Arriving at the mess hall, Yukiko spotted Jenn first. “Jenn, over here!” Yukiko called to her.
Jenn smiled and made her way over to them. “Thank you for inviting me. Are you sure it’s okay?”
“No,” Gregory said honestly. “We’ll find out shortly, though.”
“Novices, it’s good to see you. Oh, do we have a third applicant to the clan?” Lightshield asked, having appeared behind them without making a sound.
All three of them jumped slightly at his arrival. Yukiko was the first one to speak, “Elder Lightshield, this is Jenn Bean. She would like to join the clan with us.”
“I ask to be accepted into your clan, Elder,” Jenn said, bowing formally to Lightshield.
Lightshield stared at her for a long moment before the corners of his eyes crinkled and he smiled. “Novice Bean, as the clan leader, I welcome you, along with Novices Pettit and Warlin, into Aether’s Guard.”
A small commotion was starting as people caught sight of the elder. Lightshield looked up with a bemused smile.
“Elder Lightshield?” Marcia Han said from the balcony seating area, unable to hide her shock.
“Goodness, I hadn’t known my twenty-year absence would be such a surprise,” Lightshield chuckled. “Novices, follow me,” he said as he took the stairs up to the second floor.
When he reached the top of the stairs, he paused, as a number of people were standing there. Marcia was the one in front of them all. “I believed you dead, Elder,” she said.
“Merely taking some time away for my health,” Lightshield replied. “How is your grandfather doing?”
Marcia’s expression soured. “He’s fine. Like you, he’ll not attain sage before his time comes.”
Lightshield nodded sadly. “Many of us spend our last few years knowing that even we are mortal.”
“Do you still carry that delusion as a goal?” a magus asked, his kimono marking him as being with the Eternal Flame.
“Delusion? Magus… pardon me, it has been twenty years… Elkit, right?”
Elkit snickered. “And your memory is going, but not entirely gone yet, it seems.”
“My memory is as perfect as it’s always been. I just don’t remember the names of every novice or apprentice who slighted my clan. Did your limp get seen to? Bishop nearly severed your leg, as I recall.”
Elkit’s face turned beet red. “I haven’t limped in years. The Eternal Flame provides, as any clan of standing should.”
“Yes, that’s true,” Lightshield said. “Speaking of, I do have three new novices to welcome to my clan. I was just bringing them to dinner. Please step aside for us.”
The older magi on the second floor looked past him to where the three novices were standing, and many looked sour. Marcia was among that number for a moment before she laughed.
“Enjoy the moment, Elder. Your clan still holds to the antiquated notion that magi should be able to leave a clan whenever they wish, don’t you?”
“We’ve always believed in that freedom,” Lightshield replied.
The other magi suddenly looked a bit happier and a few went back to their tables. Elkit sneered at them. “Weakness in the novices and weaknesses in the leadership. No wonder your clan is all but dead.”
Lightshield’s eyes sparkled. “Excuse me, child, but did you just insult me, my new members, and my clan?”
“I did. What ar—?” Elkit began.
A sudden displacement of air ruffled everyone’s kimonos on the terrace. When the sudden gust abated, Elkit gasped and fell over. He wasn’t moving and was breathing shallowly. Everyone present looked suddenly wary.
Lightshield sighed, “I broke a rule there. I’ll have to see the council or even the overseer himself before I leave now. A pity. It should be a minor infraction, though; I didn’t permanently harm him. Well, besides his ego, but that could use a bit of deflating.”
Marcia cleared her throat. “Elder, if you will pardon me? I’ll be taking my leave.”
“Of course,” Lightshield stepped aside, motioning the novices to come up and get behind him. “Do tell your grandfather I wish him well. There are so few of us left now.”
Marcia inclined her head. “When I see him next, I will.” Walking slowly and using her cane, she left them standing there as she went down the stairs.
“It appears the fun is over,” Lightshield smiled. “I reserved a table over this way. Follow me.”
“What did you do to him?” a female voice hissed at Lightshield.
Gregory was surprised to see Gina, Michelle’s friend, cradling Elkit’s head.
Lightshield gave her a sad smile. “Helped him get some much-needed rest. I do think that put a damper on your plans tonight. One of the healers could have him up again in a moment or two, but he’ll be in a foul mood at that point. Excuse us.”
Gina glared as Lightshield and the three novices went past her, and onto the second floor of the mess hall. Gregory could feel the hatred, and spite from the two points digging into his back.
“Elder, did you create a scene on the balcony?” a tall, extremely thin woman asked when they stepped inside.
“I was forced to act. He insulted my novices, myself, and my clan. I do apologize to you and the others, but I won’t to him.”
“Always a ruckus when you’re here,” the woman sighed. “Twenty years was too short a reprieve.”
