Gregory reached up to untie his mask. By the time he’d finished, his wives were standing over him. “We won!” he had to shout for them to even hear him over the crowd.
“Close!” Jenn shouted back, extending a hand to him.
“Very close!” Yukiko grinned as she held out her hand, as well.
Taking their hands, he got back up on his feet, then retrieved the dagger he’d used to clinch his victory. He turned around to find Jessica so he could return her weapon, but he saw her approaching him, instead. Bowing, he held out the dagger to her. Jessica bowed back, exchanging weapons with him.
“My own dagger…” Jessica grumbled as she took it. “That’s terrible.”
“It came off your belt when we were grappling,” Yukiko smiled. “I made sure it did.”
Jessica’s eyes went wide. “You planned for it to end that way?”
Yukiko laughed, shaking her head. “No. I just wanted you to lose your second weapon.”
“I can’t believe she surrendered,” Jessica said, still having to shout to be heard.
The crowd’s noise dimmed rapidly, and the four of them looked around. The announcer was heading to the center of the arena, waving to the stands as he walked.
“Time to give respect,” Jessica said, able to lower her voice to near-conversational levels. “Come on.”
When he got to the middle of the field, Mikal raised the metal disk to his mouth. “What a finish! Something we’ll be able to tell our children and grandchildren about! Claudia Firetongue came seconds away from winning, but in the end, it was the unbeaten magi, Gregory Pettit, who stood victorious on the field! He even went so far as to force a submittal from his last opponent! Talk about determination! Both of them were injured, forced to act without limbs, and they kept fighting to the very end. Let’s have one more round of applause for our last two fighters!”
The crowd’s noise surged, the ground shaking from the outpouring of appreciation. Raising his hand, the announcer waited, and the crowd settled again.
“Mages and magi, please line up. It’s time for the time-honored tradition here in Buldoun of paying respects to your opponent.”
That stopped Jason and Parks, who’d almost made it to the waiting area door. Grimacing, the pair turned back to line up with the others. Once they were all ready, they bowed in their native fashions to each other. When that was over, Claudia stepped forward with her hand extended. The rest of her side did the same a heartbeat later.
Gregory, accepting the gesture, had to step forward to take her hand. He shook hers and met her bright eyes with his own. “Good fight. You almost had it with that arctic blast.”
“‘Almost’ doesn’t count. I gave it my all, but in the end, I was conquered by you,” Claudia replied.
Gregory felt a tingle up his spine at her words. He glanced at Yukiko beside him, but she was exchanging well-wishes with another.
Claudia took her hand away, stepping back again. When Gregory did the same, the two sides bowed again, but this time, the mages bowed as magi. Gregory went with the moment and led the magi in bowing as mages.
“Talk about classy,” Mikal said. “Hopefully, these two groups have learned from each other. If our nations are lucky, friendships might have even been fostered during this event. Now, let us have one more round of cheering— for the victors, the magi of the Velum Empire, and specifically for Gregory Pettit, apprentice of Aether’s Guard and undefeated in every fight!”
The crowd picked up the noise, but it was noticeably less raucous than the previous cheers. The announcer put the disk away and gave them all a nod before he turned for the waiting area door.
“See you all for the wedding,” Gregory said.
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it,” Claudia smiled.
With that, the two sides separated.
Jason and Parks were moving quickly, obviously wanting to get off the arena floor. Hayworth led his two clanmates while waving to the crowd. Gregory walked between his wives with slow measured steps, his eyes on the boxes above the waiting area.
His friends were smiling, wiping away happy tears, and waving to them. He let his gaze rest on each for a few seconds, taking in the moment. He looked at Elsa, watching the young girl beaming brightly as she stood beside Mindie. The pride in her eyes made Gregory smile wider. He was glad she got to see them at least once.
Finally, his eyes shifted to Mindie. The partial-fox eurtik healer was wiping at her eyes and beaming down at them. There was pride in her gaze, but also love. Her smile softened and her cheeks began to heat as he stared at her. Gregory felt his own face turn pink, but he refused to look away from his next wife.
The moment ended when Gregory entered the waiting area. Jason and Parks were already gone, clearly not caring to strip their armor off with the others. Rafiq was still writing in his book, probably getting his notes in order.
“Had me worried for a bit there, fringer,” Hayworth said. “I wonder how she kept up with you at all?”
“Had to be an enchantment that deals with foresight,” Jenn said. “She used it in our previous fight. She knew when I was coming out of the flames. I had no idea it had the duration it did.”
“That would be a treasure…” Hayworth said slowly. “Hmm…”
“I wouldn’t doubt if it was given to her to ensure that she won,” Yukiko said. “That and the ice blast, which none of us guessed at a fire mage using.”
“That took me by surprise,” Gregory said. “Its width stopped me from getting out in time. I should’ve looked further into the future, but if I had, I’d have run out of aether well before then. As it is, the ring is drained again.”
“The others will help us refill it,” Jenn smiled.
“We thought they’d start with a firestorm,” Kang said. “Didn’t think they’d use our tactic.”
“It made sense to use a spatial magi to send fighters into the back ranks,” Binder said. “We were so concerned about fire that we failed to account for them doing what we’d planned.”
“You all did well,” Egil said. “Those of you who fought as a unit, that is. If the other two had been closer to the rest of you, then you could’ve assisted them. Or Gregory could have gotten to them in time to maybe save at least one of them.”
“The Eternal Flame isn’t known for their ability to work with others,” Hayworth snorted.
