Mother of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 1) (10 page)

“I look forward to it.” His grin faded as Kalla's face crumpled again. He sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around her and hugging her close.

“I'm sorry, Warryn. I don't know what's gotten in to me.” Without thinking, she pulled the fox-ball out of her pocket, rolling it around in her hand. Its light still shone steady, though not brightly.

“It's understandable, Kalla. It's not a crime to care and the two of you
are
bound to one another.” He peered closer. “Is that what I think it is? Where'd you get it?” She clutched the orb protectively, even though he hadn't made a move to take it. “Easy, there. I'm not going to snatch it from you,” he said gently. She laughed softly.

“Sorry. And yes, it is a
kitsune
orb. It belongs to Aleister.”

“Where'd he get it?” Warryn asked.

“No, it
is
his.” Kalla went on to explain their adventures on Argoth. Warryn whistled softly.

“So your magister is one of the fox-kin, huh.” He tapped the orb. “You realize what he gave you, right?” he asked. She smiled sadly.

“I know. I don't know why, but I know,” she replied in a muted voice. Warryn started to say something else, but his words were cut off by the returning Shelk. The big magister carried a tray with a plate of potato dumplings and a flask of fury wine. He put the tray on the table near the door and handed a small packet to Warryn.

“Master Hauss said to make sure she took this,” the big Copper Islander said. Kalla scowled at Warryn and Shelk, but didn't object as Warryn mixed the powder with the wine.

“Well now, you should get a nice long sleep in.” The pair stayed with her until she finally drifted off into sleep, then quietly snuck out with the tray.

By the time the mage woke again, it was dark. She'd slept the entire day. Kalla unconsciously cast her mind in search of Aleister only to be forcibly reminded that he was in a coma. After all these weeks of contact, the lack of thoughts brought a wash of loneliness over her. She pulled out the orb. It still shone faintly, green and rose swirling around one another. Pocketing it, she made her way back to the Healer's Hall. As she arrived at his room, two healers were leaving. They gave her a thumbs up sign that she took to mean that he was still stable. Not that she didn't trust them, but she did her own evaluation. Sure enough, all was well. She just needed to be patient. Too bad patience was something those of House Solidor tended to lack.

For that night and every one after she continued to keep her vigil. Days turned to weeks. She often helped with her magister's therapy and got to know all of the trainees quite well. Hauss had a promising bunch this time, especially in Manny Malkador. The young healer was one of the Plains people, but from Sveldtland rather than Arkaddia. Sveldtlanders had the same coffee-colored skin, but tended towards black hair rather than reddish-brown. He was almost always a part of the therapy team working with Aleister. Several more times Hauss had Warryn haul her away and dose her to make her sleep. A few times she had ridden out to Bensen'gar to visit Amaterasu. The wyvern was saddened to hear about Aleister and delighted to meet Warryn and Shelk.

Twice Kalla spoke before the Sin' and Tem' regarding her claims that Al'dhumarna was stirring. Of them all, Grosso still stood against her. Thankfully the Sin' took her more seriously. Master Sevrus assured her they were looking into it. Numerous reports of bizarre happenings came in daily now. Floods in the Plainslands were ruining the lush grass seas. Drought in Rang'Moori was creating a desert that spread at an alarmingly unnatural rate. Groundcities were still susceptible to attack. Even the skycities still found themselves approached by smaller bands of wyvern, but they were more vigilant now and well-protected by anti-airship guns.

Vander had been allowed to stay in the Kanlon. His powers were still bound and he and Shingar were still guests of the Great Spire. Part of her would have liked to have confronted him, demanded answers; part of her was scared what might happen if she did. Winter settled around Cryshal Kanlon, muting its glow and blanketing the surrounding fields. The Solstice Celebration fast approached, but Kalla's heart wasn't in it.

