Twenty minutes later found the group aloft, the shaman and Vander having found spaces in the sleeping quarters and the kitchen to sit. Kalla found it strange to have the War Mage back in a human form, She had grown quite fond of the frost wolf form.
Vander was tense, his mind a flurry. He sat in the back, fretting over what the change may mean for him. Kalla wished she could help him. She stood, thinking to go speak with Vander face to face. A flash of blue and a startled roar drew attention to the window.
A pair of small, blue-scaled wyvern chased Amaterasu, darting around her larger form and stinging her with blasts of ice. Kalla had the sneaking suspicion that these frost wyvern were still spiked and under the influence of the kepfal. One of them broke off, turning its attentions to the ship.
The frost wyvern had slightly stockier bodies than Amaterasu, and blunt clubs at the end of the tail. Two tapering horns swept back from the head and their muzzles were rounded, blunter than the fire wyvern, but they still sported the sensitive barbels common to many of the dragon-kin.
Kalla started to pull down the gunner's scope, then changed her mind. There was no need for the wyvern to die. If she could free them from the spikes, then they should be fine. Ignoring Aleister's questioning thought, she watched the blue blurs out the window. She was going to have to time this perfectly. Kalla tensed, bracing herself and teleported.
“Kalla!” rang back to her from both magisters in tones ranging from furious to terrified, and then she was free-falling through the air. She was right in front of one of the frost wyvern and she reached out, clamping down on the leather armor covering the beast's neck.
The mage had a brief moment to wonder why a wyvern might be wearing armor before the beast figured out she was there and slung its head from side to side trying to dislodge her. Leather creaked and groaned, then she found herself flung free, but she snatched at the beast's muzzle as she went past and managed to latch onto one of the barbels. The wyvern started to draw in a breath to freeze her, but she swung her legs around and gripped the muzzle with both hands and feet. Using the Healer's gift, she paralyzed its jaws. The wyvern's eyes widened and it swallowed the freezing breath, letting out a plume of frosty air from its nostrils.
“Good. Now that I have your attention, I know that you can understand me. I'm going to climb up to your neckplates. At any time I will have a hand on you. If you try to throw me off again, I'll paralyze more than your jaws. Understand?”
The wyvern nodded slightly, fear warring with rage in its ice blue eyes.
Kalla began to climb up the neck, using the leather armor to aid her, but always keeping contact with the wyvern's scales. All of her concentration was focused on getting up that she nearly let go in shock when a hand reached down and grabbed her arm. The mage looked up, startled to find that the frost wyvern was carrying a rider. The man's face was wrapped with a black cloth to shield it from the wind and all she could see of him was a single eye that shone with an odd reddish glint in the light. He hauled her up in front of him, putting her exactly where she needed to be.
“What the bloody hells are you doing?” the rider growled in an Arkaddian accent.
Kalla frowned. Why would an Arkaddian be riding a rogue wyvern? Up close, she could see that he was wearing soft black clothing that concealed the rest of his body. The hilts of twin swords peeked over his shoulders. She scowled and set about looking for the spike.
“I could ask you the same thing. Why are you assaulting my companion and my ship? Do magi no longer have Pass Right in Arkaddia?” she snarled back.
“We did not know a mage traveled on the ship. We were given orders to take it down,” he replied slowly.
“And are you also going to tell me you don't know about this either?” Kalla asked. She had cut loose the leather armor and found the scale hiding the spike. She shifted so that the rider could see it, and his muffled gasp told her that he hadn't known.
Kalla gestured for him to come up closer beside her. “I want you to pull this out, while I heal the wound behind it. It's what made the wyvern insane to begin with. The one traveling with us had one also.”
The man nodded and reached for the pin. He drew it out slowly, causing the beast to shudder and whimper beneath them. Finally it was free and he investigated it as Kalla sealed the wound and smoothed the scale back down.
“What is this..?” he asked.
“It is called kepfal. The wyvern and other creatures who've been attacking the cities have been spiked with it.
“Al'dhumarna wakes. It is he that caused the storms over your lands. And it was I that dispersed them. The spikes have allowed the Nagali to speak to them, to control them.” Kalla replied.
