Evalyce: Worldshaper Vol. 2 Lady of Wolves

Crookfang

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

Early morning of their sixth day at Karokorum. Aleister yawned as he uncurled from his nest, wondering why he was being roused even earlier than the Harriers' normal early hours. The sun was far from rising. The Fox yawned again as he collected his weapons as Khasar had bid. Further down the central 'nesting' area, the magister heard Khasar gently waking another of the hawks.

Aleister made his way quietly through the room, careful not to further disturb the sleeping Harriers. Outside he was greeted by a Master Harrier who was entirely too energetic for this time of the morning. He dipped a bow while trying to stifle another yawn, frowning as he noticed three vykr standing patiently in the Mews courtyard with small packs beside them. Lightweight saddles meant for long travel were draped over their backs.

Just as he was about to ask Kasai what was up, Kiba and Khasar exited the building. Aleister grinned as Kiba worked to stifle his own yawn and was not quite as successful as the Fox had been. The younger hawk was apparently just as tired as he was. Khasar, on the other hand, looked as chipper as the Master Harrier. Once they were all assembled, Kasai led them over to the waiting vykr, as Khasar disappeared back into the Mews.

Picking up a pack, he swung himself up into the cloth saddle of one vykr, fixing the pack behind him and stashing his weapons safely within reach, but out of harm's way. Aleister exchanged a confused look with Kiba before both did likewise. Once they were all mounted, Kasai spoke.

"We're going hunting. There is to be a feast tomorrow night and the Khan wishes to provide his guests with the best the Plains has to offer. The other Clans have chosen to help also and have sent hunters to the north, east and west of the city. That leaves us to head south." Without another word the Harrier wheeled his mount around and trotted off into the darkness. Kiba followed and Aleister brought up the rear, wondering why he, of all the hawks, had been chosen for the hunt.

By the time the sun rose the three were far from the city. Winter grass spread out all around them, a vast undulating sea that whispered softly in the wind, a gentle, soothing susurration. Aleister sighed, enjoying the chance to be out and about, yet he was ill at ease by the silence. The three had communicated only by the innocuous whistling language of the Harriers, sounds that would be familiar to potential prey and of no consequence. He scanned the horizon again, on the look out for any sign of a pronghorn herd. In front of him, Kiba and Kasai were doing the same.

Aleister froze, bringing his mount to a halt just as Kasai whistled the signal to stop. The Master Harrier was tense, likely having heard the same faint sound that the Fox had- the hoarse rasping cough of a hunting longtooth. It wasn't uncommon for the fearsome beasts to hunt humans, though it was uncommon for the big cats to be active this early in the day. The rasping cough came again, causing the vykr to dance in agitation.

The warriors started to slide their weapons free when a full-fledged growl broke the air and a huge shape rose from the grass, launching itself at Aleister. The magister barely had time to throw his arms up before the longtooth collided with him, knocking him from the screaming vykr. Pain seared through his left arm and his chest as the sabre teeth sank into him.

In a haze of agony, Aleister shoved his right hand under the cat's throat and willed one of his daggers into existence. The force of the desperate summoning punched the blade up through the jaws and into the longtooth's skull. Blood poured from the huge creature's mouth, a crimson river that drenched him in seconds, mingling with his own ruby flood. The cat slumped forward, driving the sabre teeth further into the mgagister's body.

Dimly, Aleister registered Kiba and Kasai calling his name, as they tried to heave the heavy body off of him. From far away, a voice howled in his mind- frustration, anger, fear- and then Kalla's was there, urging him to speak, yet the effort was too great.