Untamed Gift (Book One of the Items Trilogy)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

Chapter 26

  For some reason Alex felt something? He knew that he could faintly feel his body, but shouldn’t I have gone to the other side by now? Right? He wondered oddly. Was I already there, in the next life? How could I feel anything as a spirit? Why am I still alive, am I? Wasn’t I supposed to be dead and rotting in a grave? Didn’t those spikes kill me? Am I still dreaming or is this feeling just an illusion the other side created for me?

  He wasn’t even aware of what day or what time it is. Is time relevant after one dies? What is happening to me? Can’t I get some answers?

  Then he tried opening his eyes, but they were so heavy, like someone kept them closed with their fingers. Sensations gave a sense of reality in the muscles that controlled his eyelids that were struggling to open, but they were still extremely difficult to release so his vision could see more than eternal darkness. Then he tried hearing and counted five other people in the room breathing. He didn’t know how or why he could hear them breathe, but he could. It helped to focus on something other than himself. There were two unique breathers that caught his attention. It was deeper and stronger than the rest. Shade? Alex could tell that he was somewhere off to his left, but he wasn’t breathing in the right direction. Then there was one much closer and it was a soft and controlled breathing. He’s heard it before, but…

  Pain was everywhere once he realized what the sensation meant. Some were sharp pains while others were dull and throbbing. He tried moving his arm, but it seems to be pinned. His legs and torso were all in the same predicament.

  With all the force he could muster his eyes finally cracked open. Alex managed to see his body and it seemed to be in some form of a full body casting. It wasn’t made of linen and hard as stone like his first thought, but it was a silver metal which he realized to be someone’s item. Everything on his body was encased except for his head and neck.

  “ALEX!” a high pitched female voice shouted. And the sounds of other people approaching were swift.

  His eyes sluggishly moved to the person who spoke and he saw the purest white hair sitting next to him because of the posture. Alex felt an immediate and compassionate touch on his cheek. Unfortunately the person had rough calluses, but the gesture meant more to him than he first thought. His heartbeat started fluttering to the gentle touch. It took a moment to see who the person was despite his body’s natural reaction to the familiarity. Soft amethyst irises were looking at his in hope. Pink lips quivered as she smiled happily. She was a beautiful woman beyond all measure and Alex just watched this stunning creature approvingly. Then he caught her smell.

  Sea breeze…

  His foggy head cleared, but his body remained in the same state. His mouth was dry, but it managed to obey his will with some effort. The squeezing of his lungs and dry throat told him it wasn’t a good idea to try, but he needed to say something. “Lily?” His voice croaked and sounded foreign to his memory of how it should sound.

  She sobbed a quick laugh and quickly covered her mouth.

  The room was silent as he scanned where he lay. Apparently they put him in his large guest room; courtesy of the queen. From all of the lit oil lamps Alex could deduce that they were already well into the night. He then began noticing who else was in the room besides Lily. Marlin began sighing with a relieved smile. Allahandra was patting her heart with a grateful expression. Niranene patted Marlin’s back while watching her astounding patient with curious eyes. She seemed confounded for some reason though. Finally Alex had to raise his eye level to see his foster brother, Shade. He looked more relieved and happy than anyone else in the room.

  “Do you remember my name?” He asked with a smile tugging at the corners of his lip flaps.

  Alex pursed his lips as he forced another breath out of his lungs, but something else happened when he tried communicating his brother’s name. That usual tickling feeling that his voice undergoes began screaming in agony. The pain and anguish caused the air to be trapped in his throat and the result shot him into a coughing fit far beyond the pain he was already experiencing. Alex couldn’t stop himself from coughing even when his body screamed for the torture to stop. Lily’s eyes actually began to spill over with tears knowing she couldn’t do anything.

  Everyone wanted to help, but Niranene and Allahandra moved everyone back. A flash of thin silver in the queen’s hand moved and then it was jabbed into the side of his neck. The pain wasn’t even noticeable compared to his body’s fit. Then his body began relaxing and cooling at the same time. Soon his reaction to coughing subsided. Only when he stopped coughing for a few minutes did the queen finally remove her item from his neck.

