Furion's Trials (Book Two of the Items Trilogy)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  During the night most of the forces rested under the trees while others that required meat went hunting. Thanks to aerial scouts the predators easily found a readily available meal. On several occasions Alex had to make a difficult choice when the carnivores ran out of food and sent them on raids, into villages, and harvest only the cattle or other livestock that was required, but not all from the same location. Only one or two animals were taken from farms so that the humble farmers wouldn’t be devastated too financially. Luckily only a handful of times were needed to be sent out on a raid. With Ava’s help Alex even hunted with nothing but his sword. She’d locate the target, shriek and he’d finish the job cleanly and painlessly. Only a few fires were built and besides Alex, the Orggian liked sleeping beside a warm fire or up in the comforts of the trees.

  The veil of secrecy and concealment was the only thing keeping their large movements a secret. Even when running each day the groups ran loosely so that their impact on the ground wouldn’t be as easy to follow, should hunters or trackers pick up the trail. On several occasions they were saved from the eyes of humanity thanks to the foresight of Fury’s or the sharp noses of the many fiends.

  Their pace picked up rapidly when trees thinned, but without much cover the pace was doubled and the night fires were built in deeper pits and surrounded by large bodies so that very miniscule amounts of light would be harder to pinpoint. The packs and prides alternated each night in keeping patrols, just incase any unwelcome visitors decided to stumble upon the gathered horde. By a stroke of pure luck they avoided all detection thus far in the journey.

  Six weeks after leaving the Shura Mountains they came across a welcome sight. Looking just like oak trees, the expanse of younger Xeal trees showed they were nearly halfway there. Not even two hours after the rising of the sun Alex told the leaders the good news and word quickly spread.

  As Shade approached warily, remembering the time in the Ruler’s Forest, Alex dropped to the ground, bending at the knees to absorb the impact. Alex told the leaders and elders to take a break for the time being while he approached one of the countless trees.

  Picking at random Alex approached a sixty foot tall tree that showed it too had welcomed the new season with an overgrowth of fresh, thick and waxy leaves. It and all others moved with the wind, mimicking that it was no different than any other plant of the forest. He would not be so fortunate should he forget that this is a land of giants who cared little for the ways of man.

  Feeling that he had taken a proper distance he took a breath in preparation for instantly the normal tickle when conversing with fiend and animal was once again turned harsh and irritating to the vocal cords. “Good tree! I am Alex Sheulson, I wish an audience with the Central Mother again. Please ask her for free passage for me and the fiends that follow. And also inform her that I have new stories to tell her.” Alex smiled as he knew that the Central Mother liked stories.

  The tree before him, as did some others, stopped blowing with the breeze. Its leaves shook in his direction and the trunk groaned. This was how the trees spoke and only a Furion was seemingly the only other race able to speak to them. “Good and bright rise to you Alex. Your stories were spread throughout our territory and has been entertaining during the cold cycle of rest. I will pass on your request to the Central Mother for she too has been anxious to see you again. Please rest close by so that if she responds your journey will be quickened.”

  “I will and thank you.”

  Then the trees began whispering to each other, sending the message deep into the Widow’s Forest. Alex only hoped it wouldn’t be long.

  In just over an hour, a remarkable amount of time for a message to be delivered, an excited whisper returned and grew as it approached the gathered. A different tree decided to be the one to speak. “The Central Mother has gladly accepted your request and is eagerly awaiting your arrival. A path is being made for both you and the many fiends we feel above our roots. She asks you to please begin your progress while the path is being supplied.”

  Alex turned and told all within earshot the good news and it was received gladly. They didn’t like waiting out in the open even though that no sane human would dare approach any forbidden forest.

  Soon he leapt on Shade’s back, just behind his powerful shoulders and were off. Once in the safety of the trees Alex repeated his warning to the others. “Remember! Do not stray or go off alone for Akaror and other dangers are present in this land. Stay as close to the group as possible, if anyone lags behind we will rest. Keep an eye on each other and we can stay together.” His worry for everyone’s safety was acknowledged by grunts, whoops and other primal noises.

  Then they began running almost as one mind. While they ran for the next hour the thick trees and shrubs began opening into a path and the ground was slowly smoothed. The help of the trees were greatly appreciated and further aided the quickening of the group. By the time the path was finished it stretched twenty feet across and made a direct trail west northwest and Alex knew that although he led them west, his course home was only slightly off.

  A week later the familiar and terrifying landmark rose above all other trees in the form of the awe inspiring Central Mother. And Alex couldn’t help wondering just how quickly his request made it to her so quickly and returned to him in an hour’s time. It would be a conundrum he would never truly comprehend. She stood above all other trees and her trunk looked as if several trunks melded together, but that was only an illusion. By the late afternoon the entire group made their way to stand under her impressive canopy. None, save for Alex and Shade had ever seen a Xeal of such size or grandeur.

  As Alex landed the Central Mother reacted as if she could discern his presence from the thousands that encompassed her. Then he remembered they were very sensitive in their roots and his specific walking pattern had undoubtedly roused her. Her leaves shook with glee as she said “Alex, how good it is to have you come back to me, but might I ask why you have so many creatures with you?”

