Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  A ruckus below gained everyone’s attention. Seconds later Shade flew out of the open doorway with Allahandra clinging steadfast to his shoulder fur. Behind him ran six more Shadow Fangs and three Beran escorts that personally guarded her. Shade approached the others and settled down on his belly to allow Allahandra an easy solution to dismounting. As she looked around her eyes fell upon Lily first and with a healer’s critical focus she approached while opening her case of items.

  The healer from before spoke quickly with her and she selected a scalpel and pierced the neck of Lily who didn’t show an outward reaction. Alex knelt by Allahandra’s side and asked “Will she be alright?”

  She didn’t look at him, but explained “Nearly every vertebrae in her neck has a fracture. This blade allows me to feel the skeletal structure as if it were my own. It also puts any breaks, dislocations or bone shards right where they belong. Remember I did the same for Rakkian when you dislocated his shoulder at your debut match. I have to be slow for working with the bones around the spinal cord is very dangerous and immensely delicate. The pain she was in is a good sign the passageways weren’t damaged. Give me a few minutes to put her back together and when I tell you, I’ll need my syringe to repair the affected areas.” When she said it was time he quickly handed over the syringe and she began injecting small amounts of her silvery solution into eight vertebrae without moving her from where she originally fell. “Until Niranene gets here I would rather not chance altering her position. She’s asleep and feels nothing at the moment.”

  “Oh my.” Allahandra said bashfully as she replaced her items back in the case.

  “What?” Alex wondered.

  She looked away and gestured to him and he looked down, now realizing his predicament. He flushed and said “I wondered why the breeze felt so good.”

  Nearly everyone laughed at the subject change and relief of tension.

  Freto took a step forward and bowed at the waist. “My king, would you allow me to find you suitable attire? What colors do you prefer?”

  “Please, call me Alex from now on. I prefer a black tunic and pants. You will find I have simple tastes.”

  “As you wish, Alex. I’ll also find the keys to remove the shackles.”

  “You two.” Allahandra chose two warriors. “Go with him and make sure nothing dangerous coats the clothing and none impede his progress.”

  They saluted and followed the elderly man.

  A cold wet nose touched his shoulder and Alex turned around, grinned and wrapped his arms around Shade’s neck. No words or sounds passed between them for embracing weny beyond any form of communication. Ava carefully stood on her Furion’s shoulder and was careful not to pierce the skin.

  Reunited at last. They all thought tenderly.

  In less than an hour Alex gratefully accepted the clothes Freto selected and looked to be similar to what he always wore, but felt much more silky and made of the highest quality fabric Ra’van had to offer. He also found the key to unlock the bindings and it revealed that his wrists and ankles were bruised and blistered. Able to once again harness his abilities he focused an incredible amount of heat to the four injured locations to rapidly heal them. Marlin returned the bracers to both Zara and Alex and he used them to cover the wounds while they healed. Ava stood proudly, standing on her favorite leather perch on Alex’s shoulder. Both Furions buckled their swords to their waists. Zara tried returning the sword that belonged to Alex’s father, but he said for her to keep it for the time being, till she made a blade of her own. He didn’t want her unprotected, even with all her skills and Kyri. Anything could happen with the precarious stability of the enormous city.

  Then Marlin brought out Gerieg’s sword. Both Zara and Alex decided to place the sword and bracers on their grandfather. A white shroud had been brought up and they felt they were responsible for wrapping him in it.

  Someone from the palace wanted to do the same for Runkamon, to honor him, but Kyri made a display that showed he didn’t deserve any respect. She loosed a torrential flame that consumed the corpse, leaving nothing but ash and an unharmed Xeal sapling. None would ever be able to pay respects to the false king.

  Food had been brought and all watched in amazement as Alex ate three meals till he could barely move. It has been awhile since he had a proper meal.

  Every now and again sounds of battle rose, but ended almost as quickly. Yort and his Grizon arrived and stated that the city is secure far sooner than any were expecting.

