The last fight for Gregory was almost laughable— his opponent was one of the enchanters, who had already lost his previous two bouts. Gregory did his best to minimize the damage to the undertrained man while also trying to end the fight as quickly as possible. Afterward, Gregory bowed as required before leaving the sands.
Yukiko, Yoo-jin, and Lin were waiting for him when he emerged from the waiting area. “Well done,” Lin said, “much better than some of the other fights. Too many others feel the need to brutalize their opponents if they have them so far outclassed.”
“There’s no reason to do that besides petty pride,” Gregory replied.
“Now that the fight is over, we’re off to see your sleeping arrangements,” Yoo-jin said. “Please, Gregory, will you lead the way?”
“Of course,” Gregory bowed and turned toward the dormitory.
When they arrived, the place was busy. Busier than Gregory had ever thought it would be. The staff of the dormitory were showing different groups around the exterior and interior. When Gregory, Yukiko, and her parents were changing to indoor slippers, Dia came out, speaking very respectfully to an older man that Gregory had seen before.
“He has been a very respectful novice,” Dia said, bowing her head to the gentleman.
“As he knows he should be,” Nick’s grandfather sniffed, as if Dia were an idiot. “Since I’ve seen all I need to, I shall be on my way.”
“I wish you a good day, Grandmaster Shun,” Dia said, bowing low to him.
Shun caught sight of Gregory as he turned toward the door. “Pettit. I take it then that this is Novice Warlin and her mother?”
“Sir, you are correct,” Gregory said, bowing respectfully to him.
“I’ve heard your clan has expressed an interest in having my daughter join,” Yoo-jin said. “The Eternal Flame is well known, but surely you are aware that our family has ties to the Han Merchant Exchange.”
“Yes, but your husband went to great lengths to leave them, so it seems unlikely your daughter would go back to them so quickly.”
“That was years ago. Things can change in time,” Yoo-jin smiled politely, giving nothing away.
“I see,” Shun said evenly, but his eyes narrowed. “Well, we shall have to see what happens by the end of the tournament, yes? I do hope she can make it through it unscathed. She looks very fragile… like a bird.”
Yoo-jin’s nostrils flared, “She is made of sterner stuff than you think.”
“I do hope that is the case. It is by fire that impurities are removed,” Shun said as he came to a stop a few feet from them, replacing slippers with his shoes. “Of course, everyone who joins the Eternal Flame must prove they are strong enough to survive.”
Yoo-jin did not reply, but did step aside so Shun could leave. Head held high and with a knowing smile on his lips, Shun walked past them as if they were merely servants waiting on him.
The moment he stepped out the door, Dia approached with a strained smile. “Greetings. I am Dia, the keeper of this dormitory.”
Yoo-jin smiled warmly, “I’ve heard about you and your staff from my daughter. I’m most grateful for all you’ve done to assist her. I was hoping to see her room, and that maybe we could talk for a bit.”
“It is a pleasure, Mrs. Warlin. Your daughter has been exemplary in her time here. She has garnered the attention of the five great clans and most of the minor clans, as well. Please, follow me, and I will personally show you around.”
Dia took them on a tour of the dormitory, including areas that Gregory had never seen, like the staff areas, before leading them up to the third floor and Yukiko’s room. “Here is where your daughter sleeps.”
Yoo-jin walked into the room, looking it over with a critical eye. “Why is she on the third floor?”
“Rooms are assigned in the order of the novice’s arrival. She was one of the last two to arrive. Once the novices begin to leave for the clans, those who remain can either keep the room they were placed in or move to an empty room. Currently, we have five apprentices still residing here, also.”
“There is no status associated with each floor?”
“No. Novices are all equal before the tournament,” Dia said, but one of her furred ears twitched.
“I’m sure you do the best you can, but some people have family that can exert pressure.”
“We do the best we can,” Dia replied with a tight smile.
“My daughter has only praise for you and your staff,” Yoo-jin said as she took a seat at the table in the room. “Is there anything that would help this place run better that the academy doesn’t provide?”
“We are given all necessary items,” Dia replied formally.
“I’m sure you are. Now, let’s set aside the professional language and speak plainly. I would like to show my gratitude to those taking care of my daughter by providing a gift. What would be appropriate?”
Dia stared at Yoo-jin for a long moment, “My staff would appreciate any luxury you would care to gift. I myself would be partial to some pascal leaf.”
“I was wondering what you smoked in that pipe,” Yoo-jin said, gesturing at Dia’s obi, where the mouthpiece and small bowl could be seen peeking out of the folds. “Pascal leaf, hmm… yes, that I can accomplish. I shall have a package delivered for you and your staff.”
Dia bowed formally, “You are most kind.”
“Those who treat my daughter with kindness and respect are shown kindness in return. Those who upset her, well… my ire is given to them in turn, too. My husband will be here before too long, if you can have him guided up here when he arrives.”
“Yes, madam,” Dia bowed. “Would you like some tea while you wait?”
“Oh, yes, that would be lovely. Three cups, please.”
When Dia left the room, Yoo-jin turned her gaze to Gregory. “Now, where is your room?”
Gregory pointed at the wall, “There.”
“Does temptation make it difficult for you? Knowing that she sleeps but a few feet away?”
Yukiko went scarlet and Gregory flushed, neither of them looking at the other. “I’ve been respectful.”
“Of that, I have no doubt,” Yoo-jin replied. “Lin, why don’t you wait downstairs for Hao?”
Lin hesitated before he bowed, “As you wish.”
As Lin opened the door, a fox eurtik bowed to him, presenting a tray with three cups, “The tea.”
“Bring it in,” Yoo-jin told her. “Lin is just leaving.”
