“Shade, it is time that we work on increasing your endurance.” Elo commented and turned around.
“Very well, master.” And Shade began to follow, shooting Ava a smile. Last night they spoke as if they were lifelong friends. This choice was the best and Alex was grateful to find Ava as a new partner. Soon the two fiend lords left and once outside the confines of the other fiends and trees they began running, hard.
“Ava,” Sheer began. “I have matters to attend to with the other elder matrons. Remain with Alex and guide him on how things work around here. When I’m finished counseling with the others I’ll come retrieve you and we’ll begin your training then. Until then remain watchful and learn about your new master.”
“Yes, mother.” She replied, but Sheer gave her a sharp look. Ava backpedaled “I mean, Yes, master.” Sheer nodded and turned around to exit the shelter.
“As for me,” Gerieg smiled. “I need to introduce you to the other leaders of their kinds. There is much to do, but once I introduce you to them I must mediate some disputes among the locals, apparently some of them decided to disregard my parting orders and tried to take over.”
“Is there anything I can do?” Alex offered.
“Nay, the matters will be easily dealt with.” Gerieg then began looking through the crowd and waved to gain the attention of a fiend. “Ginger! Please come here for a moment.”
Alex watched in wonder as a pair of Shadow Fangs parted way and allowed a large, rounded Pikro room to approach. She was quite old and was seemingly in good health for her quills were sharp and as deadly green as any of the others. She was as large as a guard dog but as bulky as a fluffy sheep. Ginger bowed her spiky head, her nose and eyes were the only things not covered by her deadly natural defense. “How may I serve, Gerieg.” Her voice was raspy and calm.
“I would like to introduce my grandson, Alex.” And the introduction was made. Ginger was the eldest matron of the Pikro. Strength usually waned with age, but her strength was in poison and it still remained as potent as ever. None dared attack the matron for though her race remained vegetarian she continued to be a veteran fighter. That was easily read in her elderly, onyx colored eyes.
For the next hour Ava remained comfortably perched on her Furion’s shoulder while he was introduced to all of those who were lower leaders and the elders. Very few lived to their elder years for the sanctuary of the Shura Mountains were a place only where the strong survived and the weak perished. Gerieg was the master and leader for his strength ruled over all, but he allowed the fiends to govern themselves, only intervening when there was a breach. As the introductions began to get taxing Gerieg finally brought the last lower Alpha of the southern region forth, gave quick advice and went on his way.
Gerieg sighed and finally said “Ava, please guide Alex over to Meek for me. I have already spoken with him and he already has work ready for Alex.”
Alex turned his head to smile at his newest companion. Making friends is one of the things that makes life worth living and Ava was one of those rare jewels that fit perfectly with him. She seemingly smiled back and raised a wing, pointing towards the northwest.
Excusing themselves Alex began walking away with Ava still perched. One glance back showed Gerieg sitting on the ground, surrounded by three Alpha Shadow Fangs, Midnight, the High Alpha sat among them. The debate looked intense and intimidating.
“I’m glad to be out of there.” Ava commented as she shivered, ruffling her feathers. “I like the open and all those that surrounded were difficult to stomach.”
“I’d have to agree.” Alex smiled. “Once I never wanted to leave my own home or property, but after all that has happened I wouldn’t want to go back to that lifestyle ever again.”
“What was your roost like?” She asked as they exited the woven trees and entered the brightening valley. Ava intently listened to him speak of his home and how he lived. Island winds sounded like something she’d like to see and Alex promised to show her one day.
They passed into the brush, under Ava’s guidance. Soon after, the lush forest thinned as they came upon the unexpected.
There was a sizeable farm.
Dozens of Orggians were busy doing things as if they were actually human. It was an odd sight for much more seemed impossible than one would imagine. These fiends were working the fields, feeding the livestock that would serve as food and there was even a large, flat circle of sand with several pups, cubs, Fury chicks and baby Orggian sat around. Ava saw where Alex was staring and said “That is where we need to go. Meek is one of the elders who teaches all in the area.”
Taking her word, he walked around the rows of vegetables and came upon the circle. As they approached Alex spotted a large and polished brown shell that was chipping along the fringes. Long reddish-orange arms spread out and moved in grand gestures as he spoke from where he sat. This Orggian didn’t know someone was approaching. “…is the letter Q. Can anyone tell me some words that begin with that letter?”
“Quiet.” A Beran cub stated. Meek nodded. “Query.” A Fury chick said. He approved again. Hearing this, Alex concluded that this was a learning center. Fiends were learning in an almost similar way to how he once taught Shade.
“Excuse me. My master told me to find Meek. Are you him?” Alex interrupted, using the break in the lecture to jump in.
The Orggian elder turned and his features were surprising. It was strange for this Orggian seemed to have strange growths along each side of his face. He saw other males with the same features, but nowhere near as pronounced. It must have been a marker for their species to help differentiate males from females. This elder had a sharp mind as his brown eyes took Alex in. He then turned back to the students and motioned with both arms to shoo them away. “Run along now, little ones, take a break and when I return we’ll resume your studies.”
