Ra’van (Book three of the Items Trilogy)
Published by H. LeeMorgan at Smashwords
Copyright 2012 H. Lee Morgan
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ISBN: 9781301839601
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Chapter 1
“Jakz, can we speak for a moment?” Alex requested from atop Shade while Ava was currently away on another casual scouting mission.
The middle aged man with speckled patches of grey hair tugged gently on the reigns of his steed, to travel alongside the enormous Shadow Fang lord and High Alpha, leader of the packs. “Aye, my prince. What is it you wish to speak upon?”
Shade’s intelligent golden eyes glanced between the two humans as he continued progressing with the rest of the currently traveling Freelan military, heading southeast towards Point Lake.
Alex peered down at the burly man that he’d always known as his uncle’s old friend and local vegetable seller back home in the Waget Islands. Jakz rode atop a spirited bay mare who became even more agitated, being so close to a predator twice her own size with sabers capable of easily ending her existence without trying, if he chose. No matter how much Shade proves himself as an honorable and trustworthy being, it is difficult to fight against the natural instincts of predator and prey. “I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to speak at length these past two days, since we departed the battlegrounds. I have been extremely busy with many duties only I could do.”
“You needn’t worry about lengthy explanations, Alex.” Jakz said with a knowing smile. He looked up with twinkling and excited blue eyes to explain. “The life and duties of a Furion are not unknown to me. You have responsibilities to both the worlds of man and fiend. I’d be upset if you neglected those sacred bonds. Do not fret, I’ve been plenty busy myself. My father and I haven’t seen or even spoken in nearly fifteen years. It is good to see family again.”
Hearing the exchange, Lily, Alex’s true love, and Crest, Shade’s mate, moved closer. Clift and Marlin also curiously came in. Alex could see the looks he was getting from a glance to his companions, who didn’t understand human language, and vowed to inform them later. For now he focused on the old friend he recently learned was there to watch over him. “It requires much of my time, but it is worth it because I have made many friends and allies.” Jakz smiled as Alex got down to the point of the conversation. “Now that we have a spare moment, I was hoping you could tell me where Kori and the girls are.”
This weakened the smile the older gentleman carried. “A marching militia is no place for the three of them, especially the children. It was hard, but Kori understood why I asked her to head deeper into Alluan and stay at the Royal City until I can return to get them.”
“That doesn’t sound like the Kori I remember. She’s one of the most bull-headed people I know… You love her.” Alex noticed when he last saw the four of them together, after the burning ceremony with all those who died in combat. Kori didn’t stray far from Jakz’ side the entire time and the girls seemed to feel safer with him around. “How long have you liked Kori?”
Jakz’ burly muscles rippled as he adjusted his sitting arrangement in the saddle and also because the matters of the heart made him slightly uncomfortable to speak aloud. “Four years back, I believe is when she first caught my eye.” He admitted. “It was a few months after her late husband passed away from drowning at sea. I was busy tending to my shop when my tunic caught a loose nail and ripped it. She was nearby and heard the shirt’s cry of agony and came over.” He chuckled at the memory. “Kori used her item and repaired my tunic without wanting anything in return. I believe it was her caring and unselfish actions that first drew me to her, but I needed to keep my distance.”
“Why was that?” Lily asked as she tucked a loose strand of long moonlight hair behind her ear. Alex looked back and smiles as he always does when he sees her. Besides being the fairest and most stunning women he’s ever seen, her unbreakable will and stubbornness surpass all other qualities. Amethyst irises contrast to her striking pale hair while her figure is both that of a muscular warrior and a curvaceous woman. Two short swords, strapped to either hip by a belt, sway gently on her hips as she expertly rides her partner Crest.
“Because he had a mission that he would never risk ruining.” Travis suddenly appeared out of nowhere, as usual, beside his son. His item covers his entire body and is capable of altering light to make himself appear invisible to the naked eye. Alex remembered the first time they met and Travis tried sneaking up on the young Furion to find a blade pointed at his throat.
Since the movement of the Alluan and Freelan forces were slow and usually traveled about three to four leagues a day, the old advisor decided to walk with the prince’s pack family and his son. Alex’s sharp grey eyes were calm at the moment and Travis has seen that look enough times to understand the silent question being asked. “Jakz volunteered himself to watch over you and your mother after mine king Gerieg said to send you somewhere safe.”
