Vanaris is the closest thing Shael has to a secular capitol. It and the city of Valará are the only two cities of note aside from the temple city of Shael and they produce most of the food that is consumed in the valley nation. Both cities are also known to have many craftsman of incredible skill, though it is more in the artistic elements of their craft rather than the martial utility that is so often found in Althrá.

Kythia

I sit at the table in my mother’s hut looking at a book but I can’t seem to focus long enough to actually read it. Every time I finish a few words I am distracted by one thing or another that the boy did today. I can’t get the image of him standing next to the severed head of that dragon out of my head, but I also keep getting mad over how he told me I am going to be his mate.

He’s weaker than me and clearly too young to even do what I would need from a mate. Even if he was old enough, he's too weak. He can’t beat me in physical strength or speed and his mana is just plain weaker than mine. Sure, he is a quick learner and reads my attacks better than I can his but he doesn’t have the force to back it up. Why do I keep thinking about him though? Other boys have said stuff like that before and I never thought of them.

“What’s got you riled up? Don’t tell me you like what you brother brought back” my mother begins.

“Eww, no. That’s disgusting and just no.”

My mother smiles and I realize that she said that for the sole purpose of getting me to say that.

“How about Tallen? Anath? Fael?”

I look at her like she is an idiot. She knows and just wants to get me to act out. Her grin flattens some before she says, “fine, spoil my fun then. Just tell me what Lykou did then.”

“How did. . .”

“It’s obvious my daughter. He’s the only boy you’ve ever given a second glance to. You sometimes go looking for him to help you or to help him. So, what did he do?”

“He said he was going to make me his mate.”

“Oh, and is that a bad thing?”

“But he’s weaker than me.”

“So? That doesn’t mean he will always be and even if he doesn’t, you like spending time with him.”

“But he can’t beat me!”

“Then let him win, you want him to after all.”

“No I don’t.”

“Well if you don’t then you shouldn’t care when the other girls in the pack fight over his affection.”

I just look at my mother confused and she smirks again.

“He killed a dragon, do you really think that he didn’t catch anyone’s eye?”

“He’s still too young” I mutter.

“Just wait and you’ll see that probably won’t be a problem.”

“What did you do?”

“Nothing. Now, are you going to realize and accept it yet?”

Rather than answer, I stand up and leave for my room. I don’t get whatever she is alluding to and don’t want to deal with her anymore today.

After closing the curtains that act as a door, I lay down and close my eyes to rest. Maybe sister can help me where Mom is only making it worse.

Soon I am sitting is the forest that is my dream world. Moonlight Runner is sitting across from me in the small clearing and is the first thing I see as I open my eyes. She stands up and walks over to me before asking, “what is it?”

“I can’t stop thinking about someone.”

“Who? Is it that new boy? I like his smell.”

“You’re just as bad as mother but yes.”

“Can I watch your memories for today?”

“Sure, but . . .

I don’t get a chance to finish as sister begins to pull on my mind. With a sigh I let her and the events of today flash through before my eyes. As soon as it started the replay ends and sister is giving me a grin.

“What?” I ask.

“Good job sister.”

“For what?”

“He likes you.”

“What does that have to do with what’s going on?”

“Isn’t it obvious? He caught your eye.”

I just look at my wolf, she is not making any more sense than mom.

After a moment, sister takes a step back and just says, “his smell is stronger than ours so stop worrying and just enjoy it.”

“What do you mean?”

“What do you smell from him?”

“I don’t know, it’s strange and makes no sense.”

Adrian

It’s been three weeks since I finished working with Griff. Like every morning since then I open my eyes to a shower of golden hair. My head lies atop of a pair of tails that are both pillow and blanket while one of my hands rests on a pillow of a different sort. Once more Ria snuck into my bed naked and stripped me down to my underwear while I was asleep.

I’ve long since given up on telling her not to do this and stopped trying to even get her to keep her clothes on. She simply won’t stop, even though she has done everything else I ever asked of her with a genuine smile.

She shifts slightly, rubbing against me and I wonder once again if I should just take her for the ride that she has so often offered. She’s gorgeous, fun, kind and I really want to, but she is a little crazy. She follows me around everywhere and always asks me for permission for things that she doesn’t need from me.

“Ria” I call softly but she just grumbles, feigning to still be asleep.

“I know you’re awake.” I say.

“No, I’m not” she says.

I let go of her bosom and roll away from her even though I immediately miss the feeling of being wrapped in her soft tails. Once we are separated she rolls over and then straddles me, rubbing her hips against mine as she asks, “do you want more than cuddles?” somehow innocently.

I pause a moment, enjoying the feeling and appreciating the view before I ask, “do you really want this?”

