By the time they joined the others, they were last in line. Gunnar moved Gregory to the front of their small group. Bishop stood on a small stage, and the first new adult, Stan, knelt before her with his head bowed.
“Child, you come before me on the verge of adulthood,” Bishop said. “Today is your age day, and you should rejoice. Today also marks the chance for you to join the ranks of the magi. Let us see if you have the spark of Aether inside of you.”
Stan trembled as her hand touched his head, his breathing fast, hands clenched into fists. “I’m ready to become an adult, Proctor.”
“Aether, have you blessed this child with your grace?” Bishop asked the sky, and blue flame covered the hand that gripped his skull.
Stan’s screams of pain filled the still air as everyone watched with stony faces, having experienced the same on their age day, or wide-eyed as they saw what they would endure in the years to come.
After what seemed like forever, the blue flame retreated into Bishop’s hand and she released Stan, who fell forward, crying. “You are now an adult, but no magi. May you find your place in the empire and grow strong.”
Stan’s father rushed up to help his son down off the stage and away. The moment he was gone, Chester stepped slowly onto the stage and hesitantly knelt before Bishop.
“Child, you come before me on the verge of adulthood,” Bishop began the ritual phrasing again, her face blank of emotion as she did her duty.
One by one, the line before Gregory diminished until he was the next one. All of them had failed to receive Aether’s blessing, and that ratcheted his anxiety to a level he had never known.
When Rebecca was escorted away by her mother, Gregory put his foot on the stage, his heart thundering in his chest. It’s now, now, that I become a magi. Are you watching, Mother? The question echoed in his head as he advanced the few feet to kneel in front of Bishop.
Bishop watched Gregory with the same blank expression she had been wearing during the whole ritual. Her voice held an odd inflection to Gregory’s ear as she spoke the words, “Child, you come before me on the verge of adulthood. Today is your age day, and you should rejoice. Today also marks the chance for you to join the ranks of the magi. Let us see if you have the spark of Aether inside of you.”
Gregory felt the fear fall away as the moment gained a crystalline clarity. “I will be a magi, Proctor,” his voice was firm, steady, and carried in the stillness of the moment.
“Aether, have you blessed this child with your grace?” Bishop asked the sky before the blue flame covered the hand that was gripping his head.
Gregory’s jaw clenched as Bishop’s grip seemed poised to crack his skull like an egg. That pain fled as blue flame crashed into his very being. Somewhere inside his pain-filled mind, Gregory knew it would last only moments, but it felt like time was stretching out before him, promising years of torment. Somewhere during the pain, blue flame ignited in his own body and a rush of energy filled him, infusing his very being with aether. The pain dimmed and receded, but the flames continued, now feeling as though they were embracing him like a lover.
Sound came back to Gregory as the moment passed, but instead of falling forward, he pushed himself to his feet. His eyes were burning blue, and his entire body was outlined in aether.
“Magi, the Velum Empire welcomes you. From today forward, your life belongs to the empire until you complete your duty. Say goodbye to your friends and family, for today, you are no longer who you were, but a novice.”
Gregory turned to look at the crowd, who stared back at him with fear and wonder. Eyes going to the side, he found Gunnar’s firm gaze and broad smile, Eloria’s disbelief, and Amoria’s broken smile and tear-filled gaze.
“Thank you, Alturis, for all you’ve done for me and my family,” Gregory said. “If I can, I will come back and repay the kindness that is owed.”
“Step behind me, Novice,” Bishop said. “I still have children to welcome to adulthood.”
Gregory did as she said, starting to come to terms with the fact he was Aether blessed and was going to the academy to train. Mother, thank you. Father, I hope you will accept this in time.
Gunnar was the next one to step onto the stage. He looked at Gregory, who had stopped glowing blue, before he knelt before Bishop. Bishop repeated the ritual words, carrying on as if nothing had happened.
Gunnar crashed forward in pain a few moments later, before pushing himself to his feet. Panting, he stared at Gregory, “Better make us proud, or I’ll come find you.”
Bishop stared at Gunnar hard, even when Gunther came and helped him off the stage. The two of them did not go far; Eloria was next, trembling as she stepped onto the stage.
Eloria’s screams made Gunther grab his son when Gunnar tried to reach for her. A few seconds later, she fell to the stage unconscious. Breaking his father’s grip, Gunnar jumped onto the stage and scooped Eloria into his arms. Leaving the stage, he kissed her forehead gently, which caused a small stir in the crowd.
“There is one child left. Please pay her the respect she deserves on this day,” Bishop said, which silenced the crowd.
Amoria’s hands shook, but her steps were steady as she advanced and knelt before Bishop. Bishop repeated the words she had said for every other person who had knelt before her. Amoria’s screams were in a different octave from her twin’s. She slumped to the stage a moment later, and Gregory started to move forward, but Bishop’s arm barred his path.
Tony, Amoria’s father, rushed forward and helped her from the stage. Amoria was crying as she looked back at Gregory. The pain and loss in her eyes made his heart tremble, but he stayed where he was.
