“I give this offering to the Lord of Illusion, an offering given with all my heart and all my love. Great One, I ask that you join us tonight, in our celebration of joy and happiness,” she said, pouring an offering of the fermented vykr milk into the cup and placing it with the other offering bowls. She caught 'Auric's' eye and he gave her a slight nod, twitching a faint smile.
“I thank you, Lady Kalla. I am honored,” his wintry voice gusted through her mind. She returned the nod with a slight one of her own, the exchange being noticed only by Shukke. She moved off the dais to take her place with the drummers. One hawk handed her a shoulder drum, while another turned over the great drum's second set of strikers. Kalla tapped her leg, recreating the twining chimes. She had undone them before they had traveled out into the plains to meet Araun. She walked over to Kasai and recreated his chimes as well. He flinched, but didn't startle has he had earlier.
The pair took up their places as Shukke told of their journey, and the gift of the Hounds. When the shaman finished his speech the crowd sat hushed and still, expectant. Into this silence Kalla struck the first notes of the Song. Kasai picked up his part and they were off, strikers whirring a blur as they each worked their drums. While they played they manipulated the chimes, shaking their leg or stamping their foot as needed. Kalla swayed gently as she worked, letting the rhythm of the piece hypnotize her.
Many minutes later they simultaneously slammed their strikers into the great drum. As they struck the final notes thunder cracked across the cloudless sky, the deep reverberations singing through her bones. A faintly lavender scented wind rippled through the crowd and Kalla inhaled deeply. If she had to wager a guess, she'd say that they'd been successful. There was a moment of stunned silence, then rousing applause greeted their performance. She and Kasai walked to the fore, flanking the altar table and bowed deeply to the crowd, to another round of applause.
Many were on their feet, the Khan among them. Nobunaga threaded his way to the table. A Harrier laden with a thick, bundled pelt met him. With a bow, the hawk laid the parcel down and departed.
“Well played Lady Kalla, Master Kasai. This is a night that will be told of for years to come, of the new Song and of the mage who could drum with the best of the Harriers. I am most impressed.”
“Thank you, my Lord,” Kalla murmured. Kasai echoed the thanks.
“You should go get ready, Lady Kalla,” Nobunaga said. “Kasai, join Lord Auric if you will.”
Before Kasai left, the Healer gently gripped his arm, willing their chimes to disappear. The hawk gave her a grateful look before going to join Araun. Kalla followed Shukke off to the side, out of the sight of others, though they still had a view of the dais. As they watched, the elder shaman helped her slip out of her mage's robes and into those she would wear for the handfasting.
The new robes, a rich green edged in silver, brought out the color of her eyes, turning them to emerald fire even in the dim light. Though she didn't change her tunic and pants, she did slip her sandals off. She dug her toes into the thick loam, sighing at the feel of healthy, thriving earth.
From the dais, Nobunaga called Aleister forward. He and Vander had joined the others after Kalla had left. The Fox cut a handsome figure in his own new clothes. He wore a dark royal purple robe with gold edging, belted with his thin black belt. He wore a much looser pair of black pants that belled at the bottom, brushing the top of his bare feet.
“Magister Aleister, it was you who slew Crookfang, the Ghost of the Plains.” The Khan gently unrolled the pelt and lifted out the jinshin that had been crafted from the longtooth's claws and the crooked sabertooth. “Let this jinshin replace the old, that you may always remember that great courage.”
Aleister started to remove his own jinshin, peeking through the front of the robes, then changed his mind. He said something in a low voice to the Khan, then accepted Crookfang's jinshin. The magister left the dais and approached the table where Araun, Vander, and Kasai sat with the Seneschal.
“Rise, my brother,” Aleister said. Kasai did so warily.
“You should have this, brother. You risked much and lost all to help me, to help us. For that I thank you.” Aleister reached up and slipped the jinshin over his brother's head. Kasai met his eyes, fingers brushing against the crooked tooth.
“Why would you give me this? It is the prize of any hunter, a jinshin of great power,” the hawk asked. The Fox chuffed a soft laugh.
