Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  “Always do.” He remarked with a smile through the pain.

  “You two fought like you were going to kill each other.” Lily stated.

  “Had to make it look real.” Alex explained and heard Marlin’s nose being cracked back in place and set properly by his wife.

  “Why?”

  “Because we trust each other to not hold back much. If we had either you, Niranene, Calosh or Isabelle beat us like we saw from each of those being dragged today it wouldn’t have seen legitimate. You have your roles and we have ours.”

  “He’s right.” Marlin added. “You wouldn’t have done nearly the damage required. You and Niranene love us and Calosh and Isabelle are pacifists, for the most part.”

  “They are correct, this is the only way.” Calosh said weakly. “My father was very thorough and knew that success required payment. Let us hope that we will not need to further harm either of them.”

  Niranene pulled her item case closer and said. “If they need to look bruised and bloody I’ve got just the thing.” She then pulled out one of her colored containers and pulled out a single purple pellet, cut it in half and handed either to the recovering men. “This will mildly thin your blood. It will make you bleed more easily, but the beating you gave each other will make the bruising more prominent. Come morning you’ll look days beaten.”

  They took the water skins and the half-pellet and swallowed the item. Talking became problematic as Alex’s lip kept splitting open and bled more after the item’s effect took over and Marlin could barely keep his eyes open when stars kept giving him a headache. Calosh offered his soft pallet for the two bruised men for the punches made it impossible to sleep comfortably anywhere else.

  They eventually found rest.

  Light pierced night’s veil just as Alex awoke, feeling much worse than when he achieved rest. The throbbing no longer plagued him with each heartbeat, but every movement and breath sent shards of pain every time. Still, it wasn’t enough to deter him from completing the task.

  Isabelle acknowledged him with a nod as she stood watch.

  Ava saw him awake and gently glided down and landed on his left arm’s bracer. “Tell me how you feel?” he did. “I don’t like this, not one bit.” She spoke quietly, but with anger. “I don’t like you getting hurt, more so when you can avoid it all together. You’re dear to me, Alex, and I hate seeing you looking like this.”

  “Do I look that bad?”

  “Look at yourself and see what I do.”

  And he did so. He broke out the lone mirror Janken told him to keep and became shaken with his reflection. His jaw, mouth, throat, shoulder and multiple bruises all over his torso made him look as if he had been beaten within an inch of his life. His lip had bloody flakes around the split wound. He knew he’d be something to look at, but this is an entirely unexpected outcome. He then returned the mirror to the pack and lifted his arm to stroke Ava’s back. “I’m sorry to worry you so much.”

  “You’ll always make me worry, Alex. It’s what family does and you and Shade are all I have and will ever need.” He brought his head down and she nuzzled her soft, feathery cheek with his.

  “Have I told you how much I love you?”

  “Not lately.” She quipped.

  “Well I do.”

  “I know and I’ll always love you just as dearly.”

  “You look horrible.” Lily said and he turned to meet her stare. Her lips turned downward in worry and disgust. “I wish you could rapidly heal like you usually do, but that won’t help gain us access. Niranene sure has some useful items. She can heal and make a person look like they’re about to dive into the abyss.”

  “Been there twice already and I don’t want to try for a third.”

  She cocked her head in confusion till she understood the meaning.

  Death nearly claimed him on two occasions. First with Shade’s uncle scratching him with Shadow Fang neurotoxin and second when Gyro’s spikes nearly killed him when he tried kidnapping Allahandra.

  Then their conversation awoke the others and if Alex looked bad, Marlin exceeded him in terms of bruising. Niranene’s item sure made appearances worse. Where his nose had been broken it left him with two black eyes like that of a raccoon, but the brilliant blue irises behind the bruises said he didn’t hold any animosity. Niranene checked both men out and saw that both were capable of continuing.