  At about the same time Clift, Krum and Niranene came up and joined the others. Firstly Niranene and Marlin embraced and gave a quick kiss, relieved each other were well and unharmed. She then went to Lily and announced “Her bones are healing, but there’s not any nerve damage. Her item unquestionably saved her. She also has a slight concussion, but the bleeding is nearly stopped. Several organs have begun to bruise from where you said she was thrown into a tower, but her life is no longer in any danger. With the healing sleep and Allahandra’s excellent work at reconstructing the bones she will be well by morning.”

  Alex gave good news to the fiends, but none celebrated more than he, Ava and Shade.

  Niranene allowed her to be carefully laid out and not stay in an uncomfortable position.

  Then a sadness hung over everyone as Teem and Quinn approached. Teem looked upon the remains of his father and cried at the sight. Before Alex could order Elo’s body be cut down, Teem spat a globule of green acid and burned through the chain in moments. Another shroud had been procured and a team of men wrapped the body and laid it beside his partner.

  Marlin brought out the talon from the pack, all that remained of Sheer and placed them together.

  Movement caught Alex’s attention as Allahandra called “Breaker!” he stopped and turned, sadness rolling off him like all others. Allahandra brought out a letter and opened it to show him. He then met Alex’s gaze and began chirping afterwards.

  “Allahandra, he says he loves you too, but he needs time to be alone. He has lived longer than any Fury who lost a mate, all thanks to you. He promises that he’ll continue to live for and with you for as long as you’ll have him, but he cannot bare to remain here and see all that remains of his love and mother of their chicks. He will return to you in time, but not today.” With that Breaker flew away and soared till the Royal City could not be seen, even by his eyes.

  “Is it truly over?” Shade asked.

  “Aye.” Alex admitted.

  Shade walked to the southern edge of the castle and howled “VICTORY!!!” Then howled with everything he had. Beta stood by his side, grinned and howled together. The sound grew with every fiend joining in. Kyri too roared deafeningly with all other fiends, finally freed from the claws of her father and grasp of Runkamon. From now on, none could force her to separate from Zara.

  Freelan realized what the fiend cries meant and cheered beside those they fought with.

  The war came to an end.

  Many came and went as the securing of the city took awhile. Several times skirmishes broke out, but order dominated much of the interior of Royal City. Shade and Ava didn’t stray from Alex’s side since the situation settled. With all the gates opened and the military disarmed Freelan quickly established themselves so that the long war didn’t begin anew. Veign had to go help organize certain aspects when Yort proved that he could be trusted to aid Freelan without endangering their occupation of the capital.

  With Lily’s life no longer in danger Marlin and Clift accompanied Niranene and Krum around the medical areas to heal the injured and dying. A battle on the magnitude of today needed the skills of a healer more than ever. With Ra’van’s Royal City’s surplus of high class healers, Freelan didn’t shoulder the immense burden alone.

  Freto, Travis, Kikren and Janken all stood together at the edge of the garden and stopped conversing when Alex, Shade and Ava approached, after putting Lily in a secured room so she could rest. The morning had passed and they found themselves at mid afternoon. “Gentleme
n, what do you suggest we do to make sure the city doesn’t fall into anarchy?”

  They looked at one another and then Kikren stated “The ideal solution, at this point, would be for you to step forth and claim your rightful heritage. You must show you are up for the task of running a nation. Addressing your people should be the first prerogative. Few truly knew or even care to remember who the true line belonged to. It might help matters if you had Zara stand beside you to offer her support.

  “Tell all your story so they can empathize with their new leader.

  “From now on, your word will be law so speak carefully, but speak true so that all will be able to understand. It is customary that all successors state what laws they wish to change, remove or create. Whatever you do decide to order, we will follow without hesitation.

  “We know there will be some who won’t believe you are who you say you are so the four of us will find other elders to prove to all your legitimacy. It won’t take long for once the other elders see you they’ll recognize your father and mother in you. When would you like to proceed?”

