When they arrived at Stabled Hunger, Gregory smiled. He had enjoyed the food here and would be sad when they no longer came here to eat. The Warlin’s guards took up the majority of the tables in the front room.
When Gregory and Yukiko entered, the guards all stood up and began to applaud them. They paused in the doorway, a little embarrassed at the showing. Lin chuckled behind them, patting them on the shoulder.
“Okay, that’s enough. They still have to fight tomorrow to make it to the final round,” Yoo-jin said. “We apologize for interrupting your meals,” she added to the other tables. “Ramon, please give them a round of drinks on our tab.”
The bartender bowed his head, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Thank you,” one of the patrons replied. “I take it they’re both in the final four?”
“Yes. My daughter, Yukiko Warlin, and her friend, Gregory Pettit,” Yoo-jin smiled. “They will be well-known by the end of the year.”
The man she was speaking to nodded, “I’ll have to keep my eyes open and see if either takes the top spot.”
“One of them will take the top spot,” Yoo-jin replied, sounding certain. “I would love to talk more, but we are keeping my husband waiting. Have a good meal.”
Lin stopped to check in with his second in command while Yoo-jin, Gregory, and Yukiko continued down the hall to the private dining room. Entering the room, Yoo-jin smiled at her husband, “Dear one, how are you feeling?”
“Better, but still recovering,” Hao replied. His smile widened upon seeing the two behind her, “I heard you both won, which is good.”
Gregory was concerned about Hao’s health. The merchant had deep circles under his eyes, his hands shook slightly, and it seemed like he had more traces of gray showing in his hair. “Yuki will be facing Nick Shun tomorrow. I’ll be facing Jason Argon or Klein Armit, depending on who won the last fight.”
“Jason will be your opponent. Word was brought to me while you were out,” Hao replied. “I wanted to know before you arrived.”
“You arranged that greeting?” Yoo-jin sighed with a fond smile.
“They need to get used to it, as they will become well known to many in the coming years.”
“Father,” Yukiko shook her head, “we have time.”
“Not as much as you might think,” Hao said seriously. “All the great clans are interested in you, and you have made it to the top four in the first novice tournament. I trust you to be able to handle those who will try to use you, but you need to guard him.”
“I will,” Yukiko said simply. “No one will harm my heart.”
“The proctor who brought me in warned me,” Gregory said. “I’m aware that not everyone who appears friendly will be. Nick has helped prove that point, as well.”
“Good,” Hao replied. “The drinks—”
A knock on the door cut him off. The owner’s daughter came in, delivering drinks for them. Once they all had beverages, she bowed, “Your meals will be brought shortly.”
“Thank you,” Yoo-jin smiled. “Let your mother know that we are looking forward to it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Dinner was wonderful. The steaks were cooked to their individual preferences and served with a garlic honey glaze that had them all smiling. The vegetables were steamed so they were tender, but still firm. Dessert was cream puffs, served with honeyed fruit on the side.
Sipping the tea afterward, Gregory felt sated and a little sleepy.
“Oh, your gloves are being examined by Hemet,” Hao said. “He sent word that he’s having trouble with them. I left the box with him as well, so it will appear that we haven’t opened it. He has already returned that. He offered to buy it until I told him the price. I’ve reached out to the Han clan to see if they would be interested and I should hear back from them tomorrow.” Pausing, he looked down, “I’ll likely be missing the fights tomorrow. I’m sorry, but it’s taking me longer to recover than I had expected. I am discovering that I’m not as young as I used to be.”
“Father, rest and recover. I know that you need time after moments like that. I’m not surprised that it’s more extreme after facing down a grandmaster.”
“We understand, sir,” Gregory said, though he clearly did not.
“It’s a family secret,” Yoo-jin said to Gregory. “You’ll learn once you officially join the family.”
Thinking about his own secrets, Gregory could only bow his head to her, “I understand.”
“In that vein,” Hao said with a smile, “we will be holding your betrothal dinner at Gin’s. We need to know by tomorrow night who you would like to attend.”
Gregory and Yukiko exchanged a glance, wondering who they should invite. After a moment, they both had the same thought. “The eurtiks?” Yukiko asked first.
“Yes,” Gregory smiled. “They’ve been our only real friends, though I’m not sure they would be able to attend. We’ll have to ask them tomorrow.”
