Feral Mage 3: Chapter 13

Janna watched from the driver’s box of the wagon as the guildhall sign came into view. Despite being only gone for a night, she was ready to be back, especially after seeing that wyvern and fairies. She shuddered at the memory of the insect humanoids crawling out of the monster’s wound.

If only I had my naginata with me, Asahi might have been able to help us…

She silently cursed herself for taking the spear instead of her family weapon. Then the thought was broken as she felt something tug on one of her tails. She glared into the back of the wagon only to see Omelet looking at her tails while Vex smirked with her hands behind her back.

“Mutt, leave the fox alone,” Callie said, her gaze still fixed on Bryce.

The snow elf hadn’t taken her eyes off him since they left the temple, and Janna couldn’t figure out if Callie was grateful, angry, or both at Bryce. She spoke as they arrived at the guildhall.

“Bryce, come spar with me in the yard,” Callie said as the stable boy raced forward to take the reins.

Bryce looked back at her with furrowed brows.

“I just donated a dozen coppers to get you healed,” he said in disbelief.

Callie nodded.

“And sparring is a decent way for me to gauge how well they did,” she said.

Bryce shook his head.

“Maybe in the morning, Callie. You just got healed.”

Callie glared at him.

“We’re going to the yard or I’ll fight you in the tavern,” she retorted.

The two of them glared at each other before Callie added.

“And when Mark is pissed and looking for who to blame, I’ll say you refused to take this little match outside,” she said, smirking.

Bryce swore before jumping from the wagon and moving to the training yard behind the guildhall. Callie watched him for a moment, her smirk fading before she did the same.

Janna watched them go, unsure of what to make of it all. She heard Vex tsk from beside her and turned to the wolfgirl.

“Fighting when they should be mating,” Vex said, her arms crossed and shaking her head.

It took a second for Janna to realize what she said, then blood rushed to her face as her tails shot straight up.

“What?!” Janna exclaimed.

Vex looked at her, rolled her eyes, and started speaking in beastkin as she lifted Omelet out of the wagon. Janna grabbed her pack and followed, still unsure what Vex was ranting about in the language she didn’t understand.

The guildhall was busy as they stepped inside, since many of the mercs had returned for dinner at this hour. Janna could see Alice moving from table to table, bringing food and drinks to the mercs. She also saw Thea stand from her table and rush toward them.

“Is Bryce back?” she asked, desperation in her voice.

Janna nodded and pointed to the door.

“He’s sparring with Callie in the yard,” she said. “I’m sure he will be in short—”

Thea was through the door before she could finish her sentence. Vex watched her before she shook her head again and sighed.

“Food?” Vex asked, looking at her.

She saw the wolfkin’s tail wag, and Janna had to admit the aroma of everyone else's meals was making her hungry.

“Sure,” she said. “I need to get something from my room first. Can you grab us a spot?”

Vex nodded before dragging Omelet to an empty table. The griffin chick was fighting against his leash to try and visit the other diners along the way to no doubt beg.

She moved quickly through the tavern, knowing Vex wouldn’t wait long for her before ordering. When Janna arrived in her room, she knelt and pulled a long case from under her bed. Carefully, she opened the case, revealing the spear-like naginata that was an heirloom of her family.

Dragon’s Bride.

That was the name her ancestor had called it. She reached out toward it, hesitating for only a moment before she gripped the shaft and lifted it from the case. As she stood, she saw the flicker of silver and black fur in the corner of her eye. Turning, she spotted a kitsune man with nine tails and wearing the traditional armor of the Ember Islands. He smiled proudly at her.

“Hello grandfather,” Janna greeted her voice quite.

Bryce

“Just a few practice swings,” Bryce stated as he tossed Callie one of the blunted swords for sparring.

She caught it and rushed him before he had even taken his stance. The sound of steel rang out in the yard as her blade collided with his, pushing him back. Bryce’s eyes widened.

“You’re using your bloodline?! What the hells, Callie?” he yelled, shifting his back foot to catch himself and taking a defensive stance.

Callie gave him the same savage grin he had seen her wear in the heat of battle as she backed away from him. Her blade twirled in her hand.

“Pull on your Manticore Aspect. This is the only chance I’m giving you,” she said with one last twirl before charging again.

Bryce swore as he did just that, his reflexes and senses growing sharper. He parried Callie’s blow and tried to push her back, only for her to shift and carry the parry into another swing.

