Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  Each one was embraced as strongly as the next.

  Seeing her livened their worn out spirits, but seeing the small round bulge prompted Niranene to withdraw her oval item and press it over her friend’s heart, where enough exposed cleavage could be accessed. Moments later the healer opened her eyes to explain “You’re going to have a healthy baby boy.”

  Allahandra’s eyes widened at the sudden revealing news. Rakkian moved by her side to ask “We are going to expect a son? Truly?”

  “As far as I can tell.”

  “I’ve never known your judgment to be incorrect. My Love, what do you think?”

  She rubbed her extending belly fondly. “A son… I guess he’ll be as big as his father…”

  “You don’t sound too excited?” He accused playfully.

  “I was expecting to have a beautiful girl to dote on. I doubt our son will like to wear pretty dresses.”

  Rakkian laughed like he hasn’t done in quite some time. “He’d better not! I want grandchildren before death claims me.”

  The room chuckled and seemed to turn attention back to the task at hand.

  The king and queen of Alluan turned and sat at the back side of the tent, between an excited Beta and a solemn Breaker. Allahandra simply looked at three men sitting near and their fiends. Taking the unspoken hint they all stood and made a spot for Lily and the others to sit down on. Only Ava remained silent as the others groaned when sitting, finding comfort that eluded them for some time. Every member in the room could easily tell they were beyond worn, tired and hungry.

  Allahandra’s eyes and expression took on a calm appearance that spoke volumes of patience a ruler of a country needed to guide its interests effectively. “I can see you’ve all been through much since our previous encounter and we all have many questions” She waved to everyone sitting in the room. “about recent events and what you’ve done, but where is Marlin? Please do not tell us he’s been…”

  Lily smirked “I doubt it. He has an annoying way of surviving. He’s learned much from Alluan’s warrior training and infiltration and especially from watching Alex.” She looked to her closest female friend and healer these past months to ask “Where do you think we should begin?”

  “Just after you left us.” Travis asked beside his son Jakz and Crush. “Each person here has been eagerly waiting to know what happed, especially about the prince’s capture…since seers cannot locate his present, past or future…”

  “Kikren, is that you?” Lily asked as she noticed everyone else.

  “Aye.” The devoted servant answered.

  “Then that means…”

  “We’ll speak about our recent events later. Right now we need to know yours.” Allahandra put a stop to further conversations for the moment.

  “Very well.” Lily said and began recounting events in order, with Niranene filling in the gaps. She spoke of everything, especially Crest’s delivery and puppies and how they removed Yosh to put Calosh in power. Then she spoke of the capture of her one true love and what she and the others encountered. “After we were forced to abandon the ship and the crew, Shade and Clift ran will all their worth and more to bring us here with all haste. We arrived nearly a fortnight ago, here at the city, but couldn’t enter.

  “In our attempts to rescue Alex we were nearly caught four times and ambushed once, but not once did we even come close to reaching the outer walls. They are using security measures I’ve never seen before.”

  “Can you explain?” Rakkian requested with a calm tone, but she could hear his surprise, if not read it straight from his expression.

  “Each day more and more measures to fortify the city took place. At night we tested their defenses, none more so than Shade and Ava. Somehow they can detect intruders in any form. Shade was in his shadow as he approached the first night, only to be forced to retreat. Apparently there is an intangible and invisible barrier of some kind that sends a bright, focused light to shine on any who cross. It was as if the sun sent a beam of light right atop him. It works for all beings for after Shade returned a hare crossed the line, the light without a source revealed it and about fifteen seconds later an arrow shot from the wall and skewered it. Another time the light went off, but it scared the animal away before it too was fired upon.” Apparently this was news to the officials for two men hurried to leave and tell of such an important fact, making it obvious they were about to do the same thing tonight. “The barrier hasn’t a single weakness for Shade circled the entire city over a four night period and there wasn’t anywhere to slip in undetected. Even the mountains at the north side is manned and impenetrable by any form of Shadow Fang infiltration. The line seems to be limited to about two hundred feet from the outer wall and once outside the barrier the light dies.

  “Ava also attempted to fly in and see what she could do, but the general we thought we lost in Gagiat is here apparently and has set up another vacuum barrier like he did in Central City. Ava tried crossing it, but a huge Fury ran her off.” Lily watched as the room shifted uneasily. “What’s going on?”

  “Never mind that now. Please continue the report.” Allahandra spoke.

  Hesitantly she continued. “After a week and a half of not making any progress to slip in undetected Marlin came up with a plan. What better way than to stay hidden in plain sight? It took two days, but we came upon a messenger who ran alone. All of us easily subdued him. Before he could destroy the message we saved it without complications. We couldn’t open it for our plan would have been compromised.” She stated before being asked. “Anyway I had to quickly teach Marlin about procedures and our captive became willing to help when Shade put his claws against his throat and coated them meaningfully.

  “Clift wasn’t happy about it, but he put on a harness again and ran hard for half a day to build up a proper coat of sweat and road weariness. Together Marlin and Clift charged to the gate like every other messenger in a hurry. They stopped at the gates and Marlin delivered the letter to whoever stood guard and was waved through without many questions since he attired Royal Guard attire. For the moment I believe he’s alive.”