“The Nagali wakes..?” the man whispered. “Wait, you stopped the storms? The other mage who came to the Khan's court said it couldn't be done.” He looked over at the other wyvern and rider who had left off harassing Amaterasu and now flew beside them. He made a gesture and the wyvern swooped, diving for the ground.
Kalla risked a glance downward, just as the man pushed her down along the wyvern's neck. He leaned forward also, pinning her down and then their own mount was diving for the ground in a dizzying sensation that brought the mage's heart into her throat. The wyvern pulled out of its dive, leveling off near the ground and she saw that they'd traveled all the way to Karokorum.
Kalla grinned, laughter bubbling up from her throat. She wondered if Amaterasu would be so obliging as to let her fly like that again.
Unsettling though, were the number of people amassed before the city. Yerts spread out in concentric circles around the city, neatly organized. The entirety of the Arkaddian nation was gathered together, for the first time in a very long time. Clans put their feuds behind them at the Khan's call. It was an army of considerable size, even with the families factored in.
Kalla was shocked to see that there were other frost wyvern in the encampment. The Khan controlled at least seven of the creatures. Backwinging, their mount landed gracefully on its hind legs and dropped down on its wingclaws to let them slide off. Nearby Amaterasu landed and fluttered over to her. She hissed menacingly and the smaller wyvern backed away with a snort.
They did not hurt you, did they, Lady Kalla? Amaterasuu hissed again as the wyvern rider came over to her.
“Easy, Amaterasu. I'm fine. These wyvern are just like you were. They need our help,” Kalla soothed.
“Are they all like that?” the Arkaddian asked as he unwound the head covering, revealing a face that was handsome despite jagged scars. One eye was a milky white, seeing nothing. The other did indeed have hints of red in it, being a rich mahogany color. Kalla judged him not much younger than herself. For some reason he seemed vaguely familiar.
“My name is Kasai, by the way. Of the Khan's Harriers.”
Kalla gave him a gruff nod, impressed despite herself. She knew what the Harriers were- the elite guard of the Khan Arkaddia. Hunting hawks sent to gather information, and occasionally to carry out assassinations. Kalla's eyes narrowed, remembering the reason Aleister had been slated for execution in the first place.
“Kalla kyl'Solidor,” she replied. “Yes, there are most likely spikes hidden under the armor of each of the remaining wyvern.”
“Thiassi said to thank you. He said that he feels more clear-headed now and that he remembers those who came to spike his clan. Will you do the same for the rest? If they really are being controlled by Al'dhumarna, then I have a bone to pick with that mage,” Kasai growled out.
“Let me guess? A bit on the chubby side, Rang'moori, kinda cold and aloof?” Kalla asked.
“That would be him. Do you know him?” Kasai replied.
“Unfortunately, all too well. Grosso was the Master of House Solidor, our Tem', but he was corrupted by Al'dhumarna. He fled the Kanlon at the Solstice Celebration,” Kalla said.
“He has come here off and on the past few months, at one point bringing the wyvern. It would be around the Solstice that he came to stay permanently. H
e says he is serving as an 'advisor' to the Khan, but he is filling Lord Nobunaga's head with foolish ideas. Like invading Rang'moori. And teaching vykr warriors to ride flying beasts. We are Plains warriors!” Kasai exclaimed.
Behind him, Thiassi whimpered, nudging the Harrier in the back, clearly unhappy. Kasai turned his attention to the frost wyvern, speaking in a gentle, placating tone. Despite his gruffness, and declarations against flying, it was clear the Harrier cared for his wyvern companion. Nearby the Stymphalian came to ground
No sooner than the ship had settled down, than the occupants came swarming out. Both magisters stalked towards her wearing identical pinched expressions. Tension radiated off of them.
Kalla was beyond surprised that it was Vander who reached her first. His mane was fluffed to its extent, so angry was he. He grabbed her shoulders.
“What in the hells were you thinking? You could have been killed!” Fury blazed in the Dashmari's blue eyes, but beyond that Kalla could see that he was sincerely concerned. She twitched a smile and then couldn't help but laugh, softly at first, but building. Vander's ears twitched uncertainly.
“Why are you laughing?” he asked with a frown. He took a step back, unease replacing the anger. Kalla reached up and put her hands to his face.