  Then Niranene finally spoke to end the silent streak. “Alex, it would be best if you didn’t speak, let alone try talking to Shade. Your body is still highly traumatized from all it withstood. It would be best if you did the least you can. It was a miracle beyond miracles that you even survived at all. All those… never mind, now I want you to use your eyes to communicate. When we ask a question I want you to blink once for yes and twice for no.” This was the head healer talking and not the timid woman Niranene. “First I want to know if you know who I am?” Alex blinked once. “That is a good sign that you don’t have a brain injury. Now are you in pain? … Alright I’ll help relieve your soreness…” For the next twenty minutes Niranene was the only one asking any questions. He answered as best he could by only blinking. She had her item case with her and she crushed up different proportions of pills in a pestle and began grinding. Each pill had a unusual color and she poured the powder into a clear glass. The glass of water took on a deathly looking tinge of black. It had a hollow reed in the glass and Alex knew that it was him who had to drink it.

  Everyone went quiet as he took a small sip of the concoction. It was actually sour, like drinking pure lemon juice, but he managed to drink it all. It took a minute for him to unfold his puckered face. Already the pain began lessening throughout his body, but the wounds were still there. His head felt clearer and his mind was running normally once again. Then there was a dull warmth in his chest and it was soothing. Breathing became less labored and easier.

  The very moment Allahandra stepped back Lily sat by his side and touched his cheek with the back of her index finger. “I’m so glad you made it.” Her tone was calm, but lips remained quivering. “Do you remember what happened?” He blinked three times and her brow drew together. “Does that mean you’re not sure?” It was close enough to his thoughts so he blinked once. “Alright should I start from when you somehow you figured out that Allahandra was the key to the whole plot? … ok, then I’ll start there…”

  “Actually we all have questions, but we’ll hold onto them until you can speak.” Allahandra said and smiled at her rescuer. “Forgive my interruption, but I have to tell my people what really happened as soon as you’re able to fill in some important details.” Alex blinked once.

  Before Lily started her story everyone sat down in a chair, close to the large bed; which he just now noticed. They had already heard it recounted, but they wanted to hear the story again. Lily arched her back and cleared her throat.

  “After you tossed me on Shade’s back, barked at him several times and took off; he was only able to barely keep up with you. When we made it to the castle just about every stationed guard of the palace was killed. Apparently thirty nine soldiers lost their lives by the time we arrived up on this floor. When I saw that it was Maiot and Gyro being the culprits, you and Shade were already sprinting to her rescue. You and I fought Maiot while Shade charged Gyro; who now had captured Allahandra and isolated himself within his item. I told you to shift opponents so I could take care of Maiot. Before I knew it you vanished and Gyro was being pursued by Shade.

  “I figured out my opponent’s ability rather easily. His claws could thicken the air almost into a solid defense, but it will only last’s a few seconds. I used my crescent sword as a distraction while my other sword fluttered apart. While he was distracted, my petals snuck past his defense and
sliced him into a million pieces.” She smiled smugly and then her smile vanished.

  “Just as my sword was put back together Shade reentered the room, but I’ve never seen the horrified expression he was showing me. His eyes were streaked with tears and he was looking more frightened than ever before. All of the hackles on the back of his neck were standing straight. He didn’t seem to see me as he charged passed my side. He knocked me out of the way once he spotted Allahandra’s item case. He quickly put the whole case in his mouth. It was then that I knew something terrible had happened. I holstered my swords and grabbed onto Shade’s shoulders, just moments before he took off. I had to hold on with everything I had because he was on a mission and nothing would ever stop him.”

  Suddenly Lily glanced at the four other spectators, her voiced steeled and became even. “When Shade made it to the castle’s main hall I had to let go. I found my way out and first spotted Allahandra kneeling over someone. She was also surrounded by a small contingent of new guards who supposedly heard a loud crashing sound. She was yelling at the person and I recognized it was you. I tried to help, but I’m no healer. Allahandra used up every drop of her solution from each and every one of her syringes. You were stabbed in over eleven spots and seven of the punctures were life threatening. Each one went completely through you. The queen couldn’t use her items for another three hours, but Niranene showed up and aided Allahandra in the closure of the smaller, life threatening wounds. They continued working on you for the next fifteen hours; nonstop. Every time the queen’s syringes refilled she injected you till the blood ceased escaping. We almost lost you several times during that frightening process. Many were called to try a transfusion, but your body wouldn’t accept anyone’s blood and you had a horrible reaction. They had another healer come by and he used his item to keep you from moving. That’s why you’re unable to move at the moment.

