Mother of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 1)

by J. Aislynn d' Merricksson

  “I don't have to see it with my eyes. I see it in my mind. We see with magick's eyes.”

  Aleister shook his head, puzzlement drifting through the link. He opened his mouth to say something more, but an eerie howling rent the air, causing the Magister to jump. His eyes were wide in the firelight.

  “What was that?” he asked, voice barely a whisper.

  “Cus silthair, better known as sabre wolves. They won't bother us. The area is shielded and they will avoid the path,” Kalla said. She noticed her magister squinting into the darkness beyond the shield. In the distance, pale balls of blueish light bobbed and wove, accompanied by eerie blue-green lights that winked off and on as they darted low to the ground.

  “The blue, bobbing lights will be will-o-wisps. One reason you shouldn't leave the path. Follow one and you'll get lost and end up in the wolves' bellies. The others come from the wolves themselves,” Kalla explained.

  Aleister hugged himself, working to put a stranglehold on the fear he was feeling.

  “Tell a story? Please? Anything to take my mind off of this place,”

  he asked in a plaintive voice.

  “Very well.” Kalla relaxed, settling into her 'story mode'.

  “Long ago, when the world was young and new, Bear had a long, beautiful tail. Bear was so proud of his long tail. He would go around asking everyone-

  “Don't you think my tail is the most beautiful you've ever seen?”

  And everyone agreed with Bear, but not because they truly liked his tail. They thought Bear very vain, but sharp claws and teeth make for pretty compliments. They all told Bear how much they loved and admired his fluffy, plush tail.

  Now one day, during winter, Bear happened to come across Fox fishing in the ice. Fox was surrounded by a whole pile of delicious-looking fish and Bear decided he wanted some fish too. Fox knew that the prideful Bear was hungry and so he decided to play a trick on him, to teach a lesson. Bear ambled up to him and plopped down on the ice.

  “Hello, Brother Fox. Where did you get all of those tasty looking fish?” Bear asked, mouth watering. Fox pointed to a hole in the ice.

  “I caught them, Brother Bear,” Fox replied.

  Bear gave Fox a puzzled look. “But how, Brother Fox? You have nothing to fish with,” he asked. Fox gave a sly grin.

  “Why I used my tail, Brother Bear. It's the best thing to fish with! Shall I show you how? Then you can have as many fish as you want.”

  “Yes, please,” Bear answered in his deep, gruff voice. He was so surprised. Using one's tail to fish? What a novel idea. Bear followed Fox to another part of the frozen lake and Fox showed him how to dig out a fishing hole.

  “Now put your long, beautiful tail in the water. Wait until you feel the fish bite it, then you can pull out your tail with the fish attached. But-” Fox held up a cautionary paw, “it is very important that you sit very still. Be patient and do not move or you will scare the fish away.”

  Bear nodded and put his tail in the water. He sat very still, waiting patiently. Time passed and Bear fell asleep, waiting for the fish to bite.

  Meanwhile Fox had gathered his fish and returned home.

  A few hours later Fox returned to the lake, to find Bear still asleep on the ice. His dark fur was white with snow. Fox chuckled to himself and snuck up behind Bear.

  “Bear, Bear! Wake up! I can see a fish on your tail!”

  Bear woke with a fright and felt a sting in his frozen tail.

  “I can feel it! I can feel it!”

  Bear jumped up, expecting to pull a fish out of the lake. Instead he snapped off his beautiful tail. Fox ran away laughing, while Bear bewailed the loss of his wonderful tail. That is why Bears today have only short, stubby tails.

  So remember the lesson of Bear and Fox whenever you begin to become too prideful. Remember, too, that quite often cunning is better that brute strength any day!”

  Aleister had grown more and more relaxed during Kalla's story and he was now so drowsy he was almost asleep. The magister stirred, and gratitude filtered through the bond, along with a faint echo of the unusual feeling that Kalla couldn't quite place.

  “Thank you, milady. You must think me a fool for being scared of the Forest,” he said.

  “Not at all. Each of us carries our own fears, magi included,” Kalla replied.

  “What could you possibly be scared of? You don't seem afraid of anything,” Aleister muttered sleepily.

  “My fears are less tangible, but they are there. I just hide them well.” Kalla sighed softly.

