Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  “Congratulations, High Alpha.” Beta proudly spoke. “I must tell the Packs of the wondrous news. And while you were away nearly half of the breeding age females have also left with their respective mates for they too have gone into early heat. This usually happens in late winter or early spring so I do not understand why this has happened…”

  Shade tossed his head while thinking how lucky he is to father three pups. “Beta, I’ve read that it can be caused with abundant food supply. None of us have gone hungry once since we arrived in Alluan. It might even be possible that if we keep eating so well, for the females to have more than one heat per year, but that won’t be a good thing later for our pups will grow and we’ll kill all the prey quickly and devastate the wildlife. We cannot worry about it just yet so let the packs do as they will, but come next summer we’ll need to discuss arrangements so that our race doesn’t overpopulate.”

  “I will consider your words, but right now the packs need to know this joyous news and to know of your return.”

  Beta began leaving, but Shade told Alex and the others “Give me a moment.” and he hurried to have a word with the other lord. After a quick exchange Alex watched Beta’s expression turn surprised and began quickly speaking in objection. From everyone fawning over Crest Alex couldn’t hear what Shade and Beta discussed, but Shade seemed unyielding about something and Beta eventually nodded in submission before moving beyond the gate. Shade returned wearing a grin and rubbed his broad snout along Crest’s side and she pressed against him with affection, feeling happier than she’s ever felt.

  Clift then neighed “It seems we’re both going to be father’s.” and watched as his predatory friend smiled. “I hoped to see the birth of my foal, but present circumstances prevent me from doing so. Still I’m proud for you my friend.”

  “Can we take this inside? I’m not dressed for this cold air.” Allahandra spoke and all heeded her request and moved into Lady Hanna’s estate.

  Once inside everyone surrounded the blazing fire as the furniture had been turned to sit around to gaze upon the glowing warmth. Shade and Crest curled up together and sat before Alex and Lily’s feet as they sat on the ground with them. Shade then said “Please tell me what we’ve missed since you and I last spoke.”

  Alex answered and the other’s remained silent for the moment, allowing them to catch up. “ Let me go back to our last conversation, after we laid Zawat to rest. You knew we needed to leave soon to be true to the alliance between us and Zawat. But I understand your priority laid with Crest so we bargained a time of preparation.

  “You have pushed Calosh’s patience as far as possible by not returning, but he’ll not say anything about it. But seeing as how you’ve returned this afternoon I wouldn’t be surprised if he asked to leave at first light. Seeing as how you were gone, everyone here has been making every conceivable preparation for our next journey. Our clothes have been stored and our food has been dried. Where I’ve been content with one pack, it has turned into three to hasten our speed and to take less hunting breaks when we depart.

  “The fiends we brought back with Crush have all been working diligently with the Orggian by learning how to read and write so they can better understand their own human partner’s. They learn nearly as quickly as you did.” Shade smiled in nostalgia, thinking back to their time alone together back on their home island. “Miscommunication has been growing less frequent and more unified, requiring less interference from another pairing of human and fiend. The Frox have been difficult to work with because of their shy nature, but they are willing to learn.

  “As you well know, most fiends prefer living outside so I’ve had to designate territories for the different species, specifically between the Shadow Fangs, Beran and Grizon groups. Less than half stay within the city as we speak, but I’ve yet to have any serious difficulty that needed my intervention.

  “Light flurries have also triggered the Grizon hibernation instinct and nearly a quarter have made their way into cellars since there aren’t any caves to sleep in. Within the next few weeks nearly all of them will be hibernating…

  “After Zawat transported the army, we had little trouble disarming those who called the city home and were transported to the designated site. Only thirty died that day and none were ours. The prison has now reached it’s near maximum with those newly captured. Identifying the individual became much easier with them all in one place. And a group of the city’s representatives, under Runkamon’s old order, approached Lady Hanna and the three newly appointed leaders of Gagiat’s new ruling council to ask as a show of good faith that the family’s of those imprisoned be allowed visitations. Together, Gagiat’s new leadership and Allahandra allowed this to happen and took it a step further by letting out level one classes, who didn’t command and followed orders from senior officials. Since most who arrived were mainly weapon and specialist class they were freed without having their items returned till they were trustworthy enough to not fight anyone.

