“If Allahandra’s idea is even remotely possible and capable of averting dangers then I have no other recourse except to accept her price. I don’t want my children to see all the blood I have or take as much life. My duty to train them will not be held back and I need assurances that whoever will succeed me, when my time ends, won’t shirk their duties and harm others for fun or enjoyment.”
“Saying that alone makes you much wiser than any would expect, but do not blindly accept without being immensely part of the building of this new system.”
“Thank you for lending an ear and wise council, Travis.”
“The pleasure is all mine, young prince.”
Sitting down again, they began discussing other topics.
Knocking on the front door ceased all chatter from the meeting. One of the waiting servants walked to the large door and opened it.
“Perfect timing.” Allahandra announced as Zawat came into the manor, being carried again by four priests and two escorts. Two younger acolytes with a red sash crossing their breast had the look of warriors.
The room stood as the Juguan priests entered the room and sat the white robed high priest beside’s Alex’s chair and Allahandra’s current sofa. Rakkian and Alex sat to either side of the ancient priest. Several Freelan warriors also entered, to keep a watchful eye on anything suspicious. To ease tension, only Zawat and Calosh remained at the empty table while the other Juguan followers moved to sit at the opposite side of the stairwell. Quiet and idle chatter came from the five as they settled in before being called upon. The Freelan watchers stood along the wall beside the door, guarding from any threats attempted from either the inside or out. The positioning gave them equal reaction time should an attack from the priest come or should someone somehow gain access to the grounds and enter through the front door.
Soon everyone retook their seats.
“Firstly I’d like to thank your healers for all the aid they gave.” Allahandra spoke graciously. “My healers were already stretched to their limit and the extra thousand you sent in saved many more lives than my people could have gotten to before any serious and unfortunate deaths resulted.”
Zawat inclined his head. “I will express your thanks to my brothers. We too are grateful to be of service and saved the precious extra lives. Speaking of, I’m glad you are looking well and have rested, young prince. Now shall we get on to business? Have you had a chance to go over my proposition?”
“Very well.” She then laced her fingers together and sat them down in her lap. “My advisors here have all thoroughly gone over your request and have run many simulations through the seers and have concluded that what you have put forth will be highly dangerous, but plausible and if we refuse your aid we will not likely survive a confrontation in Ra’van by end of the next summer. So we have all came to a unanimous agreement that we will accept your aid and fulfill the promise that you require.”
“Do you also agree?” Zawat turned to stare directly at Alex.
“I have. What you wrote in the letter seems logical and we cannot have Yosh or one of his groomed followers to continue practicing ritualistic murder. We also do not have an alternate solution to remove him. You have my word that when you are ready to go after him, I’ll be there to offer my blade and slip it between his ribs if I can.”
“That eases this old man’s heart.” Zawat smiled, sighed contently and sat back in relaxation.
“If I may ask,” Rakkian spoke. “how do you intend on ridding us of our current situation exactly, now that we’ve agreed to your terms?”
The high priest leaned forward and removed the wooden box from beneath his seat again and sat it upon the table. Intrigued, everyone watched as his elderly fingers pulled out a key from inside his sleeve and unlock the container. He raised the lid and removed a hexagonal shaped object that looked to be made of clear glass or crystal. It sat nearly as large as his palm and he offered it to the general. “This is how I’ll save another serious battle and keep you’re people from being demised. I’ll set a series of rules to bind to these items of mine and I’ll simply send the Royal Guard, coming this way, back to where they come from. I’ll send them home in an instant and not harm a single hair on their heads.”
“Zawat, do you take me for a fool!” Alex ground out as anger surged through him after realizing just what those items were. The old priest didn’t react in surprise like all others had at the outburst. “I didn’t even consider you had those items. It was written that those items have only been reported twice in the past four hundred years. I’ve read about the price those items demand. Why don’t you tell the others what I’m talking about.”
“How do you know so much about items when you yourself don’t have one?” Calosh instead asked.
“Because for about three years I didn’t leave my uncle’s property for the other people of the island despised me and I grew bitter. Uncle Gambit one day asked me for something I’d like and he listened calmly and somehow found old books that detailed both common and rare items. Not having one of my own I wondered how they worked and what their owners did with them. Your father’s item in particular sticks out firmly in my mind because only thirteen others exact such a horrible price to use them.”
Yort straightened and his movement caused eyes to turn into his direction. “I know quite a few items myself, but what price does his call for?” he lifted his black mace. “Mine doesn’t allow lies, not even for me. Burning pain is its price. The general’s price it a timeout after being used, like most items…”
He ceased rambling when Zawat looked at everyone in the room. “I had hoped to not say this, but even without the current situation we’re facing I’d still die before seeing the next spring. My healers have done all they could, but my time is coming to an end shortly.” His eyes then momentarily settled upon the Furion for a moment before meeting the queen’s. “As the prince has said, my item’s exact a heavy price for different uses. Using them on myself holds no risk, but for what I’ll attempt will most likely drain my remaining life force.” In the following silence Alex noticed Calosh’s grim expression as he stared into the grains of wood upon the table. No doubt of his father’s time being short could be misconstrued. “The reason your scouts never spotted us until the night before is because I transferred all of us all the way from our home, cutting six more months from my lifespan. My main gift is instantaneous travel over vast distances, but to take others with me shortens my lifespan and in the coming days my final act will ensure that many lives will be spared.”
