It didn’t take the group long to arrive at the city gates, as they were only a mile away. They didn’t run, but their fast walk was still significantly faster than others. There were guards watching people enter and, as the group of seven approached, they took interest in them.
One of the guards motioned them to stop. “Magi, you do know the laws of Buldoun will be observed inside the walls, correct?
“We do,” Yukiko said. “I’ve been here before I was a magi, sir. I’ll make sure my friends and I conduct ourselves accordingly.”
The man was caught off guard by the polite tone— the other magi he’d dealt with had been less pleasant. “Very well. Enjoy the city of Anders.” He waved them through, watching them go until they were out of sight.
The street was busy with lots of people bustling about, but Gregory noticed that a bubble of space was open around them. “Yuki… are we threatening?”
“We’re all wearing clan kimonos and are moving as a group,” Yukiko replied. “While normally, they would think nothing of jostling someone in their way, I believe that having a full group of magi is allowing us some room.”
“Do you think two or three of us would be afforded the same space?” Roshana asked.
“Perhaps? Everyone in the city has to know about the tournament. Causing an incident with a magi might have repercussions beyond the immediate.”
“Where’s the inn?” Clover asked as they walked.
“We’ll get there soon,” Yukiko chuckled.
Gregory looked at the architecture— it had a more utilitarian aesthetic than he’d seen in the empire. The biggest difference was in their roofs; every major building here had statues with open mouths on the corners. He made a mental note to ask Yukiko about them later.
“No one here wears kimonos?” Mindie asked.
“No. It’s dresses or skirts and blouses for women, and all the men wear shirts and pants. The wealthier wear full suits with jacket and tie,” Yukiko said, motioning to a few people as examples. “You can tell a lot about who a person is in Buldoun based on their clothing. The style, quality, and state of repair of their outfit can speak volumes if you know what to look for.”
The rest of the group started watching the people around them, trying to gauge what Yukiko had told them. That had them all busy as Yukiko guided them toward the inn.
The sign on the inn declared it to be Warm Slumber. The building showed recent upkeep, as some of the roofing was a shade off in color to the rest. The door looked new, or at least had had a new stain applied to the wood.
Stepping into the taproom, Gregory grinned. At least half of the place was filled with Warlin’s guard, while the other half had a good amount of partial-eurtiks. Hintle, the second in command of Warlin’s guards, saw them enter and was quick to greet them.
“Little Miss, it is a surprise to see you,” Hintle said when he got close enough. “We thought you wouldn’t be getting in until tomorrow.”
“We arrived an hour ago,” Yukiko smiled. “Are my parents here?”
“They are. Let me inform Lin that you are here. I believe your father is conducting a business deal.”
“Ah, yes, that is what he would do,” Yukiko grinned. “Go ahead. We’ll wait.”
“A table for you,” another guard said as he and a couple of others moved away from it.
“We won’t keep you from it for long,” Yukiko said, motioning the others to the table. “Thank you.”
“It is our pleasure, Little Miss.”
Gregory caught glimpses of the non-guards watching them with confusion. Clearly, the fact that at least four of them were partial-eurtik was curious to them.
One of the patrons was curious enough to be bold and ask, “What’s your clan?”
“Aether’s Guard,” Clover beamed.
“Never heard of them,” the man grunted. “New clan?”
“No,” Ling smiled, turning her cat eyes on him. “Aether’s Guard was one of the first clans. It fell out of favor for… reasons.”
That got a few nods from around the room.
“Because of who they accept?” the man asked.
“Aether’s Guard doesn’t hold to the prejudices some other clans do,” Yukiko said. “We are making a name for the clan again. We are showing that it doesn’t matter who your parents are as long as you strive and can believe in Aether.”
A murmur started up from the crowd.
“We’ll be one of the clans competing in the tournament,” Jenn said. “You have a chance to see us in action.”
“I thought the fighting was only three people?” the bold man asked.
Gregory took stock of the speaker. He reminded him of Steva, and it finally clicked that the man was part-rat eurtik. “It is. Yukiko, Jenn, and I will be the three fighting, as our magics are better for that. Clover, Ling, and Roshana will show their tactical minds for the Empire’s Gambit portion of the tournament.”
