Arriving quickly, he soon found his way to the small keep owned by Shirai and Kynali. The land was beautiful, and big. The students in the Keep had to live in dorms till they reached a level in skill to be aloud land. Since there were two magi here, the land was twice the size. It wasn't uncommon since there was plenty of open land to choose from. The sound of a panther growl soon drew his attention. He dismounted and silently told his Enox to go graze.
'You Smell of that thing who hurt Mother.' she growled out in beast tongue.
'I assure you young beauty I mean your magi no harm. I only wish to help.' The panther looked at him with suspicion and all doubts he had about this human female were out the window. She was attacked, why else would a young adult panther female challenge him, a High Alpha? It was refreshing though.
'I will get soon-to-be-Father. He will decide.' Nodding his head the panther quickly went in through an archway and around the corner. Not waiting long till the tan fur of Shirai could be seen. Ears held in a lower but respectful manner, he greeted the High Alpha Magi.
"Welcome, sir. How might I be of help to you?" Smelling the air, the High Alpha Magi looked Shirai over. Not sensing any guilt, unlike that pup his fellow High Magi was dealing with, he took a step closer and held out the scroll he found.
"I believe this belongs to your...Mate?" Shirai's eyes went wide at the word and chuckled shaking his head taking the scroll.
"Sir, we are not mates yet. I am only just courting her. We live together because she felt it unsafe to live alone. There have been threats on her...Safety so I am here to protect my future mate's honor." Shirai did his best not to show his emotions at the fact he was furious at those trying to threaten to get a mate instead of earning the love and affection. He wasn't sure how he earned it but he would never go so low as to threaten her if hadn't.
"I see. I am glad honor is still among my wolves here." The High Alpha Magi nodded his head and smiled. Shirai's ears went flat against his skull.
"I am not yours. I hold a respect for you. I am loyal to you and I am willing to learn from you. But, I am not in your possession." A larger smile spred across the muzzle of the High Alpha Magi. The fire and steel-will of the wolf in front of him made him proud. To many wolves were mindless and blindly loyal. Tilting his head to the side, Shirai was confused why he was not being forced into listening to a lecture about being a servant.
"You have made me proud. It is almost a breath of fresh air to see a wolf with a mind of his own. Would you be willing to be an Alpha at the Keep?"
"No." His quick decline startled the High Alpha Magi. Most males were vying for power, chance at a mate, more land, something. The resolve that shined in the eyes of the wolf that stood before him spoke it all. He was content with no power, fancy title, or ruling over others. He was perfect.
"Well I am sorry to hear that. The offer is still open; this might even give your future mate protection. Not that that should be a motivation." Nodding his head, Shirai took a quick glance to the area around them. Something was off. Flicking his ears as casual as possible, he strained to hear what it was. The High Alpha Magi noticed Shirai's distracted gaze and looked around. Nothing, he couldn't sense anything off. Shirai looked up and saw something catch the light in the trees. Smirking he whistled calling over the creature or creatures hiding in the trees. Two large wings glinted copper in the sun, the shine off of blue gems on the body and head refracted the light showing off how well groomed it was. The crystal wing hopped into the air showing the rest of himself off before flying lazily to Shirai's side.
"Where is Ether?" The crystal wing gestured his head to the tree he had been hiding in. A few trees over, a shy, less show-offy crystal wing made his way to the other side of Shirai.
"Beautiful." The High Alpha Magi watched as the two bronze crystal wings acted. One obviously more upfront nuzzling his head into the paw of Shirai, who chuckled. The second one, whom Shirai had called Ether, waited patiently for his share of the attention.
"Ether, Esper were you two spying on us?" The guilty look of the two made him chuckle.
'We only wish to see the new comer. That is till Esper had to get all fidgety and move to another tree.' Keened out Ether quietly. Shirai knew that Ether could have been there for hours or just got there he would not have noticed. Ninja bird... Unlike Esper. He must have wanted to be found.
'Go and take this,' Shirai handed the scroll the High Alpha Magi had returned to Ether, 'to Kynali. She would love a visit from you two after the day she had.' Ether nodded and carefully took the scroll and flew his way inside the home, a reluctant Esper followed even though he wanted to stay and see what else would happen.
