Mother of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 1) (4 page)

Kalla yawned, shifting position in the gunner's seat. She glanced out the window, smiling at the sight of Amaterasu's graceful swooping around the ship. The wyvern had had no trouble keeping pace with the strike-fighter, even over long distances.

As they approached the outermost boundaries of Argoth's skyspace, they were greeted by the flagship
Kujata,
strike-fighters swarming around her like bees around a hive. Static crackled on the radio.

“
This is the Imperial Flagship
Kujata
. Identify yourselves.
”

Aleister gave her a wry look.

“So much for blending in,” he said, reaching for the radio. “This is the
Stymphalian,
requesting permission to enter Argosian skyspace. We have business on the mainland. The wyvern is with us!” The last was added hastily when he noticed several of the fighters were making a beeline for Amaterasu. His message must have been relayed, as they broke off and went back to circling the flagship.

“
Argoth's boundaries are closed. No one is allowed through.
” The voice sounded apologetic. Kalla gestured for the radio and Aleister turned it over.

“This is Kalla kyl'Solidor, of House Solidor. I have urgent need to reach Argoth. If needed, send an escort with us, but we must reach the mainland.” There was a long pause before the radio came to life again, and when it did it was no less than the
Kujata's
Admiral himself.

“
Lady kyl'Solidor, this is Admiral Ventaal Karlgraffsson. We must acquire permission of the
Phoenix
before we allow you to pass. Please bring your ship into the
Kujata.”

“Thank you, Admiral. We shall do so.” Kalla put the radio back as Aleister guided the ship into one of the
Kujata's
numerous docking bays, passing easily through the airshield that kept the workers safe when the bay doors were open. Strike fighters of many different classes filled the bay in neat, orderly rows. The bay flagmen guided them to an empty spot and Aleister snugged the
Stymphalian
into place as neatly as one of the military pilots might have. The flagmen gave nods of approval.

Amaterasu had followed them inside, but hung back by the hanger doors. The Argosians in the hanger gave her a wide berth, nervous as horses near fire to be in the presence of the great creature.

An aide scurried up to Kalla and Aleister, bowing to them.

“Greetings Lady kyl'Solidor. Admiral Karlgraffsson will see you in the great-room,” he murmured. Kalla gave Amaterasu a wave, which the wyvern returned with a solemn nod, and turned to follow the aide. The great-room lived up to its name. It was a large room containing an immense table of burnished oak surrounded by plush chairs. The Admiral was at the far end of the room. He looked up as they entered and dismissed the aide, who snapped a salute and left.

“Well, well. If it isn't little Kally returned home.” Ventaal had dropped all pretense of formality once the aide had left. Hazel eyes twinkled in delight and he wrapped her in a bear hug when they reached him. Kalla chuckled to herself as she felt Aleister's alarm.

“What brings you back to Argoth, Kalla? Official business for the Kanlon?” Ventaal turned to regard Aleister. “And who is this fine, young gentleman?”

“Something like that, Ventaal. This is Aleister, my magister,” she replied. Ventaal gave the Sky Fox a hearty handshake and an appraising look.

“Magister, huh. So they finally made you get one?” the Admiral asked in a jovial voice. Ventaal turned back to Aleister. “I don't envy you, son. You're going to have your hands full.”

Kalla could fairly hear Aleister's teeth grinding.

“Yessir, I've already figured that out,” he muttered. Ventaal laughed and Kalla turned a scathing look on the pair of them.

“If you two are quite done now… perhaps we might discuss business?” Kalla growled, earning more muted laughter.

“How long do you think it will take to get permission for us to travel to Argoth, Ventaal. We need to go to the Deep Forest,” Kalla asked.

The Admiral shuddered. “Why on earth would you want to go there, Kalla?”

“Argoth was not the only skycity assaulted, Admiral. We seek answers as to the 'why' and I believe I may find some with the Keeper of the Forest.”

“It shouldn't take too long, not with the request coming from a mage, though we will likely have to escort you in, especially with the company you keep. Why do you have one of those beasts with you?”

Kalla sank into one of the plush chairs and told her friend of the events at Sevfahl and her healing of Amaterasu. While the Admiral was pondering over what they had told him, the intercom came to life.

“
Admiral? The
Phoenix
has granted our request. We are to send a quarti-talon of fighters with them in escort.”

