“The horses are more spirited now and responds to only a single person during a crisis, but if someone needs help they are glad to do it for a carrot or other foods. Hundreds of patches of soil have been designed around the city so that they could communicate with greater efficiency.”
“That is good to hear. Next question, during the siege of the battlement to the northeast, how many were lost?” The general quickly delivered the numbers and showed how proud he was since so few of his men perished. “Alright, final question before Allahandra’s carriage arrives. Last night in the mess, I overheard lieutenants speaking of the coming war in the Fall, about being outnumbered. How many are we going to face?”
In a somber tone Rakkian glanced at the entire crowd before stating aloud “Each of these men and women know what we face and the odds are grim. Our spies and seers have given us rough enemy numbers, but even with all of Alluan fighting as one, including the children who can barely pick up a sword and the elderly, we are outmatched by closely four or five warriors to one.”
In the following silence Alex contemplated such a scale for a war to break out. He knew this city held over sixty thousand, but four or five times, that was a frightening picture. Finally Alex said in a voice of hope “I have a way to bolster better odds in our favor.”
Before the general and the crowd asked what he meant by this, multiple sounds of clopping interrupted the atmosphere as the horse drawn carriage pulled inside the courtyard.
As it came to a stop and an attendant opened the door Allahandra quickly asked “You cannot leave us hanging like that. How can you make such promises?”
“Allahandra, it would be simpler if you saw what is being offered for yourself. Tell your driver to follow us to the east gate. Your answer will be revealed soon enough and there will be many more questions this day.”
Conceding was the best course of action and she told her driver what to do and entered her bubble-like carriage with gold trim around much of the wood. Wanting to hurry, Rakkian followed protectively and sat inside with her. Travis requested to go with them and Allahandra granted on the condition another warrior came as well. His actions in Alex’s test had consequences and distrust was the cost.
Travis obliged.
Many in the crowd began to whistle, including Marlin, and each pitch and frequent interval was as unique as the individual. Within moments neighing from all around increased. Warhorses of Freelan began powering their way into the courtyard. Many were hesitant seeing Shade, a predator capable of devouring them, inside the mass of people. Then Clift charged in and stopped to stare in wonder. His large nostrils caught the familiar scent and he neighed happily “Shade! You’re back!” and trotted up to marvel at his old friend, only with all the new changes he had to look up to meet his gaze.
“It is good to see you again, Clift. I see you haven’t been slacking.”
“Nor have you.” The chestnut stallion observed.
Marlin and Niranene came close and his friend dug in the saddle he hadn’t taken off yet. Marlin dug out the board and writing implement and began creating a message. Clift then read aloud “Niranene and I need to ride together, will you carry us?” it wouldn’t be any trouble and Clift nodded his approval.
While they hopped into the saddle Shade looked to his side and wondered why Lily just stared at him so strangely. He asked Alex and got the answer. Lily said “I had a hard enough time getting on him before, but now he’s nearly a foot taller and twice as large.”
In response to this Alex grabbed her hips and easily lifted her high enough to sit comfortably. He remembered the last time he did this and ended up getting punched in the jaw, but this time she simply smiled gratefully for the assistance. Ava sensed it was time to fly for a little bit and she did. She circled the gathered in lazy circles. Once Lily settled in Alex easily leapt the seven foot height as if it were no more than scaling a single step and landed in front of her. Used to it, Shade remained still and the added weight barely registered. The pressure on his back told he had passengers.
Sitting in the front Alex felt the soft sensation as Lily ever so slowly encircled his abdomen. After moving the cape over she did her best not to be obvious about it, but she felt the solid and rigid muscles that layered his entire body. She was taken aback by such development as she placed her palms on his abdomen to pull herself closer and to feel more stable and secure by holding him. She then reveled in the fresh scent of tilled earth and cut grass and knew this wasn’t just a dream. He had come home to her safely. He was taut and strong before, but this transformation was similar to how he looked the first time they met, skeleton-like had turned into large muscles, if it weren’t for the results she secretly felt beneath his clothing she wouldn’t have believed someone could have gained so much muscle in such amount of time. Even as her legs clutched Shade, she could even feel the immense power he held within too. Lily couldn’t help thinking that if she watched these two in open combat it would be poetry in motion.
