Another week went by without incident for them, although the lone novice from the Wind Wing clan ended up being late to economics class. She explained that she had been held back by some Eternal Flame clan members, who refused to let her past them. Marcia tasked her with writing a five-thousand-word essay for being late, but didn’t chastise her further.
They started their day off with breakfast, studying in the archive, and meditation using the Peaceful Fist at the closest park. Gregory exhaled slowly as he finished.
“I saw it again!” Jenn said excitedly. “The cavern. That’s two days in a row.”
“As we told you, it’ll start becoming more common,” Yukiko said. “It’ll go the other way soon— you’ll see the cavern more often than not.”
Jenn smiled and gave Yukiko a hug. “Thank you, for everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You, too, Greg,” Jenn said, stepping over to give him a brief hug.
“We’re glad you’re beside us,” Gregory said. “Time to go see if Elsa has settled in.”
“Yes,” both women said at the same time.
As they walked away from the park, Yukiko broached another topic, “I was thinking… we can do the morning exercises just as easily at Gin’s. If the clans and novices are going to start pressuring and trying to injure others, we might want to meditate there rather than in a public space.”
“If we go that far, we should vary when we return to the academy, as well,” Jenn suggested, “though I wonder if we aren’t being overly cautious at times.”
“We might be,” Gregory said, “but that doesn’t make it wrong, especially if it doesn’t cost us anything.”
“True,” Jenn said. “I just wonder if all of our steps to avoid potential confrontations are worth it… especially since we don’t know how many confrontations we’ve actually been avoiding.”
“Do you want to wait for another moment like the bridge?” Yukiko asked.
Jenn frowned. “I see your point. They might not be as easy to get around next time, or it might be something more than just them blocking our way.”
“Exactly. I doubt they’ll directly assault us, considering how that’s viewed by the academy, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Changing our paths is not a problem. We’ll ask Baylyss about using Gin’s for the morning workout. Cutting the day short to return to the academy is the only one I’m not sure of.”
“The time that we come back is going to become known, if it isn’t already,” Yukiko said.
“The first time they do something, it’ll be minor, to make sure they have the right information,” Jenn said. “We can change after that, if needed.”
“I agree with that,” Gregory said. “The game instructors are paid for our next three days off. I’m not sure I should retain them much longer than that.”
“I’m fairly certain we have the basics down,” Yukiko said. “We can find out how well we know them by then. If need be, we can engage them for a longer period.”
“Three weeks from now, I should be good,” Jenn said. “I’m still a little shaky on a couple of the games right now.”
“Okay,” Gregory said.
Getting to the main road, they’d turned toward Gin’s when the sound of a whip cracking got Yukiko’s attention. Looking back, she saw a carriage rolling toward them and gaining speed. “Run!” she shouted as she took off running.
Both Jenn and Gregory did as she said without questioning her. Gregory glanced behind them. The driver was snapping the reins while the man beside him cracked a whip, getting the four-horse team to go even faster.
Reaching the next side street, the three novices took the right and flattened themselves against the wall. A few seconds later, the carriage went thundering past them, still going straight. The emblem of the Eternal Flame was emblazoned on the side of the carriage, and Nick’s sneering face stared at them as it went past.
“He tried to run us down!” Jenn growled.
“Of course he did,” Yukiko said, “but there’s no proof of that. He’d plead something about being in a hurry and not even knowing we were there. I’m sure his lackeys would back his story. I just hope that a guard sees the carriage and he has to pay a fine for his actions.”
“Fine?” Gregory asked.
“Inside the city, going above a walk is endangering the public. It’s a minor fine for his clan, but it would be something.”
“Hmm,” Gregory murmured, thinking about how much he still had to learn. “Well, it’s over now. Let’s get moving again.”
“Do you think it was chance?” Yukiko asked.
“Yes. If it hadn’t been, we wouldn’t have known until it was too late,” Gregory said.
“You were the one who knew first,” Jenn added. “You would know best if they were lying in wait or not.”
Yukiko thought for a moment as they walked. “It was chance, but he saw us on that street, which means he’ll likely have someone watching for us next week. Nick is a petty man. He’ll not forget that we bested him and shamed his clan.”
“You bested him,” Gregory said, “even though he tried to kill you.”
Yukiko winced as the memory hit her. “He still wants to pay me back for his loss.”
“And I want to pay him back for what he did to you,” Gregory said, his hand brushing hers for a moment.
Yukiko’s pained face softened and she gave him a smile. “Thank you. I want to do the same to Jason, for you.”
“Kind of glad I didn’t face either of them,” Jenn said. “Not sure I would have survived.”
“You might not have, but we’ll be there to help for the next tournament,” Yukiko told her. “Our rings,” she said, touching the one she meant, “help dim the fire. It’s the only reason I didn’t lose my eye entirely.”
Jenn grimaced. “Can I get one of those?”
“They were expensive, but we can ask the man who had them. It never hurts to ask,” Yukiko said.
“Next week?” Gregory asked. “We can stop by his place and have a meal at Stabled Hunger.”
“Oh, that would be good. Jenn hasn’t been there yet,” Yukiko smiled.