“Very well. Advise the pilots to make ready.” Ventaal turned to Kalla. “I assume you'll want to leave right away?”

“Yes, Admiral, that would be nice. The sooner, the better. I want answers.”

“Just so. I hope you find them.” Vetaal wrapped her in another hug. “Take care, Kally.”

The Admiral turned to shake Aleister's hand again. “It's been a pleasure to meet you, Aleister.” His look turned serious. “Take good care of her, magister.”

The Admiral himself led them back to the hanger. He gave their ship a once-over as they crossed the bay to the
Stymphalian
.

“
Kruetzet-
class. Good ships. I'm not even going to ask how you managed to get your hands on one.” Ventaal slapped the side of the ship affectionately. He started to walk away, then turned back, an odd look on his face. “I could swear I've seen this ship before.” He waved the thought away and bid the pair farewell. “Good journey and good luck, Lady Kalla!”

Kalla returned a wave and a nostalgic smile, before climbing the
Stymphalian'
s stairs. Ventaal had been one of her father's dearest friends. He had been as close as family before Kalla had gone to the Kanlon and seeing the Admiral again brought back painful memories and the guilt that she had never gotten to say 'good-bye'. The mage sank down into the gunner's chair without a word, lost in thought.

Aleister powered the ship back up and smoothly lined up to follow their escort out the doors, casting a worried glance at his broody companion. Kalla kept to her thoughts as they traveled the final distance to Argoth. Aleister's soft, lilting voice drug her from her reverie as they approached the skycity.

“We are here, milady.”

The mage looked up to see the skycity loomed ahead of them. Though called 'skycity', Argoth was in fact a sky continent, an Empire ruled by House Sykes. It was strange to be back home. Kalla had not set foot on Argoth since she had left to become a mage. She had not even returned after she had become a full maester and was free to leave the Kanlon on her own. Her father had been missing and declared dead many years by that time and returning was too painful for her. It still was, but now it was necessary.

Kalla became more watchful as the great guns of the Outer Wall tracked them, ready to take them down if they proved hostile. The Trinity Claw banners of House Sykes snapped and fluttered all along the length of the great Wall. In the distance she could just make out another of the great flagships, with its attendant swarm of fighters. By the shape, it looked to be the
Fenrir.

Aleister followed the escort into one of the military paddocks lining the Outer Wall, bringing the
Stymphalian
into line with the others. Amaterasu landed, coiling protectively around the ship. A large, official procession was already at the paddocks, waiting to receive them. The lead dignitary bowed to them and Kalla gave a half-bow back. Though Kanlon magi were above royalty, it never hurt to pay respects.

“Greetings, Lady kyl'Solidor. Greetings Magister Balflear. The Admiral has informed us of your mission. Passes, supplies and mounts have been obtained for you.” He glanced up at Amaterasu. “I am sorry, Lady Amaterasu, but I must ask that you stay here. Given recent events, it would not be a good idea for you to be away from the protection of the Imperial forces.”

The wyvern nodded, bringing her head down to his level. He

flinched back.

Tell him, if they can feed me and allow me to stretch my wings, then I do not mind waiting with the ship.

Kalla relayed the message and the dignitary visibly relaxed. Clearly, he had expected this to be a sticking point. If Kalla had insisted, they would have had to let the wyvern accompany them, but she could see the wisdom in avoiding unnecessary conflict. Besides, the vykr mounts would not be controllable in the presence of such a predator.

“We will be back as soon as we can, Amaterasu. Please keep the
Stymphalian
safe for us.”

The wyvern let out a rumbling assent that caused the assembled escort to shrink back.

I will do so, Lady Mage. Be safe and come back soon.

“We'll try our best. It will take about a week and a half to reach the Deep Forest, but no telling how long until we find Gasta. The Keeper can be hard to find if he doesn't want company,” Kalla replied.

I will try to be patient, Lady Mage. May the wind guide your wings.
The wyvern's voice rumbled through her mind. Kalla put a hand to her muzzle.

“Thank you, Amaterasu. I pray it will be so,” said Kalla.

Kalla and Aleister followed the escort across the paddock and through the checkpoints of the Outer Wall. They were given Imperial passes to aid them when they came to towns, packs full of the necessary supplies, and a pair of vykr.