  The Keeper of the Forest

  Deep Forest, Argoth, Year of the Golden Hart, 2013 CE

  They had been wandering the Forest for days now, going in circles and still they had not found the Keeper. The pair had set camp earlier, both dejected by their lack of success. Though it had become a habit for Kalla to tell a story before bed, this night neither were in the mood, and they surrendered to sleep earlier than usual.

  Aleister jolted awake, the fine hairs along the back of his neck standing at attention. He glanced around, nervously searching the shield perimeter. As his eyes adjusted he found himself staring into a nightmare face. Glowing eyes barely illuminated a broad, heavy muzzle, topped by a slender, curved blade of bone. He panicked, reaching out to shake Kalla awake.

  His touch triggered a fearsome reaction.

  The sleeping mage grabbed the front of Aleister's shirt, jerking him down and rolling over to pin him to the ground. In her other hand a short blade glittered in the dim firelight. Aleister yelped, grabbing her hand before she could drive the blade home.

  “It's me! Kalla, it's Aleister!” the magister yelled. Though her eyes were open they held no recognition. They were empty and cold as a bleak winter evening, as if no one were home inside. He shuddered, still fighting for control of the blade. To be so small, the mage had great strength. Whether she sensed his fear or heard his words, life slowly returned to her face. She relaxed, lowering the blade.

  “Yesss?” Kalla's voice was calm as she pushed away from him, the blade disappearing back to wherever she'd pulled it from. He scrambled away, keeping a wary eye on her.

  “What… what was that all about? Why'd you try to kill me?” Aleister swallowed hard, trying to calm his hammering heart.

  “Why'd you try to wake me up? Don't you remember me telling you that would be inadvisable?” Indeed, he dimly recalled that warning. He pointed to the shield, still shaky from the encounter. The sabre wolf was still there, pressed against the side. As the Mage turned her attention to it, the bone blade on its muzzle ignited with an eldritch glow. It blinked at her.

  Follow. She heard the words without hearing them. From his expression, so did the magister.

  “It wants us to follow it?” he asked. Kalla nodded. They quickly packed up and saddled the vykr, while the wolf waited patiently outside the shield. When Kalla dropped it, the creature moved off, heading into the forest. The mage followed without pause, leaving Aleister scrambling to catch up.

  “Milady, would you have really killed me?” Aleister asked in a soft lilting voice fraught with uncertainty. Kalla shifted slightly in her saddle.

  “Maybe, maybe not. I did warn you.” She did not speak for a long moment. “That is one reason why I never wanted to take a magister. I can protect myself. It's also earned me a nickname- Wolf that Sleeps. A lone frost wolf reacts the same way if disturbed while asleep,” she said. He gave a shaky laugh.

  “Wolf that Sleeps, indeed.”

  “I am sorry, Aleister. Kill you I might have, but I would have regretted it when I came to my senses. I like having you around.” Kalla turned her focus to the sabre wolf loping along ahead of them. A moment later, Aleister tensed when he realized that they were surrounded by sabre wolves. All around them, blades glowed with eldritch light.

  “Where are they taking us?” the magister asked.

  “To Gasta. Any of the Forest's creatures can serve as his Voice when he wants. So long as they are under the Keeper'
s control, we will not be harmed,” she replied. His thoughts said he didn't believe her, but before he could give voice to his concerns they broke through the trees, into an open glen. An odd tumble of boulders was the only thing within. The wolves stopped just outside the clearing, keeping to the woods. Kalla rode forth, giving Aleister no choice but to follow. He kept looking at the boulders.

  “Those look like an animal… a big, slinky animal.” As if in response to his words, the ground rumbled and the 'boulders' shifted and melted away, to reveal the presence of a very real Gasta. The Keeper was huge and when he rose to his feet, he towered over the two humans. Fine white fur covered a muscular body. Tufted ears twitched as the slender head dipped down. Warm amber eyes full of wisdom regarded them with a slightly amused expression.

  Grove of Gasta, Deep Forest, Argoth, Year of the Golden Hart, 2013 CE

  What do you seek in my Forest, little Wolf? It has been a long time since you were last here. Gasta said.

  Kalla dismounted, kneeling before the great creature. Aleister followed suit.