  “Just as soon as you can bring in all dignitaries, nobles and fit in as many commoners as you can until the room is crowded. Lily is safe and I cannot sit and do nothing knowing she won’t awaken till around morning. Please, go set up the necessary procedures and any security measures you deem necessary.”

  The four nodded and walked away to see it done.

  Shade laid down in a large patch of undisturbed grass and Alex leaned comfortably against his size with Ava in his lap. They were conversing for a few minutes alone when both Zara and Kyri approached and rested in an almost mirror-like way. “If you want, I would like to assist you.” Zara rumbled to keep the conversation out of human understanding. He also noticed she changed out of the lavish white dress and took out the hair ornaments and wore a simple purple dress.

  He couldn’t refuse and in fact she was a great aid in preparing for tonight.

  Just as the sun settled on the horizon Veign returned and announced to all on the garden ground “The hall is filled to capacity, as ordered. All dignitaries have come as summoned so that they can hear what the future of Ra’van will become. If you are prepared for this, we will be waiting.” He met Zara’s tender smile and hurriedly disappeared inside the building, making it obvious he was still in a rush.

  Allahandra, Rakkian and Beta approached Alex and the others. “Make us proud.” Rakkian smiled.

  “We’re with you.” Marlin explained confidently, returning not long ago when Niranene’s pellets were all used up. It would be morning before the bottles refilled again with the medicine.

  Krum looked exhausted and chose to bed with Lily as they gathered and descended together. Alex didn’t yet understand all the passageways and followed Shade since he simply tracked his own scent. Everywhere there were Freelan fighters in the castle, making absolutely sure that nothing upset the proceedings.

  Marlin strode proudly and whistled a merry tune. Niranene was about to chastise him until she noticed the hint of a smile on the other’s faces. The loudest steps came from Clift’s hooves, but the originally solemn proceedings were being washed away as Marlin’s casual personality made the footsteps of all seem more lively. As they went down to the floor beneath the grand bell that hung below the palace garden Rakkian also began whistling a tune himself, but it didn’t blend well with Marlin’s. What it do was make it hysterical as each man tried outdoing the other.

  “Alright you two, it’s time to get serious.” Allahandra warned as a great many voices grew to near deafening levels beneath them.

  Zara and Kyri picked up their step to walk beside Alex and Shade. Ava felt content to ride on his shoulder and watch.

  “King Alex, this way. Use this entrance to privately reach the audience hall for only you are allowed to use it, and any you deem worthy to stand with you.” Travis said as he appeared suddenly beside a tapestry. He pulled back the curtain to reveal a large, hidden staircase. “Go on ahead, all of you as I’m sure he would allow you anyway. Change the world like you’ve always done, mine new king. I wish you luck.”

  “Thank you.” Alex admitted and placed a comforting hand on the man’s shoulders. “Go and be with Jakz now. I can take it from here.”

  “I thank you.” And Travis pulled the hood over his head and shifted his item’s color to allow light to pass through, practically turning him invisible. Thanks to acute senses Alex heard the man hurrying down the hall. “Come on everyone, lets meet my people.” And they all followed him down the dark stairs. Shade passed him and Ava in a subtle gesture that he should lead.

  He gripped the hilt of his sword with his left hand and slowly increased his heart rate to be prepared to defend himself in the event that someone somehow plans an assignation. It would be the most opportune time to do so. He wasn’t the only one with a similar idea as Zara too held her sword, Marlin held his rod in its foot long collapsed state, Rakkian gripped his battleaxe and adjusted his gauntlets and ten warriors readied weapons with a calm casualness that warned it would be unwise to even attempt to attack such an important group.