  Many of the fiends turned to Alex to understand the transaction between the sentient tree and their leader. They would have to wait until later.

  “Of course you may ask. I am but a simple visitor and as a host you and your children have been so kind as to allow passage and even make a path so that we may travel safely together. Unfortunately I wish I could say that I’m bringing them to new and fertile land they could call home, but in all honesty they have come of their own will to help Gerieg reclaim his throne. I have these fiends following me to my new home so that it could be better defended.”

  Central Mother silently contemplated for a minute before saying “Is your home in the direction you came the time before?”

  “It is.”

  She then rustled her leaves and those in the east answered her call. “It will take more time to make the path towards the west. It is longer and my children need not rush as they originally did when you asked for an audience. Now please sit and tell me what you know and this story you’ve promised.” She ended in glee. Her excitement was new to Alex since the last time they met. He voiced this change and she said after the dormant season she and all other Xeal feel that spring is a time of growth and excitement. This new knowledge made Alex smile.

  “Alright, but the stories you’ve asked for are both one in the same.” Alex sat down and the fiends took it as a sign to rest and scout for food. He began his story just after he left their lands and came upon the decimated village. Even she was outraged once he described the child and she said to kill a seedling was a violation against all Xeal laws. In her anger she vowed to never allow any humans so much as touch their seeds, unless it was to a Furion or were accompanied by one. He then continued the entire night speaking upon the many trials he undertook in the Shura Mountains. He could tell her everything for she could tell no others about training as a Furion. The Central Mother allowed him to take a break when Shade returned with springtime fruit and the juices helped cool the hoarseness of his throat. After the fi
lling meal he continued where he left off in the story.

  By the time he completed his story the Central Mother had carefully listened to it all. The morning was already in full swing, but before she sent Alex and the fiends away she asked “In this war, are my children in any danger?”

  “Nay, fire does not cause you harm and woodsman cannot cut through your flesh, but just the same, be careful.”

  “And you do the same.”

  Reaching the vast, and seemingly never ending grassland and planes of Alluan the tactics of Alex and the fiends had changed. It had to for just as they passed the Widow’s Forest they came upon horse tracks from a scouting party not a day old. Alex knew it would cause a panic if someone saw thousands of fiends crossing the plains in the sole direction of their home.

  In response to the cavalry patrol tracks Alex sent Breaker and a dozen Fury’s further ahead to scout for cover that would be large enough to hide all during the daylight hours. It wasn’t difficult to change the routine for just about all of them were nocturnal creatures.

  A week after running under the ever present and guiding stars and moon, Alex began to notice a sweeping pattern in the patrols that intensified the deeper one gets into Alluan. The quick decision to run at night helped for his eyesight was as keen in the darkness as any other member of the enormous group. In daylight they would have been easy to spot, but under the cover of night they had little chance of being seen, unfortunately they couldn’t risk any kind of fire.

  A faint shriek to the west three weeks later forced Alex to roar everyone to a halt. They had been running for a few hours, but they calmly looked in the direction the Fury’s sound came from. In a few minutes the feathered lord swooped close to give a report. “Alex, a group of five humans were riding in this very direction, but they were alone. I flew in behind and forced them all into a deep sleep, none were harmed. I do not think there is much to worry.”

  “You’re mistaken.” Alex said carefully. “When that patrol doesn’t check in at their appointed time, there will be search parties sent out to see what the problem was and why they were late. We must press on and reach the trees by daybreak. We cannot be careful and camp in another patch of high grass again. We have to get inside the forest or else get into an unneeded confrontation.”

  Understanding humans more than the rest who followed, Shade turned around and barked “He is right. I smell the scent of humans getting increasingly stronger and we cannot be caught just yet or they’ll attack us in ignorance and we cannot harm our allies or explain the situation to just anyone.”

  Ginger trotted up. Still a lord the size of a large dog, her quills rattled and gained most everyone’s attention. “If it is that important, we shouldn’t dally, lead the way and we will do our best to follow.” To her credit, she knew just what to say.

  Shade turned and began moving at a brisk trot and everyone matched it. He tried getting them to go faster, but some were not built for his kind of speed and began lagging behind. Shade then went back to the pace that all could be together. It was easy to see the knowledge of taking the swiftest first to safety, leaving a trail for the slower to follow, but if the slow were attacked they could be hurt or injure another. Size of the party was the only thing that kept all safe, for anyone foolish enough to strike such a force would be suicidal. Shade shook such thoughts and remained alert for any human surprises. At least the Fury were able to give advanced notice.

  And they did just that. On four separate occasions they spotted humans. The first scouting said they moved in pairs but sat in a carted wagon. The next was another cavalry patrol, but they were heading in an opposite direction. The last two reported humans were hiding within the trees. Alex didn’t like to hear that so he asked them to find a safe path that they could use to enter the woods.

  When the horizon first changed colors, a thin line showed the tree line of the enormous forest encasing the royal city. They stopped and waited at such a distance until one Fury returned to tell of a blind spot he had found.

