Summoner 20, page 12
“Maybe we could exchange them now, but summon them when we return home?” I proposed. “Build up a little intrigue?”
“That’s wicked, Gryff.” Cyra narrowed her eyes at me. “But it also sounds fun. Okay, let’s do it.”
We reached into our respective pockets and retrieved the crystals we’d just purchased for one another.
“Count of three?” I asked. “One… two…”
“Three!” Cyra exclaimed, and we swapped our essence crystals.
My wife had selected an essence crystal I was entirely unfamiliar with. It was long and prism-shaped, with multiple gleaming sides and a touch of translucence. The gem itself was an odd golden-yellow shade, and I eyed it with a curious gaze.
“I would guess, but I really have no clue what this is,” I chuckled as I held the stone in the sunlight. The bright rays shined through the crystal and made it glow as if it were made of sunlight itself.
“Do you like it?” Cyra asked.
“I do.” I smiled at her. “I have no clue what the monster is, but the crystal itself is lovely.”
“Good.” My wife grinned over at me proudly.
“And what about you?” I gestured at the dark red crystal in her hands.
“I love it,” Cyra responded as she ran her thumb along the smooth surface of the stone. “Though, I also have no clue what this is. It feels powerful, whatever it is.”
“Hey, I wouldn’t buy you a weak stone,” I laughed. “I’m excited to see these guys in action.”
“Me, too,” Cyra agreed as she spun her new crystal in her hands. “This was such a good idea.”
“I agree.” I smiled at her. I gave my new crystal one last look, and then I stashed it away in an empty spot in my bandolier. “Shall we go find something else to do?”
“Let’s do it.” My wife nodded. She tucked her crystal away, and once it was secure, she held her hand out.
I happily took it in mine, and together, we continued back down the cobblestone streets.
Cyra and I spent the next couple of days relaxing, enjoying delicious food, and spending quality time with one another. My curly-haired wife and I made love so much I swore I was going to run out of seed, and yet, I couldn’t get my fill of her. Sex with Cyra was addictive, and it was hard to keep my hands off my gorgeous bride.
Nattanger proved to be just the romantic getaway we needed. There weren’t too many crazy tourist destinations or impressive sights, but we had a fun time regardless, and it was nice to move at a slower pace for once. Cyra and I were able to focus on each other, so while our activities weren’t too intense, it was the perfect trip nonetheless.
Finally, it was time for us to return to Varle, and I could tell Cyra wasn’t excited to return. The morning of our departure, the dark-skinned summoner slowly and meticulously packed her clothing into her suitcase, and she seemed to labor over the simple task.
“We’ll take another trip soon,” I told her as I zipped up my own suitcase and set it on the ground.
“I know…” she drawled. “I’m not nearly as bummed out as I appear to be. This trip was really fun, but I do miss Milo a lot, and I’m kind of ready to get back to Varle and see my sister-wives again. I miss them almost as much as Milo.”
“Did I just hear Cyra Porter admit she misses the Enclave?” I teased her.
“Sort of.” Cyra smirked softly. “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”
We finished packing up the room, and after we double-checked that we had everything, we locked up the room and headed downstairs.
As Cyra gave Rusty some farewell scratches, I paid Karla for our stay, and after exchanging pleasant words with the innkeeper, we picked up our luggage and walked out to the carriage.
I gave the driver our destination, and then I helped Cyra load our stuff into the vehicle. We climbed into the cabin, and once we were settled into the plush seats, I wrapped my arm around Cyra, and the summoner rested her head on my shoulder.
“Ready to return to real life?” I asked her.
“Yes,” she replied, and she burrowed her head deeper into my collarbone.
I laid my head against hers, and as the carriage took off, I closed my eyes and drifted off into a dreamless nap.
I slept for almost the entirety of the trip and only roused when the carriage hit a bump. Cyra stirred beneath me, and we carefully disentangled from each other and stretched out our coiled limbs.
“Sleep well?” I asked Cyra, and the curly-haired mage rubbed at her eyes.
