Furion's Trials (Book Two of the Items Trilogy)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  “Unfortunately the other faction was led by Yosh, who became ruler.

  “When Yosh took control of the city all but a lucky few of the peaceful priests escaped with their lives.” Gerieg pointed to the fire and said “You’ve seen firsthand the actions of the darker side of the Juguan beliefs. The man in the red robes was a high ranking priest and all priests of his caliber adhere to sacrifice something unborn once a month.” After hearing this Alex’s rage burned hotter than the fire before him, but he calmed himself before getting out of hand. Every month? He wondered in revolted fury. “Each and every month they sacrifice usually a pregnant goat, cow, horse, but their greatest and highest honor for sacrifice is a woman about to give birth.

  “Those that adhere to sacrificing like this think that to give a life so young, the Ancients can inhabit the sacrificed. They foolishly believe the dead can inhabit the dead.”

  “So what does the mark they carved into their head mean?” Alex wondered, finally calming himself.

  “It basically means our world and the world beyond. The other side. You’ve seen how the ends of the markings don’t connect. Only when the Ancients come back to the living will they connect the symbols on their foreheads. It is a representation of our worlds, once they connect they will be whole. At least that was what I learned. Also only priests of the Juguan have the mark upon their brow or those in a sacrifice, but all who believe may wear the red sash.”

  Alex and the others went silent for some time, watching the fire while also contemplating the information given. Neither Alex or Shade ever knew of these people, but they both hoped to never meet another group like the ones they met today.

  When the fire eventually died as nightfall approached Gerieg said “We should run for an hour or so, just incase anyone comes this way and suspects us of doing this heinous act.”

  “Wait a moment, please.” Alex asked.

  They all wondered what he was doing until they saw Alex pull out one of the three remaining Xeal seeds from the sack in his pack. They knew he was keeping his bargain with the Xeal lord in the Ruler’s Forest.

  Alex buried the seed five inches deep in the soil. As he buried the seed beneath the earth he and the others heard a cracking sound. Within several seconds a green sprout erupted from the ground and stopped as light touched the delicate leaves.

  The seedling would repair the terrifying acts perpetrated here in time, heal the scar of the land and protect it from now on.

  Alex soon leapt atop of Shade, already missing the comforts of the staff as he rode through the darkness.

  In one day he kept his word to the ancient tree for two honored oaths. Firat to repair land defiled by humans and to give away the staff when another was in more need.

  Alex and Shade made camp two hours later. Elo and Sheer went hunting together and came back with a feast. Four plump bucks were laid over Elo’s back. Sheer said she dropped them carefully in place. Her massive wingspan would definitely do the job. Gerieg and Alex set about cleaning the kills together. While they were completing the task Gerieg explained Kikren would meet up with them again after the training was complete. The rest of the time Gerieg was oddly silent and it peaked Alex’s curiosity, but he too went silent. He also got the same feeling when Elo and Sheer were anxious about something and kept glancing at their partner as if waiting for something momentous. Shade also silently noticed.

  As the first two spitted deer began cooking Shade finally broke the awkwardness. “What is going on around here? I know what we’ve seen and done today is nothing to celebrate, but masters you all look like tiny insect are crawling in your fur. What is on your minds?”

  “Shade,” Sheer chastised mildly. “sometimes it’s best to let your elders take their time to do as they will. Sometimes taking a leap of faith takes patience and preparation.”

  “And sometimes it takes no thought at all.” He retorted with a toothy grin.

  Gerieg erupted in laughter, as did Elo oddly enough.

  Tension eased as the chuckling died.

  Gerieg then gained the attention of all by looking directly at Alex before speaking. The look alone made Alex feel slightly comforted for some reason once again. “After all that has happened this day I’ve come to the conclusion that it is time to tell you about your past and who you truly are. Mostly it is a personal choice on my part, but also because of the skill you have shown this day. The night we met, you asked what we are to each other did you not?”

  “Aye,” He said leaning forward. Alex’s heart began beating with interest as his mind opened for what he was about to be told next.

  He leaned forward as well and prepared himself by taking a few deep breaths. Gerieg then opened his blue eyes and they no longer felt icy because they were brimming with tears of joy, he smiled for the first time in this certain way and it was then that a far and dim memory of Alex’s past came to mind. It was familiar again. It all came together as Gerieg proudly and clearly stated “I am your grandfather, Alex.”

  Chapter 7

  Alex’s grey eyes widened completely at the revelation that truly his grandfather actually sat across from him. Grandfather? He thought loudly enough to forget his usually sporadic thoughts. Gerieg, you are my grandfather? Memories of these past weeks began to make some sense. All the ways he spoke was how the family elder does to the younger generation without intending to. The way Gerieg guided Alex in the use of his intangible item and how he experienced the same trials and tribulations in similar ways made sense. How protective this elder is should have been the first clue and how he himself always felt strangely comfortable around the older man made Alex completely accept this revelation wholeheartedly.

  Childhood memories that were faint began flooding into his forethoughts.