“Do you have an approximate number?” Hao asked.
“At least ten?” Gregory asked Yukiko.
“At least, though depending on their families, maybe four or five times that. We’ll ask and have them notify you here, Father.”
“That will work,” Hao nodded. “I had to invite Marcia Han. I apologize for that, but it is a concession to keep the Han clan, if not happy, at least neutral to us.”
“I understand, Father,” Yukiko replied. “Considering the Eternal Flame is going to be hostile, it will be good to have at least one of the other major clans not ranged against us.”
“Hopefully the other great clans won’t be as upset as the Eternal Flame is going to be,” Gregory said worriedly. “Besides Grandmaster Shun being upset because of the auction, their two frontrunners are going to lose to us tomorrow.”
“Yes, there is that,” Hao agreed. “It would be good to find a clan you can both agree on, but with them against you, I can’t think of any smaller clan that would take you in. If you would even want them to take you in,” Hao finished.
“I’m fairly certain I’ve heard from all the clans that are represented inside the academy walls. I could check with Keeper Dia, she would know for certain,” Yukiko said. “The clans not represented don’t want to involve themselves in the politics of the academy, which is a point in their favor, but also makes it harder to know if we would fit in with them.”
“If things stay the same, we will keep supporting you in place of a clan. Truthfully, we would anyway,” Hao chuckled. “My beautiful daughter deserves everything I can give her.”
“Dinner is done, and the two of you have a big day ahead of you. It would be best for you to get going,” Yoo-jin said. “Get your sleep. I will be at the arena again tomorrow, waiting for you.”
“Thank you, Mother, Father,” Yukiko smiled as she rose to her feet. “We will do our best to make you proud.”
“Thank you,” Gregory bowed to them both. “I will do everything I can to protect and help Yuki.”
The two of them left the older couple in the room. As they entered the main room, conversations stopped and all eyes turned to them. The tavern was busier than it had been and the room was now filled with people.
A man with wolf ears stood up and bowed to them, “My family thanks you.”
“As does mine,” another added, bowing as well.
As more of the customers in the inn spoke up, Gregory realized that the majority of them were eurtik, either full-blood or of mixed descent. Yukiko stood beside him, feeling just as awkward as Gregory was.
“We will be rooting for you tomorrow,” another said.
“As you’re facing two who will be joining the Eternal Flame, it’s a bit poignant to us.”
More comments of similar sentiment piled on and eventually, Gregory raised a hand to get them to quiet down. “We are honored that you are thanking us. We will do our best tomorrow, for both ourselves and all of you.”
Gregory and Yukiko got into the carriage and were taken back to the academy. One of the staff from the dormitory met them short of the building and led them up the back stairs again.
“Is Keeper Dia free?” Yukiko asked their guide.
“I will let her know you wish to speak with her,” the staff member said before slipping away.
“Your room?” Gregory asked.
“Since I asked for her, it’s for the best,” Yukiko agreed, opening the door.
They had just started to work on Magi Squares when a soft knock came on the door. Yukiko answered it, stepping aside for Keeper Dia.
“What may I help you with, Novice?”
“My family is holding an announcement party the night after tomorrow, and I was asked to find out how many would be attending,” Yukiko explained. “It is family or friends for this event, but that is difficult for us. We don’t have any real friends among the other novices, but you and your staff have been very helpful, so I would like to extend an invitation to all of you. It would be late, after the final match.”
Dia’s lips turned up at the corners, but she shook her head. “I must sadly decline. I’m to remain neutral in all things where those in training are concerned. I will ask my staff if any of them would like to go. Congratulations on making it to the final four, and best of luck on making it to the final.”
“Very well. We had hoped, but we understand.”
“I’ll have an answer for you in the morning, if that is acceptable,” Dia replied.
“Yes, Keeper, and thank you,” Yukiko said, bowing her head to the older woman.
“Thank you, Keeper,” Gregory added from his spot at the table.
“Of course. I shall look forward to hearing about the matches tomorrow,” Dia replied, bowing her head before she left the room.
“Figures,” Gregory sighed. “I had hoped, but I understand why the rule would be in place.”
“Yes. We’ll ask the cooks and archivists tomorrow when we see them,” Yukiko sighed as she came back to her seat. “Let’s finish these puzzles and then call it a night.”
“That’s probably best,” Gregory agreed, stifling a yawn.
