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

  Furion’s Trials (Book two of the Items Trilogy)

  Published by H. LeeMorgan at Smashwords

  Copyright 2012 H. Lee Morgan

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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  ISBN: 9781301454808

  To view Items Trilogy map and follow the journey go to smashwords.com

  Chapter 1

  Leaving ones new home, friends, family and true love is never a painless choice for anyone to decide upon. Though if you value your life, your friends safety and sanity, sometimes it is best to heed to the lifetime experiences of your elders who know what you are going through. In many cases they can save your life if you are ignorant about who and what you are. The old guide the young so that they have better opportunities to survive in this overly harsh world. Ignorance has always been the main cause of suffering and death.

  At least that is what Alex has been telling himself mentally over and over again as he followed completely total strangers.

  It was midday once again, but there wasn’t any way it would be the same as it was yesterday or the day before. Though the sun was high overhead and not a cloud hung in the sky Alex felt both excited and torn over the decision that was made. The wind blew in from the east, keeping the hot and stagnant summer air from suffocating the six of them. The nearby farms, houses and grassy clearing were silent as they made their way away from Royal City in Alluan. Though not a word had been said, his mind kept asking more questions than he could keep up with. In many ways it was disorientating having so much to think about and not be able to voice anything. But strangely enough the person with the most answers made Alex feel like he was home while also frightening him simultaneously.

  Shade and Alex continued to travel behind the mysterious people and fiends, who they’ve met only this morning. The foster brothers were being led somewhere so that Alex would be able to harness and hone his abilities properly or else he might die from another violent episode that is unpredictable.

  Though they stuck to the main road, that headed south from the city, Alex’s keen grey eyes kept wandering to the men who were leading the two of them somewhere they weren’t revealing.

  The man named Kikren remained impeccably attired in an expensive servant’s suit, but only until recently did Alex realize whom he served. Kikren was an older gentleman who looked to be in his sixties, but remained in fit condition. His calm and collective mannerisms showed how serious he took the position. Untarnished white gloves covered his hands that also hid a Freelan ring for some reason. Upon their first encounter in Trade city of Nicronane, he gave Marlin and Alex the new location of where to find Takka, but only now did Alex realize that Kikren knew more than he led them to first believe. His hair was grey and brushed back in a dignified manner and his mustache was trimmed and neatly ordered with only the most skilled precision that has taken years to be perfected. Though he doesn’t say or reveal too much, Kikren remains sly and cunning beyond all natural reason.

  Though the manservant sat behind his lord, the other man is a Furion like Alex.

  Lord Gerieg was a man in his mid-fifties by first glance, but his looks were superficial to what he was capable of. Long blond hair with gray strands tumbled across broad shoulders. His facial features were remarkably handsome and would still make young maidens swoon over him, but his icy blue irises would make them all faint in joy and pleasure. Though he wasn’t in the prime of youth anymore, Gerieg’s blue tunic did little to hide his overwhelming physique. He might only be an inch shorter than Alex, who already stood at six foot three, but his muscles far surpassed the younger Furion. Hidden from view was an ornate sword that hung from his left hip. Though his back was to the foster brothers and his deep red cape hid most of his figure Alex could see the sun’s reflection bouncing from one of the silver polished bracers that were clasped on each of his forearms. Finally, like Alex, Gerieg didn’t appear to wear shoes.

  Lord Gerieg and Kikren rode atop the hulking Elo, a massive fiend lord. Elo, like Shade, is one of the Big Three. Elo is a Beran. Though Shade is now slightly taller than his elder sibling, in shoulder height, Elo stands seven feet tall from the shoulder. Like Shade, he is among the saber class of fiend, but his right fang was broken in half just above the bottom of the jaw-line. Though he is cousin to the lion, Elo’s height, speed, strength and abilities far surpass his animal heritage. What is more astonishing is that Elo is three-and-fifty years of age.

  Alex looked up when a shadow suddenly crossed over the cloudless ground to see Sheer flying high overhead. She is a Fury, cousin to falcons, but standing on her talons she is nearly as large as a woman. She too is a fiend lord like Elo.

  Shade brought Alex’s attention back to the ground as he leapt over a stream.

  Locking his legs to Shade’s side to keep from falling off, Alex then realized Elo changed direction and headed toward the closest patch of forest. During all his many unspoken question Alex only recently learned just how far they’ve come.

  They’ve traveled leagues in complete silence yet to him it was the loudest it has ever been. Royal City of Alluan is surrounded by lush forests, but for beyond the several leagues of rich vegetation, in any direction, lays a landscape relatively empty of trees. It is a logical solution for the kingdom because of the constant attacks the city undergoes from King Runkamon. The open plains offer great maneuverability in a battle situation.

