Lady Of Wolves

Claiming Consort-2

Kalla jerked awake with a thin whimper. She'd had another nightmare. Though she couldn't remember them, the dreams left her in a cold sweat. Beside her, Aleister stirred awake, whether from his own bad dreams or because of her she didn't know. Concern blossomed in the link as she whimpered again, trying to push the nameless fear away.

The fox nuzzled her back and Kalla suddenly found that she wanted the more comforting presence of the Fox. She wanted to be held again, to be wrapped in a sense of safety.

“Change, please,” she whispered.

“You… want me to change? To be human?” The magister's voice was hesitant.

“Please,” she said softly. He was still for a moment, then Kalla felt the heavier weight of his human form pin more of the blankets down. He seemed to know what she wanted, for he curled around her, hugging her close. She shivered, despite his warmth and the blankets wrapped around her.

“Are you okay, milady?” Aleister asked quietly, mindvoice still full of concern. She shook her head.

“I… I'll be fine,” she replied. His thoughts said he didn't quite believe her, but he let it be. He murmured softly, whispered words she didn't understand and it took her a moment to realize that he was singing, in his native Arkaddian. Though she couldn't understand the words, his lilting cadence soon lulled her into a more restful sleep. It was some time after before the magister managed to drift to sleep once more.

* * *

Snow crunched under Kalla's feet and she blinked in surprise as she woke to find herself in a forest glade. Winter reigned supreme here, wherever here was. Ice coated the tree limbs, turning them into shimmering prisms. Despite all of this, the mage was not cold and so knew she was dreaming. She froze as a great, black frost wolf melted out of the surrounding trees, silent as the shadows. The wolf was huge, standing taller than Kalla herself. Beside him padded a snow fox, almost as large but with more delicate features, a kitsune of an altogether different breed. Kalla stumbled back, eyes wide. She could only guess that this was Kituk and the Lady Arvynn. Laughter rippled through her mind as the fox stepped closer.

That would be correct, little Wolf. A distinctly feminine voice, musical and soft. The voice of Amaraaq's mother.

You wish to know how to reach Ganysha, yes? A gruff baritone filled her thoughts. You must become Lady of Wolves, my daughter. You must claim a Consort of your own.

“But… why me? Why is this happening to me?” Kalla asked.

You are our daughter. You are Amaraaq and it is time and past time for you to take our place. The wolf lowered his head, bringing it level with hers. Our people need a more gentle guiding hand. And I am ready to go home.

“Home?”

Yes, little Wolf, home. Even as mortals seek rest in Shae N'Sala, so, too, do we. New deities are born and those outdated retire so to speak.

But enough of that. You must claim your own Consort in order to proceed. I would suggest your little Fox. You could do no worse than Inari's own son. Kituk's voice rumbled through her mind.

“But- Wait, Inari's son?”

Indeed. Just as you are my daughter. Even he does not know it. Inari felt it news he couldn't handle at the time. Comes from being Arkaddian. He is learning though. Mirth laced the wolf's words.

“But I don't-”

If you don't wish it to be him, then you should let me free him, my daughter.

“Why…”

Because it would be a mercy, little Wolf. He loves you, as he has for many lifetimes, but he will not say anything. He's too afraid of your reaction. Thus he would suffer in silent misery. The Sky Fox is more than just your soulmate, little Wolf. When you chance to meet as male and female, he is your twin flame. Arvynn regarded her with amber eyes.

“Twin flame?” Kalla asked.

Yes. He is yours and you are his. Some part of both of you knows this, but you are less willing to accept it. And he is content merely being your magister. Your first encounter, all those many lives ago, set the tone for the future. Do you recall what that encounter was? A kitsune who gave their heart away. Arvynn spoke quietly, but with great surety to her words. Kituk snorted.

Enough. Let us see what the Sky Fox has to say in the matter. Kalla growled to herself as she was frozen in place, unable to move or speak and suddenly Aleister was there in the clearing with them, looking quite bewildered. He looked to Kalla, but the Old Wolf's voice snared his attention. Kalla heard a muffled exclamation as he caught sight of Kituk and Arvynn.

Inaba Kaze, the mage has no further use for your services as magister. She has bid me set you free, that you might spend your life as you will.

The blood drained from the magister's face and he swayed slightly, looking thunderstruck. He crumpled, sinking to his knees. Head bowed, he offered no protest.

“As you wish, milady,” he whispered and she thought she could detect a slight tremor to his voice. His countenance fairly cried What did I do wrong? The mage seethed at her inability to speak and make this right.

“Please, milady, I… I want you to take the Stymphalian. You have a greater need of it than I.”

“But what will you do without your ship?” Kituk made Kalla ask. Aleister glanced up at her, then dropped his gaze again.

“I will stay here. There are old debts here that must be paid,” he replied in a leaden voice.