“Well enough,” she managed. “Where are we?”
I leaned over to the window, and when I peered out at the familiar green hillside, a smile broke out across my face.
“We’re almost home,” I reported. “I’d say only a little while longer until we’re back at the mansion.”
Sure enough, the rest of the ride lasted about half an hour or so, and when the vehicle pulled up to our white mansion, I was surprised to see another carriage parked in the circular drive.
“Company?” Cyra frowned as she peered out the window. “I wonder who that could be.”
“That looks like one of the Academy’s carriages,” I realized. “Which means it’s either Sleet or the research team. Maybe both.”
“Oh, shit, you’re right,” my dark-haired wife gulped. “This can’t be good.”
“It never is,” I groaned.
If the headmaster was at our home, odds were it wasn’t just for a social call. Either something was wrong, or we were being sent on a mission. Either way, the honeymoon was officially over, and it was time to resume our military duties.
Cyra and I retrieved our luggage, and once we departed the cabin and paid the driver for his services, we made our way up the drive and into the mansion. My heart thudded in my chest, and Cyra wore a similar expression of concern.
I reached over with the hand that wasn’t gripping my suitcase and rubbed my wife’s back.
“Whatever it is, we’ll get through it,” I insisted.
“I know,” Cyra said quietly. “We always do.”
Her words seemed level enough, but it was the curly-haired summoner’s tone that worried me, and I could see Cyra’s lower lip tremble.
“What’s wrong, my love?” I asked her outright.
“Nothing.” She shook her head, but then she stopped in her tracks and bit her lower lip.
“Hey, we’re married now,” I reminded her gently. “Don’t feel like you have to hide anything from me, especially now. If something’s bothering you, I want to know.”
“Oh, I know.” Cyra gave me a thin-lipped smile. “I’ve never held back before. This is going to sound dumb, because that’s just the nature of war, but it seems like every time we get a visit from Sleet or the research team, either you, or someone in the family gets sent off on a mission, and they’re gone for Maker knows how long. And with Hunnah and Quilla unaccounted for… I don’t know. I guess I’m just bummed out at the idea of you leaving again so soon.”
“We don’t know what they’re going to say,” I insisted. “And it doesn’t sound dumb. Trust me, my heart rate elevated when I saw the carriage in the drive. But whatever the reason, we’ll make it through it, even if I have to leave for just a little while. I promise.”
“I know,” she said. “Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Porter.”
“Anytime, Mrs. Porter,” I replied, and after I gave Cyra a wink, we continued up the drive and into the house.
“Cyra, Gryff!” Arwyn greeted us once we stepped into the foyer. “Welcome home!”
The crimson-haired healer crossed over to us and swept us into a brief hug. When she pulled away, I noticed my lover’s amber eyes were ringed by dark circles, like she’d had more than one sleepless night, and my eyebrows creased together with concern.
“Arwyn, are you alright?” I asked, and it took all of my willpower to keep my voice from crescendoing in alarm.
“I’m fine,” she assured me quickly. “I know I look a little worse for wear, but I promise, I’m doing just fine.”
“We noticed the carriage outside,” I brought up as I eyed my girlfriend with concern. “What’s going on?”
“It’d be better for the headmaster to explain it to you himself,” Arwyn said vaguely, and she inclined her head toward the formal sitting room just off the foyer.
I craned my neck, and sure enough, Marangur Sleet was seated in a large leather armchair in our formal sitting room. The renowned storm mage had his legs crossed formally, and his hands rested in his lap. His pale, nearly white eyes were sharp as they looked over his shoulder in my direction, so I knew whatever he was about to tell me wasn’t good.
“Ah, Mister Gryff, right on time,” Sleet called out to me.
Cyra squeezed my hand, and after an encouraging but thin-lipped smile from Arwyn, I crossed over to the room. The space was outfitted with plush leather arm chairs, a couch, and a table in the center, and we usually only utilized it for meetings and important conversations with guests.
If Sleet was seated in here, odds were something was amiss.