* * *

Aleister groaned and cracked one eye open. He found himself in a dimly lit room. In the waning light outside he could see that it was snowing. Why was it snowing? It had been fall when they'd gotten here. The Magister frowned. That was the last thing he remembered, landing at the Bensen'gar paddocks. He sought out Kalla's mind, but found her asleep. He closed his eyes again, listening to voices in the hall. With a small scraping sound, the door to his room opened and an older Arkaddian man stepped into the room. When he saw that Aleister was awake the scowl left his face and he smiled. He turned to the person behind them, instructing them to go fetch Kalla.

“Well now, son. I was afraid you were never going to wake up. I'd almost given up hope on you.”

“Given up hope?” Aleister frowned at the hoarseness of his voice. The Arkaddian came closer and rested his hands against the Sky Fox's temples. Aleister drew back at the touch.

“Easy, son. I just want to see how things are looking. You took a pretty bad blow to the head.” He stepped back, satisfied with what he found. Aleister ran a hand over the area. A small depression was all that remained as a mute testament to the wound that had felled him. “My name's Hauss. I'm the Chief Healer here.” Hauss took a seat on the wooden chair beside the bed. “Son, you've been in a coma for six weeks. If you hadn't been here, of all places, you wouldn't have survived.”

Aleister shook his head. “The last thing I remember is arriving at Bensen'gar.” He blinked as a flood of emotion engulfed him. A soft crack of power and his mage stood before them. Hauss scowled, but it softened as Kalla knelt beside the bed.

“You're awake. Great Balgeras, you're awake.” Something shimmered on her cheeks in the dim light. The Fox reached out and carefully wiped away a tear.

“You… you would weep for me?” he asked softly. Kalla gave a shaky laugh, but said nothing. She merely took his hand and squeezed it gently. A soft knock on the door and Manny came through, carrying a mug of something that steamed gently. As Kalla helped Aleister to sit up, Manny handed the mug to Hauss and departed. Hauss passed the mug to Aleister.

“Drink up, son. This will help you sleep more naturally and to build your strength. I'm going to ask you a few questions, just to see what might be affected.” Aleister nodded as he gingerly took a sip from the steaming mug. It didn't taste as bad as he'd been afraid it might. Between the two Healers they asked a great many questions and he felt Kalla's relief grow as he apparently answered each to their satisfaction. Sometimes the instructions were to move a hand or a foot. Sometimes it was nonsensical things like naming animals alphabetically. Finally, even Hauss was satisfied that all was in order. By now Aleister was pleasantly relaxed and wanted nothing more than to snug down in the blankets and go back to sleep. Hauss departed, but not before admonishing Kalla to return to her quarters and get some rest herself. After the Chief Healer left, she turned back to Aleister.

“Here, this belongs to you.” She held out the fox-ball, now shining brightly. He stared at it for a moment, then his eyes flicked up to look at her. He looked away, out the now dark window.

“No, you keep it. It was freely given.”

“Aleister, do you understand what you have done in giving me this?”

“Yes…” His voice trailed off. Through the re-established bond she felt his exhaustion and the hurt she had caused by trying to return the orb. Beneath those ran the odd undercurrent she kept sensing, but couldn't grasp. Even now, he was pushing them down. She tucked the orb away and knelt beside the bed as he shrugged himself back down so he could sleep. Even that was enough to double his exhaustion.

“I'm sorry, Aleister. I just wanted to be sure.” She reached out and brushed his hair back. The hurt feeling diminished as he leaned against the touch. He murmured something she couldn't understand, something in Arkaddian, before drifting off into a more natural sleep. Now that the bond was back, Kalla realized how much she'd missed it. Even when he was asleep, it was a comforting presence in the back of her mind. After she was sure he was asleep, Kalla crept from the room. She made her way back to her own rooms where she promptly downed the rest of the fury wine potion Warryn had left with her and offered a prayer of thanks to Balgeras.

Aleister felt much better in the morning. He wolfed down the breakfast Hauss brought him, answering yet another series of questions while he did so. Hauss sat down in the wooden chair beside the bed again, casting his eyes up to the ceiling.

“Warryn and Rosalia are going to keep Kalla away for awhile. We need to have a talk, son,” Hauss said. Aleister gave the Healer a puzzled look.

