“Now that that is over I must tell you, Alex, that when it is time to go I will not be accompanying you.” Gerieg said reluctantly.
“I figured.” Alex said bluntly. “If only half are following me that means the other is going with you.”
The elder master nodded unenthusiastically. “It is true. When you go to return home, I have my own missions. My agents need to know that the time is now to strike. Travis should have met up with Allahandra by now. Talk with him and he’ll teach you the weaknesses of Ra’van’s Royal City. All of the pervious points I used are now useless. Study our home, for it is complex in its design and only a handful of people in power know where the most vital points need to be secured. Learn the secrets within for a frontal assault will only prove to be suicide. They can lock themselves safely inside for years. There is more than one way to win, but all you must do is find it.
“I will also be collecting as many willing fiends we come across in our travels to bolster our numbers. Maybe even a few intelligent animals will help in our cause. Should I manage to get enough troops I’ll dispatch some to help you. If we find convoys we’ll help by destroying the supplies along the way. I won’t tell you what I have planned, but when certain objectives have been met I’ll send a missive telling you of the success. And should I come across anything disturbing I will warn you of any danger. Do the same for me.”
Alex nodded when he knew that some things were better left unsaid. He also knew Gerieg was protecting him should either one of them fall into enemy hands.
The last thing his grandfather said was “I’m sorry that we couldn’t hold your party for the entire day, Alex and Shade, but I have certain obligations to tend to; as do the other leaders. I hope you all have a great day. Dismissed.” He then stood and walked away with Elo and Sheer along the valley. All of the fiends went their separate ways. It was amazing to watch as some of the lionesses allowed the Orggian to ride atop them. They worked together as a unit. Many books needed to be completely rewritten for these creatures defied common knowledge.
Once Alex and his foster siblings were alone Shade pranced up to Alex saying “Since it’s our birthday I’d like to introduce you to Crest. We usually meet in an hour.”
“Where at?”
“It would be easier just to bring you.”
It was easy jumping up on Shade’s back now that he had control of his strength. The nostalgia of riding was a welcome comfort. Shade then turned towards the cliff face and Ava leapt off to take flight. Understanding what was about to happen next Alex clamped his legs securely on Shade’s ribs just as his muscles clenched and propelled him at an amazing speed. The amount of muscle Shade put on was not wasted for he bolted to his full speed almost instantly. With a jump, Shade’s claws dug into the wall and it didn’t slow him as he climbed. Within a few seconds he powered over the top and dashed into the frozen forest.
Ava flew high overhead, feeling the wind in her wings.
It was now time to meet Shade’s prospective mate, Crest.
Shade ran nonstop for a half hour dodging trees without effort. Alex could feel the subtle changes in his breathing and adjusted himself when he knew Shade was preparing to jump or turn suddenly. The ride was much smoother and less jarring. The differences in how he’s developed under Elo’s teaching were now being shown and they were spectacular. The speed at which he ran spurred his enthusiasm to go even faster. It was an experience Alex hoped to never get bored of. Even the sword didn’t get in the way for it seemed to move just as it saw fit to comfort its master’s will.
He slowed as they reached a dense forest of evergreen. Once inside he made his way to a majestic boulder formation. Although covered in snow and ice, it was beautiful to look at. The boulders rose only a few stories above the treetops, but it was an isolated spot. Not much was heard besides Shade’s even and deep breathing and Ava as she swooped down to land on Alex’s shoulder.
The winter chill was negligible as the three siblings relaxed by the rock formation and in the direct light of the sun to keep warm. No clouds blotted the expansive sky. Shade’s coat protected and trapped his heat inside while Ava’s body was designed for higher and cooler altitudes. Alex wasn’t equipped with these natural defenses, but his dark clothes and slight increase in heat kept the snow from causing frostbite in his feet or fingers. They waited in silence as Crest had yet to come.
Within a half hour a sensation alerted him to being watched. Grey eyes scanned the evergreens that surrounded the formation and the movement didn’t go unnoticed as Shade stood and scented the air. Then a shadow beneath one of the trees moved unnaturally, but neither the tree shook or the cloudless sky could make the casting. Alex pushed himself off the stone wall and clearly said “I know your there, Crest. Come out of your shadow.”
A large set of eyes arose out of the shadow that approached them. Her voice was richly feminine as she spoke. “You must be Alex.”
“That would be me.”
Slowly she rose from her shadow with an elegance Shade could never match. As her face was revealed it was more narrow and softer in feature than Shade’s masculinity. Her pearl colored sabers were ten inches long and held not the first sign of wear or damage. Where Shade’s muscles had developed in bulk, hers remained sleek and lithe. She would be a great runner. Crests claws were as glossy and as nightly colored as the smooth coat that ruffled in the gentle wind. Her eyes were ocher and sharp on her surroundings. She took everything in and judged it to either be a threat or pleasant. As she came closer it became clear that she too was a lord for her shoulder height was close to six and a half feet high, but her features showed that she was very close to the same age as Shade. “There is talk that it is the day of birth for both you and Shade.”