  Her statement gave Calosh the opening they’ve been dreading. He lifted the pack he’s kept closed since they left Central City. He pulled out two purple robes, red sashes, sandals, matching knives, a large jar of brown dye, two loincloths and a red robe. “It is time to dress the part. Isabelle, please prepare the girls while I work with Marlin and Alex.” And Isabelle bowed respectfully, took the robes, daggers, sandals and dye. When she began leaving towards the thick patch of bushes the two women reluctantly followed.

  “Marlin, Alex, I need you to wear these.” And held out the cloth.

  They looked at each other in panic, but stripped down to nothing and tied on the strip of cloth. It would be all they were allowed to wear, being captured and all. Modesty didn’t matter much for slaves in the eyes of the priests.

  While they felt awkward and got used to feeling exposed, Calosh slipped out of his white robes and donned a red one. Afterwards Marlin handed over his item to the High Priest and Alex did the same with his sword, bracers and the shoulder saddle for Ava.

  Shade went out for a quick hunt while Ava returned to watching for uninvited guests. Clift grazed on the wild grass.

  Twenty minutes later the women returned transformed. Each wore purple robes with an immaculate dagger all acolytes are given and kept till passing. Lily kept her swords belted to either hip and Niranene kept her case in hand. Sandals protected their feet, but their new looks gave their men a start. The dye had been used to color their skin and hair. Lily’s moonlight hair and fair complexion looked tan. No matter how much she basked in the sun she could never seem to tan, but without the dye neither she nor Niranene could pass as a Jugo native. Both remained beautiful, but they weren’t themselves and they obviously didn’t like being changed. When Lily saw Alex’s expression she said “Isabelle promised it can wash off and knows what I’ll do if it doesn’t.”

  “Just relax, Lily. I told you it would and it will. I’m not been in the habit of lying nor will I start.” Isabelle defended herself.

  “Enough bickering. We need to proceed if we are to enter the city while they are changing patrols.” Calosh explained.

  “Clift!” and Marlin whistled. The chestnut warhorse trotted over and snorted when he saw what hung from his partner’s hand. A gentle pat of reassurance made Clift less upset.

  Marlin hooked a bridle to a rigid horse. Ever since Clift had run with them he had not once been controlled by the humiliating harness. Circumstances gave him the freedom he so wished, but he would do this only once more.

  “Now it’s time to bind your wrists.” Lily said and secured Alex’s, Marlin’s and Krum’s wrists securely so that no matter how they’d struggle the bindings couldn’t be broken.

  Calosh then saddled on Clift and tied the end of the rope to the horn. Isabelle grabbed her white bag and stuffed every pack inside and it worked like Mistress Marge’s platter and could store objects and shrink them to a manageable size. She stepped to the rear behind Krum as Niranene and Lily stood to either side of the rope while Shade returned from an unsuccessful hunt and hid within his shadow, beneath Clift’s.

  Then Calosh asked “Is everyone ready and know what to do?”

  None could say nay, because a better chance might never come.

  A gentle squeeze to his sides made Clift pull ahead, leading the prisoners.

  They came out of their hiding spot and walked across the land towards Jugo.

  Less than an hour after exiting the trees came a voice authority “Halt!” and Calosh gently pulled on the reigns of Clift. Three red robed riders approached quickly. The warhorse came to a stop and both Al
ex and Marlin dropped heavily onto the ground, feigning exhaustion, even Krum collapsed.

  “You can collapse when we reach the cells! Get up!” Lily commanded and when neither responded she kicked Alex in the ribs and stepped on Marlin’s hand. She knew what she had to do after being taught how acolytes treat sacrifices.

  Slowly and weakly they rose as the three priests came to a stop to eye everyone and lingered smugly on their captives. Neither Alex nor Marlin gave direct eye contact as they displayed a defeated and broken spirit by slumping their shoulders and hanging their head. No longer did walking in a loincloth bother them when the priests passed them over. The man in the center met Calosh’s casual stare. “It seems as if you’ve come across quite a harvest. Why are you leading the acolytes sacrifices?”

