After two more leagues Alex finally felt drained. He slowed down and came to a stop. Gerieg ran on another two hundred feet before realizing the decision. He kicked up much soil in his sudden halt and quickly ran up to his student. In a frightened voice he asked “What is wrong?”
Alex eased his worry by shaking his head. “Look,” he said, lifting up both hands to show that his straight fingers shook only infinitesimally. “I’m ok. The long run worked to burn off the tremors.”
He sighed. “This is good news. Our first run was a complete success.” He then patted the lad’s shoulder and looked over it for a moment. “Perhaps we should rest for the time being.”
Alex looked back as well and asked “What about the others?”
“They will be along shortly. We have made quite the distance and they will have already of packed our things and are already heading this way.” It was then that Alex realized they were running east on the trail and not in the opposite direction that they would have had to do all over again.
Soon they were sitting on the edge of the trail as dawn’s rays peaked into the sky. Alex didn’t realize what time it was when he was so rudely interrupted by Shade’s scheme and that he slept longer than first imagined. While he caught his breath and cooled down he just had to ask “Now that you’ve found my trigger, does that mean you will go easier when we duel?”
Gerieg laughed and slapped his disciples back. “Nay, it will only get more difficult from here on out. I will force your trigger when we have time to spare and we will fight in that state until you learn to control and harness it on your own. You will get many more welts by the time we reach our destination. But I will tell you this though.” He said with a proud tone and a twinkle in his eyes. “Out of all of my students, both item born and Furion alike, your fighting skills are the best I’ve seen in such a raw form. Soon your skills will be on par with masters who’ve trained decades for such perfection.”
Gerieg’s words fell upon him like no other. All weariness vanished and he was honestly glad to have him by his side. They had a strange connection and whatever it was Alex would find out later. His word filled Alex with an emotion that only one other person gave to him, his uncle. This old man was by far the most dangerous person he’d ever met, but his kindness surpassed those qualities. Then a thought went directly to his lips. “Do not give me all the credit for I learned how to wield a staff from watching my uncle twirl his item and Lily taught me how to defend myself and she didn’t hold back on me either.”
“Which one was Gambit again?” he asked suddenly. “Was he the one with the hoe for an item or the sculpting chisel?”
“Hoe,” Alex said automatically, but as to what Gerieg had asked registered Alex suddenly straightened his back and stared into his blue eyes. “Wait, how do you know my uncle? For that matter how do you know my family so intimately?”
He sighed heavily through his nose. “Alex, remember your oath to obey me as your master. You will learn it all when the time is right.”
His jaw snapped shut with an audible crack and the jaw muscles flexed with visible strain. It was infuriating to know so little when someone knew more about Alex’s history than any other. He continued staring at him, but Gerieg looked away and he had no choice but to accept that he was finished speaking on the matter.
“There they are.” Gerieg said twenty minutes later. He stood and Alex joined him to look westward. Above the path flew Sheer and below her impressive wingspan ran two large forms in the distance.
Before a minute more passed they slowed down and stopped before them. Sheer swooped down before the two Furions and gave Gerieg a quick look over. She was satisfied that he was unharmed and didn’t voice her opinion.
As Shade and Elo approached, Shade was carrying the Xeal staff in his teeth and Alex’s pack hung from the knotted end. It was great to see him again that Alex ran to his side and wrapped his arms around his big and furry neck. A clattering by his feet allowed him knowledge the Shade dropped what he held. His body vibrated and rumbled in pleasurable relief as well. When he released his grasp Alex balled his fist and punched his shoulder. “What were you thinking?!”
Ready for the most valued person to chastise him, Shade took a half step away to set his golden eyes upon his obviously worried sibling. His voice held a hint of disappointment, but he spoke directly to Alex. “We knew it had to be done. Master Gerieg needed to know your trigger and I came up with the idea. I was tired of hearing those sometimes grotesque stories, as were the rest of us. I planned it all out, but I needed to make sure Master Elo actually thought I was attacking him.”
“Which was very dangerous for you to do,” Elo said slowly and coolly. “If I didn’t hold my claws back you wouldn’t be able to move for some time. Be thankful I don’t see you as a true danger just yet. If it weren’t for your ability to hide in your shadow I would have put you in enough pain to slow our progress for the next two weeks.”
Stress needed to be alleviated from the current situation for the menace still hung in the air from the attack. Kikren looked at them all from atop Elo’s back with a pleased smile and the wrinkles around his eyes made it more genuine. Alex walked up towards Elo and his large brown eyes remained focused on the new student. “Master, did either of us harm you?”
His mane ruffled as he shook his head. “No, I am unharmed. I am surprised just how well Shade’s plan worked and how far you were able to throw me. The ordeal is still fresh on my mind and it reminded me of my younger days.” Elo then grinned. If Alex couldn’t understand what the expression meant he’d be frozen in fear because the look was frightening. “Gerieg and I also went through roughly the same training and we too did foolish things in our youth. Sometimes I need to be reminded what it was like being in your position. I will try to keep that in mind so that my anger doesn’t get the best of me, like it did earlier.”
