“I am aware. I’ve done all I could in that regard. I do not doubt other hands are moving pieces into position to topple our novices.”
“Grandmaster Shun?” Gregory asked.
“One of them, but not the only one,” Lightshield said. “Even those that smile to your face can be holding the knife that goes into your back. Something that every magi learns in time, and normally, with loss.”
“We’re doing our best to make sure we trust only those we can be sure of, sir,” Gregory said.
“And so far, you have chosen correctly every time,” Lightshield replied. “If you had taken the path with the Eternal Flame… things would have been very bad.”
“I wouldn’t have joined them, not with Yuki.”
“Ah, but there were a couple of times when things could have gone differently, weren’t there? Maybe your magic helped you a little?”
“Yes, sir,” Gregory said, seeing no reason to not admit to it.
“Foresight,” Gin said, lounging in the giant tub. “I have to think it’s an asset, but isn’t it also a burden?”
“Without a doubt,” Lightshield said, a tinge of sadness filling his voice. “Sometimes, the choice to act or not can paralyze you. Second-guessing your choices afterward can lead one to madness, as well. Something for you to keep in mind, Novice.”
“Yes, sir.”
“How is my son?” Gin asked, changing the topic.
“Lin is doing well. Jento is the one putting together the troops for us.”
“Jento will do well in that position,” Gin said. “He’s always had a good eye for people.”
“The officers are members from the Warlin’s Guard, too,” Gregory added.
“Good. A strong officer core will keep the troops in order.”
“Yes,” Lightshield agreed. “Remember to listen to your officers.”
“Yes, sir.”
“That’s part of next year’s learning,” Lightshield said.
“I will augment what the academy teaches them,” Gin said. “Useful things, not the stuff they shove into the heads of young magi.”
“That would be best,” Lightshield agreed. “Now, it’s time for a soak.” Slowly getting to his feet, he wobbled for a second.
Gregory was beside him almost immediately, helping the elder over to the tub.
“I wonder how your relationship is,” Lightshield said as he took his time sliding into the water. “Not many relationships between magi work out. The draw of power always seems to pull them apart if the jealousy when one stops growing as fast as the other doesn’t rip them apart first.”
“We won’t have that problem,” Gregory said. “We’re committed to each other, fully.”
Lightshield closed his eyes and leaned against the side of the tub. “Yes, I do believe you are, even with the unexpected surprises coming your way.”
Gregory felt as if a piece of his soul was plucked like a lute string. A shiver ran from head to toe, and back again. “Foresight?”
“Yes.”
Gregory debated asking, but shook his head. Everything would work out with Yukiko beside him. He firmly believed that everything would be fine.
Gin grunted and got out of the bath. “Been soaking long enough. I’ll see you both for the meal.”
“We won’t be long,” Lightshield said. “Another handful of minutes, at most.”
~*~*~
When everyone finished eating, Lightshield cleared his throat. “I do hope you all enjoyed that as much as it appeared. I don’t want to take up too much time, as our novices do have to get sleep for tomorrow. I just wanted to thank you all for helping reinvigorate the clan. The future lies with all of you, and I know that you will do the name of the clan proud. For Aether’s Guard!”
“For Aether’s Guard!” the others cheered, raising up their glasses to answer the toast.
Gregory shifted in his seat. “Honored elder, I apologize if this is presumptuous, but I feel like I should say something.”
“Go ahead.”
“We’d been planning on being clanless before we met you. We thought it would be the right choice. Having seen the difficulties the other novices have had, I now know that would’ve been a mistake. Aether’s Guard has been nothing but supportive of all of us. You’ve called in favors to make it the very best it could be for us, and we are all extremely grateful. We’ll do our very best to take the top three spots in the tournament and show the other clans that, not only is Aether’s Guard not gone, it’s going back to where it had once been or higher.”
Lightshield smiled. “I don’t care what those outside of the clan think of us. We never have, which might explain why we are diminished. Every other clan calls us foolish for our ways and actions, but that’s because they lack a greater purpose. We don’t lack one— we have always had one. We are Aether’s Guard, and we will be here to stand beside Aether when he returns.”
“For Aether!” Dia said when Lightshield finished.
“For Aether!” every other voice raised up with the toast.
“Now, go,” Lightshield said. “Rest, relax, and sleep. Tomorrow comes soon enough, and you will have a full day. The next twelve days will test you in ways you expect and ways you don’t. We will be ready to celebrate your victories, or to lament your losses. That’s what family does.”
The three novices rose to their feet, bowing formally to Lightshield. They left the room, heading for their bedrooms.
