Empress of Wolves (12 page)

“Thank you, Lord Ganysha. Thank you for forging the scroll and for your hospitality these past few days.”

You are quite welcome, Lady Amaraaq. Quite welcome. It has been a joy and a pleasure to have you all here.

A rustling and a soft chuckle told her that the Fox had found her. She turned to favor him with a smile.

“
The scroll is finished then, milady?
” he asked.

“
It is,
” she replied. “Lord Ganysha, may we have your leave to depart tomorrow.”

That you may, milady. That you may. You should make your repast now and sleep while you can.

She and Aleister made their way back to the rooms they shared with the others. They found Vander's door well-shut and warded. A grumpy Kasai shared a meal with the others and they called Kalla and Aleister to join them.

“What is he doing, locked away in there?” Kalla asked. Kasai scowled at her.

“I have no idea. His mind is closed to me, save for the fact that he is well enough.”

“You worry too much, brother. One might think you a watchful mother hawk whose chick has gone astray,” Aleister said with a grin. Kasai turned the scowl on him, eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Yes, Kasai. You shouldn't worry so, though I am thankful that you do. Vander's last magister was not nearly so attentive,” Kalla said softly.

The hawk's face relaxed a bit. Vander had shared little of his experiences with Shingar, but what he had shared had given Kasai an insight into why the Dashmari acted as he did at times.

As if their conversation had lured him outside, Vander opened the door and stepped out carrying something cupped in his hands. The War Mage wore a pair of thin-lensed glasses that gave him a dignified appearance. He seemed somewhat confused to see them all clustered in the cul-de-sac, but his face lit up when his eyes found Kalla. He walked over to the Healer and held out his closed hands. Giving him a puzzled look she held out her hand and the War Mage carefully placed something in it.

Kalla stared at the small red bundle, then gasped as it shuddered and unfurled itself to reveal a tiny clockwork dragon. The little creature was exquisitely detailed with tiny overlapping scales of an iridescent ruby color. Minuscule gears whirred as the dragon stretched its wings and walked to the edge of her palm, where it sat staring up at her with a quizzical expression. Kalla understood the glasses now, as well as why Vander had remained closeted away. Artisans and Artificers wore them to aid in their work. Now that she was paying attention she saw the loupe, an instrument for even more precise work, hanging from a cord around his neck.

“For you, Lady Amaraaq,” he said softly.

“It's beautiful, Vander. Thank you. But where did you get the materials for such a creation, much less the tools for it?” Kalla replied.

“Justina gave me her tools before we left Argoth. She said she had more at home and I would get better use out of these. As for the materials, I asked the Lady Laeksheen for them.”

“Vander, this work, it would put a Master Artisan and a Master Artificer both to shame. When we return home, you will have little trouble passing the tests to qualify as a maester in those areas. Hauss' tests too, for that matter”

“I am glad you like it, Dashkele.”

“I do,” she replied. “Now come, join us for dinner.”

“Yes, please do. Else the mother hen's feathers will get even more ruffled,” Aleister said with a sly grin.

Vander turned puzzled eyes to Aleister, completely missing the murderous look Kasai was giving the Fox. The hawk's glare promised revenge at the first convenient moment. Manny laughed into his drink as Kalla lifted a hand to her shoulder. The tiny dragon climbed onto it and curled up.

“We leave in the morning. Lord Ganysha has finished the scroll. Our next task is to find Grael's Fang. The last known location was in Su Ramerides. I would however, like to visit Persiali, Zhōnggu, Nihon and the Maracca before we leave this region. I would be remiss if I did not make the offer to free the Patrons of those lands as well,” Kalla said.

“But what of us, Lady Kalla? Can we… can Lukas and I continue to travel with you?” Manny asked. The younger Healer bit his lip, offering her a shy smile.

“I see no reason why not. If he is willing, you can continue training with Vander.”

“Of course, Dashkele. I have no problems with that,” Vander said.

Manny let out a long breath. “Oh, thank you!”

“Come now. You didn't really think we would just turn you away, did you?”

“I was afraid you might consider our presence a burden, Lady Kalla.”

“No burden, not at all. Merely in need of asserting your own authority. You will learn that too, no doubt. You are young, but you are still a maester of the Kanlon. Traveling with us will certainly help you learn that,” Kalla replied.

“Yes, it will help. You seem afraid that others won't take you seriously, but they will as long as you don't show them your uncertainty. You do act a frightened cub sometimes, pup,” Vander said. He softened his voice. “Rule number one of the War Mage's code is what?”

“It is… to face your fears,” Manny said.

“And rule two?” Vander asked.

“It is to… ensure that your enemies never discover your fears.”