"Magnificent Crystal wings you have. Now I wish to maybe go inside. Not wanting anymore...Visits from less welcome company." Shirai nodded and started toward the house.
The High Alpha Magi studied the humble looking home. A large archway, not decorated with gems or glass, but with simple drawings. It looked big enough for a good sized bone dragon to fit through. As they passed into a small courtyard with a pond in the center, the High Alpha Magi spotted the yellow feline eyes of the panther watching him tail waving back and forth lazily. The dark solid wood door they came to opened with a slight squeak. The floors were mostly level, rich dark wood stretched past the gray stone entryway. Making their way to a stair case, they passed several paintings. Each one looked like stain glass. The High Alpha Magi admired silently. Going up the steps with ease they came to a light wooden door. Opening it, Shirai walked into the reading room. A fire pit in the center of the room kept things warm and dimly lit. Lamps, and bowls for fire spells were seen around the room. Several large comfy chairs were spread out, pillows on the floor and the pile of books and scrolls strewn on the desk in the far left corner attested to the very lived in condition of the room. Large shelves contained a vast number of books and scrolls, paper and ink wells sat on a smaller desk a few feet from the right corner a waste bin next to it half filled with crumpled paper. Something caught his eye, in the very back of the room was a round opening at the base of the opening was large pillows, it looked like a slide. What surprised the High Alpha Magi the most was the large table not far from the fire pit had a painting, not finished, laying on it a large cup full of brushes and many small bowls showed him that one of the two living here painted.
"Kynali paints. She also writes, well tries to. It is harder since she only learned how at the Keep." Shirai noticed the High Alpha Magi admiring the not finished painting. Gesturing to any of the chairs in the rooms he picked a soft dark red one. Pulling it over, Shirai waited for the High Alpha Magi to start.
"Well the real reason I came was because, well, one of my Alpha's I oversee, came to an associate, a High Magi." He saw the body language go hostile the moment the words left his muzzle.
"Interesting." He used his calmest voice, wanting to hear out the High Alpha Magi.
"He seemed to be...Overly upset. The High Magi, knowing he had no other option, called me in. Getting him to tell the whole truth wasted a bit of my time. One thing that bugs me is that his whole body language screamed guilt, embarrassment, anger, and lust. I heard out his side of the story, and now I come to hear out Kynali's."
Nodding Shirai took a moment to think. He didn't think it was quite time even he should ask, but this could mean that cur would be punished. The Alpha looked at him wondering what his answer would be. If things were as bad as he feared, the poor girl might not even be able to talk for a time and that could mean John might get support from other Alphas to come after her. That would solve nothing.
"I think you should ask her. Only if she agrees to talk, I want to be there too. She will want to be near me that I can be sure of."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
The subtle sound of wing-beats alerted Kynali to the presence of Ether and Esper. The dire wolf standing guard nodded to them knowing both would be a big help in his Magi's recovery. Esper flew through the open upper half of the hatchling door, quickly checked her over, Ether waiting for his assessment perched on the lower half. Kynali smiled softly, pet Esper, and ran her fingers gingerly over the blue gem on his forehead soon lost in thought. Ether keened out quietly muffled slightly by the scroll he held in his mouth. The sound brought Kynali out of the daze and she looked over to Ether. Walking over she gently took the scroll.
"Where did you find this Ether?" Ether opened his maw for a moment but lowered his shoulders knowing she couldn't speak in beast tongue. She took that as a sign he couldn't tell her and just shrugged. Both crystal wings greeted the hatchlings that had made their way over to them. Esper nodded to Ether letting him know he didn't see anything wrong physically.
