“You can’t be serious!” Ka-muit blurted out before she could stop herself. The Masters of the Tower of Storms sat before her in there great wooden thrones, the Archmage of Lightning in the middle with three on each side. All were decked out in their formal robes; the sharpness of the blues and yellows on their robes bearing evidence to the lack of use. The Archmage raised a brow at the outburst but the deer said nothing. Ka-muit bowed her head quickly to apologize but she knew the damage was done, her tail flicked behind her as she awaited her scolding.

“Ka-muit, you are one of the most gifted magi in the Tower of Storms. I have no doubt that you will be on this council one day.” The Archmage began; her voice slow and soothing rather that the harshness Ka-muit had experienced many times before. “However, there are procedures and traditions to follow. Some on this council believe you are in danger of advancing too quickly. In danger of not learning the lessons required of each rank in the Tower.”

“That’s why we have the trials! This council must have thought I was ready, otherwise why approve my Adept Trial in the first place?” Ka-muit asked a little more forceful than she wanted. She didn’t care though, what could they do to her now? They already decreed her trial a failure. Never mind it was a dragon attack that kept her from completing it.

“Your Master was the one who put your name forward and the council agreed, not unanimously, to the trial. One you failed, remember?” One of the other councilmen spoke up, a badger on the Archmage’s right. “You will have to compete again next year. With another year of training and contemplation of your lessons you will undoubtedly succeed and gain the rank of Adept.” He continued condescendingly. Ka-muit glanced at him; the weasel she was to fight was his student. The dragon attack had spared him from being defeated publicly by her. She growled to herself; how she hated the political games the council played.

“Besides, today you had a double failure. You allowed the perpetrator to escape. True, the egg was rescued but that was due to the skills of the Protector. At least he did his job.” the badger continued, but was interrupted by Ka-muit’s Master on the Archmage’s left.

“How dare you place his escape at my apprentice’s feet! She was the only Magi to give chase in the incident. To say she allowed the culprit’s escape means to cast guilt on the whole Tower: we were all there and she was the only one who did anything about it!” Master Atticus yelled as he jumped up from his throne, the goat nearly sending his seat toppling as he did so. Ka-muit liked him, he hated the games same as she.

“Enough!” the Archmage yelled over them. “This bickering will accomplish nothing! We have a Tower to rebuild, students to tend to, and an investigation to conduct! I will not have us waste time in this mudslinging! Ka-Muit, you have been informed of the council’s decision; you are dismissed.” Ka-muit looked to Atticus who gave a curt nod and sat down. She bowed to the council and stormed from the chamber, slamming the doors as she left.

She walked quickly down the corridor and out into the daylight of the great balcony that served as the waiting area for the Maelstrom Council’s chambers high in the Tower of Storms. Ka-muit walked up to the railing and glared out over the Tower Courtyards. Half a mile off, she could see the furthest Tower; the Tower of Life.

The Towers were oriented in a great circle around a massive field, each Tower walling of large areas for private use, but the center was left open for a common area. Trees of all types were planted here and Ka-muit could see ripe fruit hanging from branches. Her eyes ran over the other Towers, all seven spaced evenly in the circle with the great city of Aegis spreading toward the horizon past the Tower grounds. She fumed quietly, not looking at anything in particular. The bright day with its pleasant breeze only served to worsen her mood.

“Excuse me, Lady Ka-muit” a male voice addressed her from behind. Her foul temper boiled over and she turned with a hiss, her fangs bared and ears pulled tight against her head. She quickly lost her bluster when she saw Protector Marcus. He stood at attention in his full Protector armor, sword at his hip and helmet under an arm.

“Sorry Marcus, I didn’t know it was you.” Her ears stayed back but it was apologetic, not threatening.

“No need my lady, I heard. You won’t be able to retest until next year. Please accept my sympathies. If I had been faster maybe all this could have been avoided.” Marcus countered, still at attention.

“According to the Council it was all due to your heroism and quick action that saved the egg. I was reprimanded for not doing enough.” Ka-muit admitted, turning back to the view from the railing. Marcus gave a short laugh.

“Really? I was told it was due to your timely intervention that the egg was saved. If it had not been for you, the egg would have been lost and the Protectors would have been disgraced.” Ka-muit turned to the wolf but saw that he was indeed serious.

“So our superiors are taking liberties in chastisement then? What’s the point in trying to save face in front of us?” She asked out loud.

“It wasn’t for us I think”

“The dragons then? I’m surprised I haven’t been dragged in front of them to explain why I let the guy get away.” When Marcus didn’t respond her shoulders slumped. “This should be fun.”

“Lady Ka-muit, I am to escort you the Dragon Roost of the Tower of Storms for a full account of you actions during the attempted abduction of the dragon egg.” Marcus rattled of the formal instructions he was given. He visibly relaxed and grinned at her. Ka-muit hated it when canines grinned, it always looked like a goofy snarl. “I am to give a report as well my lady; I’ll be right beside you.”

“Well, I least I won’t be eaten alone.”