We wasted no time in joining the crews seeking survivors, though these were few and far between. The air was filled with acrid smoke. Worse was the sickly sweet smell of burnt flesh. It clogged my nose, and I knew from experience I would smell it for days to come. Most of those who had not perished from the flames were too badly damaged even for me to heal. The most I could do was make their passing easier. The Inferno has certainly lived up to its name this day.

We worked for hours, among the dead and dying, until finally the sun began to set. Enormous Artifice lamps came on all across the paddocks, allowing the people to keep working. I sighed, moving to the next victim. It was Jeltin, the Warden who had brought us to the paddocks. He was badly burned along his left side, skin charred black. He looked like he was asleep, though his face was pulled taut in pain, and his breathing came in painful, stuttered spasms. Both legs were bent at odd angles, and one side of his torso looked oddly sunken. A weary medic trudged up, carrying a syringe. She pulled short, focusing dull eyes on us.

“Pardon, Lady kyl’Solidor.” Her voice was thick with exhaustion.

“Have you assessed him already?” Mine wasn’t much better.

The medic opened her mouth, then closed it, giving a short shake of her head instead. “He’s…” Her voice broke with a ragged sob.

“He means something to you, doesn’t he?” Aleister asked, low.

The young woman nodded. “My brother.” Another sob threatened, but she choked it back and continued in a soft voice. “I was coming to ease his suffering. But… but maybe you can heal him?”

I didn’t want to shatter her hopefulness, but just my cursory glance told me little could be done for him. As if to emphasise the point, his stuttered breathing became a harsh rattle.

“Jeltin. Jeltin, I’m here. I’m here. Don’t go. Look, the mage is here. She can help.” Her voice grew quieter. “She can help…” The medic looked up at me, tears streaming down her cheeks, as I knelt on Jeltin’s other side. I touched two fingers under his chin, letting my magic sink into his body. A few seconds was all it took to tell there was no saving him. It was a miracle he was still breathing at all. I reached over, covering her hand with mine.

“You should say goodbye. Let me end this for him.”

“No,” she moaned.

Below us, Jeltin’s eyes flickered open. He tried to move his hand to touch her, but it was too much for him. Pain creased his face. Sobbing harder, his sister clutched his unburned hand. His fingers gave hers a weak squeeze. His eyes rolled to look at me, and he gave a slight nod. I cradled his undamaged cheek with my palm.

“Fly free,” I whispered. My magic spiralled down into him, stilling his heart, and his broken lungs. Within seconds the tension fell away from him and Jeltin’s head lolled heavy against my hand. I gently brushed fingers over his face, closing his eyes, and stood, leaving the young woman to grieve.

I swayed, weariness settling over me. A hand pressed against my back, steadying me. I flinched away from Aleister’s touch. He pulled his hand away, with a murmur of apology. As I worked to marshal my flagging energy, we watched as chains were wrapped around the body of a wyvern. While others had been tending to the wounded and the dead, prisoners had been brought out from the upper levels of the Inferno to aid in disposing of the giant bodies. Chains were wrapped around the corpses, hooked to the undercarriage of transport vessels and carried off.

A deep, rumbling growl sent the team around the body scurrying away amidst shouts that one of the beasts still lived. Wardens came flocking to the area, bringing heavy rifles to bear on the weakly struggling creature. I frowned as a flash of silver glinted from beneath one of the wyvern’s thick neckplates.

“Hold off and back away. Slowly.” The wardens glanced at one another, but fell back. I edged towards the wyvern, murmuring softly in Argosian. I maintained eye contact with the fiery-scaled creature. It snorted and tried to toss its head, but the chains pinned it down. I paused.

“Grab the chains. Keep the head down.”

It took some chivvying from the wardens before the prisoners crept back, grabbing the chains and pulling them taut. Sweat slicked my palms, and I wiped them on my robe before moving closer. A fierce hawk-like eye following me. The wyvern made a crooning, like the warning of a brooding hen, as I walked behind the head, still murmuring calming nonsense. Anxiety- Aleister’s anxiety- roiled in my belly. I tightened my mental shields, and gently prised back the neck scale where I’d seen the glint of silver. The wyvern’s scales were warm and slick, the scales over the spine were thicker, glimmering like trapped fire.

Beneath the scale was a silver knob. I touched the object, embedded deep in the skin, like a giant metal splinter. The area around it was inflamed and hot with infection. A sudden shadow, and muted hiss from the creature had me looking around as Aleister crouched beside me.

