Roshana relaxed as she copied Ling— there was a peacefulness to the exercise that made her want to meditate, but because she didn’t know the routine at all, she would fail if she lapsed. She let her mind drift. She was just aware enough to follow along, but not enough to find the aether cavern. As she moved, Roshana could feel her body stretching. The exercise, while slow and controlled, was still straining her body.
A mix of body and spirit path? How intriguing, Roshana thought. Something about it feels natural, though, as if I’ve done this before… That thought pushed her the rest of the way into meditation and the cavern formed around her. She was still moving in the pattern as she stood in her cavern. Ling’s voice was a dim sound on the edge of her hearing.
Sparks began to drift up from her aether and float to the walls of her cavern where the small indentations were. The smoke that drifted out of the channel had her wondering about it. “It really is training both paths,” she said in awe as she continued to follow Ling’s directions.
When meditation came to an end, Roshana blinked, breathing harder than she thought she should be. Wiping at her forehead, she found sweat. “Goodness… that took more out of me than I thought.”
“The first few times, it taxes you more than you expect,” Yukiko said. “You’re straining your body more than you think you are, which is why it trains you as it does.”
“Body and spirit,” Roshana said. “I saw little sparks leaving my fire.”
Ling blinked at Roshana. “You were able to meditate?”
“It was at least half over before I lapsed into the cavern, but yes. The katas felt natural… like I’d done them before.”
Yukiko and Jenn exchanged a glance at her words.
“I know what you mean,” Victoria said softly.
“Maybe it was her being so used to the spirit path?” Clover suggested.
“That’s possible,” Nessa nodded, “and the mind ring she wears could have helped. If it was past the halfway point, it makes sense.”
“Because it’s the same repetitions of katas,” Daciana nodded.
“That’s a plausible answer,” Gregory said, but he was clearly wondering about something else.
Baylyss appeared in the atrium archway. “I’ll have brunch ready when you all finish bathing. Elsa, if you will be in the first set, I could use your aid.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Elsa said.
“Let’s not keep her waiting,” Yukiko said, going to Roshana’s side. “This way. We split up, since there are so many of us. The boys bathe after we finish, so we try not to linger.”
“Yes, Yuki,” Roshana said, letting herself be guided away.
Gregory motioned the boys toward him. “Why don’t we relax while we wait? Maybe a story about the last tournament?”
That had all the boys hurrying over to sit near him. Enzo was a little slower, but he was wearing a grin as he watched the younger boys rush forward.
~*~*~
When Gregory led the boys into the dining room, he was smiling. “Thank you for refreshing the water for us.”
“We thought it might help speed things along,” Yukiko smiled back.
Taking his seat, he saw Roshana sitting between Yukiko and Ling. “So, how was it?”
“It was amazing. I was tired, but now, I feel energized,” Roshana said. “I will continue to practice that, if that’s alright?”
“It’s called the Peaceful Fist,” Gregory said. “Lionel Lighthand created it.”
“Did he?” Roshana asked. “It feels older to me.”
“As far as we know, he did, but he might have learned it from someone else,” Yukiko said.
The door opening cut off their conversation. Baylyss and Elsa pushed carts into the room, and Elsa pushed hers down to where Gregory was sitting.
“Magi, we have an extra special brunch today,” Elsa said. “Your clan leader inside the walls of the academy sent us bane boar to prepare for you. We’ve grilled it with a spiker fruit glaze. To go with it, we made steamed rice with pieces of spiker fruit mixed into it.”
Gregory grinned at the meal. It was special to him and Yuki, but he’d like that to be the case for Jenn, too. “Thank you, Elsa.”
“Dessert will be served afterward,” Elsa continued with a knowing smile on her lips. “We hope you enjoy it.”
“I’m sure we will,” Yukiko said. “Jenn, I hope you like this, too. It’s a favorite of mine and Greg.”
Jenn thought back to a conversation where Gregory had once said it was his second favorite thing.
“It’s my third favorite now,” Gregory said, having seen her look and thinking of that same conversation.
Jenn’s cheeks heated slightly, but a smile grew on her lips. “I’m glad. I enjoyed it when we had it together before, so I’m sure I will enjoy it again now.”
Victoria missed part of what was said, but caught the gist of it, while the others with their superior hearing caught the entirety of the byplay. Covert glances were cast at the three at the head of the table.
“We hope you all enjoy,” Baylyss said as the last plate was set on the table.
Everyone agreed that the food was delicious. The children had regular boar for theirs instead of bane boar, but the same glaze and rice had been served to everyone. Baylyss started to gather the dishes as Elsa darted out of the room with one of the carts.