All of the children became excited and began leaving the area while beginning to play. It was an adorable sight.
The elderly Orggian stood and began walking on all fours over to Alex, knuckles leading the way and his hard shell pointing upwards. “So you must be Gerieg’s heir…” He said in his deep voice. “We met yesterday but you were out of it. A Fury’s shriek is considerable, isn’t that right Ava.” His open expression looked up into both faces that stood before him and grinned at her. “Yes, I remember you. I remember all of my students. Especially the troublemakers.” Then he looked down at Alex’s feet. “Are they any better?”
“I wanted to thank you for helping me yesterday.” He spoke honestly. “With your help my feet are healed.” He then lifted them so that Meek could see for himself. Both were now back to the way they once were, calloused and tough as leather.
Meek grinned, showing he had sharp fangs hidden behind his lips. “Think nothing of it. It’s what we do, we help others in need. Now, if I’m not mistaken you are here to work for me.”
“Aye, my master said for me to do as you say until he comes to retrieve me. I also wish to help so that I may earn my keep around here.”
“Then you have come to the right place.” Meek grinned approvingly. “We need help tending to the garden. Are you capable of helping us farm?”
“You’ll see soon enough if that is to be my task.”
Meek whooped “Krum, please come here!”
A large male quickly approached and Meek introduced them. “Alex, this is my second youngest son, Krum. He is one of our protectors and most skilled healers. Besides his healing saliva, he knows many medicinal herbs and plants so do not hesitate to ask for his assistance should you become ill.” Meek then turned to his son. “Please show them our tools and which crops we can harvest and plant.”
“With pleasure, Father.” He then looked up, excitement danced in his beady brown eyes. “If you will, please follow me and I’ll show you to where we keep our supplies.”
Simple wooden tools lined the inside of several hollowed out trees. Some were carved, but the Orggian didn’t require tools as much for their na
tural physical strength was all that was truly needed. Their hands were tougher than most humans and Krum showed how they dug into the earth to remove difficult plants. Their fingernails were twice as thick so it made what they had to do easier. Alex on the other hand used a shaped plank as a shovel and began working.
Two hours into the work, Sheer flew in and retrieved Ava. Soon the mother and daughter took off and began their training high in the sky where they were no more than specks in the open blue sky.
By noon Gerieg came, collected and led an exhausted Alex to the nearby stream to recover. The water was beyond frigid, even in the summer heat for the melting snow and ice continuously slid down the mountains. It felt good to cool off and get clean, but the day wasn’t near ended.
Gerieg led the way to an isolated clearing and in the very center was a large grey boulder that was weathered and some moss clung to the underside. Over six feet in height as well as round, the stone was solid and weighed more than Alex cared to imagine. The master then said “Alex, for the next three hours you will attempt to lift this rock over your head.”
“Are you touched in the head!?” Alex demanded, then pointed to the boulder. “That thing probably weighs a ton or two.”
“Probably even more.” Gerieg admitted. “When you complete this training we will move on, but if you cannot move this rock Elo will focus on chasing you again. Shade should be at his limit by now and they will return here shortly.”
Gerieg then pointed adamantly and Alex reluctantly stepped forward.
Rough and jagged was the most dominant feature of the uncaring surface. The most daunting part of the boulder wasn’t necessarily the size, but how to actually hold it without it slipping out of one’s grip. As he inspected the surface Alex came across a discovery. This rock had ten finger sized holes, spaced apart so one could almost hug the enormous object. He slipped a finger into each hole and it felt as if it were made just for him. Turning to his master, the answer was written on his face. The holes were the easiest way to grasp it, but that was all the help that his grandfather would allow.
Sitting down in the soft grass, Alex found his center and soon the inhuman strength surged to his call once again. Remembering the cave entrance, he slowly and cautiously stood to remain focused on the images he created. Spreading his arms wide and slipping a finger into each hollowed out space, he firmly planted his feet and began lifting with his arms and legs.
Remarkably the boulder began to shake under the force of the increased strength, warring with the power of gravity. Just as the unforgiving boulder left the ground, no more than an inch, the strength ebbed and gravity won with a loud thud.
Panting and sweating heavily, Alex released his hold and landed on his backside. “That. Was. Difficult.” He admitted between breaths. Lifting the stone when his strength was reinforced wasn’t a problem, but once it stopped the exertion to hold it was impossible to sustain and the strain took its immediate toll.
The master remained silent and watched carefully as Alex caught his breath, sat up again and attempted another try with a miniscule amount of improvement. A quarter of an inch was all that had been gained before his concentration broke.
An hour and the fifteenth attempt later an exhausted Shade and a calm Elo showed up. Shade said Elo had him running up and down the mountain and doing difficult maneuvers like changing direction instantly without slowing or loosing footing. Dodging trees was more difficult as Shade had to run at his peak while cutting through the forest. He hit more obstacles than he could count and probably killed a few saplings from not dodging quickly enough. As he began to pant and regain his strength he watched as his elder brother attempted lifting the stone to wince when it would crash back to the ground.
