Evalyce: Worldshaper Vol. 2 Lady of Wolves

Prince of Foxes

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

Kalla surveyed the crowd from her place beside Shukke, where both stood on a small dais before the thunderdrums. The front of the cordoned area had been opened up and people clustered around it, seated on cushions around low tables in the style of the Plainslands. Far out into the night bright bonfires glowed in the dimming light. The Khan sat closest to the drums, Araun with him, but there was precious little to distinguish the Arkaddian ruler's area from any other. Nobunaga didn't know who his companion actually was, just that he was an honored guest of Kalla, and an important person. Araun had been introduced as Lord Auric, from Argoth.

Shukke held up a hand and Kasai, manning the great drum, pounded out a call to attention. As the crowd grew quiet Shukke opened the ceremony with an invocation to Ushas and Shang'de, pouring offerings of fermented vykr's milk into a large clay bowl, then adding chunks of bitter cheese. As he finished, Kalla moved up beside him and made similar invocations to Kituk and Arvynn, placing offerings of sweet milk and pronghorn meat into another clay bowl She then picked up another cup from the table.

"I give this offering to the Lord of Illusion, an offering given with all my heart and all my love. Great One, I ask that you join us tonight, in our celebration of joy and happiness," she said, pouring an offering of the fermented vykr milk into the cup and placing it with the other offering bowls. She caught 'Auric's' eye and he gave her a slight nod, twitching a faint smile.

"I thank you, Lady Kalla. I am honored," his wintry voice gusted through her mind. She returned the nod with a slight one of her own, the exchange being noticed only by Shukke. She moved off the dais to take her place with the drummers. One hawk handed her a shoulder drum, while another turned over the great drum's second set of strikers. Kalla tapped her leg, recreating the twining chimes. She had undone them before they had traveled out into the plains to meet Araun. She walked over to Kasai and recreated his chimes as well. He flinched, but didn't startle has he had earlier.

The pair took up their places as Shukke told of their journey, and the gift of the Hounds. When the shaman finished his speech the crowd sat hushed and still, expectant. Into this silence Kalla struck the first notes of the Song. Kasai picked up his part and they were off, strikers whirring a blur as they each worked their drums. While they played they manipulated the chimes, shaking their leg or stamping their foot as needed. Kalla swayed gently as she worked, letting the rhythm of the piece hypnotize her.

Many minutes later they simultaneously slammed their strikers into the great drum. As they struck the final notes thunder cracked across the cloudless sky, the deep reverberations singing through her bones. A faintly lavender scented wind rippled through the crowd and Kalla inhaled deeply. If she had to wager a guess, she'd say that they'd been successful. There was a moment of stunned silence, then rousing applause greeted their performance. She and Kasai walked to the fore, flanking the altar table and bowed deeply to the crowd, to another round of applause.

Many were on their feet, the Khan among them. Nobunaga threaded his way to the table. A Harrier laden with a thick, bundled pelt met him. With a bow, the hawk laid the parcel down and departed.

"Well played Lady Kalla, Master Kasai. This is a night that will be told of for years to come, of the new Song and of the mage who could drum with the best of the Harriers. I am most impressed."

"Thank you, my Lord," Kalla murmured. Kasai echoed the thanks.

"You should go get ready, Lady Kalla," Nobunaga said. "Kasai, join Lord Auric if you will."

Before Kasai left, the Healer gently gripped his arm, willing their chimes to disappear. The hawk gave her a grateful look before going to join Araun. Kalla followed Shukke off to the side, out of the sight of others, though they still had a view of the dais. As they watched, the elder shaman helped her slip out of her mage's robes and into those she would wear for the handfasting.