  “I can second it.” Angie declared after taking her eyes from her orb. “He’s sitting in a tavern nursing an ale as we speak, talking to some men too.”

  “Knowing him, he’s slowly getting intelligence.” Niranene said.

  “After night fell we used its cover to make our way here.” Lily ended. “Now tell me what has occurred on your end.”

  Before Allahandra answered, Lily noticed Ava flit down and approach her large father and begin chirping quietly.

  “How about I explain after our last communication, ya?” Lily nodded. “A few weeks ago we laid siege to Mylan, but much of their forces withdrew from the city, leaving it to fall to us within the day. We left a contingent of one thousand soldiers to keep the piece while the rest of our forces left the next morning. And as you can tell by how lacking our defensive position is we’ve arrived only this day. Our aim is in sight, but we are greatly outnumbered and our current supplies will only last two more days at the rate it’s consumed. That includes food and the last of my treasury. Since we pushed the men so hard to get here I’m going to give the men a respite to regain strength, heal wounds and remember why we’ve made it so far. By sunrise of the second day we will attack. But for right now we’re fortifying our position and touching up our plan of attack and priority targets. Our scholars have informed me that our forces, in terms of numbers, are the greatest the Royal City of Ra’van has ever encountered before…” At the subtle suggestive jerking from the head from Lily Allahandra sighed. “As you have already guessed the reason for Kikren’s appearance I’m sorry to say it but Gerieg has…”

  Suddenly Ava’s intense chirping drew everyone’s attention. Few had ever seen such a furious Fury, but Ava went clear beyond simple words to describe such hatred and hurt. Yellow eyelids narrowed and feathers fluffed like Shade’s hackles when angered.

  She jerked her angular head arou
nd and tried streaking out the tent, but swift and agile hands wrapped around her middle, brought her to a hairy chest and pinched her beak closed so she couldn’t immobilize everyone. Krum had completely rendered the powerful bird of prey helpless and used his hand-like feet to grab her wings from smacking him senseless. The Orggian rocked back on his glossy brown shell an held her completely still, but not causing any amount of physical pain.

  Shade stood and snarled, but at an unseen foe. He cursed and dug his claws into the ground, but didn’t focus his anger at anyone nearby.

  “What is wrong with them?” Niranene asked.

  Lily slid her gaze around the room. “It seems like everyone in the room knows, Niranene. Look. None of them are even trying to stop them…”

  “It’s because Breaker most undoubtedly told his chick that her mother had been slain by the very Fury who’s been chasing her out of the city, her own uncle. Sheer fought valiantly, but didn’t survive the encounter. Look at her, she wants revenge.” Allahandra pointed. Not one person in the room smiled at such heartbreak. Each individual had lost someone to the ruthless king and knew all too well how the little female felt. Realizing the futility of her struggle Ava stopped resisting. Krum rolled off his shell and clutched the crying Fury to his chest. The queen continued when emotions settled lightly. “Gerieg and Elo were both taken as far as we know, weeks before Alex was kidnapped. Our spies can’t do anything to let us know if either Furion lives, but one did report a great many Kings Guard surrounding the castle dungeons.”

  “I know where they are.” Lily said stoically, remembering her miserable life before meeting Alex. “There is only one place secure enough to contain him. I’ve never heard of Kings Guard guarding or even patrolling the palace dungeon. The only one capable of such extreme measures as a prisoner would either be Alex or his grandfather.”

  “Our thoughts too.” Rakkian agreed.

  “From what we have gathered, Midnight is the betrayer…” Travis announced.

  Lily quickly drew Shade’s attention and wrote what she learned. Shade suddenly barked at Beta and the other lord nodded, looking completely serious. This got Shade growling profanities all over again.

  “Ah, they’re here!” Rakkian announced after Shade calmed slightly.

  The flap of the tent suddenly opened and four men carrying trays entered. One girl followed, carrying a large bucket of water which Shade gladly partook first. Large portions of food dropped before the girls and fruits were laid beside Krum.

  “Don’t mind us,” Niranene said after drinking nearly half her ale. “finish what you were planning. Enough has been said on that topic…” and she tore into fresh bread.

  Lily could no longer focus as food lay before her and hunger took over.

  The room began conversing again while the four began eating, only Ava found herself unable to eat for the news of her mother’s death crushed her spirits.

  Once the meal vanished and the next day’s plans were agreed upon and established Allahandra called the meeting to a close.

  Before exiting the tent Allahandra said “Lily, come here for a moment please.”

  The tall female warrior did as asked and moments later it was only the two of them remaining. Allahandra pulled her case out from beneath the low table, opened it and removed a gold coin on a leather thong. “Take this.”

  “It’s Alex’s medallion! How did you come by it?” She asked, taking it into her shaking hands.

  “It was used as another assassination attempt on me. From what my specialists have uncovered, Runkamon knew the significance of my medallion and took it upon himself to order a man to use it as a way of approaching me. Little did he know I found out about Alex’s capture and ordered all my most trusted individuals who carried my medallion to watch out for one on a necklace for only Alex had the mettle to ruin the gift by threading it on a string.