“Been where?” Jenn asked.
“A wonderful little tavern,” Yukiko said. “They have food to rival what we get at the hall.”
“Really?” Jenn asked, surprised. “I thought the cooks were very skilled.”
“They are, but so is the cook at Stabled Hunger.”
“We’ll plan on doing that next week,” Gregory said. “That way, we can let the instructors know they can be a little late that day.”
“That’d be good,” Yukiko nodded.
~*~*~
When they reached Gin’s, they smiled when Elsa answered the door for them. “Welcome back,” Elsa said in a formal tone, belied by her wide smile. “The room is ready, and your guests have already arrived. Let me show you the way.”
“Oh, you’ve really been hard at work,” Yukiko said, stepping inside to change her shoes for slippers.
“She has, indeed,” Baylyss said from the hallway. “She’s been a quick study. I’m very grateful for that.”
“Once we have shown you the way, we’ll prepare the tea,” Elsa said, her formal tone breaking slightly in excitement.
Baylyss coughed once and Elsa blushed, looking down as she tried to compose herself.
“Thank you for the warm welcome,” Gregory said happily, a grin on his face. “We’re ready.”
“Follow me, please,” Elsa said and led them down the hall.
“Baylyss, would it be a bother if we showed up early and used the garden?” Yukiko asked.
“Did something happen?” Baylyss asked.
“We’re trying to stop any mishaps from happening before they do.”
“A wise idea. What time should I expect you?”
“It won’t be next week, but the week after,” Gregory cut in. “The time would be between sixth and seventh bell.”
“Why not next week?”
“We have other plans for early next week, and we’ll get here a little after midday. I’m going to let the instructors know that we’ll be late.”
“Very well. I’ll make sure that we’re ready to receive you early after next week.”
“Thank you,” Gregory said, echoed by the other two.
“We’d also like to hear how Elsa is doing,” Jenn said.
“I can arrange for updates on her status, as well,” Baylyss smiled slightly. Lowering her voice, she spoke softly enough that Elsa couldn’t hear her, “She’ll be doubly motivated to work hard if she knows you’re asking.”
“Here you are,” Elsa said, opening the door and stepping aside for them. “I’ll make sure the tea is prepared and brought shortly.”
“Thank you,” Gregory said formally, unable to stop the hint of a smile from showing.
“I look forward to the tea,” Yukiko added, her lips also curled up at the ends.
“I wanted to ask, Elsa, how are you settling in?” Jenn asked, stopping in the doorway.
“I’m doing my best,” Elsa said, giving Jenn a small curtsy. “Thank you for asking.”
“And so polite, too,” Jenn grinned. “We’ll be ready for the tea when you arrive with it.”
“I’ll make it with all haste,” Elsa said.
“We’ll bring it as quickly as we can,” Baylyss said.
“Thank you,” Jenn said as she followed the other two.
~*~*~
The rest of the day was spent learning, with brief moments of them speaking with Elsa. Baylyss had Elsa serving them anything they needed while she watched from the doorway. When it was finally time to go, Elsa was there to show them out.
“We’ll see you next week, a little later than normal,” Yukiko told her. “After that, though, we’ll be here much earlier.”
Elsa looked at Baylyss, then back to Yukiko. “We’ll have everything in order when you do arrive.”
“Thank you, Elsa,” Gregory said. “Have you seen the garden?”
“Yes,” Elsa said, her professional tone and attitude falling away in an instant. “It’s so wonderful! I spend a lot of time there, caring for the flowers.”
Baylyss coughed lightly. “She spends her free time there. The little she takes, as she’s been studying a lot. I gave her more, but she asked for more instruction instead.”
Elsa went red and looked at the floor. “I just want to show them I’m as good as they thought.”
“You’re proving it,” Jenn said softly, “but you also need to take time for yourself. Enjoy it. When the time comes for you to be an adult, you might lose your free time.”
“Like you?” Elsa asked. “I want to be like you when I grow up.”
“Not everyone becomes a magi,” Yukiko said. “Even those who don’t can still do vital things to help those who are, but to do that, they have to be trained.”
Elsa nodded and looked up, her eyes bright. “I’ll study everything and do my best to learn… and if I don’t become a magi, I’ll help you.”
Yukiko placed a hand on Elsa’s shoulder. “I believe you. Baylyss will show you the way. Do what she tells you, but make sure to take some time for you, okay?”
“Yes,” Elsa replied, her face glowing with happiness.
“We have to run,” Gregory said. “Elsa, it’s good to see you again. Baylyss, thank you. We’ll see you next week.”
“We await your return,” Elsa said formally, curtsying to them as they left.
As the three of them jogged off down the street, Elsa watched them go. When they vanished from her view, she shut the door and turned to Baylyss. “I’ll take two hours a day to tend the garden, but besides that, I want to study and learn. Please.”
Baylyss watched her with an impassive face. “Very well. I’d been going slowly and easily, but since you are so earnest, I will increase your studying. I hope you’re ready.”
Elsa nodded her head. “I am.”
Baylyss walked away, a smile hidden behind her impassive features. They do seem to gather loyal friends, don’t they…?
