Evalyce: Worldshaper Vol. 2 Lady of Wolves

Falconry

Karokorum, Arkaddia. Evalyce. Year of the Mythril Serpent, 2014 CE

Morning had come far too early for Kalla. She yawned as she followed Ari down the corridor to Nobunaga's study, Vander and Aleister trailing behind. As they walked down the hallway Kalla could sense the presence of the Harriers hidden along it, their vigilance increased since the incident last night. No doubt they would be very careful in the future of letting magi near the Khan. Ari stopped before the door covering and stuck his head through, then motioned for them to enter.

Nobunaga rose to his feet as they entered. He bowed deeply to them, an extremely formal gesture that threw Kalla off for a moment. Touching fist to heart she returned the bow just as deeply, the others following her lead.

"It appears I have even more to be grateful to you for, Lady kyl'Solidor. You... gave me my life back." Nobunaga paused, looking troubled. "It feels like I've been half-asleep these past few months. I can't believe I would have seriously considered going to war with Rang'moori. The sheepherders have done nothing to us, certainly nothing to warrant that. No warriors are they! The Coalition could not have mustered an army quickly enough to save them. It would have been a slaughter and I would have been the cause. You've saved both our peoples, Lady Mage."

"No, Lord Khan, you would not have been the cause, merely the tool. The fault lies with Grosso, and with his master, Al'dhumarna. I am truly sorry that we had to deceive you in order to free you," Kalla said gently.

Nobunaga shook his head, grimacing.

"I am weak. If I can be so easily influenced, I no longer deserve to rule the Plains."

The Khan might have said more, but Aleister interrupted. Kalla looked over, surprised that her Arkaddian companion would be so brash. Aleister stepped forward, closer to Nobunaga. He stood, easy and confident, meeting Nobunaga's gaze with a fierce one of his own.

"Are you a mage, Lord Khan?" Aleister asked.

Nobunaga's lips were pressed in a thin line. He stiffened at Aleister's approach.

"I am not,"he growled out.

"Then why would you consider yourself weak, to have been influenced such? The playing field wasn't fair to begin with. If I understand all that Lady Kalla has told me, Grosso's influence was subtly building over the months, tied to the pendant you wore. It was a gift, was it not?"

Nobunaga nodded slowly and Aleister pressed on. "Just so. A gift given by a mage you had no reason to distrust. I'm sure that the shaman still checked it out, but how would they have known exactly what to look for?"

"I agree with Aleister, Lord Nobunaga. You could not have known and .... most... magi can be trusted not to interfere in politics. However, all's well that ends well, yes? You did not start a war with Rang'moori and, if I am not mistaken, you have gained the Rus Akkad as allies," Kalla interjected. Aleister backed away, moving to once again stand slightly behind Kalla.

"If Baal stays, the remainder of his clan will stay as well. They all seem to have formed strong bonds with the Harriers who are their riders. Stronger than I would have expected. Who knows? Maybe the Rus Akkad will flourish once more, under the protection of Arkaddia? Of your seven, three are female and young. A better outlook by far than for the Cove Rock Clan. Of those, only Amaterasu is left...." Kalla's voice turned wistful. Amaterasu had settled in with the frost wyrm flock as easily as if she had always been a part of it and the mage could tell that she missed the company of her own kind. Hopefully she could find a home here, when all was said and done. Nobunaga nodded wearily.