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Chapter IV – Truth

Thanks to this unexpected outcome, their wounds will heal much faster than ours. Walls and houses can be rebuilt, trees will regrow and nothing but a story will remain.

Still, I hope you've followed Zavi'sh's advice.

• From the report received at the 4th of Wind

2nd of Wind, 6th cycle – Evening

Refreshing and serene, the winds returned later that evening; a welcoming feeling after an unproductive afternoon with Zavi'sh in the Palace of Truth. At the very least, the report was sent, the locations gathered, and he knew the Temple couldn't afford someone better than him or Zavi'sh to finish this mission, so asking for more time didn't bother the fox. However, this delay in answering the door made him snarl.

Telsin knocked again, this time harder and ending the third blow with a yell of “Temple officer!", in case that silver wolf servant didn't hear his first knocks behind the thick mahogany door. Winds brushed against his fur, making him shiver; the cold air, the approaching clouds, the familiar smell and the feeling that made his fur bristle didn't lie: A storm approached, and his time couldn't be wasted. Finally, just before his next try, he saw an unfamiliar human face pulling it open.

“Yes, Sir?" the human asked. Definitely not Aurion for he still had hair over the entire head and didn't smell of the rusted metal scent from those magical spheres.

“I'm looking for Aurion, the enchanter. There's an investigation going and his help would be appreciated."

“I'm sorry, Sir. Master Aurion is incredibly busy right now and his orders are to not let any potential distraction inside," he paused, fully opening the door and standing with both hands behind his back.

“Another apprentice, that old man?" Telsin thought.

“If you want to leave a message, I'll deliver it once he is available."

“Can you please tell him that Telsin Grahard is here? He knows my name, and he will know how important it is. If he still refuses, I will understand."

The man looked up and stroked his chin. Aurion was probably buried in some serious work if not even saying his name was possible; he'd have to try another mage tonight. Yet, before he could apologize for the inconvenience, the man responded.

“I will ask you to wait a moment, Sir," he said before closing the door. Despite the dense wood, Telsin could still hear the sounds of hurried feet on the wooden floor.

“Maybe I got a chance, after all."

[“Don't you think this is a little suspicious?"]

“It is, but nothing I can't handle."

Telsin exhaled, noticing how his tail steadied afterward. Why would he feel anxious towards something like this?

“It's okay, Hazel. I'm not going through any danger here."

[“You don't know."]

“Yes, but I hardly think Aurion will try to hurt me. Especially after his wolf's Call."

[“I will keep watching in any case."]

Telsin chuckled.

“Thanks, but let's keep a low profile. Nothing to raise suspicion."

The door opened again and the man stepped to the side, giving room for the fox to enter.

“I have been instructed to guide you towards the dining room, Sir. It's this way," he motioned towards the corridor, waited for Telsin to enter and begin to wonder, sniffing around the walls. Afterward, he looked outside carefully before locking the door and directing Telsin to his destination.

A short walk through the candle-illuminated corridor across a couple of doors; Telsin remembered this way, but the new servant insisted on blocking every attempt of straying. Even after reaching the dining room, the human directed him to sit on a specific padded armchair, which faced a similar one in front of the back corridor.

“Master Aurion will be with you in a moment," he paused, looking at the kitchen warily, “Do you accept a cup of tea, perhaps?"

“No, thanks, it will just delay things," Telsin said, “I believe you said he was busy, I don't want to take too much of his time."

“Certainly, sir. Excuse me," the man bowed and went to the back corridor. He looked down, staring at the floor before every couple of steps, as if the neatly placed wooden planks were ready to crack at the slightest pressure.

“Anything for me, Hazel?"

[“A smoking pipe. That's new."]

Telsin ignored the servant and turned to look behind him, noticing the new decorative piece on the top of the shelf. Pretty, some fine work of craftsmanship, but completely useless; he knew Aurion wouldn't smoke after that hilarious attempt last year, so why even bother with something like that? Still, it could be something to pay attention. Telsin prepared to reach for the pipe before hearing Aurion's gasping voice.

“Telsin!" the old human yelled. His clothes were wrinkled, unkempt, and covered in sweat, like the remains of his white hair. Each hurried step made him gasp. Telsin could only close his maw and respond properly after the human had sat down on the farther armchair.

“Aurion? Did something happen?"