“What is that, milady,? he asked

“I don’t know, but we’re going to remove it. Pull it out slowly. I’m going to heal the damage behind you.”

“Is that wise?”

“I don’t know. What I do know is wyvern are shy creatures, and this thing probably has something to do with why they attacked,” I replied.

Aleister shook his head, but reached down and grabbed the knob. Bracing his other hand against the wyvern’s neck, he tugged at the knob. Grunting, he pulled harder, his face strained. The wyvern’s breathing quickened and it thrashed its tail, slamming it against the ground. Ages passed, as Aleister withdrew the spike. As long as his palm, the tip was hollow and dripped the remains of an oily green substance. He laid it aside, and I heard him calling for a cloth as I started healing the wyvern’s other injuries. It was mostly broken bones from colliding with the Inferno’s roof. There were burns from the ion cannons, and some internal damage.

I had used a great deal of energy already, and towards the end I felt a tug on the bond with my magister as my magic began tapping into his energy reserves. I finished my work, and started to stand, but I must have been wearier than I thought. My vision greyed and I pitched forward, slumping against the wyvern’s muscular neck. It stirred and, with a movement swifter than a striking serpent, jerked its head free. The chains gave a metallic hiss as they slid to the ground and I found myself wrapped in a haze of translucent red as the wing nearest curled around me. The great head dipped around to face me. Dimly, I heard Aleister yelling at the men to hold their fire, for fear that they would hit me instead. His fear surged through the bond. The wyvern snorted and smoky breath washed over me.

You healed me. You saved me. Why?

I could only gape in amazement at the distinctly feminine voice in my mind. Though credited with being extremely intelligent, it had never been noted that wyverns had anywhere near the sentience that their closest cousins- dragons- did.

“It’s okay! Everything’s okay! Don’t shoot,” I called out. I winced at how weak my voice sounded. To the wyvern I said, “Your kind are not known to be this aggressive to humans. When I saw the spike, I thought it might be part of the reason. I don’t approve of killing simply for the sake of killing. It goes against all a magi Healer is taught. My name is Kalla kyl’Solidor, of Cryshal Kanlon, by the way.”

The hawk eye blinked slowly.

 I am Amaterasu, seer to the Cove Rock Clan and I thank you, both for healing me and for sparing my life. For that, my life belongs to you.

People came, many days ago, to the lands of the Cove Rock Clan. They came with guns that paralysed us and they embedded the spikes in my people. We lost control of who we were. There was a voice in our minds that whispered to us we should leave our home and attack the skycity. 

Tears pricked my eyes at the wyvern’s words. If all of the wyvern’s clan had attacked the Inferno, then Amaterasu was the last left alive. Fury built a fire in my belly.

“I don’t know who could or would do such a thing. The spike contained what looks like a poison, but I’ve never seen anything like it.” I laid a hand on the wyvern’s neck. “If you trust us, I will do my best to get to the bottom of this and see those involved punished.”

I thank you, Lady Mage. 

Amaterasu unfurled her wing, and my relieved magister rushed to my side. He wrapped an arm around my waist, and helped me stand. Grey flecked my vision again, and I didn’t resist as he pulled me closer, a steadying hand under my elbow. His actions hid just how exhausted I was from the others. There was a rustle of weapons as the wyvern levered herself upright, folding her wings about her body.

“There is no need to worry. She will harm no one,” I said.

“She? How can you tell if it’s a she? And how do you know it won’t attack again?” One of the wardens blustered. “These beasts slaughtered our people, attacked our home.”

“She told me, that’s how. You will leave her alone.”

Several of the wardens and prisoners alike muttered darkly, but they backed away, returning to the task of cleaning the rooftop.

“You need to rest, milady. You’ve done enough for today. I’m sure quarters can be found for you in the Inferno,” said Aleister, low. There would come a time, with training, that we would be able to speak mind to mind. I shook my head.

“No… if the Stymphalian still has her living quarters, it is there I would prefer to rest.” I winced inwardly at how weak my voice sounded.

All Argosian strike-fighters had living quarters in them. The Kruetzet had featured two tiny sleeping rooms, one for the captain and one for the gunner. In addition, there had been a tiny ‘kitchen’, a cargo area in the ship’s belly, and a tiny bathroom complete with a cramped shower. Aleister nodded and guided me back up the ship’s stairs, to one of the small berths. He helped me onto the bed, and draped a blanket over me.