“Alturis, today, you have been blessed. Aether has given one of your former children his grace. Say your prayers that he completes his tutelage and can serve the Velum Empire as a proud magi.”
The assembled villagers bowed their heads and spoke the words that many had never uttered, “Aether, blessed be you, for this gift to our village. May the empire smile upon us for strengthening their might. Thank you, Proctor, for helping our children become adults. May Aether and the empire reward you for your duty and diligence.”
“The ceremony of age has come to an end. Celebrate, people of Alturis, for today marks a day your village should be proud of,” Bishop’s voice was warm and full of cheer as she spoke. “Elder, let the drinks flow with the Emperor’s blessing, for new magi should be celebrated with reverence and abandon.”
The crowd cheered loudly, and many headed for the tavern. Bishop stepped back, turning to face the new magi, who was still coming to terms with the fact that he had achieved his dream.
“Gregory, you are to meet me here at sunrise. We have more villages to stop in before we make our way to Kendlin, and from there, the Magi Academy. Tonight is your night to celebrate, because after today, you are a magi of the empire.”
“Yes, Proctor,” Gregory said stiffly.
“Go enjoy yourself, but pay attention to your dreams tonight. Tonight, you take the first step of being a magi.” Without waiting for an answer, Bishop stepped off the small stage and walked toward the tavern, people parting for her as she went.
“You did it,” Gunnar smiled as he came over to congratulate his friend. “I always wanted to believe, but…”
“I know,” Gregory said, stepping off the stage and taking his friend’s hand.
Eloria and Amoria were crying together off to the side. Tony Delarosa held Amoria and stared at Gregory. Gregory felt ashamed that he could not pay back the kindness that the Delarosas had shown him over the years.
“Your path is going to be tough,” Gunther said, slapping Gregory on the back. “Don’t worry about your father. I’ll keep an eye on him for you. When you come back, he might have had time to accept this, so give him a chance.”
“Thank you,” Gregory said, unable to say more.
“You’re an adult now, and a magi,” Gunther said. “Come on, it’s time for your first drink. Tony, we’re t
aking him to the tavern,” Gunther called over to Amoria’s father.
“I’ll be there in a moment,” Tony replied.
Gregory let himself be hauled after Gunther, with Gunnar beside him. The flame he had felt inside himself earlier was now a banked coal, waiting to be called on again. The warmth of it in his chest made his steps seem lighter, but the coldness in his gut made him realize today was his last day with his friends.
Chapter Four
The tavern was packed with villagers celebrating the fact that one of their own was going off to be a magi. Gregory was escorted in by Gunnar and Gunther and everyone inside turned and cheered for him. Gregory was surprised— almost all of them had looked down on his dream of being a magi, telling him that belief alone was not enough. Twenty years between someone being blessed by Aether had made the villagers a little jaded, but now they acted as if they knew he was right all along. A path was made for him to the bar, with his friends following him.
Raymond, the bartender, smiled at him when Gregory made it to the bar. “There’s the new magi. What will it be? An ale to start with, or are you going for something a bit more potent?”
Gregory had tried ale before when he and Gunnar had snuck some out of a small keg Gunther brought home. It left an unpleasant aftertaste in his mouth. “Maybe some mead?”
“Heh, going soft? That’s fine. They say magi and alcohol don’t mix well,” Raymond laughed as he pulled a mug and set it in front of him.
“I’ll have your shine,” Gunnar laughed. “Always wanted to try it, and the first drink is on the Emperor, after all.”
Raymond laughed back, “Now that’s the spirit!”
“For me as well, Raymond,” Gunther added.
“Father and son. Knew he’d take after you,” Raymond grinned. Setting up the drinks, he shouted over the crowd. “Attention! Oy, shut your gobs! Thank you. A toast to our first magi in twenty years! To Pettit!”
The crowd hoisted their drinks when Raymond did, and all eyes went to Gregory. “I’ll do the village proud,” Gregory said, raising his own mug. “Alturis!”
“Alturis,” the cry came back from everyone in the tavern.
Taking a big swallow of the mead, Gregory’s lips twisted. Too damned sweet, Gregory thought as he put the mug down. The crowd parted to reveal the Delarosa family, heading up to the bar.
Gregory’s eyes locked onto Amoria’s hazel eyes, her tears making his heart twist. Amoria did her best to smile, but she could not manage to keep her sadness out of it. The coldness in his gut began to spread as he watched her.
“Berry wine for all of us,” Tony told Raymond, ordering for his whole family.
While Raymond got their drinks together, Amoria came to a halt inches from Gregory. “I… Greg…” Her words failed her, and more tears fell.
Setting his cup down, Gregory pulled her into a hug. “Ria, I’m sorry, but I am a magi.”
Clutching him, she sobbed, “I know. I’m happy for you, really. I just… I always hoped you’d stay here with me.”
The coldness enveloped him entirely, except for his chest, which burned hotter. “I’m sorry, Ria. I’ll always be grateful for you being my friend.”