“I’m glad they aren’t in the Empire’s Gambit tournament,” Jenn said as she stripped off her armor. “That’s where we really need teamwork.”
“Yes.” Hayworth nodded. “We’ll be watching the game with interest.”
Gregory saw Rafiq shift and his lips pursed. Rafiq never shifted needlessly. If he moved, there was a reason for it. But he also hadn’t spoken, meaning he wasn’t supposed to have input in the conversation.
Yukiko had seen the movement when she finished stripping off her armor, letting her obi collect each piece as pulled them off. “Armsmaster, do you know anything about the Empire’s Gambit tournament?”
“Should I?” Egil asked.
“I wasn’t sure, but you might have an answer I was looking for,” Yukiko said, her eyes narrow and focused on him. “We’d been told anyone involved in the tournament could be called into play. Did they mean the three clans that won your tournament, or anyone from the empire side of things?”
Egil stood impassively. “That sounds like a question for your elder, or possibly the sage.”
“We’ll ask them, then. Thank you.”
“I do the best I can, Magi. Rafiq, are you ready?”
Rafiq closed his book. “I do believe that is all I need to record today. Do you think the vendor who had that unique ale is there today?”
“We’ll send the staff to find out,” Egil chuckled. “I did enjoy it, myself.”
When the door shut behind the two of them, Hayworth asked, “Do you think our clan could be called in, as well?”
“I do,” Yukiko said slowly. “The wording is what matters. I want to try getting a clearer answer from the sage or elder before I’m certain, though.”
“Hmm… yes,” Hayworth said. “That would dictate if we wait in our camp or go watch the game. Maybe we can get an answer during dinner?”
“Maybe,” Gregory said as his wives helped him get his armor off. “We’ll see you there.”
“Yes. The armor might be useful, but it does seem to require help.”
“It really does,” Gregory nodded.
~*~*~
The feast was held in Laozi’s tent, a massive pavilion that could hold all of them easily. The food was a grand feast that had dishes from all over the empire. Everyone was in good cheer except for the members of the Eternal Flame.
When the meal finally came to an end, Laozi stood up. “Well done to you all. Some of your clans distinguished yourselves in the proper ways while others… did not.”
The Eternal Flame group shifted even though Laozi hadn’t even glanced at them.
“We have gifts for the winners. Most of you do not need alchemical aid, but at least one of you could use more. Those items will be delivered to you when you get to your initiate posting.”
Binder bowed deeply. “Thank you, sir.”
“For the rest of you, I have certificates— good up to a hundred thousand vela each— that can be spent in any auction house in the empire,” Laozi went on. He nodded to a staff member who came forward to hand them out. “Use them at your discretion. You may even sell them if you wish. I will take no offense.”
That caused a little bit of a stir among the clans who hadn’t fought in the tournament.
“Out of all of you, one of you distinguished yourself above even the others,” Laozi went on. “It would be wrong for us not to acknowledge that fact.”
Everyone looked toward Gregory, who sat stone-faced.
“Apprentice Gregory Pettit,” Laozi said, “you won every single match that you fought. Twice, you were the last of your team to be standing. You endured in the final fight, defeating four opponents yourself, including the archmage’s personal apprentice to finish the tournament. The empire shows its gratitude to you for showing our strength to our neighbors.”
“Thank you, sir. I could only do what I did because of my clan, friends, and the support of the academy, sir,” Gregory bowed deeply.
“Always so humble,” Laozi smiled. “Your reward for your skill is no small thing. I will grant you the posting of your choice as a magus. Consider it well. You have two years before it must be answered.”
Gregory’s eyes twitched to Lightshield, who was wearing a small smile. “I will think deeply and ask for the assistance of my clan to pick the right posting, sir.”
“Very good. Now, for the rest of you, winning the final fight was very important to the empire. Compile a list of your five preferred postings as a magus. I will do my best to see you get one of them, but make them reasonable, or I will choose another for you myself.”
“Thank you, sir,” the others said, bowing to him.
“That concludes our feast, but you may stay and talk for as long as you like.”
“Sir?” Yukiko asked, raising her hand.
“Yes, Pettit?”
“I had a question regarding the Empire’s Gambit tournament. When we call for reinforcements, do they have to be from Aether’s Guard, Shining Light, or the Iron Hand?”
Laozi’s eyes twinkled. “What an unexpected question. The answer is simple: no. Any clan that came can have a member of their apprentice class called in as reinforcements.”
“Any at all, sir?”
Laozi sighed, bowing his head. “Unfortunately, no. I argued with the archmage for days, but alas, he forbade us a single apprentice. After the shocking event on the second day, I was forced to concede to his request.” He looked at Gregory. “Pettit, you will not be allowed to enter the tournament.”
“I understand, sir,” Gregory said simply, not bothering to fight it. “I would ask one thing, if I may? Well, two, honestly. Will Firetongue be disallowed to use her enchanted item that gives her foresight? And may I assist in the tournament if I cannot play at all?”
Laozi’s gaze darted briefly to Lightshield before returning to Gregory. “She does not own such an item, but the owner will be told that it will be kept far away from those playing. As for your request, I shall ask the archmage and have an answer for you on the day of the tournament.”
“Thank you, sir,” Gregory bowed again.
“It would look bad if you won both tournaments,” Hayworth said dryly.
The others in the room laughed except for the Eternal Flame. They rose to their feet and marched out of the tent.
“If you will excuse me,” Laozi said as he backed away from the table, “I have some things to see to. Good night, and I shall see you all tomorrow for a grand event— a wedding.”
