Claudia brought a collection of dishes native to Buldoun for dinner. Gregory finally understood what Magus Brown had meant when he’d insulted the merchant in Waterrock. The food was vastly different than empire cuisine— some was okay, but others were not something he wanted to try again.
People gravitated toward the different forms of entertainment once dinner was over. As Gregory watched everyone split away, he wondered why Claudia pulled Hayworth away from everyone else. He was quick to cut that thought off— what those two got up to was not his concern. He saw Jenn and Kang talking and headed their way, instead. “What’s going on?”
“I was asking Kang what I should get for winning our bet,” Jenn grinned.
“I told her it hasn’t been ruled in her favor yet,” Kang said, though he was clearly not eager to find out.
“We said we’d have a third party decide,” Gregory mused, recalling the bet. “If Kang wins, the favor from Mindie healing them is to be negated. I’d say another favor owed would be an equal reward.”
“Harrison won’t be happy…” Kang muttered.
“We’ll make it a truly neutral third party,” Gregory said. He turned to the room and raised his voice, “Stallo, Jessica, Claudia, can I borrow you three for a minute?”
Kang exhaled slowly. “Can’t say it was a stacked deck.”
Hayworth followed Claudia over, his lips pursed as if considering something.
“What can we do for you, Greg?” Claudia asked with a bright smile.
“You’ve all fought Jenn and Kang. We had a bet from before the tournament started. Which of them is the better physical enhancement magi?”
“Hmm…” Stallo said thoughtfully. “Jenn beat me, but Kang didn’t.”
“Let’s not go into records. Across the single fights, who was the better magi? Who did your groups fear to fight more?” Hayworth asked.
Jessica shook her head. “It isn’t close. No offense to you, Kang, but Jenn was the one we talked about most.”
“None of my group wanted to fight either of them. When I fought them both, I found Jenn to be the tougher fight,” Stallo said. “Her control is amazing.”
“I have to agree with them,” Claudia said. “I’m sorry, but she worried all of us.”
Kang exhaled, his head bowed. “I accept the verdict. Harrison isn’t going to be happy with me. I agreed it’d be another favor owed.”
Hayworth nodded. “He will be upset by that. Yukiko, can I talk to you for a moment? Claudia, you, as well?”
“Of course,” Yukiko said, as she’d come over to join the group to hear what had been happening.
“You’re still better than many I know,” Stallo said, clapping Kang on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s grab a drink and play some cards.”
Kang let himself be led away.
“Do you often bet like that?” Jessica asked.
“No. They owed our clan a favor and hoped to clear it without paying it off,” Jenn chuckled. “All it did was deepen their debt.”
“Have they not fought you before?”
“Kang got knocked out of the previous tournament,” Gregory said, going on to explain what happened.
~*~*~
The party was still going on when Gregory whistled to get everyone’s attention. “Those who want to do the Peaceful Fist again, let’s head outside. We have about an hour before the party ends.”
Gregory gave Lightshield a smile, bowing formally to him and the other higher-tiered magi and mages. “Sir, have you come to join us again?”
“Everyone but me,” Lightshield said tiredly. “When the meditation is over, please come see me in my tent.”
“Yes, sir,” Gregory said, concerned for the elder.
When they all set up, he found that everyone was lined up the way they’d been last time. His wives and friends were in front of the same groups as before, ready to assist them. This time, Gregory didn’t feel as nervous in front of Laozi and Archmage Aliminus.
“Sage, did you wish to lead this group?” Gregory asked.
“No. You may do so. If I were to do it, it would cast more doubts over things.”
“Yes, sir,” Gregory bowed formally. “As before, we take the first stance, then shift to the back foot.”
~*~*~
Those who were not used to the Peaceful Fist were again sweat-soaked and exhausted. There were smiles on all their faces, though, as they’d all found it easier the second time around.
“Gregory Pettit, you have done an excellent job during this competition,” Aliminus said as everyone started to say their goodbyes.
Gregory felt the off-balanced thrum he’d felt with the mage in the temple when the archmage addressed him. “Thank you, sir. I seek to help my clan rise to prominence again.”
“As any student should. Supporting your clan or house is what one should do. You have gathered quite the following around you, too.”
“I just do my best to represent my clan well, sir. I have noticed that the openness and willingness of my clan to assist others seems to draw people in.”
“You might be a magi to watch in the future,” Aliminus smiled thinly, “especially if others keep paying you attention.”
The words felt pointed, but Gregory wasn’t sure why.
“I will do my best to continue to represent my clan, sir.”
“Hmm… You truly believe that. Interesting.”
Without saying more, the archmage walked toward the gathering of Buldoun mages. When he reached them, he gestured and the whole group vanished from the yard.
“What is this?!” The voice was rough, angry, and harsh. “Inviting the enemy into our encampment?!”
Elkit stood at the entrance to the Aether’s Guard area, with Jason and Parks behind him. “And with the other clans, no less? Disgraceful! Have none of you any respect for the empire?!”
Laozi appeared behind the trio, and his power radiated off him. Everyone within a hundred feet struggled to breathe. Parks and Jason both fell to their knees under his power, and Elkit turned haltingly.
“Magus Elkit, are you questioning why we are trying to foster goodwill with Buldoun? The whole reason for this tournament was to build friendships. Have you forgotten that?” Laozi asked amiably, as if he wasn’t an inch from crippling the magus.
“Sage Windfoot, there’s a misunderstanding!” Elkit gasped.
