After meditation and bathing, they had their snacks— made by Baylyss— and spread out in the game room. Gregory looked over the room, smiling sadly. The children smiled as they ate, playing games with each other, or with his friends.
“I will send word to you as I can, and when the others leave, to them too,” Baylyss said softly. “I’ve been told Clover will be assisting me over the next few years.”
“Lightshield told us this morning,” Gregory agreed, accepting the small plate of meat, cheese, and fruit from her. “We had no idea this was becoming an orphanage.”
“I was told a few weeks ago and told to keep it a secret. The children found out last night. Tomorrow, we will be going into the city to find other lost ones to take in.”
“Are there any rules to who is accepted?”
“Only that they get along with the other children. We won’t abide prejudice or bigotry. If someone isn’t suited for us, we will see them shipped to another orphanage. There are a couple in the city.”
“If there are, why—?”
“Many do not take eurtiks, or they treat those with eurtik blood badly,” Baylyss cut him off gently. “It’s why many of those still on the streets are like my children, though some others still slip through the cracks. Each of these children, besides Elsa, was briefly in another orphanage. They chose the streets over those places.”
“I see…” Gregory murmured.
“Elsa told you?”
“Only that she was leaving, I don’t know the full story.”
“You should speak with her,” Baylyss said, handing him a drink. “I’ll be back to collect the dishes in a bit.”
Gregory dipped his head to her. “Thank you, Baylyss.”
When Baylyss left, Gregory looked around the room and spotted Enzo and Elsa playing Go. Going toward them— Gregory paused to encourage each group of children— he eventually made it to where Enzo and Elsa were finishing their game.
Gregory stopped a few feet away as Enzo bowed to Elsa. “Well done, Elsa. I’ll be ready to beat you when we play again.”
Elsa bowed back to him. “I know you’ll try.”
“Enzo, if you’re done, do you mind?” Gregory asked, taking another step closer.
Enzo got to his feet. “I’ll go assist the others.”
Gregory took a seat opposite Elsa, who was resetting the board. “Elsa, how did you find out?” He set his drink and food beside the board.
Elsa’s hands paused. “We got a message a couple of days ago.” Setting the pieces down, she looked up at him. “It told me to be ready a couple of days from today. The Warlins would be sending a carriage for me. That was all. I hoped you’d all come, but also… feared you would.”
“Didn’t want to say farewell?” Gregory asked softly.
“Worried about it,” Elsa admitted, glancing at him, then away again. “It was hard enough staying strong for them. When you all showed up and also said you were going… it hurt, even though I was already leaving.”
Gregory held out his hand to her. “I know.”
Elsa placed her smaller hand in his and smiled, still not looking at him. “I’m glad you all came. I will do my best. When you are done serving the empire, I will be ready to take up the mantle of maid in your house.”
“Unless you’re a magi yourself,” Gregory said softly.
“If I am, then I will be in Aether’s Guard,” Elsa said, looking up to meet his eyes. “I will do my best, no matter which of those paths I end up on.”
“I know you will,” Gregory said, giving her hand a squeeze. “We’ll never ask for more than you trying your best.”
Elsa swallowed, then bowed her head. “And I will do my best to exceed your expectations every time.”
“Are you up for a game?” Gregory asked.
Elsa looked down, but her gaze shifted to their hands, still clasped over the board. “That sounds like fun,” she said. She took her hand from his and went back to setting up the board.
~*~*~
Gregory won the game, but he explained his moves to Elsa when she asked about them. She was clearly enjoying herself, but also wanting to learn at the same time. Yukiko joined them during the course of their game, sitting to the side to watch them.
When Gregory won, Yukiko shifted over to sit beside Elsa. “My parents will treat you well, but also like one of the staff. I know you’ll do well, and I look forward to hearing about it, as I’ll be asking Mother to send me word.”
Elsa bowed her head. “I will. Your mother will have nothing but glowing praise for me.”
