Renegade Rising (The Renegade Series) (18 page)

“Calm down, son. Please say you at least enjoy metal? We left you some copies of some of our personal favorites,” Moordin asked.

“Yes, I really do like metal! It’s great, it’s perfect! Especially this music player thing! The shape of it, it’s . . .” Rolce stammered on until Moordin put up a hand.

“Ok, I suppose you got the right one, Falcon. I’m glad to see you boys are enjoying our Renegade technologies. The outside world can’t even dream of some of the things we have come up with, every race working together. Like this music player right here. It’s a Sorian invention known as a Breeze Harmonic. Records as well as plays anything you wish, long as you record them on these diskettes,” Moordin said, picking one up.

“The sound is trapped within the air by some form of Soarian technique? Amazing . . . But we aren’t Soarians. How come we can power up this device?” Rolce asked. Moordin looked pleased this time at his subordinate’s curious mind.

“Same way the cleansing room and waste shoots work, an Aquarian creation. You see, mostly everything in here requires some sort of elemental essence to power it. All of this is powered by a central orb located right beneath the floor boards. Ah, here it is,” Moordin said, as he bent down where a trap door was camouflaged in the floor. With a quick tug, he revealed a swirling mass inside, constantly spinning like the dwarf suns they had seen earlier, except this kind had all the colors swirling within it. It was captivating to see red, yellow, blue and green swirl about in harmony.

“These handy little creations lie within every building around Heaven’s Shelter, giving us easy access to just about everything. We call it an Omni-Orb and thanks to it, we won’t need to call a Flarian just to turn on the fireplace. These power sources do have their limitations. They work only in buildings considered places of rest. We make the little necessities of life easy so we can instead spend our time focusing on our training. Don’t think for a second we built these devices for a life of luxury, although rest is an important part of training, as you will understand after your first day,” Moordin said as he and Falcon both smirked at each other. Gisbo had the funny feeling he was in for a world of pain.

“But for now, you two need to follow us as we . . .” Moordin bellowed before being interrupted by the presence of a woman in the doorway, dressed in Nazarite garb. She looked rather cross as she stormed up to Moordin and Falcon.

“So you thought it rather funny to ditch your share of the cleaning this morning, Moordin?” said the woman. Moordin’s stern features cracked as a worried look replaced it.

“But, honey, I . . .” Moordin stammered. The woman then turned her gaze on Falcon, who adapted the same fearful glance.

“This is all YOUR fault! He was doing quite fine this week in your absence and now he’s back to his old irresponsible self. You're nothing but a bad influence on him, you know that? Making him believe he’s back in his bachelor days, ducking out in the mornings to cause trouble with the likes of you,” the woman lectured.

“I . . . um, I don’t think I’m the only reason he . . .” Falcon stammered.

“Don’t interrupt me! Because of this fool next to you, the house wasn’t cleaned in time and I missed the opening ceremonies! I . . .” It was then the woman noticed Gisbo and Rolce standing there. Her angry features vanished immediately as her face flushed and a vivid smile blossomed across it.

“Oh my, are these . . .” she stammered.

“Yup, that’s them all right. Meet Gisbo and . . .” Falcon started to say.

“AH! There you go! Interrupting again! You need a woman in your life, Falcon. It would do you well to have some manners,” the woman said as Falcon and Moordin stood wearing guilty faces.

“Children, that’s all they are!” She turned back to the boys and her smile returned instantly. “We’ve been waiting for the two of you for quite some time. My name is Martha, the wife of your . . .” Martha turned around to face Moordin, who gave her a weak smile, before turning back to Rolce, “ . . . useless Class Master. Should you ever need to know anything about the way of a proper Nazarite, look no further, boys. Now! Before anything else, this room needs to be spic and span. It has been quite some time since anyone’s lived here and the dust is horrid! Cleaning supplies are in that cupboard and . . . WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING?” Martha shouted to Falcon who was almost out of the doorway. Falcon stopped and turned around with a sheepish grin.

