Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  “Kyri! Enough.” Zara said and jumped to her side as Jerkin licked his teeth and stood again, ready to teach his cub a lesson. Mist and flames began pouring out of them both in preparation for a fight.

  A new pressure settled upon them all. “Sit!” and all dropped from the king’s order. Runkamon didn’t move from his relaxed position on the pillows, but his expressionless features showed a level of fear they didn’t know about. “Kyri, you will keep your maw closed till you leave my presence. And if I had known that my nephew capable of what I’m doing, you wouldn’t have met him in battle. Now that I know, I can no longer allow him to roam as he has been. He cannot be allowed to do this without getting my permission first. This skill makes him my greatest threat.

  “And to see that you live to give me grandchildren it looks as if I must tell you the full story of how you’ve come to live such a privileged life.” Zara’s lips quivered as she began listening to how her own father planned and murdered family she never knew existed and even the explicit details of killing his own twin brother and their mother for the sole purpose of becoming king. She was too young to remember any of this or even her own mother who died in childbirth. As he ended the vivid and horrible story he pointed at her hip. “That sword you carry belonged to Sheul and those bracers came from a cousin.” His tone alone became hideously awful as it remained casual and he laughed in the most inappropriate way at describing certain events.

  The two of them felt hollow inside after hearing the full story. Zara always loved her father blindly and became excited every time he visited her in the tower or brought Kyri as a gift so many years ago. Everything about how she viewed him changed in the course of this singular confession and made her wish she never knew. What brought tears to her eyes is that she met a cousin who told her the same thing yet she didn’t believe any of it till this very moment. She wanted to say she was sorry, but nothing would change what had been. Neither could move as Kyri simply wish she could lean slightly to touch her dearest one, but the feeling prevented either of them from doing little more than breathe.

  Finished with the story the king said “Now that should allow you the satisfaction of being able to leave, now that you’ve heard what happened. The two of you have had a chance and disappointed me greatly. And now I’m forced to do this. Zara, both you and Kyri are to leave the palace forthwith and return to the family tower until such time as I send someone to retrieve you.” Words bound to them like chains that cannot be broken. “I will send petitions to search for a suitable suitor to marry you off to get me grandchildren who will better take over the throne, since you obviously cannot. As of yet I’ve failed to conceive another heir to replace you so you’re going to breed and give me a grandchild who will live to my expectations.

  “Kyri, a mate will be found for you as well since there are so few Makkien females. When you leave my sight you are not allowed to speak to anyone or anything till you reach the tower and must remain there till I say so.

  “Now leave! I must summon Peile for a task only he and his pupil can accomplish.”

  Kyri’s heart broke at the sight of Zara’s tears and she wished she could tear the throat out of Runkamon for what he had just done to her. She could deal with anything that would happen to herself, but not to her dearest partner.

  Together they stood and turned to walk out.

  The only comfort they were allowed to share was to touch as they made it to the door. Zara waved away the five who remained as they walked down. The staff bowed and all noticed the stream of tears sliding down the princess’s cheek.

  Outside of the palace they welcomed the cold air as it matched their souls. But as they walked around the western side they both heard “Princess!” they stopped for a moment to see a large man in sleek golden armor encased his entire body that classified him as a level five warrior, but of the defensive class. Short blonde hair allowed his chiseled jaw full display and made both maidens and matrons swoon. His standing as a King’s Guard was unquestionable as his item prevented any harm to come to him and allowed him to relentlessly fight off any adversary. Twenty three springs has aged him into adulthood and hardened muscles dominated his large frame.

  It’s Veign! Zara thought wildly. She last saw him back in Alluan before leaving. The young man’s smile made her heart race oddly, but when he looked more closely and saw her tears he walked closer. “Princess, I just received word that you arrived and came to see you and Kyri. What has happened to make you upset. Tell me and I’ll see to it you never shed a tear again.”