Feeling a sense that there was something more to this, Alex adjusted his black cape and ornate sword to gaze straight at the two older men. “Jakz, I remember you saying something similar when we met again, after the battle. You said you knew my father…”
“Sheul.” Jakz finished with a distant expression. “I was getting to that before Father joined the conversations.” Travis smiled smugly as they continued along the grasslands. “My mission was the reason why I couldn’t attempt to pursue Kori. Sheul and I were the best of friends back home in Ra’van. As children we got into all sorts of mischief and as young men we had to grow up. Since Sheul was a crowned prince we both knew we’d be separated because of our social statuses so I joined the King’s Guard and became his personal protector. After he married your mother Eriana, and they had you I gave him a solemn oath that if something should happen to him I would keep a watchful eye out for the two of you.” Then Jakz clenched his fist around the reigns of his steed as his tone tightened slightly. “I’m ashamed that on your fourth birthday I was away on a reconnaissance mission when Runkamon killed Sheul and the rest of your extended family. When I got word of about the attack I met the king at the secret location to do something about the situation. King Gerieg’s first obligation was to send you somewhere away from danger and asked for one level five warrior to accompany you and your mother somewhere safe. I of course told the king of the oath between his late son and myself and he granted my status as your protector.”
Alex felt a pleasant pain in his chest, that his father had such a good friend. It reminded him of Marlin and himself. “Eriana and I both decided to get you as far away from Ra’van as possible and find a way to hide your heritage until the time was right and explain what we could. On our travels we received word from your uncle, Gambit, and went to him. It took six months traveling, but we arrived safely and with little incident. Gambit had lost Jeda when giving birth to Rakkel not long ago and was happy to take in your mother and you.
“Unfortunately Eriana contracte
d an illness which claimed her life not long after. Seeing as how you lost both parents I spoke to Gambit and we set up contingencies in the event that somehow your true identity were discovered. I knew little about what a Furion needed, except from what little Sheul and Eriana explained.” Jakz peered to everyone and knew no one was listening, except those that Prince Alex upmost trusted. “As I’m certain, there are many secrets you are not privileged to share.”
“Aye.” Alex said and gestured for the story to continue.
“As I was saying, young Furion have certain needs that seem basic to you, but to other with items, it was difficult to find what worked and what didn’t. We had much trial and error, mostly error.” Alex smiled nostalgically, Jakz was hinting at how the prince easily overheated and passing out frequently as a child. Furions run feverish constantly and adults manipulate the heat more efficiently, children can’t and easily succumb to heat exhaustion. There were other problems like hearing voices constantly, but they came from animals and fiends. “Once Gambit and myself learned what to do he became your sole guardian while I became a hawker, setting up two lines of defense for your safety. I established myself as such two years before Ra’van took over our island and established the new laws saying your occupation could only be what your item is capable of.” He then took out his item. Two thumb size rings connected by a wire rested in his palm. “Since I established my weapon item as a utility, it was all too easy keeping my job and remain hidden in plain sight. After all, it can peel vegetables as easily as it can flesh.” Jakz grinned and slid his item back in his pants pocket. “My job was simple and difficult at times. On the island, I made up contacts without revealing myself. I made the contacts to keep all information about you secret and to spirit you away if your lineage were discovered. When someone learned that you didn’t have an item I spread the rumor that the Ancients didn’t deem you worthy enough and so denied you of that gift. I didn’t know, at the time, it would make you a slave…”
Alex’s jaw clinched and his anger flared for a moment and Jakz didn’t miss the expression or the deadly look that overcame from his grey eyes. He had to remember his grandfather’s lessons and thought through what Jakz was forced to do. Leaving all he loved and cherished to protect his dead friend’s son would be extremely difficult.
So you did it to protect me… Alex concluded mentally and felt the anger slowly erode away. Only when he nodded did Jakz continue.
“That rumor spread more quickly than I dreamed and it answered many ignorant questions. I’m sorry, Alex, that it ruined your standing with the other children and adults and forced you to hide from the insults and harshness they took out upon you. I’m sorry for all the hurt, but it kept certain eyes off of you. It mostly worked, but some I was forced to eliminate slave investigators when they wanted more answers and to see you.
“Through the past fifteen years I’ve faithfully served King Gerieg, my dear friend Sheul and you, but it proved to be a lonely task. For the past few years I’ve wanted Kori, but my obligation wasn’t over. I’m not sure if you noticed, but I left the island every year for two months, to find an old colleague who remained loyal to the true Ra’van royal bloodline. I did so only when I knew you were safe so that I could see if the real king reclaimed his home and I could return with you…
“While the years came and went, my hope weakened, especially when word reached me that my father delivered the king’s head to the enemy. That was hard to take in.”
It didn’t take much time to reach this conclusion as Alex stated “So that is why Uncle Gambit sent me to Kori instead of you…”
Marlin whipped his hand in front of his face to keep the insects away. “I’m lost. What do you mean, Alex? You’ve left us behind again.”
He turned and looked at his dear friend with brown hair and ocean blue eyes. Marlin’s foot-long, collapsed russet cane rested in the loop of his pants. “When Rakkel ordered Uncle Gambit to be killed was around the time when Jakz usually left for the mainland.”