  Gerieg was younger looking in the dim memory, with less noticeable wrinkles, his blonde mane shorter and no grey streaked his hair yet. He is smiling as he was at the memory’s moment, but Alex was much smaller in his grandfather’s large and warm grasp. Gerieg would toss him very high into the air and always caught him without causing any injury. Other memories began entering, but being tossed so high as a boy was the most dominant.

  Alex looked directly at the elder Furion and smiled happily back. This acceptant return of expression allowed Gerieg’s swimming tears begin streaming down his cheeks. Alex’s smile waned as he said “I’ve wondered incessantly since we first met on why I felt so strange around you. Your voice and mannerisms make since to me now. I remember when I was little on how you always tossed me high into the air…”

  Gerieg nodded quickly and wiping his tears away. “Aye, it was your favorite game we used to play.” He said happily, emotions of joy and relief filled his voice. “I’d toss you twenty to thirty feet in the air and catch you and you’d giggle and say ‘Again! Again!’ Eriana was always worried when we’d play together because you liked to pretend you were Sheer and could fly. Your mother and grandmother would dually chastise me, but they’d stop when they heard your laughter. Sometimes you’d secretly find me just to play. Your father would usually back me, only when your mother wasn’t around. Though he was a strong man your mother was his greatest adversary. Sometimes she was as frightening as my wife, if not more.” Gerieg began chuckling about reminiscing the past.

  Speaking in such a way couldn’t be falsified even by the greatest spy.

  “Tell me more.” Alex pleaded.

  He obliged with a grateful smile, wiping his cheek with the back of his hand. The others were also interested. “I’ll tell you everything, but this story might trigger your power. Remember your lessons on how to keep your abilities in check, like you did earlier today. Remember focus and breathe deeply. I’ll stop until you are calm again or need to burn off the power.” Alex nodded, already feeling grateful to finally get the much needed answers.

  “Before you were conceived I was the true king of Ra’van like my father before me. Nine-and-thirty generations of Furion queens and kings flow through my veins. Well you have o
ne-and-forty.” He teased as his smile reached his eyes.

  “I was an only child and sole heir to the throne, though I had two aunts, an uncle and six cousins who were also Furions at the time. My father before me was king, as was his father and his before and so on for nine-and-thirty relatively peaceful generations. A Furion has always ruled the people of Ra’van since it was claimed with kindness, strength and love. I married your grandmother at the age of sixteen and she was a noblewoman from a neighboring land in the southern territories. A year after our union she gave birth to twin brothers and princes, Sheul and Runkamon. Sheul was the first to be born into the world.”

  “Sheul?” Alex asked oddly. That name sounded familiar.

  Without answering the question Gerieg continued with the story. “My wife and I were so proud to have been granted two sons at one time and saw it as a great sign to our prosperity. As you already know, Furion fathers and mothers have Furion offspring, but we never conceived another child and were content. Your grandmother was a kind and gentle woman and the people loved her as they did with the twin brothers.

  “Sheul and Runkamon were competitive as all young siblings are, but in their younger days I thought their rivalry was normal. Broken noses and abrasions were common among brothers. Only now, after many years do I see that Runkamon resented his brother.”

  “Hindsight is a double edged sword.” Alex said and his grandfather couldn’t agree more.

  “When the brothers were ten springs of age, our allies in the south were at war and I came to their assistance. With the backing and support of Ra’van, the opposition was crushed, but at a steep price. The price I found from that confrontation came in the form of war orphans.” Gerieg gave a pointed look. “My original trigger was war orphan’s, remember?” Alex did and he nodded for the story to continue. “After the conflict came to an end I found all of the orphans from the city and gathered them together. I brought them back to my palace, if they wished for my protection. I couldn’t leave them without parents and be forced to fend for themselves. I couldn’t live with myself as they starved for the winter, turned into thieves or became something evil from the actions of petty adults. I gave the many children, that came willingly, a home, food, shelter and schooling. Many were grateful for my generosity and stayed to become permanent citizens. Some even found families and went to live with them.” Gerieg then smiled knowingly. “Of those many orphans spirited from the conflict I met your uncles Gambit and Rex and your mother Eriana.”

  If Alex’s attention was any more intense at the moment it could be seen hanging in the air between them.

  “Your mother Eriana became my wife’s handmaiden when she first came to live in the palace at the age of ten as well. Your uncles decided to help tend to the farms that were around the outside gates. After three or four years passed your older Uncle Rex left the city to do whatever he wanted. Since your mother was the youngest she stayed on as my wife’s personal aid. Your Uncle Gambit married Jeda and first moved to a small town in Nicronane by my reckoning.

  “On my twin sons sixteenth birthdays I held a great day of celebration. In Ra’van that is when one becomes a man, and as the king I granted each of my sons a request within my power.

  “Runkamon stepped forth and arrogantly requested in his silver tongue ‘Father, I wish to become king and rule over the territories.’ This request angered me to no end for he was still too inexperienced while always forgoing his lessons, yet as a father I was bind to the initial cause of corruption that was happening within my boy.” Gerieg stated and his anger could still be seen after all these years. “Though I didn’t want to admit to his greed back then, I knew I should have done something back then, but as a father I was blind to the cruel fault of my son.” Then Gerieg smiled wryly, but it pained him to speak on this subject. “As a crowned prince, only the firstborn son can become the rightful heir to the throne, unless removed by death; in which the next son or daughter will be in line. But Runkamon sought to overthrow this established rule and upheld tradition. In a great epiphany I told my son he could become king of his own land. I gave him a fertile province of Ra’van that he could rule over, but as a lesser king, under me. He was angered and outraged that I didn’t give him my crown and retire right then, but he eventually took the land and became king.