  Like his brother, Shade remained perpetually quiet, but followed behind Elo and left only five yards distance between them. It granted enough personal space between the two giants, but allowed room to carry on a comfortable conversation to whomever was the first to bravely break the silence. Even though Shade kept silent Alex could see how anxious he was in their present company. His pointed ears were up, alert and turned in the direction of the Beran lord. His head raised up high, looking dignified, and his muscles were somewhat tense and edgy because usually his movements are lithe and fluid. He was also excited, but not in a playful manner because Shade’s tail didn’t wag, but remained low and ready. His impenetrable coat of ebony glistened magnificently in the sunlight while the wind made the individual strands shimmer and dance.

  Shade was unsure on how to react to such a daunting creature.

  Alex’s left hand began cramping in realization that his grasp clutched the staff far too tightly. As Shade’s movements evened out and relaxed so too did his brother’s grasp of the weapon. As they closed the distance to the tree line Alex exchanged the Xeal staff to his right hand.

  Then as they silently entered the trees Elo picked up speed from a slow walk to an advanced trot. Though he wasn’t running, Alex was amazed how such an enormous creature could move so effortlessly in such dense foliage. Shade also saw the change in the Beran’s gait and matched pace with minimal effort. A sudden flapping sound forced Alex to look up and peer between the open spaces of the tree canopy to view Sheer rising higher above the greenery. Because of her size it would be impossible for her to fly below the canopy. Soon he lost track of her position as the forest thickened and blotted out most of the sky.<
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  “Don’t lose heart, Sheer can see better and further than any other creature in our world.” Gerieg broke the silence after all this time. Alex quickly tore his eyes from the canopy and realized that confident and intelligent blue eyes had been turned upon him. He then said calmly as Elo’s stride remained unchanged “Though we cannot see her, she, as a Fury, can spot us from many miles above the ground. Fury are the lords of the sky and she is one of the best I’ve ever known.”

  Alex nodded in recognition for his words, grateful for the break in silence. From the feel of Shade’s muscles, he too was privy to the conversation. Gerieg spoke for the two of them. Kikren only glanced at the brothers and revealed to Alex that he didn’t know what his master had said, but Kikren guessed quite well because he glanced up at the canopy and went back to looking forward again, while remaining dignified.

  Then Gerieg also turned forward and another silent streak ensued.

  For the next hour Alex tried starting up another conversation, but every time it proved futile because his thoughts were so jumbled that he just knew any initial speech would be ruined. Shade saw his brother’s troubles and felt the same way because his ears dropped and his tail sagged. Shade also tried to help, but his questions were also stunned and uncooperative.

  Then when the sun began its initial descent Shade made the first bold move he’s made all day. He doesn’t like it when he’s not in the lead or it is Alex leading, but anyone else taking that initial position annoys him greatly. Shade increased his speed slightly to match Elo’s. Shade’s movement finally had the desired effect, the three elder males finally looked over at them. They looked humored, but didn’t start another conversation.

  Even as Shade’s movements through the brush were dictated by Elo’s, all remained silent. Feeling insecure, Alex had opened his mouth, only to clamp it shut when another random question began to dance in his mind. Shade was in the same predicament. For all of their attempts to talk the elders only smiled.

  Just as the sun had begun to surrender to the western horizon, Elo startled them by saying “Very good, young ones.”

  His movements suddenly slowed to a slow walk. Shade matched it again while asking “What was good, Elo?”

  The giant feline came to a stop and turned towards the young pair, to have his passengers also face their direction. His deep and rich voice filled the silence of the fading daylight to say “I’m quite impressed with how the two of you remained silent though you were warring with yourself to ask us the many questions you have. Your patience will prove an invaluable ally in your future.”

  Alex smiled vaguely and felt a tickle in his throat, a sensation that allows him to know his voice changes so that he may speak with other creatures. “Elo, it wasn’t really patience. We didn’t know which questions to speak upon because there are so many. We don’t know if there are rules you have or if we say something that might anger you and you’ll be livid enough to attack us. We just don’t know.” Shade agreed by nodding his enormous head twice, seriously.

  “Though you both are still quite young, you are correct in what you say, though you do not need to fear our wrath.”

  A sudden movement caught their eye as Gerieg tossed his right leg over Elo’s back and dropped to the ground. He patted the Beran’s massive shoulder and said “It is alright my old friend. There is no need to become serious so soon. We have journeyed long and hard for so long that we must not forget our manners. You are as tired as I am and you haven’t eaten in four days. We will find a place for the night and I shall hunt for us all.” Then the icy blue eyes turned upon the young ones and his skin crinkled as he smiled genuinely. “Alex, Shade, there is a great deal that you will learn and we will discuss much, but it will take time for all to be revealed to you. I will be back later, but first I must hunt for my partner. He has carried me and my aid for the whole month, with very little rest. Will you help him by making a fire?”

  Shade turned his head and looked at Alex with one large golden eye. Alex nodded to him and said “We will do that, Gerieg. Would you like for Shade to help you in your hunt?”

  The older Furion shook his head slowly. “That will not be necessary.”