“What are you doing?” She turned a question back on him.
“I'm being angry because you almost killed us all!” he bit out, baring his long canines as the anger rushed back.
Behind him, Aleister finally caught on to what she found so funny and laughed himself, his own anger melting away.
“Vander, you're challenging me,” Kalla said, low and solemn, though mirth still danced in her eyes.
Vander stiffened and tried to pull away from her, a hint of fear filtering through the bond. He tried to turn his head, but the healer's hands kept him facing her.
“I'm sorry, Dashkele. Please forgive me,” Vander said, ears drooping, shoulders hunched.
“There is nothing to forgive. I am proud of you for doing such a thing. It means that you are no longer the least of the wolves. You are no longer omega, if you are willing to challenge me,” Kalla said. She released him and the War Mage stumbled back, a stunned look on his face. Aleister slapped him on the shoulder on his way to sweep Kalla in a hug.
“Well, I can't say much after that. Just, please don't do anything so rash again, okay? We are here to protect you after all,” Aleister whispered.
“I'd be lying if I made that promise, but I will try. I was never in any danger though. If I wanted to teleport back to the ship all I needed to do was focus on either you or Vander and I would go right to you. Not nearly as difficult as teleporting out in the first place!” Kalla said.
Aleister merely wrapped her in a tighter hug and sighed. He let her go with the mental muttering, “Again, I see why they wanted you to have a Magister.”
Kalla relieved Aleiter of the staff and Quill case he carried and turned her attention to where the shaman were now talking with Kasai. Beside her, Aleister stiffened.
“You! I know you! From Sevfahl,” he said in an accusing tone.
Kasai turned back to the pair with a slight grin. The Harrier had known his little scapegoat would have been on the ship the moment he'd seen it. The appearance of the suicidal mage had clinched his suspicions.
Kasai had been ready to turn the wyvern around and return home to report these new developments when Kalla had decided to go on a sky-diving trip. He was very thankful that they had not destroyed the ship as ordered, since two Arkaddian shaman were aboard
Shukke and Komugi must have been desperate to have traveled in the ship. Kasai had also been astounded to learn that not only had it had been Kalla herself who had cleared the storms, but she who had healed the land as well. Surely Nobunaga would listen to her instead of the Rang'moori mage. With a relieved chuckle, he turned back to Aleister.
“You're still alive, aren't you? And just think, where would you be now if you hadn't ended up in the Inferno?” Kasai asked, a sly look dancing across his features.
Aleister scowled at him a moment, then the magister's face relaxed into an easy grin of his own.
“Fair enough. All's well that ends well. But why were you in Sevfahl to begin with?” Aleister asked.
Kalla gave the Harrier an attentive look as well. Kasai's lip curled up.
“I was ordered to assassinate the Lord Governor of Sevfahl for reasons I do not know. I suspect that the order actually came from the Rang'moori mage, rather than being Nobunaga's own idea. After all, why would the Khan care about the goings on of a skycity? But orders are orders and I am bound to follow them unless I can give a very good reason why not. Like now,” Kasai replied.
Kalla turned her attention back to her main concern, that of the wyvern.
“Kasai, can you have the other wyvern riders bring their mounts to the Stymphalian two at a time. The sooner we free them, the better. Vander and I can do the healing, if you and Aleister pull the pins out. The riders can keep the mounts calm. Are all of the wyvern riders Harriers?” she asked.
Kasai nodded and whistled sharply, two short notes followed by two long. He repeated it, with three long and one short at the end. Two wyvern responded to the call, fluttering over to the ship. One was the second who had assaulted the ship. The other was a huge bull wyvern, battle-scarred and wary. He was almost as large as Amaterasu.
Kasai explained what the Mage had discovered and showed the riders the spike taken from Thiassi. The riders obediently slipped down, taking up places by the wyvern's heads. Kalla stepped up to the bull wyvern as he grudgingly sank down to allow her and Aleister to climb up. Nearby, Vander and Kasai did the same with the other frost wyvern.
