Yukiko groaned softly, bringing everyone’s attention to her. Her unbandaged eye opened slowly, “Greg?”
“Here,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze. “Don’t try moving your head— it’s covered in bandages. They said you’ll be fine, but your eye needs a day or two to heal.”
“You need to forfeit the fight tomorrow, so as to not damage it further,” Hao told her.
“I didn’t think he’d throw one with me so close,” Yukiko whispered.
“You should have broken his arm instead of trying to get him to submit,” Lin said bluntly. “How often have I told you that it’s better to be brutal and ask for forgiveness than to be merciful and regret it?”
“Too many,” Yukiko sighed. “I was trying to mitigate the fallout of beating him and not joining the clan. I’ve paid for that mistake.”
“Next time, break the arm, please,” Gregory whispered.
“If that is what my heart wishes,” Yukiko replied. “Is there water?”
Yoo-jin handed Gregory a glass of water. “Sip slowly,” Gregory told her as he pressed the glass into her hand, afraid he might hurt her if he held it to her lips.
“I remember breaking his arm just as the fire came, but I don’t remember anything after that,” Yukiko said, after taking a sip.
“You ground the broken joint under your knee and hammered his face,” Lin replied. “He wasn’t resisting, and the adjudicator called the fight.”
“We did it, Greg,” Yukiko’s lips bent up on the uninjured side, but the other side of her face could not move that far. “The two of us, above all the others.”
“Yes,” Gregory smiled with difficulty, seeing her struggle. “We’ll have to defend that in six months. Everyone will be wanting to stop us during that tournament, and everyone should have their magic firmly under control…” He trailed off, wondering if he would.
“We’ll find yours,” Yukiko said, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “Mother, Father, I’m sorry for worrying you. Lin, I’m sorry I didn’t heed your wise words.”
“You’ll be fine, so there is nothing to apologize for,” Yoo-jin said, reaching out to touch Yukiko’s foot.
“Just be more careful from now on please,” Hao added.
“And no more mercy! They won’t show you any— that has been proven,” Lin added.
“No more mercy,” Yukiko agreed.
“We have a couple of hours before dinner,” Hao said. “Once you’re ready to go, we will take our leave of the academy.”
“We need to inform someone that she is forfeiting tomorrow’s fight,” Yoo-jin reminded him.
“Hmm, yes. There might be someone at the arena,” Hao muttered.
A knock on the door made everyone but Yukiko look that way. Lin opened it to find out who it was. “Yes… Elder, how may we help you?” His voice went from demanding to polite as soon as he saw the lavender kimono the old woman wore.
“I came to check on our two finalists, and was informed they were both in here,” the old woman’s voice was strong and able, belying her gray hair and lined face.
Gregory reluctantly took his hand from Yukiko’s, “We are, Elder.”
Lin stepped aside and bowed to her, as did the others in the room. “No need, Warlin. You are probably supposed to be still for a while, yes?” the elder said, stopping Yukiko from trying to sit up to bow.
“Thank you, Elder,” Yukiko said, lying back down.
“From the look of things, you are unlikely to be able to compete tomorrow.”
“The healer advised her to forfeit the round, elder,” Hao said. “I have advised her similarly.”
“Ah, yes. I was worried about that, considering what transpired. Very well, we would ask you both to attend the closing of the tournament so we can announce the standings. All of the final eight will be there to receive their rewards.”
“I’m curious, Elder,” Gregory said, “how do you determine who ended up in the other places after first and second?”
“The council decides based on how the fights went. For instance, Jason Argon finished in third, as his fight was a much closer thing than Nick Shun’s. I wish you both a speedy recovery. You’ll likely need to be back in full form shortly after the tournament ends.”
“Thank you, Elder,” they said together.
“Just one more question,” the elder said, stopping halfway to the door and turning back to them. “Have you picked your clan? I know that every clan of note inside the walls of the academy has spoken to you or tried to speak with you already.”
“No, Elder, we are undecided,” Gregory replied.
“Curious. The top two novices and neither spoken for…” The elder seemed amused. “I do wish you the best going forward.” She glided from the room, her kimono barely moving, so it looked like she was floating on the air.
“Well, that’s done. We might as well get going,” Hao said, dabbing at his forehead with a handkerchief.
“Yes,” Yoo-jin agreed. “We will have all day tomorrow before the closing ceremony since there isn’t going to be a fight. Maybe we should stay away until then, before we escort you both to Gin’s.”