“Of that, I have no doubt,” Yukiko smiled, taking Elsa’s hand in hers. “You have proven time and again how driven you are. I know that won’t slacken just because you aren’t here. But even while you strive, please take moments for yourself. Like the garden here… find something to enjoy and let that bring you happiness.”
“I will, Yuki,” Elsa replied, squeezing her hand. “When we see each other again, I’ll be ready to be your maid, or I’ll be in the academy.”
“Either way, I’ll be happy for you,” Yukiko said.
“I will be happy, but I hope…” Elsa trailed off, a small smile on her lips. “Thank you. Thank you for being kind, for helping me, for supporting him when he wanted to help me.”
“I worried he was being taken advantage of,” Yukiko replied. “I’ve seen the urchins who use and take. You were, as always, a surprise, one that makes me smile every day.”
Elsa met Yukiko’s gaze for a moment, her smile growing slightly. “I hope that remains true for the rest of our lives.”
“So do I,” Yukiko replied, her smile matching Elsa’s. “Now, will you play me?”
Gregory winced. “Yuki, that’s not good.”
“We learn best by doing,” Elsa said as she reset the board. “She will win easier than you did, but I will learn while I lose. In time, maybe, just maybe, I can win one.”
“I say that all the time,” Jenn laughed lightly as she took a seat. “I get to play you next, Elsa.”
Gregory got to his feet. “I’m going to play some more with the others.”
“Greg?” Elsa asked, meeting his eyes when he stood up, towering over her seated form. “Thank you for taking the chance on me. I will repay you.”
“You already have,” Gregory said softly. “Good luck,” he motioned to Yukiko with his head. “She’s vicious.”
“Hey!” Yukiko laughed, but Gregory was walking away.
“He’s special,” Elsa murmured, not realizing she was speaking.
“Yes, he is,” Jenn said. “More than most will know.”
Yukiko took the seat across from Elsa. “But you’ll know just how special in time. Those who stand beside us and believe… they’ll know.”
Elsa swallowed at the intensity in Yukiko’s gaze, but she didn’t look away. “I will be honored to be there, Yuki. I just hope I’m worthy.”
Gregory didn’t hear the exchange— he was already across the room, taking a seat next to the youngest two children.
~*~*~
It was hard to go, but when Rufous showed up, they said their final farewells. All of them hugged Elsa— even Roshana— which had Elsa crying again, but she wore a smile as she watched them go.
Gregory climbed up onto the bench after he helped everyone into the carriage. He chuckled to himself, thinking about Roshana sitting on Ling’s lap.
“Good visit?” Rufous asked as he lightly flicked the reins to get the carriage moving.
“Painful, but good,” Gregory said, his smile drifting away. “Saying farewell to the kids.”
Rufous nodded slowly. “Had to say goodbye a few times, myself.”
“Never gets easier, does it?”
“It hasn’t for me,” Rufous said. “For some, it might. I think you might care too much for it to get easier for you.”
“Probably,” Gregory agreed.
“Care to take the reins?” Rufous asked.
“Thanks,” Gregory smiled as he accepted the offer. “I enjoy learning.”
The trip back to the academy was calm. The guards on the gate had them pause so they could verify there were no armed people inside the carriage. They would have asked to see their medallions, but because it was a clan carriage, the rules were slightly different. The guard motioned to the wall, and the gate slowly opened for them. Gregory had given the reins back to Rufous so the guards wouldn’t cause problems.
A minute later, Rufous pulled them into the stable yard, then set the brake so they could all get out. “Have a good night,” Rufous told Gregory as the magi jumped down.
“We will. Thank you, Rufous.”
Gregory helped the women out of the carriage, one by one. Once they were all out, Roshana licked her lips. “I’d like to visit the clan hall, please.”
Yukiko smiled. “Wish to let them know of your interest?”
“Yes.”
“Right this way,” Gregory said.
~*~*~
When they passed under the arch into the clan hall grounds, Gregory’s lips twitched upward. Dia and Lightshield were seated beside the door, looking at them as they crossed the yard.
