Tales of a Shifter (P5) The White Mountain

Chapter 75 - Amulet

Fifteen minutes later Balder was standing over a giant salad bowel the color of honey, brimming nearly to overflowing with water.

Balder had requested privacy as he was handed a white sheet, which smelled faintly of two men by the Guardian Lander, that he said belonged to both his brother and the missing Dark One.

The scent on the sheet suggested that both men had been atop them, meaning that they were lovers. Balder had accepted the cloth without comment.

Once he was alone Balder took the cloth into his hands and the blue lights shimmering in his palms reacted to his desires. The fibers of the shirt were unwound, and burned into ash in his hands. Then the Elder tipped the dust into the water, his own blue embers drizzling into the water causing the concoction to broil and hiss to life.

Mystokenisis was a power of the Dragons. The power of flame in all its benevolent, mystical and dangerous forms. Flame was in all things, and waxed with the elements of the world around. All of the elements except for water and earth. But the Air carried flame. The flesh welcomes flame. The spirit could be seared or sensed through the flames. The spirt of all living things burned like flame, they had a unique signature, and if Balder had that persons soiled clothing or blood he could lock on to their spirit and follow it to its source. To the flame of the soul inside of them.

Healing. Killing.

All was possible through flames. Mystokenisis was the manifestation of this mystical might, flames magic, unlocked and cultivated by the kings in the Heavens he served.

The ashes and the broiling water mixed with the flames he had dropped into the bowel, the blue flames glittering like Safire's, until the froth and steam broiling up from the water settled and in the glimmering sheen of the water's surface the image of open skies could be glimpsed.

Balder was staring intently into the depths of the flashing images, when a hand on his shoulder caught his attention.

The Elder turned as Nate stepped up next to him, the wolfs salt and pepper eyes shining as they looked into the bowel. "So did you find them yet?" Nate quietly asked.

Balder smirked, then replied. "Nate there are millions of miles and forests in this world, and I am but one Elder. The act of locating them will take at least a few hours."

"Oh. Right." Nate sighed and pulled back his hand. He looked dejected and worry creased the handsome panes of his face as he frowned into the glowing waters on the table top.

Balder examined the man beside him, his heart so heavy with worry for his brother and he smiled. "You truly have found a family here among the Leopards."

Nate glanced at him, the scar at his left eye pulled tight as he smiled back. "Yes..." he replied with a satisfied smirk. "I couldn't love them more. I'm blessed to have found them."

Balder nodded. "You were and Im sure they love you just as deeply." The Elder stepped back and crossed his arms. "You deserve to have this life Nate. To be surrounded by comrades and people that love you..." Balder stopped and cleared his throat awkwardly. "It was something that I couldn't give you."

Nate continued to stare down at the waters as he spoke, his tone aloof. "So is this where you try to explain why you abandoned me?"

Balders chest clenched. "I did abandon you. But I also didn't abandon you."

Nate snorted and glanced up. Sour hurt danced in his eyes. "Yes...you left me a necklace and a pretty note in your place."

Balder took in those words, and the guilt that flashed like fire in his chest, then he turned back to the bowel. "I know it is too much to ask you to forget my choices, but I hope you can forgive them in time. I did what I knew was best for you...and also committed a sin when I did it."