No one from the Eternal Flame showed up to harass them throughout the next week, though some of the other novices were still having problems. From the chatter they heard, a few of the other clans had started to clash. Yamato Shipping and the Han Merchant Exchange had a handful of challenges before their day off came.
Jenn was all smiles when they finished their meditation exercises in the park. “Three days in a row now. Comparing what you told me, Yuki, my aether channels are wider, but my aether fire is not as dense as yours yet.”
“You focused on body for the first six months,” Yukiko replied. “It’ll stabilize more before the year ends.”
“I agree,” Gregory added. “Now, it’s time to head down to Hemet’s.”
“And to see if Nick has set anything up to cause us trouble,” Yukiko said.
“Do you really think he put it together from just seeing us last week?” Jenn asked as they started walking for the main street.
“Considering how much he hates us, it’s entirely possible,” Yukiko replied.
“It’s possible, but as long as nothing happens today, we’ll dodge that mess starting next week,” Gregory said.
“It’ll be easier to get our meditation done at Gin’s, anyway,” Yukiko said. “I keep expecting someone to show up while we’re using the park. If it was any time other than this early in the morning, it would happen.”
Turning onto the main street, Gregory’s shoulder blades began to itch. Glancing back, he caught sight of Fureno, who ducked into an alley. “Fureno’s tailing us,” Gregory said. “It seems that Nick wanted to verify it, after all.”
“Should we run?” Yukiko asked.
“Turn down the next street, sprint for the next corner, and start taking the back roads down to the gate. If we take turns now and again, he’ll have almost no chance of keeping up,” Jenn suggested.
“Do it,” Gregory said. “Funny that this is the same street we turned on when Nick tried to run us over… They might stay focused on it for a while.”
“That would be amusing,” Yukiko snorted. “All together?”
“Yup,” Gregory said. “Go!”
The moment they turned the corner, they pushed their aether into their legs and feet. Jenn’s feet were encased in blue flames as she ran, easily out-distancing them. When she glanced back, she cut down how much aether she was using so they could catch her. They turned the corner and Gregory looked back, no longer seeing Fureno.
“Next street, take a left,” Gregory said. “Then a right after that one.”
“Got it,” Jenn said.
~*~*~
The three of them had a light sweat dotting their foreheads when they came up to the gate between the inner and lower rings of the city. The guards on duty gave them curious glances, looking back down the street in case trouble had followed them.
“Magi, is there a problem?” one of the guards asked when they slowed to pass through the gateway.
“No problems,” Gregory said. “Just getting some exercise in.”
“Very well. Please be careful— you might injure someone accidentally if you run.”
“We’ll be careful,” Yukiko said.
The guard nodded. “Have a good day.”
“You, as well,” Jenn said.
“It’s this way,” Yukiko said, taking the lead. “We should have lost Fureno.”
“I haven’t seen him,” Gregory said.
“Good. We can go back to enjoying our day off,” Yukiko smiled. “We need to stop by Alvis Alchemy, too, Greg. Jenn’s starting to run low on the alchemical gifts we gave her.”
“Are we going to be able to keep her supplied?” Gregory asked.
“That’s why I want to stop by. That, and we need them to increase the potency of what we’ve been getting.”
“You have a good point.”
“I have a couple of bonds, if needed,” Yukiko said. “I’ll write Father and tell him that the alchemy money might run out faster than he anticipated.”
“You really don’t need to do that,” Jenn said.
“I feel that we do,” Yukiko said. “If you intend to walk beside us, you need to be our equal.”
Jenn’s cheeks flushed a little. “The cost is prohibitive. Yuki, I truly do appreciate the sentiment, but—”
“Jenn,” Gregory said, putting a hand on her shoulder and cutting her off, “I’ve been down this road with her before. Once she makes up her mind about something, she can be as unmoving as a mountain. I think she gets it from her father. While he isn’t a magi, he still managed to back down Grandmaster Shun at an auction.”
Jenn stared at him briefly before looking at Yukiko, who was wearing a victorious smile. Exhaling, she nodded. “I’ll pay you back in some fashion.”
“You can even help pay for some of it, if you’d like,” Yukiko said. “We three are all the novices our clan will have this year. If we’re all equal or near equal, then even if we’re outnumbered by the other clans, we’ll be the hardest challenge they have next year.”
“Always thinking ahead,” Gregory grinned. “You’re also right. If we can keep going as we have been, we’ll easily outstrip most of the other clans’ novices and be a real challenge to the bigger clans. It’ll give us enough trouble this year and next.”
“I’m glad I spoke with you before the fight,” Jenn said, “and afterward. If I hadn’t, I would have joined the Iron Hand and we would be adversaries instead of allies.”
“I’d rather have you as an ally,” Yukiko said.
“Me, too,” Gregory nodded.
Jenn smiled. “I wasn’t very nice before our bout.”
“Really? You made some small talk with me.”
Jenn laughed lightly. “I remember thinking you were on the spirit path because you meditated before the fight. I would never have suspected you of what we’re doing now.”
“I doubt anyone would,” Yukiko laughed with her. “Besides, you went to check on him after the fight. Mother said you were concerned for him.”