“Why were you seeing the priestess?” she growled as Bryce dodged her attack.

Bryce sneered as he swung at her.

“To get your dumbass healed,” he yelled.

Callie blocked the strike.

“Not that. The bullshit about a heretical Goddess, what’s that about?” Callie demanded.

Bryce focused on blocking her sword, his mind trying to piece together an excuse. Callie swept his leg, and he fell, rolling on the ground as she jabbed the blunted blade where he had been.

“Stop stalling and answer. You’ve been odd the last few months. Do you think I haven’t noticed you avoiding looking at anything with a reflection?” Callie asked as she pursued him. “You’re going to tell me!”

“You really like watching me, don’t you?” Bryce teased as he got to his feet.

His blade caught Callie’s sword, knocking the weapon from her hand. He panted as he glared at the now disarmed snow elf.

“I won,” he declared, his breath ragged. “We’re stop—”

Callie roared as she tackled him, his sword flying from his hand as both of them rolled on the ground of the training yard. She got on top of him, pushing down with her body weight, trying to pin him.

“Like you said to me, no bullshit,” she panted. “What’s going on, Bryce?”

He shook his head.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” he admitted before he shifted his weight and rolled both of them.

Callie’s eyes widened as Bryce turned the tables and tried to pin her, his hand holding down hers.

“Which is why we should just end this,” Bryce said, tasting blood in his mouth.

He was surprised when Callie stopped fighting, her blue eyes searching his. Her white hair lay fanned out behind her on the ground.

“I will believe,” she said. “Whatever it is, I will believe you, Bryce.”

His grip weakened, and Callie moved her hand to lace her fingers with his. Bryce shook his head, and he almost wanted to laugh or cry.

“I see her in reflections. The woman with four eyes,” Bryce whispered.

Callie’s grip tightened, and her legs wrapped around his waist before she flipped him. Her calf pinned his legs as she lay against his body, her hands holding his arms. Again, her blue eyes searched his, their faces just a few inches apart.

“Woman with four eyes. Heretical Goddess,” Callie whispered, her brows furrowed only for her eyes to widen a second later. “Ciarra.”

Something collided with Callie’s back, and straw exploded around them.

“Get off of him!” a voice yelled.

Bryce turned to see Thea picking up another straw dummy that was used by mages for targets and hurling it at Callie. Again, the dummy struck her in an explosion of yellow straw as the snow elf sneered before climbing off him and offering her hand.

“We’re just sparring, Lady Thea,” Bryce said as he clasped Callie’s hand and stood. “It’s alright.”

Thea’s eyes darted between them, a deep frown on her face, and Bryce noticed the black bags under her eyes.

She didn’t sleep at all while I was gone.

Silently, he cursed himself as she stared at him.

“You’re bleeding,” she said as she pulled a handkerchief from her pocket.

Before he could protest, Thea approached him and dabbed the piece of cloth to his lip. He realized a second later it was the same one he had given to her on the ship during the Duke of Witchbrook’s birthday.

“Sparring is with swords. That was little more than a bar fight,” Thea growled as she glared at Callie.

The snow elf shrugged.

“I’ve had more than a few fights in a bar, even one with Bryce. It’s good practice for those in our trade,” Callie replied before performing a small bow. “Lady Thea.”

The Princess shot one final dirty look at Callie before turning to face him.

“How did your contract go?” she asked.

Bryce sighed.

“We weren’t able to complete it. A Quill Wyvern with an infestation of Carrion Fairies prevented us,” Bryce answered. “I’m planning to get Bellamy to help me track it down after your visit with the Duke.”

Thea bit her lip and for a moment Bryce thought she was going to protest.

“You had said you wanted to take jobs away from Witchbrook,” she said, her voice low. “I was hoping we could discuss it further after the meeting with the Duke.”

Bryce’s answer still hadn’t changed. The fact that Thea was so dependent upon him was even more of a reason for him to put distance between them. He looked into her eyes, seeing the redness in them. Cursing himself, he nodded in agreement.

“We’ll talk after,” he agreed.

Thea gave a faint smile.

“I believe your companions are waiting inside for you,” she said. “I’m sure Alice has already given Sir Omelet his ham bone along with his dinner.”

Thea began leading the way back into the guildhall. Bryce moved to follow her, but not before looking to Callie, whose face was etched with concern.

“We’ll talk later,” she said, moving to follow. “And I think I’ll accompany you when you visit the Duke.”