“More than anything.”

She then licks my cheek and I think for a second before rolling the two of us over and kiss her as she is pinned to the floor under me. The kiss starts awkwardly as I don’t really know what to do but I do enjoy it and she eagerly reciprocates my advances.

When I end the kiss, I smile at her before I say, “I'm not ready yet for that but . . ."

“I can wait. I love you. Ria is your good girl, always and only your good girl” the kitsune under me whispers in my ear before licking my cheek. I want to give her what she wants but I shouldn't. I don't deserve it and I'd just be taking advantage of her, more than I already am.

I then slowly get up to take another cold cold bucket shower as I say, “clothes Ria.”

I had just finished eating breakfast when there is a knock at the door. Not even fifteen seconds later someone tries to open it and immediately begins to knock it down shouting about not reporting for a trip. Before I get to the door to open it, it is broken and a pair of men in chainmail are behind one of the stuck-up pricks that I never wanted to have to see again. Sir Lanis Brightblade, in his immaculately polished plate.

Who of course begins talking with all of his holier than thou attitude, “it is disgraceful to ignore the call to arms against the darkness of the world. Yet, it is not too late to redeem yourselves in . . .”

His lips keep moving but the sound of his voice has stopped and I look at Ria and Abagail. Ria smiles back at me but not the normal way she always does but the way she smiles after doing something I asked of her; like she was proud of herself and she should be.

“What call, we were never notified of anything?” I ask and only then does Ria cease whatever she did to keep the paladin silent.

Brightblade of course look stunned as if that could not be possible. He stares at me for a moment before saying, “you’re not lying. I apologize, it appears there was a mistake but I am still here to bring you to your next task. . .”

Wait, did a religious fanatic just apologies for being wrong? I don’t think I’ve heard of that happening before. Maybe this misguided ass in plate is not as bad as I think him to be.

“. . . and that does not make you innocent of the crime. . .”

Or maybe not. He just happens to be an ass that does give token gestures every now and then.

“Just shut up and give us a minute to gather our things” I interrupt and the man frowns but does not stop us from gathering our things before we follow him to our job as being sent to be cannon fodder.

It takes barely a moment for each of us to gather our things, after all we have been expecting to get something like this for a while. The next new moon is seventeen days from now if what Griff said about the attack is true. Though I do not know why it has taken so long for them to plan and actually start their attack. I know they are somewhere in the forest of Daerth, and that is about as far away as Karthas was and that took roughly a week to get to.

Each of us have a backpack and a sack in hand as we follow Brightblade. Ria is following me closer than she normally does after we reach the rest of the group and begin the overly slow march that Brightblade seems to favor. I thought for a moment that someone would make a stink over us not being here already but apparently, we were not the only ones not informed and then dragged into this.

The march itself seems like a medieval prisoner transport. Those that seem to be native Althaen are on the outside while we are on the inside of their formation though it seems those that walk too slowly are encouraged to move faster. There is also how after arriving no one has actually explained what is going on. The other otherworlders seem to be confused and afraid. I wonder how much they know, if they even have as much information as I do.

I lean over to whoever the random person is next to me and whisper, “so do you know what is going on?”

The man answers, “no, how long ago were kidnapped?”

“Then they aren’t telling anyone.”

The man says something else but I already started ignoring him. He knows even less than I do. I look around to see if someone else seems to know more but it doesn’t seem to be the case. At least none of the other ‘called’. I close my eyes for a moment as I focus on the fabric of reality. I need to spy on someone who matters and none of those near me will do.

Well, I’ve always wanted to try duplicating Clairvoyance and Clairaudience. I never had a good enough reason before as my Sense Metal was always enough before to find whatever I needed. The spatial tunnel from Translocation Grasp is all I have to start with. I don’t understand it well but all I really need is to hold it stable. I push at reality and fold it, making a hole through the something between the two points I want to connect; one just next to my left ear and one near the man in the fanciest clothes I can see.

I struggle to get it to form and stay. After a few attempts I manage to get it working.

“. . .ough fodder?”

“Perhaps, there are a few more powerful called in the group.”

“Oh, so the rumors of a foolish Elementalist that refused to serve his betters are true?”

“So, what can he do?”

“Fire, enough that forcing him to the front line should kill a werewolf or two.”

“So, who is he?”

“The lad with the kitsune.”

“And you’ve let him keep her?”

“A half-trained slave knows the laws. There’s too much risk in him declaring himself a noble if I tried to take her away.”

“How do you plan on salvaging her then? A young kitsune is too valuable to use as fodder.”

“I don’t, it’s better to lose her than have to deal with a noble not subservient to a House.”

“Fair enough.”

I end my twisting of reality, I’ve a lot to think about.