Allahandra the quietly said “I cannot ask you to do this.”
“That is why I didn’t ask your permission, young lady.” The old man smiled. “I’ve done as much as I can in this short life I’ve been granted and won’t see good people get slaughtered. You already have a difficult destiny ahead of you and my act will lessen the burden.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Alex asked compassionately.
“There might be. Can I assume Gerieg explained the Taar Ah Rok to you?”
“Are you sure you’d like me to enact that rite? And has a unanimous decision be reached?” Alex just had to ask.
“I am. Will you appoint Calosh? He’s been selected.”
Calosh grimly met Alex’s stare and both nodded.
“Then I will be sent off in style.” Zawat began laughing.
“What is Taar Ah Rok?” Allahandra wondered to the three.
Alex grinned in spite of what the old man planned. “Just before the High Priest dies of old age or knows his time is near he will watch as the next High Priest is selected and given the white robes. Calosh here is taking his father’s position. But the rite goes further than that as two couples must be joined together in marriage to ensure life will be sewn soon.”
Then Alex’s, Zawat’s and Calosh’s eyes settled upon her and Rakkian meaningfully. The oversized general understood first and went completely rigid. The queen was slower, but soon she showed a bit of fright.
&nbs
p; “You aren’t serious?” She asked, breathless.
“I am.” Zawat clearly stated.
“If there are to be two pairs, who will the other be?” Calosh suddenly asked Alex. “The women priestesses with us are all bonded. Do you have a choice.”
“He’d better!” a voice boomed. Marlin stepped down the stairs with a full grin. “If there’s to be a double marriage I have no doubt he’s considering me.”
“Aye!” Alex began laughing and they clasped wrists.
Just then the front door opened and entering it first was Crest, with her sleek fir glistening in the firelight, followed by the armed goddess Lily and Krum knuckled his way in before Niranene shut the door behind them.
All four stopped as all eyes turned in their direction.
“Why are they staring at us?” Niranene asked quietly, feeling nervous and a touch of dread.
“Not at us.” Lily noticed and grinned like the rest. “You!”
Chapter 13
“Tell me again what happened again?” Shade asked with a chuckle that rocked his entire massive frame.
Ethan, the young orphan, sat atop the large Shadow Fang with the Fury keeping an eye from between the gigantic hound’s pointed ears. In his hand clutched a bit of cloth that he had of his brother’s, the only thing he had remaining after the city’s turmoil. The young lad still felt odd riding such a dangerous and beautiful animal, but the one beside him looked more pretty. Together both Crest and Shade came to help hunt down the scent in hopes of finding the missing brother. The large prince and his bride walked together with their partners, but Ethan found Alex’s ability to speak to fiends disconcerting, but they were helping and he’d not do anything to jeopardize the search.
Smiling, Alex explained for the second time “After Zawat enacted the Taar Ah Rok on me I knew that Calosh and I would need to do the twin marriages and selected Allahandra and Rakkian and also Marlin and Niranene. After the girls and Krum returned an hour before you did Marlin told Niranene they are going to be married in two days. She literally fainted in front of everyone.”
“It’s true.” Crest admitted with a wolfish grin and blurring tail. “She went limp right there in his forepaws. I never seen anything like it.”
“That and you falling on the ground yourself, laughing uproariously.” Ava chirped to the large female.
“I’m glad you didn’t crush Lily in your laughter.” Alex patted her sleekly muscled shoulder. “Well she awoke a few minutes later and remained red faced after accepting her fate that she’d be wed to Marlin. Not even I knew Juguan priests could laugh as hard as Crest, but they held their own.
“When events settled Zawat explained the ritual and his reasoning for enacting the rite and all it would entail.” He then met Shade’s eyes. “Tonight and tomorrow Allahandra and Niranene have much to do in preparation of their grand day. Zawat and his fellow priests have returned to their camp so that he can finish making his preparations before we meet at noon tomorrow. We have a task to do.”
“Wait…” Shade came to an abrupt stop on the cobbled street in the darkness. His nose dropped to the ground and then he asked a question. “Ethan, Shade asks to scent your brother’s cloth again.” The boy stretched his arm and allowed both lords to smell the small tunic.
Shade met his sibling’s eye. “The scent is the same, maybe a day old. It isn’t easy tracking in a city where smells swirl together.”
“This way!” Crest said as she entered a dark alley. The rest followed.
Ten minutes later they reached a small street and with two powerful noses working together they picked up the scent again. Furion’s could heighten their sense of smell to that of a Shadow Fang or another predator, but the knack for tracking is better left to those who were born to follow a trail.
Midnight came and only those walking the street were Freelan members keeping all problems under control. Several times they were stopped, but once they were clearly seen they were allowed to continue. The trail became chaotic several times, adding proof of the battle that raged. In several houses they heard weeping women or angered men who lost loved ones or worse.
