Taking a deep breath of the crisp, cold air, Kalliope held out her hand.
“Caldoran.”
An ivory staff materialised. She could hear Venus’ sharp intake of breath even from here. The staff was magnificent, elegant with swirling etchings, its crown an arching carving of white and blue jade so thin one could see the pale Caeloran sunlight through them. A deep blue gem lay suspended in the curves of the staff’s crown, radiating magic as cold as ice.
After their emotional reveal at Malus’ hidden lair, he had dug through his personal troves (or should Kalliope call it his dragon hoard?) and gifted her this legendary staff, the Caldoran, that belonged to a powerful Sorceress’ whose name was lost to time.
But that was a story for another day.
Now, Kalliope got into position behind Malus, who un
