Mother of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 1)

by J. Aislynn d' Merricksson

  Skycity Argoth, 10000 ft. above the Aeryth Ocean, Year of the Golden Hart, 2013 CE

  The first thing Kalla became aware of was Aleister's gnawing anxiety. She heard his footsteps on the stairs as he realized she was awake. Relief flooded his face when he saw her.

  “I didn't think you were going to wake up. You've been unconscious for three days. Of course, I was asleep for two of those as well,” he said.

  “… three days…” Kalla cringed at how weak her voice sounded. She struggled to sit up and found she was too weak to do even that. Giving up, Kalla sank back into the hammock. Aleister disappeared, returning with a welcome glass of water. She took the cup gratefully, savoring the coolness of it.

  “Milady, why did the wolves attack us?”

  “It means that Gasta no longer protects the Forest,” the Mage murmured faintly.

  “No longer protects the Forest?” the Magister asked.

  “He is gone. The Keeper is dead…” Kalla's voice was soft, sad.

  “I don't understand, milady. How can the Keeper be dead? What can kill such a being?”

  “Gasta and Inari are spirits of place. They are demi-deities in their own right, but even they can be brought down, just like Al'dhumarna. As to exactly how, I have no idea…” The mage's voice trailed off as her strength faltered. Her eyes fluttered shut and she fell back into a more natural sleep.

  Aleister watched her for a moment more before going back outside, where he was assaulted by an impatient wyvern. He assured Amaterasu that the mage was doing well, then went in search of the Outpost's Commander. Someone should know what Kalla had said regarding the Keeper. He didn't know if the wolves would keep to the Forest without Gasta.

  Night-time found Aleister draped in the gunner's chair, rolling a small crystal orb across his knuckles. The orb had appeared the night before, when he was fretting over the Mage's condition. He wasn't completely sure, but he thought the orb was his 'fox-ball'. All kitsune had them, so he had learned from the Argosian soldiers. He hadn't told them he was one, not after Kalla's reaction. Just inquired into legends surrounding them. Part of a kitsune's soul were stored in the orbs. Aleister wished he could stuff all of his unhappiness and uncertainty into his, but it didn't seem to work that way. Right now he wasn't sure exactly what part of himself resided in his fox-ball. The orb itself gave off a multi-hued light. As with the armor and the fox form, he could now summon the orb whenever he wished, which was often. He found it relaxing. The magister had also been exploring other abilities he had gained, using insights drawn from the Argosian legends. So far he had managed to conjure green fox-fire and to craft simple illusions, more tricks in a kitsune's arsenal.

  * * *

  “Kalla.”

  “Kalla kyl'Solidor”

  “Kalla kyl'Solidor!”

  Kalla groaned at the insistent mental call. “What?” she replied in a groggy voice.

  “Kalla kyl'Solidor!”

  Her eyes snapped open as she recognized the voice in her mind as that of Grosso tem'Solidor, Master of House Solidor. The Masters of the Houses, due to their position, had the ability to mindspeak with any member of their House, no matter the distance.

  “Yes, Master tem'Solidor?” Kalla asked in a subdued voice. There was a mental grunt as if the unseen speaker were satisfied that she was now listening properly.

  “You have done as you were bid? You have found a magister?”

  “Yes, Master tem'Solidor. I found a worthy magister on Sevfahl,” she replied.

  “If you found your magister on Sevfahl, why are you on Argoth? Were you not ordered to return home to begin your training once a magister was chosen?” The voice was stern and disapproving.

  “Yes, Master tem'Solidor, but events at the Inferno made a trip to Argoth necessary.” She went on to explain all that had happened.

  “I see. No matter. You will report to Cryshal Kanlon. I expect you home in two days, Kalla kyl'Solidor. Do not disappoint me.”

  Grosso's gruff voice vanished as the connection broke. Kalla grimaced. She had no wish to return to Cryshal when there was so much that needed to be done. Grosso had sounded disbelieving of her story, that much had been plain.