“I know who you are, son. I know what you've done,” Hauss rumbled. The Sky Fox blanched at these words.

“How…”

“Easy, son. I understand why you did it. I saw your memories while I was healing you. You might be happy to know you still have family living,” the Healer said, his gruff voice gentle. Aleister rubbed a hand over his face.

“Family? Where?”

“You're looking at him, son.” Hauss tapped the Magister on the forehead. “I'd be your uncle, if I were still in Arkaddia.”

“If you were still in Arkaddia you would be obligated to kill me,” Aleister replied.

“Aye, glad I am that I'm not, then. I like you, son.” He paused for a moment, favoring Aleister with a penetrating gaze. “Tell me, do you understand the Fox King's visions?” Hauss asked. Aleister gave the Chief Healer a hard look before turning to look out the window. Snow piled against it now, but the day beyond was clear and bright.

“I understand those about my past. I understand that Kalla was Melaric's daughter. The rest, no I'm afraid not,” he said softly. Hauss snorted.

“They were all you. And Kalla. She was right, boy. Your first incarnation in this world was
kitsune.
And hers? She was the frost wolf. She was the hunter. She was the captain to your gunner. She was the Kymry healer to your sheepherder. She was one of the Arkaddian generals, you were the other. She was the merchant's wife, you were the merchant.” Hauss cast another glance upwards. Through the bond, Aleister felt Kalla's growing irritation.

“Shards! She won't be deterred much longer. Son, my point is, the pair of you have been drawn together life after life. No doubt a strong bond was formed in your first encounter. I can't say. I would bet, though, that she was unconsciously drawn to you during her search for a magister and thus the pair of you find yourselves together again.”

“I-”

“I know, son, you're Arkaddian, you don't believe in past lives. They don't require your belief. I can also tell you that you need to tell her about your past.” With this last, the Healer turned and opened the door, revealing an irritated Kalla. The mage stalked into the room, muttering darkly.

“Why does everyone and their brother feel the need to ask my opinion on something this morning…” she growled.

“I have no idea, Kalla. However, you'll be happy to know that we can get your magister up and moving about today. It'll be a few more days before he'll be ready to leave the Healer's Hall, but he's still doing nicely. They did well with his therapy.”

“I'm right here, remember,” Aleister said. Hauss jumped with a mock look of surprise. He gave Aleister a friendly slap on the leg as he left.

“Remember what I said, son.” Kalla gave the Healer's departing back another odd look.

“Remember what?” she asked.

“It's nothing. Just some tips on getting better.” Kalla's look said she didn't believe him, but before she could question him further, Manny and another of the healers came in.

“Feel up to a bath?”

Aleister nodded and the pair helped him to stand. Though his legs were shaky at first, he gained a bit of strength as he walked. Kalla watched them lead him down the hall and then set off in search of Warryn. By the time lunch rolled around she could tell he'd worn himself out and Hauss had dosed him with the sleeping draught again. Over the next several days the Sky Fox showed vast improvements. Hauss finally released him from the Healer's Hall with the warning to be careful and to return each Endday for an evaluation. In short order he soon found himself in quarters within House Solidor, nearer to his mage.

Kalla and Aleister joined Warryn and Shelk out in the Solidor courtyard. The House courtyards were kept shielded from the winter weather. Inside they were warm, dry and free of the snow that still covered the grounds. Mage and magister were finally going to begin the training they had come here for in the first place.

“Rule number one, always have fun!” The Rang'Moori mage grinned at them. “Remember to enjoy life. It's too short as it is.” He grew more serious. “Aleister, I'd like you to go with Shelk. He will be taking care of your physical training. Return here in an hour.” As the two magisters departed, Warryn turned his attention back to Kalla. “Now for your part- latch onto his thoughts. Follow them. See if you can trace their path in your mind,” he murmured. Kalla nodded and closed her eyes. For several long moments she was silent.

“I think… they are in the Malkador courtyard. That seems about right,” she said.