As she pulled herself closer to him, Alex couldn’t help but feel her breasts pressing into his back and her strong arms that were as subtle and smooth as any woman of her innate beauty clutched him. Her scent reminded him of home in the Waget Islands and her touch reminded him the last day they had together. He was glad just to have Lily hold him again.
The moment was over when Clift trotted closer, with Marlin and Niranene sitting just like Alex did with Lily. The stallion asked Shade “Where are you leading us?”
“To the east gate.” With a look to Alex, who just saw all horses who were called had been mounted and those that didn’t were ready to follow anyways, he nodded it was time to proceed. “Alright, follow me.”
Shade began stepping forward and it had been some time since Lily had ridden and the movement forward was slightly startling. Quick movement helped calm her as Alex placed his free left hand over hers. The simple touch was calm and comforting. Lily began to relax and remember what it was like to ride upon a Shadow Fang.
Soon Clift trotted by Shade’s side, but allowed him to dictate the route they’d take. The driver of the carriage snapped the reins and the six horses fell in behind the predator. The horses didn’t like this in the least, but they trusted who guided them, even if it meant leading them to their untimely end. More horses followed and protectively surrounded the queen’s carriage and even more people fell in. Shade took a slow leisurely pace to allow all to keep up.
As Shade led the way through the streets, his arrival was impossible to miss. Seeing him was as much a shock as it was the first time they stepped into the city. The only difference was that people didn’t become fearful now that they recognized him. People began saying at first “It’s Shade!” “Alex and Shade have come back to us.” “Welcome Home!” and cheers began and soon a throng of gleeful people filled the city streets. More attention was soon called to the procession and the streets became crowded. As they passed the people began following for they too wished to understand what is happening.
“So,” Marlin began talking above the crowd. “Alex, how did you do that with Travis back there? One moment you were standing there, calm and relaxed, and I felt a burst of hot air and the next thing I see is you holding your sword pointed in midair. How did you do that? I didn’t even see you draw the sword.”
“I’ve learned what I can do and am capable of. I mastered my abilities back in peak of winter, but I couldn’t come here quite yet. When we are alone I’ll tell you more because there are many secrets I cannot divulge to just anyone.”
“Can you tell us where you got that sword?” Lily asked and the closeness of her lips sent a chill through Alex. “If you carry it, it must not be your normal variety sword. Is it someone’s item?” She wondered.
“Nay, it is not an item nor did I just get it. I ran through a live volcano, retrieved liquefied metal from its heart and made the sword myself.” Alex looked at her with one eye to see the disbelief in her eyes. “I forged the blade completely by myself and Gerieg o
nly helped by telling the timing of certain aspects of the forging process. The metal itself is unique, for once it cools it cannot be broken or damaged in any way. Nor does it need maintenance like other crafted weapons and its edge is razor sharp. Even my wrist protectors are of the same metal. It is the only true weapon a Master Furion can trust. I even sculpted the stone set in the hilt.”
Lily looked at it more closely and smiled that he chose a stone the color of her eyes. This made her both smile and blush. Then she caught the way he said it. “What do you mean by sculpt? How did you do it?”
Alex searched for a way to demonstrate by scanning the crowd. He then pointed to a small girl and asked politely “Can you toss me the rock by your feet?”
Thrilled to be singled out, the child found the stone that she used two hands to toss up. The stone was thrown wildly, but Alex’s reflexes snatched the stone single handedly without pause as Shade remained undeterred in his approach to the outer wall.