  The mage rose on shaky legs and made her way into the small bathroom. She turned on the shower and stepped inside, sighing as the hot water sluiced four days of sleep from her skin as she pondered Grosso's order. While she knew she would be better served by learning how to work more efficiently with Aleister, she chafed at the thought of doing nothing to stop the Nagali during the who knew how many weeks of training. Neither had she come to grips with the fact that her magister was kitsune.

  Recalling his hurt look at her reaction made her feel terrible. It wasn't his fault and truly, what better magister for an Argosian?

  She finished her shower and wandered to the front of the ship, wondering where said magister might be and finding him sound asleep in the captain's chair. Kalla wandered back to the kitchen area to fix something to eat. Now that she was up and moving around her tummy was rumbling angrily for lack of food during her four day fast.

  The smell of breakfast was enough of a lure to rouse the Sky Fox and lure him back to the living quarters. He hesitated in the doorway, unsure of what welcome he might find there. Kalla turned around, favoring him with a grin and a plate of Argosian spiced potatoes, eggs, sausage and brown bread. He took the plate with a murmur of thanks and wedged himself in a space at the tiny table. Kalla had already eaten and she turned back to cleaning up the dishes. When she was finished, she came to sit at the table with him.

  “We need to talk, Aleister. First, I want to apologize for my reaction. Please, don't think I dislike you. That's not the case and I've realized that Inari would not have made such a change if he disapproved of your being a magister. I am not one to override the Fox King's wishes,” she said gently. He felt wary of her words, mentally tensed for a 'but' statement that never came.

  “Thank you, milady. I hope I can still live up to your expectations,” he said, his lilting voice soft and uncertain. Kalla sighed.

  “You are doing just fine. Please, forgive me for upsetting you. I told you before, I felt I had chosen right and I still do.”

  “I forgive you.” He gave her a sad smile. “And what is the second thing?”

  “Second thing…? Oh, yes.” She made a sour face. “We've been summoned to the Kanlon. Master tem'Solidor expects us in two days at the latest. We'll need to leave soon in order to make that deadline.” Clearly the Mage was not happy with her new orders.

  “Well, the ship is fully stocked and fueled. If we leave now we can reach Skycity Zinlin by nightfall and from there cover the rest of the distance to Cryshal tomorrow,” Aleister said.

  “That sounds like a good plan,” Kalla replied. She stood and stretched, scooping up the empty plate. A brief thought and it was sparkling clean. From her magister she still got feelings of unhappiness and beneath that the lingering odd emotion that she still couldn't place. He ducked out of the kitchen area and made his way to the doors, Kalla right behind. When the mage stepped out of the ship, she was immediately enveloped in a red haze as Amaterasu pounced, using her wings to draw the Mage close.

  You are well, Lady Mage? The wyvern's smoky breath washed over her. Kalla reached out and returned the wyvern's hug.

  “I am well, my friend. How have they treated you? Good, I trust.”

  Oh, quite well, Lady Mage. They have let me hunt. I have watched the metal bird and kept it safe for you.

  “Thank you, Amaterasu,” Kalla said. The wyvern unfurled her wings and Kalla could see Aleister across the paddocks, speaking to the soldiers, most likely seeking permission to leave. He started back to the ship, with a wave to the soldiers behind.

  “We have permission to leave now, if it please you, milady. A small escort will led us back to the boundary,” he said. Kalla nodded, turning back to the wyvern.

  “We might as well get going then. Amaterasu, we must go to Cryshal for some time.
We must be trained to work well together, Aleister and I. Will you come with us?” she asked. A fierce orange eye regarded her.

  If I will be allowed at Cryshal, then I will follow.

  “The Kanlon should have no objections. They know now that a wyvern travels in my company,” the mage replied.

  Then I will go. You will learn and then we can go seek the feather.

  “Very well, let's get going.” Kalla followed Aleister back up the stairs and into the cabin. She expected him to take the captain's chair, but he turned to her instead.

  “This chair is rightfully yours,” he said quietly. She gave him a look and let her puzzlement filter through.

  “The Stymphalian belongs to you, Aleister. You are her captain,” she replied. He shook his head and gestured again for her to take the chair, refusing to meet her gaze. “Aleister, what's wrong?”

