Crest stepped forward and pressed her cold nose to the backside of Lily’s head. The look she offered was all Lily needed to understand. Crest then lowered her upper half slightly as Lily jumped and pulled herself into position.
The others saw the exchange and began mounting. Since Clift had been burdened with carrying both Marlin and Niranene, Shade offered to also carry their heavy packs. The chestnut stallion neighed gratefully to the predator that befriended him. With one long, furry arm, Krum held Alex around the middle and the other easily held the packs.
Before long Shade took the lead and began heading away from the tents. Those soldiers that remained awake at the predawn hour shouted greetings to Alex and the rest of The Pack. Ten minutes lapsed before they safely navigated to the outskirts of the camp. In the shadows a Shadow Fang emerged and greeted the High Alpha and said the way showed to be clear and then disappeared beneath his shadow to continue patrolling the nearby area. Although the opposition hasn’t been seen in over a week, none feel safe enough to be lax in enemy lands. The pace Shade set was quick, but easy to keep for both Clift and the silent bay that carried Jakz. No human paths or scents helped expedite the journey through the forest, but several game trails along the way helped cut down on bulling their way through thick brush.
By noon they took a short break by a free flowing stream, but Shade and Crest didn’t partake in eating since they were still digesting the bones of a large deer they hunted the day before. It would be another day or two before they’d needed to eat anything substantial.
An hour later everyone mounted again and at three less than ideal locations Shade had no other recourse but to push through thick patches of bramble. The thorns did little against his nearly impenetrable fur and his large size helped clear a path. Crest also had little trouble like her mate, but Clift and the other silent horse weren’t so silent as the thorns scored multiple wounds on their hides. They neighed from the scores and drops of blood finding an outlet. None were anywhere near life threatening or needed stitching, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t painful.
When it became apparent that night was fast approaching Niranene had everyone stop for the evening. While Alex silently left to collect enough firewood to last the dark hours Krum took it upon himself to dip his finger in his mouth and use his saliva to smear it on the scabbing wounds that were inflicted on both steeds. Clift thanked him for the help while the other rubbed her head gratefully against his hairy arm.
Night fully enveloped the area, casting shadows around the nearby forest. Alex listened absently as the bats screeched for insects to prey upon while other creatures of the night awoke for their time out in the open.
“How far do you believe we made it?” Niranene asked as she nibbled on a piece of bread.
“Not as far as I’d like.” Lily answered as she tossed her platinum hair behind her muscular shoulder. She then leaned back against Shade’s warm side with Alex right beside her. Crest and her mate were fast asleep beside each other, but Shade didn’t mind one bit being leaned upon by both sides. “I would say we made maybe three leagues through this thick forest, but not much more. I was hoping to make six or seven, but without an established road, we will be slowed. It would be counterproductive to plow straight ahead and lose our bearing. I’ve done that one too many times.”
Alex suddenly squeaked and chirped and everyone watched as he raised a knee and Ava hopped on it as if it were a platform and she made similar sounds in return to him. He then looked up and explained “Ava says she was still able to see the camp’s fires before we settled in for the night. She doesn’t tell distance like we creatures of the ground do, but” he chuckled at how much he’s learned and grown absently. “she believes that Lily is right. This is rough terrain and she says that at the pace we set today we will be able to reach a less densely wooded area in two day’s time.” Marlin groaned and rubbed his backside as he came closer to sit beside Niranene. Alex grinned saying “But she also said that she didn’t find any signs of villages or old hermits anywhere in the area so we can take turns watching for trouble with more comfort and less strain on worrying being found or surprised. Shade also marked a half mile area and not many would even dare to cross the line he established.”
Then Alex’s acute hearing located the sound of rustling branches overhead and looked up to see Krum laying leafy branches over a secure limb and bedded down for the night, but his alert eyes looked down at everyone and the firelight flickered off the beady brown spheres.
“About those stories, Jakz?” Marlin put forth with a wry smile.
The oldest member of the group looked up from the carrot his wire was busy peeling. Jakz scanned around at the young, eager eyes laying upon him made him smile. He missed his new stepdaughters greatly for they listened to his stories with just as much attention as these young adults showed. He cleared his throat and waved the end of the carrot as if he were making a point. “Alright, here is a story I’ve rarely had the opportunity to tell, but it is one of my dearest and most treasured.” His eyes shifted as he heard a soft chirping and realized that Alex was silently translating for the fiends and animals that remained awake. “When I was about ten years old I ran from home, much to my father’s displeasure. We lived in Ra’van, in one of the large manners nearby the castle itself. Father earned great rank in the military and gained much influence and prestige over his career. We were practically nobles. I never enjoyed all the delicate procedures my father forced me to undertake, but as one of the most valued aids to the king, I had little say in the matter when my father was so well connected in the government.
“One day I was enviously watching a group of street kids playing ball in a courtyard and wished to join them for it seemed fun, but little did I know that they didn’t like associating with children of high social standing.” Jakz took a drink of water and knew he had everyone’s undivided attention. It was one of his favorite stories to tell. “I knew that if I wished to play I needed to be rid of my clothes and I snuck away from my father’s side when we went to the market. I traded the clothes on my back for commoners and went in search of the children I met before.
