Everyone looked back at Lightshield, shocked at how much the man was promising.
Gregory wasn’t, though. “Was it you who arranged for Bishop to patrol the fringe for the last twenty years?” he asked.
Lightshield bowed his head. “Yes.”
“Yuki,” Gregory said, turning to meet her gaze, “I think we should. It’ll make things difficult, but I think we should.”
“If it’s what my heart wishes, then I do, too,” Yukiko said softly.
“We will join Aether’s Guard,” Gregory said.
Lightshield’s smile widened and his eyes shined. “I am honored to have you both join us. You are the first novices to do so in many years. It will take me a week or less to arrange the housing for you.” Lightshield shifted his gaze to the other end of the table. “Gin, I wish to retain your services for my clan’s novices. What will you charge to shift your life from your current home to the academy for at least five years?”
Gin frowned, meeting the elder’s gaze for a moment. “At least five years?”
“Today marks the start of Aether’s Guard returning to its rightful place. Yukiko and Gregory are only the first novices. If you require, I can see about getting some others to assist you.”
“It would be what I gave up, training whole groups again. What demands would the clan put on me?”
“To train those who join the clan inside the academy. To assist them when they go on to train their own units. You will never be deployed by the clan unless you request it.”
“Very well. I will require my two assistants to come with me. My pay would need to be a hundred thousand vela a year. I have the right to end my employment with one month’s notice.”
“Hmm...” Lightshield murmured. “I can’t accept those terms. Your assistants are fine. Ending the employment with a month’s warning is acceptable, as well. Your pay, though, is not going to work. Two hundred thousand a year for you, and fifty for each of your personal assistants.”
Hao blinked. “That was the worst haggling I’ve ever seen.”
Lightshield didn’t reply as he waited for Gin to speak.
“I accept,” Gin said, a little shocked.
“Excellent. Warlin, it wasn’t a haggle. It’s me acknowledging the work he’ll have to undertake.”
“You think the clan will have so many new members?” Yoo-jin asked.
“Enough that the pay will be required.” Getting to his feet, Lightshield picked up the box he had bought earlier. He pushed it toward a small pouch on his hip and the box vanished, making Gregory stare. “I must go start on the deals to fulfill my end of this bargain. I’d suggest neither of you acknowledge you are part of a clan until everything is ready. Thank you for meeting with me.” Everyone stood, but Lightshield hadn’t waited for them— he was gone with only a light breeze announcing his departure.
“Why them?” Hao asked Gregory.
“Because they won’t split Yuki and I apart,” Gregory said. “He’ll do everything he can for us. I could see it in his eyes.”
“It’s done,” Gin said. “Things will change.”
“Thank you for agreeing,” Yukiko said to Gin. “I would be upset if you weren’t the one training us.”
“And have someone undo all my hard work?” Gin snorted.
Gregory yawned. Even the bitter bean hadn’t helped overcome his tiredness.
“Let’s get them back to the academy,” Yoo-jin said. “We should see about making sure that the guards they need are the best we can arrange. I believe that will be the best we can do. Lin has a lot of work ahead of him.”
“Yes,” Hao said, looking pensive, “we’ll start on that. Yu, are you sure?”
“My heart wishes it,” Yukiko replied.
“Very well,” Hao said. “Since this is the last time that we’ll see you until the next tournament, we’ll take you back.”
“I’ll start arranging for my small family to move,” Gin said as he led them to the door.
Chapter Four
Gregory woke with the bell. Dressing in his novice kimono, he was at the door just before Yukiko could knock. He gave her a smile and stepped aside for her. Yukiko’s eyes twinkled at him as she entered the room and shut the door behind her.
The moment the door was closed, the two of them were kissing. As much as they both would’ve loved to stay like that all morning, they knew they couldn’t. After a couple of minutes, they composed themselves and were making their way to leave the dormitory.
“Morning, Keeper,” they greeted Dia.
“Morning to you both,” Dia replied. “I doubt you’ll be able to sneak in much longer.”
“Yesterday did prove to be a challenge,” Yukiko agreed.
“Keeper, we won’t trouble you for much longer,” Gregory said, feeling the need to give her a hint.
Dia raised an eyebrow and exhaled a long stream of purple smoke. “Ah. Are you keeping it a secret?”
“Until things can be arranged.”
“Very well. I hope you’re prepared for what’s coming.”
“We’re as prepared as we can be,” Yukiko said.
“Are you going to classes?”
“Everything but history,” Yukiko said. “We don’t want to alienate Magus Han, aether introduction is informative and interesting enough that we don’t want to skip it, and as difficult as it may be, physical conditioning is necessary for us in the short term, at least.”