Jenn didn’t look at Yukiko. “I did hit him pretty hard…”
“Very hard,” Gregory said. “I still remember that headache. Then again, I wasn’t nice during the fight, either. I really hated attacking your injured leg, but honestly, I didn’t have any other choice if I wanted a chance to win.”
Jenn shuddered at the memory. “Now I have a barrier of my own… because of you two. I would never have these items if I hadn’t followed you.” Snorting, Jenn shook her head. “And even as amazing as they are, they’re the least of what you two are doing to help me.”
Yukiko fell into step beside her and looped her arm through Jenn’s. “We’ll do more. There’ll be a price in time, but I don’t think it’ll be as bad as you fear, if you’ll trust me, as a friend.”
Jenn glanced at Yukiko before nodding. “I concede. I’ll trust you and won’t complain about the price when it comes.”
Gregory felt like he was missing a part of the conversation and was about to ask about it when he spotted Hemet’s shop. “We’re here. First shop of the day. I wonder if he has another one?”
“We’ll find out,” Yukiko said, letting go of Jenn’s arm. “I’m wondering how hard he’ll bargain if he does.”
Walking inside the shop, they were greeted by Hemet, who was sitting on a stool behind the counter. “Welcome back, Novice Warlin. I see your betrothed is with you, and a new friend.”
“It’s good to see you again,” Yukiko said, bowing her head to the old man. “We came to inquire about a single item.”
“Another ring, perhaps for your companion?” Hemet asked, his eyes gleaming with suppressed amusement.
“Did you gain foresight?” Yukiko asked.
“No. I heard about your victories at the tournament, though. You’ve surely made an enemy of the Eternal Flame. Since you have a new companion, it stands to reason you would like them to be as protected as you are.”
“Do you have another ring?” Yukiko asked.
“I’d have to check, but if I do, it will be expensive. Many people are looking for ways to protect themselves against the Eternal Flame.”
“I’m sure that for a loyal customer, you might find a way to show appreciation… maybe by discounting the rarity markup?”
Hemet laughed. “You’re a dangerous woman, Novice. Let me go check if I have one. Looking at you three, I don’t think you can even wear another enchanted item yet.” He paused when he looked at Gregory. “Though he might be able to since he doesn’t have an aether storage item like you two.”
“I’m fine with what I have for now, sir. If we hadn’t received generous gifts from our clan, that would likely have been different.”
“Yes, I see you have entirely new items. What did you do with the old ones?”
“Gave them to the clan so they may be passed onto next year’s novices.”
“Hmm, concerned about those that come after you?”
“They’ll likely also have to deal with the Eternal Flame. I don’t think the one in charge of them right now will forgive easily,” Gregory said.
“They do hold a grudge,” Hemet nodded sagely. “I’ll be back shortly.”
Hemet was true to his word, coming back after spending just a couple of minutes in the back. “I have bad news. I don’t have a ring to match yours.”
Yukiko’s eyebrow went up. “But…”
Hemet’s lips twitched and his eyes went to Gregory. “You will have a decidedly hard life, young man.” Looking back to Yukiko, he bowed his head a fraction. “I do have something better.”
“Better?”
“The second iteration of Flem’s ring. It’ll entirely stop flame from harming the wearer. Like yours, it requires bane cores to replenish the enchantment. No one has yet been able to meet my price for it.”
“What are you asking?” Yukiko asked.
“Seventy-five thousand vela.”
Yukiko laughed. “No wonder no one has met your price yet. Novices don’t normally have that much money available to them.”
Hemet placed the silver ring with a ruby on the counter. “Which is why it’s still here. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Forty-five,” Yukiko offered.
Hemet sighed, “I do enjoy your business, young Warlin, but please, don’t insult me and my shop.”
“Apologies. I did reach further than good taste calls for,” Yukiko said. “Fifty-five.”
“Better. Sixty-eight.”
“Sixty?”
“Sixty-five, and not one vela less,” Hemet said.
“Yuki,” Jenn said, her eyes large at the price she heard. “That’s—”
“Sold, if you’ll take a bond,” Yukiko said, cutting Jenn off.
“I thought your father might leave you with another,” Hemet smiled. “I accept a bond for the price.”
“Greg, she shouldn’t!” Jenn exclaimed.
“I’ve conceded bargaining to her, Jenn. This is what she’s been doing all her life. I tried to object earlier in the year when the prices were a tenth of this.”
“Yes. It was difficult for him to accept,” Yukiko said. “I’m happy that he lets me do these things now without arguing.”
“Yuki…” Jenn sighed. “That’s too much.”
Yukiko pulled off her lesser ring and gave it to Jenn. “Then take this gift, as I no longer need it. I’ll take the new ring. That way, the debt isn’t yours in any way.”
Jenn stared at her before she accepted the ring. “I accept.”
“And that’s how she gets you to start,” Gregory said, chuckling. “She makes it seem reasonable and smaller than you thought, and then, before you know it, she’s showering you with gifts that you would’ve never considered before.”
Yukiko snorted as she finished signing the bond. “I’m not that bad and you know it.”