A minute later, Elsa was back with two covered platters. “Dessert goes well with what we had,” Elsa said as she pushed the cart to the middle of the table. “It is also in celebration of two birthdays. Jenn’s is officially tomorrow, but we missed one. Clover’s was a couple of weeks ago. After dessert, we have gifts for the both of you.”
Clover blinked in surprise. Her eyes misted over as a big smile grew on her face. “Oh… Thank you.”
The children wished them both happy birthday, followed by the magi doing the same.
“I had no idea you were celebrating me, too,” Clover sniffled.
“The children wanted to celebrate with you, but we didn’t have the time off,” Ling said.
Elsa uncovered the dishes, then served everybody a single slice of dessert. Each piece had a ring of spiker fruit on the top of the cake. “This is known as spiker upside-down cake. Baylyss directed me, but I was the one who made it. I hope you enjoy.”
“We only have water to go with it, as most tea will conflict with the flavor,” Baylyss added as she topped off people’s glasses.
Gregory cut a small piece of the cake, making sure to take a part of the spiker fruit ring. It was sweet, tart, and wonderful, and he made an appreciative sound as he chewed.
Elsa’s smile grew bright as she watched them and heard the happy sounds everyone made as they tried a bite. She eagerly ate her own slice, happy that her efforts were enjoyed.
The children demolished theirs first, but the others weren’t far behind. It was only a couple of minutes before the plates were cleared away from the table.
“Now we can present Clover and Jenn with their gifts,” Baylyss said. “Since Clover’s only present today is from the children, we’ll start with hers.”
Enzo swallowed as he presented a drawing to Clover. “This is from all of us.”
Clover unrolled it and her breath caught, her smile growing gentle as she looked over it. After a moment, she turned it around so everyone could see. The drawing depicted the children sitting in front of Clover, who was reading to them.
“It shows that we learn from you,” Enzo said.
“I love it, and it will go with my other drawing,” Clover said, looking at the kids. “Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”
The children beamed back and all talked excitedly about Enzo drawing them.
After a few minutes, Baylyss cleared her throat. “Time for the next gift.”
Enzo shifted down to Jenn and held out another drawing to her. “This is from all of us.”
Jenn opened it and her smile softened as she looked at it. “It’s a good future,” she said. Turning it around, she showed the others. Yukiko, Gregory, and Jenn stood in a grand hall. All of the kids— older and dressed in livery— were bowing and curtsying to them, clearly welcoming them into the grand manor.
The children beamed at them, hope shining in their eyes.
“Hope is good,” Gregory said. “It does look like a good future.”
The children again all began to talk excitedly about how they hoped for that future. Baylyss let them continue for a few minutes before getting them to settle down and take their seats.
“From us,” Ling said as she pulled out a small wrapped gift.
Jenn smiled as she took the package. Moments later, she had unwrapped the gift to show everyone the simple gloves. They were supple black leather with the clan emblem stitched into the backs.
“They aren’t very special, but you fight in close a lot and punch people,” Clover said. “These will protect your hands from damage and not impact your ability to hurt them.”
Jenn put them on, flexing her hands. “Oh, a minor enchantment?”
“Just enough to keep them from being damaged and protect your hands. Hemet said they won’t interfere with your other enchantments that way,” Ling explained.
“I’ll wear them anytime I fight,” Jenn smiled as she pulled them off and put them into her ring.
“Which leaves us,” Nessa said as she put another gift in front of Jenn. “From the three of us.”
Jenn took the package and unwrapped it. A small charm for an anklet or necklace was inside. It had an inscription that Jenn read out loud, “Family by choice, if not by blood.”
Nessa set an anklet chain beside the charm. “We have ours on, and gave them to Clover, Ling, and Yukiko.”
Jenn blinked looking up at Yukiko, who smiled at her. “I’ve already put mine on, Jenn. Right after we bathed.”
“We did, too,” Clover beamed.
“I…” Jenn paused, then reached over and hugged Nessa with one arm. “I love it, and all of you. We are family in our own way, and that makes me happy.” Her smile turned knowing and she gave them a sly grin. “We have a surprise for you, too, but it’s for after we leave here.”
“Oh?” Daciana asked, sitting forward.
“Just wait,” Yukiko laughed.
“Umm, may I?” Roshana asked.
All eyes turned to her and she dipped her head. “I heard that your birthday was coming up. It might have been presumptuous of me, but I also have a gift for you.” She placed a small bag in front of Jenn. “It isn’t much, but I wanted to show you my friendship.”
Jenn opened the bag, revealing a cluster of small fruits. “Dates?”
“Stuffed with pecans and glazed to preserve them,” Roshana said. “My grandmother grows them and my mother prepares them. The glaze is a family recipe handed down over generations.”
