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

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  There was a quick rasp on the door of their room followed by Niranene asking “Are you ready?”

  “Almost!” Replied Lily as she folded and stuffed traveling clothes in her pack. “We’ll be out in a minute or two.”

  “Alright!” and then the healer could be heard walking away with a secondary sound coming from Krum dragging something behind himself.

  “Do we have everything we need?” Alex asked as he closed his pack, after double checking the supplies.

  Lily looked around their room and saw all was in order as was her full pack. “I believe we do. Allahandra is keeping my wedding gifts with her belongings so our burden is lighter. Oh wait…” She then hurried over to her nightstand. “I almost forgot this.” She held her stone tablet and found just enough space to slide it in. “I still need that sometimes when Crest and I are on a run.” She then checked everything one last time and grinned. “Alright, now I’m done.”

  Together they swung their packs on and walked out with their partners in tow. Ava saw a chance and flew expertly back to Alex’s shoulder and rubbed her cheek against his head, grateful to finally be off. As they filed out the door Alex shut it once Shade exited last.

  Entering the council chamber, Allahandra was first to be seen as she fumbled with the last of her bags. One of her attendants walked over and lifted it and exited the room to store away the bag in the awaiting carriage in the courtyard. Also in the room waited Rakkian and Beta who both acknowledged Alex and his family with a simple nod. Marlin and Clift also approached and were anxiously waiting to get on the way. Other advisors, along with both Janken and Travis, were also in the room awaiting their queen’s final word.

  Eventually Allahandra noticed that all was prepared and sighed. Alex knew a speech was coming and decided to translate in a lower tone so others could understand what she had to say. “It seems the time is nigh that this day had come.” Since most of those of her most valued confidence had gathered she stood proud and addressed them all at once. “My friends I know the burden placed upon you has been great these past weeks and more is sure to be asked, but I say that you have my deepest thanks.

  “Before we depart I have news to tell. During the night one of the Fury scouts flew in and spoke briefly with Breaker and he informed me that we received a brief period of luck because a storm created from Point Lake had delayed the approaching troops by a week. From my calculations that if we leave this day we will meet our opposition out on the open plains where we will have the advantage. If any wish to confirm my assessment I’ll gladly accept it.

  “With any luck the storm will slow them more and we can push them further from our home and those remaining behind. On the plains we will have the advantage of speed for our new friends” She smiled to Alex and the fiends in the room. “will be free and clear to do as they wish, in battle. Those that traveled by boat have little cavalry support and our new scouts have already confiscated a great blow to those numbers. The ships could only carry a few steeds to begin with.

  “Clift here” She indicated to the chestnut warhorse with a raised hand. “has been a great asset and spoke with the wild steeds. They didn’t take long to decide to join our numbers.

  “Finally, the city’s preparations for our departure is complete. I have left General Mifett in charge of defending the city and our territories in my stead, until the time we return victorious. He has been informed of all the necessities that will keep our home safe while we are away.

  “Are there any questions you have before we leave?”

  Not a single person or creature had anything to add or ask.

  “Good, let’s begin our first of many confrontations.”

  With that said she and Breaker began departing with her personal warriors and their partners. General Rakkian and Beta followed closely and the advisors and other military leaders departed. Niranene, Marlin and their companions met up with their closest friends and together they followed behind the greatest minds and muscle Alluan and Freelan had to offer.

  Halls were quiet and empty as most of the palace had been called to fulfill their duty. Those few servants who remained were bent over and bowing to those they loved and were heading off to meet their chosen destiny.

  Normally when one steps closer to the main hall of the castle much noise and clamor emanated from the excited and zealous people who called this place home. The difference now was that not a single joyous sound greeted their decent. It was a barren and weighty silence, but one that which proved just how close the confrontation became. A few dings from the lowest level gave knowledge that someone was busy working with the pots and pans.

  Eventually they all found themselves upon the main floor and were sad to see how desolate the room was, even at this early hour. It gave further precedence to the situation.

  Outside, orders were shouted and broke the silence of the room.

  It was still only a half hour since the sun lifted off the eastern land and the air was dry and cool. It made the morning pleasant enough to move without perspiring and make the day sour. This day would be perfect for traveling and ground would be made. The clear sky showed there would be a low possibility for rain to impede the long march.

  Before long Alex and the others found the courtyard filled with life and movement. Soldiers were checking their supplies one final time, horses were being tended, fiends rested patiently off to the side to give room and the wagons were finishing being secured.

  At seeing the leaders exit the palace the people moved quicker and prepared for departure.

  The queen’s carriage awaited and she, her advisors, along with Niranene and Krum entered the lavish transportation. Marlin knew why Niranene chose to ride with the queen, she wouldn’t burden Clift, especially since a confrontation could begin at any time.

  Steeds and fiends were mounted as the drivers prepared to coax the horses and oxen to pull the carts.

