Kalista

After an exorbitant seafood dinner, filled with caviar, tuna steaks, abalone, and eel served with several antique bottles of white wine. The meal in Podglorica made the meal in Lezhe seem peasantry.

The caviar alone sent Will's wheels spinning on how to import it to Lezhe and Gadreel.

The night was filled with festive music, laughter, and conversation. Through the discussion, Will got to know Kalista more.

After dinner, Kalista ran to her room and cried. Tonight, was her first-night dining with her new master and his friends. But she was embarrassed that her grandmother made a human her master. Even worse, she was forced to leave her homeland. She didn't know the next time she'd see her friends again.

She was also not thrilled about having an earth mage as a master. Most Orca people were water mages. And the stronger the aquamancer the higher the prestige. What water spells or advice could her master teach her…that her grandmother didn't already explain to her. This whole thing seemed more like an arranged marriage than just being a disciple.

She heard the horror stories about humans, she knew how humans raped and abused beastmen. Was she such a bad granddaughter to be sold and castaway?

Kalista wouldn't admit it out loud, but she had separation anxiety. After her mother and father drowned at sea, her grandmother began training her to be the clan's next matriarch. Her grandmother described to her all the duties and responsibilities of a matriarch. A matriarch acts on what's best for the clan. She knew her grandmother did not make snap judgments.

Kalista resolved herself, "if being this man disciple is what's best for the pod, then I must commit. I promised myself, after mother and father died, that I would be the greatest matriarch so their deaths would not be in vain."

Since her parent's death, her entire life was planned from a young age. At the age of five, she was engaged to a boy from a prominent Orca Clan. Long days followed afterward. But she was always the dutiful granddaughter. She was ruthless when she had to be, and kind on occasions. Her grandmother repeated the phrase over and over again, "Orca matriarchs are both brutal and beautiful. Only children need love," as the saying goes.

Yet, after meeting a human, her fierce grandmother became loving to him and threaten to disinherit her. The only reason she would act such a way would be…wait, how powerful is that human?

What's stranger is that my terramaster master is technically a part of the Wolf Clan. How did the tribes let that happen? Was not human engagement discourage by the Tribal Council? Then how did the wolf woman marry a human man and get to live in the Tribal Lands for decades?

Then Kalista's mother's voice floats inside her mind like the current, "Trust your grandmother and you'll be a wonderful Matriarch."

Only then did Kalista realize, that the twisted emotion brandishing her chest was not fear; it was only nerves. And it was okay to be nervous on the day you are to meet your master.

Kalista changed into her seafoam dress and headed back downstairs for a private meeting with her master.

Will was in the library, examining the Sea Witch's book collection. There were several interesting books, but the ones that caught Will's eyes were books on sailing, navigation, water currents, and international ports.

Several charts listed the locations, distance, and items available for trade. This was a treasure trove, that Will needed to expand his economic empire.

Will was reading a travel book when Kalista walked in, her elegant seafoam dress swayed like seaweed. Will saw her long dark tendrils of hair draped over her shoulders. She was a picture of a beautiful pirate princess.

"Let me check your mana capacity," Will said holding out his hands.

"Try to pass your mana to me, don't overdo it, I just need an indicator where you are," Will provided.

Kalista swam over to Will. Will could tell she was relieved. Kalista was worried Will might sexually assault her.

She placed her palms against Will and began sending mana into Will's body. She had done this before whenever she met a new magic tutor. But she never felt a person with such an expansive mana pool.

In the past, she had a higher mana ability than a few tutors. Yet, she never felt as inadequate as she did now. Her mana pool was like plankton compared to Will's whale of a mana pool.

In embarrassment, Kalista blushed as her pale cheek turned rosy, and her sapient black eyes dropped to the floor.

"Well done! You have quite the mana ability for a novice aquamancer, I am impressed.

I'm sure you were as surprised as I to hear your grandmother demand I take you as a disciple. My country is currently at war, but as long as the king allows you may accompany me to every kingdom function.

Every morning, I wake up and work out. You are to join me at my morning workouts, meditate for an hour in the afternoon, and we'll spar during the day. Your grandmother has already given me her grimoire. At night before bed, you'll take your Aether-infused herbs. This shall be our routine until you leave my care.

I shall also find mages for you to battle, as my disciple you are forbidden from turning down a battle. You shall face every challenger head-on. Every opponent provides a teachable moment.

You'll be provided a warm bed and paid well, any questions?" Will asked.

Kalista squirmed excitedly after listening to Will. She was excited to hear Will's schedule and direction. She was anxious he'd teach without an application like some of her tutors.

"Shall there be a written test too?" Kalista asked. She hated written tests.

"Yes, I'll need to test you on your conjuring, transfiguration, and magical history aptitude. Your grandmother has also assigned you an admiral to instruct you on navy formations, and rules of engagement. Any other questions?" Will replied.

"Shall I get a chance to return in your care?" Kalista asked nervously.

"Yes, of course. You may see your family on holidays and your grandmother's birthday," Will replied to Kalista's relief.

Will was impressed by his disciple, for an almost thirteen-year-old, she was very mature. Her words were direct and anchored in pragmatism.

Before the conversation could progress farther, the Sea Witch entered the library. She saw her beautiful daughter and smiled at her. For a moment, the old witch saw Kalista as five years old again. Her heartache with love.

"You have grown into a remarkable young woman, Kalista. Your parents would be so proud of you. I know you shall honor our people once you ascend the throne. I just wish your mother were here to see you. She would be so happy," the matriarch said

Hearing her grandmother's praise, stab at Kalista's guilt for questioning her grandmother earlier. Steadying herself, she smiled agreeably.

"Thank you, Grandmother," Kalista said.

Only Kalista knew how the role of matriarch had worn her grandmother. Kalista could see it in the creases on her grandmother's face and the graying of her hair, in the way her eyes lose focus as memories flood her.

Only Kalista saw her beloved grandmother mourn the loss of her daughter and son-in-law, despite dealing with the stress of politics.

"Mr. vont Ballard, may I confide in you? Kalista is nearly thirteen, I expected her to step up, marry her husband, and take over the title of Orca Clan Matriarch within seven years.

However, I can't be sure I can wait that long. But as of now, she does not deserve the title. I've done everything in my power to prove her readiness and shield her. But alas, we all grow old. You may not know, but Stalking Wolf and share a birthday. At my age, almost all my acquaintances are either dead or retired.

But before Kalista can replace me she needs to become a journeyman mage, please help her," the Sea Witch genuinely smiled, the wrinkles around her narrowed eyes were deep.

"Don't worry grandmother, I'll be a great leader like you. I'll devote my reign to trying to measure up to you. I'll be a great matriarch one day," Kalista swore.

"Master I'll do whatever it takes. I'll take you as my husband, my lover, my partner in all things, as long as I can become a journeyman mage," Kalista said passionately, swimming over to Will.

Will remembered being immature and emotional at that age, but not this easily deceived. The old witch used her death to manipulate her granddaughter, what a deceitful old woman.

"Fear not disciple, I'll get you to advance. Dear madam, you should know that Holo and Lawrence have already returned to Rijilir. Tomorrow, after breakfast, I'll take your granddaughter to see my king and we'll stay in Tirana for the time being. You can have the books and charts sent there. Now, I'm off to bed" Will said bowed to his host, and left the room.