Soon the hatchlings and two crystal wings all got into a small game of 'Pin the Magi to the floor'. Kynali's laughter softly rang through the hall as Shirai and the High Alpha Magi made their way to the Hatchling room. The Alpha watched as Shirai lit up at the almost musical sound, tail swaying. The dire wolf that sat outside the door looked the High Alpha Magi over with suspicion but didn't voice his concern out of respect of the obvious higher ranking and the fact Shirai was not hostile toward him. Leaning on the lower door Shirai watched as Esper and Ether distracted Kynali letting the little Hellhound pup jump on her and pushed her over. The Arkenian kit licked her face and yipped out happily seeing Shirai. Kynali picked up the little Hellhound pup carefully and set him next to her, before sitting up with the help of Ether.
"Hey Shirai." Seeing there was someone else there she decided to hold off on the nickname till she got to know the new guy, who looked really familiar. The high Alpha Magi looked her over. Nothing like the desperate girls that chased after the wolves at the Keep. Also she looked nothing like the shy ones that hid in the library. He was expecting to find a broken down girl moping and waiting to throw herself into the instinctual attention wolf males gave their future mate.
"Hiya sweetheart, this," gesturing his paw to the High Alpha Magi, "is the High Alpha Magi." Standing up with a bit of help from the crystal wings, Kynali bowed slightly and reached out her hand. Not really knowing what else to do the High Alpha Magi reached his paw out and was surprised how she was not bowing or groveling like all of the other younger students liked to do.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Sir. What bring you to our little keep?" Smiling genuinely she shook his paw and let her arm fall casually to her side soon to be petting Esper, who decided he wanted attention.
"I came here to speak with you, do you mind if we go some place a little less informal?" Kynali laughed and reached down picking up her gold wyrm, who wrapped himself around her neck nuzzling against her.
"I assure you, informality's are my specialty." Winking she set down the little wyrm and waved to the other hatchlings before slipping out the lower door. Ether and Esper following behind tails sweeping over the floor, claws clicking on the hardwood. Shirai gave her a quick hugs and kissed her cheek before leading the way to the kitchen.
Pulling out a chair for Kynali, Shirai chose the seat next to her, the high Alpha Magi sitting across the good sized square table. The High Alpha Magi was still taken aback by the comment Kynali made. Most wolves would not be able to put up with the sarcasm or even the fake rebellion. Normally they would choose a submissive or soon to be broken female that usually would never dream of joking with someone like him. Thinking about it he decided maybe he should start socializing with more than the upper level Magi wolves. This new kind of behavior was something he wanted to enjoy more of. Ether made himself comfortable by Kynali's feet, Esper fidgeted with finding a spot, not really wanting to sit still.
"So...What did you want to talk to me about? I mean you came all the way here, I doubt it is something small." Kynali leaned forward elbows resting on the smooth cool table. Absentmindedly she reached down one hand and pet Ether, a finger tracing the gem on his forehead.
"Well I came here because of a problem that was brought up by one of my younger Alphas." The High Alpha Magi noticed as Kynali's posture changed and the lax attitude dissipated replaced with anger and a hardened resolve.
"What did that c-...Alpha say?" Kynali said in the calmest tone she could manage. Shirai reached behind her and rubbed Kynali's back in slow easy circles, relaxing her partly.
"He said that he was by the forest, saw you and was completely civil and in response you assaulted his person. He also stated your panther and Shirai here stopped him from properly punishing you. Now it was too difficult for me to get out the full truth and I am suspecting there is more to the story." Kynali nodded slowly and her eyes glazed over for a moment. Shaking her head she leaned into Shirai's touch and Ether, sensing her discomfort, rested his head on her lap. The combined support gave Kynali her voice back and calmed her.
"Well...He left out important facts. I had decided that I was going out today so I chose to walk instead of ride like normal. Hiding and waiting for me at the end of the forest path; he basically snuck up on me. I was perfectly polite to him. He used terms that were too familiar for my taste, calling me babe and even shortening my name like we've been friends for years. I was not going to say anything, but his tail tried to slip down the back of my jeans. I am sorry if it was wrong of me but I did not want to be touch there. He laughed at me when I told him to leave and pinned me to the ground..." Taking a deep breath Kynali bit her lip and leaned more towards Shirai, he pinned back his ears and kissed Kynali's cheek gently, both could smell the sadness and fear in her scent. Esper stretched his wings before walking over to Kynali nudging her hand to pet him.