“All of which makes sense,” Dia nodded. “Don’t let me detain you. Having a routine is good, but be aware that if one has enemies, being predictable can lead to complications.”
Yukiko frowned, nodding slowly. “Sage advice. Our thanks, Keeper.”
Dia exhaled a smoke ring. “Advice? I was merely musing out loud.”
“Have a good day, Keeper,” Gregory said before they both bowed to her.
“You, as well, Novices.”
As they walked down the path toward the mess hall, Yukiko spoke up, “We didn’t get a chance to talk after meeting Lightshield. We both passed out when we got back here. Did you have a vision?”
“Yes. Like I said, joining Aether’s Guard is the most likely path to keep us together past the academy.”
“Thank you, dear one,” Yukiko smiled. “Did you write the letter to send home?”
“I managed it before I collapsed last night.”
“I have a letter to add to yours, if that’s okay?”
“You do?”
“It’s for your father,” Yukiko said softly.
“Okay. Mine is addressed to Gunnar, but he can get it to my father.”
“Why didn’t you write to your father?”
Gregory started to speak but stopped, taking a moment to think his words through. “I’m not sure how he’d take it... I’m hoping to get an answer from Gunnar first.”
“Afraid he still won’t accept you being here?”
“Yeah.”
Yukiko nodded and handed him her letter so he could give both to Steva. Folding them together so his was visible, Gregory put them into his pouch. Side by side, they finished their walk to the mess hall in silence.
The teachers were all having their breakfast when the two of them entered the building. Adept Thomas Marten gave them a sour look, clearly unhappy that they had left his class. Magus Marcia Han had a knowing look on her face. Magus Paul Erichson appraised both of them for a moment before turning back to his book. The only one of the four who appeared completely oblivious to them was Adept John Dunn, the teacher for aether introduction.
“Morning, Novices,” Ravol, the weasel eurtik cook, greeted them.
“Morning,” they echoed back.
“Looking forward to classes today?” the scaled eurtik, Zenim, asked.
“Learning is always good,” Yukiko smiled.
Gregory slipped the letters to Steva, the friendly rat eurtik. “The food here is better than it was at home,” he said to help mask the moment.
“Thank you,” Steva said, quickly tuck
ing the letters away.
“We could use our snacks, as well, Velma, if that’s okay?” Yukiko asked.
“Of course.” The mink eurtik smiled in return, handing over both snacks after marking their medallions. “We hope you have a good day.”
“Thank you,” they replied in near unison, grabbing drinks before making their way toward a table.
~*~*~
As they were getting up to leave, Gregory was surprised to find Adept Dunn still in the hall. Dropping their dishes off with Quilet, the otter eurtik, they exchanged pleasantries and turned to leave.
“Novices,” Dunn said in greeting, having come to drop off his dishes, “will I be seeing you later?”
“Yes. We have much to learn still,” Yukiko replied.
“I’m sorry we haven’t been able to assist you with your magic yet, Pettit,” Dunn said. “Master Damon is still searching for any clue as to what the ryuite means, and I know you haven’t had any luck with class, either.”
“I’m sure something will come up,” Gregory said. “Thank you for your concern, Adept Dunn.”
“Of course. I’ll see you in class.”
“We look forward to it,” Yukiko said. “Have a good day.”
On their way to the archive, Gregory had an idle question. “How long do you think it’ll really take Elder Lightshield to get everything organized?”
“If he’s as efficient as I think, two or three days,” Yukiko said. “Do you think he suspects anything, Greg?”
“When he was describing the purpose of the clan and locked eyes with me… I’m not sure, but I think he’s very devoted to the clan goal. The fact he had Bishop stay as the proctor for my small village makes me wonder if he doesn’t know more.”
“What about Bishop?”
“She was always very neutral when dealing with the village. I didn’t know she could be harsh until I became a magi. Even then, she gave people a chance to make amends. During our time together to reach the academy, she seemed stern but willing to help as much as she could. Bishop is a good person, even if she did make me disrobe in front of the class.”
Yukiko giggled. “I still thank you for that, because she said she could’ve picked me instead. Besides, I didn’t mind seeing you that way... I can admit that now.”
Gregory’s lips twitched. “I can say the same for a certain ‘dream.’”
Yukiko’s cheeks heated. “I don’t regret you having seen me. Darkness might allow us to have time together soon.”
“I hope so, too,” Gregory agreed.
~*~*~
“Morning, Novices,” Rafiq greeted them. “Are you ready for the trials ahead?”
“Trials?” Gregory asked.
“You’ll be seeing them soon,” Rafiq said. “What scrolls can I arrange for you today?”
“I want to continue with the tea ceremony scrolls,” Yukiko replied.