Marlin, Niranene, Lily and many others watched what he was going to do with the rock. Alex filled his free hand with more strength than the solid stone could possible resist and it shattered and crumbled to dust as if it were no more than dried mud. This display of control and strength filled many with fear of his strength and others glad for his protection, Lily was uncertain what to think, but it was Marlin who laughed “Show off!”
Halfway to the eastern gate Alex looked to his right and said aloud to gain attention “Niranene, you’ve not said one word to me since we’ve arrived. What is going on? If I have offended you in any way, tell me so that I may apologize.”
Her face went scarlet, but she spoke barely above the crowd “It’s not that.” She then met Marlin’s eyes and seemed to gain strength from them. “I… I mean we have something to ask you.”
“What is it?” Her change in demeanor was so drastic from the last time they met that her shyness was confusing.
When she wasn’t forthcoming Marlin spoke for her. The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable. “I know this is sudden, but I asked Niranene to marry me and she has said Aye. Our greatest wish is that you would be the one to wed us.”
“You’re right, this is sudden.” Alex said and hunched over to deliberate in silence. The slow and even moving of Shade’s fur filled his vision and helped block out all other problems. How could I wed someone? He wondered. I have no real power or authority, at least not until Runkamon is removed. How… “Why me?” he asked, but thought that he only said it internally.
“Because you are my best friend. And it would be an honor we will never forget. A prince overseeing our union would be perfect.” Marlin said matter-of-factly, but Niranene hid her face in his back in embarrassment.
“How could I wed you when I’m not a council member or person in authority.”
It was Lily who corrected by first squeezing her arms more tightly around his middle. “When Marlin and Niranene first told others about this engagement Allahandra asked who they’d like to marry them. Their choice was clear and Marlin was adamant that you would do it for them. Though you aren’t in power, it is undeniable that you are indeed the rightful heir to the throne. As the prince, you have the authority to wed whoever you wish and none other than the rightful king himself can oppose the contract.”
There was an intense silence after that and all that Lily had said was true. Alex stared at his ring that was the heirloom his grandfather had made when he was born. After much debate he came to two conclusions. The first he voiced as he looked at the expectant couple “I would be honored to wed the two of you. When would you like to make the contract?”
Niranene and Marlin smiled at each other and kissed each other quickly before returning their joy filled expressions back upon the Furion prince. Niranene was the one to say “When you get settled in we’d like to do it when you are comfortable enough.”
Alex nodded. He then looked up and caught the attention of his sister and she swooped down and listened to what he had to say. Shade liked his idea, but after some logical points Ava conceded in her reluctance and gave her approval. She liked Lily enough and couldn’t argue when it came to her brother’s happiness. Ava then wished him good luck in the endeavor and began flying again, but not before winking at Lily.
The beautiful warrior didn’t miss the humanlike gesture and asked “What was that about? Is she up to something?”
“Nay, she isn’t the one you need to worry about.” Alex joked.
Lily then leaned closer and kissed his cheek unexpectedly. “It is you who will always worry me for though we met, she and Shade are predictable, but you never seem to do anything one would normally expect.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet.” Alex promised.
As Shade led everyone to the opened eastern gate Alex and Lily slid off and Ava quickly flew to her favorite spot. The Freelan guards pushed the crowd back to a safe distance as Allahandra and everyone else exited the carriage. The queen approached Alex and the reunited Pack to ask “What are we doing here?”
Alex approached and offered his arm expectantly. “Please allow me to escort you personally to the top of the wall. There is something you must see for yourself.”
His eloquence and pleasant demeanor was hard for even the most rigid woman to deny and the intensity of his unique grey eyes were even more difficult to refuse. The queen gladly took his arm, finding it strange that the new Fury he introduced remained on his shoulder. She looked back to see her Rakkian do the same for Lily who playfully accepted. The transformation of these two star-crossed lovers have gone through these past seasons went well beyond their new physical appearances. Lily and Alex were made for each other. Marlin and Niranene fell in behind and Clift and Shade followed.