  “Since then, four days have passed and Niranene had to make a solution which helps replenish all the lost blood…”

  “Don’t forget to tell him you haven’t left his side for a single moment since…” Her eyes turned murderous as she glared at Marlin. He took the hint and raised his hands apologetically. “Never mind,”

  Her eyes softened as she looked down at him again. Alex’s complexion was pallid from the blood-loss, but he remained among the living. He couldn’t fathom why she wouldn’t leave his side if everyone knew that he was stable. His thoughts were cut short when she resumed speaking. “As I was saying; you lost a lot of blood, but luckily you didn’t have any broken bones that could be felt; you know they couldn’t use their items to check. Several vital organs had been pierced, but Allahandra’s solution seems to have repaired the extensive damage” She smiled. “Since then you have been completely unconscious until a little while ago.

  “Also during that time the battle ended once we tossed Maiot and Gyro’s mangled heads over to the enemy. They immediately began withdrawing, but General Rakkian sent a massive assault on the enemy when they turned their back and ran for their lives. He obliterated them of course, but a few hundred managed to escape and are trying to be tracked down and dealt with. We believe your cousin is among the escapees because the general personally checked for his remains and has as of yet, found nothing conclusive among the many bodies. Plus the only casualties we’ve sustained were two soldiers during the escaping assault and the thirty nine, in here, who were betrayed.

  “Yesterday Allahandra gave a day of respite for people to grieve over the loss of the men who died. Yesterday was a day of mourning for the entire city.”

  As she closed the story the room held a long moment of silence for those who perished; except for Shade because he asked if something was wrong. Alex managed to make his head slightly shake, only once. He quickly and correctly assumed that they were mourning for the fallen.

  A few minutes later Allahandra stood. “Alex, we are all glad you didn’t die on us. When you are better, I have been told that the whole city has heard of what you did in my rescue and want to hold a celebration in your honor…” He blinked twice in a repeated effort. It took her a minute to understand what he was doing. She began laughing as did everyone else. “Do not fret, I’ll save you this time. You just go ahead and get better, ya.” She quickly glanced at everyone. “We should let him rest. We all need to as well. Rest well, Alex.”

  Niranene checked him over one last time and then looked at Lily. They both nodded without questioning each other and he wondered what the unspoken conversation was about. Marlin tapped his friend’s encased foot and said “I’m glad you are alright. Get better my friend.” Alex blinked and he smiled. He tried his best, but it hurt to even tug at his cheeks for a smile. Marlin smiled for the both of them and held Niranene’s hand as they walked out of the room. Allahandra waved to Alex as she shut the door behind the new couple.

  So more has happened in those four days than I originally thought…

  Shade stood up and looked at Lily. Then another unspoken conversation passed and ended with another nod between them. Shade then moved and curled up close to the door. It seemed like he was guarding it.

  Alex looked pleadingly for some answers when Lily’s eyes reconnected on his. She caught his confusion, understanding perfectly. “Don’t worry so much. Wrinkles don’t do you any justice.” She smiled and pointed to his furrowed brow. He didn’t realize he was frowning and it quickly vanished under her calming touch. “Like you heard Marlin a few minutes ago, I’ve stayed by your side this whole time. I usually sleep over at the desk.” She nodded and a pillow was resting on the table. “Niranene was just asking if I would still be staying with you again tonight. If anything should happen, she is close always by. Allahandra has given another guest room to her so she could be as close as possible. And Shade and I had another agreement which he forced me to abide by.” She smiled as she glanced at the inconspicuous doorstop. It mustn’t have been a difficult demand. “He has allowed me to stay in this room on the condition that I stop holding this secret in any longer. Apparently he found my journal in my room, somehow, and read through it.” She sighed while smiling. Their eyes connected and she seemed happy for some reason and he was confused. “It isn’t really much of a secret though, but I agreed anyways.”

  Her expression looked both steeled and vulnerable simultaneously. Lily casually laid a hand over his encased hand. “Listen, I’m not used to sharing my feelings let alone know how to act upon them. Things are just so difficult for me because I know everything about being a warrior, but acting like a woman is foreign.” She bit her bottom lip and it was easy to tell that she was trying to find the right words, but her nature is to be blunt and that is what came next.

  “Let me go back a little, ok.” He blinked. “When we were being interrogated by Commander Yort out on the plains…” It was a hazy memory but it returned. “When I failed in his first question I was given another try. I was insecure to give him my honest answer aloud and he allowed me to whisper my answer in his ear. The real reason why I wanted to join Freelan was because I couldn’t bear to be away from you anymore. I explained how I would follow you anywhere because you were my new home, one I’ve never truly had before. If you wanted to join this force, then I would as well. I would follow any orders and take any punishment for my crimes just as long as we remained together. Yort excepted my answer and you remember what happened when he asked for my name.” She smiled at the memory and he now understood why Yort looked at him so suspiciously out on the plains.

