“Hello there,” Raiqo said as Skystrike touched down gracefully onto the ground. The Beastcaller slid from the back of his brilliant white pegasus and raised a hand in greeting. “I am glad to see you made it to the Wind Bones safely, though it seems nowhere is safe anymore.”

“You spoke about us to your family,” Shani said. Raiqo hadn’t expected that, based on his startled expression. Kellen was glad he wasn’t the only one that Shani could put off balance.

“I had only meant to help—”

“You only meant to collect us for your tribe,” Shani said. Kellen took a concerned step forward. Now she had her hand on her sword. “We are not horses to be rounded up and added to your herd, beloved son of the Goroshu.”

If Raiqo had ever intended any of the things Shani accused him of, he was doing an excellent job feigning shock. “I apologize,” he said, his charm and humble pretty boy persona shattered under Shani’s advance. Kellen hoped Shani came to her senses and realized she was trying to pick a fight with a Chieftain. If Raiqo got upset back, he could smash her like an empty soda can. “Truly, I only wished to help.”

“And we are grateful,” Kellen said in a forced loud voice. They were drawing a crowd, who apparently hadn’t learned their lesson from the charging rhino. He just wanted to get out of there. Raiqo glanced at him and seized on the lifeline from Shani’s ire.

“I was glad to aid you,” he said. “If there is anything else—”

“There is nothing else,” Shani said. She seemed to think better of her tone and added in a forced “thank you.”

Without waiting for Kellen, she and Inferi stormed away.

“I wish I could say they’re usually better than this,” Vex said as he and Kellen walked up to Raiqo. “But…”

Kellen glared at Vex. “They’re struggling a little. Please don’t take offense to anything Shani said.”

“She should learn to speak with more respect,” Skystrike said with a sniff.

“It is fine,” Raiqo said. “If I have done anything to dishonor you, please tell me so I can make amends. I truly did not intend to draw any unwanted attentio to Gray Dawn.”

“No, no, it’s not that at all,” Kellen said. “We appreciate your offer of hospitality.” He left it unsaid that Tama hadn’t seemed too keen on taking the Goroshu up on their offer. Like mother like daughter.

“I wish I could stay and hear your account of what happened here,” Raiqo said. “We were flying on patrol when we felt the mana surge and came as fast as we could. But I must find the Elders and make certain there are no other Mana Beasts attacking the defenseless. Until next time, stay safe, Kellen Lars.”

With that, he swung back onto Skystrike’s back and paused just long enough to wave to the crowd. The people broke into cheers as Raiqo and Skystrike took to the air again.

“Man that guy is so cool,” Vex said. “I’m pretty sure Shani is the only person in all of Oras who doesn’t like him.”

“Can you tone down the fanboy just this much?” Kellen asked holding up his thumb and pointer finger less than an inch apart. “We get it, he’s great.”

“I just wish we didn’t look like morons every time he showed up,” Vex continued. “We already blew our first impression.”

“Come on,” Kellen said. “Let’s find the others.” He needed Shani or Nokom to return with him and search for Kiypu.

It had been a long afternoon. He’d made it less than a quarter mile when Coyote Lady appeared before them the moment they were alone.

“The afternoon just got longer,” Vex said.

“Hello again, Kellen,” she said with a sly smile. Standing at her hip, Raccoon Boy leered at them. Vex stuck out his tongue and Raccoon Boy made the same face back.

“Hi.” It was the best Kellen could manage.

“What’s the matter, not happy to see us?” Coyote Lady asked. “Well, Raccoon Boy I understand. But I thought you’d have missed me.”

“Did you do that?” Vex asked, nodding a head back toward the tower.

“I’m afraid I can’t take the credit,” Coyote Lady said. “But I understand you were right at the center, along with your friend Kiypu.”

“Have you seen Kiypu?” Kellen asked, snapping out of his exhaustion. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine from what I could tell,” she said. “Though Paragon Winoyah has him now and I’m not certain she’ll be satisfied with his answers. Tell me, what happened?”

