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

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  Both sides had made trenches to keep the other from easily gaining access to the others camp. Nearly two miles became no-man’s-land because the grassy plains separated the two enormous groups preparing for an all out battle. Non-item swords were sharpened, shields polished, lances filed into points, arrows dipped in poison the Pikro gladly offered, projectiles loaded into siege weapons and minds began to prepare for the fate that would claim their brothers and sisters in arms.

  To further protect themselves the woman from before that created the barrier used for partner training used her skills again to obstruct the enemy from clearly seeing Allahandra’s tent and many others, along with hiding the fiends, during daylight hours mostly. At night they held the advantage.

  That first night not a single soldier slept as they looked upon the other camp, searching for any nightly attacks. Even Ava, Shade and Alex found an unoccupied hill in the rear of the forces that was just high enough to sit upon and watch as the night enveloped both sides equally and the darker it became the more restless everyone got. Together those three siblings sat upon the lone hill and both marveled and worried about tomorrow’s coming transaction.

  Eventually they were summoned to Allahandra’s tent and asked to do something special for her when Angie received a clear vision for the next day. He grinned at the idea and knew it would make the opposition think twice.

  As the sun made it presence known to the new day both factions prepared themselves for a bloody eventuality that one side relished more than the other. Everyone knew their orders and what to expect, but stayed behind the trenches unless there was a trap.

  Just as Angie predicted, three men in issued red tunics, brown pants and boots rode over on horseback and crossed over the dividing field. They were carrying white flags while cantering across the void of camps, ten minutes after the base of the sun lifted off the ground. The three stopped two hundred feet away from the shoulder to shoulder forces, well in archery range. The middle man was the herald and opened a scroll and shouted to Freelan’s silent camp. “By order of his majesty, King Runkamon, you are here by ordered to drop your arms and surrender to his laws or there will be war, ending in your untimely demise! Send out three to speak for all your people so that you will accept the king’s terms!”

  “Simple and to the point, ya?” Allahandra said with mirth from behind the behemoth Rakkian who laughed. Alex also chuckled while acting as translator. They stood just behind the edge of the barrier. They could all see out, but from the outside it was still disorienting. As of yet the fiends had been kept out of sight for Takka and other specialists kept careful attention on what the opposition said in their communications. “Ready to state our position and reveal your presence, ya?”

  “Aye, Allahandra.” Alex said with a smile.

  As Alex stepped forward, and passing the barrier that held not a sensation of substance, the warriors parted while giving grins or nods in support of this choice. Lily and Marlin flanked either side of him. Clift, Shade and Crest supported those they cared for by carrying them forward.

  Together The Pack jumped the trench, startling the herald and escorts by riding upon fiend lords as if it were a normal day. Both Lily and Marlin kept firm grips on their items should there be a surprise attack, but Alex remained tall and proud, sitting on his brother’s back, giving a stance of confidence that shook some and reinforced others. Ava flew high, but just out of projectile range and remained close enough to use her talents.

  Their approach made the men pale at such a sight that fearlessly kept approaching and their mounts were equally frightened of predators larger than themselves and those they carried.

  The Pack stopped ten yards away and stayed silent for a minute, allowing the opposition to consider what they faced besides men.

  Eventually Alex’s voice startled the three men who stared on in awkward silence. The tone used was full of conviction, confidence and authority. “Well gentlemen I’m afraid that we are going to reject the surrender, and for good reason. Runkamon started this baseless war and we are going to fight until all the lands are free of his tyrannical grip, once and for all. He has attacked Alluan for the last time and this will be the end of that cycle. We will return your freedom to the likes of which has been beaten out of you. When this is all over you will thank us, in time.

  “Unlike with you, should any of you wish to surrender to us we will show clemency and allow you to live, under guard of course until you choose to fight along with us or until this is all over, for you are only being blinded by years of the king’s lies. We are not out to kill or harm anyone for many of these here have kin or loved ones in other territories, but Runkamon must be dealt with. Either he gives his throne up or I will personally take his life and give justice to all he has murdered and allow those souls to rest peacefully, knowing those living don’t have to suffer his warped beliefs.”

  One of the men found the strength to say “You have the guile to disrespect the one true king so openly! Show your respect!”

  “You show respect!” Marlin demanded and overpowered whatever strength the man had grasped on to. “None of you know just who you are speaking to, do you? The man before you now is the rightful heir to Ra’van’s throne.” The men’s jaws dropped. “He is Prince Alex Sheulson, grandson of Gerieg, the former king, the true and future ruler of each and every one of you. Runkamon took the throne in a cowardly act by killing his own brother and the rest of his extended family, but Alex survived and will reclaim what rightfully belongs to him. The throne belongs to him, not the coward pretending to be king.

  “If it hasn’t sunk in yet ask yourselves this, if you escalate this into a full scale war you will not only be fighting the entire land of Alluan and Freelan, but will also know you’re about to attack your legitimate and future king, just to hide behind the true traitor, Runkamon. Tell your generals, commanders and all the top officials to consider attacking Alex and have them understand what it means should they manage to take his life. They will be called traitorous king killers. And ask them what kind of punishment they will receive when the throne is returned to its rightful owner when we succeed.”

