Four days went by with a similar routine. Clover and Ling started to see their aether caverns more often, making them both excited. Farin had come over every day to talk tactics with them, just in case he was called back in to help. He let them know that his clan had beaten the Hardened Fist in their game, setting the Iron Hand, Shining Light, and Aether’s Guard as the final three.
Clover and Ling were keeping up with the others during physical conditioning. On top of that, Gin mixed one or the other into sparring with Gregory while he got a better grasp of the bo. Whenever they scored hits on him, they would smile broadly.
With it having been nearly a month since the clan had grown, the other instructors mentioned cross weapons training would start soon, wanting to get them used to facing other weapons. That had the novices buzzing with eagerness to test themselves against their friends.
They spent the evening study period before the last tournament with one last tactics session. The novices asked a lot of questions and put forward ideas to be discussed. They were excited for the older magi, but also for themselves, as they were going to Gin’s the following day.
~*~*~
Jenn shivered as she let out a shuddering breath. “Oh, goodness… That really is a great way to wake up.”
Gregory kissed her thigh. “Glad you enjoy it as much as I do.”
“She does,” Yukiko giggled, taking her hands and mouth away from Jenn’s breasts.
Third bell began to chime and Gregory exhaled sadly as he got out of bed. “It’ll be a couple of days before we can do more… though that’ll just whet the appetite.”
“Yes, yes it will,” Yukiko said, standing up and stretching. “I always feel a little bad when you do that for us, dearest. Your problem is a hard one to ignore.”
“It is, indeed,” Jenn sighed wistfully. “It has to be worse for him.”
Gregory chuckled, shaking his head as he reached the armoire. “It’s not that bad. Given a little bit of time to calm down, I’m fine. Besides, I do enjoy watching you come awake in pleasure.”
“As we do with you,” Yukiko said, hugging him from behind, her naked body pressed to his back. “We have to get dressed, but if you give me a couple of minutes and if Jenn helps, we can fix the problem quickly.”
“Oh, yes, please,” Jenn said as she hurried the last few steps to them.
“No sane man would say no,” Gregory exhaled. Just the thought had him more than ready to let them do what they wanted.
Yukiko kissed his neck, then stepped back and turned him around. “Come, Jenn, let’s bring our heart some pleasure.”
Jenn came to a stop in front of Gregory and winked at him as she knelt.
~*~*~
“We thought you might have slept in,” Ling said when the trio came into view on the stairs.
“Just took a bit longer than normal to get dressed,” Yukiko smiled brightly. “Sorry to keep you all. Let’s get down to the dining room. Breakfast was probably ready a couple of minutes ago.”
Daciana sniffed the air and her face heated slightly. Licking her lips, she followed the older magi down the stairs, but tapped Nessa and Victoria on the shoulders. With a few small gestures, she let them know the truth, which had the others blushing. All three watched the married magi with hopeful, wistful expressions.
“There they are,” Dia said when the group came into the room.
“It was our fault,” Yukiko said. “We hope we didn’t delay breakfast.”
“I just finished,” Quilet said. “I’ll have the snacks ready for you by the time you finish breakfast.”
“Excited to try winning today?” Bishop asked as the group took their seats.
“We are,” Clover said. “It’ll be tough, but we have a solid plan in place.”
“Do you think Farin might have told his clan your plans?” Bishop asked.
“It’s possible,” Gregory said, “but, no, I don’t. Farin has proven to be a solid person. I think he would have fit into the clan if the Iron Hand hadn’t accepted him first.”
“He has been very forthright and earnest,” Dia said. “From my few conversations with him, I know he does hope for Aether to return. Sadly, he has another clan, and the Iron Hand doesn’t let their members go easily, but it does mean you have an ally in their ranks.”
“Another ally,” Gregory said. “I think Magus Klim is, and maybe Magus Erichson, too.”
“Perhaps. Magus Klim has asked for you to spar with her again,” Dia said. “She told me that you agreed if we did and if time could be arranged.”
“I did. She’s a skilled opponent and I enjoy the matches against her,” Gregory said, giving a nod as the otter eurtik set his food before him. “Thanks, Quilet.”
“I approve of it,” Bishop said. “I did add the caveat that she also spars against our other young magi. A good opportunity for you all to learn.”
“Thank you,” Daciana said eagerly.