The pressure was gone as if it was never there, and Laozi radiated as much pressure as he did when he was only a sweeper. “Ah, yes, I can see that.”
Jason and Parks bent forward, trembling as they held themselves off the ground by their hands and knees. Even free of the pressure, their cores had felt close to cracking under the strain. Elkit exhaled roughly as he finally managed to turn fully around. Bowing formally, Elkit tried to explain, “Sir, I—!”
“Silence,” Laozi said softly. Elkit cut off as if the old man had shouted in his face. “There is a misunderstanding. You are correct. There are two more days of combat. The day of the last fight, when it is over, you will be sent back to the academy. You will not be staying. Time and again, your clan has come inches from erring so badly as to start a war. The archmage was just here. What would he have done if he had heard you?”
Elkit blanched.
“I doubt fire would help you if he dropped you into the ocean the way he has to others who have angered him. We know he has done that. We, as in those of actual power in the empire.”
Elkit stiffened as if he was being beaten physically.
“Now, I will give you an order, and if it is failed, you will not make it back to the empire. Paying your clan for your loss is well within my budget for this trip. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” The word was said through clenched teeth.
“You and your two remaining apprentices will stay in your area unless you are at the arena for a fight. You will go nowhere else, and you will interact with no one else. And yes, I know about those you have been making deals with while we have been here. Is this clear?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Now leave.”
Elkit turned to go, but had to stop to drag Jason and Parks to their feet. The three left with stiff legs, one angry and the other two fearful.
Laozi watched them go, then faced the clans. “I have not had to rebuke someone in such a way for a long time. I am sure I will not have to do the same to any of you, correct?”
Everyone bowed and gave him agreements that they wouldn’t cause him trouble.
“Good. Swift Wind, you have done a good job. You do your clan and the empire proud. Do as you have discussed tonight, and no repercussions will come to you. My guarantee.”
Hayworth’s face went still, but Harrison looked confused as he bowed to the sage. “We will, sir.”
“Iron Hand, Shining Light, your chance to show the strength of the empire is coming soon. Your dedication and preparations have pleased me. You should finish your current games, then rest before your turn comes.”
Klim and Magus Dunn led their clans in bowing in agreement to him.
“Aether’s Guard, you have shone brightly for the empire during this part of the tournament. Can you finish what you have begun?”
“We will do our very best, Sage Windfoot,” Gregory said, bowing. When he did, he caught glimpses of the others bowing with him.
“Yes. Are the rest of you ready to show the tactical minds you possess?” Laozi asked, looking past Gregory.
“We will do our best to make the empire proud, sir,” Ling answered.
“Between you, the Iron Hand, and Shining Light, I have every faith you will do that,” Laozi smiled. “Now, you should go rest. Enjoy your day off tomorrow.” The moment he finished talking, he was gone. A small gust of wind swept through the area a moment later.
As everyone started to leave, Gregory excused himself from his wives and went to where Lightshield was. “Sir?”
“Help me inside. We have something to discuss,” Lightshield murmured.
Once they were seated inside, Lightshield sighed heavily. “I am fading quicker than I wanted to, Gregory. I have time yet, but not a great deal. I must pass something on to you before I grow too tired to do so.”
Gregory sat still, his heart clenched as the elder spoke of his end coming soon.
“I know you have achieved resonance, which makes it time to teach you the one thing I can that relates to our magic.”
“Sir? I thought foresight couldn’t be taught.”
“And it cannot be, but there is something resonance can help with. You know when someone feels in tune with you, and when someone does not, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Look into the future,” Lightshield said.
Gregory opened foresight, looking a handful of seconds ahead. “I see the paths, sir.”
“Now feel them. Let your resonance show you which path holds the best future for you.”
Gregory’s brow furrowed. “How?”
“Open your resonance to sense the truth,” Lightshield murmured. “It is not something that happens the same way for those with foresight. I cannot tell you how. You have to figure out your own path.”
Gregory sat in silence, seeing the future. He pondered on the idea of his resonance being able to help parse the future. Suddenly, a hundred futures reflected out from in front of him, and he gasped. His eyes went to Lightshield, who was meditating.
Exhaling, Gregory felt for the right path, the one that would best serve him. He didn’t push down each path, just letting his resonance wash over them. Falseness came back from nearly all of them, but five felt good. As he discarded the other paths, they vanished and his aether flooded the five before him. In the span of a heartbeat, he was certain of a single future.
Gregory turned, catching the item that came flying at him. He jerked as his foresight cut off. Blinking, he looked at the apple in his hand. Hemet gave him a smile, the one who’d thrown it.
“That is how,” Lightshield whispered. “When you train your resonance, train your foresight with it. In time, it will become easier, and it will help you see further ahead, as each new branch can be felt the same way.”
Gregory bowed in his seat. “Thank you, sir.”
“You are the future, Gregory. I know this is fact, and it makes me happy. Now is not the time, but soon, we will have another talk. For now, please go. I need to rest.”
Gregory stood, bowing deeply to Lightshield. “Thank you, sir.”
“Oh, please leave the apple. It’s my breakfast,” Hemet said as Gregory went to leave.
Gregory turned to toss the apple back to Hemet. “Thank you, too, sir.”
“It’s my joy to help,” Hemet smiled.
Gregory left the tent, his mind racing as he thought about what that insight might mean for his ability to use foresight. He didn’t know if the others were still with Yukiko and Jenn, but he hurried to his tent, wanting to share with them what he’d just learned.