  Neither could so much as open their mouths to speak from the pressure weighing upon them, but the princess pointed to the top of the palace since Kyri couldn’t understand or be spoken to.

  “The king has done something hasn’t he?” Veign observed without much difficulty. When she nodded he sighed in frustration. “If only it weren’t he, I would be able to do something. I’ve already seen him personally behead three generals for their failure after we all somehow appeared from Central City to here. Can I do anything else to ease your plight?” She shook her head and was forced to step away from him by that heavy feeling.

  “Will we ever meet again?” He asked, for the first time since they met she heard worry enter his uplifting voice.

  Fresh tears poured down her cheeks as she shook her head. No longer could she resist the pressure as she ran with everything she had. From Veign’s perspective she disappeared for a moment, but saw her form speeding northward with the Makkien lord racing alongside. He sighed and looked around to not see anyone watching him and cursed to himself for what had only made her cry more heartbreakingly.

  Zara cried as she ran, for the very first friend she made outside the tower was he. No other could feel so at ease beside her and Kyri. His item made him fearless in any situation and even when Kyri threw him around, bathed him in fire or gnawed on his foot when she was bored. The three of them became friends. Veign’s only weakness is water, for he cannot swim. The only one to offer comfort were one another till he came along. Zara wished she could also confide in him and Kyri could exact her frustration with hurting anyone, but the feeling gave them no options but to leave.

  Ra’van’s Royal City became a blur as they fled past everyone.

  Together they raced up the face of the mountain that was too dangerous for anyone else other than Furion or fiend. Their muscles burned as they pushed harder, trying to relieve the pressure and their frustration, but the hollowness wouldn’t be filled.

  Nearing the peak they saw the home they’ve been trapped in for nearly their entire lives. They didn’t bother admiring it as it had just become a jail instead of a once loved home of solitude and comfort. They jumped down a hundred feet from a sheer cliff as smooth as glass and raced across the courtyard and ran into the base of the tower and reached their grand room.

  Zara jumped and curled into herself as she hit the bed and began to weep harder now that the pressure lifted. Kyri also jumped heavily and curled around her partner. “Dear one, cling to me.” She purred and rubbed her cheek against Zara’s sobbing shoulder.

  Just as Zara wrapped her arms around her partner’s neck they heard a voice.

  “It seems as if we came at a bad time.”

  The two whirled on the bed to see three figures standing in the wide doorway.

  Flames spewed past Kyri’s open maw yet the figures didn’t even flinch. “Take a single step and I’ll rip all of you apart!” When they didn’t move she stepped off of their bed. “Who are you!”

  “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you young cub are known as Kyri and you young lady are Zara?” The central figure asked.

  “We are and she’ll not ask again.” Zara straightened herself as she tried getting a closer look at the three forms.

  And then the forms came into the room. “Why my dear you should know of me by now. I’m your grandfather, Gerieg.”

  Chapter 17

  Neither of them could believe what they just heard. Grandfather! Zara tho
ught quickly. This has to all be a trick of, Father’s. Just how much further can he bring my hopes down…

  All thoughts ceased as the subtle light from a closed window clarified the three beings. First to enter the light was a Fury that looked quite like Rake, but more sleek and sensual. Standing at four feet, her black talons clicked upon the marble as she entered. Only this Fury’s eyes were unlike her father’s partner. Zara asked in bewilderment “Could you be Sheer?” and Kyri gasped as the Fury’s eyes twinkled in a loving, motherly way.

  Sheer opened her wings slightly and made her breast swell in greeting. “That I am, little one.