Reaching the right floor, they paused, all of them clearly not ready for bed.
“A little bit of Empire’s Gambit talk before bed?” Jenn asked.
“That sounds wonderful to me,” Yukiko smiled.
“I’m not tired, either,” Gregory chuckled. “Besides, why break routine now?”
“Why, indeed?” Jenn smiled.
Chapter Forty-eight
Gregory, Yukiko, and Jenn were excited as they went down to get breakfast. “They’ll be posting the match-ups at the eighth bell,” Gregory said. “That means we can get our studying in and then go over to one of the training halls to run through the Peaceful Fist.”
“Barring injury, we should be able to do that every day,” Yukiko said. “While the others sleep in or lay about, we’ll keep pushing to improve ourselves.”
“Did you two go up in rank?” Jenn asked.
“Not yet,” Gregory said. “It should be soon, though.”
“That means I have a chance to catch up to you,” Jenn smiled. “The last time, you both ranked up two weeks after I did. How much longer do you think it’ll be?”
“It’ll be before the end of the week... maybe,” Yukiko said uncertainly.
“Good morning,” Velma greeted them when they entered the dining room. “I’ll have breakfast finished in a minute.”
“Thank you, Velma,” Gregory said.
“We’ve asked a friend to place bets for us if the odds are good, but we don’t expect anything like last time,” Velma said. “Since you all placed in the final eight last time, the odds won’t be as high.”
“That always happens,” Yukiko said. “It’s a single fight a day this time. We’ll be able to be at our best for each. That, of course, works the inverse as well— our opponents will be just as ready.”
“That’s correct,” Dia said when she entered the room.
“Breakfast is ready,” Velma said. “Did you want yours now, too, Dia?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“We need to be at our best when we face Nick, Jason, and the others,” Yukiko said.
“Don’t underestimate the other novices, including the clanless,” Dia said. “Some clan will promise them a place in theirs if they can remove another threat to them.”
“We’ll make sure to not let our guards down,” Jenn said.
“Depending on the arenas and timing, we’ll be attempting to make it to your matches. At least one of us will be there to see the fight. Do your best, but not at the cost of your life.”
“Understood,” Gregory
said. “Thank you, Velma,” he added when she put his breakfast on the table for him.
“Enjoy,” Dia said. “Velma, have mine brought to the office.”
“I’ll bring it as soon as it’s done.”
~*~*~
“Good morning, Novices,” Rafiq greeted them when they entered the archive.
“Good morning, Rafiq,” they each replied.
“Your friends are already waiting for you. I never thought a set of novices would be earlier than you,” Rafiq chuckled. “However, considering they’re your friends, it makes sense.”
“They’re motivated to learn as much as they can,” Yukiko said.
“Very studious, much like you. Are you eager for today?”
“Not exactly eager, but there is anticipation,” Gregory said. “That’s because the tournament will end, and we have an event afterward that we’re looking forward to.”
“The pending nuptials,” Rafiq nodded. “Yes, something better to be excited for.”
“Yes,” Yukiko agreed.
“I’ll wish the best for you over the next twelve days,” Rafiq said. “I believe you will be making it to the final eight again.”
“We’ll do our best,” Jenn said.
“Of that, I have no doubt. Do you need other materials to read today?”
None of them did, so they wished Rafiq well and moved farther inside to find their friends. Nessa and Daciana were already focused on a set of Magi Squares. As they drew closer, the pair looked up from their work.
“We’ll be there to watch you,” Daciana said. “Nessa and I will go to as many of your fights as we can.”
“What if we fight at the same time?” Yukiko asked.
“We’ll split up and compare stories,” Daciana said.
“What if all three of us are fighting at once?” Jenn asked.
Nessa shook her head. “We’ll see two of the fights, but we’re hoping it doesn’t come to that. Besides, that’s just the first nine days. The last three days won’t be a problem, as that’s reserved for the final eight and the apprentice fights.”
“The matches are going to be posted at the green training hall every day at the eighth bell. The first fight is at the ninth bell, giving everyone a chance to get to the arena they want to see.”
“We’ll likely be in the main arena more often than not,” Yukiko said.
“True, as will Nick,” Gregory added. “He’ll want the spotlight.”
“And his grandfather will provide it, if possible,” Yukiko agreed.
“Hayworth might end up there repeatedly, too,” Jenn said.
“I thought that he was going to be the one who gave us a problem when the year began,” Gregory snorted. “He’s unpleasant, but he’s not as bad as Nick.”
“He’s just an elitist,” Jenn said.
“How do you think you will do?” Daciana asked.
