Chapter 14

Ivory had been waiting patiently by the time we caught up with him. In the near distance, I can hear the Gem Wolves shuffling around. If I needed them, they’d show themselves. If I needed them to escape, they would. Still, the wolves hovered as close as they could without detection from Fakir. It’s a precaution I am grateful they have.

I hadn’t trusted Fakir initially, but now we have an understanding. This ‘wizard’ would not harm my wards. To some extent, he is just like them. Just like me. Lost, hunted, and left on the run.

“I had thought your crook was because your wolf was blind,” Fakir commented gently on the path. He had occasionally looked me over, possibly looking for injury like Ebony, before finding an object tied to the side of my robed cloak. “It is crafted beautifully. Do you plan to use it?” His questions were distracting from the previous raw experience of a fire ‘man’ hunt.

Some people avoided conversations and problems like the breeze of the wind. Fickle but insistent.

“It’s more decoration at the core,” I replied smoothly, indulging him. “But it was made by Ivory, so I’ll forever carry it around.” I gestured to the white wolf, Ivory’s ears flicking as he held his head high. “Plus, it’s light, I can carry it as a symbol while attached to the hip. What’s wrong with that?”

“Ah…Ivory, was it?” Fakir slowly acknowledged as he glanced down at the white wolf still holding the weapon between teeth.

“Yes, indeed,” Ebony hummed as he returned in confidence and humanoid form, a smile widening as Fakir bit back a yell from the abrupt appearance. “Do forgive the scare. You were a stranger, no matter the benefit. Neither Ivory nor I saw fit to have Shepherd meet with you alone. We counted on the fact you’d see us as nothing more than wolves accompanying her.” His grin widened. “That Hunter wanted you alive. Do not forget that. It was imperative we’d be there.” Ebony’s smile grew. “We had to wait until it was safe, to bring you forward.”

I looked at Fakir in the corner of my eye. His hands trembled ever so slightly.

Nerves? Or the fact he was surrounded?

“Don’t fear us,” I reassured Fakir. “Ivory and Ebony seem different, but they don’t mean harm unless you show signs of hostility first. And, you’ve met me.” He didn’t meet the other wolves yet but baby steps. “None of us mean to cause bodily harm. Especially after we made a deal.” With a shuffle, the books wriggle in my hold.

Fakir exhaled heavily. “Right. I apologize, Shepard. Ebony? You’re not incorrect. I had rationalized Shepard here had befriended a couple of stray wolves from a young age.” Fakir’s smile lay humorless. “I realize now, my mind was creating theories to suit my founded knowledge.“ He sighed. “And after I already confirmed her otherworldly status…Silly of me.”

It was silly, but what else does the brain do, other than make silly observations when comfortable?

Ebony appeared to be idly listening, I also passively took in the words before coming up with a question.

“Fakir, are you hunted because of your title?” Runaway princes are grounds for a private investigator. Murdering the witnesses around the prince should be unacceptable. Unless there was a secretive factor to the capture.

“No,” Fakir bitterly clipped. “My family wants me back due to my magic status. A trophy, a bird in a cage, it is not pleasant.” He winced. “As you’re aware, Dullings do not have magic. Those who do,” He glanced at Ivory, the tool still logged between teeth. “Use artifacts crafted from the few mythical creatures left.”

I crouched down, and Ivory padded over to me with grace. He dropped the fire-rod, and I got to work on inspecting the weapon.

Claws gently brushed over the feathers wrapped at the base.

A foreign wave of HurtPainDoubtAcceptance flooded my form. The underlying TerrorEscapeFly! Raised my ears to attention.

With the closing of my eyes, I can picture it.

A phoenix, with the brightest violet flame, with the end-flare of cobalt blue. The scream of the phoenix as it’s trapped under a net of another creature who long met its demise. The desperate burning, wave upon wave of flame, until the bird fizzled out of its lethal violets and blues to a dull red and orange.

The phoenix had fought to burn, regardless of running through their life source. To them, it was better to burn out a stubborn star, than to go down like a falling one.

I snapped the rod in half, feathers and ash falling like sand and broken wings.

The growl in my throat burned, but in order not to scare or disturb Fakir, I kept the volume low.

Ivory joined me in digging a hole. His paws were better suited than my claws, and we buried the ashes and feathers within five minutes. I tossed the remains of the weapon at Ebony, who caught it, and easily chugged the disgraceful object out of sight.