“As I said, brother, you risked much to help me. Without you, neither Vander nor I would still be alive. I would honor that sacrifice with the greatest thing I have to give,” he said.
Kasai stared at him a moment more before giving him an ever so slight bow.
“I thank you, brother. I will wear it with honor,” the hawk replied. He settled back into his seat, a faintly puzzled look on his face, as Aleister returned to the Khan.
“That was well-chosen, warrior. Very well chosen. There are many who would never have been able to part with such an earning,” the Khan said.
Nobunaga lifted another item from the pelt, a beautiful dagger made from the second sabertooth. The hilt was wrapped in black vykr leather, bound with thin gold and silver wire, a small zarconite embedded at the base. Tiny spirals had been etched into the smooth ivory of the tooth, and a faint serration had been added to the inner curve.
“Second of the gifts of Crookfang, the dagger from the remaining tooth.”
The Khan reverently handed the knife to Aleister, but here again the Magister hesitated. He spoke more soft words with Nobunaga and once more descended the dais to the Khan's table, this time approaching Vander.
“Rise, my friend.”
Vander rose smoothly to his feet, velvety ears twitching in curiosity.
“You should have this Lord Vander. You didn't just 'nearly' lose your life trying to help me, you did lose it. For that sacrifice on my behalf, I most humbly thank you.” He turned the dagger over to the War Mage, who accepted it gracefully.
“I merely did what was necessary. However, I would be honored to carry this dagger,” Vander said. Aleister gave him a nod and returned to the dais.
“Again, well chosen, warrior. Last, but not least, the gifts of Crookfang end with the very pelt of the mighty longtooth.” Nobunaga unfurled the huge pelt. It was already tanned, cleaned and ready for use, no doubt thanks to the shaman's influences.
The pelt was beautiful. A silvering mane, a body furred in short pale fur whose spots were all but gone. Scars covered the pelt, mirroring the scars to be found upon any of the Arkaddian warriors. Aleister gently took the pelt from the Khan with a murmur of thanks and a deep bow.
At more soft words from Nobunaga, Aleister rolled the pelt up and carried to where Vander sat. He handed it over to the War Mage for safekeeping, and Vander chuckled softly at the Fox's increasing nervousness. The Dashmari had waited until just before the feast began to tell him what it was really for.
Aleister shot him a disgruntled look that only served to make Vander laugh harder, and coaxed smiles from Auric and Kasai. His brother gave him a look that said he was clearly enjoying the Fox's predicament. Not that Aleister wasn't thrilled, but a little more warning would have been nice. At least he wouldn't have to feel guilty or hide his feelings any longer.
“Laugh it up, furball. I'll have plenty of time to pay you back,” Aleister muttered.
Vander stifled more laughter. The magister was surprised at the Dashmari's playfulness. He was a far cry from the person they had met at the Kanlon. His tie to Kalla had freed him to be who he truly was, and his week's stay at the Palace had started to fill him out. Though still thin, the War Mage carried himself with a confidence lacking before.
“You can try, Dashtela,” he said with a grin. The Fox scowled at him, earning genuine laughter from Auric and Kasai. He sighed and gave up the losing battle. Running a hand nervously through his hair, Aleister made his way back up to the dais, passing Nobunaga as the Khan made his way back to his group. As they cros
sed paths the Khan gave him an encouraging nod and the Fox groaned inwardly. Had the whole Palace known, except him?
Koumugi was waiting for Aleister and when the magister reached the dais he pressed Kalla's ring into the Fox's hand with a slight grin. Aleister ran his thumb over the fox head as soft flute music started up, joined by the slow mellow sound of a single ground-drum. He swallowed nervously and grew more attentive, casting his mind for his mage. His breathe caught in his throat as he finally saw her, following Shukke up to the dais. The firelight made her silver-frosted mane glow as if spangled with diamond dust and her eyes reflected the emerald of her robes, making them seem as if lit from within.
The Fox thought her more beautiful than ever and it was that thought Kalla caught when she brought the shield tumbling down and the link flared back into full existence. He didn't try to hide it from her as he had so often before. In return, she gave him a shy smile.
“Purple suits you, my handsome Prince. The color of royalty.”