“There’s no curfew,” Gregory said slowly. “Maybe we should stay outside the academy walls tonight?”
“A capital idea,” Hao nodded. “Yes, we shall have the rooms next to ours prepared for you both tonight.”
“Two days of sleeping in,” Gregory murmured, oddly discomfited by the idea.
“We’ve earned it,” Yukiko said. “Besides, we’ll still be awake earlier than many others.”
“True,” Gregory said, helping her sit up.
“Lin, go see if they have a means to convey them to the carriage,” Hao told the guard.
“Yes, sir.”
Yukiko sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Gregory with her unbandaged eye. “Seems we gave each other a scare.”
“Yes. We should make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“As my heart wishes.”
Lin returned with the fox-eared eurtik and a wheeled chair. “They have one for Gregory, sir.”
“The lady should be fine to walk,” the eurtik told them. “You’ll need to carefully remove the bandage tomorrow morning, then lightly dab your face clean. Your vision in that eye might be fuzzy for a day or two, but it’ll come back. If you experience vertigo, wear a patch until you can see again.”
“Thank you,” Yukiko said.
“You don’t have a second chair?” Hao asked sternly.
“The second one is already in use, sir. I’m sorry.”
“I can walk, Father. I’ll lean on the chair,” Yukiko said, getting to her feet. “I don’t feel weak.”
Gregory wanted to argue that she should take the chair, but if he did and injured himself more, Yukiko would be upset, so he stayed silent. Yoo-jin looked at the ceiling for a moment before shaking her head.
“I’ll walk beside her to make sure she is okay,” Yoo-jin said. “Lin can push the chair.”
Hao grimaced but did not argue.
“If there isn’t anything else?” the eurtik said nervously, backing toward the door.
“No, thank you,” Yoo-jin gave her a smile. “We’re just upset that our daughter was injured.”
“I understand,” the woman replied and left the room.
Lin moved the chair close to Gregory, who shifted into it, feeling bad he was the one in it instead of Yukiko. “I’m sorry,” he said.
“It’s fine, your leg was badly damaged,” Hao sighed. “I just worry for her. We’ll walk slowly, and if you feel faint at all, tell us and we’ll find a different way,” Hao told Yukiko.
“Yes, Father.”
~*~*~
The trip to the tavern was slow, with the driver taking care to make it as smooth as possible. Gregory had difficulty getting into and out of the carriage without straining his leg, but managed without causing it to flare into a mass of pain.
The tavern was completely full— the main room was standing room only. Cheers, applause, and whistles filled the room as the people caught sight of Gregory and Yukiko.
Hao chuckled and had to shout to be heard over the noise. “It seems news of your victories has spread ahead of you.” Taking another step forward, he raised his hands, and the room slowly quieted down. “The two are honored and flattered, but today came at a heavy cost. Please give them some space tonight as they are recovering, but enjoy the evening. Ramon, the next round of drinks is on me.”
A path opened up, allowing the family to move through the room. Silence followed in their wake as those present got a look at Gregory limping and Yukiko’s bandaged face. As they entered the hallway, quiet conversations sprang up behind them.
“Thank you, Father,” Yukiko whispered, her hand lightly touching the bandage. “I don’t think I could handle them staring.”
Gregory took her hand in his, “It’ll heal.”
“Like your leg,” Yukiko replied.
“Yes,” Gregory agreed, still trying to keep his weight off it as much as possible.
Less than a minute after they had gotten seated, a knock on the door announced the owner’s daughter. She bowed to them when she entered, carrying a tray with crystal glasses and two bottles.
“We have two wines,” she told them as she poured. “One for the mistress and master; it is the favored vintage of the house. The other is for the novices. Its alcohol content is greatly reduced so that magi can enjoy the same flavor.”
“Thank you, Nessa,” Yoo-jin smiled. “We need the two rooms next to ours prepared, also. The novices will be staying here tonight.”
Nessa’s tail twitched, “Umm… we only have a single room left.”
“I can—” Gregory began.
“Prepare it,” Yukiko said, cutting him off. “We’ll figure out who shall sleep where later.”
Hao’s lips pursed and he stared at his daughter.
Yoo-jin’s lips trembled as she fought to keep the smile off her face. “Yes, that does make some sense,” she managed to say with a straight face. “Please see to it, Nessa.”