Alex knew exactly just where Shade stood he reached back and felt one of his fangs. He wrapped his hand around it, making sure that the razor sharp backsides didn’t slice through his fingers, and brought him to his side with a forceful tug. He then forced Shade’s head down and inclined his own head as well. “We too will do what we can and not make a habit of angering you, Master.”
Elo then purred out a laugh of his own. It was the first time they’ve ever seen or heard such a strange and vibrant sound. Once he finished chuckling he looked around. “Apology accepted. Now mount up so that we may reach the central mother by nightfall.”
There was a short conversation between Gerieg and Elo about how he really felt while Alex slung his pack and filled skins over his shoulder. He grasped his staff and tried leaping on Shade’s back. Not fully recovered from the run yet, Alex managed to jump up and take his mounted position, grabbed a fistful of his shoulder fur and was glad to continue resting for the moment. Soon as he was ready and the group was off.
During the day’s run they were all silent, but it was pleasant. They were each still tightly wound up from Shade’s unorthodox methods, but it all worked out in the end. Alex’s trigger had been found so the largest worry that plagued the group was over.
Towards the end of the day they saw the peak of a massive tree in the distance. Dread crept into both Alex and Shade, but they didn’t express it in any way. For the next hour it grew steadily larger. They could all see the end of the path that filled their view with the trunk of a tree. Although this tree’s lone canopy was seventy acres and over a hundred feet high, it wasn’t nearly as large as the Xeal tree lord they met in the Ruler’s Forest. It might not have been as large, but it was no less deadly or daunting to look at. The trunk looked to be several trees blended together, but it was only an illusion of the eye. Below the enormous Xeal stood no other plant life except for that of soft looking grass and sparse wildflowers giving a pleasing fragrance throughout the entire area.
Whispers became louder as more Xeal trees surrounded this single massive tree. As they approached the desired point Shade and Elo began to ca
nter so that their muscles had time to cool and not cramp to cause pain.
They watched quietly as the end of the dry path came to an end. The moment they entered the grassy clearing the voices quieted. Alex looked up as they moved under the ceiling of leaves coming from a single tree. Before they made it to the middle of their walk through the clearing and the enormous Xeal, the leaves began shaking against the wind and the trunk moved in an unnatural way. Then both Gerieg and Alex could hear a voice that was neither male nor female, but something in between. The tone was ancient and beyond all of them in age. Then the tree sounded like a pleased mother welcoming home her children after not seeing them in years. “So you have finally arrived, young saplings.”
Gerieg glanced at Alex and silently motioned for him to follow his lead. As he dropped to the ground beside Elo, Alex did as well from Shade. Then Kikren followed soon after. They walked slowly and nearly in unison as Gerieg said loudly “Indeed, old friend! We thank you for allowing us to cross through your home and are grateful for you and your kind to make us a path!”
The tree bent as its leaves shook pleasantly. “Your gratitude is unnecessary for I would like to complete our agreement forthwith. I have waited eagerly for your arrival these past cycles of brightness and darkness.”
They waited as Gerieg took a step closer, gazing at the trunk of the Xeal. “For what is your request?! You were unclear when one of the outer trees granted us permission to cross your boundaries!”
The Xeal became amused in its voice. “You know how I love stories, but I have heard so many from you. My simple request is to hear another’s voice that can communicate with us. I can sense five presences standing above my roots, but two of them are too large and heavy to be a human. Who is it that can speak?”
Gerieg motioned with his hand for Alex to join him. He gives a simple nod as time for him to speak. Alex looked up and just before his speech, his throat painfully changed. It became dry, scratchy and each word slightly stung. “I am able to speak, great one!”
“So it is true...” The enormous tree shook its acres of leaves with glee. “What do you go by seedling?”
“My name is Alex!”
“So Alex, do you have any good stories you can tell me. If you would be so kind I would gladly like to listen to them.”
“The only story that I know by heart is my own.”
“Is it a long one?” She spoke expectantly.
He smiled. “If you would like it to be,”
“Then please tell me everything for as long as it takes.”
“Very well,”
During his story Alex realized that this tree’s personality is the polar opposite from the one in the Ruler’s Forest and it seemed to be more laid back. Each of them had taken a seat after night had fallen and Sheer showed up not long after to understand the situation. During Alex’s accounts Gerieg asked if he could build a cook-fire from where they sat. Central Mother permitted it but expressed that it should remain small so that its leaves didn’t shrivel.
Gerieg stopped the story a few times and gave his pupil a drink once the water boiled and deemed safe. The water was so great and soothing on his throat that it got him through the next few hours. The tree asked questions periodically for some of the words were foreign to her. It also gave him insight that she was paying rapt attention. It seemed she loved being told stories beyond her great reach, but he could only hope that she was enjoying his. After midnight they had an evening meal while continuing the story, but not long after, everyone was fast asleep, aside from Alex. Exhausted and sleep deprived, he still managed to tell his story with every possible detail.
When the surroundings began getting brighter Alex realized his story went completely through the night. Just as he was about to finish his life’s accounts Gerieg awoke. He then kicked the others awake to allow Alex time to complete the tale. He then came up and asked in shock “Did you stay awake all night?”