  “Since it belongs to Alex, I figure as you are his wife, you should keep it.” Lily slipped it over her head and tucked the medallion beneath her shirt. “Now we haven’t had time to have someone make your tent yet so I would gladly request you stay with me tonight.”

  “What about Rakkian?”

  “Being so close to our destination, he most likely won’t sleep tonight since the enemy could attack at any moment. I wouldn’t mind the company.”

  Feeling the same, Lily nodded. “Since Niranene and Krum left to go help heal the injured I’ll take you up on it. None of us have had a decent night’s sleep since…”

  Allahandra rested a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “I understand. Come let us rest and prepare.”

  They exited together and around them they were surrounded protectively by two dozen guards and led several yards to a smaller tent. Along the way they spotted Shade standing majestically while glaring to the north, at the fair city, and Ava stood between his ears, seething. Neither woman spoke for they understood why the two fiends appeared so dangerous. Their brother remained a captive, not far away, but to rescue him now would never work and would end their lives. If they died now, nothing would be accomplished.

  The hardest thing for anyone to do is wait in silence.

  Lily and Allahandra looked at each other with sadness for they too felt similarly, but they slipped into the tent.

  A moan of pleasure slipped past Lily’s lips as she lay on a soft bed of simple, transportable deign. Before she could even offer thanks a full stomach and sleep deprivation claimed darkness as soon as her head lay down in comfort.

  The queen smiled as she too slipped in bed beside her unconscious friend.

  “I don’t want to be around anyone.” Ava chirped.

  “Where would we go?” Shade asked to the sister standing upon his skull.

  “Somewhere we can be alone.” She sighed and he could nearly feel how hollow she must be. First losing Alex and then finding about the death of the one who gave her life.

  A quick scent of the air gave all the information Shade needed to guide them to solitude. Just before passing the heart of camp Beta appeared and simply nodded. Although Shade no longer found himself as High alpha the two became friends and were glad to see each other once again. Words weren’t necessary, eyes revealed the relief.

  Along the way to a secluded location several Alphas stood proudly at the return of Shade, even the new High Alpha made an appearance. Though he commanded every Shadow Fang in the camp for only a brief period, Shade’s leadership and fairness gained him eternal respect from the packs.

  The new High Alpha was the only one to stop the two. The large lord stood regally, but wasn’t nearly as large as Shade himself. “Shade, it is heartening to find you’ve returned.” Shade read in the other’s eyes he meant it. “With your return, might I ask if you will challenge me for your former position?”

  “Do not fear. I have no aspirations to take your place. I didn’t even want the title and responsibilities in the first place. If Midnight hadn’t harmed Crest I doubt I would have challenged him. Your position as High Alpha remains yours and in my present condition I wouldn’t be an effective leader.”

  The other male sighed, no longer puffing himself up to appear larger. “If I may ask, why?”

  “With Alex missing both Ava and myself will be too focused on finding him and slaying any who stands in our way. When the battle is joined we won’t be there to offer aid or orders. He is our only priority.”

  “I understand, but I must inform all the packs. At the very least it will make them enjoy the last Great Hunt.”

  “If it will make them fight better, go ahead. The fewer that die the better.”

  The High Alpha smirked and trotted off back to camp.

  Alone an hour later Shade lay down on his belly atop a large hill that revealed the enormous scale of the city to the size of the forces waiting slightly less than a league away. Unlike in Alluan where non item siege weapons lined the enormous siege wall, the Ra’van Royal City only used item wielders, but even from where they found themselves there appeared to b
e more manning the five separate walls than everyone sitting out in the slightly hilly field.

  Ava walked down Shade’s snout and stood a foot away.

  Silence helped both Shade and Ava find a brief moment’s peace. Several times lights flashed around the perimeter of the city, but he shook his head after seeing a Beran and Shadow Fang try and fail. He explicitly told Lily that the humans needed to know about the light and knew she told them, but still they tried. Once a light flashed over an area and not a shadow or visible form was seen, but Ava shook her head and broke the silence “It doesn’t even work for a Frox.”

  “That isn’t what you’re thinking on.” He said with compassion.

  Her piercing brown eyes took him in and she looked down and sagged to her resting position. “It is all so much to take in. When I realized Alex had been taken I thought the pain wouldn’t be surpassed. Then hearing my father tell me about my mother proved me wrong.”

  Shade reached out with a paw larger than Ava and gently brought her into his large chest and folded her into an embrace only he could. He felt her shudder and slightly tremble as the emotions overtook her and she cried.

  After several minutes he raised his head and looked down upon her. “Ava, I truly know what you are going through. We are more alike now more than ever for my uncle too took the life of both of my parents. Just know you aren’t alone. Before Alex saved me I felt the unjustified loss of both parents, but after I knew it couldn’t get better. In two day’s we’ll find our happiness and free our brother simultaneously.”

  The raptor’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “That and we’ll get retribution for all the hardship we’ve endured recently. I’ll kill Rake and you take out Midnight.”

  “Was there any doubt?” he growled.

  The siblings remained together for the rest of the night in silence, but Ava never left her warm embrace.