  “Because, brother, we happened to come across them in our return home. They have journeyed from Gagiat in acquiring these two men for the approaching offering.”

  “And what of the Orggian?”

  Isabelle stepped forward. She placed a hand on Krum’s head and he cringed, acting properly in front of the men. “I was sent to acquire one when my father got word of a troop being spotted in the Pikro Mountains. His health isn’t great and the healer says she can heal him if she can get a fresh sample of Orggian saliva and what better way to get it than to bring one alive. He was spirited, but after some training he knows who his master will be.”

  “And just who might your father be?” He inquired with suspicion.

  “Father Wilo.” She stated and enjoyed their startled reaction. “I’ve journeyed far to get this fiend, please tell me how my father fares. It has been long since I last spoke to him.”

  The three sheepishly glanced at one another and Isabelle nearly laughed as they didn’t wish to speak of him. Eventually the lead brother explained “Your father is still ill, but uses his connections to further our cause, sister. If he needs the creature do not let us hold you further.” And then he tossed Calosh a coin. “You have arrived with the offerings just in time.”

  “And what is that supposed to mean?” Calosh asked not unkindly.

  “High Priest Yosh has had a vision last week and has declared the Zamba be started on midnight tonight.” Then he turned to smile upon both Niranene and Lily in disguise. “May your offering serve you well in our order children. I wish to congratulate you into the priesthood before being marked at first light.”

  “Thank you, father.” Lily and Niranene said together, put their hands together and bowed as they were taught.

  Then the man suddenly looked to the right, across the expanse. “Proceed, we must meet the next acolyte coming.” They then kicked their horses and galloped across the ground. Calosh then continued heading east, towards Jugo.

  Marlin continued dragging his bare feet across the increasing heat and rough ground to ask quietly “Isabelle, why did they react the way they did when you mentioned Wilo. Is he really your father?”

  “Of course he is and the reason for their reaction is he is a well established priest with a bit of a reputation.” She elaborated in a hushed tone. “His reputation as a devoted priest over the years has slowly made him out to be a cruel man who silently makes his opposition disappear. Out of everyone of our order, my father has done the most to stall Yosh’s plans to forcibly bring the Juguan into every household or kill all unbelievers. That isn’t what we believe. All we strive for is to emulate the generosity of the Ancients and devote ourselves to their return. My father believes in this, but has to mimic the snakes in his midst while knowing full well he is a mongoose. And many of those who are reported to have disappeared actually worked for Zawat and Calosh. Rumors helped put my father in the position he finds himself in.”

  Alex held his tongue for part of her explanation knowing that her belief is misinformed because they didn’t know about Wholes and Hollows, but they couldn’t afford a debate. When it’s all over I’ll make them rethink everything. He thought wryly.

  Then Calosh stated “I’m worried.”

  “About?” Lily inquired.

  “About this vision Yosh supposedly had.” He explained. “We should have had another two weeks before the Zamba. Tonight doesn’t give us much time to prepare. This vision troubles me greatly for it has never been altered for the past twenty years.”

  “We should be thankful we came today rather than tomorrow. We cut it very close.” Lily stated and pretended to smack Alex when he slowed down as a priest came within viewing range. He smiled purposefully, breaking the scab on his lip to bleed again to further show how he was supposed to be treated. The acolytes were supposed to abuse their captives and she only did something when they disobeyed her in some small way. When they walked alone they did it less often to not appear overly exaggerated. They still needed to travel a half hour more.

  Before they knew it they reached the unique city of Jugo.

  Jugo itself came to be the oddest designed city Alex, Shade and Ava had come to see. Instead of buildings being constructed upon the ground, Jugo’s layout had been built within a great canyon. Between either side flowed a murky river and to cross to the other bank required one to traverse dozens of suspended bridges. Not one building had been erected twenty feet above the river and Calosh explained how flashfloods are a problem that has killed many over the years. The buildings looked like a bees hive because the dwellings honeycombed in the sandstone. But the only building to not be cut into the face of either wall sat the Juguan High Temple. It had been erected on a natural island and stood between either wall and stood higher than the canyon it found itself in. It’s creation was sturdy enough to weather even the deadliest of flashfloods and tall enough to stand higher than the canyon walls. It stood over two hundred feet. It is a beautiful sight to behold, but what goes on in there made them feel sick.