“A lot of things happened," he took a breath, “work is the one that keeps me like this."

Despite the exhausted appearance, he still spoke fast. His legs shook and he ran his hands over the chair's arms, looking around towards the table, the other chairs and the kitchen, blinking rapidly.

“Do you need a moment to gather your breath?"

“I'd need many moments, my friend," he breathed deeply once and twice, until his speech was steadied. “I hope my new butler informed you of my lack of time."

“Ah, butler, not an apprentice."

“Yes, he-"

“Excuse me for hurrying this conversation, then. I know what you're capable of and want to help you. Can we do this quickly?"

Telsin's tail froze and he perked his ears at the perspective of receiving probably the most useful help he could. He sat down, relaxing on the armchair.

“Do you know anything about werewolves?"

“Yes, not much but hopefully enough. Can you tell me what did the Temple order this time?"

“I don't think it will be-"

A loud rumble came from somewhere along the back corridor, near the far rooms in the house, like a large stone dropping into a metal plate. Aurion sighed, clasping the chair's arm with his right hand.

“Is that what I think it is?" Telsin asked, lifting and eyebrow.

“Probably. Please don't ask about it."

“Don't ask about it? If that's what I really think it is, I will have to report you to the-" Telsin said before trying to stand up and noticing how his body stuck to the chair. He tried again but no matter how hard he pulled, the chair didn't budge, stuck to him and to the floor.

“Really, Aurion?" he growled.

“I'm sorry about this, but I cannot let you go back there."

“I don't want to fight in here, especially not against you."

“Neither do I," Aurion leaned forward. “Listen, can you cooperate for just today? You're probably the best chance we have to stop this… lunacy."

Telsin stopped his struggle and raised both eyebrows.

[“Can we abandon the low profile?"]

“Not yet. Try to see what's going on. I could have avoided this chair."

“What's your plan then?" Telsin asked, looking down and around the chair.

“My plan is to let you find out who is responsible for this. How far have you got?"

“I..." Telsin gave one last try at the chair before snorting and leaning back. “We got a body in Fillar's forest."

“Human's? Heir's?"

“Human's, apparently. It was just the account of one heir, we couldn't find anything."

“Someone hid a body and left no trace or track then?"

“Yes, that's the weird part."

“Did you check the archives for any missing person?"

“No, my partner is checking it right now. Do you know who might have done it?"

“I have my theories, and you probably know who is capable of such things. Have you spoken to Russel?"

“Not yet. I decided to-"

“Go to his house tomorrow, after…" Aurion pondered, “afternoon, yes. He will be ready in the afternoon… Probably."

Another rumbling noise echoed from the corridor. Telsin glanced at it, unable to see anything out of the ordinary before returning to the conversation.

[“It seems a little excessive..."]

“What? Can you show me?"

[“Not now, I will show you later. No danger, don't worry."]

“So, Russel, really?" Telsin said.

“It's not for me to choose, Telsin."

“Can I expect him to cooperate, at least?"

“No, you're right," Aurion stroked his chin, “Tell him I sent you… No. Tell him you know about the ring and that he isn't human anymore, so he will feel too guilty to ignore you."

Telsin let out a brief laugh. Aurion had his way of making things simple, at least for him.

“Fine. Anything else?" Telsin said.

“Yes. Whoever is responsible is now trying to capture someone, but I don't know whom," he shrugged, “Maybe it's you."

“What? Me?"

“I don't know, Telsin! Have you seen someone enchanted with a dark aura walking around the city?"

“Yes, actually."

“Who?"

“I don't know. Why is this relevant?"

“If you see this person again, just disp-" Aurion paused, shaking his head, “Just ask Russel tomorrow, he will give you more details. I hope."

Telsin sighed and shrugged. He'd have to wait for more answers, but, at least, those are guaranteed.

“Do you think the lady of the tower is involved?"

“Lenora? A werewolf? No, certainly not." Aurion leaned back and suppressed a yawn, pondering once again, “I don't even know if werewolf would be the appropriate word. Maybe she knows something… Did you talk to her?"

“No, not yet. I'm being kept a prisoner here," Telsin said with another weak try to pull himself from the chair. He raised his eyebrows and let the perked ears relax, using his muzzle to point down at the chair.

