Aether's Guard

by Schinhofen, Daniel

  “That was amazing,” Jenn said. “You handled the naginata so easily.”

  “Greg is a man of many talents,” Yukiko said with a soft smile. “I have no doubt he can change the world if he wishes to.”

  “I think changing the entire world would be a long and difficult task,” Gregory replied with a chuckle.

  “The differences between the naginata and the other weapons were pronounced,” Jenn said.

  “That’s true,” Gin said, joining them. “We’ll be narrowing that gap soon, though.”

  “Thank you, Sensei,” Gregory said.

  “It’s your day off,” Gin said. “Enjoy yourselves.”

  “Sensei,” Jenn asked quickly before he could leave, “I was wondering if you could spare an hour of your time for me today?”

  Gin nodded. “An hour is fine. Let’s go back to the clan hall.”

  “Armsmaster Gin,” Master Chen greeted them as he came down the hall. “If you have a few moments, I’d like to discuss some things with you.”

  “If you’ll excuse us.” Gregory bowed to Gin, then Chen.

  Yukiko bowed as well before the two of them walked away.

  Jenn watched them go, missing the start of the conversation between Gin and Chen. Another pang of jealousy hit her as they vanished around a corner, but she pushed it down, turning her attention to the conversation happening next to her.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  On their way toward the gates, Gregory’s pace slowed. “Look,” he murmured, motioning off to the side where Petak was pushing a broom.

  Yukiko shook her head. “Guess that’s his punishment for trying to burn you and getting Dunn, instead.”

  “Think he’ll give Laozi any trouble?”

  “I doubt it. I think that old man is more capable than we’ve seen.”

  Gregory nodded as they kept walking. “He does seem very calm about everything.”

  Reaching the gate, the adept in charge gave them the standard warning of being back before sundown. A minute later, they’d arrived at the main street and saw a dozen rickshaws waiting. The first one in line was the rickshaw driver they’d used on most of their previous days off.

  “Good morning,” Gregory greeted the man. “We’d like to go to the park where you’ve taken us before.”

  “Yes, sir,” the driver grinned as he took the coin Gregory offered him.

  “I’d forgotten all about us getting stipends until this morning,” Yukiko said.

  “I’m glad they give it out every day off. My plans would have been severely curtailed, otherwise,” Gregory said.

  “You don’t have to do anything for my birthday, dear one. Just being with you is enough,” Yukiko murmured as she rested her hand on his knee.

  “After what you did for me? I have to repay that at least some, Yuki. It isn’t much, but I do hope you like it.”

  “I will. Anything from you will be treasured.”

  Gregory gave her a soft smile. “It’s the same for me, but I want it to be special.”

  “I understand, dear one. I’m looking forward to what you have planned.”

  It didn’t take them long to get to the park. Thanking the rickshaw driver, the two of them walked to the middle of the park, where a gazebo sat.

  “We need to do our meditation for the day, so I thought we’d start with it,” Gregory said. “That’ll be all three paths at least touched upon for today.”

  Yukiko gave him a smile. “A relaxing day?”

  “We were told to relax during our days off. We are, even if we aren’t giving up on the training. I know that you feel the same as I do about it.”

  “I do,” Yukiko nodded as she moved a dozen feet away from him. “An hour?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay.”

  ~*~*~

  Gregory sighed when the hour came to an end. The cavern eluded him, as he couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d planned for the day. He’d still been able to trance and do the stretches, but it wasn’t as deep as it could’ve been.

  Yukiko ended her routine at the same time and met his eyes. “I couldn’t find the cavern.”

  “Too excited?”

  “Yes.”

  “I understand. Now, we get to move on to the next part of my surprise for you.”

  Yukiko’s smile grew, her eyes sparkling. “I wonder what it will be.”

  “First, back to the main street to find a rickshaw.”

  “Hmm, so down to the lower ring, at least,” Yukiko said as they started walking.

  Gregory chuckled. “Maybe it’s the outer ring?”

  Yukiko considered for a minute. “No, I don’t think it will be.”

  “We’ve never gone to the outer ring to look around. Maybe I just want to see the rest of the city with you.”

  “Like our first day off together? It’s a possibility, but I don’t think that’s our destination.”

  Gregory stayed quiet as they walked, not wanting to give her any hints.

  They quickly made it back to the main street. After a few minutes of walking down toward the lower city, Gregory saw an empty rickshaw and flagged him down.

  “Yes, sir?” the driver asked, coming over to them.

  Gregory leaned in, speaking softly before giving the man some vela, “The Rough Gem, please, and don’t let the lady know.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Thank you,” Gregory said before he motioned to Yukiko. “After you.”

  Yukiko kept her face impassive as she got in. She felt bad that she’d overheard him— one of the things her heritage had given her was better than standard hearing. She fidgeted as the driver got them moving, wondering if she should tell him.