  Near the lower areas by the water, grew crops. The river supplied the water that allowed so many to live in one location where water is scarce. They continued walking along the edge, looking down at the bustling city with admiration and trepidation. At the top of a great stairway stood a dozen armed warriors with a red sash crossing their torso. They blocked their path until Calosh tossed the coin he received from the patrolling priest to the nearest guard to be allowed access with the bound prisoners.

  Clift easily clopped down the sandstone stairway with Shade keeping pace within his shadow.

  Thousands of red robed priests moved through the canyon city and crossed the bridges or knelt and prayed, sometimes in the most unorthodox locations. Calosh and Isabelle spoke and greeted fellow priests while acolytes were only allow to say thanks or bow to those higher in the priesthood. It was a good thing for neither had anything to say to these murderous zealots.

  When the stairs split off in different directions Calosh led Alex and the others across a wooden bridge supported by thick rope. Gusts of wind made the bridge sway, but they eventually crossed and headed in the High Temple’s direction. Sandstone homes grew larger the closer they approached the temple for the richer occupants could afford such ideal arrangements.

  At the second to largest structure built halfway into the canyon face stood a reddish mansion. They waited by a large iron gate while Isabelle knocked in a peculiar way when none stood around to hear or see it. Metal sliding sounds stopped as a pair of eyes looked through an opening in the solid gate. “It’s me Isabelle. Open up.”

  The eyes widened and whomever stood behind slammed the viewer closed and immediately pulled the gate inward, revealing a small secluded yard that grew vegetables. Another priest appeared and raised an arm for them all to enter. They did and he shut the gate again. “Wife! You’ve returned!” and the middle aged man and Isabelle embraced each other.

  “You’re looking well, my husband.” She replied and gave him a quick kiss. When the separated she explained “Everyone, this is Ulio.” And turned back to him to ask “Is my father any better?”

  “His condition has slowly worstened I’m afraid.”

  “That is one of
the reasons I’m here.” Niranene clarified while cutting the bindings from Krum’s and Marlin’s wrists while Lily did the same for Alex. The stone walls gave privacy since no estates had been built above this one. She then approached the reunited couple. “I’ll see to him as soon as we can get a drink.”

  “Isabelle, just who are these people?”

  “Shade, it’s alright to come out now. We’re save enough for the moment.” Alex said and Ulio nearly fainted on the spot when Shade extracted himself.

  Isabelle quickly informed her husband about everyone and what has happened. He couldn’t believe right away, but seeing facts before his eyes couldn’t be disputed. Marlin quickly took off the reigns binding his friend and companion while she quickly finished explaining. Several priests came out to see who had arrived and nearly shouted in fear or anger when they saw a predatory lord standing openly in the yard. When Ulio heard of Calosh’s ascension to High Priest he bowed in respect with many others.

  Inside the grand estate were dozens of priests preparing for the night’s grand event, all loyal to Calosh as the legitimate High Priest. They were hesitant around The Pack, but came to understand they were here to help. Water was brought out and all drank till they were sated.

  Then they were led into the third floor and to the back room where Isabelle’s father resided because of health conditions. He is an older gentlemen with a commanding presence, but Niranene quickly went to his side and began her diagnosis while Isabelle and he reunited after she disembarked with Zawat. The head healer of Alluan quickly deduced he had a slow, degenerative heart defect that couldn’t be completely fixed, but she concocted a special medicine from her case designed to slow the effects of the illness. The old priest knew it would be a long shot, but after gagging and swallowing the vile medicine he looked better almost immediately and was able to leave his room after weeks of being bound to a bed. He said that thanks to her gift and if in need they should merely ask.