It didn’t bode well that Coyote Lady seemed just as surprised as the rest of them at what had happened with the totem. He replayed his version of events and she listened along, asking no questions. It was a long time before Coyote Lady spoke while the information soaked in. She tapped a fingernail to her fangs and her tail swished back and forth as she mulled over Kellen’s story.

“My, my, my, these are strange times,” she mused. “Well, we’d better not waste any time then. Come with me.”

“Hold on,” Vex said.

Kellen nodded in agreement. “Where are we going?”

Coyote Lady gave them another sly grin, almost coy. Kellen didn’t like the look of it one bit. “What if I told you I could get you inside the Storm Horse Totem?”

“Inside?” Kellen asked, saving the question for why he would want inside for later.

“Yes,” Coyote Lady said. “I believe the cavern that appeared is connected to the totem. If I’m right, the totem is likely full of riches and… unique opportunities to grow as a Beastcaller.”

“What’s the catch?” Vex asked.

“Aside from the fact it’s probably full of mind-bending traps, tricks and powerful wild Mana Beasts that want to kill you?” Raccoon Boy asked. “Nothing!”

“I need something from inside,” Coyote Lady said. “This heart the Storm Horse mentioned: I don’t know what it does but it’s just the thing the Snake Cult would like to get their hands on.”

“Why me?” Kellen asked.

“That’s what I’ve been asking her for months,” Raccoon Boy muttered. Vex hissed at him and the mischievous primeval growled back.

“Does that really matter?” Coyote Lady asked. “Isn’t the opportunity to become rich and powerful enough?”

“Not if I’m going to get killed two steps into that thing,” Kellen said. “It’s hard to reach Guardians strength when you’re dead.”

“What if I said it was to save the world?”

Kellen shrugged. “Then I’d still ask why you want me. Can’t you collect it yourself much easier?”

“You ruin all the fun,” Coyote Lady pouted. “Very well. If you have to know, I don’t believe anyone with significant storm mana can pass into the cavern without being weakened. In addition, it seems we primevals cannot enter without having our powers and immortality stripped entirely.”

“Whoa,” Vex said.

“That means Shani can’t enter,” Kellen said. “So it would have to be me and Kiypu.”

Coyote Lady shook her head. “Kiypu cannot go with you.”

“Why not?”

“I can get one person and one person only inside,” she said. “And their chances of survival will be much greater if they aren’t attuned to storm mana, I think. I won’t try to to deceive you— I can only guess at what awaits you inside and what dangers you may face.”

“So you want me to be the test dummy,” Kellen said.

“Now you’re getting it,” Raccoon Boy said. “You’re smarter than I gave you credit for!”

“That is one way to put it, yes,” Coyote Lady admitted.

Kellen and Vex shared a look. “We’re not interested,” Vex said.

“Power and riches aren’t worth anything when you’re dead,” Kellen reiterated. “If this is so important, why aren’t you at least willing to come along with us?”

“I’ve got my hands full with some other things,” Coyote Lady said with a sniff. Kellen thought he caught a flash of irritation in her eyes and wondered if he’d pushed her too far. “When the world falls apart, it doesn’t conveniently happen all in once place. Is no your final answer? Think carefully. I may not ask again.”

Kellen hesitated. The risk could be worth it. What if he was turning down the chance he’d been waiting for to finally be able to be strong enough to stand on his own two feet? But going alone… doubt plagued him. If Coyote Lady wasn’t willing to enter the totem, what wasn’t she telling them? Did he trust his chances without Kiypu, Nokom, or Shani watching his back?

“No thanks,” Kellen said, with a sinking feeling in his gut. Didn’t Beastcallers dream of chances like this? Would Raiqo have turned down the chance? Wasn’t he supposed to take any chance to grow stronger, no matter the danger?

“Heh,” Raccoon Boy said. “I knew it.”

“Doesn’t seem like you’re volunteering, either,” Vex pointed out.

“Why you—” He bared his little fangs and started toward them before Coyote Lady snatched him up. They disappeared in a blink, leaving Kellen wondering if he’d made a mistake he could never take back.