Dia stood up first when the meal concluded. “It’s time for the next portion of our day.”
They followed Dia out of the clan hall and down the paths of the academy. When they approached the gates, Gregory wondered what Dia had in mind. When she took the turn to the stables instead of the gates, her destination became clear, but not the reason why.
“Magus, everything is prepared,” the footman said as he opened the carriage door.
“Thank you,” Dia said before turning to the novices. “We are leaving the academy for a little while to help you find your way. Do not speak until we return here. Understood?”
“Yes, Dia,” the three of them said in echo.
She raised a single eyebrow, and they realized they’d just done what she told them not to. Shaking her head, she motioned them into the carriage. Silently, they complied with her direction.
All of them were growing more curious as the carriage continued its journey, but that curiosity hit a fever pitch when they came to a halt. Dia gave them a stern look before the door opened and the footman helped her out.
The destination was one that Gregory had not expected, but the sense of peace from the area helped settle his nerves. The small gate to the walled compound opened and the mature woman in an elaborate kimono that had attended to them last time bowed.
Gregory was the last one in line, the gate closing soundlessly behind him. The walk down the tree-lined path was at a slow, sedate pace. The long spiral of the path, coupled with the scent of the garden, had Gregory in a near meditative state.
The central building was exactly as Gregory remembered. Removing their shoes on the patio, they stepped just inside before taking their spots around the fire pit. Once they were all seated, the hostess presented them each with small lacquered plates, upon which a single small confection awaited them.
Warmth suffused Gregory’s chest as the pre-tea snack worked on his aether. The spot near the hostess grew dark with shadow to Gregory’s eyes, and a welcome smile hinted on his face.
“Another tea ceremony? Goodness,” Darkness laughed lightly. “It seems that you’ll get a short moment with your beloved before I can arrange things myself.”
Waiting for the tea to be presented to him, Gregory wondered why Dia had chosen for them to have a tea ceremony.
“Because, dear one, Aether’s Guard wishes only for true believers of Aether to stay with them. If you aren’t truly dedicated to the path, this ceremony would make you doubt it.”
Accepting the tea from the hostess, Gregory bowed his head to her. Drinking deeply, he felt the world shift around him as his perception of reality changed. When the world settled, he was in the same bedroom he had come to know from his dreams.
“Darkness, how are you?” Gregory asked to the midnight shrouded corner of the room.
“Lonely, dear one,” Darkness sighed. “Wait, here she comes now. We were having a moment together.”
Yukiko appeared beside Gregory. “Dear one.” She kissed his cheek before turning to the corner. “Darkness.”
“We don’t have much time,” Darkness said. “Tonight is the first big step for you all. You’ve added a friend to your circle, dear one. If you nurture her, she will grow faster. At the moment, she is seeing what could happen if she stays with you two. Yuki, you will need to help guide her into the proper role.”
“I will,” Yukiko replied. “I know why she’s with us. I’m not certain yet, but I think it’s possible.”
“You are my equal when it comes to Greg, Yuki. No one else will come as close.”
Gregory frowned, feeling that part of the conversation was going over his head. “If she trains alongside us, she’ll grow equally, right?”
“No. You have to want her to be with you. Your acceptance of her beside you is key. She’ll also lose everything she gains if she turns on you.”
“Why?”
“Now is not the time,” Darkness said. “She’ll have many questions for you, Yuki. Dear one, you just need to do what you think best. It will work out, but if you doubt, talk to me or Yuki. I hope you enjoy celebrating the new year.”
“Wait!” Gregory called out, but the room faded from view.
The hostess was rising to her feet and the group followed her. The walk back to the gate was in silence, Jenn and Dia contemplating their moment of clarity.
When the gate closed behind them, Dia spoke before anyone else could. “Novices, today is far from over. We will speak on your visions once we are back at the clan hall, as we have another step to accomplish today. Hold your words until then.”
All three of them bowed to her before climbing back into the carriage.
~*~*~
Entering the garden, Dia motioned them all to a bench. “Now, if you have questions about the ceremony, I will answer them for you.” She took a seat across from them.
“Is it the future?” Jenn asked.
“It isn’t set in stone,” Dia said. “It’s only a likely future. It could change for better or worse, depending on what you do.”
Jenn glanced at Yukiko and Gregory before nodding. “I see. Thank you, Dia.”
