Rakkian even looked away from them preparing your meal. He won’t take any more chances after seeing as how close Allahandra had come to being harmed. He is grateful that you caught it first, even if he won’t come out and say it.”

  Realizing all is well he took a first bite and was assaulted with taste. Hunger makes flavors stronger and more potent. He and the others ate while the
last servant left and shut the door. After a few bites he took a long draught of ale and the liquid felt great sliding down and warming his belly. After a few minutes his plate sat empty on his lap, but his hunger craved more and Lily saw it. “Here, I ate a few hours ago. I knew you’d pull through, but they couldn’t stomach anything till you awoke.”

  He could tell she lied, but took the offered plate with gratitude. He gave her back her bread so she wouldn’t feel as hungry as he. She took it and nibbled on it while sipping her ale. A minute later the plate’s contents also disappeared.

  Alex leaned back with a groan now that he had a decent meal in him. Still fighting the effects he went back to sleep. This time Lily crawled in beside him. Shade and Crest began resting together in the corner while Ava fluffed herself and slept on the pillow near Alex’s head.

  That all finally found a restful sleep after so many taxing days.

  Several hours later Alex stirred and awoke to find Lily and Crest gone. “Were did they go?” He asked Ava.

  “Niranene and Krum came by and he said that Niranene needed their help not long ago. How are you feeling?”

  “Better. I still have a mild headache, but it won’t hinder me or my duties.”

  “Then rise.” Shade said and shook from snout to tail after standing tall. “I’ve been to worried and have neglected my duties as High Alpha long enough.”

  Ava glided down to the floorboards as Alex slipped out of bed and found the chest at the foot of the bed filled with folded clothes and slid into a set similar to his and they fit quite well. He also used the ewer to shave and freshen up as sweat clung heavily to his skin. Someone had also been kind enough to wash both his sword and protectors. He belted the sword on and applied the cool metal to his arms and felt as it took but a moment for the metal to heat to his own temperature.