“But if you stay here, you will be executed, will you not?” Kalla asked, still under the Old Wolf's manipulation.

“Yes…”

“Then why?”

“You are setting me free, to 'spend my life as I will'. It is what I wish.” A brief hint of angry bitterness laced the words.

“You wish to die, given freedom?”

“I should have died long ago. My family is dead, save for Hauss. You don't… want me around anymore. It's hard to live without one's heart.” Aleister's voice trailed off.

Kalla frowned as Kituk used her to retrieve the fox-ball. The bright green and rose that had filled it had dimmed to a faint spark, nearly consumed by a muted dark blue glow. She made to hand it back to him, but the magister shook his head. “It's not that easy. It was a gift, freely given. I…” He paused, twisting his shirt in his hands, still refusing to look up. “I… love you, milady. I didn't want you to get angry, to send me away… like you are now… I know… knew… my place. I would never have overstepped that place.

“It was the only way I could think to tell you, the only thing of any value I had to offer. If… Please, do with it what you will… Just, please wait until the light is gone.” Here his voice cracked and he gave a long, shuddering sob as Kituk freed Kalla from his control.

Kalla stared at the orb in her hand, then down at the man kneeling at her feet. She never would have guessed how much he cared, if she hadn't been forced to listen. The mage tried to imagine what life might be like, if Kituk really did free him and she didn't have far to go. She gotten a taste of that when the Sky Fox had been in a coma all those weeks. Kalla realized that she did, in fact, care for Aleister quite deeply and that her life would be very empty indeed without him.

She knelt before him, tucking the orb away as she did. He cringed back as she reached out and lifted his face to look at her, as she had so many months ago in the Inferno, and in his warm brown eyes she could see his confused hurt and his resignation. Kalla brushed his tears away, and in that instant made her choice. Drawing him closer, she kissed him and knew that she had made the right choice and that the Old Wolf and Lady Arvynn approved. Shock froze Aleister for a moment, before he responded, yet still he was chaste and gentle and she could feel his uncertainty, his fear that she would still push him away. Behind her the wolf and fox chuffed softly.

Well chosen, my daughter. You are now Lady of Wolves. A gift I give to thee, that you might not forget the truth of the bond between you, though I doubt that possible. Kituk's voice rumbled through the glade.

Flickers of light danced around their hands. A band of rose gold coalesced around the ring finger of Kalla's left hand, in the stylized likeness of a fox, tiny rubies set for eyes. Likewise, a band of mythril in the shape of a wolf with emerald eyes wove itself around Aleister's same finger.

I apologize to you, Inaba Kaze. I would not really have broken the bond, though the deception was necessary, both to force Kalla to see and you to be truthful. To truly do so would have been passing cruel and that I try not to be. There is a reason why the bond is forged as it is. A mage might survive, but a mageless magister would be driven insane by the breaking of the bond.

Aleister gave a shaky laugh, relief easing the tension from his wiry frame. “Thank you, Lord…Kituk?”

That would be me, yes. Those words held a slight grin. You are most welcome, little Fox. Know this, too, when Kalla comes into the full power of the Lady, so will you come into the power that rightfully belongs to you.

“I don't understand, Lord Kituk,” the magister said.

I think you've come far enough along that you can better appreciate this. You are not any kitsune, little Fox. You are the Prince of Foxes, the son of Inari himself. Yours has been a spirit on a journey, just as has Amaraaq. The Old Wolf laughed at Aleister's dumbfounded expression.

When next you meet your father, Kaze, give him the regards of the Queen of the Snows. You must travel to Ishkar to find Ganysha. Be sure to pay your respects to your desert brethren as well. King Fennec Nall will be delighted to meet you, I'm sure. Arvynn turned her attention from the still bemused Sky Fox to Kalla. Fare thee well, my little Wolf. Good journey til the end.

* * *

Kalla snapped awake in an instant, the bizarre dream playing through her mind. Dream or truth, she felt she had her answer. The mage conjured another globe of light and froze, staring at the ring on her finger. The dream had been real after all. A quick assessment told her that Vander was still asleep and that all of an hour had passed. Beside her, Aleister twitched and came awake with a sharp intake of breath. Alarm filled the bond and he started to scramble away from her, but she grabbed his hand and he grew still. She tapped his own ring.

“The dream was real. I am Lady of Wolves. Yet, I don't feel different,” she mused.

“Oh, gods be good… It was real?” Shame trickled through the bond and she pulled his arm back around her, gently squeezing his hand.

“Yes, it was real. You are now the Consort of the Lady. That's nothing to be ashamed of, is it?” Her voice grew quieter. “I am sorry that you had to go through that, Aleister, yet, was the gain not worth it?”

“It was worth it.” He hugged her closer, burying his face in her hair. “Just please don't regret it.”