  Then he turned his face towards the tree canopy and brought two fingers to his lips to whistle into the sky. They were all silent for a few minutes until a sudden increase of pressure alerted them to a presence. Alex turned around on Shade’s back to see a large, dark form dart in their direction from the sky. Suddenly the shape expanded and he realized it to be Sheer. She dove between the trees like a phantom without making the slightest sounds. She was a skilled and deadly hunter and if they didn’t feel the soundless pressure she would have snuck up upon them without any warning.

  Sheer widened her expansive wings one last time as she entered their midst. With grace, the raptor extended her impressive talons and landed in the open space between both Shade and Elo. The entrance was both beautiful and impressive. Her streamlined figure turned upon Gerieg as her large wings tucked themselves upon her side. Her slightly curved beak opened as her rich and feminine voice said “You called for me, Gerieg?”

  He smiled while tucking his blonde and grey hair behind his shoulders. “Indeed, dear friend. We are going to call it a night. I wished to ask you a few questions.” Her head cocked to the side and he took that as a sign to continue. “Are we being followed and are there any people living close by?”

  “No, the humans that followed us out of the city were unable to keep up with the pace through the brush you set. As for human nests, I’ve seen three, but they are several leagues to our south.”

  “Good, we cannot have anyone following us, for their own safety. I wish Allahandra trusted me like her parents did, but she was so young when we last met under more pleasant circumstances.” Gerieg said and Alex wondered if his liege lord wanted to follow them. It wouldn’t be all that surprising because she sent him off so easily and his only companion and protector was his younger sibling. Gerieg glanced at Alex and then back to Sheer, realizing he was going off topic. “Sheer, during your flight, did you see any wild game in the nearby area?”

  Her voice picked up as she gladly said “Yes, there were wild boar and deer that wet my beak. Would you like for me to find them again and hunt them down?”

  “Aye, that will make things much easier. Go ahead and I’ll help you bring them back to our camp.”

  Without another word Sheer opened her wings, jumped and flapped. Before Alex knew it, she had cleared the treetops and began the hunt. Then she was gone.

  “Alex,” Gerieg said, gaining his undivided attention. “help Elo and Kikren find a clearing that we can all use for the night. I will be back just as soon as the hunt is over. We will eat and talk then. But I must ask that you don’t leave a trail for anyone to follow.”

  Knowing that he was serious about making Alex wait even more was irritating, but at least he was clearer about giving some answers. It would be childish to ask Gerieg to stay and foolish to ignore his power and experience. Alex nodded and said “Aye, I’ve waited nineteen years for an answer of any kind so I can wait for a few more hours.”

  For only an instant Gerieg looked away from the boy as pain flashed through his features, like Alex’s words had punched him in the stomach with all their strength. Then just as quickly he composed himself and looked at his aid. “Kikren, I’ll leave matters of comfort for you to decide upon.”

  “Have a successful hunt, my lord.” Kikren placed a hand over his sternum and bowed.

  The next thing Alex and Shade knew Gerieg looked at them for only a moment and disappeared.

  “What? Where?...” Shade said, looking everywhere. Alex was in the same sense of denial. How had a man suddenly disappeared? It happened again. Back upon their first encounter this morning he lifted Elo without any effort and put him down and then suddenly appeared, staring at him from an inch away. It was startling to see a man accomplish such a feat.

  “Easy young whelps,” Elo said while takin
g a step forward on massive paws. “Once your training is complete you will be aware of what your partner will be capable of and their speed will cease to be so dramatic. Look here.” Elo placed his paw beside a large hole that they just realized was there. “From how you and Alex reacted, I’m assuming you thought Gerieg vanished. You would be mistaken for in fact he just moved quicker that you were expecting. This recess is proof that he placed all his weight and strength on one foot and propelled himself into the trees, in that direction.”

  As Shade began walking forward to get a better look Alex dropped down into the grass to see it for himself. There was another sound of a landing and Shade saw that Kikren had also joined Alex and waited with a patient smile. Elo stepped back and allowed them to get a closer look at what had been written in the ground. In the small hole was a human footprint, like a perfect casting of Gerieg’s left foot.

  Alex looked in the direction of the foot placement and saw another print close to fifteen feet away, but it wasn’t as deep as the initial point of Gerieg’s exit. Making his way over, with Shade following, they recognized his right footprint. Alex’s voice tickled as he looked back at Kikren “How is this possible?”

  “Lord Alex, all shall be revealed in time. I’ve given an oath to my lord that I will in no way impede on any of his teachings for you. If you need something during our travels I can get it, but your training and studies as a Furion can only be issued by Lord Gerieg, Sheer and Elo. Respect his wishes so as to not displease him.” Throughout his short speech he remained calm and careful of his words, but wasn’t angry at being questioned.

  Without time to say that his words were careless and that Alex was sorry, Kikren turned around and began walking. Neither Elo or Shade could understand the conversation so they looked to Alex for some kind of clarification.