  As Alex jumped upon Shades back he said “Ava, do a quick scout and tell me the condition of the city.”

  “My pleasure.” She clicked her beak and flew off to fly around the city.

  Before long the inner gate lifted. The queen’s guards surrounded the stagecoach and Rakkian rode Beta as the spearhead of her carriage. Lily and Crest moved up beside Shade just as Marlin and Clift cantered over as well. They would travel together like old times, only with two new companions to make their pack more welcoming.

  As they walked Clift spoke happily with Crest saying he was glad that Starflash remained behind for their foal they’d be having. Crest was also glad she chose to remain behind for she liked Starflash as well and a pregnancy was burden enough without even considering riding into battle.

  While that conversation became longer Alex noticed how the city was so crowded just days before, felt as barren as the palace. Few traveled the roads and those that did yelled farewells and swift victory to the queen. At one point a man whistled and Shade’s ears perked for he knew the sound. A teenage girl tossed Shade a candied apple as her farewell and he snatched it out of the air and barked his thanks after swallowing the meal. Crest also got one.

  About an hour later in their trek to the southern gate more people were seen. Soon a crowd could be heard as the warriors were saying goodbyes to those they loved and were fighting for. Wives hugged their husbands and children cried for they knew they could not go. It was heart wrenching to see so many families being pulled apart for war, but many more would be destroyed if the cycle of oppression continued.

  This brought back memories of how Gambit had been unjustly taken just for trying to live how he wished, and those of the towns decimated by Juguan priests trying to bring back those they thought of as gods. Many lives will end in the near future, but if the king’s rule lasts any longer it will be only that much harder to end and worst, free thinkers will be killed before they can attempt to spread their wings.

  Seeing the queen’s coach and her muscled escort, those men and women saying goodbye to those left behind pulled from the
ir embrace and hurried through the southern gate to file into rank. Many that Alex witnessed continued to cry, but he could see an inner strength in knowing those going were doing the right thing.

  Within a few minutes the large arch that tunneled through the thick walls, that reached a hundred feet in the air, came into view as the procession turned the street corner. Warriors lined either side of the street, awaiting their queen and ready to bring her protectively into the main force waiting beyond the wall.

  As Alex, Lily and Marlin followed behind the horse drawn carriage the street lining warriors enfolded behind like encircled arms that lovingly made one feel safe in a lovers embrace.

  Once the tunnel fell behind them the full impact of the army came into view. Over a hundred thousand strong and able bodied men and women came to fight and awaited further orders as they stood in large, lined groups of three hundred. The Freelan and Alluan force stretched from the southern wall, nearly all the way to the forest that stood leagues away. Fury flew in lazy circles above the gathered company’s while the other fiends were stationed with at least one placed within each group. Nearly half of the troops had a mount of some kind. Also gathered near the back of the full force was the caravans, the bulk of supplies would follow, but should something befall those supplies through sabotage of any kind there were enough carts being pulled among the groups to last several weeks under strict rations.

  Rakkian pulled a horn to his hip and blew two long times as the signal to move out. Immediately as the sound reached them, other horns were blown and the individual groups stood and began their march. Before long the carriage and those around it made it to the center of the full force as the best place of defense and to disperse orders with the most efficiency. Few talked as the entire force was now on the move and mentally focusing on the task that they fully committed themselves to.

  Ava spotted her brothers just before they reached the trees and came in to give her report. “It is strange, I have gotten used to there being so many cooped up humans living behind those large walls. There are so few now that it felt practically lifeless.”

  “I expected no less.” Shade admitted as he turned a golden eye upon them. “This is a war the likes of that has never been recorded before. There are few who want to miss what will happen and even fewer who want to stay behind.”

  “Still, I could guess that my feathers outnumber the inhabitants the city now holds.”

  “I’d wager there are more, but we get the idea. So what else did you see?”

  “Well certain strategic places have been filled and laid with traps incase an enemy comes and manages to breach the walls. The palace has also been established as a last line of defense and will safely house those remaining in the city. The last of the battlements are being made and will be completed shortly. Also the farmers living outside the walls are busy planting for the crops that were harvested for this effort. I also saw many working together to make up for the loss of manpower that surrounds us. Even children are behaving and doing what they can for the city’s well being.”

  “Good job, Ava.” Alex said approvingly and reached into his pack and pulled a piece of smoked beef from the strips he carried. He then reached up and placed it between the toes on her left talon and she was grateful for the treat and ate right there on his shoulder.

  Alex then told his companions what Ava reported and gave further precedence on their predicament. It was still hard to imagine the city being so lifeless when they saw the reality with their own eyes. But enough of that, they had work to do.

  Four days later the trees thinned and became the open plains and the land made travel not only faster, but safer. Instead of marching on the lone road the army could now spread out and cover more ground so that they couldn’t be flanked by an awaiting ambush. The foot soldiers slowed overall progress, but the entire force needed that pace to remain vigilant on their surroundings instead of sacrificing alertness for speed. Several found holes in the ground and sprained an ankle, but that was the worst injury as of yet.