“So you did notice…” Jakz said under his breath, but Alex’s acute hearing caught it. When he looked up he knew the prince heard it. “That’s right, but I was tied up for a few weeks with work. The night after Gambit was murdered the Royal Guard ransacked every house and shop in town, including mine. When I asked what the problem was I learned they were searching for Alex Son of None, who killed three warrior class Guards while they were under orders to execute Gambit. You have no idea how scared I was for you, thinking I made another mistake and gotten you killed as well.
“It took a days for things to settle before I began asking my contacts if they witnessed anything and one commented that he saw a strange man in dark clothes walking with Kori earlier. I asked why they remembered such a thing and they remembered because the man wasn’t wearing shoes…” Jakz raised an eyebrow.
Both Lily and Marlin looked at each other and began laughing loudly, causing Shade and the others to stop and look back at the two. Marlin then said between chuckles “Of all things to be noticed, Alex being barefoot!”
He chuckled as well and looked at his own bare feet. Furions cannot wear shoes and Alex shook his head while wiggling his toes. Seeing the camp still moving he tells Shade and the others to continue and he’d explain everything tonight. They continued with enthusiasm, feeling the excitement of their partners. He never felt comfortable in binding his feet in any way. Without shoes, there is much more to experience about the world. Many insights can be gained by being barefoot such as temperature, terrain, being stealthy and having more flexibility in the environment. What’s more, Alex’s feet are as tough as leather boots and don’t get cut easily.
When all quieted, Jakz continued the story. “After hearing that on your last day at the island was spent with Kori, I paid much more attention to her, the girls and those known who would sell information to the Guard about you and her connection. When the city quieted a few weeks later I got word that Kori had land documents on Gambit’s old property and was looking to utilize them by going through the town hall, but she didn’t know there was a Ra’van agent on the council. I had no choice, but to act quick because the agent put the pieces together and had sent for a squad to arrest her and interrogate information about how she received the documents and the connection on where to find your current location.” Jakz leveled his gaze. “What Kori said, the last time you saw her, about the land reverting to the government because Gambit was a traitor” he spat the word angrily. “wasn’t the truth. She merely said it for the girls sake so they could understand it and it stuck. It became the easiest way to explain…”
“Thank you for filling in the details. Go on.” Alex gestured.
“When I heard a squad was coming for her I knew that my time guarding you had ended and without knowing your whereabouts I no longer needed to remain secretive. I hurried to her clothing store and explained who was coming. She and the girls only had enough time to pack a spare set of clothes before we were forced to leave. Not a minute after Kori, the girls and I passed the corner did we watch as the squad broke the door down to her shop. Running out of time, we had only enough of it to grab my money chest to buy us a ride to the mainland. While we sailed across the ocean I revealed who I and you truly are. She found it hard to believe at first, but she came to understand the gravity of my position.
“By the time we arrived at the dock we were cornered by two squads who set up an ambush. Someone had warned them ahead of time that we were sailing and my hand was forced. I took down the eight Guards before they prevented us from finding sanctuary in Alluan.
“Since the Water Guard heavily patrolled both Point Lake and Quad River, the girls and I were forced to travel on foot. It was slow moving with the children, but I was able to talk my way out of most situations, saying my wife and daughters were travelers looking for a new home. Only once more did my hand need to be forced against the Guards. Over the months that the four of us traveled, the girls started calling me father and Kori and I agreed it wou
ld be for her and their best interest if it were true.” Jakz grinned and rubbed his bare arm to smile at the scar. “Last month Kori and I did the Marking Ceremony.”
Alex then touched his own sternum, where his own scar lays. He turned to his left and saw Lily looking back with a rosy smile while touching between her own breasts where she too had taken the sacred mark. “Sometimes it is hard to believe we’ve been married for only a short time.”
She blushed while her beautiful purple eyes twinkled. “With so much happening, I too cannot believe how short a time since we too became married.”
But it has all been worth it. Alex thought lovingly.
Jakz then took the moment of silence to say “During our travels north we heard many strange rumors and knew it had come from you. Only Sheul’s son could cause so much chaos in so short a time.” Alex smiled down at his father’s and uncle’s friend, knowing what he meant. “About a week ago, after crossing the Quad Stream, I found signs of an army of Royal Guard patrols passing by. I took them westward to keep danger from finding us. Four days ago, during the battle, we stayed hidden until it was over. Then we found you, prince.
“Yesterday I sent the girls away, but Kori knew that my oaths still bind me to you foremost so she understood that I will stay nearby…”
Seeing the familiar scene of her siblings with friends, Ava swooped in and landed on Alex’s shoulder. “Did I miss anything?” She questioned as she tucked her glorious brown and white tipped wings against her sides while her yellow legs and black talons situated more comfortably on the leather perch, on her brother’s left shoulder.
The tickling sensation always informs Alex that he is no longer speaking as a human. He stroked her back while saying “Wait a moment and I will explain.” To help keep her occupied for a moment he pulled a piece of dried mead from a pocket and placed it between her talons. She showed her pleasure with a childish chirp and began tearing off small pieces.
Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy) Page 1