Hemet took the bond, checked it, and passed the ring to Yukiko. “A pleasure doing business with you again.”
“Thank you,” Yukiko said, picking up the ring and turning to Gregory. “Dear one, please come here.”
Gregory started to laugh and took off his older ring. “I’ll not fight against the tide.”
“Good,” Yukiko smiled as she exchanged rings with him. “Now, let’s go to Alvis Alchemy and see about the other part of our shopping trip?”
Jenn exhaled, wondering how she’d been outmaneuvered so easily.
Gregory patted her shoulder. “I understand. Honestly, though, Yuki is only trying to help.”
“I know,” Jenn said softly. “That makes it hard to fight it.”
“Are you both ready?” Yukiko asked from next to the door.
They followed her out silently, Jenn wondering if she could argue against the expense at the next shop, and Gregory curious as to just how much Yukiko was willing to spend today.
~*~*~
Entering Alvis Alchemy, Yukiko gave the woman behind the counter a bright smile. “Good day to you. I do hope you remember me?”
“Novice Warlin? Yes. What may we do for you? Have things not been reaching you?”
“No, they’ve been reaching us fine. I have two items of business to touch upon today. First, I need to add Novice Jenn Bean to the order so she also receives the same items that Greg and I do.”
The woman looked uncertain. “I’m not certain our deal with your father can account for that.”
“May I speak with the alchemist, then?” Yukiko asked. “I’m positive my father left someone in the city who can resolve these conflicts, but he didn’t tell me who. I’m sure it’s in the contract, though.”
“One moment,” the woman said, slipping into the back.
“Yuki, if it’s a problem, we don’t have to do this,” Jenn said.
“If you fall too far behind, it’ll be bad for all of us,” Yukiko replied softly. “Or are you giving up?” Her question sounded like a challenge.
Jenn stiffened for a moment before giving a curt nod. “I’m not giving up.”
“Good. I have hopes for you. If you balk now, you’ll never reach the point you yearn for.”
Gregory was about to interject when the door behind the counter opened and the alchemist entered the room. Shutting his mouth, Gregory stayed silent as Yukiko tried to get the problem resolved.
“Novice Warlin. We can accommodate you, but I will need Armsmaster Watashi to approve of it. He’s the one in charge of the funds for the contract,” Aldor Alvis, the proprietor of the shop, said.
“Ah. If I had known, I would’ve brought a letter,” Yukiko sighed. “I’ll see about having one delivered before a week passes. Since you’re here, we can deal with the second part of our business.” She pulled her medallion out from under her kimono. “We need higher grade items.”
Aldor’s eyes widened slightly. “I would agree with that. Did you gain two ranks during the solstice?”
“We did,” Yukiko replied. “Greg and I are at the ninth rank, and Jenn is at the eighth. We’d like her to catch us, too. Of course, your discretion is being counted upon.”
“We do not talk of what our customers need, nor why,” Aldor said stiffly.
“I meant no offense,” Yukiko apologized. “The people who want to see us fail are going to extraordinary lengths.”
“Ah, yes, the academy is a dangerous place. The first two years are fraught with peril,” Aldor nodded, accepting her apology. “Once I have an approval from the armsmaster, I will make sure that the packages to the academy include enough for all of you.”
“Thank you very much,” Yukiko smiled. “I hope you have a good day, sir.”
“You, as well,” Aldor said.
Stepping out of the shop, Jenn sighed. “I have no idea what that even costs, now.”
“It’s better that way,” Gregory said in sympathy. “There’s an early lunch waiting for us at Stabled Hunger. It’s going to be good.”
Since it was before lunchtime when they got to Stabled Hunger, the place was mostly empty. Ramon greeted them with a surprised look. “We weren’t expecting you for another hour.”
“We finished faster than we anticipated,” Gregory said. “If we can have some tea before the food? We’ll be studying until it’s ready, so there’s no rush.”
“I can do that. Nessa, guests!” Ramon shouted.
Nessa came out of the kitchen. “Father?”
“They’re early. Take them to the dining room, then bring them a pot of tea.”
“Yes, Father. If you will follow me?” Nessa asked.
When they were seated, Jenn smiled. “I see why you like this place. I doubt anyone here would give you problems.”
“I didn’t know about this place until my parents came to town,” Yukiko said. “Father’s always found places that would be accepting of me.”
“That’s not always easy,” Jenn said softly.
“No, it’s not. There were many places that we didn’t stay past an hour,” Yukiko agreed.
Gregory covered one of her hands with his for a moment. “Ignorance and idiocy. We’ll show them better.”
“My heart is ever optimistic,” Yukiko smiled at him.
When the knock came on the door, Yukiko removed her hand from Gregory’s. “Thank you, Nessa. We’ll be working on Magi Squares, so will you let us know a few minutes before the food arrives, please? That way, we can put our things away.”
“Yes,” Nessa said. “The tea is an orange today. I hope that’s okay.”
“It’s fine, Nessa. Thank you,” Gregory said. “Do you know what lunch will be?”
“Mother is making bane boar, buttered noodles, and steamed vegetables. There are also some desserts for afterward, if you’d like.”
“I look forward to it,” Yukiko smiled.