“As you wish,” the eurtik replied, stepping into the room and setting her tray on the table. “It is mugicha. I hope that’s okay.”
“That will be fine. Thank you.”
Bowing low, the woman left the room. Gregory and Yukiko took seats at the table when Yoo-jin motioned them to it.
“Now that we have some time and no one is likely to get offended, we should speak plainly,” Yoo-jin said as she sipped at the lightly steaming tea. “You will be proper during the waiting period, yes?” She directed the question at Gregory with a light tone.
“I would never do anything to dishonor Yuki.”
“Good. My daughter can be a bit willful, though—”
“Mother—” Yukiko cut her off, only to be shushed by Yoo-jin.
“So make sure you resist her advances.”
“Mother!” Yukiko snapped, her cheeks flaming.
“Dear, you take after me far too much,” Yoo-jin smiled. “I had your father on the third day of our betrothal, even though we did not wed for a full year.”
Gregory nearly choked on the tea he was sipping, and Yukiko looked mortified.
“Now, we won’t make you wait nearly so long. The end of the first year is long enough and that’s only a half year away. I won’t forbid you from kissing and cuddling, but make sure it stays proper and clothed, yes?”
Gregory and Yukiko exchanged a glance, both of them beet-red. Each of them wondered if that would be okay with the other, while trying not to let on how much they would like that.
“Mother,” Yukiko finally asked slowly, “why?”
“Because, dear child, as I’ve said, you take after me. It’s best to give a little and hope than to forbid as my parents did. I recall all too well how that worked.”
“I will make sure things stay proper, no matter how difficult it is,” Gregory said. “Thank you for not forbidding us from showing each other affection.”
“Of course. I’d rather my daughter be happy, but not at too high a cost. It’ll be difficult enough over the next week for you two to not show your love for each other.”
“Yes,” Yukiko agreed. “I understand much of what you used to say now, Mother.”
“I could see it when you found out he was injured. Ah, how protective you became,” Yoo-jin smiled fondly at Yukiko. “Do your best to keep that fire burning, dear. And you, Gregory, stepping in to deal with that disrespectful churl at lunch. Though you should weigh your responses more in the future. If you let that always be what tips you, then your enemies will have an easy point to force you into conflicts.”
“Yes, Mother,” Gregory replied.
Yoo-jin smiled, “Not yet, but by the end of the year.”
The conversation turned to lighter topics while they sipped tea and waited for Hao. Gregory excused himself to change clothing, and Yukiko took that chance to do so as well.
~*~*~
Hao arrived just after the sixteenth bell, a strained smile on his face. “Sorry for the wait.”
“Pressed, did they?” Yoo-jin asked as she rose to her feet.
“We’ll discuss it later,” Hao replied. “It’s a little early for dinner, but there are places I would like to stop on the way back to Stabled Hunger.”
“Oh, they upset you,” Yoo-jin nodded, seemingly reading more into his words and body language than either of the novices could. “Very well, let’s be on our way.”
“Father? Is it because of me?” Yukiko asked directly.
“No, or rather not just,” Hao sighed. “I regret saying I’d always answer you truthfully as a child. We can discuss it after dinner.”
Lin was chatting with Dia when they arrived downstairs to put their shoes back on. Dia bowed to them, “I hope you have enjoyed your visit.”
“I did. I have no fear that my daughter is not being cared for. The package shall be along as soon as I can arrange it. Oh, I do need to know how many staff you have.”
“It varies. Before the tournament, I have thirty staff. Once most of the novices head off to the clan manors, I’ll have ten. The other twenty will get shifted to other duties.”
“Very well, I shall make sure that all thirty have small packages, if you can arrange delivering them.”
“I shall,” Dia bowed formally.
“Thank you for caring for our daughter,” Hao added.
“Sir, your carriage is being readied. Keeper Dia sent one of her staff to let them know.”
“Ah, truly exemplary care,” Hao chuckled. “Our thanks again. Come, let us not take up more of her time.”
As they walked away, Dia pulled her pipe out of her obi and lit it while watching them. “I wonder what clan you will choose,” she murmured as she blew the first smoke ring.
They chatted about the fights during the walk to the carriage. When they reached the stable, Lin nodded to the driver, who was one of the guards. “We will be stopping at a few places on the way back to the tavern. I have the destinations, as well as rough directions.”
“Yes, sir,” the driver saluted.
Lin opened the door, helping Yoo-jin and Yukiko into the carriage. Hao and Gregory got inside and Lin shut the door, climbing up to sit beside the driver. He leaned over, quietly giving the driver instructions.
“Father, are you trying to be secretive?” Yukiko asked with an amused smile.
“I doubt you know all my plans, Yu.”
“Let me see…” Yukiko said slowly, placing a finger to her chin as she looked up. “An alchemist, an enchanter, and… possibly a clothier?”
Hao stared at her for a long moment, “Three of four, passable.”
“Of four?” Yukiko frowned, her brow furrowing as she tried to think of the fourth.
“Oh, that is—” Yoo-jin began, but Hao put a hand on her knee, shaking his head at her.
Gregory spoke up, but slowly, “If you are planning to visit an enchanter and clothier, sir, we’ve had business with a couple of shops in that regard.”
“Lagrand Clothiers and Hemet’s Curiosities,” Yukiko murmured, obviously still trying to figure out the fourth stop.
“Hmm. You back both of these choices, Yu?”
“Lagrand has done wonders for us,” Yukiko said, motioning to Gregory’s outfit. “Hemet at Hemet’s Curiosities is shrewd. You’ll like him, Father. I find myself at a loss for the last stop.”
“Oh, good, I will get to surprise you,” Hao smiled. “Luckily, the alchemist is our first stop. You can let Lin know where the other shops are when we’re there.”
