There was a hint of melancholy over the clan when they got together after the baths. Besides the wedding feast, this was likely going to be the last time to talk with their new friends until the tournament ended, or possibly even longer.
“They should be showing up soon,” Gregory said. “We’ll offer the Peaceful Fist one more time, the hour before we break up.”
“You want them to be able to continue on after we leave?” Ling asked.
“They’ll teach it to others,” Roshana added.
“Yes, but most people will only get a single path of training out of it,” Yukiko said. “A rare one or two of them might get the benefit of both paths.”
“Because of Darkness,” Ling said softly.
“Yes,” Jenn smiled. “True friends will likely be able to touch both paths even if they aren’t in the clan. Those who will aid us later.”
“Claudia and Jessica,” Clover said. “I think both of them are friends. The others, not as much. They’re happy to be here, but don’t want to grow the friendship further. Claudia… more than Jessica,” she finished.
“You’re right,” Yukiko smiled. “I think Claudia will be tied to the Resonant Mind path even more than the Peaceful Fist. It doesn’t hurt to share the chance with them, though.”
“Greg,” Roshana asked slowly, “was that your aether being used with resonance during the fight?”
“Yeah, it was.”
“It seemed more fluid than before.”
“I was in awe,” Mindie smiled. “I kept worrying you were going to get hit, yet you were always in the perfect place at the right times.”
“Our pride has a strong leader,” Ling smiled broadly.
“It’s easier to use when fighting, too,” Gregory said. “I don’t have to parse the different paths. My resonance just guides me to the best one.”
“Did you need less aether?”
“I used more, but that was from looking further into the future,” Gregory said. “We need to recharge the ring.”
“I’ll help,” Roshana said.
“Me, too,” Clover added quickly.
“We’ll do it after the party,” Yukiko smiled. “All of you can assist.”
Jenn’s thumb rubbed the band on her finger. “I’m glad we chose the right items.”
“I never expected the fire around the arena’s edge,” Yukiko sighed. “I’m glad the two of you won. They traded Lukas for me. They figured his fires couldn’t hurt you, so there wasn’t a lot of reason to keep him in the fight once I was dealt with.”
“We were all surprised,” Mindie said.
“She almost jumped into the arena to heal you,” Roshana said with a smirk. “I had to grab her.”
Mindie flushed. “It was out of reflex.”
“The healing not really working until the fight’s over is terrible,” Yukiko said. “I’m glad Willof had items to help while the fight went on.”
“Especially since it took Gregory wearing Ivan down to win,” Jenn said.
“I didn’t really look at the other paths. One of them might have let me win quicker,” Gregory said, thinking back to it. “In the moment, when I’m using my resonance, I’m calm and just flowing down the best path.”
“Meditating when fighting,” Roshana said. “Like Klein?”
“Hmm… I wonder how that would work if the person I’m fighting is meditating…” Gregory murmured.
“We’ll check it tomorrow,” Yukiko said. “They should be here soon.”
“I’ll go greet them,” Gregory said.
“Can I come with you?” Mindie asked.
“Of course,” Gregory smiled.
The pair of them left the tent, heading for the front of the Aether’s Guard clan area. “Greg? You’re sure about the wedding, right?” Mindie asked softly.
“I am, Mindie, as long as you still want it,” Gregory said.
“I do, but… part of me worried that you were just saying you wanted it.”
Gregory looked around and cast his foresight a few seconds into the future. With that, he snagged Mindie’s arms before pulling her to him, then kissing her gently. Mindie was shocked, but her arms went around him and the kiss lingered for a few moments before she stepped back.
Face flushed, breathing fast, she stared at him. “I… yes… thank you.”
“Thank you, dear healer,” Gregory whispered. “I’ll do my best for you. You’ll keep my hearts healed, and that means the world to me. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I just wanted to show you that I do care, and that I’m looking forward to the wedding.”
Mindie looked down, a smile on her lips. “You did that.” She glanced up, her cheeks still burning. “For our night together…” She swallowed, then glanced around before whispering, “Can they join us?”
Gregory blinked once and chuckled lightly. “Jenn asked for the same thing on her wedding night. Let them know you want that. They won’t rebuke you. If anything, they’ll both be thrilled.”
Mindie’s face blazed, but she smiled. “I told you my desires. I know we’ll also… but… I’d like my desires, too.”