  Under the male’s guidance he led them swiftly to the trees. They hurried for the darkness was beginning to brighten behind them. Knowing all of their efforts in secrecy remained in the balance the group redoubled their efforts and streaked into the safety of the forest. Just as the last Pikro waddled into the new growth the sun showed itself by the faintest sliver. Those who pushed their bodies the hardest were granted a reprieve once they moved a half mile deeper into the forest.

  Just about everyone sighed in relief once all advanced scouts reported that not a single human was nearby and the Fury added to that assessment when none could be seen for nearly two leagues in any given direction.

  It took another week of travel to come upon a sight that filled all with hope.

  The Royal City of Alluan stood proudly before them.

  Even in the early evening, after the sun finally set, all fiends looked upon their new home and wondered what their new companions would be like. Even though it was mid to late spring the many farms surrounding the fortified city showed signs that the first harvestable crops had been planted as rows upon rows of vegetation broke the surface ground they were placed in. The remaining light was quickly vanishing and the farmers and travelers were calling it a night and began heading back to their homes. Even from the eastern tree line they could see the enormous size of the city from a few leagues away. Only a handful of trees stood for the weary traveler to rest under and also served as landmarks. Alex Searched and found only two new homes that weren’t there the last time and security had been increased around the great wall that protected the city. At least a dozen extra moving torches, that were no more than the size of pinheads, were clearly moving around the hundred foot high wall.

  Out of everyone, Alex was undoubtedly the most excited for he left his love and new family behind, but now he’s finally returned.

  Seeing the heightened security Alex’s earlier idea was a necessity and it was already too late in the day to initiate introductions. Sometimes it would be smarter to give such a deal of information early in the day when most are refreshed after a well rested night. Only he needed information before even thinking about revealing anything to anyone.

  Excited to put his new skills to the test Alex turned to all of the fiend leaders. Breaker and all of the other Fury’s perched above in the many branches so they wouldn’t be spotted high in the sky. Shade, Beta, Ginger, Teem, Krum and the Grizon leader all remained close. They all listened carefully to the instructions. “It is too late to reveal ourselves to the humans for if we did at this hour it would be hard to distinguish an army of fiends from that of the Royal Guard. Tell your people to relax and enjoy your night, but remember to stay hidden in the trees. I also ask that the Fury flocks not fly too much or it’ll catch the attention of the patrols.” Breaker nodded and said that it would be done as requested. “Shade and Ava will come with me inside the city and we’re going to see what is going on inside. Have everyone gathered by midmorning for you’ll be signaled. When you hear the call you may all proceed to the city for it will be safe.”

  Word spread quickly and all were glad for a full night of rest and relaxation.

  Just as the last shred of sunlight disappeared Alex, Shade and Ava approached the eastern wall of the city under the cover of darkness, being guided by starlight and a low hanging crescent moon. Only a few stragglers moved in the night, but were unable to see their movement. Alex gained a thrill as Shade ran between two men heading home for the night as they stood only ten feet apart with bright torches, but Shade’s stealth and speed barely aroused any suspicion. Alex turned his neck and watched at the two men simply looked at each other and shrugged before continuing. Ava swooped down and said it was a foolish stunt, but Shade said it was fun and no one was hurt, Alex agreed with a quiet laugh.

  Ava flew higher as Shade and Alex moved closer to the wall.

  The outer gate was closed, but the drawbridge that laid over the moat surrounding the entire outer wall remained do
wn. Three guards stood before the closed gate, keeping the torchlight to their back, retaining much of their night vision. One stood before a door built into the closed gate to allow late-night individuals in or out of the city, but should any wagons or carts approach they would have to be inspected or need to wait until morning.

  Seeing the blocked entrance and vigilant guards, Alex whispered in Shade’s ear and gave simple instructions. They had to speak in short quiet words because Alex recognized one of the posted guards and knew his item amplified sound. Any closer or louder they’d be discovered.

  Sliding silently down to the ground, Shade whispered “I’ll see you inside.” and then dove into his shadow. Alex watched as his brother easily approached and the movement of the shadow dashed along the edge of the wooden drawbridge, cut behind the guards and squeezed through the cracks of the gate without raising any suspicion.

  Flying high above the ground, Ava watched as Alex moved south a hundred feet, out of the range of all manmade light. Alex flared his muscles and ran towards the wall and jumped easily over the moat, an obstacle Shade wouldn’t have been able to overcome. Using the small edges between the cut stone and mortar he easily held a flat position on the wall. The ornate sword at his side struck the wall with a mild clang. Alex waited for anyone above the wall to look down and see him hanging or the gate guards to peer to their right. It wasn’t the best wall grab he’s made, but none looked.

  Alex then began silently scaling the cool wall, making sure the sword or bracers didn’t click or scrape against the stone. Reaching the lip, he pulled himself just high enough to spot a patrolling guard walking in his direction. It was easy to hide only a few inches below the edge and wait before he passed. Once the area was clear he climbed over the wall and effortlessly dropped the hundred feet to the inside. His landing was silent and surprising. The road was solid enough that he barely needed to use his hands to absorb the ground’s impact.