“Glad you could make it,” Gregory greeted Stallo.
Stallo glanced back to where the older magi and mages were going off to another tent. “Almost didn’t. He was adamant that it had to be a trick or ploy. I had to resort to threats.”
“Threats?”
“If he didn’t at least try to ask the archmage, I was going to forfeit the next match.”
“That took some guts.”
“It did. He had us both sure he would do it,” Brian said.
“I would have. Keeping my word is important to me,” Stallo said.
“Well, you’re here before the others,” Gregory said, then he looked past them to see Jessica’s group coming their way. “But not much before. Jessica!” Gregory waved to her.
Jessica waved back, but her eyes narrowed when she saw the three mages with him. She glanced at Otis, the chaperone for her house, who was already heading toward Lightshield’s tent. “Greg,” she called back as she advanced the last few feet. “I didn’t know you’d invited Boar House.”
“Stallo asked about everyone getting together,” Gregory said. “The only ones we excluded last time were the Eternal Flame. Even the Shining Light clan turned up.”
“They’re odd,” Ivan said. “Too detached, like the soul path followers at higher years of study.”
Jessica nudged him. “Watch it, brawn-dolt.”
“Right,” Brian laughed. “I wasn’t sure if any of your house were soul path.”
“Stallo is brawn, but most physical magic people are,” Westley added.
“Most of ours are, too,” Gregory said. “They just synergize together. We’ve never talked paths with you. Maybe we can do that over games?”
“I’d like that,” Jessica said.
“The others should be here soon,” Gregory said. “All of the empire clans are here already, minus those who no one likes.”
“They do seem to be disliked by the rest of you,” Stallo nodded. “Very arrogant, like Asp House.”
“Very much like them,” Lukas agreed.
“Greg!” Claudia called to him as she led her small group. “Ah, Boar House, too?”
“Firetongue,” Stallo said stiffly.
“Problems?” Gregory asked.
“Some inter-school rivalries,” Jessica said.
“We will abide by hospitality. Will you, Gympian?” Claudia asked Stallo directly.
“Boar House will not dishonor itself as guests,” he replied back stiffly.
“Stallo asked about everyone getting together after the match. I invited them,” Gregory said. “As long as everyone’s civil, there isn’t a problem.”
Claudia glanced at Gregory before nodding. “Your wives are right. I will abide.”
Stallo’s brow furrowed, but then he nodded. “Agreed.”
“Everyone else is inside already,” Gregory said. “Come on.”
~*~*~
There was a round of introductions for Stallo’s group. Once they’d finished that, they went straight to dinner, thanking Claudia for providing another delicious meal. When dinner came to an end, everyone drifted to different parts of the tent where the games had been set up.
As people enjoyed the different entertainments, Gregory and his wives each approached a group to invite them to the wedding. Stallo had been shocked. He said he’d ask his chaperone, but if the others were being invited, he’d try his best. Jenn asked Claudia, who wore a bright smile before going to find Mindie to congratulate her. Yukiko got Jessica to agree to attend, as well, meaning all three mage houses would be attending the wedding.
Gregory ended up in a discussion with Yukiko, Mindie, Claudia, and Jessica. The conversation was devoted to the different paths. Claudia was a follower of what they called the ‘brain path,’ which Gregory knew as mind. Jessica followed the soul path, or what the empire called spirit.
“There are texts— hard to obtain texts— that talk of combining them,” Claudia said softly, looking around furtively. “I happen to have a book from the empire that speaks of it.”
“You would,” Jessica sighed. “No one would call you out on it, either, unlike if any of the rest of us were found to have it. What’s it called?”
“The Resonant Mind.”
“Oh, we’re studying that book,” Mindie said.
“You are?” Claudia asked in surprise.
“We just started it, but yes,” Yukiko smiled. “Have you tried to combine them?”
“I’ve just started dabbling at the soul path to try,” Claudia said.
“I had no idea it could be done,” Jessica added. “I know our brain path adherents are always doing logic puzzles.”
“Magi Squares helps, but studying can be sufficient if you do enough,” Gregory said.
“The book talked about being able to break down how people fight and, even if you progress on the combined path, get your aether to help you. I didn’t understand that part much.”
“If you follow the soul, you’ll see a cavern of stone. Your aether flame sits in it,” Jessica said. “I did hear rumors of a different path besides combining brain and soul. It combines brawn and soul, instead.”
“The Peaceful Fist,” Gregory said. “Lionel Lighthand wrote scrolls about it. Our clan uses it as a default meditation and physical training guide.”
“Can you show me?” Jessica asked intently.