  “Then at the arena, when you saved me again after Rakkian attempted to murder me, you said something I’ll never forget. When you had the general pinned you said ‘Why did you just try to kill my Lily!?’And when you said my Lily I was happier than I’ve ever been before. I didn’t know if it was just a slip of the tongue, but everything inside me became jubilant. I’ve never had anyone be so positively possessive over me and…I actually liked it.

  “As Allahandra offered these rooms I wanted to try something for you.
You see, I’ve never worn a dress in my entire life and for some odd reason I had to show you and see what your reaction would be like. The very first word you called me was ‘beautiful’ and I knew you meant it. I kind of lied about the real reason for my late night visit.” She smiled shyly. “And when I asked to guard you, it was really because I almost went crazy knowing how much danger you would be in when you checked for the enemy’s information. I couldn’t stand being away from you. I realized that I’ve become possessive of you too, Alex.”

  He wished that he could speak, but his injuries were still too severe. Her words were lifting his spirits. Lily was actually being possessive over him and her words rang in his head like the sweetest music. She was actually confessing her feelings and he couldn’t offer his in return. He struggled again to speak, but she quickly pinched his lips together and shook her head. “Please don’t try to talk. This is hard enough to say as it is and if you strain to tell me your feelings I don’t know what I’ll do.” Alex nodded barely because for the first time he saw a fragile and timid side of her. “Ok, now I’m almost through with what I have to get off my chest.” Lily removed her fingers from his lips.

  Then her voice became weak and hollow. Lily’s eyes began brimming with tears, but they didn’t spill over. “But the most difficult part of my life was seeing you, after you somehow killed Gyro and saved the queen. I’ve never had a connection with someone in which they would mean so much to me. When I recognized your mangled body out there I already knew the odds weren’t good. When I saw all the blood that came from you I felt lost all over again, like I had returned to being a King’s Guard again. I made it to you and saw all of those holes that you bled from. I spoke to you, but you didn’t respond to anything or anyone. It was the most difficult time of my life, seeing you bleed to death so quickly. While Allahandra and Niranene worked on you I continued talking to you. And while they were doing their best, they said that any other person would have already died from the loss of blood, but I knew you are stronger than any man I’ve ever seen.” She finally smiled as the tears broke through their barricades. She wiped them away with the heel of her hand. “I know I’m a mess, but I had to let you know. If you had died out there…” She actually shuttered at the thought. “You would have never known this and it would have been the biggest regret of my life.” She let out a choked laugh. “I’m relieved that I could finally say that. Don’t die on me anytime soon and I’ll wait to hear your feelings. I want to know if both of our thoughts are compatible.”

  She looked over at Shade and said sarcastically “I told him!” and all she received was a flick of his ears. She smiled anyway. “I guess you should get some sleep. I need some too. I must look a mess.” In truth she was actually still a goddess, but a compassionate one at the moment.

  She stood up from the bed and Alex knew she was going to head over to the desk, but that wouldn’t do. Since Niranene’s drink, his throat was still sore, but it wasn’t as dry. “Lily.” She quickly turned to look at him with shocked eyes.

  “What is it!? What’s wrong?” She quickly became concerned.

  “Nothing. Stay. In. My. Bed. You. Need. Sleep.” It was painful speaking in short blocked words, taking a breath between each. His voice sounded slightly less alien and the talking wore him out.

  “Really? I don’t mind sleeping over there.” He tightly squeezed his eyes closed twice. “If that is what you want…”

  She finally smiled weakly as she walked around the bed and slowly laid where Shade usually does. Alex was unable to turn his head to get a better look at her, but from his peripheral vision he could tell she laid on her side and was looking at him.

  Even in this horrible state everything seemed right. Lily did have feelings for him and he was happy to hear them coming from her lips. Knowing this relaxed him to the point where sleep carried him away. His dream couldn’t be written down coherently, but it was enjoyable.

  “Awe, look at them. They both seem so happy.” Alex could hear in conjunction with his pleasant dream. The dream faded and was replaced with the sounds of reality. It took only a moment to realize Marlin’s voice.

  “Oh… Oh my! It is that time already!” Lily’s exasperated voice leapt and someone else said “Aye.” but Alex couldn’t clearly hear who said it.

  His eyes opened and at the foot of the bed stood Marlin, Niranene, Shade and someone else. It was an older gentleman and he was just entering the room.