  Then a heavy pawed Beran stepped into the light. Kyri looked more closely than Zara at this large male. His thick mane of brown fur wrapped itself around his neck and trailed down his chest to end in his nether region. Patches of grey hairs mixed within the brown and golden coat that covered a frame nearly as muscular as her sire’s. Ravages of time did little to diminish his standing and strength. Scars from untold battles marred his otherwise pristine physique, but also gave away the fact he’s been in battles deadly enough to pierce his nearly impenetrable armor. He looked lopsided to her until she noticed only one of his fangs remained whole while the other had been broken. The Makkian remembered the story they just heard and knew how Runkamon broke that fang. “And you must be Elo.” She stated and realized that although she stood over a foot taller and thicker in muscle this Beran wasn’t an adversary she’d tempt lightly.

  “Right you are, cub.” He rumbled.

  Then both female’s gasped as the man entered and looked nearly identical to Runkamon, but two things separated them. First this man is older by nearly twenty years and grey hair lines both his temples and mane of long blonde hair. But the biggest difference was in the open and honest blue eyes that settled upon Zara. She knew immediately that these were truly fatherly eyes and what she had assumed with the times she spent with Runkamon were nothing but lies.

  Corded muscles flexed beneath a red tunic and a cape did little to hide the single handed sword belted to his waist. Perfectly fitted bracers gripped both forearms while his feet remained bare. Tan and weathered skin coated his exposed parts and laugh wrinkles crinkled around his eyes while the wrinkles from heavy burdens, she knew little of, crowned his brow.

  Five yards separated them, but all either Zara or Kyri could do was stare openly at the trio.

  “What? No hug for meeting your long lost grandfather?”

  The princess blinked before finding herself at the mercy of them. Standing in open shock got a great many killed and she couldn’t help herself at the moment. Slowly she grabbed the hilt of her hand and a half, wire wrapped sword and widened her stance. “I’m in no mood for any games, Sir. If this is one of my father’s tricks then I’ll cut you down.”

  Amusement grew in the old man’s eyes as he smiled. His deep, commanding voice startled her for a moment, but what he stated next gave her chills. “Then I must have the wrong person then. For you realize your father is a younger version of I and that only another Furion can speak freely with your stunning partner, Kyri. Add to the fact that I know every brick of this tower where as very few even know of its existence. And to say you’ll cut me down, I seriously doubt you’re capable.”

  Emotions warred within her, but they found an outlet as her rage could be dealt on something. She drew her sword, faster than the blink of an eye and charged the old man.

  Gerieg watched as her angry eyes stayed on his the entire time she charged, but he didn’t dodge or even blink. She stopped the shaking tip of her sword less than an inch from his throat, but she knew immediately he could have easily defended himself for his eyes kept up with her instantaneous charge. “Hmm, Alex was right!” He suddenly chuckled and Zara jumped back in surprise.

  Her partner half blocked Zara, even though the other two fiends stood at ease as if nothing had even happened. The princess then asked "What do you mean, Alex was right?”

  Gerieg gently rested the palm of his left hand upon the eyeball-size ruby pommel of his sword in a nonthreatening manner. “He is the one who told me I had another grandchild I never knew existed. Well he told me through a loyal friend if you want to be technical. He told me about your little sparring session and a little about your personality.”

  “We spoke only for a moment, what does he know of me?”

  “Don’t take your cousin lightly.” He warned with a smirk. “He can figure things out like no one I’ve ever met before. What you have to understand, unlike you who have had sword masters and years of training, he’s had none of that. He grew up in complete ignorance of who he is and what he’d be capable of doing. Let me hazard to guess that your father began teaching you how to wield your gifts since you were around oh… ten to thirteen years of age?” She gulped. “From your expression I’m correct. Alex on the other hand didn’t realize his gifts till about two years ago.” Both hers and Kyri’s jaws dropped fractionally. “Yet, after I finally reunited with him, he mastered his gifts within three months or so and has exceeded every Furion alive or ever known about. He learns as naturally as breathing and that encompasses a very broad subject.

  “When the two of you clashed, what did you notice about him?”

  His question went unanswered for a moment only.

  “Well I was amazed at his strength and flexibility while using a sword similar to mine. I’ve never fought a Furion as hard as he, but he wasn’t as sharp and in control of his movements.”