  “Before Runkamon stormed out of my palace he waited to hear his brother’s request.” Gerieg took his eyes off his grandson to gaze into the crackling fire. “Sheul’s request surprised me because I knew almost all of the gossip and drama that spread in my city, but this was highly unexpected. You see, as the first in line for the crown, Prince Sheul had many pursuers and advances from valued ladies and princesses vying to marry him, but he was always uninterested. Sheul was identical to his brother save for his mother’s light amber eyes. Both of my boys looked as handsome as me and I was proud.” He said in vain humor.

  “But Sheul’s request was simple and unorthodox. He said to me ‘Father, there is but one thing I request of you.’ And he raised his hand and beckoned for Eriana to join him by his side. When she did, he took her hand and said ‘My request is that I’m allowed to marry Eriana. We are in love and wish for nothing more than to be together.’ They were a fitting match, both loving one another and ready for the next lovers altercation. Seeing them like that filled me with such happiness and respect that it would be impossible to describe.”

  “I can imagine.” Alex said, feeling the tenderness of the story as if he was there to see it firsthand. Then a sudden realization struck in Alex’s mind. “Wait! Are you saying that Sheul is my father?”

  “Aye,”

  Alex jumped to his feet, feeling as if nothing weighted him down anymore. Gerieg followed, feeling like he should tag along for some reason. Using his natural strength, Alex rushed to his grandfather, wrapped his arms around him and twirled him around several times, laughing as an unrestrained and blissful child once again. Runkamon wasn’t his father after all. He wasn’t the sun of a tyrant, but of a person of compassion.

  When Alex released his hold he realized he was crying along with Gerieg. Gerieg then said “Aye, your father was Sheul, not Runkamon.” As they both wiped tears from their eyes Alex turned around to see Shade also standing, grinning from pointed ear to the next and white teeth exposed in the greatest grin Alex has ever seen. The younger brother was then hugged around his thick neck as well, also feeling relieved at this grateful turn of events.

  Gerieg then said a minute later “I’ve waited nearly fifteen years to hug you like that again, Alex.” He then pointed to the ground. “Please sit, I have more of the story to tell you, but help me give Elo and Shade their meals.”

  Eventually everyone was seated again. The last two deer began cooking while Elo and Shade began devouring their feast.

  “When your father gave his request there was much debate among the nobles who were at the celebration of manhood. You see, your mother wasn’t of noble blood, even before the war that caused her to become an orphan. Princes were always to choose of noble heritage to keep stability among the lands, but the beauty and strength of Eriana was unsurpassed by any of noble or royal blood to Sheul. His request was like a slap to everyone’s pride, like their daughters weren’t good enough. What they didn’t know was that Eriana was in a class of her own and none could have been her equal.

  “Though Eriana was the queen’s handmaiden, she was also a level five warrior who didn’t allow anyone to take advantage of her, especially Sheul. She had two simple gauntlets that shot an endless barrage of spikes from the knuckles and she was fierce in combat. Though she could never kill anyone till her eighteenth year her spikes stung like a hornets. Her fierceness and unwavering honor is what drew Sheul to peruse her and she was a sporting match. She never let him get away with anything and that’s what I believe made my son fall in love. The noble maidens were soft and subdued, but every Furion I have ever met likes strong women. I’m glad to see that that hasn’t changed. That Lily would give any past Furio
n’s wife a run for their lives.” Gerieg laughed. “Even my late queen,”

  Alex laughed too, but it was Shade who made them all laugh with unstoppable tears. “I’d just love to see what Lily would do if she ever heard you were comparing her to Alex’s mother, Master.”

  Once they settled down Gerieg elaborated further on the story of Alex’s heritage and past. “I called the hall to order, thanks to Sheer’s help.” She smiled at his praise. “When all calmed, I stepped down from my throne and approached your parents. I gave my blessing, disappointing many, and asked when they’d wish to be wed. In two months the entire Royal City witnessed the joining of your parents lives.

  “A few months later we were first graced with the news that Eriana was with child. That very winter you graced us with your presence, almost two decades ago.” Gerieg smiled so happily, but then it slowly began to vanish.

  “After your first few months of life I was given several concerning reports claiming that Runkamon began forming an army and sending them into cities with emissaries, claiming how the sacrifice of all should be for others and not for one’s own petty ambitions. And one’s item is what their occupation should always be, none could have the freedom to make their own venture or change their livelihood. Weapon items meant you were solely a warrior and you didn’t have another choice. Utility items were looked upon as servants, lower class citizens. I swear to you, Alex, my kingdom was once looked upon with hope that one could be what they wished, not ordered to be what their item destined them. Unfortunately many agreed out of ignorance with this philosophy and moved into the territory I gave him to rule over. His land grew rapidly.