Chapter 28
Then the man’s voice boomed as he laughed, stunning and disarming all who heard it. It stopped everyone from moving in to intercept him. It seemed like the man was ready for the accusation, but wasn’t phased by it. What was strange was that he stood casually, as did Kikren and the fiends. They were completely unconcerned despite their precarious situation surrounding them.
The man stood proudly in the middle of the road. He was a man about Alex’s height, but maybe just slightly shorter. He wore a tight blue tunic that had full sleeves. And laying down his back was a blood red cape that came close to reaching the ground. Upon each wrist were polished and protective silver guards. His pants were black and belted to his left hip was a beautiful sword. It is a single handed, double edged sword. He couldn’t see the blade through the dark brown scabbard, but the shape and way it hung on his hips said it wasn’t just for show. This was a blade made for battle and one used to fighting. But the guard and handle stood out even from the distance he stood. The guard had a circular shape and was made from highly polished gold. The hilt was spun with silver. And finally at the pommel was a rounded red ruby the size and shape of a person’s eye.
Despite his clothed appearance everyone could tell how extremely well built this man was. In the arms he could have easily have outmatched Gambit’s.
Then Alex realized he was barefooted like himself.
Focusing on his face, Alex watched as the man’s expression turned into an approving smile. He was looking directly at Alex and was also studying his appearance. He had long blonde hair with strands of gray mixed in. His eyes were icy blue and his facial features were handsomely sharp. He was clean shaved and his skin held faint wrinkles around his eyes. He was a very handsome man and Alex also realized he was older than he should have been if he was truly was Runkamon. This man was in his mid-fifties not nine-and-thirty years like the king.
The man knew the danger that completely surrounded him, but from the look in his eyes he was completely calm and unconcerned. It would be like child’s play if he were to fight, everyone would lose. This was a man not to be taken lightly. The hairs on the back of Alex’s neck only reinforced such thoughts. He was a dangerous man, one he’d never be able to best in his current state.
Alex dropped his guard and took a few measured steps forward. The man grinned as he took another step towards him. Shade growled and Alex stopped to look at him. “It’s alright, little brother. He is too old to be Runkamon.”
“He’s right, young pup!” The man spoke to Shade with a calm and deep voice. Shade’s ears perked and they both knew the man was like Alex if he could communicate with his partner so effortlessly.
Alex turned to the man and felt his throat tickle, knowing everyone needed to understand his discovery. “You’re not Runkamon because you’re too old, but if Allahandra thought you were him at a single glance I can guess with some certainty that you are his father.”
The man grinned and everyone around the circle gasped at the conclusion.
His chuckling boomed again and Alex could tell he was normally a cheerful man at a glance. He casually placed his left hand on the pommel of his sword, but it was out of habit and not a threatening gesture.
“I see that my patience has finally paid off after all these years. There is another true Furion still alive in the world. You are correct, young man. Runkamon is in fact my flesh and blood child, but I can assure you we have very different views on life. Though he carries my blood, he is not my son anymore.”
Since he stood casually so Alex did as well. “So who are you?”
His smile was genuine. “Why I’m Gerieg, eldest of the Furions. And as far as I know you are the youngest, Alex, unless you have had a child of your own.”
Alex’s heart stammered at hearing Gerieg call him by name. He wondered why his body acted like that. It sounded faintly familiar, but he didn’t know this man. He cleared his voice in order to control it. “How do you know my name? Did Kikren or Janken tell you?”
They both glanced at the calm butler standing with his arms comfortably behind his back. Gerieg answered for himself before the servant could respond. “Actually I’ve known about you ever since Eriana carried you in her womb.”
His voice stammered at hearing her name. “Wait. You knew my mother?”
Gerieg’s brow pulled together. “What do you mean knew? What happened to her?” He seemed intent to know for some reason.
“She passed away when I was five. How did you know my mother?”
He looked solemn when his blue eyes met Alex’s again and could tell he was distraught from hearing the old news. His voice expressed empathy. “I’m sorry to hear that. She was my late wife’s handmaiden back when she lived in Ra’van. My wife and Eriana were the best of friends. It seems like you and I have much to learn about each other.”
He looked away from Alex and nodded to the Beran. The lord moved up to his side and the perched Fury didn’t even shake from the movement.
When their group moved Shade moved to his brother’s side, protectively. Shade’s expression was calm, but the hackles on the back of his neck were still bristling. He was prepared for a fight, just incase they proved a threat.