“He did.” The Xeal stated. “Though he needed rest, he honored me greatly by telling me about himself. His story was enthralling and has given me a large amount satisfaction. For his reward I have already issued the rest of your path cleared for your expedient exit of my lands. Alex,” He turned to the tree, forcing himself to keep his eyes open. “should you ever need to cross my lands ever again, I will allow you safe passage in exchange for a new story. For a trail to be made, it should be as good as the one you told me. All you need to do is give your name to one of my children that live along the outer rim and ask for a safe journey.”
He smiled and gratefully stated “Thank you.”
Before any of them knew it there was a similar passage over on the eastern tree line that had appeared. The trees had given them another road to travel on and Alex knew that the journey had gone smoother than any adventures they’ve had with the rest of their pack.
They packed up, mounted, said farewells to the gracious host and departed quickly. Not fifteen minutes into Shade’s run did the blackness of sleep eventually take him. Alex leaned forward and put his head between Shade’s spaced shoulder-blades and he was comfortable. The repetitive motions lulled him to a needed sleep.
Alex awoke suddenly as the rhythmic movements came to a halt. He jerked into an erect seating position to scan the surrounds. To his back was a barely hanging sun and that knowledge told him the whole day passed. They had moved far this day because the peak of the Central Mother was nowhere in sight. The mildly humid air mixed with the day’s heat had made for an almost miserable trek, but a slight breeze kept from making him wake in anger. A movement caught his eye as a rider-less Elo came into view. His mane and finer coat danced a dark gold in the fading sunlight. Sheer continued to circle high overhead. The smell of smoke alerted Alex to two figures sitting beside a small fire on the trail. When he looked down, Shade’s head was turned to the side, one bright golden eye studying with delight. “Finally awake?” he asked with a tone of humor.
With a slowly clearing mind he replied “Maybe, what is going on?”
He turned his head and used his nose to point. “Our masters gave us a reprieve for our run this day. They saw how you collapsed against me and we took it relatively slow. My run’s speed was cut almost in half so that you wouldn’t chance getting thrown from my back.”
“Ah, so you’re finally awake.” Gerieg said as he heard Shade talking. He stood and made his way closer to them. “Since you have caught up on your rest we will begin your training before our meal. Before that I insist you both bathe in the nearby stream.” He pointed in which direction and finished by saying “Get to it.”
Without warning Shade turned and began heading in the creek’s direction. It was about a hundred yards away and Alex managed to painfully slide down to the ground to also remove the pack and staff. He stripped and entered the waist deep refreshing water and used a bar of soap and knife to clean his body and shave his face. Shade declined an offer to lather his fur and contented himself by laying in the water. Not long after they returned to their masters.
Alex went to sit down beside the fire, but Gerieg stated “It would be prudent for you to remain standing.” he stopped to see that his master was shirtless and clutched in his left hand was his leather bound blade. With his grasp on the scabbard he raised his hand and pointed to Alex’s simple weapon. “Drop your belongings but keep the staff.”
“Master, what has happened for you to become so serious?” He asked while laying his things on the ground.
Gerieg’s dangerous expression didn’t alter as he said “You will understand after you listen to what I’m about to tell you.” All things became silent as Gerieg grasped the gold and silver wrapped hilt of his sword and drew its blade from its home. As the six-and-twenty inch blade’s tip left the scabbard, it sang its arrival. The ringing of a blade showed it was perfect and balanced from a master craftsman. The naked blade was polished to such a state that the reflections were perfect and didn’t warp any images. He dropped the leather from his left hand and brought the
tip of his extraordinary blade up and pointed it directly at Alex’s heart. Alex’s blood chilled at such a deadly sight. Gerieg’s dead voice suddenly raised bumps all over his body and a frightening sensation shot down his spine. “For what has enlightened me so too shall I tell you. You will be given a simple choice that will be the outcome from here on out. You will either have your item triggered or I shall head back to the royal city and kill all those you hold dear.” He stated and Alex’s stomach dropped and the warm summer air was more like a winter chill. “I am going back for your friends and the woman you love.” He grinned maliciously and his blade remained still and unwavering. “I will start with Lily. I promise to not give her a quick death. She is a traitor to my son and will be punished by my hand so that others will know the results of betrayal to the crown.”
“M…Master, what…” Alex’s voice became borderline hysterical.
Without blinking Gerieg continued as if nothing had been said. “Either join me and my son to rule these lands like the gods we are or watch as I torture your companions, slowly. I will start by cutting Lily a hundred times.” Horrifying images of what he was saying began flooding into Alex’s imagination. “While she begs for her life I’ll remove each and every fingernail very slowly so she can feel every excruciating detail and begin repenting for her crimes.” Alex’s heart rate began rising from imagining her blood being spilt. “Then I’ll slit her belly just enough that I can grab a hold of her intestines and personally pull it out slowly, inch by agonizing inch.” Heat began searing through his veins. “As she cries I’ll cut away her eyelids so she can watch what’s being done to her the whole time. Then I’ll wait and grab her tongue as she passes out and burn it with a red hot iron. I’ll drag a jagged blade ever so slowly across until…”
Furion's Trials (Book Two of the Items Trilogy) Page 9