Shade stood by his brother’s side with a look never seen before. His eyes were glazed over with excitement and of seeing her. His playful side was hard to suppress being so close, but he still grinned at her. His large tail began wagging dangerously. “It sure is, Crest. How are you faring this day?”
She blinked seductively at him and smiled back, displaying the full extent of her sabers. “I am quite well. I didn’t expect to meet you today since Alex returned. I know how much you’ve been looking forward to it.”
“It is good that you decided to come anyway. My brother wanted to meet you as well.”
Setting his golden eyes on Alex, he took the hint and approached Crest. “It is a pleasure.” He said and raised his hand.
She took the opportunity to sniff his hand to forever know his scent. With a smile she returned “I’ve heard much about you. My father doesn’t particularly like the pack associating with you, but I’m curious. Besides Gerieg, you are the only other human I’ve ever seen.” Then her excited eyes closed as she shook her head. “Forgive me, it’s not right to say such things.”
“It bothers me not.” Alex said with a smile.
Crest then turned to glance at Shade before talking with Alex. “I thought Shade was joking when he said you’d be open to questions.”
“Where would you like to begin?”
She shook her head again, glancing at Shade again with an excited gleam in her yellowish-brown eyes. “Can I ask in an hour or so? I need to go for a run, would you care to join us?”
“Run?” Alex wondered aloud and peered at his brother who was doing his best to keep from standing still a moment longer. He then remembered further details of Shadow Fang courtship and knew it wouldn’t be right to interfere with the blossoming relationship growing between him and Crest. It would be more appropriate to learn about her later. This was their time. In answering her question he said “Maybe some other time. Go and enjoy yourselves.”
Crest then looked to Shade and teased “Who knows, since it’s your birthday I might let you catch me.”
“Like you could outrun me,” He grinned and could no longer contain his excitement. In a powerful bound he rushed at her.
Crest knew it was coming and ran herself. Within a second
he chased her into the trees.
Wanting to see what they were doing, Alex effortlessly climbed the high rock formation. Its peak offered a view over the entire hill and those surrounding it. Ava flew in and landed on her perch to watch as well. The height easily established a way to watch what was unfolding.
Shade and Crest’s courtship was just as the book described, but with only more visual detail. He would chase her wherever she ran. Their laughter and barking filled the air with peace and enjoyment. Just when it seemed she’d get captured she’d run into the safety of her shadow by diving into a tree. Unprepared, Shade ran headfirst into it, dislodging the snow held in the upper branches and covering him with the white powder. Alex and Ava laughed many times. It didn’t take long to recover, but the tree was another story. The darkness of their coats helped track their explosive movements in the contrasting white snow.
They’d alternate in chasing both on land or in their shadow. A few times Shade managed to nip her tail and she’d retaliate by turning around and begin chasing him. Their speed was amazing to watch and the skill it took to maintain that speed with the obstacles were something to behold.
They were having a primal love dance and the hope Alex witnessed in his brother’s eternal chase strengthened his resolve to remove Runkamon. That tyrant wouldn’t ever let such beauty or courtship to flourish.
Alex and Ava watched on and laughed when Crest made a love struck fool out of the excited Shade, but the way she toyed showed she was just as smitten. Her laugh was real, like she had never had the chance to do it before and Shade was her favorite outlet.
When they returned, two enjoyable hours later, she asked many questions, not leaving any left out. Ava was appreciative of this.
As the sun began its descent she said “Happy Birthday.” and quickly licked Shade’s cheek before running into the trees, leaving for the day.
If the look on Shade’s expression said anything, it said she had never done that before. He stood wide eyed and held a one sided grin. Then he suddenly reared his head back and howled playfully. After his prancing ended they went back to the shelter in the windy valley.
Chapter 16
Alex, Ava and Shade wandered through the land outside of the perimeter of woven trees as the first signs of winter were coming to a grateful end. Grass began sprouting, flowering leaves and blossom buds appeared on branches and some frozen streams began thawing and breaking apart to flow free once again. It had been more than three weeks ago since the last sleet storm rolled through the area. Patches of snow lingered in different quantities among branches and the ground, but it was a sore sight to see soil that hadn’t needed to be forcibly dug up. It was a welcome sight to see the daily exchange on passing from winter to spring.
The crisp air reminded them of how difficult surviving the winter in several feet of snow had been, but the Orggian families were kind enough to supply what each individual needed. They stored enough food during the growing season to allow everyone to remain in good health and the predators also gave them some of their meat to be dried for the passing winter. All in all only a few died from unfortunate circumstances, but not enough to dampen spirits.
Those memories brought back more of the winter’s highlights. Several times a week Gerieg would surprise Alex with a sneak attack and the first few times he was unprepared and wound up cut. Soon he became in the habit of always testing the wind each time it changed, especially when the shifting breeze was slight. Heightening ones hearing did little to the hunting experience of his grandfather’s stealthy approach. Usually he could feel when being watched, but Gerieg was so skilled he didn’t look directly at the target during following to in attempt of another ambush. The attacks became so unpredictable and infrequent that it forced Alex’s instincts to react at a moment’s notice and also bring his strength up just as immediately or risk further injury.