  “People became joyous to be able to return to their families, but a great deal are too dangerous to be allowed out at this time. Not only are they high level fighters, but their fanatical ideals of sacrifice and revenge against Freelan are too great to be allowed freedom outside the prison. We still allow visits, under guard, to show we mean to better their lives, but it is quite slow going.

  “About a week ago we received word from Nicronane’s new king, calling for peace between Alluan and Gagiat until their nation becomes secure again. To show they are willing to oppose Runkamon they’ve dispatched three thousand warriors loyal only to Nicronane, not Ra’van, to help aid us and has also sent excess stored food to help feed Freelan. Their timing couldn’t have been better since it was calculated that we’d run through current food stores by the time spring came without very strict rationing procedures.

  “And to make matters worse, the first snowfall fell last night and didn’t quit until midmorning. Most of it melted because the snow was little more than flurry. The winter season arrives quite early. Angie has also predicted that by this time next week the first true blizzard will strike us and make it near impossible to leave for the snow would be too treacherous to pass. We’d be snowed in and I know Calosh won’t forgive us if that were to happen.”

  “Who will come with us?” Crest asked.

  “In your condition,” Alex began speaking carefully. “do you think you’re coming along?”

  She nodded in all seriousness while looking affronted. “Just because I’m pregnant won’t hinder me much. Our pups will be the same size, like that of any other females who give birth. My size gives me freedom to run more safely than an average female. My pups will be healthy, even if I run till the day they arrive. If by some chance we are slowed and I deliver before we reach our first destination I will fall behind to nurse them till they can move on their own. We will follow soon after and catch up when we can. My pups will not be in danger, especially with me keeping an eye on them. You of all human’s should understand we of the Big Three are more than capable of surviving in some of the harshest climates easily. Remember, I grew up in the sanctuary and our survival could only be done by being strong. … Now, again, who is coming with us?”

  “The whole pack, Niranene and Krum included. Niranene has stepped down in her role as the head healer and another has taken over. We’ve talked extensively in preparations and we need a healer and an Orggian for any unforeseen emergencies. Calosh and a matron Juguan priest will also be coming. I’ve enlisted the help of a Beran lioness and a Grizon who both lost a partner during the siege and will help carry the two. We will have a party totaling thirteen individuals. Any more and we’ll run the risk of being slowed down and lose the opportunity or be spotted when we need to be discrete in our journey.”

  Shade then looked contemplative before speaking. “It seems like I’ve also made the right choice. When I spoke with Beta a few minutes ago I told him that I was going to step down as High Alpha.”

  “So that’
s why he looked so stunned.” Alex said in understanding.

  He nodded and flicked his ears. “The packs need a proper High Alpha, one who can be here where he’ll be needed at all times. I’ve done my best, but our journey will take months and I cannot be in two places at once.”

  “You have done much better than my father ever could have.” Crest commented in a contented rumble, deep within her chest.

  “Thank you, but there isn’t another way. Without either me or Alex around regularly the packs will undoubtedly pick a new High Alpha no matter how good Beta is at keeping things together. They need a proper one for the rest of The Great Hunt and I told them long ago I wouldn’t be High Alpha forever. It is time to put a proper leader in place.”

  “Do you have an idea who’ll be chosen?” Alex asked.

  Shade shook his head. “The new leader will be chosen through combat tonight, before we depart. It will be done with honor and only those who have proven themselves can enter for a fighting chance…”

  “Then I must prepare my brethren for injuries.” Krum stated. “We must be ready to help the injured.” He then grabbed Niranene’s board and chalk to write quickly and notify her of the situation.

