Richard Tuttle - Winged Warrior

At the other end of the plaza was another party. Qubari shamans filled the area of the plaza before the temple of Kaltara. They all gathered around Bakhai as Yltar announced that the brother of the Astor was in training. Word Of Bakhai’s mastering of the truth-telling spell had spread while they were out of the city. The shamans vied with one another for the privilege of tutoring one who was bound to become a Qubari legend. After much discussion, Yltar offered a compromise that would allow each shaman the opportunity to teach Bakhai those spells that the shaman was most proficient in. Bakhai’s head spun with all of the attention, but Yltar dragged him to one side of the festival.

“With so many tutors,” grinned Yltar, “you will learn Qubari magic faster than any other shaman in history. I would advise you to free your days of obligations. You will be learning magic night and day until you cannot stay awake any longer. You must clear your mind and make your father proud of you.”

“I will make him proud,” Bakhai promised as dampness invaded his eyes. “As Kaltara is my witness, I will bring honor to his name.”

“Your father has always had honor in my eyes,” smiled Yltar, “and I am sure in Kaltara’s, too, but his sons were left rudderless through the cruel hand of fate. Now he will have good reason to smile down upon you and your brother. You both are his gifts to the people that he loved.”