They’d finished the first portion of their day’s trip, along with lunch and the Peaceful Fist, and it was almost time for them to head out on the second leg for the day. Roshana, Clover, and Ling had enjoyed just being able to chat with Gregory, but they were all very interested in what Mindie had to say about her time with Yukiko and Jenn.
As they were about to get into the carriages, another carriage rolled into the yard. Lightshield stood beside his, as if he’d been waiting. He turned to look at his younger magi. “Mindie, a moment, please.”
Mindie hurried to his side as the other carriage came to a stop. “Elder?”
“Just wait a moment.”
A few seconds later, Magus Harrison exited the new carriage. “Elder, I see you already know why I am here.”
“We are willing to assist,” Lightshield replied. “Swift Wind will end up owing Aether’s Guard a favor.”
Harrison grimaced, but bowed formally. “I acknowledge the debt if my apprentices can be brought back to their full strength.”
“Adept Laka, please help the apprentices of Swift Wind,” Lightshield said. “Apprentice Arnab, go with her. Magus Harrison, you can join me in my carriage. I have no doubt it will take time for them to heal, and the overseer will want us moving before that.”
Roshana bowed, but glanced back at the others, sad that they would be delayed on studying the books. She was sure Lightshield wanted her to go with Mindie because she, too, understood the body.
“We’ll discuss Empire’s Gambit strategies,” Yukiko told Roshana.
“I’ll let Mindie know,” Roshana said as she left them.
With the groups split up, the carriages began to leave the yard.
“Well, that changed what we thought we’d be doing,” Gregory said.
“Yes, but it’s good for the clan,” Yukiko said. “Clans take favors very seriously. Even the Eternal Flame does… or used to, at least.”
“Empire’s Gambit?” Ling asked.
“We should go over the different tactics we think might be worthwhile,” Jenn said.
~*~*~
The city they entered was the second largest Gregory had seen, behind Wesrik. It didn’t have a major feature like the academy dominating it, so it wasn’t as flashy.
“Tivano…” Yukiko said with a mixture of sadness and fondness.
“Oh, your home,” Jenn said.
“Yes. I doubt we’ll be seeing my parents, though.”
“It’s unexpected that we’d be here at all,” Gregory said. “Lightshield never said we’d be visiting it.”
“He didn’t,” Yukiko said, her lips pursing as she considered that. “I knew we were close to it, but I didn’t know we’d be coming here.”
“Why won’t we see your parents?” Clover asked.
“Because they would’ve had to leave for the event before now.”
“We’re using the enchanted carriages that let us move faster,” Ling said. “I take it they don’t have something similar?”
“No. The empire and great clans keep that enchantment for themselves.”
“It would’ve been nice to see them and Elsa,” Jenn sighed.
“Yeah, it would have been,” Gregory said.
The carriages came to a stop in the rear courtyard of an inn. As Gregory helped the others down, he watched Roshana help Mindie out of the Swift Wind carriage. Mindie looked tired, but not exhausted.
“Adept, how did the healing go?” Lightshield asked.
“Two of the three apprentices are fine now, Elder,” Mindie replied. “I should be able to help the last tomorrow morning.”
“Who is left?” Harrison asked.
“Apprentice Oliver Binder, Magus.”
“Hmm… his wounds were the least severe. We shall return in the morning, so we may split as we should.”
“Of course,” Lightshield smiled. “An hour before we leave?”
“We will be here,” Harrison bowed formally. “The debt will be paid when the time comes, Elder.”
Lightshield bowed back slightly, though not formally— he had to keep his cane planted to support him. “We are glad to help those friendly to our clan.”
Harrison grimaced. “I haven’t been… but I’m starting to understand why Bishop was so steadfast in her ways.”
“It is always good to see friends patch up old wounds. Good evening.”
Harrison said his goodbyes and climbed into the carriage before it started away.
“Well done, Mindie,” Lightshield said, reverting to informality. “That favor will be useful later.”
“I’m proud to heal, Elder.”
“I know. It’s time for the Peaceful Fist, then a nice long bath for me. Clover, please lead the meditation.”
“Yes, sir,” Clover beamed.
~*~*~
After the Peaceful Fist, Lightshield and Hemet went to bathe. Egil sparred with them again while Mindie worked on the basics with Rafiq. The others cycled who they fought, though they all fought Egil at least once. Gregory barely lost his match against Egil without his aether, but won when he used foresight. With sparring over, Egil and Rafiq went to bathe, as well.
Then, the group changed their routine some: Ling and Clover went to train their magic inside, and Mindie went with them to rest, tired from doing all she could earlier. For those still outside, it was everyone on Gregory in a mass spar, using aether.
Much as the day prior, Gregory had to work hard to stay ahead of Yukiko and Jenn. It was a little easier for him this time, as Roshana had limited water magic instead of Rafiq and his physical enhancement. It ended when he ran very low on aether, and called it over.
“Was it too much?” Roshana asked.
Gregory was drenched— the water had slowed him at times, almost letting Yukiko or Jenn get him. “No, but if it’d been winter instead of late spring, it might’ve been vastly different.”
“He’d have been chilled, and the water on the ground would’ve had a chance to mess with his footing more,” Jenn said.
“I’ll go retrieve the others for the bath,” Yukiko said. “We’ll meet you inside.”
“That works,” Gregory said, giving her a soft smile.
“I’m surprised Clover isn’t already here, aski—” Jenn started.