“I can see why they wanted you to have a magister. I have my work cut out for me. Do you always overdo things?” muttered Aleister as he tucked me in. I managed a small smile before sleep pulled me under.

Morning found the paddocks cleared of bodies, if not of debris. I yawned and stretched standing in the ship’s doorway.

A thud shook the ship and a fiery-scaled head dipped around the side. A fierce orange eye fixed itself on me.

Good morning, Lady Mage. 

“Good morning, Amaterasu. Don’t be so formal. It’s just Kalla,” I said.

As you wish, Lady… Kalla. I am bid give you a message. The grumpy male went to get food. He said that they had taken the metal bird’s stores. He will be back soon.

I frowned and focused on the bond, searching for my magister. He was in the Inferno. Worry twined with exhaustion tinged his thoughts and I felt a twinge of guilt. I wasn’t used to having another concerned for my well-being. Pushing myself past my limits wasn’t uncommon, but I was always safe in the Kanlon, and I had the rare ability to recover swiftly.

Irritation filtered through the link as Aleister dealt with the Inferno officials. No doubt they still harbored resentment over the fact that he and Amaterasu had been freed from ‘justice’. I shook my head and turned back to the wyvern looming over the ship.

“Amaterasu, you said last night that you were the seer of the Cove Rock Clan. I am going to try a scrying, to find some answers to this attack, and I’d appreciate your help. Two minds are always better than one,” I said. The wyvern nodded.

If you can scry by fire, La… Kalla, then I can help.

“Fire is fine.”

I turned to look at the Inferno as I sensed Aleister heading back. Amaterasu swung her head towards the prison with me, delicate nostrils flaring. Aleister trudged across the paddock grounds, laden with bags and packages. I jumped down the Stymphalian‘s stairs and trotted to meet him.

“I see you’re awake, milady. Did you recover your strength?” he asked. I took several parcels from him.

“Saa, I did. It never takes long. And it’s just Kalla! No need to be formal!” I turned to the wyvern. “Give me a bit, Amaterasu, and we can begin. Breakfast wouldn’t hurt first.”

“Begin what…?” Aleister sighed as he took the supplies from me.

“Amaterasu and I are going to do a fire scrying, to seek out the cause of this.” I caught his frown. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. I’m recovered. You, however, should get some sleep.” I paused, handing him a sack of sweet Su Rameridean golden potatoes. “Thank you for keeping watch last night. I’ll try my best to not overdo things in the future. I’ve gotten used to looking out for myself, and the Kanlon has always been safe”

Aleister froze, his back to me. I felt a thrill of fear not my own, but it was smothered in a sticky, warm sadness. The foreign feelings flickered out as the Fox strengthened his mental walls. I was impressed. He was learning fast on his own. Often it took new magisters days to weeks to learn to keep their emotions from spilling over too much.

“Go on. Go get some rest. Your mind is grumpy when you’re tired,” I teased.

“I am not grumpy,” he huffed. I laughed, the sound ringing through the ship.

“I rest my case. Go relax a bit. I can fix our breakfast. I do know my way around these ships, remember?” I chided gently.

Aleister heaved an exaggerated sigh, and turned the kitchen over. I heard him muttering a mix of Arkaddian and Argosian all the way to the front, where he flopped down in the captain’s chair. Within minutes he was dozing peacefully. I didn’t have the heart to wake him when breakfast was ready, so I conjured a covered tray, charmed it to keep the food hot, and left it on the counter.

I found Amaterasu at the far end of the paddock, where the wyvern had already collected a pile of debris together. When she saw me she swelled up and spat flame at the pile, igniting a roaring bonfire. There were a few startled shrieks from others working in the paddocks. A string of irate Sevfahlan followed.

I trust this will be satisfactory, Kalla. Amaterasu glanced at the prisoners still moving debris, and made a raspy coughing noise. I realised she was laughing, clearly amused at response.

“It’s perfect. Will you allow me to link my mind to yours? That’ll make things go more smoothly,” I said. Amaterasu nodded and I reached out, putting a hand on her muzzle and sending a bit of my own essence to join with hers in a simple scrying link. We settled before the fire, watching the hypnotic flames. My vision slowly unfocused. Beside me, Amaterasu’s long neck swayed like an entranced serpent.