Gerieg lifted his hand to the Fury. “Alex, I would like for you to meet Sheer. She is one of my closest friends and partners.”
The beak of Sheer opened as she spoke. “It is an honor to meet you, young Alex. Gerieg hasn’t stopped speaking of you for quite some time.” Her voice was like that of a high soprano singer, beautiful yet loud. She then dipped her large raptor head in a bow.
Alex bowed back. “The pleasure is all mine, Sheer. And if I may, your feathers are by far the most elegant I’ve ever seen.”
She let out a trilled laugh and everyone thought she was going to stun them. Her large magnificent wings flapped playfully, but she didn’t release her perch. Her wingspan was well over fifteen feet wide. “Oh you Furions know just where to make a female feel the most special.”
In his mind he pleaded for her to not alarm the people like she did a moment ago when she laughed.
Gerieg laughed and dropped his hand to the Beran. “And this has been my partner for the past three-and-fifty years. His name is Elo.”
Three-and-fifty years old? How could a fiend of his species live so long? Maybe it is because he is a fiend lord and not much is known about them. Maybe lords live longer than usual.
Alex bowed again and saw Shade give the same respect. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Elo.”
The Beran, Elo, nodded and smiled. “Alex, this isn’t the first time we’ve met. I remember you when you were just a swaddling cub in your mother’s arms. It must have been too long ago for you to remember, but I’ll tell you those stories some day.” He had a deep and refined voice. Then his brown eyes turned slowly to his right.
“Oh I’m sorry.” Alex raised his arm just like Gerieg did. “Elo, Sheer, Gerieg; this is my foster brother Shade.”
Shade bowed again. “It is a pleasure to meet all of you.”
Elo’s brown eyes narrowed on Shade. With large paws, Elo took a step forward. “Shade, is it? Come closer and allow me to inspect you.”
Shade’s eyes also narrowed defiantly back. “Why do you need to something like that? You can see me well enough from where you are standing.”
“Get over here, young Pup.” Elo’s voice was calm, but they heard the threat. Despite the age difference, Elo was still a powerful force to be reckoned with. Shade was strong, but would he be strong enough to fight an experienced Beran.
Shade reluctantly took a few steps forward and stood in the open space between the two Furions. He then held perfectly still, but the hairs on his neck were still poised. Alex hoped should something happen that he’d have enough time to dive within his shadow and escape.
Elo took another step forward and had to look down to meet Shade’s defiant stare. It was a tense moment, seeing something larger than Shade, but then Elo began walking in a slow circle around the
year and a half old pup. He studied everything physically that Shade had to offer. The crowd was silent as Elo judged what he saw with his large brown eyes. He moved like a predator stalking his prey, but Elo’s eyes weren’t showing hunger.
Once he was finished with the inspection he walked back to Gerieg’s side and said “The pup is in good condition and is still growing. He looks to be well bred and is intelligent. Soon he will be as large as me.”
“Wait, what do you mean?” Shade said as he stood still in the middle of everyone. All his hackled hair was flat after listening to Elo’s observations. He was stunned to hear such a thing. “Are you saying I’m going to become a lord too?”
Gerieg spoke first “Do not ask so many questions right now, but already you can be considered a lord. Everything will be taught to you both in time. For now just wait. I have things that need to be discussed that are important.”
“Like?” Alex asked so that Gerieg could focus on him.
“You will know soon enough. Just trust me for now.”
He then looked passed the young Furion. “Allahandra, you are looking as stunning as ever after all these years. I’m sorry about the strenuous circumstances, but I need to speak with you about a sensitive subject.”
“No person who has any affiliation to the king will pass by me.” Rakkian stated adamantly while guarding the queen fiercely, axe brandished and ready.
“Well maybe this might help ease the situation!” Gerieg was unfazed from the general’s words as he pulled something from his pocket and threw it with perfect accuracy into Allahandra’s startled hands.
Her eyes widened as she stared at what she held. It looked like a gold coin, but her cheeks began showing moist streams. She touched the coin reverently. After a few moments of crying she looked up with red eyes. “Where did you get this from?” She held up the coin and it was worn, but an image of two lightning bolts going in opposite directions, under a storm cloud were engraved in the gold.
Gerieg smiled knowingly. “Before you were born and I guided Ra’van, your father and grandfather were of my dearest friends. There were only three of those coins ever made outside of the royal line, as a token of friendship, your grandfather gave that one to me.”
She unexpectedly took off her golden tiara and broke it between her hands.