The inn was surprised that he basically just said the eurtik in the group were better tactically than the ones who looked mostly human.
“Settle down!” the woman behind the bar said imposingly.
Tall and broad, Gregory thought she’d be more at home with a hammer in her hand, pounding metal, than being a bartender. Kind of like Kassidy Micklen from Waterrock, but without the horns.
The inn quieted back down when she spoke up.
“Magi, I didn’t expect any of you to find my inn, much less seven of you, and one of you is an adept, no less. My customers will behave themselves. If they give you any trouble, just tell me.”
“Ma’am,” Gregory said, making sure he had her attention, “we don’t mind friendly questions. The inn we frequented the most in Wesrik was much like this place. The clientele looks very similar, and we always felt at home there. While we won’t be in Buldoun for long, we appreciate finding a place where we can all feel comfortable.”
“Not ‘ma’am,’” the bartender said. “I’m Calitona Puller. This is my inn. I recognize one of you, Yukiko Warlin, as the daughter of one of my customers. Welcome back, Warlin.”
“It’s good to see you again,” Yukiko smiled. “My name is Yukiko Pettit now. Gregory is my husband. We were married nearly a year ago.”
That caused another stir, and Puller’s brow furrowed. “I thought you were betrothed to a merchant family from Buldoun?”
“When I became a magi, they broke the betrothal,” Yukiko replied.
“And then I became the luckiest man in the world,” Gregory said, putting his hand on hers.
Conversations exploded all over the taproom, and Puller just let the inn talk. That worked out, because Hintle came back out at that moment. He scanned the room as he crossed to the group.
“Your parents are ready for you, Little Miss.”
“Hintle, I think that name can be put aside. Please let all the guards know. They can call me ‘Yuki,’ instead.”
“I will do my best.”
The group stood up to follow Hintle, and Yukiko gave the guards who’d given up their table a smile. “Thank you.”
“Our pleasure, Yuki…” the man said slowly, as if uncertain about the new name.
She gave him a dazzling smile before she walked side-by-side with Gregory down the hall.
The inn had two private dining rooms, or at least had doors on opposite sides of the hall that looked identical. Hintle led them toward the right one, knocked, and then waited. Lin opened the door from the inside, giving them a knowing smile.
Entering the room, Jenn froze. Seated with Hao and Yoo-jin were people she hadn’t expected to see. Adolphus and Umbrose, her parents, were there, but so were two others. One was obviously related to Jenn, though vastly different from her. She was tall and broad, as if she’d gotten the exact opposite features that Jenn had from her parents, but had the same hair and eyes as Jenn. The other woman was older, like Umbrose, and was an equal height to Adolphus, but had a plump, motherly figure to her.
“Mother, Father, Sister, and Aunt…err…Mother Ulga?” Jenn stammered.
“They wished to see you one more time before you’re posted in places it would be much harder for them to reach,” Hao smiled. “Besides, family should help each other.”
“It’s a pleasure to see you both again,” Yukiko smiled at Umbrose and Adolphus. “And to meet you both,” she directed at Jenn’s sister and Ulga. “I’m Yukiko, daughter of Hao and Yoo-jin, and this is my husband with Jenn, Gregory Pettit.”
Ulga’s smile was wide. “I thank you. It is because of you and Gregory accepting Jenn that I’m married to Umbrose and Adolphus now.”
“Oh, hugs,” Umbrose said, getting up and coming around the table to hug her daughter, Yukiko, and Gregory.
Ulga joined her, and Gregory’s smile strained a little as he thought about his own mother. He sniffled once when Yoo-jin joined in, but otherwise showed no outward distress. He even managed a laugh when Umbrose went on to hug the rest of the women.
“Umbrose, you’re embarrassing her,” Adolphus sighed.
“Nonsense!” Umbrose said. “You don’t mind, do you?” she asked Jenn.
“No, I don’t mind,” Jenn said, thinking about how her parents would react if they knew they were thinking of inviting the others into the marriage in time.
“Father, Hintle said you were talking business when we arrived,” Yukiko said once the hugging was over.
“I was. With Adolphus.”
“He’s being very generous,” Umbrose interrupted.