“Just so. Keep your fears hidden from others. You are afraid of dealing with royalty. Hide that fear and treat them with respect, but not obeisance. You are magi and magi are above any and all royalty,” Vander growled.

“Yes, Lord Vander, I will try act accordingly,” Manny said.

“Keep your fears hidden from others, but learn to dance with them,” Kasai said. “Embrace your fears, confront them, and eventually they will no longer be your fears. What you were once afraid of might even seem laughable.”

“What do you fear, Master Kasai?” Manny asked. The hawk gave the young mage a long look before answering.

“I fear magick,” he replied. “I fear magick, yet I've had no choice but to learn to deal with it. It doesn't seem quite so terrible anymore.”

After leaving Ganysha's realm, Kalla had taken the
sarisrima
to the nearest temple and played the Song for the priests there. There had been visits to the various countries of Inkanata, where Kalla and Aleister would visit the Patrons of the land through dream journeys and follow the instructions of each.

Once they reached the Marraca, Kalla turned her attention to the land itself. The oases had dried up, leaving an already parched land bereft of what little water it had. Under the Healer's influence the waters returned, restoring the deserts to the still dangerous, yet not so treacherous, shifting sands they had always been.

From there, they made the long trek to Su Ramerides. Kalla met the Patrons, and healed the land before turning attention to their next goal- tracking down Grael's Fang. Much of Su Ramerides was devoid of human habitation. It was a land of dense tropic jungle and sweeping volcanic vistas. It was among the deep jungle and high mountains that they would find the reclusive dragon clans.

Kalla stared out the window, watching the endless canopy of jungle pass beneath the
Stymphalian.
Before them loomed the great volcanic mountains, some still steaming gently. Below them, she saw Amaterasu and Thiassi swooping playfully around one another. Kasai and the War Mage were tiny specks upon their backs.

The strident blare of the
Stymphalian's
proximity sensors tore the Healer from her reverie. A shadow fell over the ship and something thudded hard against the roof.

“What in the blue hell,” Aleister swore. He hissed out a sharp breath as the immense shape of a dragon eclipsed their view. The wyvern had been terrifying enough, but this beast dwarfed the
Stymphalian
and
Heracles
both. Aleister hurriedly activated the ship's shields, while Kalla wove her own around the ship.

The behemoth dove in front of them, roaring a challenge that rattled the tiny ship. Gunmetal grey scales glinted in the sunlight. Unlike the smaller wyvern that now circled it, roaring their own challenges, the dragon had four paws. Unfathomably broad wings fanned the air, throwing the ship into shadow.

A series of spikes ran down along the creature's back, terminating at the tail's tip in a deadly flail. Stubby spikes lined a slender jaw, and two larger spikes jutted from the corners of the leviathan's muzzle. The dragon roared again and swatted at the wyvern that continued to circle it, spitting fire and ice. From his place on Amaterasu's back, Vander also assaulted the dragon with fire and lightning. The
Heracles
joined the fray, ion cannons firing in rapid succession.

The ion blasts scored direct hits, washing over the dragon. Sparks of electricity danced along its spikes and the great chest swelled. The dragon opened its jaws and more electricity danced between the muzzle spurs. It roared again, spitting lightning at its tiny assailant.

The
Heracles
darted away, scarce avoiding the blast. They continued to circle the dragon, though they fired no more shots. The lesson had been learned.

The behemoth's head twisted, keeping an eye on all four as it continued to hover in the air. Sparks danced along the spikes in preparation of another attack. Amaterasu, flying above the dragon, suddenly darted towards the beast's head.

Kalla inhaled sharply, breath catching in her throat, as a tiny figure tumbled from the wyvern. Snapping jaws barely missed Amaterasu as she backwinged away from the dragon. The Healer let out a shaky breath at seeing Vander land solidly on the dragon's neck, ending up between two of the deadly spikes.

An almost comical look of surprise crossed the creature's face, then it turned and fled from them, speeding away in the direction they had been headed. The wyvern shot off after the dragon, Aleister and Lukas following behind. Kalla fretted, worried for the War Mage's safety. A smile ghosted across her face, imagining the scolding Kasai was giving his charge at the moment.

The dragon slowed as it approached the Astavi mountain range. As it did, two more colossal dragons rose from the dense jungle foliage to challenge it. They hung in the air, twin jewels illuminated by a setting sun. Unlike the first, these dragons were more colorful, one emerald-scaled, the other golden. The pair flanked the grey dragon and all three headed for an extinct volcano. The top of the mountain had been blown off long ago, and in the crater left behind, the blue waters of a lake glittered. Mists swirled in the caldera, obscuring, then revealing an island hidden at the lake's center.

