Howling Thunder 14: Learnin on the Go

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Suppose I should watch my back a little better, “...ouch.”

“Quiet, I know you don’t feel anything. An what happened to Ulfa’s instruction not to cloud shift attacks.”

Mother flicks my ear while she heals the nice new hole in my back, I must say the bird bastard did a fine job tickling the back of my ribs.

She’s using some kind of fancy golden fire, it’s warm, calming actually.

I glance at her seven tails, the white tips are giving off a soft glow, “I figured it was fine since You told me to get rid of them all anyway. Don’t suppose you feel like explaining what that fellow was talking about?”

“I’m focusing, Idiot girl, you explain it for your mate.”

Patra is sitting in the corner of the wagon, repairing the damage to my clothes, “Liar, you can do that in your sleep aunty.”

A small ball of white flame flits from mother’s tail towards Patra’s head, “Alas after 364 years I finally experience the pure joy of dealing with my son’s wife.”

After dodging the simple flame Patra explains while scowling, “Thank the gods you have a wagon built for privacy so you can be true to yourself Madam Inari,” She sticks out her tongue.

“Anyway darling,” Smiling at me, “The Turul are the golden falcon tribe of the Aves Clan, the birdmen. Before the Great War, they lived as nomads in the territory that Yoden was built. The capitol itself started as simple turul village on a plateau next to the Grand Duna River.”

Mother scoffs, “Village, it was a typical mess of sticks like any birdbrain would build.”

Patra bites some thread then continues, “Regardless, that plateau was bypassed by the demon army’s primary force. The reserve forces decided it was a fine place to build a forward base. When the demons began their assault on the Turul, the alliance of the Lycans led by your ancestor and the previous Inari entered the war.”

The previous Inari?

Mother cuts in, likely knowing my question, “She died in that battle, taking the demon general with her. We weren't closely related but she always treated me like her own daughter, she was 1012 years old. I think she felt becoming a martyr for the rise of the beastmen race was fitting atonement for letting our tribe be chased out of the orient.”

Patra goes on, now examining my shirt, “The Turul joined the alliance, their god blessed the site and the greatest city in the world was founded.”

Patra puts on an act of sarcastically gazing in wonder somewhere, “Yoden! The beacon of light in the chaos, the symbol of unity and justice for all, the throne from which the fenrir rules the world.”

Mother finishes and pulls me into a hug from behind, “A shining white lie. But, it was a home, finally we could stop running. You’ll learn the whole truth from the tomes in the castle library. Anyway the Turul always raised their most powerful female as the bride for the fenrir. The current one, Emese, is a nice girl, but a complete simpleton. The damn birdbrains likely have it in their head that the city should be granted to their sole rule. Skoll will fill us in I’m sure once we arrive.”

Ah, father’s real name is Skoll, but I never hear anyone but mother use it, just like no one calls her Vulpi… except Freki.

She pats my back and moves over to a small chest next to a large pillow, I recognize it’s where she keeps her smoking pipes.

Patra scowls at her work, “You couldn’t even go more than a few days without figuring out how to put a hole in my hard work. I made your outfit of lighter material because papa said it was very unlikely that you’d ever take physical damage. I’m going to have to think up something else for you when I get back to my shop.”

Oh?! “You have your own shop? I wanna see!”

The Jackal girl puffs out her chest with pride, “Fufufu, gaze upon your genius wife. It was my wedding present from Mama. You can come over anytime of course, I’ll use you to model for my high end items. I’ll show those damn Nico bastards which tribe deserves the name Golden.”

Somehow I think she went off track.

Mother chimes in, “You know that little feud is annoying, neither of the two tribes even has gold fur! Yours is more black and theirs is a sort of cream color. I don’t know how many times I’ve told Klea to bring an end to the bickering.”

Back to the point, “What sort of high end items?”