Constantly fending off attacks honed Alex’s skills with his sword and refined the cost of wasted movements. During a surprise a month ago their swords and skills clashed for nearly an hour before Gerieg called a stalemate and both were sorely bruised and cut. It was amazing to see just how far he had come. The morning ritual of stretching the limbs to the limit greatly improved the strikes and balance during the crucial sparring time.
When the surprises ceased for over a week, Gerieg tested if he had become lax in the period of respite. He was proven wrong for it made Alex more edgy and alert for anything out of the ordinary.
Between surprise attacks Alex began fighting back and tried his hand in sneaking up on an opponent. It proved more difficult in practice than theory for Gerieg was always on guard, especially when asleep.
During breaks in tracking skills and swordsmanship being taught, Gerieg brought his grandson to see the elders and leaders of fiends to further the knowledge of how their societies worked and how they coexisted with the other fiends of different species. The individual personalities were the most intriguing for each was as unique and diverse as any human society. Some were prided as warriors or protectors, some guided the young, especially the elderly, and there were even scholars who taught about the world and how it worked. On many occasions the fiends knew more of humans than the other way around.
Pikro society usually preferred solitude, but were accustomed to gathering when called. Elders were always revered and respected above the young and their words were never ignored. They had less confrontation than the other fiends, but quarrels weren’t unheard of, especially during mating season.
The Beran prides usually kept to their families and they valued strength and wisdom more than anything. Elo defended his title as king twice during the winter, against those who wanted his title and all it entailed and he bested them without much injury to the challengers and his wisdom to guide reassured his kind. Teem, Elo’s eldest son, was always present when Alex came to learn about the prides and Beran knowledge and soon became the official speaker and teacher of Beran politics and law.
Orggian favored no specific species who called for their assistance, but remained separate so that no side could use them as pawns. Their greatest joy in life is helping others. Their neutrality was known by all and none dared jeopardize it or caused them harm, for one of three outcomes would happen. Option one would be that they no longer service those who need aid. They would cease communications and services entirely. Next would be the other races would turn on the transgressors as one, for the Orggian are essential to everyone’s survival and was proven practically on a daily basis. All interacted with upmost kindness to them. Should there be an emergency, the lords gladly carry them on their back to quicken the speed to the injured. Finally they would leave and have everyone suffer for the actions of the one, if no recourses were taken against the transgressor.
The Fury’s liked solitude even more than the Pikro, but mated pairs almost always flew together or with the chicks that are being taught how to fly. Usually preferring flight, they always made time for how their society works when Alex asked politely. Matrons rule their society and there are five governing matrons, but the males are respected more as elders. Sheer was one of the five, but held no more higher position than the other four. Ava commented her dream was to become a matron, but the ruling has always been held by lords and she grew no larger than the usual wild Fury. It didn’t dampen her defiant spirit in the least.
The Shadow Fang packs loved gathering and socializing. They accepted all in their midst’s, for a short time. Territory was a large issue for each pack society and if someone stayed for too long in another’s land, they’d see it as encroachment and either remove the violator by running them off or resort to the problem with the only, truly permanent solution. Luckily as Furion, Alex and his partners were exempt from their laws. Midnight never stayed for long when Alex’s pack came, as Shade was always there by Alex’s side. It became clear to everyone that Midnight loathed Shade and thought of him as an intruder who needed to either be expelled from his territory, submit to him as the rightful A
lpha or be killed off. Carefully coaxed from some Shadow Fangs that wanted to remain anonymous came the knowledge that Midnight made an edict dictating that no pack or individual will befriend or socialize with Shade or face an unknown consequence. Though all remained friendly it wasn’t fair and it hurt Shade’s feelings and made him resentful of the High Alpha. At least he now understood why only a few ever went for a run through the forest with him.
Crest helped much in understanding the rules of her kind. She didn’t like to speak ill of her father, Midnight, but she didn’t seem to like him either. Her companionship was more than welcome and her bubbly personality made everything much more pleasant. She filled the void between Shade’s solitude with others of his kind. Her favorite joy in life was to run and tease Shade, luckily she could do both and laugh. She is naturally wary of new scenarios or experiences, but once she becomes accustomed her natural personality comes to the surface and she could be herself. It seemed like she was stressed about something until she finds Shade and challenges him to another dancing race. It wouldn’t be proper to ask her what was causing distress so none voiced the question.
Nearly two weeks ago the hibernating Grizons came from their winter dens. They were quite easy to anger, but that was due to a hunger they had been living with for the whole winter. Fat being used during slumber needed to be restored to them. Once the Orggian supplied their requirements, each individual became more placid on a full stomach. Strength was the only asset they believed in and only the strongest was their leader.
Furion's Trials (Book Two of the Items Trilogy) Page 32
