Lady of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 2) by J. Aislynn d' Merricksson
Book: Lady of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 2) by J. Aislynn d' Merricksson
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Authors: J. Aislynn d' Merricksson
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bouncing the thoughts around in his mind. Thiassi sat hunched in on himself, sharing his rider's agitation.
The Harrier was due back in Karokorum within three days. He needed to make a decision before then, on how to deal with Aleister. Hounds help him if the mage actually managed to oust Grosso and free the Khan. More debt they would owe the mage, more guilt to stay his hand, yet the need for revenge against the half-brother who'd killed their father was a burning goad in his heart, a blazing inferno that consumed his common sense.
Karokorum, Arkaddia, Evalyce, Year of the Mythril Serpent, 2014 CE
Night-time and Kalla prowled the room, restless. The rest of the day had passed with little fuss. Ari had come back to check on them and said that the Khan was still indisposed, but would see them in the morning. The three had spent the afternoon playing
chigali
and, towards evening, made their way back outside to check on both the ship and Amaterasu. The fire wyrm had made fast friends with the frost wyrms and now the whole flock was clustered around the airship. The wyvern had confirmed that an agitated Kasai had departed with Thiassi about two hours after they had entered the city.
The group shared dinner with the others in the Palace's feasting hall. Neither the Khan nor Grosso made an appearance, but they did get to meet many of the Clan leaders, all of whom were immensely thankful towards Kalla. Apparently the shaman had told them what she had done. They had, each and every one, offered her some of the finest gifts the Clans had to offer. She had graciously accepted the gifts, for to decline them would have been an affront to the Clan. Three exquisitely worked pouches such as the ones the shaman carried, which were always useful for magi as well. Two finely crafted volumes from the Clans who followed Nobunaga's scholarly bent. A pouch of the rare
ensil
plant, an herb highly valued by herbalists. It would make a fine gift for Rosalia, when they finally returned to the Kanlon. Tiny statues of Celestial Hounds were given to each of them and to Vander they gave a bronze armband in the shape of a spiraling serpent, more of the finely worked pouches and another bundle of
ensil
. For Aleister, it was the Harriers who presented a gift, in the form of a shortspear, horn bow and set of slender, matched swords such as the hawks themselves carried- the weapons of a vykr warrior. The gifts touched the magister more than he let show, for they were a reminder of his own lost past.
* * *
Aleister sighed, free once more to roam the Palace. Nighttime was far more his element, the covering darkness that could shield a thief. Disguised as a servant, he threaded his way through the Palace, silent as a shadow. As he drew closer to the section of the Palace where the Khan's quarters were, he dispelled his servant's guise, exchanging it for the black of the Harriers. At this time of the night, only the hawks would have any reason to be out and about in the area. The black, too, would help keep him hidden.
The Fox held his breath as he neared the first of the hidden Harriers. A soft whistle greeted him from the dark and he returned it, giving a sigh of relief and a silent prayer of thanks as he passed the first guard with no problems. He'd spent the better part of the day skulking around the Mews, the Harriers' compound, learning as much as he could. The magister had also shadowed a few of the Harriers as they traveled through the areas where the Khan was currently located and learned of the hidden hawks and (he hoped) the proper responses to their challenges.
He passed the next two Harriers with no problems and finally arrived at Nobunaga's quarters. Before he could slip into the room, however, he was greeted by a fourth guard.
“What business do you have here?” a voice hissed out, as the Harrier stalked out from the shadows. The Sky Fox froze for a half-second, his mind whirring with possibilities. The last guard had been unanticipated.
The Harrier was due back in Karokorum within three days. He needed to make a decision before then, on how to deal with Aleister. Hounds help him if the mage actually managed to oust Grosso and free the Khan. More debt they would owe the mage, more guilt to stay his hand, yet the need for revenge against the half-brother who'd killed their father was a burning goad in his heart, a blazing inferno that consumed his common sense.
Karokorum, Arkaddia, Evalyce, Year of the Mythril Serpent, 2014 CE
Night-time and Kalla prowled the room, restless. The rest of the day had passed with little fuss. Ari had come back to check on them and said that the Khan was still indisposed, but would see them in the morning. The three had spent the afternoon playing
chigali
and, towards evening, made their way back outside to check on both the ship and Amaterasu. The fire wyrm had made fast friends with the frost wyrms and now the whole flock was clustered around the airship. The wyvern had confirmed that an agitated Kasai had departed with Thiassi about two hours after they had entered the city.
The group shared dinner with the others in the Palace's feasting hall. Neither the Khan nor Grosso made an appearance, but they did get to meet many of the Clan leaders, all of whom were immensely thankful towards Kalla. Apparently the shaman had told them what she had done. They had, each and every one, offered her some of the finest gifts the Clans had to offer. She had graciously accepted the gifts, for to decline them would have been an affront to the Clan. Three exquisitely worked pouches such as the ones the shaman carried, which were always useful for magi as well. Two finely crafted volumes from the Clans who followed Nobunaga's scholarly bent. A pouch of the rare
ensil
plant, an herb highly valued by herbalists. It would make a fine gift for Rosalia, when they finally returned to the Kanlon. Tiny statues of Celestial Hounds were given to each of them and to Vander they gave a bronze armband in the shape of a spiraling serpent, more of the finely worked pouches and another bundle of
ensil
. For Aleister, it was the Harriers who presented a gift, in the form of a shortspear, horn bow and set of slender, matched swords such as the hawks themselves carried- the weapons of a vykr warrior. The gifts touched the magister more than he let show, for they were a reminder of his own lost past.
* * *
Aleister sighed, free once more to roam the Palace. Nighttime was far more his element, the covering darkness that could shield a thief. Disguised as a servant, he threaded his way through the Palace, silent as a shadow. As he drew closer to the section of the Palace where the Khan's quarters were, he dispelled his servant's guise, exchanging it for the black of the Harriers. At this time of the night, only the hawks would have any reason to be out and about in the area. The black, too, would help keep him hidden.
The Fox held his breath as he neared the first of the hidden Harriers. A soft whistle greeted him from the dark and he returned it, giving a sigh of relief and a silent prayer of thanks as he passed the first guard with no problems. He'd spent the better part of the day skulking around the Mews, the Harriers' compound, learning as much as he could. The magister had also shadowed a few of the Harriers as they traveled through the areas where the Khan was currently located and learned of the hidden hawks and (he hoped) the proper responses to their challenges.
He passed the next two Harriers with no problems and finally arrived at Nobunaga's quarters. Before he could slip into the room, however, he was greeted by a fourth guard.
“What business do you have here?” a voice hissed out, as the Harrier stalked out from the shadows. The Sky Fox froze for a half-second, his mind whirring with possibilities. The last guard had been unanticipated.
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