Lady of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 2) (12 page)

“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.

Kalla shuddered as the locks closed and a crushing exhaustion washed over her. Aleister pulled her closer, drawing a blanket over them, up to their chins.

“You healed the entirety of Evalyce, milady,” the Fox said in an awed voice. She only managed a nod, before sleep claimed her.

The magister was stunned. Every time he turned around, it seemed, his mage was carrying out unbelievable feats. He knew she would have wanted to try to heal the other lands, and had been fully prepared to stop in each, so that Kalla could try to fix them, but now they could travel straight to Dashmar.

Aleister was unsettled by that thought. While he had traveled with Kalla, he had sensed a corruption in that land, unlike any other. A corruption that had not disappeared when she had healed the lands. He would speak to her of it in the morning, for he felt it boded ill for their travel, yet it was Port Benwick they must make for to cross to Inkanata.

* * *

By the time Kalla woke again, the sun had risen. She groaned and stretched, waking the Fox. He murmured sleepily and made an odd noise, then buried his face in her mane, inhaling deeply.

“Oh, gods be good, you smell wonderful,” he breathed out.

“I… what?” Kalla asked. He took another deep breath before she wriggled away and rolled over to face him. The Fox's eyes were dark pools, pupils huge as if intoxicated.

“You smell wonderful,” he repeated. “Like… myrrh. Myrrh and something else. Something I can't quite place. Is this… how you sense things all the time?” he asked.

“You mean, you smell my scent? Like a Dashmari would? You must have gained more of the
kitsune's
powers,” she said.

“What is my scent, to you?” Aleister asked curiously.

“You smell of Arkaddian, of fox, and of cinnamon and frankincense,” she replied. “A wonderful combination that belongs to no other.”

“What does Vander smell like?”

“His is Dashmari, wolf, and woodsmoke. Your brother is scented of ginger. The Khan of wintergrass. I could go on..,” she replied dryly.

“No…” The Fox inhaled deeply again. “What time is it?”

“About eight in the morning if I had to wager a guess. People will expect us up soon.”

“
Not that soon,
” he whispered in her mind as he kissed her. She blushed, feeling his desire, yet he left it up to her. If she refused, he wouldn't push. Kalla relaxed against him.

“
No, I guess not that soon,
” she replied. He laughed softly, kissing along her jawline and down along her throat.

When the new
liya
emerged from their yert, they found the wyvern flock not far beyond, Vander and Kasai lounging among them. Vander gave the pair a wave and a sly grin that earned him a scowl from both the Fox and Kalla.

“Good morning, Dashkele. Dashtela,” the War Mage said. “I trust you had a good night.” He ignored their renewed scowls as he and his magister rose to their feet. “You might be interested to know, the Palace had a Harper in early this morning. He had some very interesting news as well… Rang'moori is healed now. The encroaching desert is gone, vanished. Your work, I'm guessing.”

The Harpers were the messengers of Evalyce. Like the magi, they had Pass Right everywhere and traveled throughout the lands, delivering messages and gathering information. The Harpers were a tribute to the true Harpers that had once been part of the Kanlon, magi who used song and music to weave their magick. The gift of spellsinging had been long since lost, but the magi Harpers of old had fulfilled the same function, acting as messengers, information gatherers, and peacekeeping arbiters.

Kalla nodded. “Yes,” she said, not bothering to elaborate. “What news did the Harper bring?” she asked. Vander's look grew troubled.

“He brought word of trouble in Dashmar. The Packs are banding together, under one supreme alpha. One bent on war with the Crannongmarch.

“He also brought an acknowledgment from the Kanlon, regarding Grosso, and of a new Tem' for Solidor. The King of Cats has apparently set strict conditions to replacing the former Tem' and renewing the tenets,” Vander said. He drew out a rolled parchment from his robes and handed it to her.

Kalla scanned the contents briefly. The message was from Sevrus and the War Mage had pretty much covered what it said. He held out another one, still sealed. “And you got a letter from Lord Hauss.”

Kalla grinned as she broke the seal. She had sent him a message, telling him of the handfasting. The Chief Healer was highly amused. He and Rosalia sent their best wishes and congratulations. A note from Warryn was scrawled at the bottom, offering the same, and telling her to be careful and come home soon. She folded the note and tucked it into her robes, turning her attention back to Vander.

“I think we need to leave soon. I hate to do so, but I think we need to get to Dashmar as soon as possible. The land there didn't 'feel' right. There was a taint to it, something I could not cleanse,” Kalla said.

“
I agree. I felt it also,
” Aleister said.

As they meandered their way back to the Palace, they discussed options. They went to one of the dining halls, where Kalla and Aleister had a breakfast of
rashagi
.

Vander and Kasai had already eaten, so the Dashmari continued the teaching that had been interrupted when the pair had been visiting the wyvern. The hawk seemed to be taking to the magisterial lessons well, as quick a study as his brother had been, though learning quicker since his mage already knew how to work with a magister.

Kalla watched them as she ate. A mage's ability to facilitate the bond affected how fast a new magister learned. Vander had been bonded to Shingar for nearly six years, if she recalled correctly. Given that, she'd guess they would reach a point where they could communicate telepathically within a few short days. Across from her, Kasai jerked suddenly, nostrils flaring in sudden agitation. Kalla frowned and Vander grinned as the hawk relaxed.

“That was much faster than I anticipated. It seems… perhaps sharing death strengthened the bond. It usually takes even a well-trained mage at least a week to get to this point,” he said. “It'll get easier to deal with, I promise.”

“Wait, you mean to tell me you can speak to one another now?” Kalla asked. Vander nodded. The Healer just shook her head. So much for that guess. Though she supposed that it would be a better thing if they could function together smoothly before the group entered possibly hostile territory.

Kalla and Aleister finished their breakfast, then went to find Ari, to seek audience with Nobunaga, and make their farewells. As they made their way down a corridor, a tall form melted from the shadows. Winter grey eyes regarded them with hidden mirth. Auric gave them a slight bow, which they returned more deeply.

“Greetings, Lord Auric. Good morning,” Kalla said.

“Greetings, Lady Kalla. I see you have been… busy. Evalyce is almost whole now. However, you should know, there is much anger and fear in Dashmar. I am trying to keep my gift from running rampant, but now that I am free, I must admit it is difficult,” he replied. She nodded.

“The Prince and I felt it when we healed the land last night. A taint throughout the whole land. Dashmar is our next stop. We must go there to reach Port Benwick, to depart for Inkanata. We'll try to deal with that problem first. My guess is it is more meddling of Grosso's.”

“That is well, Lady. I wish you the best of it. You will do well by your people, I have no doubt.

“May I see the whistle I gave you, please?” he asked.

Kalla pulled it from her hidden pocket and handed it over. Araun took the whistle, holding it for a moment in a closed fist. When he opened his hand, the whistle was a shimmery color instead of the carved ivory of before, affixed to a thin silver chain. He gave it back to her.

“You may use the whistle whenever you have need, Lady Kalla. The gates of Xibalba will be open to you. Should you need to, or wish to, visit you merely need draw the single spiral and ask,” Araun said. Kalla's eyes widened at the import of his offer.

“You are generous, my Lord. I thank you,” she said, slipping the chain over her head. Without thinking about what she was doing, the Healer stepped up to the Lord of Xibalba and hugged him. Araun hesitated only a second, before wrapping her in a fatherly hug. And, Kalla thought, that was not far off. He reminded her a great deal of Melaric, now that she'd seen more of the Lord of Illusion's true colors.