“You are beautiful, milady.” A slight pause. “Thank you… for this. It means more than I can say.”
Kalla blushed, causing him to grin. She was as nervous as he, though hiding it better, a Healer's calm under pressure. He wondered what it would be like for them, when they were finally liya, if all of their emotions were already shared at a much greater depth than the average person could know. She stopped beside him and Shukke took his place on the other side of the altar table. With a final resounding thud the music stopped and the elder shaman raised his arms.
“We call upon the One who is All, and upon the Hounds of Heaven, to join us here in this sacred place, to bear witness to this joyful occasion. Great Ones, embrace these two, Kalla kyl'Solidor and Aleister Balflear, in your loving presence that they may always look upon one another with love, and with eyes unclouded see the divinity of their beloved,” Shukke said in a solemn voice.
“Oh, he has no idea,” Kalla said.
Aleister chuffed a silent laugh. No idea, indeed. His people, like many others, believed that all beings contained a Divine Spark of the One who is All, the overarching Creative force of the universe itself and were, therefore, Creative forces themselves. Shukke had no idea the couple were waking Divine beings in and of themselves. Lavender wind stirred once more, dancing over the gathered throng, heralding the presence of the Hounds. In her mind, Kalla heard the musical laughter of Ushas and the deep rumble of Shang'de.
“Li'sal is a sacred commitment, a binding tie for kith and kin, for Family and Clan, for heart and soul. It is a bond to be considered carefully and not taken lightly.
“Do you, Kalla kyl'Solidor, take this man to be your liya? To love, honor, cherish and respect him? To care for him always, through sickness and health, through good times and bad, for as long as your bond shall last?” Shukke asked the Healer. Her eyes met Aleister's. She took his hand, slipping the wolf ring on his finger. She raised his hand and kissed the ring.
“I do.”
“Do you, Aleister Balflear, take this woman to be your liya? To love, honor, cherish and respect her? To care for her always, through sickness and health, through good times and bad, for as long as your bond shall last?” the shaman repeated to Aleister. He slipped the fox ring on her finger, raising her hand to kiss the ring.
“I do,” he said softly. Shukke picked up a braided cord from the altar, woven in colors of tan and brown.
“Clasp your hands together,” he said. The pair obeyed, using the hands wearing the rings.
“With this cord I bind your hands together, as a token you are now one.” As he spoke the shaman lightly wrapped the cord around their hands. “In the name of the One, and of the Hounds of Heaven, you are bound, hand to hand and life to life, as liya.”
Sadness washed through Aleister's mind from the mage. Her gaze had dropped to the cord that bound their hands. The words, joyous though they were meant to be, had reminded her of the other bond she shared with him, as magister, and her feelings towards that enslavement. The Fox used his free hand to gently raise her face.
“I don't see it that way. I never did,” he said as he bent to kiss her. Gratitude replaced the sadness as she returned his kiss, bringing her own free hand to his face. They broke apart to find Shukke beaming at them.
“Out of all those who walk the world, these two have found one another. Their paths have met and now they walk as one. In our deepest being we hope that their journey together may be pleasant and free from sorrow. But if that sorrow should come, as surely as it does to all, may it serve to bring them ever closer. With clasped hands and joined hearts, may they share life's joys together and bear its sorrows together.
“Great Ones, Hounds of Heaven, we thank you for gracing us with your presence this day, for presiding over this happy occasion.”
“We thank you,” Aleister and Kalla said in unison, as the shaman repeated it.
“We thank you!” the crowd as a whole chanted the third time.
“Then let this celebration begin!” Shukke exclaimed. He raised his hand and the drummers started playing again. He gently undid the cord and placed it in a soft leather pouch, which he handed to Kalla. She ran her fingers over it, thoughtful, before tucking it safely away in her robes. They followed Shukke from the dais, to places at the Khan's table, settling on cushions beside one another.
“Master Shukke, you did a magnificent job! Thank you for your support, and for incorporating the Argosian elements. One would never know they didn't belong,” Kalla said.
Shukke offered a bow, and a wry grin.
“I am pleased you liked it, and very happy for you both.”