Then together the mated pair’s ears suddenly perked when they found a fresher trail to follow. Their excitement grew with each quickening step of their large paws. “This way!” Shade said and turned down one alley and then another.
Their group came to a stop soon after as they stood before a half collapsed building near where Alex helped destroy the southwestern wall.
“Is Brother in there?” Ethan asked fearfully, gesturing to the dilapidated residence.
“Let’s find out.” Alex said and lifted both arms to safely take the boy off Shade. On the ground they all walked closer, careful to not trip over the scattered debris littering the entire area. Minimal star and moonlight aided their approach.
“His Scent is close, but I do not hear any noise coming from inside.” Shade admitted and placed a paw upon a once supportive wall and heard it crack. Removing his paw he said “Crest and I must remain here. Our weight cannot be supported any further.”
“Keep an eye out.” Alex said and he nodded.
Together Ethan, Lily and Alex carefully squeezed through all that remained of a doorway. The boy’s smaller size gave him greater advantage in the space. “Brother, if you can hear me say something! It’s me Ethan!” The boy took a step further in and suddenly the ground beneath him cracked and gave way. A warm pressure firmly grasping his shoulder made him look back to see Alex holding him aloft with a single, outstretched arm.
“Ethan, all us adults to go first. Your impulsiveness nearly caused an injury. You won’t do your brother any good if you too get hurt.” Alex said and pulled him back. The boy nodded reluctantly and waited for Alex to step forward and followed after Lily.
“Evan! If you can hear me I’m here to help. Your brother is here!” Lily yelled.
No forthcoming voice followed, but Alex’s acute hearing heard a slight sound of movement and raised a hand. A moment later it came again and this time Alex located the approximate location. He began moving again and the other two followed.
Two rooms back they stopped at a broken door that looked sealed, but only gave the illusion. He could sense another presence near and it lay behind the rubble. The section of building they found themselves in looked ready to fall.
Quicker than a striking snake Alex ripped a large piece of wood away and pulled a three foot form out from behind just a second before the section collapsed.
Limp, Alex pulled back to see an unconscious and dirty child.
“Evan!” Ethan suddenly cried and came forward when the dust settled. “What’s wrong with him?”
“We need to get out of here and find him a healer.” Lily commanded and began heading back the way they came, slower since the collapse at the end of the house put their exit path in a more precarious situation. Alex gently clutched the boy to his breast and made sure he was protected. Ethan kept close.
Soon they escaped the building several seconds before a loud crack preceded the complete and total destruction of the house.
“Shade, we need to get to the healer’s tents quickly. The boy’s barely breathing.” Alex admitted since he didn’t wish to worry Ethan.
“Get on!”
“Lily, take Ethan back to Lady Hanna’s…”
“I’m not leaving my brother!” Ethan adamantly stated.
“Look, you need to tell the other’s we found him and he’ll need food and clothes. Go make a pack for the two of you. Crest and Lily will help you find us when your task is done. Do not argue with me right now. I will be sure he is safe and won’t leave his side till you return.”
“Come now. The sooner you do as he says the sooner you can help your brother.” Lily quickly picked the boy up and sat him atop her partner before mounting herself. Crest then quickly trotted away.
Shade flew unerringly to the erected white tents within two minutes. His speedy arrival didn’t go unnoticed. The nearest heale
r walked beside his Orggian partner in a white jacket, making his designation a healer. They balked as Shade suddenly stopped a stride away from running over them. Shade spoke quickly with the Orggian while Alex did the same with the Healer. “I found him a few minutes ago in the same situation. He hasn’t responded to anything. I pinched him and still not even pain elicited a response. His breathing is very shallow and his heartbeat is weak. Do what you have to quickly. I’d like a report and treatment soon, before his brother comes.”
“I will see what I can do, Prince Alex.” The man then took the four or five year old child in his arms and brought him to his empty tent.
Alex, Ava and Shade sat outside while the healer and his Orggian partner worked on why the boy’s condition seemed so grim.
Nearly a half hour passed before the female Orggian exited the tent. She quickly approached the three and said “It was fortunate you brought him in when you did. He has been struck over the head too hard and it caused a serious concussion. Right now my partner is trying to stop the bleeding in his brain. The strike didn’t break the skin which is why you didn’t realize the source of his malady. Other than that and a scrape or two he’s relatively unharmed.”
“Is he still in danger?” Ava asked in concern.
“I wish I could say no, but the injury is quite serious. The babe is young and strong. It will be up to him if he can recover, but until we can completely stop the bleeding I cannot offer hope. If my partner cannot stop the swelling he’ll have to drill a hole in his skull to relieve the pressure.”
Alex nodded and said “Thank you for the update. Just do what you can and if you need help ask. I can find another to aid.”
The female nodded and entered the tent just as movement approached where the three rested.
“How’s my brother?” Ethan suddenly asked, carrying a large sack over his shoulder.
Crest, Lily, Krum and Niranene all stood behind him and listened.
Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy) Page 26