“I’d like to switch,” Gregory said slowly. “When reading about the clans before, one called ‘Aether’s Guard’ was mentioned. I want to know more about them, please.”
Rafiq bowed his head. “I’ll see that one is brought to you.”
“Thank you, Rafiq.”
“We do our best to help those who seek knowledge,” Rafiq smiled.
The pair moved to their table, where Yukiko’s scroll was already there for her. Gregory pulled out a Magi Squares and began to work on it while he waited— Magi Squares before studying had become a habit.
When the archivist came to drop off a book for Gregory, he gave her a smile. “Miss, a moment, please? I believe we met your mother the other day.”
The archivist blushed. “I apologize if she bothered you.”
“She didn’t, but she did tell us about how much you love knowledge. It’s nice to know you’re a kindred spirit.”
Smiling, the woman’s teeth became even more prominent. “Thank you, Novice Pettit.”
“What’s your name?” Yukiko asked kindly. “We didn’t get the chance to ask your mother.”
“I’m Murium, daughter of Mumisa,” the archivist replied. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
“We will. Thank you,” Yukiko replied.
Once Murium left, Yukiko smiled at Gregory. “I love you, dear one. Her mother talking about her made you want to meet her, didn’t it?”
“Yes. A mother’s love always moves me,” Gregory said softly.
“And you see everyone as a person,” Yukiko added softly. “Did you finish your squares?”
“Yes. You?”
“Just before you stopped the archivist,” Yukiko replied. “Let me know if I should read that book after you.”
“Of course.”
~*~*~
When the fifth bell chimed, both of them started to put things away. Gregory was a little distracted as he got to his feet, and Yukiko stayed silent when they waved to Rafiq on their way out.
“Greg?” Yukiko prodded him as they walked to class.
“Sorry. Rafiq picked a good book. It’s an account of the clan during its early days. From the way it’s written, I think one of the clan members wrote it, but they didn’t use florid prose to make it look better.”
“Anything stand out?”
“Not yet, though it’s nice to have a clan book that doesn’t make them seem infallible. How’s your scroll?”
“The visions during the tea ceremony are thought to be a product of the tea itself, combined with the alchemist who brews the tea.”
“She was a magi?” Gregory asked.
“Yes. The Green Leaf clan are the only ones who can do the ceremony, according to the book. They’re very selective on who they allow into their ranks. I didn’t find anything about how or why, though... that seems to be a secret of the clan.”
“A pity,” Gregory sighed, “but it makes sense.”
“Yes. That kind of power would be tightly guarded.”
“Do you think class will go okay?”
“It depends on the students. I don’t think any of our three remaining teachers will try to hinder us. We can just leave the class if it becomes untenable.”
“True... Hopefully, that won’t be necessary.”
Chapter Five
Getting to class was no different than any other day. Taking their seats, they made sure they had supplies for notes ready. Gregory looked over the last set of notes he had taken for the class, refreshing himself on what the teacher would be covering.
“For a magicless, clanless fringer, he sure acts like he cares, doesn’t he?”
The snide voice behind them almost made Gregory turn to look, but instead, he ignored the taunt. Yukiko glanced back to see the same student who had called Gregory a fringer on their first day in the class months before— Petak.
“For someone who looks down on Greg as a fringer, you don’t seem to be able to answer the questions put forth by Magus Marcia any better than he does,” Yukiko said.
“I’m sorry, did the little bird say something?” Petak snickered.
Gregory’s hands clenched and he bit down on the anger he felt. I was warned not to let them goad me like this, he reminded himself.
Yukiko laughed, “I’m sorry, what rank did they give you at the end of the tournament? It must be higher than fifty.”
Petak inhaled sharply as if he’d been slapped physically. “Do I need to prove where you belong, half-breed?”
Gregory started to turn, but Yukiko placed her hand on his shoulder to stop him. “Ignore him, dear one. If he wanted to, he could challenge one of us, but since he knows he’d lose, he’ll just stand there yammering on, hoping to provoke us.”
Gregory gave her an apologetic smile, as he’d almost done exactly as he shouldn’t. “You’re right, Yuki.”
Seeing his insults not having the impact he hoped for, Petak took his seat with a severe frown. A couple more students entered the room and the muttered comments grew, but no one was as outspoken as Petak had been.
Sixth bell began to chime and Magus Marcia was
n’t in the room. Gregory was just starting to wonder what that might mean when the doors shut hard, followed by the sound of the teacher walking toward the front of the room.
“Good, we’re all here. I wasn’t sure if some of your clans would pull you from the class or not,” Magus Marcia said when she reached the front of the room. “Even our top two novices are here. That makes it hard on the rest of you. They don’t even have to be here, and yet here they are. I find myself slightly surprised by that. Why are you two here?”
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