Once upon the top of the wall Alex led her up to the edge and waited as the crowd also came up to see whatever it was that he was offering. Ava, Shade and Alex were right on time as it was nearing the end of midmorning.
As the crowd quieted Alex looked down into Allahandra’s dark and confused eyes. “You and your people know that without help from others, our luck will only take us so far. In my absence from here I’ve learned much and now have something to offer so that we will succeed and put an end to the laws of self sacrifice.” Alex then looked away towards the eastern trees that were nearly too far away to see. His voice tickled as he said “Ava, it is time.”
Ava hopped down to the stone railing that came up to Alex’s chest. All watched as she expanded her magnificent wings to their limit. She filled her lungs as full as possible. Then she shrieked in the forest’s direction for nearly eight seconds. Her shrill made many plug their ears with their fingers, but none were her focus and all remained awake.
The crowd was silent and wary as Ava turned around and hopped onto Alex’s wrist and transferred herself back to his shoulder again.
It didn’t take long before Allahandra stated “Oh my…”
All stood transfixed as over a thousand shadows separated themselves from the trees and filled the sky in their approach. Alex then raised his arms to emphasize the effect it gave all in attendance. “I am here as both the leader and ambassador of the fiends to tell you they themselves wish to join in our fight. They know that once the humans are under the king’s heel, they will be next in his subjugating rule. They wish to fight for our freedom as well as their own. I give to you an army never seen or assembled before; who wish to work with us in the difficult endeavor to set the land’s order back to the way it needs to be; free of oppression and tyranny!”
“How many?” General Rakkian asked in awe as he along with all others watched as Fury’s flew high in the air, Shadow Fangs and Beran prides streaked across the land at a speed no steed could ever match and Pikro doing their best to keep pace. Between waves of the Pikro and two of the Big Three species the Grizon held their own.
Alex gratefully informed “Four thousand strong. The Fury, Grizon, Shadow Fangs, Beran and Pikro will fight with our men, but if you look closely on the backs of the S
hadow Fang and Beran lords that looks something like a man, do not be fooled, they are Orggian and have come to aid as healers. They are not fighters, so if you must think strategically think that you have over three thousand new warriors with skills that would exceed that of any man or item.”
Rakkian stepped closer and leaned his elbows on the railing and watched with open astonishment of the approaching fiends. “I never thought in my wildest dreams that a day like this would ever come. Fiends wishing to fight in a human quarrel, how else will the world we thought we know of be proven wrong again? My perceptions need to change if even they wish to fight.”
Lily came closer and wrapped her arm with Alex’s to watch the incoming fiends of such magnitude approach humans with little care. How many fiends fell by her blades? She would rather not dwell on such burdensome thoughts.
The sight was so difficult to understand that all atop the wall remained mostly in silent denial of what their eyes saw while others whispered to themselves in hopes that this was all just a vivid dream. Alex went quiet to allow the situation to sink in.
Niranene and Marlin both looked on with just as much zeal at the horde of creatures coming as Allahandra broke the silence by quickly asking “Alex, if I am to trust you, which I’ve never doubted,” She quickly added in her rush for words. “how can I tell my people to allow creatures they’ve feared their entire lives to trust them. Also what am I supposed to believe? I cannot doubt Shade’s intelligence and good will, but so many dangerous creatures coming here will not sit well with most. Do not think me as unsympathetic for I have had errand thoughts of having a fiend army, but seeing it doesn’t ease the worry that has me gripped here.”
Seeing such a reasonable reaction to the unknown Alex first spoke to his brother. “Shade, go and tell Clift about the fiends coming. Tell him to speak with the other horses to remain calm for the leaders know that the steeds aren’t on the menu.” In silent understanding the younger yet larger brother walked away and the people parted before Alex spoke directly with the queen.
Furion's Trials (Book Two of the Items Trilogy) Page 41
