She cast a glance back at the airions. “You put them to sleep?”
“You saw the herd below us, probably the descendants of the feeder herds.” Wolfe rolled his eyes. “She’s not going to be pleased to see us, and even more so if they kill any of those cows.”
“True,” Kalynn sighed, leaning back against his warmth. “Do you suppose she is there?”
“She’s there,” Wolfe said confidently. “She’d not stray far from her charges. But let me check,” he closed his eyes. “Yes. With two others, both male.” He frowned. “They are at the old storage cave, loading a wagon with something. We should wait until she is alone.”
Kalynn nodded.
“We should be ready,” Wolfe said. “I’m sure her temper has not improved. She might launch a mage attack as soon as she catches sight of us.” He snorted. “Well, catches sight of me,” he added gruffly.
“She wouldn’t,” Kalynn insisted, suddenly fearful. She turned in his arms to look at him.
“She might,” Wolfe said. His face was calm and resigned. “I have to assume that she will lash out.”
“Wolfe,” she put her hands on his chest, felt the steady beat of his heart through the leathers.
“Kalynn,” Wolfe took her hands in his. His fingers warmed hers. “You’re right, we need to talk to her. But we should be prepared for the worst, yes? If she attacks, stay close. I’ll shield us, and then portal us out.” Wolfe looked down toward the cave. “The men and wagon are leaving. She’s alone.”
“You are not going to make me walk down that path, are you?”
Wolfe chuckled. “No.”
He opened a portal, and they stepped through. Kalynn looked around, recognizing the large boulder that sat by the path, but not much else. The trees had grown up, and the underbrush allowed to thicken. She could hear the cows in the fields beyond. She looked at Wolfe, and he nodded, and gestured for her to proceed.
The cave entrance had been covered by large wooden barn doors, now closed. There was a small door off to the side. The wagon, and its drivers were gone. Kalynn strode up to the smaller door, Wolfe followed. Kalynn took a breath, and knocked.
“Who’s there?” came an old, quavering female voice.
“That’s not—” Wolfe said, but then the door was thrown open.
An aged, wrinkled woman confronted them, her white hair piled on her head, her back hunched with age. Her eyes went wide, then narrowed.
“Kalisa?” Kalynn couldn’t hide her shock. Wizened and bent, this could not be—
“Sister,” Kalisa’s voice emerged from the woman, stiff and angry. She had to tilt her head to see them, and if possible, her eyes got harder. “Stalking Wolf.”
“No more,” Wolfe’s tone was deceptively mild. “Just ‘Wolfe’ these days.”
“Come in,” Kalisa shuffled back. “Before you are seen.”
“What happened to you?” Kalynn asked, unable to stop herself from asking as she crossed the threshold. Wolfe followed and closed the door behind them.
“You ask that?” Kalisa gave a harsh laugh. “You and the Chaosreaver, who tore the magic of the elements from the Heart of the Plains and the Kingdom of Xy?”
Wolfe put his hand on Kalynn’s shoulder. “I don’t regret rescuing my warprize.”
“At what cost?” Kalisa snapped. “I lost everything. My love, my position, my flying—”
her voice hitched.
“Yes,” Wolfe spoke cooly. “Interesting, what you have done with the place.”
Kalynn shot him a warning glance, but finally took a moment to look around. “Is that cheese?”
The cave had once stored flying gear and saddles for the airion wing. Now there were rows and rows of wooden shelves, covered with wheels of cheese.
“Those of my blood, my warrior blood, mind you,” Kalisa’s words were brittle. “Those of my blood should have claimed the skies by now, riding airions, defending this land. Instead, they make and sell cheese.” Her disdain was clear. “None of them dream of battle. None of them feel the call of the sky. Cheese.” she looked at the shelves and her lip curled.