The beasts snorted uneasily, stamping their hooves. Vykr were sturdy creatures, with a stocky build. They had a single, stubby spiral horn in the center of their foreheads and were covered in a thick, shaggy pelt of black fur. Aleister grinned, patting the vykr on their velvety noses. He spoke softly to them and they calmed. The Arkaddian handled the beasts as if they were old friends. Vast herds of vykr were kept by the nomadic Arkaddian Empire and he had no doubt learned to work with the hardy creatures at a very young age.

Kalla took his hand, pressing hers over it. It was a matter of mere concentration to create a few small cubes of sugar in his palm. She stepped back, twitching a small smile as the vykr pressed against him, eager for the sweet treat. Kalla and her magister swung themselves up into the saddles, bid farewell to the Imperial escort, and made their way through the gates.

Kalla sighed and slid from the saddle, stretching as she did so and slipping her staff from its tether. Nearby, Aleister climbed down, mirroring his mage's stretch. They had stopped before the Dancing Bear Inn, one of the finer ones in the small town of Millan. A stable boy came to take the vykr away. His eyes widened when he realized she was a mage and he tugged a forelock in respect.

“Take your vykr, Lady Mage?” the stableboy asked. Kalla smiled and handed him the reins. Aleister did likewise.

“Dos mere…” Her voice trailed off questioningly.

“My name is Pip, Lady Mage,” the boy said. Kalla made a gesture, plucking a small coin from thin air.

“Well, then, Pip. Take good care of our vykr and there will be one of these for you now and one when we leave.”

The boy's eyes grew wider as she handed the coin over to him. It was likely more than his wages for a month. She winked conspiratorially. “It'll be our secret. The innkeep need never know.”

His eyes lit up. “I'll take the bestest care of them, Lady Mage!” Pip led the animals to the stable, back straight with pride. Kalla chuckled softly as she and Aleister went into the inn, packs slung over their shoulders.

Conversation died away as everyone craned to get a look at the newcomers. The innkeep hurried forward, wiping his hands on his apron. He was a chubby man with a good-natured face and his establishment seemed every bit as welcoming as he was, for the gazes weren't hostile, merely curious.

“How may I help you, Lady Mage?” He dipped a bow.

“We'd like rooms for the night, Master Innkeep. Dinner would be nice too, if it's not too much trouble.”

“No trouble at all, Lady Mage, no trouble at all. My name is Wylsin. Will you eat here or dine in your rooms?”

Kalla glanced around the inn's common room. It was pleasantly crowded.

“My name is Kalla kyl'Solidor and this is my magister, Aleister Balflear. We'll eat down here, if you please.”

Master Wylsin gestured for one of his assistants to take their packs and led them to a table in the corner.

“Something to drink then, Lady Mage? Magister?”

“Fury wine, if you have any,” said Kalla. Aleister gave her an incredulous look.

“Oh, gods be good. Well, I'm not going to try to compete with that… I'll have fire whiskey, Master Wylsin.”

The innkeep chuckled.

“Indeed we do, Lady Mage. Your drinks and dinner will be right out.” Wylsin bustled off into the kitchen, cheerfully yelling to the staff. Aleister turned back to her, one eyebrow raised slightly.

“Fury wine, milady? Are you sure that's such a good idea?” he asked. Despite its name, fury wine was not a wine at all, but one of the most potent alcoholic beverages in all of De Sikkari. The best came from the distilleries on Port Jericho.

“Magi aren't affected quite the same way by alcohol. It takes a great deal more to cause even a pleasant buzz. Hence the fury wine. It is a built in protection for magi. It comes with the magick. Think the damage a mage not in full control of their powers might wreak. Don't worry- that immunity will pass on to you as well, now you're a magister.”

Aleister shook his head, muttering to himself, something fast becoming a trend. Wylsin arrived with a fine dinner of roast mutton, soft brown bread covered in butter, Argosian wild rice and a twelve bean salad. The pair ate quietly, content to watch the crowd. Aleister finished first. He pushed his plate away and relaxed, resting his chin against his hand. The fire whiskey had left him relaxed and content, the feelings filtering over to Kalla. Another emotion ran undercurrent, though she couldn't tell just what. He was unconsciously dampening it, but the fire whiskey had weakened his control enough that she felt it intermittently.

Kalla chuffed a laugh as she noticed what he was watching. At a nearby table a game of
kessala
was in progress. The dice game was popular among the Argosian military and Aleister had no doubt learned it from his previous companion. She gestured to the table.

“Go join them. I'll let you know before I go upstairs,” she said.