  “What time is it?” Alex asked before noticing that most of his pain had vanished. Much of the pain centered around the right shoulder, left ribcage, two spots on the abdomen and one on his right thigh. Alex felt much stronger than yesterday and it showed in his voice. It sounded reasonably normal and Niranene and Marlin instantly realized this.

  “You sound much better. It is just an hour after the sun rose.” Niranene started before Marlin could jump in. “Tell me how you feel.” Alex explained everything to her and she grinned. “It seems that with the combination of Allahandra’s solution and mine, your body will be healed by tomorrow night.” She touched the other man’s forearm. “You may remove your item. He should be well enough by now.”

  As the man walked to the city hero’s side, Marlin glanced to his right. Looking to his left Alex saw Lily smiling at him from the edge of the bed. She stood up and walked to Shade’s side. She looked just as beautiful as she did last night. Niranene walked over to the desk and began crushing up pills. Suddenly Alex’s attention turned to his chest. It felt odd.

  This new man was the person whose item encased his entire body. He had his large hand on Alex’s chest and the item began almost liquefying. The item began moving to his hand and collecting itself into a large cube. The first things to be freed were his feet and it felt great to move them. It was the same with his hands and arms. Once the cube had collected all of its parts, he pulled it off the patient’s chest. On his hip was a leather bag and once he flipped it up Alex saw cubes of different sizes and the cube used on himself was of the largest he had.

  It felt great finally being free of his bindings. But as Alex looked down and saw that he had cloth wrappings that were stained red in a punctured pattern that matched the locations of his pain. From his neck down he was wrapped, but there wasn’t anything else underneath. Alex raised his right arm to the man in gratitude. “Thank you for helping me.”

  He closed his bag and grinned. “Think nothing of it and you shouldn’t even try to sit up. You saved our queen. It’s the least I can do. You just get better for all of our sakes.” He clasped Alex’s arm and released it. He looked away saying “I’ll go back to the healing center and cover for you until you finish here, Niranene.”

  Niranene began walking back towards the gathered, from the desk she used to crush up her items. She carried a glass that was now colored a light green. She spoke sincerely to the other healer. “That will be a big help. I’ll get there as quickly as I possibly can. Tell the staff to work as usual and to check if anyone is faking an injury. After the battle we need open space for the wounded. We were lucky in losing only the few…”

  “I understand, Ma’am.” He jumped, seeing the pain of those murdered men flash across her face.

  As the man left the room Niranene had Alex drink this new concoction. Taking a mouthful was horrifying, after she put it in his hand. The flavor wasn’t as sour, but it did leave a bitter aftertaste. She saw his discouraged expression and gave a piece of information. “I know my items don’t have a pleasant flavor, but they are more than capable of treating a wide range of ailments. Last night’s mix was what I’ve had to give you twice a day since your initial injury. It helps calm the nerves so the pain is dulled, adds a supplement since you couldn’t eat, clears the mind and lastly it boosts your immune system so that you aren’t susceptible of getting an infection that would kill you in your weakened condition. You needed that the most because your wounds would have gotten infected otherwise.” She now pointed to the half empty green glass. “This mixture increase
s ones appetite and also slightly increased adrenaline production so you can stay more active, but it works slower and longer so you won’t need to drink it as often.”

  “If that’s true can I sit up and move around?” Alex asked after finishing the glass and handing it back to her.

  She handed the glass to a worried looking Marlin. She had a serious expression on her face once she looked down at the remarkable hero again. “That would be extremely unlikely. I’ve seen very few people survive the injuries that you have sustained. It truly is a miracle that you are even capable of functioning on an intellectual level with the amount of blood that was lost.” She held up a single finger. “But I will let you know how long you will be bedbound after I check your dressings.”

  Niranene looked at everyone. “Could we have some privacy?”

  “Not a problem!” Marlin said, smiling at his girl. “Lily, come outside with me. Let’s tell the queen Alex is lucid and can talk again.” She was reluctant to leave his weakened side, but conceded. Marlin tapped Shade’s flank and gestured for him to follow. He didn’t budge.

  Alex’s voice tickled and it didn’t choke him up like the last time. “Shade,” his ears perked and everyone glanced at Alex with worried expressions. He waved them off with a hand. “go ahead. I promise that we will talk soon.”

  His large head dropped and he made a sound similar to a deep sigh. Then his eyes lifted and connected again. “It is really good to hear you talking with me again. It takes forever to translate what they were doing to you. I hope it never happens again.” He glanced at Niranene. “I’ll be back shortly. I have certain needs that I’ve been neglecting for too long.”