  The speech gave the men pause and consider who they were about to fight. Eventually the herald asked “What proof do you have to claim being the prince?”

  Alex lifted his hand and showed the signet ring his grandfather held on to for nearly two decades. The gold band and large ruby was amplified by the sunlight and was clearly the object of focus the men studied from a distance. Apparently that wasn’t enough and he dropped to the ground and barked “You three head back to the trench now. Ava will guard my back.”

  The three nodded and turned around while the Furion focused on the men. They looked perplexed until they understood the prince could speak freely with the world’s creatures. The noise he made unsettled them, but their steeds found it intriguing. “If you want further proof, I am also a Furion, my abilities transcend those born with items and I am the bridge between different worlds. If you further this campaign, know that there are more than item wielding humans you will face.” Alex signaled by raising his hand and right on cue the barrier pulled back to fully reveal the army of fiends standing among his friends. The riders nearly fainted at such odds as they struggled to hold onto what sanity that anchored them to life. “Fiends have come to fight with us and your troops will fall. This will be a battle you will never be able to stop because I command fiends and animals alike and they won’t stop until this war ends. You might have human numbers and more warrior class, but Fiends will outnumber and outclass any human army.

  “Should you wish to continue being blindly led, you will be stopped, for we will not relent. Do not forget who you stand against. I am Alex Sheulson, crown prince of Ra’van, speaker of fiends and your future king. You also stand against Allahandra, queen of all of Alluan and my dear friend. You also fight Freelan and their belief to free you from Runkamon’s blindfold and leash.” To further prove a point his voice tickled as he spoke to
the steeds. “Most noble steeds, I know you cannot understand what I just said to those upon your back, but I wish to ask a question.” Their ears swerved to him as they had never communicated with a man before. “I would like to ask that you join us and help those standing behind me. If you fight with those who consider you a mindless beast I know many of you will die. The fiends will find you first and kill both you and your rider. What I ask is if you will join us? You will be treated with respect and allowed to go where you wish. But if you choose not to fight I ask you run somewhere else.”

  The herald watched in horror as his mount began neighing at the so called prince. Then the other two spoke. Then the conversation went back and forth for several brief minutes. The Furion made large gestures to fake his disapproval.

  Alex masked his glee to make the riders assume that what the steeds said and made it look as if he didn’t like what he heard. He then said in a solemn voice “Rider, it seems your horses wish to fight with you. I cannot sway them. Leave now while I allow it and tell your superiors what and who you face. Leave my sight.” Those last three words made a solid impact on the men. Alex had set out what he had to do, instill doubt and speak with the creatures they brought.

  With a few heel kicks the horses were spurred in the opposite direction, towards their army. Alex waited until one of the men looked back. He displayed his speed by turning around and jumping thirty feet to land beside Shade. The man’s eyes went wide and white all around at seeing such a feat. The look didn’t go unnoticed as Freelan’s warriors closest laughed heartily.

  Task completed, Alex jumped back on Shade and Ava remained the aerial protector until her family jumped the trench and back to safety. Then she swooped down on her perch and felt her tension dissipate as she wrapped her left wing behind his head.

  Allahandra, Rakkian, Beta and several others approached, waiting and wanting to know what exactly happened. Alex smiled as he said “All went according to plan. We spoke for a short time and we should see results soon enough.”

  “That and Marlin practically made them wet themselves when he told of Alex’s birthright.” Lily joked.

  “Was it too much?” He asked with a grin like hers.

  “At least they didn’t soil their breeches, but that would have made it perfect.” Her smile made Alex’s heart flutter, but the last statement nearly caused everyone within earshot to fall on their backsides in laughter. “Did you see their expression when the screen was pulled back and they saw the fiends?”

  After a few more laughs Allahandra said “Then all is as it should be for now. If I’m right they will wait and find proof of your heritage. They will not attack the heir of their kingdom, even if they believe it to be a ruse. Let us go find Takka and Angie and see what is transpiring.”

  Together the higher ranked individuals proceeded to the center of camp and entered the custom built structure. The fabric and pole placement were designed to allow fiend lords easy passage and enough room to maneuver once inside. At the green and yellow tent the four guards raised their weapons and pulled back the curtain. Three other guards patrolled the exterior of the tent so that an intruder couldn’t cut their way in without being spotted. Even if an intruder was able to get close enough they also had to contend with four Beran, two Shadow Fangs and a Grizon.