“Yes, sorry, just please don't stand up and try to run around," Aurion traced the abjuration circle with the speed that only a master like him could muster, setting Telsin free from the chair with a quick hand wave, “See if she knows something. She is definitely not the responsible for this."

[“He is certain of it."]

“How do you know that?" Telsin wriggled in his chair, finally free to sit on the edge.

“She is too approachable and much more visible than me or Russel. It has to be someone hidden, some mage that is not well known but hides incredible potential… or an incredible Master," he looked at the fox and stopped his pondering, widening his eyes, “Have you investigated… No, you said your partner is checking the archives?"

“Yes," Telsin said, getting more comfortable, “did someone come to mind?"

“Edward comes to mind. Do you know him?"

“I know someone named Edward, no one capable of something like that."

“Edward Marshall is his name. Do you know about the Arcane Circle?"

“Of course I know about it, I just don't know all of their names. Does anyone?"

“It doesn't matter," Aurion let out a long sigh, “but it does make sense for him to be involved. Ask your partner, he will find something in the archives," Aurion's next sigh stopped with an interrupted yawn. “Sorry Telsin, I can't keep this going. It's too much for a single day."

“It's fine, go rest, sleep."

Aurion stood up, grimacing. “Sleep, yes, I wish it was that easy." he turned to walk into the corridor. “You should sleep, Telsin. If you find the culprit, he won't be an easy match."

“I don't care," Telsin said, standing up as well, “my partner will probably take care of him. I just want to finish this mission."

“I'll try to leave most of the kitchen for you in case you want something."

“No, don't worry," he waved a paw, “I'll be going right now. Thanks for the answers."

“You're welcome." He turned to walk back to the laboratory, yawning. “I'm sorry, Telsin."

“Don't worry. I will do my best," Telsin said with a toothy smile.

He watched his friend patient and slow walk trough the dark corridor, hopefully aiming for his room and not the laboratory.

[“Get ready, just say something if it's too much for you."]

“Go ahead, I can handle it."

Telsin was sure he heard a giggle in his head before everything around him lit up, bringing the radiance of the Sun in the worst Fire day of the year. He closed his eyes, but the light still managed the bright red glow through his eyelids.

[“The table is not enchanted."]

He looked down in front of him, touching his snout on the table and fading most of the surrounding lights.

[“So, excessive?"]

“Aurion never does anything in excess… But yes, I've seen enough."

The lights dimmed until he was able to look around once again and stare at the poor butler coming back from the corridor and staring at the floor to avoid the various wards Aurion had placed.

“Don't worry, Mr, I can see myself out!"

Once outside, Telsin shook himself, snarled to the cold air of a refreshing Wind night and began to laugh.

[“What now?"]

“Now we sleep, Hazel. Tomorrow will be a dangerous day."

---

The mild winds that went through the pile of books Maximillian carried over his arms brought some kind of relief to the tired human. He'd found three large tomes this time, but only one he could understand, for it was translated to Westhalin; hopefully Cairo could help with the other ones. Still, what he learned would be sufficient to show to any officer that they weren't there with a simple, casual visit in mind.

“Do you think he resisted all that meat?" Sarah asked as she walked beside him.

“He is not that weak," Max chuckled. As much as he liked the image of Cairo not resisting and gobbling down at least half of that shipment they managed to pay, the future banquet he promised was much more appealing. “Especially if you say that it can be part of some training."

“Wait, you told him that?"

“No, I just mentioned it. But I did tell him about those boxes they sell at Lewis's."

“So you made him waste even more money."

“It's not a waste! Those boxes have more magic in them than… Well, I don't know."

“Do you even know if it's actually magic?"

“I know there's magic in them. Maybe something very weak, but it's not just herb treatment, I can tell you that!"

“Fine. Can we go faster?"

“If you carried some of those books-" he almost dodged her attempt, but was still glad to have a book removed from his load. “I was joking! I can handle-"

“You can't handle three heavy books and walk faster. Especially after training."

Max sighed and they quickened their pace.

Nearing the street Cairo lived, they heard murmurs, talks and the occasional reinforced leather boot cracking small stones as the guards walked around. Once they arrived, they stared at the four guards discussing in front of the abandoned house near Cairo's. A smaller group patrolled the other two entrances to the street, holding torches to investigate the darker corners. One of the guards approached the two teenagers.

“Hey, you two! Where you going?"