  “Yuki? Is something wrong?” Gregory asked, seeing her uncomfortableness.

  “I’m sorry, Greg. I didn’t mean to... but my hearing is very good because…”

  Gregory’s brow furrowed for a moment before he nodded, giving her a soft smile. “Well, the cat’s out of the bag. I don’t blame you, Yuki. You know the destination, but not the reason.”

  Yukiko glanced at him from the corner of her eye, seeing him calm and not upset. “I know you wanted to surprise me.”

  “Did you guess where we were going?” Gregory asked, placing his hand on hers.

  “No.”

  “Then my surprise worked. It was just revealed a bit early.”

  Yukiko’s lips pulled up when she heard only love in his tone. “You’re going to buy me something.”

  “Yes. It was finished last night, from what Dia told me.”

  Yukiko blinked. “How long?”

  “Nearly a week… the moment we thought of joining Aether’s Guard. I knew if we did, we’d have a stipend. I asked Dia privately how much the stipend would be, and was happy to hear it would be enough for my surprises to work. I was planning to sell some things, otherwise.”

  Yukiko lapsed into silence as she thought about what he was doing for her. Swallowing, she placed her other hand atop his. “You didn’t have to go so far.”

  “Maybe, but I wanted to go further... so much further.”

  “I understand, dear one. I truly do,” Yukiko said, squeezing his hand. “I want to do everything I can to make your life better.”

  “Two peas in a pod,” Gregory murmured as he squeezed her hand back.

  Yukiko leaned over and gave his cheek a quick kiss. “Peas in a pod is a good way to describe it.”

  Gregory blinked, not having expected the kiss. Public displays of affection weren’t well regarded by society. Glancing her way, he found her cheeks dusted pink, but she was smiling. Shaking his head, he smiled back at her.

  ~*~*~

  Gregory helped Yukiko out of the rickshaw when they reached Rough Gem. Thanking the driver before he led Yukiko to the door of the shop, Gregory felt butterflies in his gut. She said she’d love anything, but will she really feel that way when she sees it? She’s seen and probably owned jewelry worth a hundred times what I had made for her... He pushed his an
xiety down and opened the door for her. “After you, dear one.”

  Yukiko gave him a bright smile as she entered the shop. The interior was lit by the large window in the front, as well as two lanterns that were aimed to point at the display case at the counter.

  The woman behind the counter smiled when she saw the two of them enter the shop. “Welcome to the Rough Gem. Are you shopping for something significant?”

  “I’m Gregory Pettit. I had a piece commissioned, and I’m here to pay for it and pick it up.”

  The woman’s smile grew wider. “Oh, let me get the master. Please, wait just a moment.”

  The two of them looked over the display together while they waited. The curtain to the back parted, revealing the woman and a middle-aged man.

  “I’m Blon Wesla, the jeweler. Did you want to present the item now?”

  “Now is fine,” Gregory said as he pulled out a small pouch, setting it on the counter. “The agreed-upon price.”

  The jeweler took the pouch. “I’ll bring the piece out. One moment.”

  When Blon stepped into the back, the woman stepped up to the counter. “Is there anything else we can do for you?”

  “Not at the moment, but possibly in the future,” Gregory replied.

  “Very well,” she replied.

  Blon came back out a few minutes later, holding a small case in his hands. He set it down for Gregory. “Here you are, sir.”

  Gregory gave him a nod before he slid it in front of Yukiko. “Dear one, this is for you.”

  Yukiko took a deep breath, resting her hand on the case and opening it. Her eyes widened fractionally as she gazed at the object inside. A gleaming wrist cuff sat on a velvet bed. Two gems came together at the center of the cuff, forming a heart. Picking it up with care, she saw the engraving and her breath left her in a rush: My heart is yours, as your heart is mine. Always together. Not saying anything, Yukiko opened the cuff and slipped it onto her wrist, closing it with a wide smile.

  “You like it?” Gregory asked, not sure how she felt about it.

  “I do, dear one,” Yukiko said, her eyes bright with happy tears held in check.

  “It’s made from cobalt, so the metal is durable and won’t need special care,” Blon said. “Some mistake it for silver or other metal.”

  “Cobalt, topaz, and peridot...” Yukiko said, her eyes fixed on Gregory’s, “and very well made. To manage it in less than a week, too? Very good craftsmanship.”

  Blon blinked, not expecting the young woman to know so much. “Thank you.”

  Gregory felt his heart unclench when she said she liked it. “I’m glad. Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes,” Yukiko replied.

  Gregory pulled his gaze away from Yukiko’s cyan eyes. “Thank you. I’m sure I’ll be back for more in the future.”

  “I’m always glad for more business and repeat customers,” Blon said, bowing his head to them. “May you have a good day.”