  Shade unceremoniously head-butted the thick stone and iron door at the end of the stairs and it swung on oiled hinges. Thousands of loud voices filled the great hall of the marble palace. Light from many torches gave ample vision to even the weak sighted. Chandeliers carried more than lit candles as Fury perched themselves and were ready to shriek down those standing beneath. Tables had been removed and taken outside to give greater room for the many who stood within. Freelan guards and wary fiends ringed the mass of people who arrived. As the hidden door slammed loudly against the wall the loud noises of the people became still. Echoes lingered for a few moments and died as well. The huddled mass turned their eyes on the enormous Shadow Fang as he led the way onto the stage. Alex followed and looked upon all who came as they wore their finest clothing and most ostentatious apparel. Some whispered to their companions. Others stared openly.

  Only elder Freto waited patiently on stage.

  As Zara and Kyri stepped out more began to whisper.

  When King Rakkian and Queen Allahandra appeared with Beta and their guards more people began speaking.

  Freto then raised his hand and silence once again was established. As he spoke his voice carried throughout the open area thanks to the design and shape of the room. “People of Ra’van, for the first time in our nation’s great history we were defeated. But those occupying our once fair city are not the cause of our downfall.” He paused to let those heavy words sink in. “Aye, for nearly the past two decades we’ve had the greatest growth ever seen in our history and more accumulated wealth than ever received. But we’ve been slowly corrupted from the inside and had our minds bent beyond our own recognition. Many of you know I have not been quiet in regard to the continued war. On the day that we believed we lost King Gerieg and the other ruling families we thought Runkamon was the only survivor of the massacre. Today I learned that he was the mastermind behind it.” This seemed to have an effect on the crowd more than anything. “I see many youngsters here of noble lines. What I’ve also discovered is the reason so many of you lost your parents and grandparents. Runkamon saw them a threat to his rule and had them assassinated.” Many gasped and Alex saw nearly a quarter of those watching come to a deep understanding. “After today, our land will change. Runkamon sought to rule us with the idea of sacrificing for the betterment of others. As proof that those ideals are wrong, we are standing here as we are today.

  “The king, if you haven’t realized yet, is dead.” Many began to shout until Kyri stepped forward and regained order by roaring and spitting flame. “To deny his death is to prove ignorance and the truth that you cannot think for yourself. Now listen to me carefully, Runkamon was crowned king solely because the elders at the time believed him to be the only remaining survivor of the Furion clan. That is not the case for the true heir stands behind me. I know for a fact he is the legitimate heir, but to prove it to y
ou I welcome all elders who remember life before Runkamon took control. If you ever met the late Prince Sheul Geriegson or his wife, Princess Eriana you will easily see the resemblance with Alex, their only son. After he finishes speaking I will convene the elders and properly place the true bloodline back where it belongs.

  “I now introduce you to our new king! All hail King Alex Sheulson!”

  Hesitantly the crowd began to clap, but the most vocal and cheerful came from those in Freelan who fought with or knew him. What he didn’t know was that thousands from Freelan wished to hear him speak and a lottery was drawn for the protection detail and only those selected could listen to his first acts as leader.

  Shade walked majestically beside his brother as they took the position Freto vacated. His chest and body puffed up like he did when Crest was near. His large head held high stared at all closely, but calmly. Ready to pounce should any try anything. Long and deadly fangs glistened like ivory and were ready to strike though he kept his jaw closed. Ava too stood beautifully and ready.

  Alex then stopped where Freto stood. He looked at everyone as they did to him, calmly and confidently. “People of Ra’van, I know you’ve heard the propaganda that has been placed upon me, for good reason. Runkamon got worried when he heard my heart still beat and rightly so since it was I who ended his cruel existence. I am not boasting for although he justly deserved his fate for all his crimes, his was the first life I relished taking. I’ve fought and slain many opponents, but my heart is heavy. I know there are many in the city who have lost a loved one because of my blade or that of the militia within the gates. My wish is to never again use this sword, but it is likely it will be needed.” Alex then drew his gleaming sword, allowing its crisp ring to cry out on the crowd, and slammed the tip and half the blade deep into the marble before him. “I do not ask you forgive me for slaying the man you believed to be king, but I do for those who have become lost because of the conflict he created.”