“Get back in here! You can help too! This place needs to be cleaned before any boons are allowed in this home,” Martha said as Falcon and Moordin begrudgingly began gathering the cleaning supplies from the cupboard. Gisbo and Rolce did all they could to hide their laughter as they began scrubbing down the place.

“What are boons?” Gisbo asked.

“That’s what I was trying to explain. We will . . .” Moordin started.

“We will talk about it AFTER this place is cleaned,” Martha said as she shuffled Moordin and Falcon along, handing Gisbo and Rolce cleaning tools as well. The cleaning went by quicker than they figured it would, even though Gisbo thought there had been nothing wrong with it before. He wasn’t about to tell Martha that though.

“Good job, all of you. I’m going to add some final touches to the room for the boys, so have fun and good luck with your search!” Martha said with a smile.

“Search?” Gisbo asked as Falcon and Moordin quickly pushed him and Rolce out the door, not wanting to get Martha talking again. When they made their way down the stairs and out of earshot, Falcon laughed.

“Oh, Moordin, that girl's got a chain around you as long as she can reach. You really chickened out back there. You gotta man up sometimes!” he said. Moordin’s eyes widened.

“What? Me? I, I CHICKENED OUT!? Well, I didn’t see YOU telling her off; you’re not even married to her! I don’t have a choice!” Moordin argued.

“Hey, I can’t insult my best friend's wife! Just be a man and lay down some ground rules,” Falcon said.

“What? Lay down ground rules? Ok, well, guess what? I give you full permission to say what you will and get me some of those ground rules. Go on, march up there. She’d love to hear what you have to say. Go ahead, man up!” Moordin challenged. The boys were laughing uncontrollably by this point, as they watched Falcon looking back up at the tree house.

“Alrighty then, the reason we came. I think now is a great time for you both to meet two more members of our Synergy,” Falcon said as he and Moordin looked at each other and smiled. They both raised a fist into the air as their rings began to glow, Falcon’s red, Moordin’s green.

“Akila!” Falcon shouted.

“Norse!” Moordin shouted too.

There was a sudden burst of green and red light and two animals appeared out of nowhere. On Moordin’s shoulder sat a great black hawk that screeched loudly and on the ground to Falcon’s right sat a powerful tiger that gave a sudden roar.

“It seems they have introduced themselves already. These are me and Falcon’s Boons . . . excuse me?” Moordin said, listening as his hawk squawked something. “I’m sorry,
Falcon's and my
Boons. Norse very much likes to correct bad grammar,” Moordin said, as he patted its head.

“Wait, you can talk to it?” Rolce asked. Moordin looked at his personal subordinate with shame.

“Of course! I am Naforian after all, just like yourself! Each race has their own personal quirks and talents. This is just one of a Naforian’s, the ability to understand animals. Many people like to say, ‘speak’ to animals, but they know so little. Animals can already understand what we say to them, however, they communicate through the expression of feelings, motions and sometimes mental telepathy back and forth to each other. Some like to argue that their sense of understanding and communication greatly surpasses us humans, as they do it in a way that is indistinguishable by tone of voice, leaving no room for error or misinterpretation. I have to agree.” Norse seemed to nod in agreement.

“Hm,” Rolce exclaimed.

“You have not heard an animal speak to you, Rolce? I should think after our careful planning, placing you on a farm, that you would have at least heard one by now? This farm experience should have taught you to be one with the earth, to learn how it works and grows and to communicate with its creatures. This is a Naforian’s duty. Not even one voice whatsoever?” Moordin asked, with an air of disappointment.

“I thought I heard voices a few times while I was in the barn, when I felt lonely and was working hard. I thought it was just my imagination,” Rolce stammered. Moordin at least felt it was a passing answer.

“They were probably offering you their companionship and help in your chores. I suppose since one now knows the truth, one will keep their ears open, right?” Moordin suggested pointedly. Rolce nodded.