Two hours later in no way showed any more improvement with the boulder and the frustration made it impossible to attempt another lift. That meant it was Elo’s turn to begin Alex’s forth step in using his strength in a sudden situation and he didn’t give any warning. Alex barely rolled away in time. Bolting into the cover of the woods, Elo gave chase.
For once, the panic of being run down by a seven foot, twenty eight hundred pound Beran cleared the aches and exhaustion from his mind. Fear gave its own kind of clarity and allowed Alex to achieve a connection with his item and he began running through the forest without crashing into a tree for all seemed to slow and his reactions increased. It only lasted nine steps before the power faded, but it was his first success.
Coming back to the clearing, exhausted, Alex exclaimed “I did it this time!” and then he crumpled by his brother’s side to recover.
Gerieg asked if it was true and Elo confirmed it. “Remarkable” Gerieg began. “how in a month’s time you’ve come this far. You’re quickly becoming accustomed to being a Furion and growing at an unprecedented rate at controlling yourself. Maybe it has to do with growing up without knowing who you really were…”
“Maybe it’s because he has a drive and his mature age can also be considered.” Elo put in.
Just as the sun passed the mountain peaks Sheer lazily spiraled down and a smaller form shadowed her. Ava was having a much harder time keeping pace with Sheer for her wings flapped harder and more labored than earlier. Sheer landed beside Elo without the least bit of effort.
Ava aimed for Alex’s shoulder and almost missed the leather perch. When she finally tucked her wings to her side she dipped her head down and panted hard, her dry tongue stuck out. When she was finally calm she said to Shade and Alex “I never knew how strong my mother was. Never in my whole life did my wings feel as they do. I don’t think I’ll ever complain about my earlier life after today.”
“Wait until tomorrow.” Shade joked. “Or the next day.”
“Why?” Worry filled her voice. “What will happen then?”
“You’ll never feel superior to those who live on the land.”
She smirked. “You just wish you could fly.”
“After today, I’m just wishing for a decent nights rest.” He declared.
“Agreed,” She resigned and hung her head again.
Alex looked at both of them and said “After a good meal we’ll all sleep. Krum allowed me to make a basket of fruit, vegetables and two old sows were slaughtered for the three of us tonight.”
With a simple nod, Gerieg allowed the drained trio to go back to the shelter for the rest of the night.
Progress was made during the next full week. Slowly the physically stressing training cycles became less painful, but usually numbness was the welcome relief they all shared.
Mornings for Ava consisted mainly aerial acrobatics with her master of a mother. She grumbled that Shade was right about the third day being the most painful, but she pushed her body and spirit to its limit and proved she was of more worth than any other Fury. What she never disclosed was the fact she was showing that she would be a proper addition to Alex’s pack. The last thing she wanted was to be a disappointment to them. Never growing further than a normal, wild Fury, she needed to feel that she could take on another lord with speed and perseverance. Each night she’d walk for her wings felt as if they’d fall off at any minute. To her surprise she wondered how her new partners could have survived a whole month doing exercises like this. The only thing that truly confused her was why Alex did strange poses every morning and night. Sometimes Master Gerieg would join in, but he’d do them regardless.
Shade’s day was always dedicated towards speed and endurance. For hours each day he’d run as hard as possible through the ever changing terrain. No longer needing to run a straight line, Elo had him doing sudden turns, stops and explosive starts. The only reprieve from the torture came in the form of Elo leading him back to Alex so that he could hunt him. One thing was for certain Shade never gave in nor complained.
Every morning was spent working the Orggian fields and tending to the animals that served as a supplemental food source so that the wild game would remain in balance with the surplus of predators living everywhere. Alex wou
ld spend a half hour getting to know the local fiends and they seem to enjoy speaking to another human besides Gerieg. Usually full of information he’d ask the multitude of creatures about their lifestyles and habits. The most fascinating dynamic come from the Orggian families. Like humans, they socialize, but on a more subdued level. Their greatest joy comes when others are injured and they can help. It was fascinating learning so much by asking and making simple observations about the individuals.
When the farm work was over he’d go with his grandfather to hoist the boulder and get chased by Elo a few hours later.
But the most comforting time came when he could spend a moment with his brother and little sister, as Shade eventually dubbed her. She didn’t mind being called his sister for she like to tease that she was his big sister for she was older than he. She also soon resigned herself to call herself part of the pack instead of flock. The younger two teased each other endlessly, but it was all done with a growing friendship and love. She also said she enjoyed perching herself on Alex’s shoulder best of all. Shade said she could do something anatomically impossible and she laughed so loud she made all in a thirty foot radius go unconscious. She apologized repeatedly, but Shade laughed it off saying he needed the sleep. Alex was silently impressed with the impact her voice carried in such a small frame.
Elo introduced Alex to his four lionesses and their thirty full grown cubs and nine grand-cubs. Like Midnight, Elo was the high king of the Shura sanctuary and his sons were kings of their own pride. The laws Gerieg set were the only things that kept all of the predators in harmony. For though they respected him, the strength they couldn’t forget. It was a mixture of fear and admiration Gerieg held over all the fiends who lived here.
Furion's Trials (Book Two of the Items Trilogy) Page 22