The last week of their novice year went by with only minor bumps. Magus Marcia had a test for them on the last day, recapping the majority of what she’d taught them over the year. Gregory was pleasantly surprised at how much of it he remembered, only struggling with a couple of answers. Yukiko finished before him, not having any troubles, and though Jenn finished after him, she still was done before most of the class. She’d only struggled on the earliest material, not able to recall it as easily.
Some of the other novices were busy; the challenges were being thrown around with a fervor. None of them ended up challenging Gregory, Yukiko, or Jenn, but there were a number of serious and critical injuries because the majority of fights involved training weapons.
Gregory mused about everything that had happened over the last week while he got dressed in his best clothing. Yukiko’s parents had sent word to them that they wanted to have lunch at Stabled Hunger. Yukiko again reminded Jenn that she was coming with them, since her parents would want to meet her.
I wonder how protective they’ll be this time? Gregory wondered to himself.
Stepping out of his room, he knocked on Yukiko’s door. “Yuki?”
“We’ll be right down, Greg. Jenn and I are coordinating.”
“Okay…” Gregory replied a little hesitantly. Coordinating what? Oh, maybe they’re dressing similarly, like Ria and El…? Been a while since I thought about them. I should send them another letter. Distracted, thinking of his old friends, Gregory went down to the dining room.
“Good morning, Novice.”
Gregory’s head jerked up, yanked from his thoughts. “Elder! Welcome back, sir.”
“You looked to be deep in thought. Did I interrupt?” Lightshield asked.
“No, sir. I was just thinking about sending my old friends another letter, but I’ll wait until after the tournament so I can tell them about it.”
“Ah. Keeping ties with your past can be good,” Lightshield said sadly. “It can also be painful.”
Gregory took his seat across from the elder. “I’m aware, sir. I feel the need to let them know what’s happening to me, though.”
“If it comes from your soul, then it will only lead you to the right choices,” Lightshield replied.
Gregory sat still for a minute, wondering if the elder knew. Before he could reach a decision on that, Yukiko and Jenn entered the room.
“Novices, it’s good to see you both. In similar outfits, even,” Lightshield smiled. “Interesting. I’m sure it’ll work out better than you both think.”
Both women slowed their pace, exchanging a glance before bowing. “Thank you, Elder,” Yukiko said.
“Since you’re all here, I would like to inform you of the various things that are going to be mandatory to attend during the tournament, as well as the post-tournament training time.”
Velma paused in the kitchen. She had breakfast ready, but she didn’t want to interrupt the elder.
“It’s fine. Bring them their food. They can eat while I talk,” Lightshield said, not even glancing her way.
Velma’s eyes went wide for a moment, but she began to serve them. Once she was done, she stepped out of the room to let them talk.
“As I was saying, you’re required to attend dinner tonight,” Lightshield said. “That and the victory feast on the last day of the tournament are the only requirements I have set during this period. As you have family in the city, I would encourage you to spend it with them.”
“Thank you, sir,” Yukiko smiled.
“You, as well, Bean,” Lightshield said.
Jenn froze with her spoon half-raised to her mouth. “My family?”
“Your mother and father are in the city. They’re staying at Stabled Hunger, as Warlin’s parents are.”
Jenn appeared lost, not expecting what she was being told.
Gregory felt his heart clench for a moment as he thought of his father.
“The month after the tournament is different,” Lightshield went on. “You have two days afterward to get your things arranged. From then until two days before the start of the next year of your classes, we will be leaving the city.”
“Where are we going, sir?” Gregory asked.
“One of the nearby towns,” Lightshield replied. “You’ll be apprenticed to a craft for that time period. It’s a working vacation. When the work is done for the day, the rest of the time will be yours. Dia will be there to oversee you. Any questions?”
“Which crafts?” Jenn asked.
“Weaponsmithing, leatherworking with a specialization on armor, and lastly, a master bowyer. I decided to let you all choose which you’d prefer, but you will absorb all you can from those crafters. Most magi ignore the mundane crafts, but the knowledge can aid you later in life.”
“Yes, sir,” they murmured.
“That’s all for now,” Lightshield said, getting to his feet. A grimace crossed his face as he stood. A simple wooden cane helped him as he walked slowly from the room.
Gregory watched the elder go and felt a small spike of sadness. “He’s dying.”
“He’s an elder,” Jenn said. “They live very long lives.”
“Greg’s right,” Yukiko said. “He didn’t need a cane when he was here last.”
“He had mentioned that he’d have to pass the clan onto another,” Gregory murmured. “I wonder if that’ll be Dia?”
“Time will tell,” Yukiko said.
~*~*~
“Novices, it’s good to see you,” Simon greeted them.
“Thank you, Simon. Could I switch my current book to another on bowyering?” Gregory asked.