  The healer nodded after reading and together they left to prepare for a number of bloody possibilities that will undoubtedly appear in the night.

  “Enlighten me us on what else you two have been up to.” Ava asked.

  The large pair smiled at each other before Shade explained “Besides mating, we’ve hunted when hungry and we found a small pool of water from which we swam in for many hours. Mainly we enjoyed the pleasure of being alone together, but we still missed everyone immensely and couldn’t wait to return here. Our instincts otherwise kept us wanting seclusion, but we are happy to have returned and to know all has been well and none of you had been harmed.”

  Eventually Alex became the focal point of the room as translator for the others also wished to speak with the enormous pair. Mostly Lily spoke for she missed her warm partner greatly.

  Not twenty minutes later Calosh heard of their return and hurried over and entered the manor to ask when they’d leave and sighed in relief when he understood that they would depart at first light. The High Priest became content at finally be able to fulfill the promise his departed father planned for so many painstaking years. He left soon after to finalize any last moment preparations before leaving behind his fellow priests. Although the idea of leaving everyone behind and traveling with others he knew so little of gave him pause, he understood the reasons his late father requested the aid of Alex for he had seen a glimpse of how unique and versatile his heritage is.

  Night had fell by the time everyone moved outside the city walls and stood upon the open area designated for Shadow Fangs. Nearly all had come to hear Shade and only those who were away were otherwise occupied and ran upon nature’s instinct to reproduce. Hundreds of torches encircled a circular area that stood void of all life except from three individuals while large groups of wolf-like fiends stood outside, looking in with intrigue.

  Seeing as how Crest no longer ran in heat Shade returned to his full senses and stood upon a hill to look upon the near thousand of his kind. Many golden eyes of varying shades looked upon the majestic form of their High Alpha. His howl signaled that all conversations were to end and they did. The only other beings to stand beside Shade were his siblings. His rumbling voice carried even to the farthest ears of his kind. “Pack mates, I stand before you for the last time as head of all the packs! You’ve all been so kind to me and have helped me and my own pack survive to this day! But you need a proper High Alpha and none can disagree with me!” Whispers broke out between packs, bur were silent enough to allow his voice to still reach the back. “I’ve stretched myself as far as possible by being High Alpha and a Furion’s partner! All of you know Elo and Gerieg better than I and you’ve seen how near impossible it is for my master to be two things at once! Now as it is I’m stepping back as your leader and will appoint a new one after a trial by combat. Before me you can see I’ve gotten help from both healers and Orggian to take care of any injuries sustained tonight.

  “I’ve watched carefully and have selected thirty Alpha candidates who have proven themselves to be honorable and capable to lead the packs in my stead. When I call your names please come forth. If you wish to decline step forth anyway and then leave the open area. I will not permit killing and if you are hurt, step outside and you’ll be tended to. Approach the ring I’m standing in Vetol, Loq, Mirage, Eter…” and he continued naming different Alphas and after calling all thirty only sixteen remained who chose to fight for their right to stand as High Alpha and out of them only three weren’t lords and stood at half the size of their other brethren. Beta would have been an appropriate selection, but he is adamant to stay as the beta of the High Alpha, whoever that may be.

  Backing away, Alex, Ava and Shade moved to stand beside the others who followed. Lily quickly moved behind Alex and wrapped her arms around him to get warm. Allahandra and Rakkian both came to witness the challenge of the next leader. Most humans stood beside their partner for not only were their large, furry bodies warm they also had a deep connection to each other. Over a thousand others also came to watch and settled down as the sixteen prepared for a battle for leadership of all packs. Honor of the highest would go to the victor and the others didn’t lose anything.

  The sixteen paired off randomly and tensions rose as the Orggian and healers prepared to run forth at a moment’s notice.

  Shade then howled “BEGIN!”