  “We seek answers, Great One and I knew that if any could help, it would be you,” the mage said respectively. A dry chuckle filled their minds.

  What answers would you have of me? Gasta's voice was a soft rumble in their minds. Kalla settled down before the Keeper.

  “I believe the Nagali is waking, Great One,” Kalla replied.

  What makes you think this?

  “Skycities and ground cities all over De Sikkari have been attacked by creatures enslaved for that purpose. Even Argoth was attacked, though the Empire's ships kept the attackers at bay. The creatures had been impaled with poison spikes.” Kalla gestured to Aleister, where he had pulled a slim package from his pack. He carefully unwrapped the many layers protecting the spike that they had taken from Amaterasu. Gasta brought his head closer to the spike, sniffing it. Reaching out with a claw, he gingerly rolled it around.

  This is kepfal, a very dangerous drug that requires extensive knowledge to cultivate. I had thought the knowledge of its manufacture long since lost. I will take this. It should be destroyed.

  Kalla nodded and Aleister carefully rolled the spike back up and placed it before the Keeper.

  “That is not all, Great One. The day after Cove Rock attacked Sevfahl, Amaterasu and I did a fire scrying.” She went on to describe all that she and the wyvern had seen. The Keeper rumbled unhappily, tail twitching like an angry cat.

  This is not good news. The seal should not have broken. You will have to recreate the binding, if you be up to the task. The Quill you need first. It can be found in the vaults of Araun, Lord of Xibalba. Gasta said.

  Kalla frowned. “How do we reach Xibalba, Great One?”

  There are many portals to Xibalba, little Wolf. They are scattered all across De Sikkari. From Argoth, the closest lie in Evalyce. The strongest known portal lies within the borders of Arkaddia.

  But the trials of the Underworld are many. You must be sure you are prepared to face Araun and his guardians before you venture there.

  Kalla nodded. “And of the Elephant Lord?”

  I am sorry, little Wolf. I do not know where the Elephant Lord dwells. Amber eyes regarded Aleister.

  Seek the Temple of Inari. It lies farther within, at the center of the Forest. My wolves will lead you there.

  “We will find more answers there?” Kalla asked. Beside her Aleister fidgeted, clearly uneasy at going deeper into the Forest. Gasta's lips wrinkled, pulling back to expose sharp fangs as he laughed.

  You will find what you need, not necessarily what you want. It would behoove you to go to the Temple before approaching Araun. Sleep now. My wolves will guard you. When you wake they will guide you to the Temple.

  Gasta blew out a long breathe that washed over them with a scent of honeysuckle. In unison Kalla and Aleister slumped over, asleep before they hit the ground. Gasta gave them one last, penetrating look before disappearing into the Forest. He needed to have a talk with the King of Foxes before the pair managed to reach the Temple.

  * * *

  Kalla woke abruptly. All around the grove, eldritch lights glittered as sabre wolves flitted through the trees, but the Keeper was nowhere to be seen. She realized with a start that she had been sleeping with her head resting against Aleister's shoulder. For his part, her magister was still sound asleep. She covered her eyes with a hand. Great Balgeras. Gasta's enchanted sleep must have kept both of them still while they slept. She shuddered to think what would have happened if Aleister had shifted even a bit. In his sleep, he might be dead before she realized it was him. Then again, maybe not. She might have unconsciously realized she'd fallen asleep near him. The few times she'd ever fallen asleep near those she didn't consider a threat, the reaction hadn't been triggered if they woke her.

  The mage knew she should get up, should wake him so that they could get to the Temple of Inari, but she didn't want to. She was content to stay where she was, listening to Aleister's rhythmic breathing. Beneath that, she could hear the slow, steady beat of his heart. Kalla marveled yet again at the simple magick that was life itself. What but the One could have created such a wonder? As a Healer, Kalla knew all of the intricacies of the body and still she was amazed at the fluidity of function.

  She sighed, letting the sound of heart and breath lull her nearly back to sleep. She pondered over Gasta's advice to seek the Temple of Inari. Inari was the father of the forest kitsune, the fox spirits of Argosian legend. She remembered hearing tales of the Temple hidden in the Forest, but she'd never been to it, nor even seen it despite her many excursions into the Forest. Kalla's eyes drifted closed, drawing her back into sleep.

