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

no greater insight into how to deal with Kaze.
    He was puzzled too, as to why the magister would have agreed to accept punishment on behalf of the Harriers and even more so by Nobunaga's decision to put Aleister with the hawks. It seemed a rather bizarre sort of punishment, especially since the man was thriving under the rigorous training. Khasar had nothing but praise for his skills and under any other circumstances he would have made an excellent Harrier.
    As the pair stopped before the Master Harrier, Aleister dipped a bow appropriate to his rank. Kasai gave his brother a critical once over. He'd begun to change over just the few days he'd been with the hawks, revealing the well of patient endurance that all Arkaddian warriors had. As well he should, Kasai thought bitterly. Their father and his father before him had been fierce warriors. They were sons of the Inaba, one of the Great Families of the Inabayama Clan. Of course, all that had been taken from him when Kaze had killed Kaminari and his own mother and fled, leaving Kaminari's second wife and her young son to fend for themselves. Kasai's mother was of the Linyao, a minor family of one of the lesser Clans, enemies of the Inaba, taken in a raid.
    She had attempted to travel back to the Linyao, but they were far from the Inaba and she'd been captured by a Banyama warrior. Kasai had fled rather than risk being killed by his mother's new husband. He'd wandered the plains until he had stumbled onto the encampment of the Khan one lonely night. The man had seen something of value in the tribeless boy and taken him to the then Master Harrier, Yoshimaru. The Harriers lost all Family and Clan ties when they took up the black of the hawks. The honor of being one of the elite guards far outweighed what he'd lost, yet Kasai still harbored vengeful thoughts against his half-brother.
    He'd returned to the Banyama after he'd become a Harrier in full. While Kasai hadn't spoken to her, he'd seen his mother and the life she'd built for herself. It was some small consolation to see that she seemed happy enough. Her new husband among the Banyama treated her well. He now had several younger half-brothers and a sister and the Harrier mourned that he would never get the chance to know them. Kasai had learned that his mother thought her eldest son long since perished on the plains as food for the longteeth.
    “I see you and your Mage were as good as your word. For that you have my thanks.” The Master Harrier's words were gruff, fraught with his tightly furled frustration, causing Aleister to give him a penetrating look as the magister settled into a relaxed stance.
    “I'm glad we were able to do so. I can only apologize once again for my deception, but we thought it best to act quickly,” Aleister said.
    “Just so. I hear you are in our care until you leave, that you took on the punishment meant for my hawks,” Kasai said.
    “Yes. I can't say I understand why I was placed here. Seems an odd choice. But the hawks are loyal, of that I have no doubt. There was little they could do to see through my illusions. The fault was not theirs,” the Fox murmured.
    Kasai narrowed his eyes, thinking once more that it was indeed a strange sort of punishment. Then again, maybe it was to keep up his training, since the magisters were supposed to serve as guardians. The Harrier doubted you could find better protection than an Arkaddian warrior. He snorted in irritation.
    “I suppose I should thank you for that also. Khasar tells me you're progressing quite well. Let's see what you've got,” Kasai grinned at Aleister's uncertain look as he backed away and drew the slender swords across his back. Such impromptu tests weren't out of character for the Master Harrier and he could see some of the other hawks were gathering at a respectful distance to watch. This 'test' would be a way to vent some of his frustration as well as to get an idea of the magister's fighting skills. Despite what Khasar and the