Everyone gasped at what she had done. She dropped one golden piece to the ground and used both hands on the other half. She jerked another coin out of her tiara and it was a similar coin, but it wasn’t as worn. She now held a coin in each hand. Her dark and misty eyes turned back to Gerieg.
“My father once told me he had an old friend from Ra’van and if he should have a coin like this, I should treat him like family. I thought he was joking because they were only given to children of the royal line and those close enough to be called family.” She then threw the old coin back and Gerieg caught it, placing it back in his pocket. “Come inside my castle Lord Gerieg. It seems we have much to discuss.”
Gerieg shook his head slowly. “I’m sorry, but we do not have the time to sit and converse. Unfortunately we are on a tight schedule. We will talk out here.”
Alex didn’t have a clue as to what was going on, but Allahandra could hear the urgency in his voice. She rounded Rakkian without another thought to her situation and then passed Alex before they could process what was happening. Shade and Alex quickly caught up to her and the general wasn’t far behind, wearing a worried look streaking his features.
Everyone stayed put as they made a small protective triangle around Allahandra. Elo and the other’s backed away, allowing space for Gerieg to speak privately with the queen. She initiated the conversation. “What is going on?”
Being this close Alex could see Gerieg was shorter than himself, but the difference was of no more than a half inch. And his toned muscles were nearly twice the size of Alex’s despite the obvious age difference. He smiled handsomely before he began speaking.
“Actually we don’t need to rush, but the sooner my son is removed from his throne the more lives that will be saved. And the only way to do that is to train Alex in the old ways of being a Furion.” Gerieg glanced at the boy with a deadly serious look. “I can tell that you’ve been using your abilities, but you need guidance. If you don’t then you could seriously hurt yourself and die without the proper knowledge, Alex. To learn about yourself, you must come with me.”
His body went cold at hearing this. My episodes could kill me? Would those violent spasms actually rip me apart? Gerieg held the truth in his icy blue eyes and Alex was ignorantly using these senses without knowing what they meant; let alone know what they were doing to him. Alex knew the cost, but could they kill me? He already knew the answer.
Allahandra said “He might die? What does that mean?”
Gerieg then said “If he is not trained properly, his body will tear itself apart and he will most likely die if he does something incorrectly. I can see your worry for him. You’ve seen his tremors. Without training, his abilities will likely kill him. Why do you ask? Do you have claim of him?”
Already aware of the answer she said “Ya. He is my vassal and my rescuer. But if he is to remain healthy and strong I’ll have no choice but to allow him to train with you. I’m not pleased to send him somewhere, but if his safety is in jeopardy I’ll do whatever it takes to see him aided. I must ask for your word as my father’s and grandfather’s friend that you keep him safe and return him back once his training is completed.”
“You have my word, your highness.” He said in all seriousness.
“Very well, now continue with which you’re here to speak upon.”
“You will be getting a few visitors to your kingdom soon. Each of them will protect this city until Alex’s training is complete. Each one of them would lay down their lives for the sake of returning our lands to the way they used to be before Runkamon seized control. Some might be old men, but they are still strong and wise.” He lowered his voice so only they could hear what came next. “They will arrive here at the city gates. Your patrols will most likely not even know they have arrived inside Alluan’s boarders until they reveal themselves here at the city. They will give you three leaves of long grass and one that has been cut in half horizontally. That will tell you that they are a friend of mine and are of highest honor. If they give you grass of any other number or cut, kill them without hesitation.” He was serious. “If someone uses five leaves; that means my companion has been captured and tortured. They will give up all information they know, but the five leaves are a clue that my real friend is probably dead. Five leaves means they are a spy. Three and a half are friend.”
“I understand.” Allahandra said emotionlessly. “I will tell my border guards to do just that.” She looked at Alex, but only for a moment. “Lord Gerieg, how long will you be gone with Alex? Also when will you depart?”
Gerieg looked at him calmly and Alex returned with an even stare. “We need to depart immediately.” His grey eyes widened. “Alex, I know this is too sudden, but you must trust me. I will never intentionally harm you. Do you trust me?”
“Aye, but if your words become forked-tongued lies then I’ll do whatever it takes to get away, even if it means eliminating another of my kind.”
“Good, your mistrust will keep you alive. And as for your other question, Allahandra. It will take as long as it takes, but looking at Alex’s current level… I’d say he will need a year of intensive training.”
“A Year!” Alex shouted. “But I need to do what I can right now.”