“Correct! Now, picture the scene in your mind. You are there with them. What do you see?” For the next hour Warryn had her describing every little detail of what she thought she saw. The skills themselves were ones magi learned early on. The trick lay in processing them through their magisters' minds. From Shelk Warryn confirmed when Kalla got something right. After an hour, the magisters returned and knelt in the grass beside the magi.

“Not too bad for a first session. Now we are going to work on strengthening the bond between you. By the time we are done with the training, you should be able to actively influence the bond and to communicate telepathically with one another. You will need to learn to buff your mental shields to keep stray thoughts from wandering.”

Aleister paled at this last. Kalla gave him a look of concern, but didn't say anything.

“Now then, I want both of you to actively concentrate on the bond between you,” Warryn said.

For the next two hours the Archivist had the two of them doing all kinds of mental exercises. He finally called a halt and both mage and magister slumped in relief.

“I thought I had passed all of this learning stuff long ago. You could almost put Hauss to shame, Warryn!” Kalla exclaimed. The Archivist aimed a swat at her but she ducked out of the way.

“We'll meet here tomorrow at the same time,” he said. The four left, heading to the dining hall where dinner was just being served.

For the next two weeks they followed the same pattern. Aleister would begin his days with Shelk and Kalla had to follow him in her mind. When the magisters returned, she and Aleister had to tackle the grueling mental tasks Warryn set for them. It was Fenrix of their second week when they had a major breakthrough.

“
Aleister!
” Kalla's voice sounded in his mind. The magister spooked but didn't let his guard down. He blocked a swing by the big Copper Islander and backed up, trying to figure out how to respond.

“
Yes?
” His mindvoice was tentative and he wasn't sure he'd actually responded to the mage's mental call.

“
You did it!
” A pause “
Warryn says come back. That's enough for today. We've done well.
” Pride came through the shared link.

“
Yes, milady.
” Even as Kalla was relaying this, Shelk was receiving the same message from Warryn. Aleister had come to recognize the look the big magister got when Warryn was speaking with him. After he'd learned to recognize it in Shelk, he began to see the same look in others he came across and he judged them to be magisters also, even if not in company of a mage. Here in the Kanlon, the guardians were given more freedom to wander. He'd also discovered that not all magisters were male. There were female magisters, most often bonded to males, but not always. Warryn's brother, Warryck, had a female magister as did Hauss.

Aleister still found it hard to believe that the Arkaddian Healer was his uncle. His father had never even mentioned having a brother who had been taken away to the Kanlon. The magisters rejoined their magi in the Solidor courtyard. Once they were all assembled, Warryn cast a critical eye over the pair, before he broke out in a big grin.

“You've done well. Seeing as how tomorrow is the Solstice Celebration, I say we enjoy the next few days. We'll begin again on Balgrix.”

“A few days to relax sounds nice.” said Kalla.

Warryn grinned. “Now, it's not been that bad!”

The four broke up, going their separate ways for the day. Kalla toyed with the idea of going to see Amaterasu, but decided against it. Though they had ended the session earlier than usual, it would be nearly dark by the time she and Aleister reached Bensen'gar. Besides, they had two free days. They could spend the whole day after Solstice with the wyvern, maybe even taking the airship out. Kalla wandered to the Healer's Hall, Aleister trailing along behind.

Rosalia greeted them at the door. The plump Rang'Moori broke out into a wide grin when they entered, her blue eyes twinkling. Rosalia was an herbalist at the Hall. She also happened to be Hauss's magister and lady wife.

“Come in, come in! Hauss is testing new Healers at the moment. We have a few he thought ready to become maesters. He should be almost done. You'll stay for supper with us?” Rosalia asked. Kalla laughed.

“Oh my. I don't envy those poor people. Who're the lucky ones?”

“Well, the two Aerodor sisters, Leskin Wyvaldor and… Manny Malkador. Yes, that should be all of them,” the herbalist replied.

“And I wish the best of luck to them! Yes, Rosalia, if you'll have us for supper, I think we'll stick around. Warryn's finished with us today,” Kalla said.