“Hmm… it would build friendships,” Yukiko smiled. “Hang on.” She stood up and clapped her hands a few times to get everyone’s attention. “I know you’re all having fun, but we were just asked for a specific demonstration. For those interested in meditation and physical training, you might wish to step outside. There’s a training meditation that combines two paths— body and spirit, or as Buldoun knows them, brawn and soul. If you have no interest, feel free to continue playing.”
Gregory got to his feet, offering hands to both Claudia and Jessica. “Come on.”
Jessica was up right away. Claudia had taken his hand, but didn’t stand up. Instead, she studied him for a few seconds before she let herself be drawn to her feet.
A minute later, Gregory had trouble holding his mirth back. Everyone had come outside, including Elsa. Jenn had spoken quietly to her for a moment, so Elsa was well back by the tent. With as many people present as there were, the yard was mostly filled.
“We’ll split this up,” Yukiko said. “One member of our clan will help each group. Ladies, pick a group to lead.”
Gregory watched them spread out, seeing who was with each group. Something told him that there was a pattern he wasn’t seeing. Jenn stood in front of Stallo’s group, she was laughing with the physical enhancement mage. Clover was in front of the Iron Hand clan, already showing them the first stance. Roshana stood with the Shining Light, talking with Apprentice Klein Armit. Mindie was chatting with Hayworth, explaining the first stance to them. Ling stood in front of Jessica, the two partial-feline eurtiks at ease with each other. That left Yukiko showing Claudia’s group what was going to happen.
“Ah, good, we are not late,” Lightshield said as he floated toward the assembly. The other advanced mages and magi followed him. “Gregory, you were about to show them the Peaceful Fist, a cornerstone of Aether’s Guard, were you not?”
“Yes, sir,” Gregory replied.
“Excellent. You can lead those with me. I would practice with you, but I am not up to it today.”
“Of course, sir. Magi and mages, please,” Gregory motioned to the open space in front of him. When they’d all gathered, Gregory had to take a calming breath, as the archmage and Sage Laozi were directly in front of him. “This is called the Peaceful Fist. Lionel Lighthand wrote of it before the First Eurtik War ended. Some think he created it while others think he found it. It combines physical conditioning with meditation.”
“My great-grandfather did not technically create it,” Lightshield said from where he was standing by Elsa. “He adapted it from something he was taught by another. Sorry. Go ahead, Gregory.”
Gregory exhaled slowly. “We take the first stance.” He showed them, then had to correct the chaperone of Boar House. “If you start to meditate while we move through the katas, go ahead. Your body will follow along. Are the rest of you ready?”
“We are, dear one,” Yukiko replied. “Lead us.”
“If you fail to get a kata, just flow into the next one,” Gregory said. “Now, we start by shifting to the back foot.”
~*~*~
When the hour of the Peaceful Fist came to an end, everyone but those who were used to the technique were tired and drenched in sweat. The archmage stared at Gregory with curiosity as he wiped his brow with a handkerchief. They weren’t the cold looks he’d given him before.
“Why are we like this, but not you?” the archmage asked Laozi.
“I have practiced this path since I found out about it a few hundred years ago. After a few weeks or months, you stop feeling tired and worn and instead become energized,” Laozi replied.
“It does take a toll, doesn’t it?” Harrison exhaled roughly.
“Just have a good snack with aether and a hot bath,” Lightshield said. “It helps. We might need to stop this gathering for tonight.”
“Probably for the best,” Laozi smiled. “We will see you all again in two days.”
The archmage gathered the Buldoun mages, then spatially transported them back to their encampment. That left the clans in the yard. Laozi took charge, leading the other clans beside Aether’s Guard back to their areas. As they left, a lot of conversations sprang up.
Lightshield and Hemet joined the younger members of their clan. “That was an interesting thing to do,” Lightshield said. “It is possible you just strengthened future enemies.”
“Or we have set friendships in place to help prevent conflict later,” Yukiko said. “If just trying the Peaceful Fist guaranteed it worked for everyone, wouldn’t it be practiced by more people?”
“Very astute, Yukiko,” Lightshield chuckled. “I believe you are right. I just wished to caution you of possible consequences.”
“I considered them before suggesting we do this, Elder. The unknown was Boar House, but I balanced that against firmly tying Eagle and Wolf Houses to us. Both of their groups are solid friends now.”
“Hmm… I guess they are, indeed,” Lightshield smiled. “I want you all to know that I am proud of you.” He looked from person to person, his gaze even touching on Elsa. “Your conduct has shown that not all clans are as they thought. Your friendliness has helped open dialogue long hoped for between nations. The sage, at least, is pleased with you. I know the clan will continue to flourish for ages because of you and your close friends. I am going to retire now. Good night. Enjoy your day off tomorrow.”
They said good night to Lightshield and Hemet, then returned to Gregory’s tent to talk more before bed.
