With a well-placed slash John chuckled darkly, Aine flew overhead and watched as the bear roared angrily. She didn't mind the sound; actually it was quite entertaining to see the creature fall before such a cruel person.
'Aine, go and hunt on your own. You earned it for the prey you lead me to.' Aine nodded and took to the sky and flew till the cool air was barely nipping her wings. Her bright purple eyes looked over the ground bellow her and she let the wind carry her where it wished.
The wind was so wild and free, she loved the feel of just being able to fly and not worry about the wishes of some master with the command of a few words. She was magic, well she was resonance. John did know a lot about the world but he missed the real point and the real source of his abilities.
The true source was an increased tuning of self-resonance to the elements around someone. True magic was not a build of power and unknown source, it was the ability to feel the element, be in tune with it and using your own energy to direct it. She wasn't surprised that most Magi even Arch Mage's didn't know or understand it. It wasn't something humans or Animal people learned easily.
You had to take it on faith. Faith that the fire spell will cause fire, faith that the water will go where you willed it too. She was sure that almost no one at the Keep understood that, nor did they want too. Sighing as best a bird could sigh she let her mind wander to other things, still all too aware of the possibility that John could command her back as soon as he wished; which meant she wasn't free, not yet.
Hugging Shirai tight Kynali smiled up at him to reassure him that she was fine. He was just about to kiss her on the lips when Celeste bark growled. With flattened ears he kissed her cheek and rubbed her arm lovingly. Celeste hated being the bad guy- well girl about this but she knew that anything anyone else could use against them would be more trouble then they needed. Kynali smiled softly and looked over to Celeste and nodded to her. She knew why things had to be kept low side contact but a part of her just wanted to take him somewhere where they could just be alone and talk or cuddle.
A small bark of joy came from one of the upper windows and then in a flash of silvery blue, the former Arkenian Kitsune pup, leaped down from one of the upper rooms and landed with a quiet *Thump*. She rushed over and tackled Kynali to the ground licking her face and nuzzling into her. Kynali laughed and pet her full grown kit lovingly and waited for her to settle down.
"Love, love, calm down, I was only gone five days." Kynali kisses her kit on the nose affectionately. Shirai chuckled and helped Kynali stand up; the Kitsune weaved between the two and licked at their hands and paws. She stopped and looked over at Celeste who was laughing quietly. Walking over to her cautiously the kit sniffed as Celeste reached her paw out then put her forepaws on Celeste shoulder and licked at her cheek and muzzle. Celeste laughed more and pet the kit edging her off and backing up before she got a clue and returned to inspecting Kynali.
"Quite a friendly Arkenian kit, she must have been raised with a lot of love." Celeste commented as she wiped her paws on her black jeans.
Nodding Kynali smiled and leaned into Shirai instinctively as the week finally hit her. She didn't quite faint but it was more of a wave of heaviness that just finally broke free. Wrapping his arms around her, Shirai smiled and put his muzzles to her hair and took a deep breath. He was glad that they could see each other, even if Celeste or Alex has to be there.
Something caught Kynali's eye as she looked up at the sky, there was a shimmer of something and it looked almost like it had been her imagination. Till she look straight at the sky. There was another glimmer on what looked like a black bird. Shirai followed her gaze and saw, with no better clarity, the glimmering black shape. Shirai bark growled for Esper and Ether and the two crystal wings came instantly.
'Go and see who that is. If it is a wild then you can least it alone but if it has an owner I want to make sure no one is trying to spy on training today.' Esper and Ether nodded and took the air gaining height with each bronze wing beat. Almost in unison they began to meld into one shape.
Esper leveled off to the right of the creature and Ether took the left.
'Who are you' Esper demanded tail waving annoyed.
'I am me. I am all I can be, which is nothing in any sort of retrospect.' The creature cawed out elegantly. From what Ether gathered it was a female and it obviously belonged to someone. The harness she wore said as much. The gem in the center made Ether want to preen his feathers in distaste. Esper didn't like her one bit.
