Soon the second one came out and the design of a wing was soon etched. The detail took longer for the feathers needed to be individualized. With a quick and final firing they were sat out on the anvil to cool.
It was now time to work on the tempting sword that hung all day. Excitedly Alex retrieved it and first felt how cool to the touch it was. Still covered with soot it was brought to the table. Using a simple cloth, dipped in water, he began cleaning. There was an immediate difference as the blade’s beauty and elegance reflected his image like a mirror. Alex smiled while working meticulously on removing every speck of foreign residue.
In less than an hour the blade was like it had been polished for years, for its naked appearance was beautiful all on its own. Every possible measurement would show how deadly and elegant such a simple tool could ever be. It was a match for any item’s perfection. The silvery blade reflected every orange flame from each source conceivable. Not even a single nick, tool mark or blemish was visible.
Only it wasn’t complete yet.
Sitting across the table in silence, Gerieg also marveled at such craftsmanship. This was a blade worthy of a kingdom. He then watched as Alex laid it down and grabbed the golden guard. The guard was then slid from the tip and descended down to the small nubs that would forever hold the guard in place. The simple ting declared that it was secure. What was unexpected was that the blade sang, announcing that the entire naked blade was balanced to perfection. The song of the sword slowly died, but the ting brought a smile to both men.
Alex then grabbed the coiled wire and sought for the end. Bending the end at about an inch, at a ninety degree angle, he began wrapping the wire around the hand and a half hilt. As the first pass encircled the hilt the filament held the inch-long bend secure. It took close to four hours, but the wrapping neared its end. Each wrap was tightly bound so that it would never loosen or unbind. Then there was four inches extra that a pair of scissors cut off, but not without difficulty. Then with one final bend the end of the tightly wound wire slid into the base of the wrapping. With a firm twist the wire protested with a slight screech, but would no longer undo itself.
Then with both hands gripping the hilt Alex stood. The handle was perfect and with a few musical swings the blade made showed the grip wasn’t going to be a problem. Just to make sure he soaked each hand and began fighting an invisible opponent. After only a few moves he was certain that the final result was beyond expectation. Never slipping without a serious mistake, this was a prize many would kill for.
“All that is needed now is to set the stone into the pommel.” Alex said to himself.
“There is still one more actually, but it has already been made for many years.” Gerieg stood with tears in his eyes and left the room. Alex stood stunned as to what just happened, but soon he his master returned carrying a hardened leather sheathe of onyx coloring along with a matching belt. He raised it in offering. “This was made a very long time ago, by your father. You chose the exact blade as he and I would feel proud to give this over.”
“M… My father’s?” Alex stammered and stepped forward unintentionally. Lightly brushing his fingers along its surface he slowly accepted it. Clutching it to his breast he could feel a bit more closer to the father he never had the chance of knowing. The aged leather awoke a dim memory of his father, but it was so weak that he didn’t remember what he was looking at. “Thank you so much, Master.”
“Nay, I’m no longer your master. We are now equals for you have passed all the requirements of a Furion. You may now call me whatever you wish.”
“Very well, Grandfather.” Alex said with a smile. Gerieg watched as Alex’s blade slid perfectly into his son’s sheathe, but was unprepared for the embrace that came next. They hugged each other in silence for a minute, grateful to rid the shackles that separated them as master and pupil. “Alright, My Boy, we are in need of rest. Sculpt your stone and place it in the pommel. We leave early in the morning to return to our partners.”
Too excited to sleep Alex grabbed the amethyst, cooled protectors and walked to his room. Using the knowledge of sculpting the boulder he began working and shaping the stone to the correct size and shape. It was easier working on the smaller stone because there was only one minor flaw, but it was easily removed and the piece as a whole was salvaged.
Five hours or so later the stone was perfectly round and not a single deformity or flaw could be found. Using the open pommel as a guide made the shaping much easier. Now with the completed jewel Alex placed the slightly larger eyeball sized stone at the mouth of the opening. Using his thumb he had to use an inhuman amount of strength to force the sphere into the hole. With a dull clang the stone would never be moved from its setting.
Alex clutched his father’s sheathe and newly forged blade to his chest while going to sleep and saying to himself “I’m a master, a Furion master; like my father before me and his father and so on. I’m free of the burden of my body, now and forever. I’ll be home soon everyone.”
Chapter 15
Before the sun even thought about making its presence known Alex was already wide awake. Strange dreams of happiness came too quickly to be perceived with any form of clarity, but feelings lingered. With only a few short hours of sleep his body and mind were well rested. Starlight gave just enough illumination to comfortably see the basic room. Still clutched to his breast was the personally crafted ornate sword he himself created and his father’s sheathe. It wasn’t just a dream. The sword was the visual representation that the harsh training as a Furion was over.
Sitting up on the bed, Alex slowly pulled on the hilt and it came free from the leather sheathe. A catch held the blade so it wouldn’t accidently come free, but it was easy enough to slip out. As the tip left its home only the faintest of rings sang from the naked blade. Its weight was nearly twice that of a normal crafted one of its size, but thanks to all the difficult training Alex’s muscles were well equipped to utilize the weapon, even without using his latent abilities.