“This is the elder’s will. I’m just the instrument to put his plans in motion,” Dia said. “Now, for the part of the solstice that all learning magi look forward to.” Clapping her hands, Velma and the others carried several trays into the garden, setting them on the bench beside Dia.
Dia thanked each of the eurtik in turn before they left. “Novices, on the winter solstice, the clan gives gifts. How each clan does so is up to them. The Iron Hand holds a short tournament for their different tiers of magi, with rewards for people who prove themselves. The Han clan gives gifts to those who made the biggest contribution to the clan. The Eternal Flame gives gifts to those favored by Grandmaster Shun.”
“What of Aether’s Guard?” Gregory asked when a moment of silence stretched on.
“We give gifts equal to everyone,” Dia smiled. “Most of the gifts novices get are aether boosts to help you make it to the apprentice tier, or as close to it as possible.” Removing the lids from the trays, the scent of herbs started to grow heavy. “You need to be growing your aether while this happens. So exercise, meditate, or study.”
Gregory and Yukiko exchanged a look before they rose to their feet. Jenn got to her feet quickly and moved to the side, copying the other two as they started to meditate and practice the Peaceful Fist.
Dia watched them all, nodding slightly. “I’d wondered about that. We’ll start with the yuank leaf— it will try to smother your aether. Make sure you burn it all.” Gliding toward the three of them, she held three leaves in her hands.
Hours passed as they were fed additives and trained. Gregory was feeling the strain when Dia called them to a stop. Panting as he tried to regain his breath, Gregory was slick with sweat when he stopped.
“You all did wonderfully. You’ll see the difference tomorrow morning. Tonight, we need to make sure that you weren’t overtly harmed by what just happened. It’s time for the yuzu bath.”
Trailing Dia, the three of them came to the baths. Gregory stopped before the men’s side, giving Yukiko a smile as she stepped into the woman’s side. Stripping off his soaked clothing, Gregory was surprised to see that some of the other baskets already had clothes in them.
“There he is,” Gin said. “How was the forced growth?”
“Difficult,” Gregory said. His aether was still burning high and hot, with a lot of sparks.
“Glad you didn’t pass out,” Steva said. “We’ve heard stories from previous years.”
“Yes,” Zenim nodded. “If you’re weaker than the additive, it can hurt your aether.”
“Dia wouldn’t do that to them,” Ravol said as he stepped out of the tub.
“It’s time,” Quilet said softly. “Enjoy the bath, Gregory.”
“Greg,” Gregory said. “My friends call me Greg. You can all call me Greg.”
“Greg,” Quilet said, bowing his head to him. “We are honored. Let the yuzu purify you.”
The scent of the fruit in the bath made his aether start to spin in a lazy circle. “What is it?”
“Yuzu? A fruit that helps a person with health problems,” Gin said. “For magi, it’s similar to a purity plum. It will seep the impurities from you. It’s why we’re getting out.”
Gregory eyed the bath with some trepidation. “Like the purity plums?”
“But not as sludgy,” Gin chuckled as he began to dry off.
Gregory went over to the washing area and took his time cleaning up. The idea of black sludge seeping out of him into the tub mildly horrified him.
“Greg, how did you get those scars?” Zenim asked as he dried off.
His hands faltered as the memory hit him. “Bane wolf,” he said softly. “Day of my ascension to an adult and magi.”
“A bane wolf?” Steva asked with shock. “A young one?”
“It stood higher than my waist,” Gregory said, looking down at the scars on his arm. “It was stalking a friend of mine. When it saw me, it changed its mind and charged me. I shoved my arm into its mouth to save my throat.”
“You’re lucky it didn’t bite clean through… some of them can,” Gin said. “Still, lodging your forearm into the back of its jaw was a smart move.”
“My best friend lost a couple of fingers before Bishop showed up and finished it off.”
“To face a full bane wolf and survive…” Ravol said with a hushed tone. “There’s a reason you won the tournament. I can’t think of another novice or apprentice who would have survived.”
“Greg has good instincts in combat,” Gin said. “Now, let’s leave him to clean and soak. Take your time. Until your aether settles down, don’t leave the tub. That’s what Dia told me to tell you.”
“Yes, Sensei,” Gregory said, going back to cleaning himself.
Once he was clean and alone, Gregory slid into the tub. A calm peacefulness settled over him as the yellow sections of yuzu floated around him. His aether spun a tighter circle and bits of debris were thrown from it. Gregory’s eyebrows rose when he watched the closest yuzu fruit start to blacken. The water stayed perfectly clear, but the fruit was somehow absorbing the impurities that his aether was giving off.