“This time they didn’t walk away and taught me the game of Recha.” Jakz almost doubled over when he saw Lily’s violet eyes light up and her smile was that of a child who knew what he was talking about. “I played and found out just how skilled they were. They then asked who I was and I told them that I was new to the city and didn’t have any parents. They didn’t find anything odd about that for they too were orphans and easily accepted my story. They took me to an old building near the outskirts of the city, thinking I had nowhere else to go. I asked who the best Recha player they had and said that it was the leader of their group.
“When I entered the building, they claimed for themselves, I couldn’t believe how many parentless children there were. Five-and-thirty children from two years of age to sixteen called that place home, but I’ll never forget the day I met the leader.” He paused for effect. “And was surprised that one of the older youths weren’t the leader, but another boy my age was. Upon first glance I knew there was something different about the boy. He dressed like the others, but he had the feel of authority seeping from him and everyone looked to him without question, even the older boys and girls.
“Then the others took me closer and I made the mistake of greeting him.
“So ingrained were my father’s gestures that I bowed and twisted my hand over my heart before this youth. The room went silent and I realized the boy towered over me and when I met his eyes I remembered that commoners didn’t greet others in this way, but somehow this boy knew this and simply smiled.
“‘Come join me!’ the boy said and I felt compelled to do so. We walked over to an old, rotting desk and he shared a small meal of fruits and vegetables. While we sat together the others looked at me strangely and I realized he had never done this with anyone else upon first meeting him. As he used a knife to share a meal he said ‘Strange that you use th
e greeting of the nobles.’”
If there was one thing Jakz knew he was good at, it was in telling stories. It only reinforced him as eight pair of eyes looked expectantly upon him. “By then I was sweating, knowing I was surrounded and revealed to not be a commoner by the strange boy. I knew that if they were to kill me for lying, that they could do so, especially since my item at that time could only stretch and be used for binding.
“I told the leader ‘I watched nobles doing it once or twice.’ but he knew full well that I lied and he called me on it in not so many words, but he remained calm. Some kids yelled at me when they heard I was a liar, but a sole look from the leader silenced them. Since it would come out anyways I told him who I was and why I did what I did. He listened and went quiet for awhile and strangely asked for me to play a game with him. I accepted only when it was clear there wasn’t any choice. We went out back and everyone followed with interest.
“Then I played the boy and to this day I still cannot forget how quick, lithe and graceful he proved to be in action. The other kids from earlier were nothing compared to the leader, not even a team of adults could match the skill I played against that day.
“As the game dragged on I felt fear, for if I lost - and I was losing - my life would be forfeit. When I eventually collapsed in exhaustion he wasn’t even short of breath. But then the strangest thing happened, his open hand entered my vision and he helped me to my feet with a cheeky grin on his face. He said ‘That was fun! You’re in! If you’d like to play with the boys you have my permission and if you ever need a place to feel safe you can stay as long as you’d like.’
“Dumbfounded, I knew my father would be furious at me and this place was a haven for kids my own age, but I said it wasn’t a good idea because there were already enough mouths to feed. The leader laughed and said food wasn’t a problem and he pointed to everyone around us and it was then I saw that not a single person looked underfed, even if their clothes weren’t in the best condition.
“Seeing that it wasn’t going to be a problem, I took him up on the offer and stayed there for about three weeks. During that period I made many friends for the first time and my skills at playing Recha greatly improved. I didn’t know how or where it came from, but everyone always had two meals a day, that satisfied everyone. At first I thought they stole, but I was wrong again.”
Jakz paused again and took a bite of his carrot. “On the third week, the palace’s main bell rang and the leader found me and immediately said ‘We need to go. Follow me.’ And I did so, even if it was quite strange to be asked.
“I followed the leader to the rotting desk we supped on our first encounter and I watched as he lifted one side to reveal a secret tunnel. I originally thought someone was coming to do harm and we were all going to hide, but it was only the two of us who went below while the others remained to guard the entrance they never told me about. I asked what was happening when he lit a torch and it revealed a long, hidden passageway, but all he said was ‘Follow.’ Feeling gratitude for the free food and weeks of shelter, I followed, but my trepidation continued warring with me.
“The huge tunnel seemed to go on forever, but after what felt like hours we reached the end of the passage, but then an old stairwell appeared and we walked up it. My legs were wobbly by the time we reached the top and came to a dead end. He pushed a series of bricks and suddenly the wall slid into the adjoining wall. What I saw next both thrilled and frightened me.
“We entered the royal audience hall of Ra’van. Then suddenly a man approached saying ‘How was your respite my son?’ then his eyes turned to me. ‘And who is your friend?’
“Then I noticed the gold crown of the king.” Jakz gazed over the fire and grinned. “Can anyone guess who the leader was by now?”
All eyes turned to Alex as he sat wide-eyed and in shock. Eventually he whispered over the crackling campfire “My father…”
“Aye, Sheul was the leader of a bunch of orphans.