“Congratulations, Lady Kalla, Master Balflear,” Nobunaga said with a grin. The others at the table chimed in with their own congratulations, as the Khan poured fury wine into a large chalice and handed it to them.
Though most Arkaddian dishes were clay, this one was crafted of beaten bronze and etched with spirals. Kalla, seated closest to the Khan, accepted it with a murmur of thanks. She took a small sip and held it for Aleister to do the same, before returning it to Nobunaga. He, too, took a small sip and passed it to Auric. With a faint grin, Araun drank from the chalice and passed it to Vander. Around the table it went, each person taking a small drink. When it reached Shukke he topped it off. Turning around, the shaman passed the chalice to those Clan leaders sitting directly behind him. The cup would be passed to all the Clan leaders and important people of the gathering.
Muted gasps made Kalla look up and her eyes widened in wonder. Bands of light rippled across the sky, occasionally forming shifting shapes. A herd of vykyr galloped across the sky before fading into the swirl of colour. Moments later, a multi-hued dragon took flight.
The lights were like the auroros of Ne Ramerides, only much brighter and well-defined. And the auroros couldn't create shapes. Kalla watched for a moment before turning to Auric. He didn't watch the sky, but rather the crowd, with hooded eyes. He met her gaze and gave a lazy smile.
“That is what the power of joy and happiness can create, given the chance. That and much more,” Araun said.
“It's beautiful,” Kalla replied.
“Thank you for inviting me here, Lady Amaraaq. Thank you for giving me a good use to put my gift to,” he said. Kalla nodded.
“You are welcome, my Lord,” she said. He gave her another slight smile and went back to watching the people. The celebration lasted far into the night and it was well past midnight before Kalla and Aleister were lead to the yert that had been set up for the new liya.
* * *
The mage stirred and blinked awake, yawning lazily. Beside her Aleister still slumbered peacefully. Kalla smiled in the dark, basking in a warm happiness. Her first night with the Fox had been more wonderful than she'd imagined, the magisterial bond enhancing the experience. Aleister had been a very gentle lover, oh so afraid he would hurt her.
Kalla tensed for a moment. Something was different, and it wasn't just her newfound feelings. She realized with
a start that the locks were completely open again, all of Amaraaq's power at her command. The mage wondered what could have opened them, then blushed furiously as she realized what it must have been. Always before, strong emotion had broken the locks, though usually it had been cold anger bordering on rage.
Her mind whirred, thoughts tumbling. Kalla wanted to take advantage of the power, to make the most of it, for as long as it might last. She wondered if she might push the bounds further, and heal more of the ailing land. Beside her, Aleister stirred awake. He hugged her close, murmuring something in sleepy Arkaddian.
“Wake up, Prince. We have work to do,” she said softly. He muttered something else, then jerked fully awake.
“Work! How can we have work to do? It's the middle of the night!”
“The locks are completely open. I would be remiss if I did nothing while I could and I would appreciate the company,” she said. He shifted and kissed one velvet ear.
“What do you need me to do?” he asked quietly. She sighed and laced her fingers through his, grateful for his cooperation.
“I need to travel like I did when I healed Arkaddia. Journeying in the middle realm. I can take you with me, if you are willing, Kalla said. He nodded, cheek pressed against her hair. The Healer concentrated for a moment, expanding her awareness and taking Aleister along with her, pressing deep within the earth. Together, Lady and Prince raced through the Plainsland, covering it in the merest handful of seconds, passing through the living, healthy land and coming to a stop within Rang'moori.
Here Kalla slowed, surveying the damage. The devastation was terrible, another ecosystem collapsing. She pushed forward, deeper into the center of Rang'moori, before loosing the power of Amaraaq. The mage pushed every ounce of extra power that she could into the land, willing it to be healed. As before, the power spread out in ripples and she chased them farther than before, pushing herself to the limits with the Prince's help. The power washed through Rang'moori, through Kymru, through the Crannongmarch, and on to Dashmar, lapping at the sea of the farthest coast. The sands receded, disappearing under healthy wintergrass, poison leeched from unhealthy fields, the earth itself settled in its bed, the bones of the mountains relaxing.
Lady of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 2) Page 11