  Aleister woke, stifling a yawn, then froze when he realized that Kalla was curled up beside him, head resting on his shoulder. He frowned, giving the sleeping mage a sidelong glance. Since he didn't want to risk gaining closer acquaintance with the hidden knife she bore, Aleister decided to be patient and wait for her to wake rather than wake her himself.

  He closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of the forest. Despite the danger, he found comfort in the mage's presence. Kalla had given him a new lease on life, doing more for him than any other, save the Argosian with whom he'd spent a great deal of his life. Melaric Wolffsson had treated Aleister as a son, giving him the comfort of a family and the benefit of fatherly guidance during a time in his life when he could have gone seriously astray. He remembered Kalla's comment regarding her cavalier attitude in regards to her own life and well-being. Aleister knew what it was like to not have anyone care if you lived or died. His own life had pretty much been like that since Melaric had passed away. He only hoped he could live up to her expectations.

  Kalla blinked, going very still. She hadn't intended to fall asleep again, yet that is exactly what she'd done. Something was different now and the difference had woken her.

  “Good… morning, milady. I wondered how long I might have to stay still before you woke. I didn't want a repeat of last night.” Her magister's voice was light, but there was a hint of reproach in his thoughts. The odd emotion chased after it, disappearing before she could catch it. She stirred and sat up, yawning.

  “My apologies, Aleister.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I… uh… meant to move earlier, when you were still sleeping. Guess I fell back asleep,” she said.

  “No apologies needed, milady. As long as you don't try to kill me again!” He stood and stretched, glancing around the clearing. Their vykr stood placidly nearby, apparently not bothered by the wolves that still haunted the woods about them. Aleister snagged a pack. “I'm guessing you want a cold breakfast, so we can get moving, yes?” he asked with a slight grin. She nodded, conjuring balls of magelight to aid him as he poked around in the pack and pulled out a loaf of brown bread and a half a wheel of hard, yellow cheese. The Sky Fox broke them in half, passing part to Kalla. They ate quickly and mounted their vykr. Kalla conjured more magelight globes and fixed one to Aleister's essence, ensuring that it would stay
with him. The others she left free. Since she had conjured them, they would follow her anyway. As if by some unseen signal, a wolf entered the clearing, coming to a halt before them.

  Follow. The command in the unheard voice was clear and Kalla nudged her mount into an easy trot. Behind her, she heard Aleister murmuring softy to his vykr. As they rode, Kalla noticed that the trees grew ever larger. At the center of the forest, the massive trees were so big that it would have taken several people to come close to circling one with outstretched arms. Their branches soared overhead, forming a graceful, vaulting arch of emerald high above the Temple that stood in the clearing. Weathered blocks of stone told the tale of the Temple. Vines covered most of the building, obscuring the true size of it.

  The Temple doors were likewise covered, as were the two immense stone foxes guarding the entrance. On the far side of the clearing a small brook bubbled merrily. The sabre wolves melted back into the forest and Kalla sent a silent thanks to Gasta for their aid. Mage and magister dismounted and tethered the vykr near the brook, leaving the leads long. There was no telling how long they would be inside the Temple, so Aleister provided them with what he hoped would be ample food. Unlike Rang'Moori horses, the Arkaddian vykrs weren't prone to overeating. There was little danger they would eat all of the food in, say, a day and the Magister had left enough food for several days.

  The pair shouldered their packs and moved to the entrance. Aleister tugged the vines loose from one great wooden door. Beneath, he found a massive brass ring. He pulled, putting all of his effort into it. With a groan, the door swung open, leaving a gaping black hole behind. The magister sidled through the door first, wary of hidden traps and dangers. The light globe bobbing above him illuminated a long dark corridor. He took a few more steps into the gloom. Working with Melaric, he'd been in his fair share of ruins such as these and one never knew what might be waiting. A wave of anger hit him and he spun around, wondering what had made the mage so upset. He was greeted by a blank stone wall. The door was gone and Kalla was nowhere in sight. He pushed against the wall, thinking it an illusion, but his fingers touched cold stone. Well now. This was a nice predicament. Aleister weighed his options. He could wait here and see if Kalla showed up or he could find another way out. He decided to seek another path. He didn't know how he'd ended up here, but if the mage wasn't with him now, she likely wasn't going to show up later.