I like stuff, fancy armor, weapons…

Patra gives a wry grin, “Oh, all sorts of things have been born of my workshop, things my family have been experimenting with for ages. You’ll see some of our work when you greet the Lord Fenrir...as a matter of fact those fancy kimonos Aunty wears are all made by my mama.”

From up front we hear Walther, “Nox, magic.”

Hmf, “What you saying I should just focus on that instead? You know, I won’t always be behind you in martial skill...probably...Anyway if you’re gonna talk, talk. The whole silent thing is going overboard lately.”

...Nothing, I guess it’s totally become a habit for him.

I remember Ptah mentioning the Mage Academy...Asta is there.

Looking at Mother, “When can I go to the Magic Academy?”

She chuckles, red smoke comes out in rings, “Anytime really, once you’ve met your father and grandmother. I’m sure when you reunite with Ulfy she’ll insist you do your studies and accompany her to the valkyrie bastion first.”

Patra tosses me my shirt, “Eager for your white princess huh? I don’t really mind, just be sure to stop by my shop sometimes. I’d hate for rumors to fly around the craft district that I was unwanted or something. I’m already aware that as a royalty you’ll have many wives. Don’t forget what I said before, I wouldn’t mind having a go at her myself.”

Mother rolls her eyes, she knows this is her influence at work.

With a quick movement I pull Patra into my lap, “Don’t worry, I won’t allow anyone to forget you’re mine.”

She actually gets a bit of red tint in her cheeks, “Just don’t distract me from work too often, I have a reputation to keep you know.”

Her attempts to not smile are rather cute.

Mother barks, “If you’re going to flirt get back to your own wagon and let me nap!”

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The next morning we break free of forested gullies and see a vast plain of grasslands open up before us, a few hours into the day I spot wooden towers with slowly rotating cloth fans.

Ptah explains, “Windmills, out here is where the farms that supply food for the capitol stretch for days to the east and west. The capitol itself is southeast, we should arrive late tomorrow afternoon. It would be a bit faster if we just took the main road through the towns but that’s not the wisest idea. Aside from being seen less, the added travel time makes guessing the distance the den is hidden more difficult.”

Just past noon I can see a village in the distance, stone homes with thatched wood roofs. Farmers work the surrounding fields, women washing clothes in the nearby stream. A larger stone building of pure white catches my eye.

The warg, Maug notices my gaze, “Many of the villages near major cities have decent temples for general worship of the various goddesses that patron the beastmen race. Any god can have an altar added inside by the residents. Nemesis who is the primary deity of Yoden tends to the most popular in the central continent towards the commoners. Them who aren’t likely to receive particular blessings.”

“Perk of being noble born or something?” I ask.

Ptah shakes his head, Maug scratches his ear as if this is an annoying topic not worth his time, “It isn’t really well known how such things work among mortals but you are mistress’ champion so it won't hurt to tell you a little. It isn’t about your birth in this life, although that doesn’t hurt, blessings come from your actions...and other factors.”

How vague, “Well then what about me?”

He gives the usual cackle, “Hehe, wouldn’t you like to know. I’ll say this, I’ve known you longer than this you has known me.”

I look to Ptah who only shrugs, “I’m just a blacksmith, like I know the workings of the gods. All I know is that I was granted a keen insight into metalworking, makes my job easier.”

“So it isn’t all combat things. Come on Maug, give me some hints, you’ve taught me how to use things I’ve figured out for myself, what else did Freki bless me with?”

The mutt snorts, “Like I’m dumb enough to deny the mistress her fun of watching you grow on your own. Keep figuring new things out for yourself Fuzzy Toy, as always when you have an idea, me or Ulfa will give you advice. She’ll take over in the city, I’ll be leaving tomorrow at the gates.”

Eh, that’s no fun..ah, “Hey Maug, how many crows are on that fence over there?”

Got to get it in while I can then!

He growls at me then barks at the fence, the birds take flight in a flurry of black feathers, “None! Hehehe.”

“Cheating flea bag!”

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