"I ran to her the moment I heard her scream. Kazue, her panther, got there a few moments before me. John ran before I could do anything and Kynali was a wreck so I went to her instead of taking him down." Shirai kept his tone smooth so as to not betray his emotions.
"He...H-he...I could-ldn't fight back...I-it made me remember...and I did the only thing I could think of...I couldn't let it happe..." Kynali's voice trailed off and even Shirai couldn't hear the last part. The High Alpha Magi leaned forward, sympathy in his dusty hazelnut eyes. He could tell something else had happened to her; her eyes looked to glazed and stuck in the past for all that fear she was giving off.
"This isn't the first time someone has tried something is it?" Kynali looked down, the High Alpha Magi saw a flash of shame across her eyes, and Shirai nuzzled her gently. Nodding, Shirai pull Kynali close and licked her cheek. Looking up Kynali found her resolve petting the crystal wings, both nuzzled her affectionately.
"That's why I am here. When...It happened, I was able to finally fight back with ice I made out of the humid air. The ice pinned all five of them to a tree till help came. I…Want-ted to die but something was there with me for a while, I can't remember what… I know it kept me alive. It left and soon three villagers came and were able to bring me back, covering me with one of their cloaks because the…Animals that attacked me ha-ad torn and cu-ut my cloth-hes. The village said I would be safer if I learned how to control my magic. I don't miss home. Here I have friends." Nuzzling into Shirai, Kynali hid a tear she knew both could smell. The High Alpha Magi frowned and sat back, watching as Shirai comforted his future mate. He had to do something. This poor girl was assaulted by one of his alphas. The story made sense and she didn't once smell like she, or Shirai was lying. He would have to make a firm example of John. The pup needed to learn his place.
"Well, from what I saw at the forest entrance, your story seems to add up. I fear, though, that John will gain support among the other alphas and force my hand. I think it would be best if you both come with me and we call to order a gathering to stop things before things get any worse." Shirai nodded in agreement, pulling Kynali close instinctively. The High Alpha Magi stood pushing in the chair he was sitting in and watched as the two crystal wings showed Kynali affection, cheering her up almost instantly.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
A dark growl broke the silence as the once dark room was lit up, a door opening up with a loud thump as it hit the stone wall. The door then slammed shut and with quick angry movements the window shutters were opened up forcefully. 5 new claw marks being the only visible sigh of anger. The sound of wings rustling caught all focus. Bright purple eyes stared with hatred towards the Wolf in front of her. Sleek long black feathers glowed an almost purple sheen as they flattened against the frame of the bird out of agitation. The thin red harness binding her to the perch on which she sat caused the Wolf before her to smirk. She was his, His. All His. The deep ruby set in the middle swirled with magic, its power unseen unless sought out. It was a clever design, really, the way it looked, it seemed like the creature was just highly decorated. Lots of the upper class and upper level people liked to show off their creatures, the harness looked like any old innocent thing. He only saved them for the real difficult creatures, like the Coria Alagos before power in the gem would help re-enforce his dominance over the creature letting him order and command them at his will.
'What is it it that you wish...Mas..ter...' The Alagos cawed out, filling the word master with much hatred. The Wolf before her was angry. No scratch that he was pissed.
"I Want you to love and worship me." The Alagos sneered the best she could and turn up her beak. He was beyond pissed. The little moment was spoiled by a soft knocking. The head of a HellHound peeked in behind it a lanky black haired human. The Coria Alagos looked over the male with suspicion and tightened in her wings.
"John... Th-The High Magi wishes to see you. They said to hurry."
Angry faded yellow eyes locked on target and a short snarl left John's muzzle. He didn't want to go, he needed to think. To refuse to show up would mean bigger consequences then he needed to deal with at the moment. Gathering his composure he slightly increase his presence in the room and watched with sick enjoyment as the younger 1st year magi student cowered in fear. The hellhound did not like him either, and looked as if he barely held back a snapped snarl in response.
"If I must go, let us leave quickly. The sooner I can get done with the god forsaken day the better." John passed past the young magi and walked with unnatural silence.