“Depends on who they put us against,” Yukiko said. “We’ll be doing our best, but until we know who we’re fighting, it’s hard to say.”
“Come on now, back to work,” Gregory said. “Nothing changes just because there’s a tournament.”
“You kept the same schedule during the first tournament?” Nessa asked.
“Yes,” Yukiko replied. “Having a routine will keep you focused.”
“Just the morning routine, right?” Daciana asked.
“Yes, the routine up until the matches are posted,” Gregory said. “Now, let’s get back to work.”
~*~*~
Gregory felt energized when they finished meditating. His aether was practically humming in his chest. “I’m ready to go.”
“I am, too,” Yukiko grinned. “Odds on them making us fight each other first?”
“They wouldn’t do that again,” Jenn said.
“I’m not positive about that,” Gregory said. “Maybe they’ll have one of us up against you, instead?”
“I won’t lose this time,” Jenn said with confidence.
“Let’s go find out who we’ll be facing,” Gregory said. “You both do have at least a core with you to recharge your rings, right?”
“Yes,” they said, one after the other.
“If our matches are far enough apart and against the Eternal Flame, we can trade rings,” Gregory said. “Just remember to recharge it afterward.”
“We’ll need to get more cores if we do that,” Yukiko said. “Something to mention to Father tonight.”
“You make it seem so natural for that kind of money to be spent,” Jenn said.
“It isn’t, but Father dotes on me, and I dote on those I care for in turn.”
Jenn’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink as she headed for the door. “Let’s get going.”
Gregory smiled as he followed Jenn, but paused beside Yukiko. “She’s still getting used to having friends.”
Yukiko glanced at Gregory before taking his hand in hers. “Twelve more days…”
Raising her hand to his lips, he kissed her knuckles. “Soon, dear one.”
Yukiko took a deep breath. “Not soon enough, but we’ve held out this long.”
“Are you two coming?” Jenn called back to them.
“Yeah,” Gregory called back as he let go of Yukiko’s hand.
Stepping out of the training hall, they found the majority of their novice class waiting near the board. Nick glared at Yukiko and Gregory, the rest of his minions doing the same. Hayworth stood off to the side with the four members of his clan, watching them with an interested gaze.
The three of them stepped away from the building and joined the waiting crowd. They didn’t wait long, as the eighth bell rang just a few minutes later. As the last toll sounded, Magus Paul Erichson came out of the building.
“Novices, this marks the end of your novice year. Do your clans proud by giving this tournament your all. The tournament will be twelve days long, and the first nine days will give us the final eight competitors who will move on. Just as before, any tied records will be decided by if they fought each other, or the strength of their opponents if they didn’t.” The novices chattered excitedly amongst themselves. “Enough talk. It’s time to show you who you’ll be fighting today.”
Moving to the board, he placed the announcement, then quickly left so the novices could rush in to see. Gregory, Yukiko, and Jenn stayed well to the side, letting the herd of bodies move away from them.
“Pet-tit, I hope to see you in the coming days,” Nick said as his group moved toward the board. “You’ll get to see what a real clan can do for those who are in high regard.” He lifted his medallion out of his shirt and showed them the first ring, lit up a sunflower-yellow.
“Did your grandfather make that happen?” Gregory asked.
“At least I know who my grandfather is,” Nick sneered.
“Nick, ignore him,” Jason said. “He’ll get crushed this time. His magic is foresight, and rumor says he doesn’t even have control over it. He won’t be able to withstand any of our clan.”
“True,” Nick laughed.
Gregory shook his head, watching the Eternal Flame group push past a few of the others to get to the board. Once they had their match-ups, they left. The three friends waited for the area to clear out more before they went to find their names.
“At least we don’t fight each other yet,” Gregory said, “though it feels like someone wants to give us a hard road.”
“All of us fight in the main arena...” Jenn said. “They want it to be a lesson, too.”
“Gina at ninth bell,” Yukiko snorted. “That’ll set a tone for our clans.”
Gregory took off the improved ring and offered it to her. “You’re first. Trade back after the fight?”
“Yes,” Yukiko said, trading rings with him.
“Tenth bell against Franco,” Jenn said. “I wonder how much he’s improved since the duel?”
“He’ll be eager to prove his loss was a fluke,” Gregory said. “Be prepared for everything he can do.”
“I wil
l.”
“Eleventh bell against Petak?” Yukiko said. “Greg, they really do want to test to see what you can do.”
“I know. I’m sure they’ll have him loaded with items, too,” Gregory said. “Let’s get moving— Yukiko is the first fight in the center arena. Your parents are likely waiting for you there already.”
Aether's Guard Page 41
