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

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  While the greater land based warriors spent the day meandering around inside the dome Alex began working with the Fury and their partners. Allahandra still had her most loyal warriors close by and two had Fury while the other four each had a Beran. Those four still moved in slow circles, but remained near the queen at all times. Allahandra wanted the same training as her warriors and would be pleased that she was. “Though you cannot find a tether capable of binding you like the others, your task will be the most mentally taxing. You will be the best scouts of all of Freelan and the most vulnerable for you and your Fury will be the most separated. We cannot fly like them, nor can we match the distance they can travel. What I must have you do is learn not only the markings of the Fury beside you, but spot their individual and unique flying style. Just like no two people walk the same, no two Fury fly identically. You must be able to spot them from the greatest distance as well as single them out and follow their movements with the highest accuracy. Their skills are best for reconnaissance, but they do have their shriek. Now take a good long look at the partner beside you.” As each Fury stood with the upmost pride their partner inspected them.

  Then Alex shrieked “Fury! Take to the sky and do your best to confuse your partner. If it gets too crowded I will have to have you train outside the dome.”

  Wings stretched and powered down as every Fury took to the air. It soon became apparent that it was barely feasible to have the Fury fly inside the barrier. They flew quickly and soon every person lost sight of their partner in the chaos. He then had them return to the ground and do it all over again. Now that they knew what was happening they had some preparations, but again all lost sight of their partner. “Keep doing it until nightfall.” He told both man and fiend.

  Approaching the Pikro and Orggian groups he grunted and had a Pikro shoot a green quill at him. Alex caught the inaccurate projectile midair and dropped to the ground. He had many people approach. What he showed them gave a chill of fear through them all. He rolled the quill between his palms and displayed the results before jabbing the end of the foot-long quill in the soil. “See the oil-like residue left behind by the quill, it’s pure and raw poison. The quill doesn’t need to pierce the flesh to kill, but simply be absorbed through the skin. If I hadn’t built my immunity, this much of the poison would kill me within an hour’s time. I’ve spoken to Allahandra about this at length and as of now you are all relieved of your duties until you can safely do as I am. You will be sick for some time, but in a month’s time you will be able to touch your partner without the risk of death. For now I need a boiling pot of water to dilute the strength of the poison to not be potentially deadly and require the use of the vials inside your pouches.” While two went off to find a pot to make it happen he added seriously. “As you look upon the Orggian you can see the pouch strapped to their arm. Inside I had them get mostly the herbs required to ease the symptoms of poisoning and soon you will each be given a rare herb that will act as a catalyst and excite your immunities to fight the poison. To naturally become immune to the poison would take nearly a full year.” He then whooped and the Orggian dug in their pouches to pull the dried leaves that each partner to a Pikro received while moving with their healer.

  While the herbs were dispersed Alex personally boiled the lone quill forty times, just to be on the safe side. He then broke the soft spine into inch long pellets. “Who would like to go first?”

  “That would be my responsibility, ya?” Takka said as both he and Ginger came up.

  She was greeted respectfully before the specialist general. “Takka, did you remember what I said when undertaking this task?”

  He smiled as he drummed his rounded stomach with his large and strong arms to make an empty and dull thud. “I have not eaten since supper, nor have any who came here of their own accord. We have also did what we could to not make much of a mess.”

  “The effects will be quick.” He then handed over one of the broken pieces to the general. Takka’s jaw tightened just before taking the opaque piece. He rubbed it in his hands and quickly returned it.

  The general looked at his soft hands for a few seconds before saying “I don’t feel anything… maybe I’m already immune as you say. Is this a joke…” Then he stopped talking as his brow came together. “It’s getting warm. Maybe I’ve been in the sun for too long… no, wait…” Alex was ready as the general dropped to his knees and retched a few times to expel some bile. The effect was instantaneous on the crowd and none wished to go through with this anymore. As a healer and Orggian came to watch over the pained general Alex stood and opened both hands to stand facing the crowd.

  A large woman sighed and moved forward, took a piece and was soon in the same condition as her general. Her act changed some in the crowd and others came forth to touch and accept the fate they have chosen. Some defied the abstinence for food this day and had it worse because they had more to expel. The more that took on the Pikro poison as a burden the more that came forth. Nearly an hour passed when the last few took their poison. Alex then knew why those were so hesitant. They were watching to see if any died. Thanks to the quick work of the Orggian and healers none were in any serious condition. If anything everyone took the poison better than he did during training.

  An hour before nightfall just about everyone was firmly exhausted. Alex called their attention and said “All right, that was a solid day’s work! Take time to rest and meet back here tomorrow morning. If your fiend cannot fit inside your home, use the barracks to sleep. I know they are large enough to house everyone. Rest, relax and gather yourselves for tomorrow will be harder.”