Sarah frowned, her closed mouth twitching as she thought of an answer – something most people would do in front of a guard. However, Max knew they didn't need to act as if they were already guilty and provide all the information.

“To a friend's house," he said, forcing his eyes to encounter the guard's and not falter in their gaze, “I hope we didn't mess up your patrol."

“Shouldn't be walking around here at night. Dangerous."

“We can take care of ourselves," Sarah said, looking through the guard's torch to the other ones, “Maybe even better than those rookies. What are they? Class C, or B?"

The guard snorted and suppressed a laugh. Max shrugged at her comment but decided not to intervene.

“I recognize you, Ms.," the guard said, “your father won't be happy to know where you walk at night."

“He's never happy anyway. Lucky for me, there's you and my friend here," she put a hand through Max's waist, pulling him into her, “to protect an innocent child from anything, right?"

The guard couldn't keep his serious display of fake authority. He rolled his eyes and sighed to the sky as his torch's flame flickered with the wind.

“Keep your eyes open, don't wander around without light."

“What happened?" Max tried the useless question. It worked sometimes, especially if he asked a rookie.

“Reports of meddling sword-kiddies walking around," he smiled, “but seriously, eyes open. Things can get messy."

The guard walked away, gathering enough of Sarah's curiosity to allow Max to slip from her grasp and stride towards Cairo's house.

“Can you not use the whole 'my dad's your captain' thing next time?" Max said, nearing the seventh door, guided by the little pink paw drawing he'd made months ago.

“It worked, didn't it? I'm gonna use him whenever I can, it's awesome."

“He's probably gonna-"

The door swung open before Max could prepare a knock. In front of it wasn't his gray wolf friend with that weird canine smile, but actually another wolf with clearer fur, thinner arms and no smile at all. The heir studied both of them with judging yellow eyes.

“Yes?" he said impatiently.

Probably an officer, but he seemed young, too lean and unarmed. If he was an officer, his combat training would be restricted to only magic, which was unlikely. Maybe he was a genius like Sarah, but not with weapons; reliant on claws and fangs then, like the fox from the other-

“We're his friends," Sarah said, breaking Max's current of thought. “Can we get in?"

He studied them for another moment before answering with a quick “Wait." and closing the door, leaving the two humans under the evening winds and careful glances from the guards.

“Nice, Sarah."

“What? It's true."

“And I'm sure he trusts us right off the street. One guy with a sword and a pile of books, and a short haired girl showing up in the evening on Western Solholm," he paused as he saw her putting her arms on her waist, not even acknowledging the book's weight, “Oh, and in a day with lots of guards walking around."

“What would you tell him, Mister know-all?"

“I don't know, but certainly not that suspicious 'We're his friends!' deal."

“Well, shut up then. Keep to your thinking, I'll be doing the action."

The door opened again and the wolf tilted his muzzle towards the inside.

“Enter," he waited for both of them before closing the door and continuing, “and excuse me for I have some questions."

Max glanced around the small house as Sarah placed her book over the table. No dust or fur on the floor, no smell of meat or even thrown away boxes or paper. Cairo was sitting on his bed, smiling and wagging upon seeing the two humans. Of course he smiled even more when she jumped into him, hugged his fur and screamed “Fluffy!" like she always did.

“You're the officer they chose, then," Max said, placing his books on the dining table.

“Not an officer," the wolf responded. “An officer in training. I'm Alexander, and you can probably understand my harshness just now."

An officer in training selected to help in a Call. This heir was definitely interesting, probably someone he could learn from.

“Yeah, if I can understand those two getting all clingy every time, I can probably understand anything," he smiled absently, receiving only Sarah's scowl and Cairo's cute, embarrassed smile in response. Cute and probably deadly with all those sharp teeth.

“You do know what he is going through, right?" Alexander asked.

“The Call, or 'Wild Call'. I've read about it," Max pointed to the pile of books, “And am convinced that we are going to help more than hinder."

“Good. We can begin by assessing how much you actually know. About both the Call and arcane magic."

Max froze and glared at Cairo, who shrugged, separating himself from Sarah.

“I told him," Cairo said. “It's not a secret, Max. Everyone knows what you do."

“Because everyone likes to tell everyone else what I do," Max sighed, sitting on one of the chairs and looking at the door on the back of the room, “At least the box worked, eh?"