“How is your training going, dear?” asked Rosalia. Kalla grinned again.

“We managed telepathic contact finally. Warryn gave us the next two days off,” she said. The elder magister beamed with pride and swept Kalla up in a grandmotherly hug.

“That's wonderful, dears. Hauss will be proud of both of you.” Rosalia let go of Kalla and swept the Sky Fox in an equally generous hug. She got a thoughtful look in her eye. “Speaking of which, here he comes.” Sure enough Hauss entered the Healer's Hall, followed by the younger Sveldtlander, who was beaming.

“I take it you passed?” Kalla asked. His grin told her all she needed to know. “Well, congratulations then, Manny kyl'Malkador.”

“Thanks! Guess I'll be leaving next week to acquire my own magister. I only hope I'm as lucky as the two of you. I'd like to find someone with whom I can work as well with as you and Hauss work with Aleister and Rosalia,” Manny said.

“I'm sure you will, son. Congratulations on a job well done. You've exceeded my expectations,” said Hauss. Here Kalla laughed.

“Then I
know
you did well. Hauss sets high expectations of all his students,” Kalla said. The elder Arkaddian scowled at her. “Well, you do. You can't deny it.” She laughed again and Hauss relented with a sly grin of his own.

“No, but look how well both of you turned out,” Hauss said. He turned back to Manny. “Any other questions, son?”

“No… well. Yeah, one, I guess. Why, exactly, do we seek out magisters from criminals?” Manny asked.

Kalla snorted. Hauss gestured for her to answer and Aleister perked up. It was a question he had often wondered, but hadn't dared to ask. He didn't want to seem ungrateful for the second chance he'd been given.

“Magisters are chosen from the ranks of the walking dead, ostensibly because it was assumed that those convicted of such crimes warranting death would be strong enough to both serve as fierce protection for a recuperating Mage and as a stalwart source of extra power if needed. The bond is designed to ensure that the recipient does not accept to merely gain freedom, then slay the mage to escape. If a mage dies, then so will their magister. However, the reverse is not true, though you will feel the death.” Her voice grew softer, “… and you will feel it if the bond is broken for some other reason, such as a coma. An emptiness where you are used to sensing something. It is not… pleasant. At any rate, as you can see, many of us have found ways to circumvent having an unpleasant companion. I don't regret my choice, though I do regret having had to do it in the first place. It is a form of enslavement and that does not sit well with me.”

“I see. It still doesn't make much sense to me, especially if you have someone willing to take the bond,” Manny said with a frown.

“Well, Warryn knows the history and lore better than I do, but the reasoning there was because you ran the risk of magi limiting their power for fear of hurting their magisters, or killing them when they themselves died. Sometimes it comes down to the good of the many versus the good of the one. A mage might be willing to risk their own life if need be, but not that of the one bonded to them. The mage and magister become good friends, or even husband and wife.”

Manny nodded. “I think I understand a bit better now. Thank you, Lady-”

“You are a maester in your own right, Lord kyl'Malkador,” Kalla chided. “Call me Kalla.”

The Sveltlander shook his head. “That's going to take some getting used to.”

“Before you know it, it'll seem natural. You wish to stay with us for supper?” Hauss asked.

“No thank you, Master Hauss. I think I'd like to eat in my quarters tonight. I have much to think about.” Manny made his farewells and the four made their way to the office that Rosalia and Hauss shared. In short order servants had brought up plates of savory potato dumplings, roast duck, brown bread and steaming mugs of spiced fury wine. The meal passed in meaningless banter as the fury wine slowly relaxed them. It hadn't taken long for Aleister to realize that magisters did, indeed, acquire the same alcohol tolerance as their magi. As supper ended the conversation turned to Kalla and Aleister's success of the day.

“Shards! That was fast. It usually takes months for most to reach that point.” Hauss turned his penetrating gaze on Aleister, all trace of the fury wine's relaxing effect vanishing from his countenance. He gestured towards Kalla. “Tell her, son. Before you share unshielded memories. And it will happen, believe me.”