The mirror-like quality was captivating, but a reflection caught his eye. Turning the flat of the blade to his face Alex was shocked by how he looked. Coming to the tower with nothing but his clothes and the boulder, his knife was left behind. This meant he hasn’t had an opportunity to shave and a full beard had grown in thickly and was as black as his own long hair. It was also surprising just how much his hair had grown for it now nearly reached his shoulders.
Needing to clean up, Alex grabbed the remaining cake of soap Gerieg gave about two weeks ago. He also grabbed both wrist protectors and slid the sword back in its home before silently exiting his room and making his way down the vacant stairs.
Once on the bottom floor he found a torch to bring into the hidden stream. Pass the door, sound of trickling and flowing water filled the room. Placing the torch in a wall-stand Alex stripped, increased his heat and entered the waist deep and frigid waters. Removing all the dirt and grime was simple, the next part wasn’t going to be. Using the sword as both the shaving blade and mirror, he began the personal ritual long overdue. Knowing how razor sharp the blade is, Alex went carefully to his skin, angled the edge just so and scraped the coarse beard hair from his jaw. It was slow going for the length was hard to adjust, but it did its job. When his jaw felt and looked as smooth as it has ever been, he finger brushed his soaked hair back and used the razor edge again to cut off everything that hung below the base of his skull.
Wanting everything to be fresh he hand-washed his pants and tunic, slid them on after being wrung and used his own body heat to dry them quickly. Soon they were and he slid on Ava’s perch to his left shoulder, sliding the saber engraved bracer to his right wrist and the wing to the left, lastly he belted his father’s sheathe to his left hip and felt that everything had a specific purpose, but didn’t hinder anything. Everything was complete, the attire, training and even his own identity were now set and in its proper place.
Refreshed, Alex grabbed the torch and began walking out of the roo
m. With the new blade, it changed how he felt. It was a comfort for it could come to the rescue at a moment’s notice and it was like it was already part of him. It moved as he did and was a constant reminder to those he loved the most.
Coming back into the main hall, a figure awaited in the center as the front door remained wide open and allowed the morning light in. Gerieg stood proud, wearing his perfect blue tunic and pants, with the red cape flowing behind and his blank bracers glistened. Finally his ornate sword hung from his left hip as well.
As Alex approached Gerieg made a drawn out whistle. “Not bad. You clean up remarkably well.”
“Are you ready to head back?”
“Not quite yet.” He said and Alex stopped ten feet away and was visibly confused. “Before we depart I wish to test you on how proficient your battle skills have improved. It has been some months since our last session. But before we do this we must stretch.”
“Very well.” He began by removing his tunic.
Together they began contorting in a series of complex poses and for once Alex didn’t fall too far behind. The control and center of gravity had been developed so much that Alex didn’t falter once, but he knew he still had room to further develop his flexibility.
Once done both men had worked up a sheen of sweat and were loose.
Gerieg’s sword sung as it was drawn and Alex’s joined its melody and were a compliment to each other.
Without warning, Gerieg lunged and Alex brought his power forth and parried the strike with ease. Soon both began striking each other with a speed and strength none could naturally achieve, but it soon became clear that Alex was slightly superior in speed and strength, but not by much. That didn’t matter though for Gerieg’s experience outclassed his grandson at every move. It was amazing just how effective the bracers were, for many blocks would have been deadly without them. In this ten minute long skirmish only shallow cuts, that barely drew a few drops of blood, were given and most were received by Alex, but some did land on his mentor. All of the mental control over his abilities helped keep absolute focus on what he was doing at any given moment and that of what the opponent was doing or was about to.
“That is enough.” Gerieg said simply and moved away. “You are developing splendidly. With more experience you will undoubtedly surpass me in quick order.” He then noticed Alex staring at himself. “I see that you’ve understood how much stronger you have grown. My youth isn’t what it once was, but you still have a long ways to go to beat me in open combat, my boy.” He then sheathed his single handed sword.
Alex looked very closely at his own sword and found that not one place held a chip, scratch or nick on any place, not even the protectors showed any signs of damage. With an approving smile he slid his blade in Sheul’s scabbard.
As they put their tunic’s back on Gerieg gladly said “Let us go back to our partners without delay.”
Alex couldn’t agree more and followed his grandfather outside in the bright morning.
Just as he stepped out and into the light Alex gasped. So long had he been in training that he couldn’t go outside during the bright day to see how the season had changed. No longer summer or even fall, winter was in its full strength. For the first time that he could remember he saw snow in the distance of the forest canopy. He didn’t even know the seasons changed for the volcanic activity kept the area the same temperature, hot. Hills, barren pine trees, evergreens and visible streams were frozen by winter’s chilled hand. It was beautiful for seeing just how white everything was blanketed for this was his first time seeing snow as an observant adult. Grey eyes took in it all and nothing looked the same. Landmarks and references were all under a blanket of snow. Alex knew he’d get lost for he was still new to these lands. Not much life was to be seen from where they stood.