' Ok, So you are you but, what are you then?' Esper hated how this creature was avoiding his questions.
'Now that is a better question,' the bird before them said smugly, 'I am a Coria Alagos. We are a rare type of bird, our very presence is told to bring harm to those around us because of our... Nature.' The Alagos' eyes gleamed with mischief. She swooped low and glared as her two new "friends" followed with ease.
'So whom do you belong to? Unless you are a wild who likes to wear harnesses like a common Magi slave' Ether asked carefully trying to ruffle her feathers.
'I loathsomely belong to the horrid master John Fangblade. Not by choice mind you. This harness is not worn by choice.' Ether frowned the best he could and thought to himself quietly and decided to go over to Esper before he did something rash.
'You mean the Dog who attacked mother? The same one who is the reason mother must stay away from father and cause him to be sad?' Ether was steadily getting angry and quickly forgot the fact she said she didn't want to belong to John. To save her pride and the fact that she was steadily getting tired at being at such heights the Alagos dropped in elevation steadily.
Her quick action caused her to misjudge the wind as a current shifted drastically. This pulled her down to suddenly and sharply as she lost the airflow she was riding. Trying to point her body so she could correct herself she hit another down shift in air; the feeling of a crack and blinding pain in her left wing was what had thrown into unconsciousness.
Ether acted swiftly and dove down sharply using his body to catch up with the rate that to Alagos was falling. The rate he was falling was dangerous, but he didn't want to think about it. Finding the right angle was key. He threw his sight to the winds and shifted his wings so he glided right under the Alagos. Her wingspan was nearly greater than his own. The added weight was a struggle for the normally shy crystal wing but he did his best. Esper soon joined him on his decent to take the Alagos to ground where Mother and Father could help her. Esper helped in steadying Ether as he shifted directions to head of the field outside their Keep.
Below Shirai, Kynali and Celeste watched as the Alagos started to fall. Kynali inhaled sharply and gripped Shiria's paw in worry. A sigh of relief left her as Ether swooped down to help the Alagos, Shirai nodded in approval and mumbled quiet praise for the bravery his crystal wings were showing. Celeste watched in silent amazement as these two creatures, who had no ties or loyalty to this third creature, helped and saved it without instruction or turning to ask Shirai what to do.
As Ether and Esper landed Shirai and Kynali rushed over to the landing place and both cringed when they saw how the wing was pointed. Celeste walked over and evaluated it and took action. Carefully she moved the wing to straighten out and carefully placed the beautiful black purple Coria Alagos on her back so the wing would rest with ease.
"I need a flat board two long sticks and something to wrap to make a brace. Thankfully she didn't break her wing along the joint but down at the bone back here." Celeste carefully brushed her paw over the area the connected to the shoulder. "So this means she will be able to fly once we can get a healer in here to mend the bone."
"What does her data say about her?" Kynali asked concerned. Celeste pulled out a data card and scanned it over the almost invisible band on her leg that marked her as belonging to a Magi.
"Adult Female
Name: Aine
Species: Coria Alagos
Birthday: Saturday, November 21, 2009
Owner: John Fangblade" Celeste read out. Shirai and Celeste growled under their breaths at that last part. Kynali just looked in pity over the Alagos. It was such a beautiful creature. The wings had a purple sheen to them and tips look like they were painted purple. She stood up and hurried inside. Celeste sat by the bird and tried to calm her nerves a little as Shirai stood and kept his eye on the sky. Ether hovered over the injured Alagos worried as Esper looked at his brother worried over a creature that was, to him, an enemy. Kynali came back arms full of the things Celeste had a requests plus some others.
"I think this is everything. I rang for a healer to come right away and told them to make sure they were good with rare types. I didn't want someone who didn't know how to handle her or what to use." Celeste nodded and started to make the splint carefully cutting the wood so it was the right length with a thin line of fire. As she wrapped the wing Kynali stood and pet Ether's head as he shuffled his wings and settled down, his eyes watched Celeste's every movement.