“My father came into the chamber just as the king asked who I was, he yelled until Sheul stepped between us. It took a moment for my father to realize one of the princes himself stood before him in common attire.” Alex sat forward in rapt attention while hearing a story of how his father and long time friend of the family first met. “Sheul begged pardon on my behalf saying that we were playing and were safe the whole time and also said it was his fault for keeping me from coming home because we were having too much fun and time slipped away.
“My father wasn’t too pleased, but Sheul’s presence, standing and eloquence placated my father.
“Soon after, Sheul and I were practically inseparable and it donned on me that the bell ringing was his father, King Gerieg, saying it was time to come home. Your grandfather never did give overprotective boundaries and allowed his sons to do as they wished.”
“Grandson’s as well.” Alex joked, thinking back on their time together and realizing just how true the story was. Gerieg left Alex to himself much of the time and only hovered when there danger remained close or in the training process.
Jakz nodded. “Sheul used his allowances to help the orphans he led and gave each person under his care what they needed.
“After a few short years Sheul met the raven haired beauty Eriana.” Then Jakz’s tone turned down and a hint of pain carried upon his words. “And when Runkamon killed his own brother, my best friend, your mother used the secret passage I talked about to spirit you to safety.”
A question played on Alex’s lips, but Jakz sensed it and cut him off. “And nay, the passage is no longer there I’m afraid. Runkamon didn’t know of it until you, Eriana and your grandfather used it to escape. It was only that last secret that saved you from your uncle’s wrath for he never knew of it, but after it was used he saw it and had the tunnel destroyed to prevent any from returning. If he knew of the tunnel he would have certainly prepared a welcome party at the other end.”
The crackling fire became all that made noise for several minutes until Niranene stated “That was truly a great story. Do you know others?” Then the others all nodded their heads in full agreement.
“I know many, and personally lived through most!” He laughed after he finished off the carrot and the remainder of his supper. “After all, I’ve lived longer than everyone in this whole group and have had many tribulations, but I do have a question if you don’t mind my asking.”
“You won’t know if the answer will be voiced if you don’t ask.” Marlin stated.
“Very well then,” Jakz then turned his eyes upon the prince as he absentmindedly stroked the Fury’s back while she remained perched upon his thigh. “Where are we heading exactly? My father said you were going to gather reinforcements for the battle of Central City, but he did not say how.”
Alex smiled inwardly while saying “After Marlin, Shade and I rescued Lily from her appointment with the executioner in Central City, we were traveling towards Alluan, but on the way we accidently crossed into the territory of a Grizon lord.” A subtle movement came from Shade as he made himself more comfortable and Lily moved closer and pressed her shoulder against her husband’s for added comfort. “Shade complained about a strange scent he didn’t know about, but it wasn’t long before the Grizon found us and attacked, thinking we were there to take over his vast claim of territory. After some tense moments I forced him to submit and had him see me as the new leader of the land. I told him while I was away that he could remain as ruler.
“We are going there to see about gaining some support.”
“If that is true, it has been quite some time since you have been in these lands.” Jakz stated while leaning forward. “If this Grizon is still in charge, will he remember you?”
“Unlike animals who are ruled more by their instincts, fiends are able to think on a more profound level and have the memory that most humans think is their sole province, if not more. For instance an insects memory lasts five seconds at most. A chicken’s is about ten to fifteen. A dogs is about
a minute. But those that became fiends when the Ancients gave items to man gained conscious thought and long term memory. Crush, if he has remained leader, will easily remember me. If not, I am now properly equipped to deal with him or another without fear of anyone among us of being harmed.”
“That’s if Shade doesn’t decide to fight. He’s more bulky this time and won’t be so easily surprised if Crush attacks again. He does have a score to settle after their last encounter.” Lily voiced with mirth.
“There is that possibility.” Alex allowed and smiled with her.
Small conversations began and the company was relaxing. Then Lily started humming a familiar and beautiful melody and Niranene commented “You never used to hum, that I recall. What song is it from? It’s beautiful.”
Lily’s rosy lips turned into a small smile. “I’ve long forgotten the words to it, but before I was taken and forced to be trained in the King’s Guard that melody is all I have to remember my mother. I can no longer remember anything of my parents, but the melody is something at least. I usually hum when I’m relaxed and have pleasant company. I know not what the melody means…”
Jakz cleared his throat suddenly and all eyes turned upon him again as he suddenly began singing. His deep voice wasn’t as melodious as Lily’s humming, but his slow, masculine version of the song proved to be just as captivating. Lily’s jaw dropped and her gaze became eager as she listened. The song turned out to be of a mother’s joy in watching her children play while her husband tended the fields and stopped to watch the joys of his children and the joys his wife’s expression revealed. If he had an instrument Alex knew Jakz would be a great bard. Many would come from far and wide to listen.
Coming to the end of the song, Jakz settled his eyes upon Lily and explained “That song is an old tale that many mothers sing to their children, to comfort them in our homeland, especially when they were sick. My mother sung it quite often, but very few know the words anymore. It is quite sad because it is one of my favorites too.”
Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy) Page 10