Entering through the back door of the inn, Gregory slowed his pace. He knew that five of the six in front of him would be okay with a shared bath, but Mindie was another story. She was so reserved that he had doubts.
“Mindie,” Gregory called to her gently, “can I talk to you for a moment?”
Mindie paused as everyone else went past her. “Greg?”
When Mindie went over to Gregory, Yukiko looked back and she nodded— she was sure that she knew what he was doing. Gregory caught Yukiko’s gaze and dipped his head in return.
“I had a question, and I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable,” Gregory said. “Would you be more comfortable if I bathed in the other room?”
Mindie blinked for a few seconds as her face burned. “Oh! Uh…”
“It’s your choice,” Gregory said softly.
Fidgeting in place, Mindie bit her lip.
“That’s answer enough,” Gregory smiled softly. “I’ll see you after bathing.”
“Wait…!” Mindie said when he stepped past her. Her face was flushed, but she could imagine what everyone else would say when she came in alone.
“Mindie, we all value your friendship,” Gregory replied softly. “None of us wants you to be uncomfortable. I’d hate for you to push yourself and have that distance you from us.”
Mindie swallowed— she knew the others would’ve been trying to convince her. She was still standing there a minute later when a door opened and closed behind her. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. Turning, she went to the bathing room that the other women had entered, worry rising as she waited to be derided.
Gregory disrobed, letting all of his clothing and items vanish into his storage ring. Entering the bathing room proper, he gave Egil and Rafiq nods. They were already in two of the four copper tubs available. Gregory mused that joining the others for a bath might not have gone well at all.
“We weren’t sure you were going to bathe right now,” Rafiq said.
“Have to be clean for dinner,” Gregory said.
“You will have a hard time with that this coming year and beyond,” Egil said.
“I’ll wash my hands and face, at least, if possible,” Gregory said.
“‘If possible’ is a good addendum,” Egil chuckled. “The field will make you truly appreciate a good bath.”
“I grew up with a wooden tub just large enough to sit in that came to my navel,” Gregory chuckled. “I already appreciate a good bath.”
“I suppose you do, then,” Egil chuckled again.
“It will be different,” Rafiq said. “I was born and raised inside the academy walls. Roughing it is something I’ve read about in detail. This will be my first time doing so.”
“You will miss the baths most,” Egil sighed. “I always do.”
“I had a question, if you don’t mind, Armsmaster,” Gregory said as he got wash water pumped. “What is next year going to be like for me and my friends?”
“Training,” Egil sighed, trying to get comfortable in the tub that was just a bit too small for him. “You will be placed near a town with your men. You will learn how to command them and what it means to command them. There will be drills, and you will teach them how to react to ambushes or how to set various attacks or defenses.”
Gregory listened as he sat down— this was more than he’d heard before.
“You will be taught how to handle pay, rotate days off, and more. There will be an empire soldier who will teach you all of this. It’s his report that will influence where you are placed the following year.”
“Isn’t that already known?” Gregory asked, thinking of Lightshield.
“No… though for your elder… maybe,” Egil chuckled before sitting fully upright. “Right near the end of the year, you will be tested on all you’ve learned.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Pettit, my dear friend believes in you, and I have seen enough to put some hope in you,” Egil said as he stood up. “You’re truly skilled with the naginata. I’d recommend you begin learning another weapon, as I had to. It will save you in the future when your preferred weapon becomes banned at times.”
“I will do my best, Armsmaster.”
“I will see you both at dinner,” Egil said, grabbing a towel to dry off.
Gregory finished washing just after Egil left. As he filled a tub with hot water, he glanced at Rafiq. The crocodilian eurtik grinned, his one eye glancing at the magi. “Sorry,” Gregory said. “I was just wondering how that can be comfortable for you.”
“Because of my tail?”
“Yeah.”
“It is why I sit as I do and do not recline as Magi-killer tried. I’d prefer a pool that I could float in, but this is still sufficient.”
“Do you dislike the task you’ve been given?” Gregory asked after he got into his tub.
“Not at all. I asked for it. The chief was told to provide someone for this task. When we— the archivists— were told, I volunteered.”
“Why?”
“Because, Gregory, you’re a good person,” Rafiq said. “You have only ever been respectful to all of us. You have shown that you don’t care for what blood a person has, but only about who they are. Have you not understood how rare that is for a magi?”
“My entire clan is like that.”
“Yes, and before you and Yukiko joined them, how far had they fallen?”
Gregory was silent for a few minutes, considering what Rafiq had said.
“When people fight against society, society pushes back. People in power don’t handle threats to their power well at all,” Rafiq said into the silence. “The great clans have a vested interest that things continue as they have. You would do well to remember this in the coming years.”
“Doesn’t it bother you?” Gregory asked softly.
“Of course, but what I think will never change the empire. It will take someone who is willing to suffer to even attempt the change you seem to consider. We’ve all heard snippets of your views inside the archive.”
Gregory jerked a little.