  He turned around and wacked Marlin in the shoulder with his tail. Shade chuckled at the payback. Marlin opened the door with his unharmed arm and left down the hall. Shade followed and Lily smiled at him one last time before shutting the door behind herself. Now it was only Niranene and Alex in the silent room.

  She glided over to the ewer, brought it over, along with some new bandages, linens and a pair of small shears. There was a hidden bag next to the bed which Alex couldn’t see. He wondered what else could be in his room that he didn’t know about.

  She stood to his right as she sat the items on the bed and the ewer on the floor as well. With the scissors in hand she began making a small cut from the hollow of his throat and cut the soiled bandages down to the lower abdominals. She slowly pulled the bandage back to reveal where he was wounded on the right shoulder. Red, dried blood caked his entire skin and it wasn’t a pleasant sight from anyone’s end. Niranene didn’t even flinch at the sight. Alex wondered what the worst condition she’s ever seen a person. Then again he’d rather not because he’d be on that short list.

  She grabbed a linen cloth and dabbed a corner into the ewer. With the moist towel she began cleaning off the skin. As she cleaned with the gentlest of touches her brow drew together. That look sent a chill down his spine.

  In a frightened tone he asked “What is it?” She spoke barely above a whisper, but she apparently didn’t hear him. “It cannot be…” She wiped quicker and touched the skin. All he felt was a slight amount of pain, but the touch was smooth and even under her prodding. “Impossible!”

  She looked to his chest again and spread the soiled bandages off the torso. Her hand went to his left ribcage, an inch below the heart, and she quickly wiped with the linen. She touched with her other fingers and he felt the same sensations, but on the ribs. “How…” Her blue eyes widened and it was frightening him.

  Without realizing what he was doing, Alex had easily managed to sit up and the movement startled Niranene to take several steps back. He felt where she had worked on his arm and felt a barely noticeable bump. Straining his neck, revealed a faint pink dot of new skin on the flesh. It was the same on his ribcage too. Alex was still in some pain, but it was easily controllable to still move, in a limited sense. It was nothing like last night. The two other punctured spots on his abdomen also had the same feeling. A smile crept across his face.

  When his focus returned to Niranene she still looked shocked beyond words. “What is wrong? Why are you just standing there?”

  It took her a few moments to recover. “Alex, you shouldn’t be this far along in the healing progress. You should still have scabbed wounds for the next five days at the earliest. Even with the queen’s compatibility with my items you shouldn’t be healed at this stage. Your arties and organs were perforated, but it cannot be…” She began to trail off in thought. She then began speaking in mental hypothesis. “Could that be it…nay…maybe it’s because of…nay that might not be it either…”

  “Maybe it might be because of what I am, as a Furion?” He threw a logical conclusion at her. “It may be because of that, but I would also like to inform you that I’m far from completely healed. I still feel some pain and you know that means that my body is still in the process of repairing the damaged tissues.” Her eyes widened at his knowledge of anatomy. “As such I know that strenuous exercise is out of the question, but can I clean myself up with your help?”

  “Of course,”

  Swinging his legs off the bed was easy, and despite her short stature, Niranene helped stand him up. It took a minute to find his equilibrium and only then did she release her grasp. Alex used the linen she was using and she grabbed another. As he slowly washed his sore torso, she cleaned his back. She commented that the wounds on the back looked more healed than the one’s on the front. After his backside was cleaned, she had him sit down. She insisted that she shave his face and she did a better job than he ever had. Alex asked her for a moment of modesty and she turned around. He used the scissors to cut the remaining wrapping from his groin and legs. He was extremely lucky because a spike went through his right inner thigh and it didn’t harm the most vital male organ. After the blood, sweat and grime was finally removed from the body, Niranene found fresh clothes.

  A new pair of blue pants and a gray tunic were strenuous to equip. With Niranene’s help, and her reluctance to go along with his next idea, she helped him stand again. They had rescued his staff from Gyro’s head and it was a huge aid in maintaining his balance. His choice for a weapon was ideal for a multitude of scenarios and it was invaluable at this moment. And wrapped around the knot was the gold medallion that Allahandra gave him. He then wrapped it around his neck and began walking to the door slowly, with Niranene holding his belt just incase his balance was ever thrown off. Alex opened the door and entered the hallway.

  He walked down the mirror lit hallway and could hear many voices in the main room. Since meeting Shade Alex no longer liked to stay confined in a room for a long time. When they told him that his injuries kept him in bed for four days, his legs needed a stretch and his eyes needed a change of scenery. Leaving the luxurious room was the only option.