  Fur flew instantly as the Shadow Fangs snapped at each other. Razor sharp, wedged and neurotoxin laced claws scored deep wounds. Any other creature would have been numbed or died from the toxin, but Shadow Fangs were naturally immune. Nearly impenetrable fur did little to defend their owners when powerful opponents were equal in ferocity. Six to thirteen inch, razor sharp canine sabers pierced flesh as a hot knife through soft cheese. Swipes from paws sometimes larger than a man’s head boggled the mind as their speed tore wounds. Some chose to fight within their shadow and others used speed to full effect. Sometimes one would lunge while the other anticipated such a move and counter it in varying ways.

  Minutes later the last fight ended as the opponent yielded. Three of the eight victors couldn’t continue due to serious wounds. Only one of the average size Alphas won his match. And out of the remaining five only one came out unscathed except for a small patch of missing fur off his hamstring.

  Twenty minutes after the healers did what they could the five pared up again and Shade took it upon himself to challenge the unscathed Alpha to have four equally honorable challenges. Shade said “If you can draw my blood I’ll allow you to advance.” And the other lord accepted.

  For the next fight Alex howled to begin.

  Shade’s fighting prowess revealed itself the moment he began to fight. The opponent though he’d have it easy since Shade chose to step down, but no matter how fast or strong he is he couldn’t outclass the lord before him. Shade scored over twenty shallow wounds on his enemy, but didn’t use all of his skills. And to make it easier for the opponent he didn’t even try to fight with his shadow, but he wouldn’t allow his position to be given without proof the new High Alpha could keep his position and defend it properly.

  Just as the third battle ended Shade jumped back without warning to stop the fight and watched as his breathing came slightly faster, but the opponent panted heavily before collapsing in the cold grass. All understood that since the other lord didn’t even touch a strand of fur on Shade’s coat he lost the challenge.

  The former High Alpha proved to be one of the best Shadow Fang fighters.

  After this last fight only two remained fit to challenge.

  The last fight was slow and labored, but no less fierce and exciting. These two lords were both in their prime and fought with all they had, leaving nothing in reserve. Snarls and indecipherable growls passed between the two. Wounds accumulated on
both and blood flew from their speed and splattered droplets found their way to those outside. Skill and strength revealed to all that they both wanted the position and it even surprised Shade at how well these two honorable fighters battled for his position.

  Then one found an opening and knocked the other on his side and stopped his deadly maw an inch from the other’s exposed throat.

  The victor had been chosen.

  Howls for the new High Alpha sped throughout the land.

  Oh how he wished to drop to the ground, but his new role didn’t allow weakness to be shown so he stood proud while the Orggian and healers sewed and closed the many deep wounds.

  The crowd grew silent as Shade approached the rightful winner. “Lead the hunt well, High Alpha.” The wounded warrior puffed his chest at such simple yet meaningful words.

  Not long after, Shade returned to the others. “He will do well. Let us return to the den and get some sleep. We need it for tomorrow we run fast to Sheridan.”

  ***

  Chapter 16

  “The king has been expecting you for some time, Princess Zara. As have we all.” Said a stationed captain by the front gates of Ra’van.

  “Send word that I’ll meet my father at the palace as soon as possible.” Zara ordered and the man bowed before sending another soldier galloping away on horseback down the main street.

  Many eyes from the city turned upon both the tall and muscular blonde woman and her frightening companion, an eight foot tall Makkien. Zara adjusted the ornate sword at her waist while watching citizens downcast their eyes when she met theirs. From their looks she understood that very few still didn’t know who exactly she is, but with Kyri beside her they quickly figured it out. Word had spread since she had finally been revealed to be the sole daughter of King Runkamon.

  Princess Zara stood at Six foot three with shoulder length blonde hair and dazzling blue eyes. Extensive training and living out in the wild for the past few months had shaped her body into a lean weapon as deadly as her tongue. Besides wearing a simple red tunic and brown pants her bare feet crunched an inch of snow that had yet to be swept aside by the utility class.