By the time we finished with the burial, I realized Fakir had joined us, kneeling by the completed grave.

“My family used these objects often,” Fakir admitted, hushed, ashamed as he used a finger to draw a star by the mound of dirt. “They have the money, and when it breaks, they buy or create new ones.” Fakir pulled at the side of his hat, pulling it over his eyes. “I wanted to live my own life, free of hating myself because of the disgusting activities my family enjoyed. I left!” He began to shake once again. “I hadn’t known they would send anyone after me! Why would they? I hadn’t done anything worthy of achievement other than be blessed with magic!” Fakir ripped the hat off himself, tossing it a distance away.

Ivory’s tail twitched. Ebony gave a slow blink.

I quietly breathed as Fakir mentally tore himself to pieces.

“Oh goodness, I won’t find peace again after this, will I?” Fakir rasped. “Mother will keep sending people. My sibling will urge her on, possibly with increasingly violent methods,” Fakir pulled the hat over his face. “And father…! Well. Perhaps he’ll throw an impossible deal at my face.” Fakir gave a low laugh. “You wanted to learn magic, Shepard? I can do my best but I…You’ve seen the best I could do. How is that meant to help?”

I blankly eye him. “You’re good at defensive, support magics. Not show-stop tricks.” I corrected him sternly. I rubbed a knuckle onto Ivory’s head, hearing my brother whine in disagreement as I continued to stare Fakir down. “I aim to create a private home for myself, my brothers, and our protected wards. Like you, they’ve been hunted. Their magical capabilities make them a target.”

Fakir’s breathing slowed, as if he were trying to comprehend while calming himself down.

“I don’t know about your peace,” Which is the truth. Everyone had their own journey to venture. A path to find themselves, what made them happy… “But I’ve long found the solution to my own. This world is too hostile to live in harmony. Despite that, I have no desire to harm it.” Why erase countless history of art, culture and the like because of someone’s ancestors? “I will live in hiding with my fellows. If living in a place no one can touch means my family and wolves are protected, so be it.”

Fakir inhaled, then exhaled heavily. “I think. There would be many to disagree with your choice.”

I rolled my shoulders. “Yet, it’s my choice. They’re going to have to kneel to it.”

Fakir averted his eyes. “And if they tried to kill you?”

I think of The Hunter, who I could’ve drowned, but chose not to. “I’ll get strong enough to defend myself, and wipe them out.”

Fakir yelped as his wizard hat came down roughly onto his head.

Ebony stood there, smiling as Fakir fought his hold on the hat. “Shepard has her two capable assistants to help with said goals. You understand?” Formal yet curt, Ebony stood tall. “What Shepard decided to do, we will follow her. She is our leader. As for those who disagree, when do wolves ever listen to the chatter of mice? Insignificant as they are!”

Ivory hasn’t responded at all to Ebony’s words, but this could be the result of him paying attention to our surroundings. He truly was a vigilant soul.

“Now then,” Ebony tackled on, eyebrow raised. “You two are going to sit here and convene magic knowledge together. I will serve to instruct any inconsistencies or wrongs,” Ebony’s black ears flicked. “Do not fret, Shepard. We’ll make you a master at any type of magic you choose.”

I thought of the bruises during training, then the mental exhaustion of learning to meditate.

I shuddered, and Fakir turned to me in horror.

And of course, as expected, Ebony was a grueling overseer.

At the end of our lessons, the Gem Wolves joined us under the moon. They were quick to form a protective circle. Each wolf seemed content to lay there, or sit in watch of the environment.

Ruby had been quick to rush to my side, I’m beginning to think the pup sees me as extended family.

Opal stepped near Ebony in the meantime, the two sharing a quiet moment.

Fakir, had been struck with awe at the wolves’ glittery glossy coats. He behaved himself, but the scholar in him must’ve been screaming for information. Too bad, I wasn’t going to elaborate further.

I settled myself behind a tree to rest. Ivory joined me, keeping guard at the feet as Ruby lay near my stomach. I curled the remains of my cloak around both wolves and myself. A blanket for the breezy night.

Ebony and Fakir quietly started a conversation nearby, but I let myself drift off, knowing Opal was standing guard as mediator.

I dreamed of a vibrant phoenix who finally rejoined the sky.