Carefully Celeste and Kynali lifted the Alagos and set her on the board so they could carry her inside. Shirai helped with making sure the wing was level and stable on the board as they walked over to the Keep. Ether and Esper trailed behind silently, both thinking about what was going to happen next.
Once they got inside Kynali let Shirai carry the board as she found a place to set it down. Settling on the coffee table that was in the living room to the right of the kitchen, Kynali moved the few things that were on it so that Celeste and Shirai could set it down with ease. All three sat patiently on the couch as they waited for the signal from a small bowl that sat next on the fireplace in front of the coffee table.
Sharp blue eyes watched as the small human entered the room. The young girl looked nervous but smelled more of worry. As she got her thoughts together she fiddled with her hands.
"Mrs. Hiens?" she asked softly," A Magi called and needs an expert healer. She says that an Alagos is injured and doesn't want to risk harming it by just assuming what is wrong. I was sent down to come fetch you." Looking down on instinct, the young girl let her voice trail off at the end of her message and fiddled more with her hands not sure what else she could do.
"Interesting. I doubt any of the fourth year students are ready to talk a job of this size. I guess I'll go; hopefully the Alagos is not too hurt. That would be a shame. Also, next time call me Ellie, Mrs. Hiens is my mates mother." The young girl watched as the Lioness before her stood, she was a lot taller than most of the healers and she wore the clothing of her origin, with many bright stripes and beads decorating the soft looking robe. The rope around her waist had several pouches dangling from it; each had different purposes and uses for the healing craft. Rounded ears were perked forward and were a shade lighter than her short honey gold hair. If the girl hadn't known any better she would have said Mrs...Ellie was quite young but looks were not everything. Her blue eyes reflected the wisdom and age she held with finesse only felines had.
Ellie walked around her desk and looked at her medicine cabinet and opened it, paws rubbing over the decorations that were on the small round knob. She untied and changed out different pouches, opening jars that were full of all sorts of items, the room started to take on the smell of herbs. Lastly, she grabbed her leather-sheathed blade and hooked it to her belt the metal end glinting in the dimly lit room. She shut the cabinet and turned to exit only to see the girl was still there; with a soft smile gracing her muzzle, she shooed the girl away.
"But you don't know where the Keep the Alagos is at." the girl said just remembering why she hadn't left yet.
"Then tell me you silly child." The Lioness laughed.
"Well, the Keep belongs to Shirai the Wolf-
"Say no more, I know of the place. They have a wonderful entrance forest that I visit to pick certain herbs. That sweet Wolf was kind enough to allow me to enter." Ellie smiled more and walked over to her desk. She opened up one of the drawers and rested her paw on a charm with a wolf print and a ruby on it. The young girl nodded and left the room, leaving the door open.
Soon Ellie also left but made sure to shut her door well as she ran an extended claw over the charm.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
The forest entrance didn't look like it had changed a bit. The old trees were still a brown green color and the leaves full as ever. Ellie took a deep breath and scented the area. The smell of nature welcomed her along with the comings and goings of the ones who lived on the other side of the forest. The older scent of the young Wolf who lived there was more dominant, naturally, but underneath was the smell of a human, a female human. Her scent was that of someone who used to be around frequently but now less so.
'He must have gotten himself someone to court, good for him, maybe she will be the one to light the flame in his spirit.' She thought to herself as she moved to the larger of the trees that stood next to the path she impressed the charm on a divot in the trunk. The charm flared a light yellow color and she took it out and started on the path.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
The water in the clear bowl turned a bright yellow color; Shirai was the first one to notice it. He smiled and stood up and walked out of the Keep. He made his way to the entrance and his tail started to wave as Ellie made her way along the path.
Finally reaching the end she embraced the wolf in a hug. She rested her paw on his shoulder and looked him over.