The dragons descended to the island, with the wyvern and ships close behind. They landed in a clearing and moved back, craning slender necks to watch the ships land, but offering no violence. The grey dragon reached up and plucked Vander from his place on its neck. Kasai shifted form and fluttered to the War Mage's shoulder, promptly biting his ear.

“Ow! Punch a hole next time. At least then I can wear an earring…” Vander muttered. The harrier made a noise as if to say,
I can do that.
Vander reached up and clamped a hand around the bird's beak as he started to snap at the ear again. Kalla stifled a laugh at Kasai's muffled noise of irritation.

“Lady Kalla, may I introduce Chac. I've told her what we are seeking and why. I don't think you are going to like her news though,” Vander said.

“I greet you, Lady of Wolves, and welcome you to our lands. The two with me are Xemenek and Ramac,” Chac said. At her words, the emerald and golden dragons inclined their heads to the Mage.

“I would say that I am sorry for having attacked you, but of late we have had too many intruders, human and otherwise, who mean us nothing but harm. But is it true, what your brave companion has told me? That you are the one who restored our lands?” the grey dragon continued.

“It is true, Lady Chac,” Kalla replied. “I have healed the lands and I intend to put an end to the cause. I promise you, we mean you no harm. We come seeking the artifact known as Grael's Fang. With it we hope to end Al'dhumarn's threat once and for all.”

The dragons hissed at the mention of the Nagali. Chac lowered her muzzle to Kalla's level, giving the mage a greater appreciation for just how
big
the dragons were. If Chac had been so inclined, Kalla would have been no more than an appetizer for the giant creature.

“I am sorry, Lady of Wolves, but the spear is no longer in our care,” Chac replied.

“What happened to it?” Kalla asked.

“The Reaverssss came and ssstole it from uss. They came in the night and they took what was most preciousss to uss. They broke our eggss and ssstole the sspear and the Eye. They sslaughtered our young and there are sso few of us left,” Xemenak hissed. Her wings flared out in agitation, and she clawed the ground, rending great furrows in the loamy soil.

“The Reavers killed most of the Guardians as well,” Ramac rumbled. Trees shook as his massive tail lashed against them.

“Guardians?”

“Yess. The sspear of the Dragon Goddessss and her very Son himself are guarded by the
wyvere
. They are the Guardians of the Isle of Mistsss,” Xemenak said.

He gave out an eerie barking cry. After a moment the call was answered and three strange creatures loped from the trees to join the dragons. They were unlike any creature Kalla had ever seen, yet it was clear they were dragon-kin.

The
wyvere
walked upright on powerfully muscled legs that terminated in three toes, the innermost of which sported a massive sickle-shaped claw held retracted above the others. Long arms with slender, clawed fingers were tucked against a stream-lined body. Leathery wings furled tight against their sides and a stiff tail swayed behind their bodies, helping them to keep balance. The creatures lifted narrow muzzles, scenting the air as they approached.

They made bobbing bows to the dragons and the lead one came up to Kalla and Aleister. It looked them over with a predatory gaze. Up close, the
wyvere
towered over the humans.

I welcome you to our island, Lady of Wolves. I am Baksa. I lead what is left of the wyvere. Lady Xemenak has told us of why you are here. She speaks truth. The spear is gone from our care, as is the Eye of the Dragon God. We have been shamed in our duty.

“Greetings, Baksa. Tell me… what is this Eye? Another artifact of some kind?”

No, Lady, not truly. It is the eye of Orius himself.
Baksa replied.
Come, we will take you to the Temple of the Chained One. It is not far from here.

Chac reached out and lifted Vander, cradling the Dashmari in one massive paw, with the harrier still perched on his shoulder. Xemenak and Ramac plucked the other magi and their magisters up, cradling them likewise. They launched themselves skyward, stirring up leaves and setting the trees to swaying violently. Behind them, the wyvern and wyvere took flight.

The mists thickened the deeper they went into the island's interior. The vespertine gloom revealed ghostly shapes that resolved into the high stone walls of an ancient temple as the dragons landed. Twisted metal gates gaped open, revealing a courtyard beyond. Within, a dark shape loomed menacingly.

The dragons let them down and as Kalla moved closer, the form resolved itself into the adamantine statue of a prone dragon that dwarfed even the leviathans behind her. Thick chains bound the feet and neck to the ground. An empty eye socket glared down at the tiny mage who had the effrontery to dare approach. An orb of zarconite filled the other socket.

This is Orius, the Grey. Bahamut's twin. The Lady of Chaos bound him here, long, long ago. It was our task to watch over him and make sure nothing happened to him. The Fang, too, was kept here.
Baksa said.