“Now, not every Naforian can understand animals just as some Naforians can only make elemental stones glow and nothing more. It all depends how much of the essence is contained within you. This is why you must be Renegade born and tested at birth to see if you contain the amount of essence required for Renegade training. Not everyone is cut out to be a Renegade. It is the highest of honors to be accepted within our ranks and such is the same for animals who wish to become Boons.

“Also, understand that Boons are not sidekicks, they are not servants, they are not pets. You and your Boon are and will become mutual companions for as long as you both survive on Thera. Every Boon is different, just as every person is different. The Boon is born out of the human’s need for inward guidance, just as they need outward direction based on your personalities, gifts and potential. They are a reflection of your inner self just as you are a reflection of their attributes. They are a part of you, destiny chosen, born immediately when you come of age and find yourselves in need of one. Which was a few months ago for the two of you. The forests and jungles of Heaven’s Shelter act like a homing beacon to potential Boon animals who travel from all across Thera to come here. Day after day, new animals make their way exactly when they are needed. Do you understand thus far?” Moordin asked. Both boys nodded in agreement.

“Very well, the time is come for you both to journey into the forest and discover for yourself your own personal Boon. They are both out there, waiting for you. What they are I cannot say, but you will recognize them the moment you see them, just as they will recognize you. Once discovered, they will constantly remain by your sides during the term as you raise them personally. Upon your Renegara training and after gaining your Boon’s friendship within the first term, we will begin teaching you how to unlock the secrets within them. Rolce should be able to help you get acquainted with yours, Gisbo, should he quit slacking in his Naforian duties and learn to understand his animal friends,” said Moordin as he eyed Rolce. The boy gulped a little, trepidation lingering from Moordin’s cold gaze. Falcon shook his head and let out a sigh at his friend’s seriousness.

“I just can’t remember if you were always like this or if it was Martha that quelled the fun in you,” Falcon gibed. Moordin shot him a dirty look and then turned back to the boys.

“I wish you both best of luck. The barrier is now active. You will not be able to return to your hut for the night until you find your Boon. Believe me, you will need your rest come the first day of the week,” Moordin said, wearing the same smirk as before.

“Barrier? Are you serio . . .” Gisbo couldn’t finish the sentence as he walked towards Moordin. He slammed his face against the barrier and the air flashed yellow, emitting a wooing noise. It was then Gisbo saw Foxblade appear out of nothingness in his usual fashion and flash a wink. It was obvious now to Gisbo who had contrived the barrier.

“Don’t even think you will be able to sprint parallel to it and escape this barrier. It will constantly lay right here, following your every movement along this invisible plane. Hurry up now. Come nightfall is the animals feeding time and should you not have a Boon to tell them off, they may mistake you for food,” Foxblade said in his scary tone.

“What? Oh come on, this is crazy! We just got here and we could be lion food on the first night? Stupid, stupid . . .” Gisbo said, as he kicked the barrier over and over again. Foxblade just shook his head. Falcon gave him a wink and with that the class masters walked away without another word.

“Wait! I . . . I didn’t mean that! Come back! What if we don’t make it in time?” He turned to Rolce. “Well Nafawhatever boy, looks like you're gonna have to tell off those animals if we don’t make it,” Gisbo said, rather perturbed.

“Didn’t you just hear him? Animals can understand us, Naforian or not. It’s just I can understand them and translate, nothing more. I doubt they’d listen to us anyway if they were hungry enough and . . . what are you doing?” Rolce asked, a little annoyed as Gisbo continued to run back and forth along the barrier wall, jumping forward, left and right, trying to escape and constantly slamming himself into the barrier. Gisbo cursed over and over as he kept falling to the ground.

“Did you not just hear Foxblade? He said the barrier will FOLLOW you! Do you know what follow means?” Rolce muttered, as if talking to himself. Sure enough Gisbo continued, now walking very slowly away, then spinning around to jump, as if to catch the barrier by surprise. He only fell to the ground once more with a slew of fresh curses. Rolce walked over and grabbed Gisbo by his scarf to drag him along.

“Come on, stupid, we're wasting time!” Rolce said, sounding a little worried himself as a bear stared at him through some bushes.