Lady of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 2) (11 page)

“Drums we have, but not the chimes.” The Healer focused her concentration and tapped her leg with one of the strikers. Though they could not see her pants beneath the robes, when she was finished, they could hear the jingle of metal when she shook her foot. Satisfied, she focused once more, then reached out to tap Kasai's opposite leg. He yelped as thin strands of metal snaked up his leg, larger metallic circles dangling from them. When she finished, he shook his leg, causing the circles to chime together, not unlike the cymbals of a Dashmari tambourine.

For the next several minutes the pair explored the possibilities, seeing what actions made which sounds. When Kalla was satisfied, they took their places to either end of the great drum. They spent the next hour putting themselves through the paces of the Song the Hounds had given them, though not they made no sound as they struck the drums with the strikers. Drums, strikers, and chimes had all been sheathed in a bubble of silence. Tonight would be the first time the Song would be played for mortal ears.

As they wound up the last round of practice, Kalla dispelled the silence and casually thumped the strikers against the great drum in the opening notes of 'Dance of the Dragon'. The hawk hesitated only a moment before responding. The pair quickly settled into the fast-paced rhythm, strikers a blur as they alternated between the drums. Shukke and Koumugi picked up parts on a bull-drum and a ground-drum to fill out the song.

Passersby began to filter in, drawn to the sound of the drums like a moth to flames. Several Harriers had entered the enclosure, among them Khasar and Kiba. The hawks were the loudest to cheer in approval when the piece was finished. As one, the four drummers turned and bowed gracefully to the gathered crowd, eliciting another round of cheers. Khasar strolled over to them as the others began to drift back out.

“I am most impressed, Lady Mage. I would not take you for one so skilled at the thunderdrums if I had not seen you myself,” he said. Kalla gave him a half-bow and a grin.

“Why, thank you. It's Lord Hauss' fault. He makes all Healers learn. I must admit, I do enjoy them though,” she replied. After a bit more idle chatter, Aleister and Kasai followed Khasar back to the Mews, with the Master Harrier's assurances that he would send them back quick enough. By this time, Kalla's tummy was growling unhappily by the lack of breakfast. With a chuckle, Shukke and Koumugi led the magi back inside to one of the Palace's smaller dining halls, where they broke their fast on
rashagi
, wrapped pockets containing mutton cooked with garlic, cloves and bitter vykr cheese, a typical Arkaddian breakfast.

At Aleister's request, the two magisters ate in the Mews amidst a farewell for both hawks. From the Fox's impressions, Kalla could tell that the gesture had meant a lot to the Harrier and had helped make him more at ease, seeing that he wouldn't be treated like a pariah by those he had lived and worked with all his life.

After the meals were finished, the magisters returned, Kasai having moved his stuff in the interim. He hadn't chosen to bring much, not that the Harriers kept many personal belongings: his weapons, of course, a few changes of clothes, all in the Harrier black and, interestingly enough, a set of books.

By this time it was around mid-day. Kalla had decided, since she and Kasai had already gone over the Song, and they did have a bit more free time, she would go out from the city and use the whistle Araun had given her. It was only fitting and proper that he be freed first and she could think of no better time. The small group walked out beyond the edge of the great encampment, farther and farther until the
yerts
were tiny specks on the horizon. She slipped the whistle out and stared at it for a long moment before raising it to her lips and blowing. No sound came out that she could hear, but she trusted that the whistle had done its job.

The winds picked up around them, fluttering the magi's robes and the sky seemed to darken, though the only clouds above were tiny cottonballs. A gathering fog spread across the area, obscuring their vision. From the depths came the soft nicker of a horse, then a figure coalesced out of the gloom. A horseman on a dapple-grey horse, his clothing the darker grey of thunderclouds. Long silvery hair was pulled back in a loose tail.

Around the horse spilled a pack of white hounds with red ears. One in particular ran circles around the group before coming to a stop before Kalla. She reached down to scratch the hound's ears. Behind her, Vander let out a soft hiss as a pair of ghilan glided from the fog. They came to heel on either side of the horse. The Healer regarded the horseman for a moment before bowing deeply, the others following suit. He returned the bow.

“All is One.” The winter wind voice was familiar, even if the form wasn't.

“One is all,” Kalla replied.

“As above.”

“So below.”

“Thus are all Connected,” they said together.

“I thank you, Lady Kalla. I must admit, I didn't think you would use the whistle so soon,” Araun said.

