Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  “I won’t need to bother stretching this day after what we accomplished last night. I never knew I could tuck my legs behind my head like that.” And she chuckled while blushing seductively. “You’ve also improved since last we came together as one body.”

  “Glad you noticed. Can you get up?”

  “Let’s see.” And she sat up and stretched. “I’ve forgotten just how loose my limbs become after a night together. The experience is odd, but so worth it.” She slid out of the covers and headed to retrieve fresh clothing.

  While she moved he couldn’t help watching as her defensive item crept from around her back to position itself around her breasts, abdomen and sensitive area. He then followed her example and felt satisfaction when she stopped clothing herself to marvel at him with as much love and desire.

  Just as he finished belting on his sword Ava made herself known as her wings flapped before successfully landing on the open window. “Where’ve you been?”

  She cocked her head in jerky movements before stating “Watching those who approach us. I’ve also spoken to my father and told him what I witnessed.”

  “And?”

  “And they looked more numerous than I remember. Like a vast field of red grass nearly as far as the eye can see. My brethren and I flew out of their range and were all safe from any attacks, but our sharp eyes missed very little. They have created siege weapons, beyond those who have them as items and have cut a road through the forest to speed their arrival.” She noticed Lily tugging on a pair of combat boots and stand beside Alex to also notice his stoic expression. “Much of their forces are using the newly forged path, but several thousand are combing through the forest. The partnered fiends are all prepared and awaiting orders and are at their designated positions.”

  “How much time?”

  “At the pace they’ve set we believe they’ll have their full force ready to reach the city not long after the sun passes overhead.”

  He applied her perch and she took it gladly.

  Alex then approached the door and opened it, Lily followed.

  Outside stood a shirtless Marlin and a robed Niranene. “Do you mind?” He lifted their iron-bound wrists and explained “We cannot put on a decent tunic like this.”

  “From the looks of it you didn’t have a problem cutting the clothes off.” Alex noted aloud and watched as his friends smiled at each other in loving admiration.

  He then reached forward and winced as the metal shrieked in protest as he bent the inch thick bands barehanded. The pair rubbed their newly freed wrists and hurried back to their room to put on the remaining of their clothes. While they did so Krum asked of the situation and Ava gladly reiterated one more time. She felt proud to be of use as their groups best set of eyes.

  Together they all met downstairs to find the new king and queen unbound and Alex raised a questioning brow. Rakkian then admitted “We couldn’t wait for you to unbind us and one of my men cut the metal off. But do not worry, Allahandra is keeping the pieces together in her treasury, now that it means the most to her.” His queen smiled happily and didn’t deny it.

  “What’s this?” Lily then flicked an intricate armlet on Rakkian’s right bicep that would be befitting of a crown when the context of his enormously muscled arms is truly stated.

  “I care not for wearing a crown in day to day activities. This band is just as meaningful as the one Allahandra usually wears… Now down to business. May I assume Ava has informed you on the situation?”

  “She has. How are our defenses?”

  The newly married and happily glowing queen stepped forth “We’ve sent off ten thousand defenders to keep any first strikes from heading our way until Zawat is ready. Nearly twenty thousand currently surround the prison, positioning themselves both on the ground and upon nearby roofs and two hundred Fury are ready to shriek when the time comes. Healers have spread out among the forces and are ready. The city residences are all ordered to remain inside for their own safety and won’t be harmed so long as they stay out of the way.”

  “And what can Angie see?” Niranene requested as she made sure all her items had returned to their full contents.

  “Only two paths now await us and I had to relieve her for she has overworked herself and is in need of rest. Our first path is the most obvious. If Zawat doesn’t fulfill his role many will be slaughtered. Once the enemy attacks, those within the city will do what they can to help those outside. But if everything works well for the second path we’ll survive this day.”

  “Not all of us.” Calosh stated meaningfully as he entered the door with three fellow priests. The white robes of the High Priest looked well upon him as his curved ceremonial dagger glistened upon his hip while his item, a pair of reddish boots that glistened like nothing manmade, clicked upon the floor and would speed his run slightly faster than other men, but nowhere near the speed of a Furion. Calosh acknowledged all with a respectable inclining of his shaved head and everyone else mirrored him. “King Rakkian, I would like to thank you for supplying strong warriors to protect my father. He is waiting outside in the carriage you also supplied yesterday. He asks if we may proceed to the wall to greet destiny.”

  “We will be out shortly.” The new king informed the High Priest.

  “Can we get something to eat?” Marlin asked quickly.

  Lady Hanna stood. “We have a hot meal ready. Please sit and we’ll bring it out.” Alex and the other’s did so and soon several plates quickly sat before them. Eating, Alex noticed Rakkian wave farewell to his wife as they left with Calosh to run ahead first.

  Nearing the end of the hot and filling meal Alex spotted Kori’s daughters sitting at a small table in the far corner with two young boys. He smiled when the reunited brothers waved in his direction. Evan, the youngest brother, still looked weak after his ordeal, but seemed to be recovering well and moving of his own accord. Slowly, but quite alive.

  They all ate quickly and relieved themselves in a privy before regrouping.