“As my wife wishes,” Gregory murmured. He turned to face the path leading toward the clan area. “They’re almost here.”
Mindie exhaled. She knew she was still flushed, but she put a smile on her lips as she turned to greet their guests.
Swift Wind and Shining Light were talking as they approached. The Iron Hand joined them as they passed that clan area.
“Welcome back, our friends,” Gregory said. “The others haven’t shown up yet, but head inside.”
As the younger and older magi headed off in different directions, Magus Harrison stayed back. “Pettit, I had a question. Does Bishop practice the Peaceful Fist?”
“Everyone in our clan does,” Gregory replied. “She’s done so since she joined, I believe.”
“That would help explain how she got so far past me,” Harrison said. “Thank you.” He made it two steps away, then paused again. “And I’m sorry for how I acted toward you and your clan over the last year.”
“We held you no ill will, sir. We were glad to see Bishop smiling more before we left for the tournament.”
“She has been?” Harrison asked, glancing back.
“Ever since the last tournament, sir,” Gregory replied. “I believe she found a lost friend.”
Harrison snorted. “Pointed, but not wrong. Be glad you joined the same clan as your friends. That likely made a big difference for your friendships.”
“I’ll do my best to keep in touch and nurture the friendships with my friends not within my clan, sir. One day, we might meet again, and I want to smile with them then.”
“Even if it’s across a battlefield?”
“That’s a worry,” Gregory admitted. “If that day comes, I hope we can part as friends no matter the outcome. If there’s no animosity between us, I would question why we face each other.”
“Clans don’t always give you a choice,” Harrison said with an edge to his tone.
“I’m glad that my friends are in clans that aren’t antagonistic, sir.”
“You are either the most optimistic magi ever or you refuse to see reality, Pettit. Today does not mean tomorrow will be the same.”
“That’s true, sir, but it should never be a simple flip, should it? If animosity started to build, it could be discussed and cleared up before it got worse.”
Harrison chuckled as he walked away. “Hopeful it is.”
“He’s conflicted about his past,” Mindie said softly. “Bishop called him on a past promise between them during that duel. I think he chose to try after that moment.”
“He did,” Gregory replied as he dropped foresight. “Here come the others.”
A few seconds later, the entirety of the Buldoun houses were just suddenly there. Archmage Aliminus stood at the front of the group, and the older mage gave Gregory a questioning look. “Not surprised?”
“No, sir,” Gregory replied, bowing formally. “I had warning.”
“Hmm…” Aliminus muttered. “Enjoy this last night of unsupervised friendship.”
“Thank you, sir. We will do our best to comport ourselves as true friends.”
With another grunt, the archmage headed for Lightshield’s tent. The other advanced mages followed after him, with a couple glancing Gregory’s way.
“Friends,” Gregory said, addressing the nine younger mages, “thank you for coming. Sadly, this is likely our last party together, outside of the wedding in a few days. I hope we’ll be able to see each other again after everything ends.”
“We were told there would be restrictions during the Empire’s Gambit tournament,” Stallo grunted.
“We do as we have to,” Claudia sighed, “but I don’t believe our friendships will end here.”
“They won’t,” Jessica agreed.
“My clan and the other clans are waiting for us,” Gregory said. “Let me lead you.”
“Will we end with the Peaceful Fist again?” Stallo asked.
“We’d planned on it.”
“Perfect. I should have it memorized.”
~*~*~
The night flew by— dinner was a mixture of Buldoun and empire food, so everyone was able to enjoy themselves, and Elsa made sure they all had full cups. She mingled with them, thanking them for the compliments as she worked.
A couple of hours of games had smiles on everyone’s faces. There were a few brief disagreements that broke out, but nothing serious. When Gregory finally called it time for the Peaceful Fist, everyone went outside except for Elsa, who started cleaning up.
The elder mages and magi joined them once again, with Lightshield being the only one not to participate. Gregory felt a twinge when he saw how worn the elder looked. He pushed the thought aside and led the group through the Peaceful Fist.
“A very different path, to be sure,” Aliminus said. “I do not think it will catch on much here in Buldoun. I am not sure why your clan uses it for all their magi. Few have ever been able to combine paths.”