“Better than I imagined," Cairo said with a smile.

“Don't you take pride in arcane magic?" Alexander asked, bringing silence to the room. He glanced at each of the younger faces, frowning. “There's clearly some context I'm missing here, let's focus on the Call and the arcane discussions may follow after that."

Alexander strolled across the room, picking one of the chairs to sit and stare at the new guests.

“You can start. What do you know about the Call?" Alexander asked.

Max studied the wolf's expression. He didn't let the serious gaze falter for a second, and his ears were perked for whatever sound – like a stutter – he might make. Still, it was time to show what he knew.

“After tomorrow's night, when the Wind moon gets exactly at the highest point, he will receive a Wind spirit. The spirit will take his body and he will have to control it not to destroy the whole house."

“Correct. How can he control it?"

“Meditation, usually," Max shrugged, “and it helps to have someone else with a spirit or someone he trusts by his side."

“Correct once again, and that's why I let you two in. However, you know the danger, right?"

“Wait, danger?" Cairo said.

“Yup. You're gonna feel more like a beast, Cairo. It's gonna be awesome!" Max smiled towards him. Cairo shuddered, muzzle and tail going down.

That fox back in Dark had warned about how he felt, but Max still didn't understand why he'd be worried. Even if he fails to control and turns into a beast, there are lots of beasts walking around in Dark, and they didn't hurt anyone.

“Mister Maximillian," Alexander called, “I congratulate your knowledge, but you don't actually understand the problem. May I prepare a demonstration?"

“A demonstration?" Max said.

“No!" Cairo growled, gathering their attention. Sarah placed a hand on his shoulder and muttered a quiet “Cairo?" before Alexander could continue.

“My apologies. If you don't want it to happen, it won't happen," he sighed.

“May I… start another session?" Cairo asked, “I will probably be done before dinner anyway."

“Yes, certainly. I can make you feel comfortable inside the cold room, so if you prefer-"

“Yes," Cairo said, standing up, “I will prepare the dinner after this so… don't leave, you two."

He smiled with the cheerful kindness that only him could summon, even when he sparred. Both wolves entered the cold room, a gust of wind washing through both humans before the door was closed.

“What was that about?" Sarah whispered.

“I… I think he fears for us, somehow."

“Like he is gonna flip out or something?"

“Yeah, something like that, like a wild animal."

“Can that happen? Like his spirit going crazy and deciding to prepare the dinner with us?"

“Not with that officer… That wolf here. He is supposed to keep the spirit down and prevent any incident. We should be able to reach for Cairo as well, that's why we're here."

Alexander came back, closing the door as the cold wind flowed through his fur. He snarled, starting at the humans before sitting down.

“Cairo's in meditation now. I made sure he won't be disturbed while in there."

“I don't understand," Max started, “Can't you control him if anything happens?"

“Maybe. The first signs appeared on the last of Dark, five days before his birthday, so his spirit is likely stronger than mine. I'll have to resort to arcane magic if such a thing happens," Alexander sighed, “I can't tell what he fears but I'm confident you two are able to deduce it."

He stared at their curious and thinking faces.

“Also, when you have wolves in your house, don't think that a single door and whispers are enough to protect secrets."

---

[“Sixty-five..."]

“Not sixty-five," Zavi'sh thought.

[“It's sixty-five, yes!"]

“Not sixty-five!"

More than a dozen piles of books on the table rivaled his own height, almost half the size of the piles on the ground by his side. The Palace's fault, certainly, for not having larger tables. Cleaning would take a while, but at least it was not his responsibility.

Back to trade records.

[“Stop, it's enough!"]

“Never enough knowledge."

[“You need to eat!"]

“I have a lemon."

He took a bite, savoring the deliciously citric fluid that came with it. The taste – sweet, sour and bitter at the same time – felt invigorating and strong, keeping him awake and attentive.

[“Lemon isn't food!"]

“Lemon is fruit!"

[“Food isn't fruit!"]

“Fruit is food!"

“Zavi'sh?" A deep voice echoed near the bookshelves next to the entrance, taking his attention from the book towards the large heir of the Dragon as he approached, echoing his heavy steps throughout the library.

[“He's not happy."]

“He's a dragon, he's weird."

[“He's worried. Worried not weird."]

“Can we talk?" Anginus said as he got near.

[“Yes."]