  Walking outside they halted when spotting Shade approaching alone. Before anyone could ask he explained “Crest won’t be joining us today. We discussed it and decided she’d wait for me out in the forest, far from any danger, while I come back here. While she’s in heat, I and every other nearby male will be distracted and she’d hate to be the cause of a deathly mistake. She wants to be here, but understands that she cannot and she is upset that her time has come and can’t fight.

  “I met Beta a few minutes ago and he apprised me of the current situation. Are we leaving now?”

  “Aye and it is good to have you back.”

  “And it too is great to see everyone again.”

  Marlin whistled and a minute later Clift galloped to where they all waited. He and Niranene mounted while Alex, Lily and Krum sat together upon Shade.

  They then moved in a northerly direction.

  Feel of the city became cold and restless this morning. Streets remained empty except by the Freelan patrols making sure nothing went amiss.

  Supposedly Shade ate two boar last night and bathed before running back into the city while they walked. More and more patrols gathered around the north and prison area without fail. A large shimmer bent around the prison, courtyard and waiting men to keep prying eyes from getting a clear view of the plans.

  At the northern wall the ranks parted for Alex and his pack, making it easier to reach the stairs and climb.

  Beyond the wall rose columns of smoke over four miles long as over one hundred and twenty five thousand Royal Guard men and women approached, bent on wiping out Freelan and expunging them from Central City and existence.

  So this is the full might of my uncle’s beliefs. Alex couldn’t help at being in awe and feel fear at seeing such numbers. I remember seeing nearly as many back on the Alluan plains, but here looks more daunting. A sea of dotted reds and browns from issued attire for Royal Guard personnel weighed heavily on his heart. Even with all my strength I wouldn’t stand a chance for too lon
g against so many numbers. I’d wear out after an hour and be so exhausted they’d find a way to slip a blade between my ribs.

  Glancing at those who stood near, they too looked in awe and fear at what approached without pause or trepidation. They knew they had superior numbers and Freelan weakened after capturing the city just three days earlier. What made things more daunting is how hard they pressed themselves and still looked ready for open battle. Before breaching the city they should have arrived days later, but after the capture of it they pressed with the fewest brakes possible. Everyone could sense the distain and hatred coming from those approaching. Not only are they angry from the seizing the most vital city in Gagiat in a few days, but also being circumvented over a month ago by sailing across Point Lake and forcing them to double back really stung their pride. These men were upset that Freelan hadn’t fought them openly as they wanted and thought them cowards.

  A large mass of red clothed priests stood two hundred yards together and packed closely with several hundred Freelan fighters keeping others away. Alex and the rest of The Pack followed him over to the mass of Juguan priests.

  Wet tears streaked most priestly faces for they knew this is the last day their most valued friend and respected confidant to reside among them. Grief consumed most as they each sought a final moment with the old priest. Over on the other side stood Allahandra, Rakkian, Beta, Breaker and a large group of partnered warriors.

  Waiting with the others Alex watched the north as the war hungry mass continued to approach like a tidal wave set to wash the beach of all objects. None tried slowing or hindering the approaching group in any conceivable way.

  Several hours passed and it became possible to see individuals, but the dotted red mass stretched easily from just out of siege distance to over a league away where the trees stood and then some.

  Then just as noon began to roll past Zawat announced “The time has come!” and for the first time Alex watched as the man reached up for the wall’s ledge and pull himself into a standing position. His red robe came dangerously close to falling completely off till Calosh assisted his father. The old man withdrew his large glowing crystal and raised it overhead.

  Growing silence resulted from this display and even some Royal Guard’s below noticed the fiery glow within the item. Before any action could be taken against him he turned around to look upon all. “You, my dear friends and loved ones. I’m glad to see this day for so few reach my age. Do not cry for me for this is my choice so that more of you will reach my age one day. I love you all.” And he offered a truly content smile and raised his item overhead.

  A deep, rumbling and buzzing sound suddenly filled the void of silence left in Zawat’s last words.

  The crystal Alex threw into the moat began to rise out of the murky deapths and it pulsed in waves that could be felt. Another crystal out of sight exploded from deep beneath the earth. Then another and another till all eleven items hovered over a hundred feet in the air. “Transfer, Begin!” Zawat shouted and the crystal in his hands began to glow a deep blue instead of red and orange.

  Other crystals suddenly jumped colors to blue and just as quickly, what looked like lightning bolts, arced to the nearest hovering crystal and then to the next and the next until an enormous fifteen mile circle encased the whole of the Royal Guard.

  Lightning between the crystals snapped into perfect lines of energy and began growing like a cloth or net. In a second the net turned into an inescapable wall with a growing dome to encase all who stood within. The intensity grew until it went silent, but then the dome began shrinking faster and faster.

  Inside the shrinking space Royal Guard began panicking to avoid the approaching wall of blue light. Suddenly one person touched the screen and disappeared without so much as a sign of shock or a scream. Another soon followed and then another. Ten, twenty, fifty, a hundred, a thousand, a hundred thousand, it didn’t matter. The groups vanished immediately after being touched.