“What’s going on?” I repeated as we stepped through the doorway. “Is everything alright?”
“Unfortunately it’s not,” the headmaster replied, and he gave me a thin-lipped smile. “I hate to bring this to you so soon after your honeymoon, but the news couldn’t wait any longer.”
“The news?” I frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
The vague and ominous tone of the headmaster’s voice was only furthering my anxiety on the matter, and I wanted him to just tell me outright what was going on.
Sleet leaned forward in his chair and inclined his head toward the leather armchair closest to his. “I’d suggest you take a seat, Gryff.”
“You’re starting to worry me, headmaster,” I said, but I did as instructed and sat down in the chair across from him.
Cyra perched on the wide leather arm, and together, we waited for Sleet to continue.
“My apologies,” Sleet replied as he straightened the sleeves of his jacket. “My intentions aren’t to scare you, but to keep you updated on these matters. I’m sorry to bring this to you just after your return, but this couldn’t wait much longer.”
“I understand.” I nodded. A knot had begun to form in my throat, and I gulped heavily to try to push it down, but my efforts were useless.
Sleet took a deep breath, but he seemed reluctant to tell me what was wrong and took a moment to gather his thoughts before he proceeded.
“There’s been monster sightings throughout Mistral,” the headmaster revealed in a solemn tone. “And we think they belong to Hunnah and Quilla.”
Chapter Seven
“Fuck,” I cursed.
Of course, the moment I returned from my honeymoon, the last remaining Archons decided they wanted to stir up trouble. The monster goddesses weren’t exactly known for their considerate behavior, but Maker, they never gave us enough time to recover between encounters.
“This isn’t good,” Cyra breathed, and the chocolate-skinned mage shook her head in disbelief.
My wife was absolutely correct. Even though the pair of Archons were outnumbered by the goddesses I had under my control, Hunnah and Quilla were the second and third eldest of their sisters, so I couldn’t underestimate their strength and magical abilities, no matter how confident I wanted to be.
“Unfortunately, I’d have to agree with your assessment, Cyra,” Headmaster Sleet sighed. “This certainly isn’t a good situation in the slightest, and I fear it will only get worse.”
“Headmaster Sleet, when you say monster sightings, how many does that include?” I inquired. “Is it another herd, and if so, are they the same size as Carth’s team was? And where were they seen last? Have they infiltrated the Enclave, or leveled any surrounding towns like Carth’s creatures did to Adorna?”
My mouth moved faster than my brain could keep up with, but all it took was a quick touch from Cyra for me to settle down. The chocolate-skinned summoner flashed me a soothing glance, and I consciously relaxed my shoulders and the fists I’d unknowingly formed in my lap.
The aforementioned village of Adorna had been the site of Nia and I’s honeymoon up until one of Carth’s monsters, an enormous black slime creature called a vinkrimsul, had swept through the town and reduced it to rubble. Last I’d heard, the village had come together and gotten assistance from villages in the region to rebuild what’d been destroyed, but if there was another herd of mega-sized monsters on the horizon, the destruction Varle faced could be just as catastrophic.
“One question at a time, Mister Gryff,” Sleet replied in a calm tone. “I’ll try to answer what I can, but I will warn you that many of the details are still incoming.”
“Okay.” I nodded, and I took a deep breath once more. “Sorry for speeding through.”
“To answer the question of size, they aren’t nearly as large as Carth’s herd,” Sleet began. “If the reports are as accurate as they seem to be, we’d venture to guess they’re Grade-C monsters at most.”
“Thank the Maker.” Cyra let out a sigh of relief. “I wasn’t looking forward to another herd of giant monsters.”
“Giant, no, but there might still be a herd,” the headmaster addressed my wife, and then he stroked his closely-trimmed silver beard. “Carth had a variety of monsters under her control, but all of these reported sightings have been of the same creature, only in different places at once.”
“The same one?” Cyra repeated back, and her dark eyebrows knitted together. “How is that possible?”