“No. Reading, yes?"

The sound of lighter steps came from the bookshelves, east end this time. The librarian heard people talking and he wouldn't be happy if the conversation continued. Anginus turned, saw the robed human giving the deserved silent scowl, and turned back to Zavi'sh, whispering “Up" and pointing to the private study rooms with a claw before walking away; the rumble from the steps enough to make the rat giggle.

[“He's not happy."]

“He will be less happy."

Zavi'sh placed the half-eaten lemon slice on his chair. A good way to mark his place and teach a little lesson to the scowling librarian. The rat suppressed a squeak of joy.

The study room had only a couple of human chairs across a smaller dark wood table. Zavi'sh sat down easily, moving his tail out of the way and able to recline, but the larger green dragon spent some time trying to adjust his wings behind the chair's rails.

“Good day, yes?" Zavi'sh started.

“Bad day. You've found nothing and the werewolf is still out there."

[“Not your fault."]

“Telsin found nothing yesterday, yes? We're still looking."

“You will definitely find something in this place. Especially with this."

The dragon rummaged through the little bag attached to his belt, pulling up a sealed white letter. The Temple's second symbol, with a sword behind the various heirs' natural weapons, was imprinted on the letter's sealing wax.

[“Inquisitor!"]

“Why? I'm not an inquisitor, no?"

“You are better than most inquisitors. I'm promoting you right now," he stood up, stretching his wings as best as the cramped room allowed, “to give you a choice on the mission."

“That last one, yes?"

“Yes. I trust you to make the right decision."

[“Is there a right decision?"]

“Departing, yes? Dumping choices and morals onto the rat, yes?"

“Actually no, I'm just preparing for the worst," he let out clear smoke into the room, sighing profusely, “Have you found something yet?"

[“Yes."]

“Yes."

“What do you predict?"

[“Death."]

“Prepare for the worst, yes? Have a talk with general Orson, and with Sayerr, and don't forget tea, for it's going to be the first of many talks, yes?"

More smoke came from his nostrils as he grunted, standing up and lumbering towards the door.

“I was hoping for not a single death."

“I'm not always right. I don't see the truth, I have no light."

Anginus laughed briefly before finally leaving the rat with the envelope on the table.

“Inquisitor, huh?"

[“Back to the books! We can get more books!]

“Yes, restricted books. We still need to finish the other ones."

[What number was it?"]

“Sixty-five."

[“No, six hundred and five."]

---

Warm winds from the best months of the eastern lands brushed against his fur, bringing the smells of wet grass, the far away flower garden and the plump apples from the orchard, transforming the moment of reminiscence into a moment of comfort and appreciation. His parents' little farm proved, once again, to be one of the best places to relax.

He stood outside the wooden house, paw brushing one of the outdoors' columns that supported the extended roof as his vision traveled through all the apple trees on the front side. Cairo knew there was much more to see and smell on the other side, but his vision this time was so clear and soothing that he decided to spare a few moments enjoying the winds.

* * *

“So, he is afraid that he is going to… eat us?" Sarah asked.

“Yes. More precisely, he is afraid that his new instincts will drive him, in a moment of rage, to hurt his friends," Alexander paused with a sigh, “either that or his spirit assuming control and doing the same."

“That's never gonna happen, Cairo wouldn't..." Sarah trailed off, looking at Alexander's serious expression.

“The entire reason we have the Temple is to not allow this to happen. We have Officers to take care of the ones who cannot completely control their instincts, and the Temple provides some guards with the necessary training and enchanted amulets to avoid any problems inside the city. It's extremely rare, but incidents do happen, especially in Dark."

“Never heard about any incidents here," Max said, “and I've never seen a single guard carrying one of those amulets."

“Solholm doesn't have many heirs, they didn't see the need to carry them. It's understandable, the Temple takes good care of the heirs in this city."

“So why is he afraid? The Temple will take care of everything, and we can take care of ourselves." Sarah said, looking at Max.

“Maybe he is just worried about us?" Max shrugged.

“The problem may be related to the species. It's likely that he considers you two… maybe part of a pack that he can't form in a city full of humans. Your friendship signifies more than it appears to."

* * *

The first door leads to the kitchen, the second door, the warehouse. Cairo opened both of them, seeing a white light coming from inside that eventually dispersed, giving away to blurry images of the rooms.

