Free Lady of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 2) by J. Aislynn d' Merricksson Page A

and telling of their stay in Xibalba. While he was very interested in hearing about the Lord of Living Nightmare's realm, Koumugi's objective was along far different lines. His father had requested him to find the truth of the Magister's heart. While Shukke agreed with Kalla's reasoning with keeping the actual ceremony a surprise, the elder shaman wanted to know if it was something Aleister would really want. Shukke was pretty sure of the answer after seeing the two together, but he wanted to be absolutely certain.
    Koumugi stopped his wandering atop a small rise and turned to face the encampment. They were near the
Stymphalian
and the wyvern flock, and he was pleased to see that his father had already lured Kalla outside, where they were having a rather animated discussion with Amaterasu and Baal. Koumugi grinned to himself as Aleister caught sight of Kalla. As he watched her, the magister's face softened, a wistful look in his eyes.
    “You love her, don't you?” Koumugi asked. Aleister started at his words.
    “What?” he asked slowly.
    “Your mage.”
    “N-”
    “Don't think to lie to me, hawk,” the shaman said in a stern voice.
    “Yes,” Aleister replied softly.
    “Tell me, would you have her as your
liya
?” Koumugi asked.
    “That's not my place to ask. I am bound to her as a magister,” he replied with a resigned sigh.
    “But if…” Koumugi prompted. The Sky Fox snorted.
    “But if. Yes, in another place, in another lifetime, I would ask and hope it would be so. Why?” Aleister said.
    “My insatiable curiosity. Come, let us keep walking. I would love to hear of your time with Inari as well, if you're willing to share,” said Koumugi.
    Aleister gave him a puzzled look but followed after the shaman, once more relaying their adventures and answering the questions of the curious Koumugi. Only once more were they distracted, this time by the return of Thiassi and Kasai. The wyvern joined the others near the ship as the Master Harrier made his way through the camp to the Palace. By the time the shaman returned the magister to the care of the Harriers, Kasai was waiting for him and the strange incident had been long forgotten.
    * * *
    The next few days passed in a blur as Kalla and her conspirators planned the ceremony with Shukke, while at the same time she and Vander tried to plan their next move. That they should go to Ishkar on Inkanata, was clear, but Ishkar was a big country. She pored over maps and spent more time crystal scrying to try and pinpoint a location, but with no better luck than finding that the general location was to the north. That would make a trip through Rang'Moori to the Dashmari city of Port Benwick the most logical course. From Port Benwick they could stock up on supplies for the trip across the sea. There were refueling stations for airships on the islands of Pensalin and Newark if needed.
    Kalla wondered what her magister was doing. She hadn't spoken to him since Ari had taken him to the Mews. She could tell that they thoroughly wore him out during the day, but that he was enjoying every minute of it. The mage had seen him practicing with the hawks and had been astounded at how quickly he brought his dormant training back up to par. With the appropriate weapons in his hands, the magister had become quite deadly. His years as a thief hadn't made him as soft as he'd thought when she'd first approached him on Sevfahl.
    * * *
    Kasai narrowed his eyes as he watched the shaman return with his brother. The Harrier had been furious when he'd learned of what had happened in his absence. That he hadn't been here to protect Nobunaga had made him angry. That the magister had dared to impersonate him galled him even more, along with the fact that the magi and magister had indeed managed to free the Khan from Grosso's influence. It was a relief to know that his Khan was free and no longer committed to war against the Rang'moori, yet it was a frustration as well. Kasai's time away had brought