“A moment!” Gunther shouted, drowning out all the conversations in the bar. “Thank you. Since we are seeing our new magi off to serve the empire, it would be best if we revived the old tradition. Who will contribute to his journey?”
“I will,” Tony said, swiftly emptying his belt pouch onto the bar and separating out all the coins inside from the odds and ends. Stuffing the items back into his pouch, he left the vela on the counter. “Gregory, you will do our village proud. If you had not been a magi, I would have taken you in as an apprentice, but now, I will do my best to see you off with as much as I can.”
Others lined up to do the same, while some slipped out of the tavern. Gregory watched the people leaving and bit back his comments. The pile of nickel-silver coins grew as people added what they could contribute. Most of the coins were on the low end of the vela, but it was still more than Gregory had ever seen in one place. When the tavern door reopened, it caught Gregory by surprise as some of the villagers who had left came back in, adding more to the growing pile.
Taking a long drink from the mead, Gregory winced at the taste. Amoria held his hand, her tears finally stopping. Eloria watched the two of them, then leaned over to whisper to Gunnar.
The line of people eventually stopped, and Gunther spoke up again, “Now that is the spirit of Alturis. Gregory, come collect the gift we bestow upon you.”
Gregory cleared his throat, “Thank you. I know my dream of being a magi drove a lot of you up the wall, but this is humbling. I will never forget your support.” He scooped the coins into his pouch, which was now close to full.
The loudest cheer yet erupted from the crowd. People began to file back out of the inn, as the other events of the day were going to be starting soon. A few came over to give him personal well wishes.
“Did you want a refill?” Raymond asked them. “On me.”
“Pass,” Gregory said. “Turns out I don’t care for mead. Too sweet.”
“You probably also need to collect your things,” Raymond nodded.
“Have my things already,” Gregory said with a touch of bitterness.
Raymond eyed Gregory for a long moment and shook his head. “I’ll gift you something later tonight after I dig it out of the store room.”
“Want to see the other contests?” Gunnar asked, cutting in on the conversation.
“Not really,” Gregory admitted. “I don’t know what I want. I mean... this is what I’d always dreamed about, but now I’m feeling lost.”
“Gregory, can we talk for a moment?” Tony asked.
“You’re staying at my house tonight,” Gunther told Gregory. “Come by when you’re ready. Gunnar, girls, come on. Let them talk.”
“See you in a bit,” Gunnar said when Gunther’s hand grasped his shoulder.
“Soon,” Gregory replied, his stomach tightening further.
Eloria walked out hand in hand with Gunnar, while Amoria kept looking back. Her mother kept her from staying, but each step seemed harder for her to take.
Tony stepped over to the side of the room with Gregory behind him as the tavern rapidly cleared out because the contests were about to begin. Taking a seat at a table, Tony waited for Gregory to do the same before he spoke.
“Gregory, I never thought today would happen like it did. I didn’t really believe that you would become magi. Do you know that Amoria was going to press you to court her after today?”
The tension in Gregory’s stomach worsened. “I didn’t, but I would have asked her myself if…”
Tony sighed, “Thank you. That would have been for the best, but now, it’s a moot point. I knew today would bring changes, but I never envisioned it happening like this. I have just one favor to ask; don’t take advantage of her today. I know you wouldn’t, but… Amoria is distraught. Sleeping with you will only make it harder for her in the future.”
Gregory blinked, surprised at the frankness. “I would never do anything to hurt her, sir. She has always been there for me. I owe her so much.”
“Good. They already convinced their mother to let them stay at Gunnar’s tonight, where I’m sure you’ll also be staying, so I’ll hold you to your word.” Getting up abruptly, Tony left him at the table.
With Tony gone, he sat there alone, lost in thought until someone sat down across from him. Blinking as his train of thought came to a halt, he was surprised to see Bishop sitting across from him.
“Proctor?”
“It looks like your dream has a chance of coming true,” Bishop said, though not unkindly. “Do you feel completed?”
“No,” Gregory replied. “I feel like I’m losing everything I know. This is just the first step of a very long path to be a magi.”
“Good,” Bishop nodded. “Your friend, Delarosa, do you think she’ll wait for you?”
Gregory frowned as he thought about it, “I wouldn’t ask her to. I don’t know what the academy will entail,” Gregory added slowly. “I always thought it was just a place where we’re taught how to control aether.”
“Partially,” Bishop admitted. “It is also the most miserable you’ll ever be. The instructors won’t care if you learn or not, the older students might pick on you, and your fellow novices will try to tear you down. Do you wish you had been a failure, after all?”
Gregory answered instantly and honestly, “No. This is my dream, Proctor.”
“Good. It’ll be a hard path, but those who want it enough can make it. The great thing about hard paths is that they forge the best magi… if they survive.” Bishop stood abruptly, “I look forward to what you do in the future, Novice.”
Aether's Blessing (Aether's Revival Book 1) Page 3