He smiled. Everything in his meditation acted like that before he really got into whatever they led to, and the feeling of being relaxed only increased with each new reminiscence.

He walked to the third door, a place near a dense teak wall where they once piled a bunch of rocks to make a fire pit and cook the most delicious lamb he'd ever tasted. The burn marks on the floor stood there and he remembered how his mother got angry after they almost burned the entire house.

“Third door leads to the second warehouse," he remembered, but never actually opened it or saw what was inside. He tried to turn the knob, but it wouldn't budge. It made the expected sounds and any door in the real word would open with his push; but this one stood there, blocking what he didn't know existed.

* * *

“He is gonna be able to do magic, right?" Sarah asked.

“Maybe. And specifically spirit magic, not arcane magic," Alexander said.

“Is there a difference?" she asked.

“There is kind of...," Max said.

“A... difference?" Alexander said.

“You have a spirit, right? Can't you just use your spirit's magic and do the same thing?" she asked.

“I..." Alexander paused and pressed a paw to his chin, “Let me show you. This may explain things a little."

He sat on the floor and opened his two paws, equally distant from his torso. His left one glowed with a faint orange light before letting out a crimson spark of light and creating a small flaming sphere that floated over it.

“This is fire from my spirit. Now, pay attention."

He moved the right paw with incredible precision, quickly drawing an evocation circle and pressing his paw through it, summoning a similar floating ball of fire over his paw. He moved both arms, up and down, the spheres following every turn.

“This other one is an arcane spell. It's called Flaming Sphere, it will stay there for a precise and predictable amount of time or until I decide to end it. It can burn objects and I can throw it away," he retreated his right paw, placing his left one in front of him, “now this one is my spirit's fire. It doesn't have a name for it is not a proper spell, it's just my will controlling his fire. I can make it bigger," he said before the sphere expanded in the air, growing to the size of a melon before shrinking again, smaller than a cherry, “or smaller. I can throw it away, I can make it not burn something I don't want it to, and I can keep it for as long as my spirit allows me."

He closed his paws and both flames evaporated.

“Arcane magic is precise, methodical and can be infinitely complex. Spirit magic is… wild," he chuckled, “Which combines rather well with heirs. Now you can see that I will need something more specific, and not just fire, to keep Cairo's spirit under control."

“Yes..." she responded, “His spirit will be wind, right?"

“Correct, wind. And I fully expect it to be able to destroy this house if things get dire."

Alexander sighed before lifting his head and looking at both young humans.

“You two are also in Remdrall's academy, right?"

They both nodded.

“If you can, I'd recommend bringing your swords tomorrow."

“What?" Max said.

“You're asking us to fight him?"

“Not Mr. Cairo, but his spirit, and only if things go out of control," Alexander smiled to comfort them both, “It's extremely unlikely, but I don't want to turn down any help. Remember, these swords will be used for your protection, not to harm your friend."

* * *

Cairo entered through the kitchen door, seeing the familiar sink, oven and cupboards. Not even a single human cup, which felt weird after spending so much time in Solholm.

To his left, a balcony opened to reveal the dinning room with the large dark wood table. He never knew what kind of wood it really was, but he remembered the smell when it first came. Sweet and strong, he remembered it sticking to his fur and his refusal to take a bath just to “Remember the honey smelling table" for longer. He could still smell it, or his mind could remember. Maybe he could buy a similar one in Solholm.

Walking along the wall, Cairo entered the corridor leading to the last rooms. An entire bedroom for him and his family awaited to his left behind a door. In front of him, the door to the bathroom, painted green. He never knew why they painted it, and never found it useful as the smell would say exactly what that room was. At least before uncle Thorash came with the scent dampening spheres. They just made everything boring.

He turned right towards the darker and windowless corridor. Two other doors led to guest rooms: one of them he remembered having at least three beds, the other one he never entered, and this was a perfect opportunity to test this vision again. Turning the knob, Cairo got a different feeling from it, as if the door was indeed locked and not just refusing to open. He tried the same thing back in the day, but then decided to sneak his way through the window on the other side, but the bees he found on the garden didn't let him complete his infiltration.

He chuckled, feeling even more relaxed and wondering if this was enough to allow his spirit to send some message or even appear to him. Possibly a sound, a shape in the shadow or even a scent, but he found nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe he could relax even more in his family's bedroom.