  Chairs were a commodity and to make the camp feel equal the tent only used mattresses and pillows to sit and discuss matters. A central hearth made the room feel relaxing, but around it sat a large, floor level, table wrapped around the fire. Specialists were busy focusing upon their items to give up to the minute details and reports on anything that would be needed to know. Four Pikro rested by their specialist partner, ready to keep them safe. Two of the five seers among the whole army were in the room, working in shifts to keep any change in the flow of the future near at hand. Angie was busy staring at her crystal ball while her partner seer used his glowing blue amulet to send a beam of white light to the center of his forehead. The man’s eyes turned milky white as he stared straight ahead and looked for something only he could see. It was odd to see an item that told of the future to be gifted in completely different fashions. Takka, Ginger and other advisors waited in the tent doing as they sought fit to aid this endeavor.

  As Allahandra and Breaker entered, some stood from the soft seats, but the seers were too busy concentrating off somewhere else and weren’t necessarily in the room. As the rest filed in and found a place to sit the queen asked “What news of our situation?”

  Takka’s deep voice was the first to speak. “The trenches are dug, traps have been laid and the lower ranks have been informed where to tread lightly and what signs to avoid to remain safe. The water source to the north is secure and untainted. Scouts have dammed and diverted the stream so that those to the south will need to find an alternate source. The morale of our forces are high and everything else seems to be in order.”

  “And what of my plan?”

  “Ah that one, ya?” He grinned to his queen. “Well the herald and his escort have already caused a stir from what my specialists have written.” Takka pulled out his green, metallic looking book that can read anything ever written. As he opened the pages a quick flash of white light that was smaller than a fingernail kept flashing as someone was writing and the book received the letters, unfortunately the words could only be read by Takka himself. “One of my level five specialists, with the item to see into and through the enemy camp reports ‘The herald arrived at the main tent with their top officials and leaders… Words are being thrown and tempers flared because a goblet of wine was thrown at his head. The outrage in the command tent has made those close by and listening in confused and word is being spread among the Guard. General Takka, whatever Prince Alex said to the herald has had an effect…wait…’” Takka stopped and his dark brow came together. A minute later the light on the page began flashing as the scout wrote quickly, but the specialist general’s voice became both distraught and perplexed. “‘The herald just suddenly dropped to his knees and I see him clutching his abdomen. General, the herald and those that came with him have just been killed!’”

  Silence filled the room.

  “Something’s happened!” Angie suddenly shouted and took her attention away from her crystal ball. She didn’t realize that the room was now filled and regretted shouting. Then she realized the situation and had to immediately voice what she just saw. “I witnessed the herald from earlier suddenly die from disembowelment, but I didn’t see where the command came from. It was a specialist who did it, but I know not how. What’s worse is that they have disregarded Alex’s warning completely, thinking it was all a trick. Time for bloodshed is upon us. They are preparing arms as we speak, to meet us in open combat within a half hour, but I cannot see where the triggering event came from. If that wasn’t worry enough, they have a powerful seer among them as well.”

  “This is odd…” Travis said quietly to himself, but in the thunderstruck room he might of well have shouted at the top of his lungs for it would have felt the same. As all eyes turned in his direction he had no other choice except to voice his mind. “What I mean, in my opinion, is that whatever is causing such a decay in the rules of battle etiquette is unprecedented to me. Usually when an enemy is confronted by an heir to their kingdom, legitimate or not, they would wait until the individual’s identity could be verified. That would have given us a few days to make better preparations at most, if they had the correct specialists in troop formations that is. For a herald’s words to be so quickly dismissed and their life taken can not bode well. Maybe their orders were simple, no matter what we had said or revealed they were to attack and slaughter any resistance. It wouldn’t be the first time a squadron received such instructions.”

  “I cannot disagree with that assessment, but just how did the herald die exactly?” Allahandra asked the room.

  Eventually Travis answered. “I have seen items before that can be put into food that can explode per the owner’s request. It has been d
one before to keep certain officials in line and kept spies from enemy hands. For a man to suddenly spill his guts, and not from a blade, an item can be my only conclusion.”

  “That is logical.” Rakkian said as he stood. He turned to Allahandra. “My love, I request to prepare for the inevitable conflict and not be caught unprepared.”

  She closed her eyes for a moment, sighed and stood herself. “Granted.” Rakkian grinned in a bloodthirsty way before exiting the tent with Beta not far behind. Allahandra then turned. “Angie, I know your skills. See what you can do about their seer. They cannot know our tactics or any of my plans. If they have waited this long before revealing themselves they know you are definitely here. If they used their skills beforehand you would have found them sooner. So as of right now we still have the upper hand.”

  “I’ll give them the worst headache they’ve ever had.” She vowed. “When they eventually give up from the false trails to follow I’ll send you directions to their location. They hid well enough, but not for much longer. They must be dealt with before they can cause us serious harm.” She then sat her eyes firmly upon her crystal ball with the pulsating green mist inside suddenly turned into a tempest that looked ready to explode out of the item itself. If it weren’t for the slight swell of her bosom, Angie could have been mistaken for a clothed statue. She didn’t blink, twitch or show any outward signs of the goings-on around her.

  “Alex, have Ava send the alarm. It seems the battle is among us.” To accent her request Rakkian could be heard shouting orders to ready arms.