“Is the creature common, then?” I frowned. “A popular breed of monster, some kind of pest?”
All of the Archons had three personal monsters under their command, except for Carth, who’d used her influence magic to garner an entire herd of mega-sized creatures. From what I understood about the monster goddesses, amassing that many creatures was a rarity amongst them, so my brain struggled to understand how a horde of monsters could solely belong to Hunnah and Quilla, especially ones of an identical variety.
“These aren’t creatures we’ve ever encountered before,” Sleet replied to me as he leaned back further. “At least not ones that have been documented in the past few hundred years, which is why we think they belong to the remaining Archons. The research team has been trying to find mentions of the monsters in every monster identification text and manuscript available to us, but we can’t find them anywhere, so we can only assume they belong to the Archons. It seems unlikely a new breed of monster would suddenly appear in Mistral otherwise.”
“That’s a fair assessment,” I agreed with the headmaster. “So, where have they been seen?”
“We’ve had reports come in over the past few days from Adorna all the way to Ralor’s Stead,” the headmaster replied. “Grand Mage Kenefick even received communication from his son, Nayveth, about a sighting not far from their seaside property up north.”
Nayveth Kenefick was Nia’s older brother and an exceptionally gifted water mage who could speak with marine animals. He’d been one of my groomsmen when I’d married Nia, but I hadn’t seen him in person since just after the wedding.
The entire Kenefick family had lived in the Hartmire Enclave until the infamous battle that nearly leveled the entire city. When the Enclave fell, Nayveth had traveled with Nia’s mother, Narissa, to an oceanside village while Nia’s father oversaw the rebuilding of their home in Hartmire. Through letters, we’d heard a while ago that Narissa had since returned to Hartmire, but Nayveth remained in the village near the sea.
“What would bring them all the way up there?” I wondered. “And what would they want with a small village up north? This is all so strange.”
“Indeed it is,” Sleet sighed. “The first warning we got of the creature was from Ralor’s Stead, and then the following day, we received four more reports. It was almost as if the herd of monsters had manifested in every corner of Mistral.”
“I know there’s still plenty of questions to answer, but what kind of monster are we talking about?” I frowned. “What have the reports said about them?”
“I don’t have a name to attach to them, but every communication we’ve received has described the monsters as wolf-like,” the headmaster replied to me, and he folded his hands neatly in his lap. “Similar in stature to those that reside in the forests of Mistral, though these monsters aren’t the same as the wild animals we have here. According to the reports, they’re slightly larger in size, long-legged, and have a strange composition that makes them almost appear… translucent, as if they’re phantoms of some sort. It’s highly unusual.”
Mistwolves, Xanrith suddenly whispered in my mind, and I sat up straight in my chair.
“Mistwolves?” I repeated back to her, just to make sure I’d heard her right. “What are those?”
The monsters he’s just described sound just like Hunnah’s mistwolves, the flame-winged Archon continued on in a low voice. They’re her personal summons, and there’s an entire pack of them.
“Fuck,” I muttered. “A pack of monsters that belong to one Archon? I thought Carth was the only one with a herd.”
Fuck, indeed, Xan agreed. And yes, the entire pack belongs to Hunnah. In the beginning of our existence, she raised one from a pup. Mistwolves were rare back then, but not near extinction as they are today. Once Hunnah’s pup was full-grown, she acquired another, a young she-wolf who bonded with the other wolf immediately. Together, the mistwolves sired offspring, and their bloodline are the monsters that are currently roaming about the country.
“Wow,” I replied. “Sounds like Hunnah is quite the breeder. If this taking over the realm thing doesn’t work out, perhaps she can find work”
Her pack is exceptionally powerful, Xan continued on. The alpha wolf and his mate were two of the strongest of their kind, so each of their offspring may not have the size advantage of the creatures Carth amassed, but they have speed, intelligence, and physical properties that make them nearly impossible to catch. They’re quite deadly, especially to unarmed civilians in the Wilds. If Hunnah has sent the pack to the human realm, we’re in for some trouble.