* * *

“Are we gonna see his spirit before anything happens?" Sarah asked.

“No, it's gonna appear only to him until his birthday," Max responded, and Alexander nodded, agreeing, “then it will appear to everyone… in some form."

“Like a feral wolf?" she asked.

“It depends. I've read about all kinds of spirit shapes, they are all over the place," Max said, looking at Alexander.

“His mind will form an image based on the new instincts and feelings he is experiencing. That image will be his spirit's real appearance, and it can be almost anything."

The three of them stood in silence, Alexander's gaze darted between the humans.

“Now that you're both more familiar with the Call, may I ask a couple of questions, Mr. Maximillian?"

He frowned.

“Me?"

“One of the books you carried also contains some arcane enchantments to help with an heir's Call, including the one I'm currently using on Cairo to let him relax and meditate without distractions," Alexander stood up and crossed his arms.

“How do you know that?"

“I've read it a couple of times before my own Call. My question is why did you decide to learn arcane magic while unsupervised?"

“I was really curious," he smiled, “besides, I thought it would be useful."

“Not in the academy," Sarah said, head tilted and eyebrows raised.

“Right, maybe not useful in the academy or with the Solholm's knights, but still useful for other things," he paused think, “I've enchanted Cairo's cold room, that's useful."

“And you have to come back every week just to enchant it again," she said.

“It's still useful!"

“What I'm implying here, Maximillian, is that you may be missing some important lessons and focusing too much on what's useful than on what's important. I don't want to judge your ability, I know that if you are capable of enough discipline to concentrate on a spell circle then you're one step ahead of most beginners."

“I tried to find one, at first..." he trailed off, exhaling and avoiding Alexander's eyes, staring at the pile of books instead.

“Do you still want a supervisor?"

Max twitched at the mention and turned to the silver wolf, seeing his toothy smile grow into a smirk.

* * *

Nothing in his room either, except for the two beds. One obviously larger for his parents to roll around, snuggle and pretend nothing worse is happening besides giggles and licks. Cairo rolled his eyes and laughed, sprawling himself on the bed. His parents' smell brought good memories, and the reminder that he should be able to control his new instincts, like they did so perfectly. But they did almost anything so perfectly.

He sat down, ears slightly drooping. What could he do to see his spirit if he was already relaxed? Glancing around, he saw the white walls, the desk with two drawers, the window that allowed the morning light in, the mirror…

“The mirror!" He thought, hearing every word as if he'd pronounced it. Wagging, he jumped from the bed and walked towards it, every step becoming heavier once he was able to see the reflective surface; still blurry from his distance.

Forcing steadier steps, Cairo managed to get near and see a cloudy reflection of himself, gradually solidifying in his own image. He wasn't wearing clothes so he could glance at the cream white fur on his belly, and the darker contours around his arms up to his face, where it darkened even more along his ears, eyes and over his muzzle. Eerily, the image didn't move as he did, standing there and looking downwards, eyes obscured by the gloomy shadow of his head. No matter how much he turned his face or body, the image stood there and every movement felt harder than the previous.

He felt his fur bristling and tried to stay away from it, but couldn't find the strength to do so. Not only his feet seemed stuck to the wooden floor, but his whole body wouldn't move, keeping his head forward and looking at the reflected ominous image.

Lights dimmed around him, like a Dark dusk, and he heard something approaching with heavy steps over the floor on the back corridor. Not human's nor heir's, unless it was on all fours. Snarls and growls came from behind, each sound louder than the previous and spreading darkness around the mirror. Cairo tried to struggle and yell, but his body wouldn't obey, still staring at the same fake reflection. He felt a hot and wet gust of air from behind before the growls intensified.

“Watching," was all he heard before the Darkness gave away to fire.

* * *

Cairo opened his eyes, gasping for air and trembling with the pain from sore arms and legs as he waited for his vision to clear.

“Breathe slowly..." Alexander's voice came to him.

“Is he okay?" Sarah.

“What happened?" Max. They were all here, and the floor felt as cold as his special room.

There was no answer, only Alexander's warm touch on his muzzle, neck and chest before his strength came back and Cairo managed to sit on the stone floor and breathe properly.

“Mr. Cairo, tell me what happened."

“I... felt it," he smiled, from both the happiness of progress and fear of the unknown, “It was scary."