Amusement flashed in the blue eyes. Gerieg was looking at him like he was still a child throwing a tantrum and he was going to calmly wait it out until Alex calmed down. “Really? You think you are capable of doing anything as you are? Well then how about I demonstrate how dangerous it is for you to remain unskilled? If my son found you he could easily do this.”
Gerieg turned and walked away. He walked straight up to Elo and they nodded for some reason. Suddenly Gerieg sli
d his left hand just under his partner’s ribs. Then something profound happened. He easily and completely lifted the Beran off the ground with one hand. Gerieg easily lifted well over six times his own body weight with a single hand and held Elo with perfect balance. His expression remained calm and neutral, even under the stress of lifting such weight. Then he slowly put his friend back down on his paws.
The surrounding crowd gasped at such a feat of strength.
Then Gerieg looked at Alex from twenty paces away and before he could even blink the older Furion stood less than a foot away from the younger one, a faint heat was radiating from his body. It was hard for Alex to wrap his mind around to first see Gerieg’s entire body at a distance and then to only see his relaxed facial expression blocking his vision in an instant later. Gerieg’s calm expression showed he was in complete control over himself.
Could I truly be like this? Could I achieve his control?
“As I’ve just demonstrated to you, Alex, you are unprepared for what lies ahead. As of right now you have no control. You rely on outside factors to use your abilities and let me guess...sometimes when you need to use your strength as a Furion, they fail you. And also when you don’t need them you still receive the strength. Am I right?”
He brought back the memories of Rakkian cutting Lily’s arm during the sparring exhibition and the time he shook uncontrollably after hearing that she had been raped by her master. Allahandra’s table will never be the same.
In a quiet voice he admitted “Aye, you are right... I now understand.”
He smiled and put a hand on the lad’s shoulder. “That is alright. Let me tell you something real quick. It took me three years after my abilities were fully realized to finish the training. At your level of development you have already completed the first year’s of Furion training.”
Those words did help. “Alright, how soon until we have to leave?”
He smiled gratefully. “Go and pack what you need. I will wait here until your return. But make haste.” His eyes were calm as he looked back at Allahandra. “My Queen, stay alive until Alex returns. When he does, I’ll show you the best strategies to defeat your enemy.”
He turned around and walked away. As he conversed with Kikren and the others, their group of four walked back to where everyone anxiously waited. While they walked Alex had to tell Shade what was said. He seemed both reluctant and ecstatic to leave with the new people. He had so many questions. He wasn’t alone.
Lily was the first to ask questions and Alex told her what was said. Her instantaneous reply was “Let me ride back to the castle with you.”
Not knowing how patient Gerieg is, they both jumped on Shade’s back and people moved away as they headed back to the castle. She didn’t like the part about hearing that he could die from using his abilities in ignorance. Lily was then a little too quiet on the ride back to the castle.
Once inside the castle Lily went straight to her room while Alex went to his. He grabbed his leather pack, stuffed four pairs of clothes and other necessities inside it. He also made sure that the three Xeal seeds were secured. He also added several new unscented soap cakes from the cabinet beside the bath and Shade’s brush was also stored in the backpack before it was closed. He then slid his sharpened knife in his pocket and was almost ready. He used the large and freshly watered ewer to help fill both water skins and looked at the room one last time. It would be a very long time before they would return to the city, if at all. Once Alex reentered the hallway, Lily was already packed and waiting.
“I’m coming with you. We didn’t express our love for each other last night just so I could watch you leave my side without me the very next day.” She smiled and he caved. She did have a point and he didn’t want to leave her either.
They arrived back to Gerieg and the crowd had grown further. Once on the inside of the circled perimeter they dismounted. Gerieg then calmly walked up to the three of them and looked pointedly at Lily. She seemed to slightly cringe under his icy stare. “Young lady, might I ask what you are doing?” He gestured to her full pack.
Everyone instinctively began backing up when he looked at them. This Furion wanted to have some privacy with them.
He finally blinked so she could take a breath to speak. “Wherever Alex goes, I go. And my name is Lily by the way.”
Gerieg’s jaw clenched as he sighed deeply through his nose. He looked between the young pair painfully. “Lily, do you love Alex with all you have? I have to ask.” He watched as her hand found his and they twined together. “I can see that you do.” He sighed heavily and shook his head.
“What is the problem?” Alex asked evenly.