Jenn picked one up and bit into it. A smile grew on her lips before her eyes widened. She swallowed as quickly as she could. “Aether-infused?”
“Some powdered core and a couple of other things,” Roshana said, bowing her head. “They’ll keep for months, easily. If stored right, a year is not unheard of.”
Jenn held the half piece of date out to Yukiko. “Try this.”
Yukiko leaned over, biting into the offering and leaving a quarter of it. Her eyes widened as she chewed. Jenn held the last piece out to Gregory, who took it from her before popping it into his mouth.
Gregory chewed slowly. The infusion of aether warmed his core, but also reminded him of something. He felt like he’d had this exact food before, though he knew he’d never had a date in his current life.
Roshana watched the three of them with trepidation. “Is it too much?”
“I like it,” Jenn said.
“It’s very good, and the aether is intense,” Yukiko said. “Do they only make it at that strength?”
“Yes,” Roshana added. “It was difficult to handle when I tried even slivers of them during my novice year. I still need small pieces to ingest them. The fact that you can handle half in one go is amazing.”
“Your grandmother and mother are magi?” Gregory asked.
“No. They also make a version that isn’t aether-infused.” Roshana pulled out a smaller package and held it out to Baylyss. “Thank you for allowing me into the home.”
Baylyss accepted the gift. “Is it safe for the children?”
“Yes.”
“Children, come get a single piece, and eat it slowly,” Baylyss said, stepping away from the table.
“You should all try it,” Jenn said, pulling out two more dates and cutting them into sections for the others.
The novices breathed slowly and deeply as they ate theirs. Clover and Ling both ate slowly, surprised at how much aether was in the single bite. Roshana watched them all, waiting to hear what they had to say.
“Powerful,” Daciana said.
“Intense,” Victoria agreed.
“Can we get more?” Nessa asked. “These would help when we’re training hard.”
“Agreed,” Ling added.
Clover nodded as she continued to eat hers.
Roshana bowed her head. “I’ll speak to my family, but I should be able to bring some for you.”
Gregory watched the children each take theirs from Baylyss before she ushered them out of the room, leaving just the magi and Elsa in the room.
“It’s time for the surprise,” Jenn said as she put the dates into her storage ring. “Roshana, we were going to part from you here, but now, I’d like to invite you.”
Gregory felt a pit open up in his stomach. “Is that a good idea?”
“I’ll ask her,” Jenn said. “Why don’t you take the others to the door. Roshana, Yuki, and I will be there shortly?”
Yukiko touched Gregory’s hand. “It’ll be her choice.”
Gregory looked down, considering if he really objected to Roshana being there if she wanted to be. She was earnest, seemed eager to join the clan, and the date had a familiarity that felt comforting. Nodding, he got to his feet. “Okay. Ladies, let’s go.”
Elsa led them to the front, where people began putting on their normal shoes. She whispered to Gregory, “This is an adult surprise?”
Gregory blinked, surprised at Elsa asking the question, before he nodded. “Yeah. Sorry, Elsa.”
Elsa shook her head. “No. I’m still a girl. I understand. I can’t be included in everything. I hope you all have a good day, and that we get to see you again before the tournament.”
“Me, too,” Gregory said. “Thank you, Elsa, for everything. The cake was delicious.”
Elsa smiled, then stepped back and curtsied to the room. “Thank you for coming. We look forward to seeing you all in the future.”
“And we look forward to coming back,” Yukiko said as she led Jenn and Roshana over to the others. “Elsa, thank you. You always make our time here better.”
Roshana bowed to Elsa. “It was a pleasure to be greeted graciously and welcomed into the home. I hope to come back again.”
“Any friend of Aether’s Guard is welcome here,” Elsa replied.
As Gregory led them outside, Jenn paused at his side and whispered into his ear, “She accepted. Are you okay with that?”
Gregory was about to say something, but a flickering memory came to him. His dream last night had been the bath they were about to go to. Roshana had been there, accepted by the others with smiles.
Is it premonition or just fantasy? Gregory asked himself before he exhaled, thinking again about the familiar feeling he had earlier. “If they are, then yes.”
Jenn kissed his cheek, then went to where the others were grouped together. “Ladies, are you okay if Roshana joins us?”
“She’s going to join the clan,” Victoria said. “Since she is, she should join us.”
Roshana bowed her head. “I hope to join the clan. I need to ask and be accepted, and I am waiting to do so.”
“Now or two months from now is the same,” Daciana said. “If you’re dedicated to the clan, then it’s fine.”
The others agreed with Daciana, then waited for Roshana’s answer.
“I thank you all for inviting and accepting me today,” Roshana said. “I really do hope to be worthy of the clan and all of you.”
“We think you will be,” Yukiko said. “Now, onto the surprise.”