  “Thank you,” Yukiko smiled.

  Leaving the shop, Gregory was glad to see an empty rickshaw coming their way and flagged them down. When the driver stopped for them, Gregory was quick to hand over some vela. “Stabled Hunger, please.”

  The driver’s face twitched into a frown, but it swiftly vanished. “Of course, sir.”

  When they were moving, Yukiko took Gregory’s hand. “It’s lovely... thank you. It fits wonderfully.”

  “I had to draw the diameter of your wrist for him,” Gregory chuckled. “Luckily, I had a good idea of your size.”

  “It’s a touch loose, but not enough to bother. The rounded edges are a nice touch. It’ll be less likely to dig into me. The stones and inscription, though... They’re beautiful. Our birthstones and the heart being half and half, showing we share our hearts with each other...”

  “I’m happy he managed it. I was worried it would be late.”

  “You paid to have it done in time, didn’t you?”

  “Yes. I wanted it to be today.”

  “I would wait, Greg. Never feel like you have to rush a gift for me. If you just let me know it’s being worked on, I’ll gladly wait for it. My upbringing is hard to disregard at moments like that.”

  Gregory nodded. “I’ll remember your wish, Yuki.”

  “Stabled Hunger?” Yukiko asked, changing the subject. “Are we having a private meal?”

  “You’re very astute, dear one. It’ll be hard to keep a secret if you have information to work with.”

  “I don’t want to ruin your surprises,” Yukiko said, squeezing his hand. “I’ll do my best not to. That place is going to be special to us, considering what happened there.”

  “When we could both accept our hearts,” Gregory nodded. “I’ll always be fond of it for that reason if no other, though the food, staff, and clientele are all good reasons to enjoy it, too.”

  “I agree.”

  ~*~*~

  Entering Stabled Hunger, they were greeted by Ramon from behind the bar. “Novices, the room is ready for you. Nessa!”

  Nessa, Ramon’s daughter, came hurrying into the taproom. “Everything is ready!” she said quickly.

  “Well, take them!” Ramon said in the exasperated voice of a father.

  “Oh, right.” Standing up straighter, Nessa dipped a curtsy. “Novices, if you will follow me, I will escort you to your dining room.”

  Both Gregory and Yukiko smiled at her formality. “Thank you, Nessa,” Yukiko said.

  They were taken to the same private room they used when eating with Yukiko’s parents. This time, it had a different atmosphere: candles illuminated the room, the light scent of cherries filled the area, and crystal glasses were sitting on the tables with the china.

  Yukiko slowed as she entered, taking in the room as her heart swelled for the man she loved. “Oh, Greg…”

  “We won’t get many chances to court, Yuki. I thought it best to officially start on an important day for you,” Gregory said, his voice thick with emotion.

  Yukiko gave him a bright smile as she took her seat. “It means so much to me.”

  Gregory’s smile matched hers. “I’m glad you like it.”

  “Your beverage is a dark cherry tea,” Nessa said as she poured for them. “We were told it was a brunch, so Mother prepared the food to match your request.”

  “That’s why breakfast was lighter than normal for us. I had wondered,” Yukiko said.

  “Dinner will be a good meal, too,” Gregory said.

  “I’ll bring your food,” Nessa said, giving them a curtsy before she left, wearing a large smile.

  “I believe she’s a romantic,” Yukiko giggled when the door closed.

  “When we finish eating, I’ve arranged for a rickshaw to be waiting to take us to Gin’s old home,” Gregory told her. “We can spend a few hours there before we have to return to the academy.”

  Yukiko’s eyes glinted as she thought of many things they could do, then sighed, shelving most of them. “That might be dangerous.”

  Gregory nodded. “Yes, I thought it might be. The last part of your gift will be there. And before you jump to any further thoughts,” Gregory said, seeing her eyes start to light up again, “it won’t be any of the things that would upset your father.”

  Yukiko’s cheeks heated and she gave him a sharp smile. “You presume to know what I was thinking?”

  “I don’t, but I know what I thought of before I arranged your last gift to make sure we didn’t.”

  Yukiko sighed wistfully and gave him a soft smile. “I love you, dear one. Thank you for helping us avoid the temptation we both feel.”

  Gregory’s brow furrowed in pain. “It’s difficult. I hope Darkness doesn’t take too long for us.”

  “Aether, please...” Yukiko whispered without thought. When the words registered, she looked at Gregory, who was giving her a wry grin. Cheeks heating again, she stared into his eyes and her tone shifted, “Aether… please?”

  Gregory’s face flushed red and he coughed, pulling his
gaze away from her as Yukiko giggled. Gregory was just starting to control himself when a knock came to the door a few seconds before Nessa entered.

  “Your meal,” Nessa said, not having any idea of the byplay she’d missed.