“Apprentices and Adept Laka,” Lightshield said from where he stood off to the side, “how many of you see the cavern and the sparks that emerge from the aether fire there? Just raise your hands, please.”
All of them did, to the shock of everyone assembled.
Aliminus started to reply, but Laozi beat him to it, “Very unusual. Maybe it is the path, maybe it is the additives, who can say? Aether’s will is unknown to all.”
“Of course, none can know what the gods wish,” Aliminus snorted. “I shall give you all five minutes to say your goodbyes. This is the last party besides the wedding for all of you.”
“We can explain it to them now, surely,” Laozi smiled. When Aliminus gave a crisp nod, the sage continued, “From our three groups for the Empire’s Gambit Tournament, nine of you will begin the tournament. Our clans will use three per clan. During it, you will only have the chance to call for reinforcements if you have the money for it.”
That got some thoughtful looks.
“Your boards will be in your camps, separated one per person unless you can join with another. If you do, you will consolidate to a single board. Representatives from both sides will be present to watch each board and ensure fair play. You will be stuck at the table until the tournament concludes, with a few exceptions. If you need to leave the table for food, restroom, or sleep, another person on the opposite side will watch over you to make sure you do not cheat. There will be an eight hour break every night so you may rest, again with someone to watch over you.”
A thankful murmur of relief came from those who hadn’t done well with the few hours of sleep from the last Empire’s Gambit tournament.
“The arena is being shaped into the field for the tournament. It is a big map, so do not think you can just rush off to find each other. Any of you will possibly be tasked by the archmage or myself with objectives. Failure to complete these will cost you during upkeep. We will be simulating a war, so act accordingly.”
Clover and Ling looked thoughtful.
“For those not involved in the tournament, if you wish to watch, the arena is available to you like it will be to the crowds. If your clan is part of the tournament and you want the chance to enter play, you must stay in your camp, but not in the tent being used for the game. If you leave the area, you are disqualified from entering play. Any questions?”
“Sir?” Ling raised her hand. “Any three from the clans that qualified?”
“That is correct, Apprentice Lao,” Laozi nodded. When no one else spoke up, he smiled. “Do your best, no matter which side of the conflict you represent. Oh, and be prepared for the improbable. War is that way.”
Aliminus coughed loudly.
“Five minutes, I believe the archmage said,” Laozi went on as if the archmage hadn’t coughed. “You will see each other again, but not like this.”
Everyone went around saying goodbye to each other. Handshakes, hugs in some cases, and kind words took place all over. Gregory’s eyebrow twitched when he saw Yukiko, Jenn, and Mindie hug Claudia when they said goodbye, each speaking softly before parting with her. Shaking his head, he saw Ivan approaching.
“Ivan, good fight.”
“Thank you for pushing me. I’ll be trying to separate my aether usage like your wife can. Maybe when we see each other again, I’ll be able to give you a tougher fight.”
“I hope not. It took a lot out of me to win,” Gregory laughed.
The two men shook hands before Ivan walked off to talk to someone else. Gregory grinned when Jessica stopped in front of him. He bowed to her, as she’d bowed first.
“Your fight was something I’ll remember for many years,” Jessica said. “I doubt I’ll ever see another who can so easily control a battle.”
“You flatter me, Jessica. I always had respect for shadow magi, for obvious reasons, but you’ve shown me that there’s even more they can do. Thank you.”
Jessica grinned. “If you can make a change in the empire, about where people like me stand, I’ll be glad to call you friend. I’ll call you friend regardless, though.”
Holding his hand out, he shook hers. “As I will you. I pray for a day where it’s not just the empire, but all nations that see everyone as equals. Maybe you’ll help me with that.”
“Be happy to,” Jessica said. “I wish to speak with Yuki. Excuse me.”
He watched her go, but that meant he got to see Claudia heading his way. Before she could reach him, Aliminus intercepted her, cutting off his view of Claudia.
“It is time,” the archmage said haughtily. “Gather.”
Claudia stepped sideways so she could see Gregory. She bowed formally to him, since she’d been unable to speak with him. Gregory bowed back just as formally. He had a sad smile on his lips before mouthing the word “wedding” to her. Claudia’s head dipped fractionally.
Then, the Buldoun mages were gone, and the clans started to head away, too. His friends gathered around him as they watched everyone go. A sense of separation filled the space, and each of them felt it.