“Sister, it’s good to see you,” Jenn said as she took her seat. “Yuki, Greg, this is my younger sister, Candace.”
“You’ll be getting to your age day soon,” Yukiko said.
“Yes. I don’t know if I want to be a magi or not…”
“I always wanted to be a magi,” Gregory said, “but Yuki never did.”
Candace eyed them both, then bowed in her seat. “Thank you. For giving her happiness, and for helping Ulga be happier, too.”
“We’ll always do our best for Jenn,” Gregory said.
“Always,” Yukiko agreed.
“We haven’t met your new friends, Yu,” Hao said.
“Sorry, Father,” Yukiko said. “Ling, Clover, and Roshana are part of our tactics group. They are dear friends, and we were very happy they joined the clan.”
Greetings were exchanged between the trio and the others at the table.
“Mindie is the healer who was always there to help us during our training. She joined the clan just before we left the academy.”
“I remember you,” Yoo-jin said. “You helped with Yu’s eye, and with Gregory’s injuries.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Mindie said, bowing her head.
“She’s done much more than that,” Gregory said. “Every time we’ve sparred and been injured, Mindie’s been there. We’re as strong as we are now because she’s supported us.”
Mindie flushed. “That isn’t—!”
“It is to us, Mindie,” Yukiko cut her off, covering Mindie’s hand with her own.
Hao’s eyes darted to their hands. “If my daughter holds you in such esteem, it is warranted.”
“She has never had many friends, and now, she has many,” Yoo-jin smiled, having also noticed Yukiko covering Mindie’s hand.
“I just want to heal, and they’ve always been honest and kind,” Mindie said. “I’ve never seen them once act badly to others without reason. Even those who should get no kindness have been given some.”
“Which might have been a mistake…” Jenn muttered. “We can’t continue to keep giving clear enemies chances.”
“Enemies should be dealt with harshly so they can never raise a hand to you again,” Lin said from beside the door.
“We’ll be doing so in at least a few cases,” Gregory replied.
“We didn’t expect you before tomorrow,” Yoo-jin said, bringing the conversation back to pleasant topics.
“We arrived today and wanted to see you,” Yukiko said, but her smile faltered. “Who is caring for Elsa with you here?”
Yoo-jin’s smile grew. “You worry for her?”
“She left only a week before us and wouldn’t be able to make it to you, much less here, before we did,” Yukiko replied. “And yes, I do worry. She’s dear to us.”
Yoo-jin checked Gregory and Jenn, seeing the same worry in them. “I see. She is learning as we speak.”
“Elsa? Isn’t that the girl you have acting as our maid?” Umbrose asked Yoo-jin. Seeing everyone but Mindie focus on her, Umbrose was suddenly a little nervous.
“She is, indeed,” Yoo-jin smiled. “Spatial magic is costly, but still cheaper than the enchantment for a carriage.”
“She’s here?” Yukiko asked hopefully.
“She is. During the tournament, she is learning from Rebecca and acting as a maid for your in-laws.”
The relief and happiness on the magi’s faces were clear to everyone.
“She arrived last night,” Hao went on. “I’m glad she is here. I think it would have weighed on you, otherwise.”
“Yes,” Yukiko replied before turning to Umbrose. “She needs to learn the job, so don’t go easy on her.”
“If you happen to need her to wait on you during the fights, though, that would be okay,” Jenn said quickly.
Umbrose giggled. “I’ll see what I can do. She mentioned that her friends had helped her. I had no idea that was you.”
“I was surprised when Elder Lightshield approached us to have her brought here with spatial magic,” Hao said. “But since he had arranged and paid for it, I saw no reason to disagree with him.”
“We’ll have to thank him by doing our best,” Clover said.
“Agreed,” Jenn nodded.
“Can we see her after dinner?” Gregory asked. “We want her to meet Mindie and let her know that we’re all glad she’s here.”
“Yes!” Umbrose beamed.
“I would like to hear of the Empire’s Gambit tournament,” Hao said. “Your clan is taking part in both, I’ve heard. You’re the only one to do so.”
“A long story, Father, but we’ll gladly tell it,” Yukiko smiled.