“None of those who work there would say a thing. After all, we might hold similar views.” Rafiq’s lips pulled up to show a stilted smile.
“I guess that’s true,” Gregory snorted. “Maybe that’s why…?”
“It is good you don’t finish that sentence,” Rafiq said, standing up. “We cannot go against what is required. There are still ways around things, if one looks at them sideways.”
“I’ll do my best to do so. Thank you, Rafiq.”
Rafiq shook his head. “All of us thank you, as well, Gregory. All of the enslaved at the academy know who you are. We know how you acted during your two years inside the walls. We just hope that you won’t become different in your time outside of them.”
“I will change,” Gregory said, “but I hope only for the better.”
Rafiq laughed as he grabbed a towel. “Something we all wish for. Oh, and I happen to have copies of the next few journals, when you are ready for them. I was given them so ‘others who wish to learn’ may do so.”
“I owe her a debt,” Gregory said.
“She believes you will see it paid back in time. We all do. Have a good soak, young magi.”
“I’ll see you for dinner, Rafiq.”
Left alone in the room, Gregory thought about everything he’d been told. Rafiq all but confirmed his belief that Sarinia and the archive had been helping him. When they were told one of them needed to accompany Gregory, Rafiq had even volunteered to leave his life behind.
And all of them believe I can cause change to happen. Will they believe me later when I declare myself? Does she suspect that, or is she just hopeful because I was kind? Gregory continued to ponder as he soaked.
~*~*~
When he finally got out of the tub, another thought came to him. How did Mindie do in the bath? As he dried off and got dressed, he hoped she’d been alright. He knew Yukiko and the others would try their best to make her comfortable, but maybe he’d made a mistake by even asking about bathing with her.
Finally dressed, he left the bathroom to find the women stepping out of theirs. “We still have an hour before dinner, don’t we?”
“I believe so,” Yukiko smiled. “Shall we play cards?”
“That or bones would be good,” Gregory said. “I also have a little bit of news about next year. Egil told me a snippet about it.”
“Our room is large enough for everyone,” Jenn said.
“I’m not good with gambling,” Mindie said.
“Neither am I,” Clover smiled. “We’ll learn together.”
“Yes, learning helps the mind,” Ling grinned.
“I can help. My father played a lot of bones,” Roshana said. “He was a merchant guard for years.”
“Four of us can help the three of you who haven’t played much,” Yukiko said.
Mindie bowed her head. “I’ll try, but I’m on the spirit path.”
“Maybe we can take the time to explain one of the things that makes our clan truly special,” Jenn said, taking Mindie’s hand. “Come with me, Mindie. There are some things you haven’t heard yet.”
“Okay?” Mindie said questioningly, letting Jenn lead her away.
Roshana, Clover, and Ling were right behind them, chatting amiably. Yukiko touched Gregory’s arm, stopping him from following them. He gave her a questioning glance, but she shook her head, touching her ear.
When the others were farther away, Yukiko spoke softly, “Mindie was afraid when she joined us. I asked her why, and she broke down, explaining that it was all her fault you didn’t bathe with us.”
Gregory winced.
“No, wait,” Yukiko said. “We talked and, after a while, she relaxed. It took some time, but we explained the full story about the previous bath, about how you would never wish to lose a friend. That got her crying. We held her until she stopped. She isn’t ready to be seen by you yet, but… she’s hopeful.”
“I’m a little confused by what that means.”
“We explained that you would be happy to join us, but only if everyone was comfortable. None of us wanted her less than comfortable with everything. I believe she’ll ask before the tournament is over, but at this point, just plan to bathe with the men until then.”
“She doesn’t have to force herself,” Gregory said.
“We all know that, but she also wants to be seen as an equal. She has her hopes and dreams as much as any of the others, dear one.”
“Our life is complicated, isn’t it?”
Yukiko smiled, touching his cheek fondly. “A little, but we’re willing to accept the small bumps if it means harmony later.”
Gregory touched her hand on his face, giving her a gentle smile. “Thank you, my heart. I won’t say a word about it again. When she asks, I’ll do my best to not stumble or be awkward.”
“Thank you, dearest. Come now. Let’s help our friends learn even more.”
“Do you think she’ll try for all three paths?” Gregory asked softly as they headed down the hall.
“Of course. She’s seen our growth and trusts us. The only question is will she believe enough to throw herself into it?”
Gregory thought about that question as they climbed the stairs toward the rooms. What does it take for them to walk all three paths? Darkness has to agree, but what else? She said I have to want them beside me… but how hard do they have to strive to really achieve it? He knew that just being told had to be hard to accept, yet all of their friends pushed to try it with just their word it would work.
Walking down a hall behind Yukiko, Gregory hoped Mindie would be as understanding. He always liked having her near them. Mindie felt like an old friend, and he was sure he knew why. The thought of her rejecting what they said and leaving caused his chest to tighten a little. Taking a deep breath, he hoped she’d be willing to try.