The Sky Fox flinched at the elder Arkaddian's words. His entire body tensed, flooded sudden by battle-readiness, ready to attack or flee. He swallowed hard when Kalla turned to him.

“Tell me what?” she asked. Aleister wilted under her questioning gaze, terrified of what she would think of him after she found out, especially after the reaction to his new form. He lowered his gaze to the table top.

“Take the memories from my mind,” he whispered.

“Very well. Give me your hand.” Kalla took the proffered hand, puzzled at the shame and fear she was sensing from Aleister. She glanced at Hauss and the mage gave her a curt nod, his face set in harsh lines. Though he really didn't want to put his young nephew through this, now was better than later. Hauss watched as Kalla frowned, then her face went slack as she was pulled into her magister's memories. Her gaze became unfocused, staring at nothing. She remained that way for several moments before letting go of his hand.

Kalla shook her head to clear it, her gaze returning to normal. From Aleister, she still felt shame and fear. She reached out and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

“It's okay. I already knew. You did what you had to do.”

Aleister risked a glance up at her and she smiled. He felt his shame and fear begin to dissipate.

“But… how did you already know?” he asked.

“I saw those memories when I was working to heal you, before Hauss arrived. That's all I saw though. The other memories you shared were new. Were they the visions the Fox King gave you?”

Aleister nodded uncertainly. “Yes, milady. Hauss… helped me to understand some of them. He said they were past lives. But… I still have trouble believing that,” he said.

Kalla frowned as the puzzle pieces of new information fell in place.

“If you will excuse me.” Kalla's voice was absentminded.

Hauss and Rosalia nodded. Aleister started to follow her, but a motion from Hauss kept him in his chair. He gave a shaky sigh as his mage disappeared.

“Well, that went quite well, son. I figured she might have already known.” Hauss clapped him on the shoulder.

Aleister narrowed his eyes at the elder Arkaddian.

“Then why-”

“I also knew you wouldn't speak up. Far better to take care of it now than when you were training. There was always the slight chance she didn't know and finding out that way would not have made her happy,” Hauss said. Aleister wilted.

“Guess not…”

“I know 'not', son. She was my student remember. Oh yes, while you're here, we might as well get your check-up for the week done. Close enough to tomorrow anyway.”

Aleister shrugged and waited patiently while Hauss evaluated him and put him through the weekly questioning. Satisfied, the Chief Healer let him leave and the Sky Fox wandered to his quarters. Through the link he sensed that Kalla was not quite asleep. Rather, she was in one of the deep trances he had learned to associate with journeying. Aleister rifled through the stack of books he had borrowed from the Kanlon library. Finding one of particular interest- a slim volume of Argosian lore- Aleister settled to read.

* * *

Morning dawned bright and cold, a promising beginning to the Winter Solstice. Sunlight streaming through the window woke Aleister and he groaned, dismayed to find he'd fallen asleep while reading. His neck and shoulders were stiff from sleeping sitting up. He stood and stretched, sending his mind in search of his mage. Wherever she was, her mind was guarded and he couldn't quite place her. He wandered down to the dining hall where he found Warryn and Shelk.

“Where is Kalla, milord? I … eh… can't sense her,” Aleister asked.

Both Warryn and Shelk broke out into big grins.

“No doubt. She is closeted with Hauss, the Sveldtlander Healer and a few others. They are working on something for the feast, something that's to be a surprise to you. She asked that Shelk and I keep you entertained for the day,” Warryn replied.

The next few hours passed in a blur, as Aleister learned how to play
chigali
from the Archivist and his magister. The game, popular among the magi, was played on a gridded 10 x 10 game board, and was designed to teach strategic thinking. Each player had twenty pieces. Here at the Kanlon, the pieces were color coded to different Houses. The game was so popular that most magi kept a personal set of pieces with them and were more than happy to play at a moment's notice. As a Solstice gift, Warryn gave Aleister his own set of pieces, Artisan-crafted from deep red garnet.