Scenes formed in the dancing flames- people with tranquilizer rifles, sneaking into the lands of the wyvern, impaling them with the spikes. These melted away, replaced by scenes of the same wyvern clans attacking skycities all around the world of De Sikkari. One tiny skycity, though it managed to take out all of its assailants, still fell to the flames of destruction. I recognized it.

The skycity of Ben’talen had been completely destroyed.

Next came scenes of Argoth’s response, the great flagships with smaller strike-fighters swarming around them. Few of the skycontinent’s attackers managed to get near enough to do damage to the land itself. I recognized the flagships Kujata, Fenrir, Barghast and Tengu, as well as the Grand Flagship Phoenix.

Skycity after skycity appeared, most faring as Sevfahl had. There were other scenes in which humans spiked land-bound creatures and set them to attacking ground cities. Some fell, some survived. More of those attackers survived, running off into the wilds to nurse their wounds.

The scene shifted again, coalescing into images of a monolithic statue whose eyes glowed with radiant malevolence. Coil upon mythril coil glittered in the dark light. Another shift and we saw the same great creature, a Nagali, alive and in the flesh. A winged warrior drove home a spear whose tip was bound in parchment, impaling the beast in the heart, turning it to mythril. Images of a white feather, a palace in the mountains, a spear with a serrated tooth-like point. The vision began to fragment, but the final image that came to the linked minds was of a terrible cataclysm and a land sunk beneath the waves.

I blinked, vision returning to normal, and broke the link I shared with Amaterasu. I learned against the wyvern’s side.

“Mercy of Balgeras… the Nagali is waking. It was he who sent the humans to the wyvern and the wyvern to their deaths in the sky,” I breathed. Amaterasu growled, long and low. The sound hummed in my bones.

Al’dhumarna. Bound aeons ago on the Isle of Whispers. If he truly wakes, we are in terrible danger. It is the Nagali’s delight to cause havoc and destruction. We must recreate the binding in order to stop him.

I frowned, running my hands through my hair. I blew out a long breath. “We should seek Gasta, the Keeper of the Deep Forest on Argoth. If any can point us in the right direction, it will be him.”

Skycity Sevfahl, 10000ft above the Aeryth Ocean, Year of the Golden Hart, 2013 CE

Kasai watched from his perch atop the highest ramparts of the Inferno as his scapegoat walked back across the paddocks to the Argosian ship. He chuckled to himself. Now that had been a lucky break, finding another trespasser to take the fall for him after he’d carried out the assassination. Lucky break for the other, too, that the mage had come just in time to save him.

The Arkaddian uncoiled his wiry frame, running a hand over a scarred face. Kasai favored the looks of his people, though his right eye was the color of mahogany, glinting with reddish highlights in the light. Battle had taken the left. All that was a blind yimilky orb. Two jagged scars ran down the left of his face. The scars were a source of pride, the mark of a true warrior. His shoulder length red-brown hair was pulled up in a traditional Arkaddian bob.

Kasai was one of the Khan’s Harriers, an elite group that served as guards, assassins, information gatherers. The Harrier adjusted the slender swords across his back and slipped away into the shadows, lips curling at the mere thought of the assassination he’d been forced to carry out. He’d bet good vykr that the order hadn’t really come from the Khan himself, but had been instigated by the mage that came to Karokorum quite often of late. Kasai wondered who the other Arkaddian was and how he’d come to be on Sevfahl in the first place.

Dashmar, Evalyce, Year of the Golden Hart, 2013 CE

Merryn crept down the stone corridor and edged into a small work chamber off the left. It was the middle of the night and the room was lit only by a pair of flickering glowlamps. A small furnace stood in one corner, the door slightly open, radiating heat into the workroom. The lamps cast eerie dancing shadows along the walls and floor, making it seem as if the night air itself were alive.

A low table ran the length of one wall, tools arranged neatly over it. A handful of uncut gems- sapphires, rubies, emeralds, diamonds, even a single multi-hued zarconite- were piled upon a velvet pouch, glittering in the dim light like dragons’ scales. Merryn froze as the man sitting hunched over the table sat back and stretched, running a hand through thick blond curls, before returning to his work.

Absorbed in his project, he gave no indication that he heard her enter. Quiet as a mouse, Merryn curled up in the far corner. From her vantage point the area before him was visible and she could see he was painstakingly shaping an emerald. The man was Merryn’s husband,