“For an elf, it would seem that way,” Lightshield replied. “Only magi come close to your life spans. Is the room ready for us? Oh, and I was right. It’s going to be three for dinner. Don’t mind that there are four of us currently.”
Gregory felt a chill and shared a glance with Yukiko. She dipped her head an inch, letting him know she had heard it as well.
“What did he mean, do you think?” Jenn whispered to Yukiko.
“You’ll see,” Lightshield said.
“Ignore him,” the elf said, looking past Lightshield. “He’s insufferable when you acknowledge him being right.”
“Still mad about me telling you about your husband? I was trying to save you the heartache.”
The elf sniffed and led them to a private dining room. Once they were seated, she poured them drinks before pausing in front of the door. “The meal will be served in half an hour. Until then, the room will be sealed. No one, except perhaps the emperor himself, will be able to hear anything you say.” With that, she stepped back and shut the door.
Lightshield exhaled deeply. “Still hates me for it. You’d think she’d be happy that I told her about her husband cheating on her.”
“Did he?” Gregory asked, unable to help himself.
“He did. I might have told her differently, though that was some time ago now. Before we get into anything important, you three all wish to join Aether’s Guard, yes?”
“Yes, sir,” Gregory said.
“Yes, Elder,” Yukiko said.
“If I’m allowed,” Jenn said.
“Very well.” Lightshield handed out three badges, each being identical to the others— a shield with stylized blue flames in the middle of it. “Welcome to Aether’s Guard. You are the first novices in twenty years to join our path. I’ve arranged for a clan hall, staff, and instructors. Your leader will be back in a little under six months, so until then, I have tasked an old friend with holding that post. Keeper Dia is known to you three, and you would be amenable to her caring for you still, right?”
All three of them agreed that Dia was more than acceptable as the one to oversee them.
“Very good. Gin and his assistants will be there tomorrow. I have staff taking care of his home in the city, and he’s agreed that you may use it during your days off. Speaking of which, you must take your single day off every week. That is not negotiable, and Gin understands that.”
“Why, sir?” Yukiko asked.
“Because you will face enough while inside the walls. Being able to rest will help you. I know what you underwent before the first tournament, but since Gin will be your instructor every day, you will soon learn to enjoy the day off, as will he.”
“Armsmaster Gin will be our instructor?” Jenn asked with wide eyes.
“Yes. He will be training you in the ways of combat. We don’t pressure you to train one path over the others. If you need someone to teach you about magic, one will be provided… well, in most cases,” Lightshield finished, looking at Gregory. “In some cases, that will be problematic.”
“Just train as we like, and you’ll provide for it to happen?” Jenn asked.
“As long as you hold to the ideal of the clan, we’ll do everything we can for you in return.”
“Ideal of the clan?” Jenn asked.
“Believing that Aether will return. When he does, we will be his shield and his guard against those that try to do him harm.”
“I believe,” Gregory said.
“As do I, and I will make sure he is as safe as my dear one,” Yukiko said.
Jenn hesitated, but she nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
“That’s all we ask. Trials will come up, and your belief will be tested. Hold firm to your belief, and Aether will reward you in kind,” Lightshield said. “If you wish to be part of the clan, just attach the badge to your kimono.”
Gregory didn’t hesitate. He attached the badge and his kimono suddenly had the clan emblem embroidered on it. Yukiko had been only a fraction of a second behind him. Jenn took a deep breath and copied them, her kimono changing, as well.
“Just place the badge on all of your kimonos and it will make sure you are properly attired.”
“Thank you, sir,” Gregory said.
“Don’t thank me, Novice Pettit. Your road is going to be long, difficult, and full of pain,” Lightshield said somberly. “There will be bright points that will help keep you moving forward, and those points will glow all the brighter as long as they stay true.”
“I will be beside him every step of the way, Elder,” Yukiko said.
“Yes. He’s a lucky man. Congratulations on your betrothal. I hope to see the wedding.” His smile held a hint of pain when he said the last few words. “Our time is about up,” he added as he looked to the door. “Eat, enjoy, and welcome to Aether’s Guard. All of you will do the clan proud, as will those that follow you.”
There was a knock on the door and it opened up to reveal the three members of the academy council. The elder of the council stepped forward. “Elder Lightshield, you have caused problems today. We require that you come with us.”
“Elder Cho, it’s good to see you again,” Lightshield said. “Novices, I apologize for this, but it seems the council has need of me. My novices are allowed to enjoy the meal, I hope?”
“They may,” Cho replied. “Warlin, Pettit, Bean, stay and enjoy the food. Now, Lightshield—”
A gust of wind blew through the room and Lightshield was suddenly beside Cho. “I’m ready, Elder.”
One of the grandmasters behind her grunted and gestured. The moment he did, all four of them vanished.
As the novices sat there in silence, the elf returned and looked into the room. “Dinner is ready, and there are indeed only three of you.”