By the time he felt his aether calm, the majority of the yuzu fruit slices had changed color. Feeling like he was done, Gregory stepped out of the bath and reached for a towel.
“Gregory, it’s almost time,” Dia said from the dressing area. “Please don’t dawdle too much longer.”
Panting while his heart rate started to settle from the sudden shock, Gregory coughed. “I’m drying off right now.”
“Good. Your change of clothing is waiting for you. Dress, then meet us in the dining room.”
“Yes, Dia.”
Once he was dry, he checked the dressing room first and found it empty. Breathing a sigh of relief, he stepped out to get the outfit that had been left for him. Finding his normal novice kimono, he smiled and was quickly changed and on his way to the dining room.
The last one to arrive, Gregory bowed to the others. “I’m sorry for my delay.”
“You stayed in until your aether was calm?” Dia asked.
“Yes, Dia.”
“Then there’s no need to apologize. Sit, and we may partake of the evening meal.”
Gregory took his seat beside Yukiko, giving her and Jenn a smile. “That was different.”
“I’ve had yuzu baths before, but never seen the fruit change,” Yukiko said. “It’s a solstice tradition in the empire. Yuzu fruit is only grown and used for the bath during the winter solstice. The Han clan has a stranglehold on its production and transportation.”
“It’s one of the ways they rose to power,” Dia added as dinner was uncovered. “Eat as much as you’d like.”
Gregory smiled at the food in front of him; soba noodles in dashi broth with scallions and fish cakes. “This reminds me of home.”
“The fish cake is salmon with pieces of koi mixed together,” Dia told them. “Your aether will stir again, but it shouldn’t cause any problems.”
“Thank you for all the wonderful food today,” Gregory said, directing his praise to the cooks.
“It’s our pleasure,” Velma said for them.
When the meal came to an end, Dia smiled. “The evening is upon us… it’s time for the saying of goodbyes and welcoming the new year. The fire awaits us, as well as the lanterns.”
To the side of the clan hall, a bonfire had been built. Dia got it lit, and benches were pulled over for them to sit and relax. They chatted about the things that happened during the last year.
“The lanterns are ready,” Quilet said, bringing over a dozen paper lanterns to the benches.
Dia took the first one and, using the ink brush, wrote a single word on the rice paper side before lighting the inside and letting it drift into the air. “I always find this time of year uplifting, as old burdens are set aside.”
Yukiko took one and wrote out two words on hers before Dia lit it for her. “Regrets can burden you if you don’t let them go.”
One by one, everyone stepped forward, writing a word or two on their lantern before setting it free. Gregory watched them with curiosity. The tradition wasn’t practiced in Alturis, as a forest fire could start from such a display. As he watched, he saw more and more lanterns climbing into the sky.
“The other clans are also unburdening themselves,” Dia said softly from beside him. “Do you have nothing to let go of?”
Gregory swallowed and thought of a few things. Taking the last remaining lantern, he wrote onto all four sides. “If you will, please, Dia?”
Dia bowed her head as she lit the small wick inside the lantern. Gregory watched it with sadness as the light began to climb into the sky. When a warm hand took his, he blinked, finding Yukiko beside him.
“It’s okay to regret, dear one,” she said softly. “Even we will have moments we regret in the years ahead of us. Holding onto them and letting them choke you would be far worse.”
“You’re right,” Gregory said, feeling the burdens start to lift from him.
The sudden crack and boom made Gregory jerk slightly. The flash of light in the sky above him disoriented him as he tried to figure out what had happened.
Yukiko giggled and squeezed his hand. “Look up.”
Gregory did just as another crack happened. A second later, the boom was accompanied by a burst of glittering color. “What is that?”
“Fireworks,” Yukiko told him. “They’re used to celebrate the solstices. You’ve never seen them?”
“No… Even the lanterns were new to me,” Gregory told her.
“It’ll be a night of new experiences,” Yukiko whispered, leaning into his side slightly. “Darkness told me that tonight, we can dream together. Please, dear one, be kind to me as I learn.”
Gregory’s face felt like it was roasting as what she had said and the implications sunk in. “Tonight?”
“Yes. We’ve both grown tonight.”
Gregory’s smile was big as he stood in the night, watching the fireworks with his beloved.