  The Sky Fox stared out the cockpit window. “No. The Kruetzet belongs to you… Kalla Melaricsdottr.” Shock flooded his mind. Behind him he heard Kalla sink into the gunner's chair with a shaky sob.

  “How… how… you… Are you saying the Argosian you took up with was my father…?”

  “Melaric Wolffsson, yes.” Aleister turn to face her, slipping a small, leather wrapped package from one of his pouches. “This also rightly belongs to you.”

  Kalla took the package from him and gently unwrapped it. Within was a photograph of her father and her when they were much younger. Kalla remembered when the picture had been taken. Ventaal had been the one to take it. Tears welled up in her eyes and she angrily tried to fight them away as she shook out the other object in the pouch. It was a ring on a thick gold chain; the ring worn by Argosian captains, a gold band set with a brilliant ruby that was engraved with the Trinity Claw of the Argosian Empire.

  It was the sight of the ring that opened the floodgates. All of the pent up emotions surrounding her father's death came crashing back and she lost the battle with her tears. Kalla clutched the ring, her father's ring, in her hand and cried all the tears she had kept inside all these many years. Aleister knelt beside the chair, putting his arm around her, murmuring softly. She buried her face against his shoulder, grieving until the tears came no longer and she finally felt that she had properly sent her father's spirit on. The mage didn't move, but spoke to the magister from where her head was buried against his shoulder.

  “How. How did you put those pieces together?” she murmured. Aleister gently drew away from her, standing as he did.

  “I… Inari showed me many images. Most I have no idea what they were to mean. He said I would understand in time. He also showed me scenes from your life and from mine. So you see, the ship is yours by right,” he said softly. The mage was silent for a moment.

  “Thank you. Thank you for sharing this with me.” She wrapped the ring and picture back up, tucking them in a hidden pocket. “However, I know he'd want you to have the ship. The Stymphalian will remain in your very capable hands.”

  “You are not angry, milady?”

  “No, why should I be?” she asked, puzzlement filtering through the bond. He sighed with relief.

  “I don't know. I figured you might be, especially after you got so upset at my being kitsune.”

  “I am angry over neither,” she replied.

  “I know that now. You don't feel angry. You did at first, but not today. I just wish to make sure.” His lilting voice gained confidence now that the situation had been weathered and the mage realized just how worried he'd been over her reaction. She reached out and gave his hand a comforting squeeze.

  “You're not getting rid of me that easy. We're in this together. No regrets. Over any of it,” she laughed. Aleister returned the squeeze.

  “No regrets.”

  Cryshal Kanlon

  Stymphalian, 10000ft above Evalyce, Year of the Golden Hart, 2013 CE

  Kalla glared out the window, brooding and silent. As they fast approached Cryshal, she grew more and more anxious. The mage chafed at the thought of being confined to the Kanlon until their 'training' was complete, not after what they had learned. She wanted to be out doing something.

  It was late afternoon when they first came in sight of Cryshal Kanlon. The home of the magi was a skycity, like Sevfahl. Ships known as striders patrolled the Kanlon's airspace. They allowed the ship and wyvern to pass unmolested. Kalla grinned to herself when she heard Aleister's low whistle. Even from this far away it was hard to miss the Kanlon. The four House Spires soared upward, flanking the Great Spire as all reached to embrace the sky. The entire facility was cut from a single massive chunk of dark royal amethyst that glittered in the late afternoon sun. On a bright, sunny day the Kanlon could blind pilots with its brilliance if they weren't careful. The windows of the striders were tinted dark for protection.

  Not even the magi themselves were sure of how Cryshal had been created. Its existence predated even the oldest records in the Vaults. Kalla had to admit, the Kanlon was one of the most gorgeous and awe-inspiring sights she'd ever seen. All around Cryshal spread the city that supported it- Port Cryshal.

  As the Stymphalian overflew the farmlands of Port Cryshal, the radio crackled to life.

  “Argosian airship, make landing at the paddocks at Bensen'gar. The wyvern has permission to hunt within the Bensen'gar game forest. She is remain confined there.” Kalla made a face at the self-importance in the man's voice as she picked up the radio. From her magister she felt a wave of irritation.

