Empress of Wolves Read Free Page B

however, ask that the mage and his… magister remain here. The servants will take them to comfortable quarters.”
    “We would be delighted to accompany you. All of us, that is, for I am afraid I must insist that the mage stay with us.” Vander moved so that both Manny and Lukas were behind him. “I have invited him to join my party, thus making him my responsibility. Until we should choose to part ways, he is of my pack and entitled to the same such courtesy as the rest. Are you implying that I should also let my soldiers be taken to 'comfortable quarters' as well,” he asked in a flat voice.
    “No, Your Grace. The soldiers can accompany you. They are Dashmari. The Mage is not…”
    “Who are you, to tell me whom I can consider pack, Castellan? I value his company and he is mine to protect. If this is how I am to be treated, I think I may as well leave now and curse the fact that I have traveled so far,” 'Kartoff' growled.
    Owyn's jaws tightened and Kalla could almost hear his teeth grinding. She wanted to laugh, for Vander's performance was wonderful. He was a good actor, she had to give him that. Through their bond, she felt Aleister's amusement as well. The Castellan came to a sudden decision and nodded abruptly towards Vander.
    “Very well. He may stay with you,” Owyn said reluctantly. Vander gave him a grin, baring long canine teeth. The Dashmari sported prominent fangs, another legacy from the frost wolves. The Castellan paled slightly, instinctively understanding the implied threat in Vander's gesture. It was a look that, while neutral or mirthful for most people, for a Dashmari, said 'I'll be more than happy to rip your throat out, if you keep annoying me.'
    “Thank you, Castellan,” Vander said in a polite voice. Through the entire exchange, Manny had stayed silent, apparently trusting Kalla's judgment that he would be safe in the Dashmari 'Emperor's' hands.
    Accompanied by their Guard escort, the followed Owyn to the Emperor's throne room. As they approached, another of the Guard, posted outside the throne room, rapped on the massive golden tree-wrought doors with a heavy, metal-tipped staff. An answering rap came from the other side, then the doors swung inward, pulled open by more of the Praetorian Guard within.

Lord of Leaves
Evergreen Palace, Imperia Argosia, Argoth, Year of the Mythril Serpent, 2014 CE
    Kalla's eyes were immediately drawn to the Evergreen Throne, crafted from a living Royal Pine that rose to the very top of the vaulted ceiling. A skylight above the throne let in light, and several times a day servants watered the stately tree. Upon this throne sat Elim Sykes, Lord of Leaves and Emperor of the Argosian Empire. Sykes wore an outfit similar to the Castellan, but of a much richer cut and without the tabard. A golden crown, woven in the shape of entwined leaves rested upon his head. Winks of green fire drew her attention to two rings on his hands, emeralds set in gold. One was the Imperial signet ring, the other a beautifully crafted oak leaf.
    Before the throne, flanking it to either side, stood the current Praetor, and a woman in the uniform of the Argosian Fleet. Behind the woman stood a man who regarded them with lazy indifference.
    The Praetor looked much like the Guards, the only difference in uniform being that his surcoat was edged in gold. He wore an oak leaf ring like Sykes', carved from carnelian, rather than emerald, and a Trinity Claw engraved in amethyst, the color of the Guard's rings. He was younger than Lukas, his hair still jet black. Bittersweet brown eyes regarded them with an impassivity that was frightening from one so young.
    As they drew closer, Kalla's eyes widened slightly as she got a better look at the woman to Sykes' left. She wore the same ash-grey uniform that Ventaal did, but the braiding at her sleeve cuffs was different. The uniforms bore the Trinity Claw upon the right shoulder and the Flagship emblem upon the left. Ventaal's was a stylized silver