Free Empress of Wolves by J. Aislynn d' Merricksson Page B

when Kalla and Vander had departed and knew, too, the skills of each. She hadn't missed that it had been Vander and not Kalla that had disappeared with the innkeep's servant.
    “Lord Vander-,” she began, but the War Mage shook his head.
    “Just Vander, Lady Justina. Just Vander,” he said softly. As if anticipating what Justina were thinking he continued, “And yes, I did go to heal the wounded Master Wylsin is caring for.”
    Justina raised her eyebrows in a questioning look. “I wasn't aware you were a Healer, Vander.”
    “I was not, Lady. It is thanks to Kalla that I have that gift now.”
    Kalla leaned forward, explaining things to Justina. The Sevfahlan looked thoughtful.
    “How interesting. Do you think you could recreate such a bond? It would be immensely useful to transfer skills in such a way. And apparently combining such unusual gifts with one another lends a greater level of innovation in using them. I don't think there is a Healer at the Kanlon with a Defensor's full training.”
    Kalla thought for a moment. She shared Justina's reasoning, the link she and Vander shared and the talents gained were immeasurably valuable. The Healer pondered for a moment longer, letting her thoughts sharpen into focus. The more she considered it, the surer she was that she
could
recreate the bond.
    “I am fairly certain that I can. I don't think it would have to be maintained that long, either, not among fully trained magi. A day at most. I don't think, however, that it would be wise for a mage to learn the gifts of more than two others, ever. The strain would be too great,” Kalla said.
    “Well, why not try now. There are four of us here, if young kyl'Malkador wishes to try as well. By your reckoning, you and the War Mage can share gifts with one other person and you are the only ones to have shared such a bond. I am an Artificer by training, with Artistry as my secondary skill,” Justina said.
    “Very well,” Kalla replied. She looked to Manny and the young Healer gave her a slow nod.
    “I will try,” he said. Vander echoed his agreement.
    “There are four of us. I see no reason why all of us should not try,” Kalla said. After a few moment's discussion, it was decided that she would share with Manny and Vander would bond with Justina. Briefly, she shared her intentions with Aleister.
    “
Do you think that wise, milady?
” he asked. Kalla assured him that everything should be fine. From Vander's expression, she gathered that he had gotten a grumpy response from Kasai, but the hawk did nothing more than glance over his shoulder from the
kessala
table. Kalla decided to start with Justina and Vander and reached a hand out to each of them. They slipped their hands into hers and she focused her intentions and slowly wove a bond between the two magi, carefully recreating the one she had shared with Vander. When she was satisfied, the Healer sat back and withdrew her hands from theirs.
    “I… do believe it worked,” Justina said. “I can feel another presence in my mind.”
    “As can I,” Vander said. Emboldened by this success, Kalla stretched her hand out to Manny and the young Healer took it with some trepidation. It wasn't that he didn't trust her. More that this was all so strange to him. He was still learning to deal with the bond he shared with Lukas. Kalla took a moment to make sure that Aleister or Kasai one had told Sir Lukas what they were attempting, then wove the bond between them. It took less time the second go round and sure enough, she soon felt a new presence in her mind.
    Kalla had learned a great deal during the forging of the new bonds and the Healer was certain that she only needed to work with one half of the pair to undo it, so she and Justina could part ways the next morning. The magi conversed amongst themselves a bit longer until a tug on the back of her robes turned Kalla around. Several of the children she had entertained before had clustered behind her, along with a handful that