“Ushas and Shang'de told me what it was really for. Why did you not just ask?”

The figure twitched a shrug. “I did not think you would use it if I did. I am not as hampered as some. It was not imperative.”

“And Azurai? Will he seek me out as well?” Kalla asked. Araun smiled and though it was slight, it lit his winter grey eyes.

“You have already freed him,” he replied. The Healer frowned.

“I have not met him, my Lord. How could I have possibly freed him?”

In response, the horseman's form rippled and changed, becoming the skeletal eldritch being that she had seen in Xibalba. She heard a few muted gasps and fear thrilled through her from Aleister.

“
What the hells?
” he muttered in her mind. Kalla chuckled softly. She already knew what the Lord of Living Nightmare looked like and, seeing him again, she wasn't as intimidated.

Araun's form continued to ripple, flesh filling out the skeletal frame. A body covered in pale silver fur, a vaguely canine head with a soft equine muzzle, leathery wings, leonine hindquarters. Thin horns tapered back from his head, a thick, darker grey mane falling down neck and shoulders. His forelimbs were still overly long, giving him an odd, awkward appearance, yet his movements were graceful as he walked towards them. Beside him, the ghilan shifted, their own bony forms filling out to reveal a mostly horse-like body with the paws of a dog and velvety equine muzzles like Araun's, housing sharp teeth.

We are one and the same,
he whispered through her mind. Kalla blinked.

“Wait… so the reason you couldn't complete the bargain was because of the block on deities in general, not because of 'Azurai'. Why make me go through that?” She gave him a much put upon look and he snorted in response, shifting back into a human form sans horse.

“Because you needed to learn the lesson to move on, to grow stronger,” he replied. The Healer frowned, musing over his words. Yes, the trial had been hard, but she had found out once and for all that she
could
put the greater good first and survive it. A harsh lesson and a necessary one. Emerald eyes met slate ones and she nodded slightly.

“Yes, I have no doubt.” A pause. “My Lord, will you join us this evening? You are here, after all,” Kalla asked and it was Araun's turn to blink. A sadness flitted through his grey eyes, gone before it was really noticeable.

“It has been a very long time since my presence has been requested anywhere. At least, requested willingly. If you wish it, I will join you.”

“I do.”

He nodded and turned to the ghilan, whispering words in a soft, sibilant language. The creatures glided back into the fog, all but one of the hounds following, leaving behind the one that had greeted Kalla.

The Healer frowned again, surveying her small group. She had planned to teleport them all back once her errand was complete, but wasn't sure how well she would do with two more added. Araun chuckled, snapping his fingers, and they all found themselves back in the magi's room.

“You forget who you are dealing with,” Araun said. He pointed to the narrow window. “However, I think you might wish to make haste.”

Kalla looked up to find the sun now low in the sky, casting a reddish light over the plains. It was much closer to evening, closer to the appointed time for the feast and she suddenly found herself very anxious and nervous. She pushed the feelings down, trying unsuccessfully to keep them from her magister.

At Shukke's polite invitation Araun agreed to accompany him, along with Kalla and Kasai, leaving Vander and Aleister to go with Koumugi. As they parted, Kalla drew the shield between her and the Fox, cutting off most of her presence from him, hiding her as she had at the Kanlon. He spun around, confused and she gave him a sly grin before exchanging a look with Vander. The Dashmari would tell him what was going on before the actual ceremony, but only just.

Kalla surveyed the crowd from her place beside Shukke, where both stood on a small dais before the thunderdrums. The front of the cordoned area had been opened up and people clustered around it, seated on cushions around low tables in the style of the Plainslands. Far out into the night bright bonfires glowed in the dimming light. The Khan sat closest to the drums, Araun with him, but there was precious little to distinguish the Arkaddian ruler's area from any other. Nobunaga didn't know who his companion actually was, just that he was an honored guest of Kalla, and an important person. Araun had been introduced as Lord Auric, from Argoth.

Shukke held up a hand and Kasai, manning the great drum, pounded out a call to attention. As the crowd grew quiet Shukke opened the ceremony with an invocation to Ushas and Shang'de, pouring offerings of fermented vykr's milk into a large clay bowl, then adding chunks of bitter cheese. As he finished, Kalla moved up beside him and made similar invocations to Kituk and Arvynn, placing offerings of sweet milk and pronghorn meat into another clay bowl She then picked up another cup from the table.

“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 crossed 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.