Altina Hishgrow

May Shamuu be ever merciful. What had she done in her life to deserve all this? Was she unfaithful in her vows? Hardly. She had never backed from a word once given, even if it meant nothing but loss to her own profit. Was it because of her unfulfilled duties? Bess always praised her diligence and scoffed at her overworking herself. Lord Shamuu had heavy had but his punishment could only be just. Her duties to him and to others Altina fulfilled to the best of her ability and a step further. Was it because of the blood of her hands? True she had killed but only when her own life was at stake and only when there was no other way. Each life she had mourned deeply and of each soul begged forgiveness. No, this could not be. Such crimes if not forgiven shall be judged at the end of times and not within this life. If not that then why? Why was she so blind to the cause of her suffering?!

An empty bottle fell out of her cabinet and flown into the fireplace where it crashed and burst into flames.

“Merciful Shamuu… I will not stand any more of this!”

She slammed her fists against her desk and stood up, screaming at an empty room.

“You lot! Show yourselves! I know you are here!”

“Well if you say so…”

Fire spoke, rummaging inside the cabinet. As if someone removed a veil from her eyes, Altina saw all the spirits gathered in her office.

“Hey furball, where’s the tasty stuff? How come there’s only empty bottles in there?”

The wolf’s fur puffed out and rage filled her veins.

“Because you have drunk everything you bottomless pig!”

Burning the floor along the way, Fire walked over to the wolf’s desk and dropped an empty bottle on it. Her flames began to eat at her surroundings.

“How did you dare to name me mortal?”

Uncalled, Vari suddenly appeared, raising a shield between Fire and his master. Poor gob had no chance of winning, yet his contract forced him to protect her. Trembling, he stood to challenge the Fire. His own body boiling just from the scorching aura the queen spread in anger.

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“Enough with those theatrics. We had agreed to meet on neutral grounds. Behave yourself.”

Water sighed from the couch, her generals standing ready behind her.

“If you think I'll let you kill that spirit so you could take her for yourself then you are a bigger fool than you seem.”

All the flames vanished in an instant and Fire started pouting like an angry child.

“That is so unfair!”

She stomped with her feet, raining sparks everywhere.

“Look! Look at all the flames within her! She is meant to be mine!”

“No.”

“Don’t be so stingy! We can share!”

“No. My servant’s claim precedes yours. By law she is mine.”

“Law-shmow! You can feel her calling as much as I do. Her blood yearns! She should be mine! Tell her!”

Fire called to Earth, almost pleading.

“She is right.”

The queen agreed.

“You are a pig. Not only that but a thief and a scoundrel. By law you cannot take if you don’t give. You had caused a loss to a contract bearer. She is within right to demand reparations.”

Earth made her judgment then looked straight at Altina.

“We have encroached upon your hospitality Guild master. Please accept this as a token of apology and a payment for our use of your service.”

A woman of an olive skin, clearly a spirit of a high standing, clad in armor of dark, polished iron, came and bowed before the wolf. In silence she placed a chalice on her desk, filled to the brim with diamonds and rubies.

Merciful Shamuu, do not tempt me! The wolf prayed, unable to say a word. Her practiced eyes judged the cup and its contents. Just for the rubies this size she would get a fortune while the diamonds…

“May you and your servants be always welcomed under my roof.”

She found her tongue after a while then sitting town behind her smoldering desk, she added.

“How may I be of service my honored guests?”

“Get the booze!”

Fire chimed.

“Oh, shut up you voracious hog. We have more pressing matters.”

Fear ruffled Altina’s fur. An issue so grave as to trouble the four cardinal queens. What a mere mortal like her do in such case?

Suddenly all four stood up. Silent and focused on the same direction.

“It has begun…”

Water whispered, fear twisting her inhuman face.

As one the three vanished while only Wind stayed in her place. Saddened, she lowered her eyes. Her fists trembling.

“Tell me mortal. Will she ever forgive me my sin?”

The wolf looked at her, not really knowing what to speak of that. The queen looked into her eyes and shared a memory no one else should ever see.

Memory of a woman, alone beneath the trees. The taste of her mana...

The smell of her skin…

Three wishes she asked…

The screams…

Altina jumped back as if struck by lightning. Her chair clattering away from beneath her. Disgust, if she ever felt one such powerful in her life, could not begin to describe what she felt after witnessing that… that… O merciful Shamuu!

Bile came to her throat, so unclean she felt after seeing all that.

After feeling all that.

As if she took part in it.

As if she were the one…

“I see.”

The wind vanished yet the memory remained.

The wolf bent over and let the bile flow.