  “Acknowledged. We will make for Bensen'gar.” The voice didn't deign to respond, so Kalla shrugged and clipped the radio back in place. She pointed Aleister in the right direction to reach the Bensen'gar airship paddocks. The magister brought the ship to ground and, following the direction of the flagmen, snugged the ship into a long-term hanger. He sighed as he powered the ship down. That they had been directed to the long-term hanger meant that they wouldn't be flying anytime soon. Kalla exited the ship and waited while Aleister set the security system. As an added protection, she wrapped the ship in several spells to keep people from either snooping or tampering with it. Amaterasu was waiting at the far end of the paddocks. When she saw them, she ignored the flagmen and gave several fluttering hops that brought her to them.

  “Amaterasu, they want you to keep to the Bensen'gar forest while we are here. You have free rein of the forest, but you must not leave it,” Kalla said.

  I understand, Lady Mage. I will go to the forest and wait until you finish your learning. You will come visit?

  “Yes, Amaterasu, we will come visit.” Kalla patted the wyvern's snout affectionately and pointed the way to Bensen'gar. Amaterasu took off in a flurry of wings as a pair of men dressed in the livery of the Kanlon approached the pair. They bowed and Kalla nodded acknowledgment.

  “Lady kyl'Solidor, Magister, if you will please follow us, we have transport waiting for you,” one said.

  A carriage pulled by Rang'moori horses stood just outside the paddock gates. One of the men held the door open and waited patiently as mage and magister climbed inside, then shut the door behind them. The men climbed atop the carriage and Kalla heard one click his tongue to start the horses moving.

  Kalla and Aleister stared out the windows at the passing scenery, as fields and forest flew by. Quaint houses dotted the landscape. They dozed, only to be woken by the staccato sound of hooves striking stone and Kalla glanced out the window. Port Cryshal swept around them, engulfing them in a riot of sounds and smells. People scurried out of the way of the Kanlon carriage. Beyond, the Kanlon itself loomed on the horizon.

  They reached the gates and clattered into the main courtyard. Kalla politely thanked the servants who held the doors for them. She turned her gaze to the place that had been home for a great portion of her life. Up close the Kanlon was even more awe-inspiring. Night had come and its eerie shape rose above them, towering over their heads like a giant spiky flower.

  Cryshal Kanlon, 10000ft above Evalyce, Year of the Golden Hart, 2013 CE

  A mag
e was there to greet them when they entered the Kanlon proper. He was slightly overweight, with the blond hair and blue eyes common to the Rang'moori. He leaned against an ironwood staff with an ostrylim bear climbing the top. Tiny chips of zarconite set for eyes glittered in the light. Kalla dipped a low bow, fist to heart. She shivered slightly, wondering where this man's magister was hiding. A former Ishkaran Nightingale, the man could hide in plain sight and he unnerved Kalla more than even Shingar did.

  A dry chuckle brought her attention to Vander, standing hidden until now behind Grosso tem'Solidor. As impossible as it seemed, the flame-haired mage looked even more gaunt than he had the last time she'd seen him. Vander had always been on the thin side, but now he looked ill. His angular face had a drawn, haggard cast to it. The Dashmari's ears were pricked forward and his mane of hair was fluffed in an aggressive manner. Kalla frowned as she noticed that one of his ears looked like it had been shredded and inexpertly healed. The War Mage carried no staff, but here within the Kanlon that wasn't as uncommon.

  It was said that the Dashmari were descended from the wolf god, Kituk. She didn't know much about them, save for they were a fierce people whose society was patterned after the great frost wolves. All Dashmari had wolf-like ears, but Vander was a rarity among his people with his flame-colored hair. He strode forward, sharing a look with Grosso as he passed. For just a brief moment he seemed to hunch in on himself, ears relaxing, head held at an odd angle as if he didn't want to meet the Tem's gaze. Grosso scowled at him.

  “Well, now. Our errant 'wolf' has returned home.” Vander turned a malevolent, icy gaze to Aleister. “And with a magister in tow. It's about time. Can't have you running around like you're better than the rest of us, now can we?”

  Kalla ground her teeth together and refused to rise to the bait. If they had chosen the arrogant Dashmari to be her trainer she was going to be very unhappy.