A half-second after her, Clover was speaking, “I’ll do my best.”
The others all agreed that they would look forward to it.
“You’re going to Gin’s today?” Jenn asked the novices.
“Yes. We’ll be learning the gambling games like you did,” Nessa said. “Vicky and I should be good for the dice variants, at least.”
“Inns are rife with bones,” Victoria smiled.
“I’ll learn quickly,” Daciana said as she fiddled with the mind ring on her hand.
“We know,” Nessa and Victoria said as they patted Daciana’s back, making the partial-wolf eurtik blush.
“It’s good you three get along so well,” Yukiko said. “Learn the games and look forward to Empire’s Gambit after that.”
“We are,” all three said, earning chuckles from the others.
“I’ll be happy to continue your learning on that topic over the next few days while your friends try to win the tournament,” Dia said between bites.
“Let the kids know we’ll be by as soon as we get time off again, and that we miss seeing them, please?” Gregory requested.
“We’ll let you know how they’re doing,” Nessa said.
“Thanks, Ness,” Gregory replied.
Nessa smiled a little wider when he used her nickname, as he didn’t do it often.
~*~*~
They met Farin just outside of the tactics hall. “How is your clan doing?” Gregory asked him.
“They’re excited and worried,” Farin said. “They didn’t talk a lot about the game in front of me, but they’re likely just as hurt as we are.”
“That’ll make it an even game,” Yukiko said.
“We’re staying with our plan,” Clover said, “so be ready, Farin.”
Farin exhaled slowly. “I will be, but I still think Yukiko would be the better choice if it gets there.”
“It will depend, but you using earth magic might be more important to us if it comes up,” Jenn said.
“Understood,” Farin exhaled. “I really don’t want to be the one to stop my clan from taking the top spot.”
Gregory clapped Farin on the shoulder. “We get it, but they’ll respect you doing your best, too. Besides, they’re in for the trip, already.”
“I know, Magus Erichson was happy about it. Master Chen was happy that the win also coincided with the Hardened Fist losing.”
“Let’s go in and see if there are any other twists,” Gregory said.
“A good point,” Yukiko said.
They were the first ones into the hall. Taking seats at the table they’d used all year, they waited for others to show up. It wasn’t long before Magus Erichson led the Iron Hand apprentices into the hall, with Magus Klim following them.
“Pettit, I’m looking forward to our matches,” Klim greeted him. “Our apprentices and novices will be there to see all of them and to test themselves against Magus Bishop.”
“I look forward to seeing them spar against her. She’s one of the most skilled swordsmen I’ve fought. She’s equal to Gin,” Gregory replied.
Paul’s eye twitched. “Your clan is a little too informal,” he said.
“We’ve become less formal over the year,” Yukiko said, “but part of that is my fault. He was a retainer to my family before he was introduced to Greg.”
“That might explain part of it,” Paul nodded.
More people coming through the doorway got everyone’s attention. Egil strode in with Gin beside him while the other instructors followed them. A handful of seconds later, Klein led his group into the hall, with Magus Dunn walking beside them.
“Magus,” Egil said, bowing his head. “Did you come to watch?”
“If it is okay,” Dunn replied in his normal, detached tone.
“It’s fine. You may sit with them as long as you do not help,” Egil said.
“I’ll be silent the entire time once I am in the room,” Dunn said, bowing formally to Egil. “On behalf of the Shining Light, our thanks. It is felt that our students have learned far better this year than in previous years.”
“I hope that’s true for all of this year’s magi,” Egil replied. “Take your seats, please.”
As Klein and his group sat, more people began to file in. Gregory was surprised to see the entirety of the class coming into the hall. Egil directed them all to take their seats.
As was becoming a habit, the Eternal Flame arrived last. Barlz looked annoyed as he followed the apprentices into the room. Shutting the doors behind him, Barlz went to the middle of the room with the other instructors.
“I’m sure those of you who lost are wondering why we have you here today,” Egil said without preamble. “That is simple— by watching, you can still learn. Which is why this fight will be different. Our surviving groups will each have three rooms. Those who are waiting to join them will sit in an empty room that their group can use. The central board here will host the entire battle.”
“Sir?” Hayworth asked, raising his hand.
“Go ahead.”
“We’ll see all of their armies and movements?”