Kalla unlaced the straps holding the leather armor down and searched for the pin. Beneath her the bull wyvern shifted, irritated. Finding what she sought, she gently prised the scale back and let Aleister pull the pin free, as she healed the wound behind him. The wyvern growled, a deep bass sound and, as she smoothed the scale back down, he reared up, bugling. Twisting his sinuous neck around, the wyvern fixed them with a piercing ice-blue eye.
I am Baal, leader of the Rus Akkad. I thank you, for freeing me. You will do the same for the others?
“Of course,” Kalla replied. Baal nodded, as they slipped down from his shoulders. He looked to where the others were clustered.
Once we were many. Now there are only us seven left. My clan is gone, destroyed. The wyvern's mind-voice was sad. He allowed his rider to climb back up, and fluttered away as Kasai called two more of the wyvern over.
Kasai ran a hand over his face, as the last of the wyvern flew back into camp.
“I am going to be in a great deal of trouble over losing the mage his slaves, but in this I am sure the Khan would agree. I hope.” He turned to Kalla. “What will they do now?”
“Some may still stick around. If Baal stays, they all likely will,” Kalla replied.
“Well, we might as well go and get this over with,” Kasai said.
Kalla followed the Harrier as he began to walk towards the great Palace, one of the few stationary buildings in Karokorum. Aleister, Vander and the shaman fell in beside her. From Aleister she felt tension. His first foray back into his homeland since he'd left and he was smack in the heart of it. The mage was fairly certain that no one would recognize him. After all, he'd left when he was twelve. Still, he was wary as a wild sabretooth amongst wolves. From Vander, there was only curiosity. Of all the places the War Mage had traveled, Arkaddia hadn't been among them and the central city of Karokorum was a wonder to behold.
The Arkaddians were a nomadic people, following the vykr herds across their vast territory and establishing tent cities at certain locations during certain parts of the year. Winter was traditionally spent by the Khan and his immediate circle here at Karokorum. The Palace had been built by the first Khan Arkaddia, many generations ago. It and its outbuildings and storehouses were the only stationary buildings in this highly mobile society.
Tribute from the clans was sent here, to the Palace, where it was redistributed as needed by the Stewards, the only Arkaddians to actually spend their whole lives in one place.
The Palace itself, built of red granite, loomed before them. Giant statues of Celestial Hounds flanked the entrance, iridescent pearls of zarconite clenched between half-open jaws. Under the right paw of the left Hound was an orb, shaped like a closed flower bud. Under the left paw of the right Hound was a pup on its back.
As the group entered, they were greeted by the Seneschal, a whippet thin Sveldtlander dressed in robes similar to the shaman, but of a gray color. His long, raven-colored hair was pulled back in a loose tail, a marked change from how most of the Plains people wore their hair. Kasai bowed to him.
“Master Ari, we must see the Khan. It is important,” he said. The Seneschal took in the group, noting the magi and the shaman. A shadow passed over his face, a look of puzzlement that passed as quickly as it had come, yet Kalla knew what he was thinking. He was wondering where the second magister was. Ari nodded slowly.
“If it were any but you, Kasai, I would say no. Follow me,” the Seneschal said. He started to turn away, then turned back. “I… know you,” he said, looking to Kalla.
“Yes, Master Ari. I was here with Lord Hauss, during the plague,” she replied.
“Thought so.” Ari turned away again, striding down the corridor. Kasai shook his head in disbelief and followed after the Seneschal. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised that Kalla had been here before. If she had met Ari, then she had met the Khan. Hopefully he would remember as Ari had and that would give weight to her words.
Ari stopped before another doorway and motioned for them to stay put. He pushed aside the cloth covering and slipped inside. There was a soft murmur of conversation, and then Ari's voice, calling them inside.
Khan Arkaddia
Karokorum, Arkaddia. Evalyce. Year of the Mythril Serpent, 2014 CE
Kalla blinked, letting her eyes adjust to the dimmer light. An older Arkaddian male, reddish-brown hair streaked with grey, sat at a desk working on papers by lamplight. Shelves upon shelves of books lined the small room giving it a cluttered, chaotic appearance. Kasai went to one knee before the desk, head bowed, as did the shaman and Aleister. Kalla and Vander followed the gesture smoothly, though as magi they did not have to.
Lady of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 2) Page 3