  Walking down the hallway he relied heavily on the staff and Niranene still didn’t release her hold on his belt. She mumbled under her breath. “This isn’t a really good idea…”

  “Your right,” His voice startled her as it felt like he was taking the smallest steps to the private meeting room. “I know I should stay in bed, but I’ll go mad if I remained still for too long. And don’t worry, I know how hurt I still am and that is what’s keeping me from doing more.”

  Before they made it to the door she finally spoke. “As long as you do not overexert yourself I’ll go along with this. But you will be restricted to this floor for another day. I cannot have you attempting the stairs as of yet.”

  “That is a fair compromise.”

  Niranene grabbed the door handle and pushed it open. The noise in the room was louder than anticipated, but it was bearable.

  Sitting around the circular table were the top officials and everyone else. A quick scan revealed that only ten commanders were absent. The room was cleaned of blood and corpses, looking like nothing had ever happened, except for the holes perforated in the stone. One of the commanders were arguing with the others, but
no one noticed their presence as of yet. There weren’t any new protective guards in the corners so the castle’s alert status has been relaxed to a degree. He then scanned the present gathering and stopped his search when someone shot from their chairs into a standing position. That person was Lily.

  “ALEX!?” Just her one word silenced the room. Everyone present followed her line of sight and all settled on him. Most of everyone wore confused or shocked expressions. Before anyone made a movement she was already running.

  Lily stopped about a pace away and held her arms to her sides awkwardly. “What are you doing out of bed!? I was just about to come back and check on you.”

  He shifted his weight to the left leg because it hurt the least. “I’m healed enough to come out here and converse with everyone. And do not worry, I haven’t forgotten about last night’s conversation. Later on, you’ll hear what I have to say.” It was hard making his voice sound emotionless to her, but it was needed. For all she has did to him it was time she know how it felt to be spoken to like this. “If you need proof,” He grabbed the collar of his tunic and jerked it to the right.

  Lily saw the faint mark and she tried touching it, but his expressionless features stopped her advance. She looked at him confused and worried as she withdrew her hand back to her side.

  Then a booming voice broke the tension “Alex, you look tired. Come sit down.” It was General Rakkian. He walked up to Lily’s side with a pained expression. All could see how discouraged he was from knowing that his men were the cause of so much misery and betrayal. “Are you up to telling us what happened?”

  “That is why I’m here, Rakkian.”

  Lily moved over, in an uncomfortable way, as Niranene helped guide him to sit in his usual chair, two seats to the left of the throne. Allahandra was standing as he rounded her throne. She was confused and when she looked at Niranene who only shrugged. The queen was as astounded by the recovery just as Niranene is.

  It was bliss sitting down in a comfortable chair again. Those few hundred steps wore him out. Alex leaned his staff against the table. Niranene told Allahandra that he needed several meals brought up to help replenish all the calories and fats he’s lost during the injury. His metabolic energy was severely depleted.

  Then Lily sat uncomfortably by his side, but didn’t say anything else. Marlin just looked between them in a confused way.

  “Alright since our new champion has just arrived I think everyone will agree that the meeting can be put on hold to hear what he has to say to us all.” Allahandra stated with a proud smile. Everyone remained looking at Alex, but he had expected as much. “Alright Alex, now the big question is, what really happened? How did you know what to do?”

  The biggest difficulty facing him was how to align his thoughts in a linear way, but it didn’t take too long. With one quick sweep of the room he told them. “Back when Shade relayed his information about the military’s diversion and the smuggling, I began thinking of many things. Whatever they were after had to have a price that held more than just a simple monetary value. It had to be something that could crush a person’s will, or an entire nation’s. That is what the king does best. He crushes a person’s will so they could be controlled and manipulated.

  “We knew there was a breach seven years ago and you found a spy that was still living in the city after all this time. Then we knew if he was in here then surely there were others deep in hiding. We knew that the covert spy knew the city inside and out and would have had a fool proof escape plan. It wasn’t a stretch to know someone was on the inside.”

  He then took a deep breath and looked at General Rakkian. “I didn’t have all of the information until you spoke to us a few hours before the battle ensued.” The general’s pained expression changed into a confused one. “You told me stories about my uncle and how you worked under him, and then you began speaking about Maiot and Gyro.” Now the room became entirely quiet and no one could look away. “You said that you saved Maiot as a boy, but you met Gyro six and a half years ago. It wasn’t until after you jumped off the wall to create an earthquake did the pieces start falling into place.