“And leatherworking for me, please?” Yukiko chimed in.
“Smithing, if it’s not too much to ask,” Jenn finished.
“You’ve read books on those topics already,” Simon said.
“We need more knowledge on those topics,” Gregory said.
“Ah. Your elder is reviving the old tradition of the clan, I take it?”
“Old tradition?” Yukiko asked.
“It was traditional for those going from their novice to apprentice years to be trained in a craft during their month off,” Simon said.
“The book I read about the clan didn’t mention that,” Gregory said.
“No. That one stayed within the normal aspects. It was written by the current elder’s father, before he split off to make the Iron Hand.”
“We need to look more at the clan archive,” Gregory said.
“It does seem prudent to do so,” Yukiko nodded.
“I’ll bring some books that will likely be useful to you in the coming month,” Simon said. “I also want to wish you well in the tournament. Many eyes will be on you three since you all finished in the top eight.”
“We’ll be doing our best,” Gregory said.
“No one doubts you’d do less,” Simon said. “Your friends are already seated.”
“Thank you,” the three of them said in echo, bowing to Simon.
“There they are,” Daciana said. “We weren’t certain you’d be here.”
“We’ll be here every morning, if possible,” Yukiko said. “We try not to miss our training.”
“Good,” Daciana nodded. “We’ll be here, too.”
“If that’s okay?” Nessa added.
“It’s fine,” Gregory said. “Friends should help each other, even if we’re restrained in how much we can help.”
“We understand,” Nessa said, beating Daciana to the comment. “You’ve already done more than we deserve.”
“If you’re as serious about joining the clan as you appear to be, then it’s the least we can do. We’re being targeted by the great clans. Following us will put targets on you, as well.”
“We can handle it,” Daciana said. “We’ve already gained a rank in the time we’ve known you.”
“That growth slows,” Jenn said. “What rank are you right now?”
“Three,” Daciana said, pulling her medallion out.
“Two,” Nessa added, showing her medallion, too. “What of you three?”
They each pulled their medallions out far enough for them to be seen before putting them away.
“Already?” Daciana asked with wide eyes. “Will we be the same?”
“Everyone is different in how fast they grow,” Yukiko said. “Which path you follow makes a difference in that, as well.”
“I’ve been curious about that,” Nessa said. “From the little we’ve overheard from the others waiting to be novices, they all do specific types of training. A few do Magi Squares, the majority focus on physical training, and a couple meditate. We’ve been doing all three… how will that affect us? I asked the dormitory keeper, but she just smiled and shook her head. Another person overheard my question and called me foolish, as only the exceptionally rare can train two paths, and no one can train all three.”
“The training you’re doing is to keep you balanced until you find the path you want to follow,” Gregory said.
“But you three do the same, right? Have you still not chosen?” Daciana asked, staring at Gregory.
“We’ll answer that when you join the clan,” Yukiko said. “We can’t answer right now. Giving answers to a possible adversary is foolish.”
Nessa blinked, hurt appearing on her features.
Daciana nodded sagely. “Yes, that’s smart. We’ll wait until then.”
“We should get started on the lessons,” Jenn said. “We have places we have to be.”
“Okay…” Nessa said softly.
~*~*~
Elsa opened the door for them, her smile wide. “Welcome to the Watashi residence.”
“Good morning to you, Elsa,” Yukiko said. “This will be our last day here until the next cycle at the academy begins.”
Elsa’s smile dimmed, but she nodded. “Because your fights can be at any time. I know.”
“You’re going to keep up what you’re doing, right?” Gregory asked.
Elsa nodded emphatically. “We all will.”
“If you all do a good job, we’ll see about setting up something special,” Jenn said.
Elsa’s eyes lit up. “Promise?”
“We’ll see,” Yukiko said. “If Baylyss says that you didn’t…”
“No! We’ll do our best!”
“I’ll hold you to that,” Baylyss said from behind Elsa. “Now go join the others in the garden. They’ll be along momentarily.”
“Yes,” Elsa bowed to them, then Baylyss, before she walked sedately from the room.
Baylyss watched her go with a kind smile. “She acts older than her years sometimes. Last night, one of the others woke with night terrors, and Elsa soothed them before I could get to the room.”
“She’ll do great things,” Yukiko said. “We’ll do our best to bring something back for all of them. You’ll need to leave word at the clan hall if they deserve it or not.”
“I can handle that,” Baylyss said. “They’ve all been eager for today, though sad. I know you have plans for today, so go on. I set out gi for you to wear while training, and I’ll have the baths ready for you so you can clean up before leaving.”
“Thank you,” Jenn said. “That’s very thoughtful.”
“I do try,” Baylyss said before she started to lead them down the hall.