“Are you sure you don't mind?” the Fox asked. Kalla yawned, finally starting to feel the effects of the fury wine.

She nodded. “I'm sure. Go on.”

Aleister gave her a mock salute and the feeling of familiarity overcame her again, as it had in the Inferno. As if the pair of them had played this same scenario out before.

“Thanks, captain,” he said. Kalla snorted as she watched him thread through the tables, where he was readily accepted into the dicing circle. Extracting a slim journal and a pen from a hidden pouch inside her robes, Kalla spent the next few moments writing before a tug on her robes broke her concentration. She looked down to see a tiny girl standing by her knee. Two more children stood farther back, too shy to approach the mage.

“Yes, little one? Can I help you with something?” Kalla asked.

The little girl blushed and scooted her toe in the dirt.

“Can you tell us a story, Lady Mage? Mages have the best stories!”

Kalla couldn't help but smile. While bardcraft wasn't her particular interest she wasn't a half bad storyteller. Kalla nodded and gestured for the children to gather around her. They all shuffled forward and found places in the floor before her.

“I think I can spare a story. What kind of story do you want to hear?”

“Magick!” A chorus of little voices chanted back to her.

“Well now, I'm sure I can find something to fit the bill,” Kalla said as she settled into her storyteller mode.

“Once, long ago, when the world was young and the creatures new-made, all things were wild, even the Tame Creatures. The Vykr was wild, the Goat was wild and the Booa was wild. So, too, were the Geese and the Mir'aj. But the wildest of the wild was the Sabretooth, the little cousin of the Longtooth. The Sabretooth, he walked by himself and no place was closed to him.

“Of course, Man was wild too. Terribly so. It took Woman to tame Man, for she would not live Man's wild ways. Woman it was who found a nice, dry cave, a cave within Berkhat Keldon, to dwell in, rather than lay her head wherever she be. She strew clean sand and made rush pallets for bedding. At the far end of the cave, she made a warm fire and before the opening to the cave she placed the skin of a Pronghorn, that the winds and rains might not enter the home of the Woman and the Man.

“That night they feasted upon wild sheep flavored with garlic and pepper, roasted upon the fire. With it they had shilan mushrooms, wild-rice and the fruits of the Plains. After the fine meal, Man was content and he went to sleep before the fire, but Woman, she was not content.

“She stayed up, thinking. As she thought, she whittled a flute from a bone of the pronghorn. And then? Then the Woman made magick, the first magick the world had ever known and a magick now lost. It was Woman that birthed the magick of the True Harpers, the magick of the Spellsingers. She played a song upon her bone flute, a song of her needs, her wishes, her desires and one by one they came to her.

“Out upon the vast plains the Wild Ones gathered together where they could see the fire from a long distance and they wondered what it meant for them. Wild Vykr stamped his foot upon the ground in agitation.

“
My friends and my enemies, why have Man and Woman made a great fire in the cave of Keldon and what does it mean for us?”
he asked.

Wild Booa lifted his nose to the winds and caught the scent of roasting pronghorn. Finding it pleasing, he decided to investigate.

“
I will go and I will look, for I do believe it a good thing. Sabretooth, come with me!”
Wild Booa exclaimed. Sabretooth merely sniffed.

“
Nay, I am Sabretooth who walks alone and all places are the same to me. I will not come.”
replied Sabretooth.

“
Then no more shall we be friends,
” replied Wild Booa and with that he trotted off to the cave. But Sabretooth was curious, as all his

kin are, and he found himself stealthily following Wild Booa. At the cave he hid himself and watched as Wild Booa approached and cautiously poked his nose beneath the door hanging. When Woman caught sight of him she thought to herself, 'well, here is the first.'

“
Welcome Wild One of the Wild Plains. What is it that you seek?
” Woman asked.

“
Wife of my enemy, what is that that smells so good?
” Wild Booa asked. At this, Woman picked up a haunch of the roast meat and threw it to the Wild Booa.

“
Wild One of the Wild Plains, taste and see for yourself,
” she said. Wild Booa gnawed the bone and it was more delicious than anything he had ever tasted. When he was done, he begged Woman for another.

“
Wild One of the Wild Plains, go with Man by day to hunt and guard our lands and guard this cave, our home, by night and I shall give you all the bones you desire,
” Woman replied. Wild Booa agreed, for he thought the deal a good one and from that day on he was no more Wild Booa, but simply Booa, he who would become the guardian of the herds.