  “You said Gyro was injured during the breach seven years ago, but that was the key to knowing the hidden plan. General, why do you think Gyro tripped my suspicions? Take your time and try to understand why it was six and a half years before you first met him.”

  His dark face expression turned down as he began contemplating. Everyone waited silently for about two minutes. His head snapped up and he figured it out. “It was his injury, wasn’t it?”

  “Exactly... Everyone knows that he cannot be harmed because of his mainly defensive item. No one has ever broken through his defense before, so why did it happen then? I just didn’t know about those spikes.” Alex’s left hand began rubbing his right shoulder, remembering the piercing.

  “None of us did.” Allahandra stated. “He never revealed that his item held that capability. The biggest concern is how you were able to pierce his item when no one in this entire city couldn’t do so much as scratch his sphere.”

  “I’ll get to that later.” The queen accepted the promise. “Then there was the issue with Maiot. General Rakkian said that he and Gyro spent the most time together and fought together like no other under him. It takes a lot of time to make one of the weapons class change sides or just one act of serious betrayal.” Everyone knew of this. The weapons class is the most straightforward and unbending of any of the four classes. “I don’t know what it was, but Gyro found a way to convert Maiot to the wrong side.

  “Gyro was the best person for the job and would have succeeded in his mission if not for the information Rakkian supplied just before the siege. Gyro could capture and roll off with Allahandra and no one would ever be able to stop him. I was just lucky to figure it out in time… I just wish that I did so sooner because of the thirty nine men who lost their lives…

  “And the biggest break we had was when Shade and I arrived back from scouting the enemy numbers, and gathering the information, that neither of them were here for the briefing nor were they privy to the actual contexts of the report. They were here when everyone explained about the battles from the past ten years. Maiot stayed, but Gyro had to go do something. If either of them were here for Shade’s briefing, they would have changed their tactics, but they didn’t know the full detail of our conference and they were stopped.” After that was over Alex began explaining what he did to save the queen. Not one detail was spared; even getting pierced and run over. Everyone cringed at the images his words gave them.

  “Alex!” his head shifted to the double doors just as Shade finally returned. He sprinted around the table. Shade stopped by his side and sniffed his raven hair with his enormous snout. “It is you. What are you doing out of bed? Are you fully recovered already?”

  Alex rubbed the side of his head and his voice changed. “Not quite, but I was able to come in here to tell them what happened. I’ll tell you soon too.”

  Before he could react in time an enormous tongue passed through the front teeth and licked the entire side of his face. People began to laugh and it was impossible for anyone not to. It took a minute for everyone to quit their laughter.

  Mistress Marge came in soon. Allahandra allowed Alex to leave the table and eat in his room privately. Niranene and Shade helped him back to their room and once inside he ate for the next three hours. Niranene’s medicine definitely increased his appetite beyond the normal. During the meal Niranene had to leave as did the head mistress. Shade kept telling him how glad he was to see him alive.

  Then for the rest of the day no one disturbed them as they spoke to one another. It was a relaxing time and Shade was glad to talk with his brother at length. He also asked if Lily told him her feelings and Alex told him she did. He wanted details and was told he’d receive them at a later date.

  He wasn’t pleased to be left in the dark about something so important.

  Just as the sunlight in their room began to dim Al
ex knew nightfall was imminent. Shade was laying on his belly as they spoke to each other. He saw the glance to the window. “It’s getting dark.” Shade announced obviously.

  “Speaking of, I need you to do something for me.” his ears perked. “I need you to go and find Lily. Make her understand that we need to have a private conversation.” He grinned wickedly. “Be normal and then make yourself scarce for the night. Lily and I need to have a long discussion.”

  “I’ll track her down. Good night then.”

  “Good night, Shade.”

  Shade used his nose to push the door open and his back leg to kick it shut. Soon Alex sat all alone and all of the oil lamps needed to be lit before she arrived. Once they were, his room was next to be straightened. Once everything was in order he sat at the foot of the bed and waited.

  Twenty minutes later there came a weak rasp on the door, followed by a louder one a few seconds later. Lily was being hesitant about what she was doing. In response to the second knock he announced “Come in!”

  The door opened slowly and Lily casually stepped in his line of sight, wearing was she had on earlier. Her tone was calm, even and sure. “Shade came and found me. He wrote that you needed to talk to me.”

  Alex stood up, swaying for a moment. Her eyes flashed with worry, but she hesitated to step forward and when his balance was solid, her features became blank. “Aye, I do need to talk to you. Please come in and shut the door.”

  She turned and shut the door. “What do you need to talk to me about?”