“I wish I didn’t have to say this,” When he opened his eyes, he really didn’t want to. He looked to have aged ten years and pain streaked his expression. “but you cannot depart with us. Not even my aid can go where we are heading.” Lily’s hand only held tighter after hearing this. “When I look at the two of you I see myself and my wife from the past. I too wanted to take her with me, but my father had to show me so that I could understand why she couldn’t come with us. You see, if you followed us you will die.” Lily’s fair face paled and Alex’s did the same. His words were pained facts. “What you don’t know is that where we are traveling will kill any normal human who enters. Only Furions and the most powerful of fiends are naturally equipped to survive for what we will soon face. I’m capable of protecting Alex until he can fend for himself, but you’ll be a liability for the both of us. I can see you are a strong and willed woman, but even you would be killed in less than an hour. And that is only from finding the entrance. I beg of you, please reconsider…for Alex’s sake.” Gerieg glanced painfully at him for some reason. “He will need to know that you will be safe so he can return home to you. Please consider these words?”
Her beautiful face looked away from him and sought his. “Alex, is he lying to me?”
Alex looked into his eyes one last time. “I doubt it. And I’m getting the feeling that he is understating the danger for your sanity.” His blue eyes widened. “Whatever awaits me will be more difficult than I’ve yet to realize. But he says it will help me. If it will make me stronger and better able to protect others, how could I refuse his generous offer to help?”
She looked down at the road and asked “Lord Gerieg, could you please give us a few moments please?”
He placed a fatherly hand on her shoulder. “Of course, Lily. Just know, I’m glad Alex found a woman strong enough to keep him in line.” He grinned playfully down at the woman Alex loves. From the way he spoke it sounded like his late wife was also a strong woman too.
He walked away and they now had some privacy.
Lily’s voice softened to a timid nature. “If this is what you want, I’ll support your decision, but…”
“This isn’t a want, Lily. I don’t ever want to leave you, but I need to do this. I will do whatever it takes and do it as quickly as possible. I will be back to you as soon and humanly possible… or should I say as soon as a Furion can.” She smiled. “I will always come back for you and don’t forget that.”
Her shyness vanished and a hit of humorous cruelty took its place. “I’ll wait for you, but if you find another woman… there will be serious punishment dealt.” She grabbed the hilts of her swords meaningfully.
“Is that a promise!?” A grin spread across her face as she saw his smile.
“You better believe it. Let me give you something to look forward to upon your return.” She released her hold on her swords and she pulled him into another soul shattering kiss. Some people clapped while others gasped in shock.
When they pulled away he said “That was good, but you’ll get even more than that from me, when I come back.”
“Is that a promise!?” She shouted in an expectant voice.
Alex watched as Gerieg leapt inhumanly onto Elo’s back. It was as if Gerieg was weightless because it was an effortless leap from a standing still position. Sheer jumped down off her
perch just as Gerieg helped Kikren up. They were only waiting for him now.
Allahandra gave a quick hug and told Alex to come back as soon as possible and she’d wait to see the results of the training. Marlin grasped his wrist and told his friend to be safe. Niranene said she would keep an eye out for Marlin and Lily. And lastly General Rakkian playfully punched his good shoulder and said everyone would be safe under his axe.
Alex then watched as Shade said his goodbyes and some children cried. Shade put a stop to that with a lick to one little girl’s face. The children laughed from then on in because they didn’t want to be kissed next.
“Ready to go, Big Brother?” Shade asked reluctantly, periodically glancing at all those who he came to befriend.
“The sooner we start the training the sooner we can come home.”
Alex quickly jumped on his back with less grace than Gerieg showed. Elo turned around and began walking down the road without another word. Sheer took into the air and Shade followed, unsure on how to react to the pressure of leaving his friends.
The people of the city were wishing a safe journey and a hopeful return.
Just before leaving, Alex stole one last glance and saw only a moon goddess standing tall and proud. She would be waiting for his return the most.
Now Alex was off to begin the next part of his journey.
Be sure to follow Alex’s and Shade’s further adventure in:
Furion’s Trials
Be sure to read other books by this author:
Balancer’s Cycle
Balancer’s Soul
Changer’s Blood
Keeper’s Knowledge
Harmonizer’s Evolution
The Item Trilogy
Untamed Gift
Furion’s Trials
Ra’van
Death Incarnate Saga (Coming Fall of 2013)
The Grin of Prophecy
Familiar’s Ancient Throne
Laugh of Destruction
Ascension of the Warlock
Empress’s Endgame
Spirit Guide Saga (Coming Fall of 2014)
Star Pirate Legends (Coming Fall of 2015)
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