“Elder, we brought a classmate who wanted to inquire about the clan,” Gregory said as they closed the distance.
“Roshana Arnab,” Lightshield greeted the apprentice. “We thought you might ask to join the clan. You took the longest of the paths, but the one that caused us the least trouble.”
“I follow my soul, Elder,” Roshana replied, bowing formally. “I wanted to spare the clan any complications, which is why I’ve waited until now to visit.”
“That speaks well for you,” Lightshield said. He turned and directed a question to the group, “How do you all feel about this?”
Daciana spoke before anyone else could, “She’s a friend.”
“I like her,” Clover said right on Daciana’s heels.
“Roshana has shown intelligence and cunning,” Ling said. “She will be an asset.”
“We approve,” Nessa said, Victoria nodding along with her.
“It feels right, Elder,” Yukiko added.
“I believe she will be very faithful,” Jenn smiled.
Lightshield turned to Gregory, who hadn’t spoken, and Gregory bowed his head. “Roshana has proven herself a friend in word and deed, Elder.”
“Unanimous,” Lightshield nodded slowly. “Very well. First, Roshana, we will show you a typical evening in the clan. If you are still interested afterward, you will need to do a single thing to be accepted. I would ask if you believe Aether will return, but we both know the answer to that already, don’t we?”
Roshana stared at the elder with wide eyes. She bowed deeply to him. “Elder, I am honored. My family has always believed Aether will return, much as your family has. It was just in the last few generations that we felt the pull to the empire. I believe deeply that Aether will show himself in my lifetime.”
Lightshield sighed wistfully. “Ah, I recall that passion and certainty. Very well. Welcome into our home tonight. If you do join the clan, we will exclude you from fighting. You wouldn’t be able to train enough with the others for a solid cohesion.”
“That’s fine, Elder. I want to aid the clan, not hinder it.”
“On the day before the clan leaves, Dia will come to you. She will take you to see about your faith. If it proves true, then on the day we leave, you will join us.”
“I will not fail Aether,” Roshana said, bowing deeply.
“No, no you won’t,” Lightshield smiled. “Dia, if you will take our guest in tow and show her the clan hall? The rest of you can accompany her, if you wish.”
They thanked him before following Dia inside.
“Gregory,” Lightshield said his name, motioning him to sit beside him. “They will end up in the bath, and that isn’t a place for you.”
Gregory blushed and took a seat. “Yes, Elder.”
“Even though you’ve already shared that with them,” Lightshield chuckled softly.
Gregory’s face burned as he looked away.
“Do you feel she is their equal?” Lightshield asked after a moment.
“She is,” Gregory replied. He hesitated, wondering if he should tell the older magi about who he was.
“I won’t pry and ask why you are certain, because I am, too. A tough thing, having so many who view you so highly. Can you shoulder their feelings and belief in you?”
Gregory hesitated more— the question felt like it held many other questions, and not all of them were simple. After a few seconds, he spoke slowly, “I worry that I won’t be able to. Anyone would fear disappointing those they love. All I can do is my best and hope that I can. Hurting them… even the thought pains me.”
“Even the gods were mortal,” Lightshield said softly. “If they hadn’t been, they’d be here still. They were never all-powerful or all-knowing. The stories make that clear, but many still believe they were. I see nothing wrong with anyone admitting their fears.” Exhaling softly, Lightshield looked into the distance. “I fear I will pass before Aether returns. It has weighed on me more over the last few years, but my hope will never die, not until I do.”
Gregory swallowed. He again thought that he should speak up, but before he could, Lightshield leveraged himself to his feet.
“Now, why don’t we head to the baths? We do not want to be the ones keeping dinner waiting, do we?”
“No, sir,” Gregory said as he stood up. “Do you need my arm, sir?”
“Perhaps. Let’s see if I am that unsteady,” Lightshield said, then started a slow shuffle into the clan hall.