She bowed and left the room, glancing back at the two novices. Once she was gone, Gregory turned his attention to his wine. He sipped it, discovering that the flavor was predominantly blackberries. Hao and Yoo-jin looked thoughtful as they tasted the wine.
“This is good… the flavors blend well together,” Hao nodded.
“Not as good as what we have at home, but yes,” Yoo-jin agreed.
“Gregory and I will share the room tonight,” Yukiko said without preamble.
“No, that is unacceptable,” Hao said firmly.
“We are both injured, Father. Do you think we’re going to ravage each other?” Yukiko said bluntly.
“Too much like your mother,” Hao replied, grumbling.
“Dear,” Yoo-jin said softly, taking his hand, “calm yourself.” Turning to Gregory, she continued. “You will behave, yes? Even if my daughter does not?”
“I will not dishonor Yuki,” Gregory said. “Besides, she’s right. Neither of us is in any condition for anything improper.” His cheeks were burning, but he managed to say the words without stammering.
“Just spending the night in the same room—” Hao began.
“A compromise, then,” Yoo-jin sighed. “Yu and I will stay in our room, while you and Gregory stay in the new room. A little bonding time, so you two can get to know each other better.”
Yukiko started to object, but instead sat back in her chair. “That is probably for the best,” she admitted.
“I will agree to that,” Hao nodded.
Gregory nodded, though he was a little sad that he would not get to spend the night with Yukiko. “Nothing to tarnish Yuki, it is a good idea.”
A knock on the door interrupted them. Nessa and an older woman Gregory had not seen before were waiting with a cart loaded with covered dishes. Gregory felt momentarily bad about thinking the term horse-faced, but the horse ears, tail, and when she stepped into the room, hooves, made the thought seem a bit more fitting.
“I thought I would serve you myself tonight,” the woman announced. “We thank you for your generosity during your stay with us. We almost never rent the rooms on the second floor, even during the tournament, so it’s a novelty that we are sold out. With the inn just down the street, it’s very rare for travelers to stay here.”
“We prefer a calmer place,” Yoo-jin smiled. “Though tonight, it seems to be quite busy.”
“Yes, it’s been packed all day,” the woman replied. “Let’s get to the food, hmm? We have pheasant for you and your husband, and bane fowl for the novices. Both have been cooked in a citrus sauce to enhance their flavor. The sides are wild rice with bits of fruit mixed in and lightly-buttered charid with herbs. The wine should complement the meal.”
Nessa was busy serving them while her mother described the dishes. In the center of the table, she placed two extra dishes with more rice and charid. Once she was finished, she stepped back behind her mother.
“Thank you, Vana,” Yoo-jin smiled. “We’ve enjoyed every meal you’ve prepared during our stay. If you weren’t running a successful family business, we’d try to hire you as a cook and take you home with us.”
Vana bowed low, “Thank you, that is high praise. I hope this meal also meets your expectations.”
“Thank you,” Gregory said, bowing his head to her, the smells making his stomach growl.
Vana and Nessa left them to their meals. Gregory looked down at his plate, his mouth watering. His eagerness dimmed a little at the charid; the long, green-stalked vegetables were not one of his favorites.
“Aether, this looks good,” Hao said, cutting a slice off the pheasant.
Everyone agreed, and they all turned their attention to their meals. Gregory and Yukiko were glad to feel their aether being replenished as they ate. Near the end of the meal, Nessa came in again to check on them. Seeing that they were nearly done, she brought in a small cake and four small plates.
“Mother made this specifically for you,” Nessa told them as she placed it before Hao. “Cheesecake— she hopes you’ll enjoy it.”
“Oh, it’s been years since I had cheesecake last,” Hao smiled as he deftly sliced the cake into four equal portions. “Thank her for us, please.”
“Yes, sir. The room is ready for you, as well.”
“We’ll need two mats in there,” Hao told her. “I’ll be sharing it with Gregory, and my daughter will be staying with my wife.”
Nessa nodded, “I will make sure both rooms are set up correctly, sir.”
Gregory looked at the plain-looking white dessert with a questioning gaze. He picked up a tiny piece with his fork, wondering about the texture. His eyes widened slightly as the rich, creamy flavor permeated his mouth and he was quick to begin eating it in earnest.
“I guess you like it, dear one,” Yukiko giggled.
Gregory froze, giving her a sheepish look, “I’ve never had anything like it.” Slowing his pace, he made sure to savor what remained of his dessert.