  Crest and Lily approached saying they both had a great day bonding and together with Marlin and Clift they watched as the riders had an impossible time dismounting. Once on the ground the riders realized just how difficult it was to ride and the strain ones legs and buttocks is put through. Some couldn’t walk without falling and all they did was ride in lazy movements. Those of the cavalry fared better, but the effects were still evident in their gait as their pace was wobbly. To their surprise many of their fiend partners used their teeth to carefully help their partner stand. They began leaning on each other for support until strength returned.

  All who arrived back inside the city were tired, but none grumbled or looked angry at all that had been accomplished. Even the ever going Allahandra was drained, but she managed to say “Your methods are strange, but they work.” With the compliment received Niranene and Krum approached and asked Crest if she’d carry them back for they had many who needed to look after and took the binding at their wrists seriously. She was glad to help. Lily spoke quickly and asked her new husband a question and was quickly answered. “I will see that everyone gets back safely first.”

  She smiled. “Then when you get back to the palace I’ll help Mistress Marge in preparing a meal to replenish all this day’s work.” Crest didn’t need a translator to understand it was time to leave and gave Shade a quick lick on the nose before Lily, Niranene and Krum jumped on. Soon she walked off towards the gate.

  Marlin and Clift stayed behind to help Alex, Shade and Ava get those who needed aid back inside the city. While they worked together Alex and Marlin caught up on what they’ve been doing lately. Soon the subject turned to how the wedding between him and Niranene would be done and how to do it. Luckily Marlin’s custom was identical to the marriages done in the Waget islands.

  Chapter 22

  “Lord Alex, do you have a moment to speak with us?” Janken asked as Alex returned to the palace with Marlin and the others.

  The city was already plunged into darkness and lamps and torches filled the streets with light. In the main audience hall some of those now partnered ate together to replenish their strength or told what they accomplished today and how exhausting the work was. One thing was taken with complete seriousness, all kept themselves tethered at all times to get used to their new companion.

  Janken stood with his old companion Travis and had waited many yea
rs for such a day. Travis still remained in his full body suit that remained pure white. Janken on the other hand wore a high standing servant’s uniform and remained as impeccable as Kikren.

  It was clear that they wished to speak in private, but wouldn’t take much of his time. Alex told Marlin to go ahead on up and did the same for his younger brother and Clift. As they moved onto the spiraling stairwell only Ava remained behind on her leather perch. Once they were relatively alone he asked “What can I do for you, gentlemen?”

  Both seemed anxious to speak first, but after a few awkward moments Travis spoke. “My actions the other day was uncalled for, but I had to be sure…”

  “Do not worry, the matter is finished and in the past. You may speak openly for I like people speaking their mind. Nothing gets accomplished with too much eloquence and meaningless pleasantries.”

  “If that is your wish,” Janken said with a sigh of relief. He then straightened himself even more to show proper respect. “Lord Alex, we’ve heard rumors that the troops in Gagiat have been deployed and are on their way here as we speak. Is there any truth to these matters?”

  “Aye, Allahandra spoke to me of it this morning. There is little doubt that her sources are valid and reliable and the deployment size estimated they warned about would be impossible to fake. Central City has released its hounds upon us. We have a month of relative safety to gather our strength before we march out of the city to meet our opponents. From what I know, half are coming here by boat across Point Lake while the others skirt around on foot. The first force will meet us in a month and a half to two months anyways.” Hearing this Alex watched as the two men glanced meaningfully at each other. The look said it all, but for their long lived years had trained them to mask their fear behind expressionless features. “Tell me what has you so worried?”

  Travis rubbed his smooth jaw for a moment on how to decide to answer. “What has us concerned is how quickly the Royal Guard gathered and how they’ve deployed at least three full months ahead of schedule. I can only draw up two conclusions for the final assault to be put into motion so swiftly.

  “First, from what I know about the troop deployment these past fifteen years as Runkamon’s advisor they should have only been able to gather maybe a quarter of the full numbers needed to force Alluan into an unconditional surrender and have them fall under the king’s rule. It means that the king believes the forces on their way are sufficient enough to take the city, until further troops enter and soon enough they will spread through these lands until all see him as the new leader. If he believes that they can stand a chance he must have many powerful fighters. If what I suspect is true, most coming will be level three and above.

  “Secondly, he must know that the foothold he plotted near the head of the Widow’s Forest has been compromised. To send the full force of Central City before the foothold was firmly established means he cannot wait any longer while we gather and garner his own strength to use against him. We must warn Allahandra that the station we occupy isn’t a secret anymore.”

  “If that is the case, come up with me and tell her what you’ve just said.” As Alex began walking up the stairs Janken and Travis followed without hesitation. He wanted to change the conversation for he knew nothing of these men. “Why have you followed my grandfather for so long since his throne was taken? I mean I’ve read many history books telling of this kind of rivalry and heinous acts being common. Shouldn’t your loyalties lie with the reigning king?”