  “Why do you think he seemed like that?” His tone made her think more carefully, but all she could come up with honestly was “I’m not sure, but if not for that little Fury he would have been beaten.” Sheer’s eyes narrowed, but knew to let it go because a lesson is underway.

  “Did you realize he fought hundreds upon hundreds before meeting you. Knowing him as I do, he did his best to take out only the greatest threats, mainly level four warriors and above. Now just imagine for a moment that you met him before he reached you and the you two met in combat, fresh and not tired from battle. What would have been the outcome?”

  “He would have still fallen.” Kyri stated absolutely.

  “Obviously you have a high opinion of your partner’s skills.” Elo rumbled.

  “So?” She purred.

  The old Beran’s eyes settled upon his partner’s. “Gerieg, I believe a demonstration is in order. Zara, although looks emotional, seems to be in a healthy state as she isn’t sweating or breathing hard. Engage her and only block any strike.” Then his eyes settled upon the pair. “Cub, allow your partner to show her skills and afterwards I’ll explain why Gerieg didn’t bother defending himself when Zara tried attacking.”

  “You don’t have to do this!” Kyri pleaded as her dear one stepped closer.

  “Aye, she does.” Gerieg said commandingly as he unsheathed his own blade and its musical ring filled the air. “Whatever has the two of you so upset needs to be dealt with. Wallowing in self pity won’t solve anything.” Then his penetrating blue eyes softened. “Come, Grandchild, show me how you nearly defeated Alex.”

  That name was the cause for all her trouble and heartache. Although it wasn’t truly his fault for her circumstances she needed someone to blame and he fit.

  She lunged again and suddenly found her sword deflected upwards and as she looked down to a sharp pressure on her opposite shoulder she noticed one of Gerieg’s fingers flicking her back three steps. Zara charged again and slashed at the old man from his left shoulder to opposite hip, but the blade deflected off his left bracer. Again she tried hacking at his legs, but his sword struck three times in an instant and left her wide open for another attack she couldn’t avoid, but he didn’t press it.

  This time she spun, folding herself backwards, trying to kick and separate his feet from his ankle simultaneously and was her most difficult attack that none before had thwarted.

  That was until today.

  As her shin came down to shatter his collar and her sword came to
de-foot him Gerieg caught her foot in his right hand, after effortlessly exchanging the weapon to the other, and lifted his right foot three inches and slamming it down to trap the blade beneath his heel and the rigid marble. “Not bad.” He remarked casually and flipped the wrist holding her leg and righted her. The blade wrenched from her hand but he gently kicked the round pommel to make the blade jump into the air. She caught it and she stepped back in total denial. “Your natural flexibility and technical skill is commendable, but such things are child’s play to me. If you truly wish to fight like a Furion you need to learn directly from one. I see your father only taught you to bring forth your hidden strength and the folding positions. Your weapon’s master did well, but human and Furion techniques aren’t completely compatible.” He then sheathed his blade and she followed the example.

  Elo then stepped forth, calling attention to himself. “Zara, do you feel any better.” Through her shock she realized she did, if only slightly. That fight gave her an outlet for no tears poured. She nodded. “Then I must tell you that if you met Alex at any other time your chances of bettering him are quite low. I can say this because the last week before Gerieg and Alex separated, Alex’s skills with the way of the sword beat my partner in each match. You fought Gerieg and lost in each of your four moves, but with a refreshed Alex not even Gerieg can overpower him. And to further make you understand, Gerieg knew exactly how Alex fights and still couldn’t best him.

  “Now that you understand how lucky you were to be a match against Alex back then I can explain what Gerieg meant from before.

  “Your cousin reads not just books, but people and movements. Once he learns how you move you have no chance. What he said months ago to us is right. When you fight, Zara, you don’t give off any true killing intent or strike for mortal wounds that kill. Alex said you’ve never killed before.”