“Time for bathing, right?” Clover asked, coming out the back door.
Jenn began to giggle, and Yukiko and Roshana joined her.
Gregory chuckled. “We’re coming right now, Clover.”
“What’s so funny?” Clover asked.
“Jenn was just saying that she thought you’d come get us before Yuki got you.”
“Figured you’d be eager for your turn tonight,” Jenn smirked.
Clover flushed, but nodded. “I am. Sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” Yukiko said, reaching Clover first. “Are Ling and Mindie already waiting for us?”
“They’d been behind me, so probably.”
“Come on, then. Gregory will get your backs, ears, and tails,” Yukiko said, hooking Clover’s arm with hers.
Gregory followed them inside. He felt a little awkward that they all wanted his attention, but his heart felt light and his chest warm.
~*~*~
Bathing wasn’t as awkward as the day before, but it was still a little embarrassing. Ling purred audibly as Gregory washed her back and ears, arching into his hands happily. Clover was even more vocal— she let out soft sighs and moans as he washed her ears and tail. When they washed his back, he was well aware of Clover pressing into him a little more than necessary. Yukiko called her out on it, and Clover apologized before stopping. Jenn commented that Clover was maybe even a little bolder than Victoria, and Yukiko agreed with her.
Dinner was good, but nothing special, and it was soon over, leaving them with some free time afterward. Once they were assembled in Gregory’s suite, they had to make a decision on what to study.
“We could start on one of the books?” Mindie suggested.
“Or we can continue with gambling games,” Ling said. “We should have all day tomorrow for the books, and the days after that.”
“Should we try gambling in the taproom?” Clover asked.
“It would give us real experience,” Jenn added. “It might also help spread the clan name some.”
“I’m not sure an hour of dice in the taproom would do a lot of spreading the clan name,” Roshana said.
“A compromise?” Gregory asked. “We play a game among ourselves and, if we all feel comfortable, we’ll shift to studying the books tonight and beyond. On top of what we can learn while in the carriages.”
“I think that might be for the best,” Yukiko agreed.
“Which one do we start with?” Mindie asked.
“I’m going to suggest the one about suppressing our aether,” Gregory said. “It’s pure spirit path, and we’ve all progressed on it. That should make it easier for Mindie and Roshana.”
“After that, we go to the Resonant Mind?” Clover asked.
“Yes. It’ll give Mindie and Roshana another few days to get more comfortable with the mind path side of things.”
“I was able to form a Magi Square while doing the Peaceful Fist tonight,” Mindie said. “That shows me that I’ve touched them all.”
“Yes,” Jenn smiled. “Good. Darkness approves, then.”
“Darkness approves?” Ling asked.
“On top of Jenn and I,” Yukiko said, “Darkness is also helping us make sure that those around Gregory only have his best interest at heart. If you can touch all three paths, that shows that you have her approval.”
“Otherwise, we’d only be touching the Peaceful Fist like Gregory said last night?” Roshana asked.
“Exactly.”
“Okay,” Gregory said, wanting to change the topic, a book appearing in his hand. “We start with Aether Control. Hmm… the title is straightforward.”
“Maybe it talks about exuding aether, as well?” Jenn suggested. “Dia helped us understand it, but we never really tried to do it again.”
“We’ll get a chance to do that and suppress our aether,” Yukiko said. “I think suppressing it will have a bigger impact for us, though.”
“We’ll see what it has to say after the dice game,” Gregory said, setting the book aside.
~*~*~
As the bell rang, telling them it was time for bed, they were all lost in thought. Gregory had read the book out loud to them, pausing when someone needed a clarification. Once goodbyes were said, Gregory shut and barred the door for the night.
“I think we can attempt exuding aether tomorrow,” Jenn said as she stripped off her clothing.
“It sounds exactly like what Dia told us,” Yukiko agreed.
“While we travel, it should cause the least trouble, then,” Gregory added. “Just the horses and driver to worry about. If we warn him ahead of time, it should be okay.”
“And we only need to push a little to know if we can do it.”
“Agreed,” Jenn said. “We did it once with Dia, so it should be easier for us.”
“Mindie was sad that it started with exuding aether,” Gregory smiled. “She really is a pacifist.”
“Does that bother you, dear one?” Yukiko asked.
“Not at all. She’s working on at least being able to defend herself, and it’s nice to see you all be so different from each other.”
“We are that,” Jenn giggled.
“Yes,” Yukiko joined her.
“Giggling because of your talk with her earlier?” Gregory asked.
Jenn grinned. “We clarified her desire with her.”
“Oh…?” Gregory asked, slowing in disrobing.
“Mindie is like us; a little different from what most would expect,” Yukiko said.
“She said she doesn’t want to be the focus,” Gregory said slowly.
“She’d prefer to watch, and maybe help a little as needed,” Jenn said. She’d finished undressing and swayed slowly toward the bed.
The idea of Mindie sitting in a corner like Darkness had done in their dreams came to his mind. He could easily imagine the timid healer reclined and enjoying herself while Jenn and Yukiko pleased him.
Yukiko’s arms encircled his waist from behind. “I see you like the idea, dear one.”
“Reminds me of our times with Darkness,” Gregory explained.
“Yes, and you enjoy those moments” Yukiko murmured, kissing his back. “Now come. Our fighter waits for us to tame her.”
“As my hearts wish,” Gregory said with desire, letting Yukiko direct him toward their wife.