  While the mind numbing marching continued it only served to irritate those needing to move with speed. The most vocal about the pace came from the Shadow Fang packs, but Shade did his responsibility and found the appropriate solution. He had the packs and their partners scout ahead for viable water sources or any human scents that were recent. This pleased them for they could run to their hearts content and do a legitimate task to help the army. Eventually Shade, Crest and even Clift wanted to join in the pursuit of scouting. Not as quick as a Shadow Fang, Clift held his own and showed his diligence and capabilities as a warhorse and a purebred stallion born in the wild. Sometimes Alex and the others would ride along, but normally they needed to be near Allahandra and the bulk of fiends, for each day the coming battle came that much closer. Also Ava always flew along during the runs to keep an extra set of eyes out for any danger. Sometimes Beta would get permission from Rakkian to run with Shade and inform him of any problems among the packs.

  Thankfully the fiends could regulate their affairs without much interfering. Also the more familiar they became with their partner the less issues would arise for a simple thing as communication became easier to both sides.

  At each chance they found a stream, the army rested, ate and refilled their barrels and water skins before heading out. When it became the afternoon and the heat was in its peak they’d break for camp for the night a few hours later. It was best not to push the troops into exhaustion or have them collapse when they needed their strength at any time. And each night, easy to erect tents sprung up and Allahandra’s green and yellow tent sat at the center of her people so that they always knew where she was and also built to impede any spies entering their midst.

  Each night Breaker told Alex, who translated, about any reports that he received from Fury scouts. Allahandra’s own reports reflected her partners and only strengthened the validity of what she received. Each night Allahandra spoke to her advisors and got input and delivered orders. Hundreds of battle plans were drawn up, and with Angie’s help and that of three other seer visions, they were spread to troop leaders to expedite orders and telling how certain signals meant different deployments and orders were to be carried out.

  Many aspects helped give further insight on what to expect, like Takka intercepting anything the enemy would write, seers searching the future and the ever useful eyes of scouts all served as a means to limit the coming causalities. What also proved useful was the advisements from Travis, Janken, Lily and several other former Kings Guard, to tell the most reasonable strategies that would be implemented against them.

  The seers could only catch glimpses of the enemy for their visions were still too far away to be of any real use. “The future is fluid.” From one of Angie’s many explanations came this one. “Think of time as a large, uncharted river flowing in one direction. You don’t know what the destination is when the river goes around a bend. Other smaller streams feed the larger one, changing its speed and how the water acts. Sometimes the river branches off and other events can happen. Trees fall into the water, making an impact and can even block or divert streams.

  “It is the same with my visions. I can see the army is still some days away, but with each passing moment they could change the route they take, deployment strategies, whether to rest or not, how they will move to counter us and how they react when pushed back are just some of the many problems a seer must take into account. But the closer the time for meeting comes the clearer events are seen. Right now it is mostly a haze, but before we left the city I could barely see past the fog.”

  Twenty three days later, after leaving the protection of the city’s walls, the first signs of the opposing force could be seen in the distance as evening fires had been lit and smoke was rising. Fury decided to fly as high as possible to keep from being seen and in their reports the Royal Guard learned of the force coming and prepared meager defenses to keep Allahandra out. Not only that, the numbers of the enemy had grown somewhat an
d nearly equaled what Allahandra gathered, if not more.

  The truly overwhelming factor was the Royal Guard military that faced them had over sixty percent item wielding warriors to command whereas Freelan had thirty percent at most. Though the human numbers were nearly equal the class ratio was off, but Freelan’s determination wouldn’t shirk against such odds since all in the militia could fight whether they had the item for it or not.

  It was now time for Freelan and Alluan to begin the counter-assault that has been relentless for years on their home. It was time to fight for freedom and to choose a destiny that each individual’s birthright it called to would answer.

  Chapter 24

  Two opposing factions could now visually see each other.

  One group valued the gift to live your life as you want, despite the items one is born with. To care for the differences each individual had and accept the faults inherent in all of them. To live as free as humanly possible, but accepting the punishment according to the deed. Thinking all were equals while also maintaining ones individuality. They fought for a single purpose, freedom without oppression.

  The other thrived off making mindless beasts out of its own people and had them doing as little thinking for themselves as possible. To allow the rich to get richer while the lower class struggled to survive. Forcing an adult’s misconception on mere children to make them feel obligated to serve a false king and all those of higher standing is cruel. Giving one’s life to a righteous cause is an act of freedom, but forcing children to maim and kill to prove themselves is horrifying. To kill an entire family, town or city because they wish to live out their lives in peace and not adhere to a tyrant’s law is beyond brutality. Only those that had been spared had given up their freedom and found themselves shackled and used to serve the greater good that the king made upon a whim to solidify his position.