“Why was Orius bound here?” Manny asked. The young mage moved up beside Kalla and placed a hand on one of the massive claws.

“Listen then, young one and I will tell you,” Ramac rumbled. “Then you will understand just how terrible a thing it is that the Eye is gone.

“Long ago, when the world was young, the Lord of Death grew disillusioned with the creations of his forebears. Of a mind to recreate the world the great Grey Dragon wrought a holocaust of death upon all life. Pestilence and plague swept the lands, taking life before it was due.

“The air grew colder, the waters freezing into great sheets of blue-grey ice. Plants and trees perished, as did the fish of the sea and the birds of the air. Famine and starvation turned all creatures upon one another.

“When the Patrons beheld the devastation, they sent Bahamut after his twin, but the Lord of Time was unable to sway his brother from his terrible course. Orius continued his war against life, til it seemed as if the very bonds of Time itself seemed destined to collapse and return the world to the Void from which it had been Created.

“Grael, the Mother of Chaos, grew angry with her Son and stood against him, tooth and claw. The battle shook the very foundations of the earth itself, but in the end the Mother prevailed, for even Death itself cannot stand against the purity of wild, untamed Chaos.

“Grael would have sent her son to Oblivion, but Ayahz, the Father of Life, beseeched her to have mercy. So it was that Orius was bound upon the Isle of Mists, shackled by chains of stardust. After the Lord of Death was sealed away, Bahamut shouldered his brother's mantle, aided by Carron Deathbringer.

“As the aeons rolled by the great dragon's immortal body turned to adamantine as the mind brooded, slumbering fitfully, only vaguely aware of the passing ages. It may be that Orius will awaken to once again join the ranks of the Dragon Patrons, but this only the One who is All and Nothing knows. The Eye that was taken contains all the power of the Dragon God, if one could but learn to use it.” Ramac finished his story and sat back on his haunches.

“Fennec Nall mentioned the Crescent Reavers. He said they called themselves the
rahksa
. What are they exactly? Is there any way we can find them?” Kalla asked.

“The Reaversss are dragon-kin, Great Lady. Warped and twisssted dragon-kin. You will not find them, ssso long asss they do not wisssh to be found,”
Xemenek
hissed. “We tried. We would have reclaimed what was ourssss, but to no avail. They come and go as the wind, bringing death and destruction.”

Kalla shook her head. “I am at a loss as to what to do then. We cannot continue to search blindly, yet we cannot proceed either.”

“I hate to say it, but if they belong to the Nagali, then sooner or later we can assume they will come after you, milady,” Aleister said. “Maybe then we will get the chance to obtain the spear or its location.”

The Healer frowned, but nodded. “Perhaps. I don't like putting any of you in such danger though.”

“Don't even think about it,” Vander growled. “We aren't leaving you to be hunted by these things. You are safer with us than without.”

The dragons carried them from the temple to caves within the caldera walls, and there the magi saw the aftermath left behind by what they sought to hunt themselves. Wounded dragons and
wyvere
filled the chambers. Strewn about were the trampled remains of earthen nests and shattered eggs. Pools of dried blood and albumen, some bearing imprints of the fallen, dotted the cavern floors, though the bodies had been removed. The three magi set to work, healing the dragons and
wyvere
who yet lived.

When Aleister finally made Kalla stop because she was starting to drain his own energy, she found that both Manny and Vander had long since ceased working and were fast asleep from their efforts, with their magisters standing a weary guard. The Fox gently guided her over to them and pushed her down beside Vander. She was asleep almost before she hit the floor, utterly drained from the work.

* * *

Ashen heat blew across the Healer's face and her eyes flew open. She was in the dream world, of that much she was certain. Dark clouds roiled in the sky, tinged a bloody red. She was standing on a bare island, amidst a sluggish sea of lava that inexorably made its way past.

Smoky laughter came from behind her and Kalla turned to face a black-scaled dragon of immense proportions, bigger than even the sleeping Orius. Ruby-red eyes glittered from beneath great curling ram-horns, peering down a slender, barbeled muzzle at the tiny mage. A mane of fur ran down the dragon's long slinky neck and tufted the ankles and elbows as well. Black feathery wings flared open as the dragon sat back on its haunches.

All is One.
The dragon said in a smoky voice. Kalla's eyes widened as she realized this must be Grael the Black, the Lady of Chaos herself.

“One is All,” Kalla responded.

As above.

“So below.”

“
Thus are all Connected.
”

Greetings, Lady Amaraaq. Thank you for healing the lands of my children. You came here seeking my Fang. Though it be stolen, I will give you what you need to forge another. You have a talented Artificer and Artisan traveling with you. The Lady Laeksheen has given him the materials to craft such a weapon. I will give you what you lack.