From the expression of his grandson, Gerieg knew what it was like to really see snow as an adult. It had been so long since they’ve seen it together.
“How long?” Alex asked
Understanding of what was meant he replied “It has been nearly four months since we’ve come to finish your training.” Then he remembered something very important, but kept it to himself for the time being. “Shall we go? We can be there in four days if we hurry.”
“By all means,” Alex smiled.
Gerieg began running at a breakneck pace and Alex easily kept up. Within minutes they left the warmth of the volcano and felt the first taste of winter. To counteract the chilled air both turned their heat up in their face and feet. Barely making the faintest sounds they raced across the ground and quickly found the snow. Rushing to be in the comforts of their partners company they left the snow alone and focused only on running just as fast as possible.
Exhilarated at their speed they pushed even harder and it was Alex’s slight advantages of height and youth that made him just a fraction faster, but he held back because this place was still foreign, especially after snowfall.
Stopping to rest for a few hours at a time they arrived at the valley in the early evening on the third day. High overhead they could see the valley floor covered with snow and the stream had frozen over. Only a piece of the stream flowed, but it wasn’t natural for that meant someone was keeping the ice from completely freezing a water source. Icy wind howled even more bitterly now than it did during the summer. What caught their attention most of all was a steady stream of black smoke.
They kept the fire going this whole time? Alex wondered. From the look in Gerieg’s eyes he was also surprised that they had kept it living for so long as well.
“It’s bad manners to keep them waiting.” Alex said with a grin and threw himself over the edge. The snow made it difficult to judge distance, especially at night, but he landed without any problems from the three hundred foot drop. Several seconds later Gerieg landed just as expertly and was also showing excitement.
They walked towards the stone shelter without delay and realized the howling and brisk wind muffled their landing, scent and approach. Standing in front of the large entrance that showed an orange glow Alex felt his throat tickle as he asked “Are there any big and frightening fiends inside?”
“Did any of you hear that?” Elo’s deep rumbling voice asked. It was a welcome comfort hearing such a familiar tone after the isolation of speaking with only his grandfather for so long.
“Could it be?” Ava’s voice asked suddenly.
The orange glow became black as a hulking form stood between them and the fire. Blasting out of the entrance came the golden eyed Shade as he excitedly howled “ALEX!” and closed the distance in a half of a second. Even in the star and moon lit sky it was obvious that he had added even more muscle to his sleek and speedy form. His height and twelve inch sabers remained the same, but it was his eyes that showed just how pup-like he was. With a quick sniff he licked the side of Alex’s face as his relief without his brother over these long months were now over. Soon Alex hugged his thick neck and released as a rapidly beating sound alerted him to Ava’s excited flight. After landing on his shoulder she nuzzled her soft cheek against his temple. “We’ve missed you so much, Alex.” She said and he stroked her back. She had put on some weight as her breast was larger and her features were sharper. Ava’s training had shown their results.
Two other forms spilled out of the room and they quickly found their way to Gerieg and began welcoming him back as well with just as much affection.
Furions and their fiend partners did have a connection, but it wasn’t until that moment did Alex fully understand just how much they meant to him. They were a comfort, but it was something profoundly different and deeper connected. It was as if the three were both one and individual at the same time.
They hugged and reveled in absolute happiness of being reunited once again, but it was Sheer who cut the outside reunion short. “Come now, let us all go back in the warmth of the shelter. We have much to discuss and I for one don’t want my feathers to gather frost.”
With a little coaxing all of
them made it into the warmth of the shelter and were comforted by the fire and each other.
Nothing was said for several minutes as each individual basked in the comforts of knowing they were all reunited again. Each partner cuddled with their Furion and none were discontented. Shade was in need of a soap bath, but wasn’t too unpleasant to lean on. At least he didn’t roll in anything. Every now and then he’d lick Alex’s hand, grateful to have him safely back. Ava was content being curled in her brother’s lap.
“What have we missed?” Gerieg asked when enough time passed. He, like Alex, was leaning back on his enormous partner’s side.
“Nothing we couldn’t take care of.” Elo said in a deep and relieved voice. “There were a few territorial disputes, but they were quickly dealt with. Midnight is getting more temperamental lately and a bit paranoid, even his own pups are beginning to wonder about his leadership.” Alex then noticed a strange look pass between Ava and Shade. “All in all the leaders of the individual fiends are keeping order. The Grizons have all gone into hibernation nearly a month and a half ago. Once spring comes they will come back.” He then ruffled his mane before saying “We’ve stayed here every night since your departure. We all run the valley once a day and spend the rest of the time doing what we wish. The Orggian have helped keep us comfortable with our dietary needs, but we also fish the open streams, when we can and if there is a surplus we give them what’s left for others. This winter is a harsh one and we’ve had to strictly enforce hunting for my pride will easily decimate the game without such restrictions.”
“So it is the same as every year.” Gerieg summed up.
Elo smiled. “That it is.”
“How did it go at the castle?” Sheer asked with bright eyes.
Furion's Trials (Book Two of the Items Trilogy) Page 30