"My my, you sure have grown since the last time I was here. I mean it was just yesterday you were chasing my tail like a cub and now, you have the making of a fine young Wolf." Ellie smiled as her praise cause his ears to lower in embarrassment. She brushed aside a few out of place strands of hair and patted his shoulder.
"Nah... I just am me..." He smiled sheepishly and lead the Lioness to the Keep.
Kynali stretched and pet her Arkenian Kitsune, who had wandered off in all the early commotion. The kit sat and her feet and was panting, tongue hanging partly out her mouth in a fox grin.
"My my look at this. My little Shirai is hanging around females again." Ellie exclaimed grinning, Shirai's ears laid half down and he blushed a little. Walking into the room Ellie looked to Shirai to do the introductions.
"Hehehe... Well this is Ellie Hiens, she is one of the top healers in the whole region." Shirai then motioned to Kynali and Celeste. "You know Celeste, but the human is Kynali." Celeste stood and shook paws with the Lioness, who regarded her with a nod. Kynali stoop and held out her hand to do the same thing when she was pulled into a hug. It surprised her a little but she relaxed, and the Lioness gripped her shoulders gently and smiled down at her.
"You have the brightest countenance I have seen in so long, you just radiate joy." Kynali blushed and looked over at Shirai for a moment; his tail was waving happily and he smiled at her, which as usual, warmed right through her. Ellie sharpened her eyes a little and grinned more. She knew the connection now, heck she could feel it.
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Hiens." Kynali looked back over to the Lioness and felt totally relaxed and clear headed, first time in a long time.
"Oh dear, Call me Ellie. Mrs. Hiens is my Mother-In-Law." Ellie looked around the room for a moment when her eyes locked on the unconscious Alagos on the coffee table. She spotted the harness and the gem that was in the center and her lip curled up and she growled. Kynali stepped back a little worried and both Celeste and Shirai had their ears flat down and the sharpness of the tone.
"That gem has to go." Ellie's voice changed to a stern tone that worried all three in the room.
"What gem? Ellie what are you talking about?" Celeste was the first to recover and she took more of a defensive stance.
"The Alagos, her harness has a gem that is found without the lands i used to roam as a cub. The thing is, the one in its natural form is not like that. The poor thing is being controlled."
"So we just need to get it off her? That should be easy." Kynali quickly went over to Aine and run her fingers over the soft red leather. She tried to pull at it but the leather became hot; not wanting to hurt the Alagos she let it go. She touched the gem's surface for a moment and cringed at the ache that traveled up her arm. She was originally just going to take it off to see what would happen; now she wasn't so sure she wanted to touch it again.
"Oh hun, no you cannot take it off like that, it would cause the both of you a lot of pain." Ellie looked over the Alagos and inspected the harness. She pulled her blade from its sheath and a vial from her belt. The small beads on her outfit made a tin clinking sound that drew Kynali's attention. She watched as Ellie opened the vial and poured a drop on the blade and set the vial down. Next, she took a pinch of light blue power from on of her pouches and dusted it on the drop. She picked the vial back up and carefully poured three drops. The liquid was first clear then it turned bright yellow. She put the vial away and reached into another pouch for a silvery looking bead. She whispered a short spell and the metal of the blade began to make an indent, the liquid sunk in with it metal and she dropped the silvery ball into the indent and it melted on contact the liquid rose from the blade and it mixed to turn a golden color.
"This will bind the gem and hold the spells around the leather quiet." Ellie poured the liquid onto the center of the gem and it changed from a red color to a green yellow. The blade went back to its original form and Ellie cut the harness at the connecting points.
Aine's eyes shot open and she cried out; she sent a wave of shadows over room and tried to lash out. Celeste and Shirai went to Kynali instinctively, their eyes not so affected by the lack of light. Ellie tore off the harness and threw it to the flames. The fire flared a deep green color and the shadows where dispensed. Aine cried out in pain but did not move because of her injured wing.