  His questions startled them to their cores, but Janken asked “Why do you wish to know, might I ask?”

  “Curiosity mostly. I can usually get a feel of a person by their nature and how they explain their views on life with a fair level of accuracy. If I’m to put my life on the line I must understand who stands with me, just to be sure I’m not stabbed from behind.”

  “That is understandable.” Janken said. “The answer to the question is both easy to articulate and impossible to describe. King Gerieg was our best friend and it went well beyond royalty and servitude with him. The three of us, and many others who were loyal to their dying breath, fought side by side with him in many battles, whether it was a deadly fight or a verbal one. Though he was mine king, he treated me and many others as family. He was there for the birth of my children and their children. He performed up and above his station and earned my eternal respect. He was king and as an underling I would have followed his commands, but he was more than that and I was, and still am, grateful to serve him as one would a big brother rather than a king.

  “When your uncle ripped the throne from his father I never saw him as the rightful king. First and foremost Gerieg is mine king and as his rightful heir I will serve you while he is away.”

  “As will I,” Travis added.

  Unhindered in the interruption, Janken continued. “I’ve seen how these people look at you and it is impressive, especially after yesterday’s exhibition. The people see you as a hope to put an end to this senseless battle. The people also look to you as I do with King Gerieg. They have begun to love you like they do Allahandra. It is a heartening thing to see.”

  Such humble words made Alex smile. “May I ask another question?”

  “Of course.”

  “Even with all the time I spent with my grandfather I’d like to hear different stories from your perspectives. When I get more free time can you tell me more of my family and what they were like?”

  Alex turned and saw the two older men smiling at him in silent admiration. “We would be honored to tell you those stories.” Travis said.

  “Might I ask you one this time?” Alex gestured for Janken to continue. “Since King Gerieg isn’t here to directly give us orders, and you are the crown prince, you are the only one with the right to order us. We are your servants and have need of direction. What will you have us do?”

  Do? He thought. Do I have the right to order them? Alex shook his head to rid his thoughts of ordering unless needed. These men weren’t fools, but neither would take his words lightly. Eventually he came up with “I have many tasks that will consume much of my time it training the new fighters, spending time with Lily and the others, and learning as much as I can about the pressing situation coming this way. I will not order you to do anything because your skills need to be used how you see fit. But I would request that you give wise council to Allahandra as much as possible because she has been spending her adult life preparing for this while I’ve had maybe two years of experience. Your expertise and inside knowledge will be invaluable to her. Especially you Janken, your items are quite valued and the ability to communicate across distances will inform Allahandra that much quicker, should you give them to patrols.”

  “Then we will remain close to her unless you need us for anything.” Janken said and began digging in his pockets. “Here I would like you to keep these with you.”

  Stopped on the ascending stairs, Alex was handed three circular mirrors from the specialist. “These are…”

  “Aye, I have over forty mirrors in total with me at any time and over half are already being carried by Alluan scouts. Use them when you must speak with me, but remember after our conversation comes to an end the mirror’s dust flies back to me. Once it returns to my possession it reforms to be used again. Do you know how to activate its properties?”

  He nodded and slipped the mirrors in his pocket.

  Upon the top floor Alex informed the guards that Travis and Janken needed to speak to Allahandra. They went to get permission, and came back a minute later to grant passage. Together the four entered the circular room to see many awaiting for what needed to be said. Several generals and commanders sat with their new partners and also kept their bindings to the other. Several had empty plates before them or platters on the ground, but Mistress Marge sat beside Lily and Niranene. Everyone had freshened up and bathed after the hard day’s work. The queen had also changed her wardrobe to attire a violet dress in a similar style of her simple green one. Allahandra gestured fo
r them all to have a seat and she listened in silence as Travis repeated his analysis.

  As he finished she said confidently “I have already took that into account and had the fortress razed to the ground and am having all supplies transported here. They will reach these lands in three weeks to a month’s time. I couldn’t have that place stand for much longer anyway. I have also left a contingent of veteran warriors to watch over the area should any unforeseen complications come that way. I’m glad to have my worry be seconded and am grateful for your analysis. I will have need of it more as we approach the battle for your tactical expertise will hopefully save a great many lives.” Travis inclined his head at the praise and knew now more than ever not to underestimate this woman. “There are other matters I need to speak upon. If you have other matters to attend to you may go, or if you wish you may stay.”

  “I don’t have any pressing matters at the moment.” He said and Janken concurred.

  Before planning and preparation for what needs to be done to the city before they marched off, Mistress Marge and Lily brought out the evening meal for themselves and those that hadn’t eaten. Alex mostly sat and listened as he learned just what needed to be done before leaving the city could even begin. So much needed to be accomplished in such a short time, but by working together the worry was negligible.