“Yes,” Egil nodded. “The entirety will be here for you all to learn from.” After a brief pause, Egil continued, “And now, for the last twist to the tournament: while the magi were busy fighting amongst themselves, Krogga has taken the field against them.”
Gregory, his friends, the Shining Light, and the Iron Hand groups sat forward at the sudden news. Egil gave them knowing nods, then looked to the doors as they opened. The academy council came into the room, walking with slow deliberate steps. Everyone sat up straighter upon seeing them.
“Elder, I was just explaining who they would be facing in opposition,” Egil smiled.
“Very good, but we wished to switch that,” Elder Cho said, giving the room a long look. “Armsmaster Magi-killer, you, along with Armsmaster Watashi and Magus Erichson, shall be their opponents. We were impressed with your actions using Krogga in the match you had, so we have made this change to the tournament. Apprentices, you will likely lose. If you do, we will decide which of you is considered the winner of this tournament. If you win, you will all be considered to have won.”
Egil laughed, then bowed to her. “As the council wishes, though that will strain me teaching the class.”
“Three weeks if they win,” Elder Cho replied. “We,” she motioned to the two behind her, “will fill in once each during those weeks. The youth will be better served this way. Of course, we do not expect to have to do so.”
“Might I have a few minutes with my fellow Kroggians?” Egil asked.
A derisive snort came from the Eternal Flame table, and the elder turned to face it. “Did you have something to add, Apprentice Shun?” Elder Cho’s tone was light, but she exuded the pressure that her tier could push out.
Nick went white as he struggled to stay upright. After a few seconds, he managed to choke out his reply, “No, Elder.”
The pressure vanished and everyone in the room besides the grandmasters and Egil breathed easier. Those three had been seemingly unaffected.
“Good. If you can’t control yourself, I will dismiss your clan from the class.”
Nick started to move, but Barlz’s hand slammed down onto his shoulder, holding him in place. “That is unnecessary, Elder,” Barlz said quickly. “The Eternal Flame would never wish to dishonor itself by having its apprentices fail the class.”
Nick blinked, clearly upset that Barlz had stopped him, but he went pale again when he heard what was said.
“Hmm… that is wonderful to hear, Magus. Considering some of what has transpired over the last two years, I had started to worry that the Eternal Flame might fall from their standing as a clan to envy.”
Nick’s face flushed and he was clearly having trouble staying quiet, but he kept his jaw clenched.
“Now, Armsmasters, Magus, go to one of the rooms and make your plans. Aether’s Guard and Shining Light, you are to take the third floor. Iron Hand, you are in the last three rooms on the second floor. If you find each other, you may cooperate and even share command space. Any questions from you three?”
“If I may?” Yukiko raised her hand.
“Yes?”
“I would like to suggest those of us not currently with a commander take a room to ourselves. It will limit our ability to influence things further.”
Klein spoke up. “I agree with this.”
“We agree, as well,” Dave Marthman, the leader of the Iron Hand apprentices, said.
“Interesting,” Elder Cho smiled. “Approved. Take any room of the nine you wish to use. Who are your three coordinators?”
Gregory and two others stood up. Cho nodded as she looked at them. “Besides Pettit, every coordinator has been clanless for the entire tournament. Pettit, do you resent us for singling you out?”
“No, ma’am. I understood why I was asked to sit out. I agree with the reason. I want the winners to be able to hold their heads up with pride, knowing that none can wonder if I used my magic to influence things.”
“Hmm, and yet we didn’t stop any of the wind magi or the single shadow magi from playing.”
A number of people frowned, trying to understand, but others suddenly looked surprised at the implication.
“From what I know, ma’am, that would tire them as fast as my magic would, and it would be obvious that they were taxing themselves. The most they could do would be catching snippets of planning. I would be able to see the results of the round before the coordinator even left the room.”
Cho’s smile widened and she inclined her head. “Exactly, Pettit. Apprentices, do you hear what is being said?”
A chorus of agreement met her question.
“But most of you don’t truly understand,” Cho sighed. “Consider what was said as the game plays. Teams, disperse to your rooms. Coordinators, all three of you will talk to each other and meet with me. I shall be the one to coordinate for the armsmaster’s group, but do switch which group you are overseeing, as you are not allowed to coordinate for your own group. I will pass the overall turn to Grandmaster Pan, who will update the board down here.”
The three groups stood, bowed to the council, and then turned for the stairs and the challenge before them.