  Less than a minute later the eleven items came together and beneath them not one Royal Guard stood beneath. Then with not a sound they wavered in image until eventually disappearing.

  “Father!” Calosh cried and caught his father as he fell backwards.

  Six level five healers were right there and began ministering to him, but they all watched as the largest crystal-item within his hand wavered like a mirage before disappearing and with it went the last of his life.

  Calosh and many others cried aloud at the loss and memory of Zawat.

  Even if they only met each other for only a few days Alex shed tears as did many who were there.

  Shade reared his head back and howled in mourning and every Shadow Fang joined him in the great loss. Other fiends also made noise for Zawat’s deed.

  Zawat died with a smile on his face and looked years younger now that the world’s problems no longer concerned him.

  Sudden shrieks emanated from the center of the city and after a minute it remained eerily silent.

  Before any dared to leave they watched as Calosh withdrew his father’s sacrificial dagger from within his red robe, said a few short tear falling words and plunged the dagger into the lifeless body’s heart and left it there. “Now we must bury him.” Calosh stated and stepped back as a large ornately carved board slid beneath Zawat’s body and ten priests lifted together.

  Behind the procession led by Calosh, Zawat’s body was followed by Alex, Lily, Allahandra and Rakkian. Shade and Ava walked slowly behind them in silence. Marlin and the others also followed.

  The procession passed the prison and by the time they did they were almost done confiscating weapons and detaining the newest arrivals that suddenly appeared after being transported by Zawat’s item. After a thorough look not much blood in battle had been shed all things considering.

  Zawat was laid to rest outside the city, after negotiating a proper placement, beside the Xeal tree Alex transplanted. The Xeal accepted the burial and would forever protect the grave in return for the nutrients the body would sustain him. The memorial lasted the day and as Zawat was at last covered over Alex and the city sighed a breath of relief knowing that this great man had saved the lives of a great many with what he accomplished.

  Central City and Freelan no longer faced the threat of oblivion.

  Chapter 15

  “We’re Back!” A familiar voice howled in excitement.

  Alex closed his book and lunged to the door. Opening it he stopped a foot away from a toothy grin. “Shade!” Alex then jumped and wrapped his arms around his foster brother’s neck and pressed his face into the soft fur of his throat. The familiar musky scent filled the Furion’s nostrils and the warmth blossomed between the two. Worry and fear dissolved as Shade rumbled in pleasure of being reunited.

  Ava flew in and latched her talons atop his head and gently stroked him with her wings, grateful to see him return just as much.

  “Crest!” Lily also shouted and encircled her partner’s neck with just as much affection. Then Alex and Lily both dropped to the ground to get gently nuzzled by great heads and licked with heartfelt fondness and love. “Ask them where’ve they have been!” She demanded while stroking her dear friend’s soft coat.

  “Shade, it’s been a fortnight since the funeral. You left without another word when I was speaking with Calosh. We’ve been worried sick and Ava couldn’t even find you. I’ve sent out search parties and they’ve returned saying they couldn’t find any tracks of your whereabouts. Look around you! First snowfall has found us and we need to leave before it gets to the point that we’ll be forced to wait till spring, at which time Zawat’s work and life would have been in vain and our word ruined.”

  The Shadow Fang lord raised his head and looked just as relieved at reuniting, but kept his tone calm and dignified. “I’m truly sorry for causing everyone so much worry, Alex. It wasn’t my intention. It’s just Crest and I needed time alone and I know you understand that. It was just as much needed for us as is it has been for you and Lily. Alr
eady I can tell the two of you have grown closer and have been given time together. Crest and I have as well. We also couldn’t be around others till certain aspects waned…”

  “He means till I no longer was in heat.” Crest clarified as she walked closer to stand lovingly beside him and Alex noticed a subtle difference in how they looked together. She more graceful and he more masculine. “It’s been three days since my body has cooled and we’ve been running back here since then…” The large female then smiled and playfully nipped her mate’s cheek. “Tell them the good news!” she crooned.

  Shade bristled with pride. “Recently Crest’s scent has changed.”

  “Her scent?” Ava questioned and flitted down to Alex’s shoulder.

  Crest grinned to the fullest extent, revealing a row of white, razor sharp teeth. “My heat has been successful. Shade and I have conceived and are expecting our fist litter!”

  Wide grey eyes turned to Lily and his voice altered. “Crest says she’s pregnant! We’re going to be expecting puppies.”

  The tall female warrior squealed in delight and excitedly hugged her partner with renewed congratulations. She then ran inside and Alex heard her yell “Shade and Crest have returned and guess what!? They’re going to have puppies!”

  Marlin and Niranene sprinted out with Krum and Clift right behind. The new king and queen and their partners hurried out too. Voices raised and then Niranene pulled out her oval item and placed it on Crest’s ribs and closed her eyes. All eyes turned to the healer, especially Crest’s large golden pair. Niranene looked up and grinned with unhindered happiness to speak to all who quickly gathered. “It’s true! I count three separate lumps that will arrive in about two months!”

  Several heads turned for a translation. Alex told them and Crest exclaimed “Three! There hasn’t been three to a litter to my knowledge in four generations. If only my mother was still around, she’d be so happy…”