“
Aah,
” thought Sabretooth. “
This is a wise Woman, but she is not so wise as I.
” And with a swish of his tufted tail, Sabretooth sauntered out into the Plains, thinking Booa to be very foolish for having given up his freedom.

“When the Man woke the next morning and spied Booa he said, “
What is Wild Booa doing here?”
To which Woman replied, “
His name is not Wild Booa, but rather, it is First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting.”

“The next day, Woman collected great armfuls of green grass from the grassy seas and lay them by the door, so that the air smelt of fresh cut grass. She sat weaving a halter from sturdy grass fronds and when she was done, she once more played her Song on the bone flute.

“Out on the Wild Plains, Wild Vykr stamped his hoof, agitated by the absence of Wild Booa and tempted by the smell of new cut grass drifting over the Plains. He decided to see what had become of Wild Booa. Once more Sabretooth followed in stealth and hid himself

nearby. Trotting up to the Cave, Wild Vykr stopped before Woman.

“
Greetings Wild One of the Wild Plains. What seek you here?
” she asked.

“
Wife of my enemy, where is Wild Booa? What have you done with him?
” Wild Vykr asked.

“
Wild One of the Wild Plains, you did not come here for the sake of Wild Booa, but for the green grass I have here.
”

“
This be true,
” Wild Vykr said, for indeed it was. “
Give it to me to eat.”

“
Very well, Wild One, come to me. Bend down your wild head and wear that which I will put upon you and you shall eat the fresh cut grass thrice daily.
” Woman said. Wild Vykr came near, allowing the Woman to slip the halter around his neck. Bending his head down, Wild Vykr touched his horn to the ground in submission.

“
Oh my Mistress and wife of my Master, I will be your servant, for the sake of the wonderful grass,
” Wild Vykr said and from that day forward he was Wild Vykr no longer but simply Vykr, the mount and companion to those who would be rulers of the Plains.

“
Aah,
” thought Sabretooth. “
This is a clever Woman, but she is not so clever as I.
” And with a swish of his tufted tail, Sabretooth sauntered out into the Plains, thinking Vykr to be very foolish for having given up his freedom.

“When Man and Booa came back from hunting that evening and spied the Vykr, Man said, “
What is Wild Vykr doing here?”
To which Woman said, “
His name is not Wild Vykr any longer, but rather First Servant, because he will carry us from place to place for always and always. Ride on his back when you go hunting.”

“The next day Wild Goat came to the Cave and as before, Sabretooth followed and hid himself to watch what would happen. Everything happened just as it had before and when Wild Goat promised to provide the Woman with warm milk in exchange for wonderful grass, Sabretooth said the same things as before. And just as before, Sabretooth sauntered out onto the Plains savoring his freedom.

“Next day, Sabretooth waited to see which of the Wild Ones would approach the cave, but none dared. Finally he decided to go himself and found Woman there milking Goat. When she saw him, she said,

“
Wild One of the Wild Plains, I have not summoned you. I have put up the magick flute as we have no more need for either friends or servants.
”

“At this Sabretooth lashed his tail. “
I am neither friend nor servant. I am Sabretooth, he who walks alone, and I wish to come into your cave.”

“
If that be the case, why then did you not come with Booa, the first night?
” Woman asked. “
You are Sabretooth, he who walks by himself, and all places are alike to you. You are neither a friend nor a servant. You have said it yourself. Go away and walk by yourself in all places alike.”

“At this Sabretooth pretended to be sorry and asked, “
Must I never be allowed into the cave? Never to sit by the warm fire as Booa does? Beautiful lady, you could not be cruel, even to a Sabretooth.”

“
Beautiful lady am I? Very well then, I will make you a bargain. If ever I say one word in your praise, that is when you may come into the cave,
” Woman replied.

“
And if you should say two words?
” Sabretooth asked.

“
If I should say two words, then not only may you come into the cave, but you may stay and curl up by the fire as Booa does.
”

“
Very well. I shall remember,
” Sabretooth said and took himself off to the Plains. There he stayed for a very long time, until the Woman had long since forgotten about him. Then one day, little Bat came to Sabretooth with news that there was a small, pink baby in the cave now and that the Woman was very fond of him.

“
Just so,
” said Sabretooth, “
but what is it that the baby likes?
”