Gregory gave Yukiko and Jenn kisses as they left. All of his friends were heading into the city early with Mindie so she could get ready for the wedding.
That left him alone in the encampment with Elsa. He ate breakfast with her, did Magi Squares, then studied at the table, reading through one of Lighthand’s journals. With that done, he led her through the Peaceful Fist, and even sparred with her.
Elsa was beaming as she got his bath ready. She’d gotten to spend hours with just him. When he left for the wedding, she would be going with him so she could be there, too. When he started his bath, she needed to go take one herself, then get into her dress. She was looking forward to wearing the gift Yukiko and Jenn had gotten her.
Gregory chuckled when Elsa darted out of the tent, clearly intent on getting herself ready. Elsa had been smiling broadly all morning, and that happiness was infectious. He was glad that she got to experience a little more fun before the tournament ended. She did an excellent job as a maid— he had no fears that she wouldn’t be able to handle the job with Yukiko’s parents.
Dressed in the formal attire of Buldoun, he made sure his boots were the matching shoes Yukiko had shown him. He felt a little out of kilter in the suit. He’d never worn anything like it before, but he knew it would all work out.
“Excuse me,” Lightshield said as he entered the tent.
“Elder, how can I help you?” Gregory asked.
“I was not able to present my own rewards to you last night. One of them could be very useful to you today.”
Gregory was curious as he crossed the room toward the elder. “I’m honored, sir.”
Lightshield smiled as he held out a thick-cut ring. It was a mythrum band with a ryuite gem in the shape of an aether flame in the center. “This came to me from my grandfather, who was given it by Lionel Lighthand himself. My father never knew of it.”
“How could he not?” Gregory whispered as he accepted the gift.
“Put it on.”
Gregory did so, and the ring expanded to fit his finger. Looking down at it, Gregory knew it was like his other ring that held both aether and items. The thought of comparing it to his other ring saw the new one shift to become identical to it. “Oh…”
“Yes,” Lightshield smiled. “I believe it should be yours. Inside are the other items of similar value or design that my family has gathered over many long years. I believe their glamor ability should be used whenever possible.”
Gregory stared at him for a long moment. “Why now, sir?”
“Because this is one of the few times when it can be given,” Lightshield replied sadly. “I will caution you against saying certain words until you are willing to tell everyone else, as well. I know. You do not have to tell me.” A smile wreathed his face. “I am so glad that you came to the clan.”
Gregory swallowed the lump that’d formed in his throat. The elder knew— Gregory had suspected he might with the way he’d stopped him from saying it, but now, it was being flatly stated. “I’ll do my very best for the clan, sir.”
“I have no doubts. None at all. I have pushed my magic more this month than ever before. I have done all I can for the clan, and for you.”
“Is the sage’s reward how you knew that my wives and I would share the same magus posting, sir?” Gregory blurted out, as it had struck him as odd the previous night.
“Yes. The only reason you will be separated during the adept year is so that it cannot be said he is favoring anyone. My great-uncle walks a line as thin as I do.”
That shocked Gregory even more. “Laozi…?”
“A bastard child from my great-grandfather,” Lightshield said. “He is under constant attention from some, as I normally am. That information is unknown by almost everyone. I would say completely unknown, but at least one person might have figured it out. It would explain why Laozi has been stuck at the academy. It is hard to influence things if you are there, or at least that is what most believe.”
Gregory tried to process everything he was being told. If Lightshield was being watched as intently as he’d hinted at, then it made sense as to why he continually cut Gregory off when he’d tried to tell him. But wouldn’t the attention he was being paid by the elder give those same people a reason to watch him closely, too?
“You will come under scrutiny, but you never do more than what you think best. There is no point where you act like who you truly are. It is only when you have to act that you do. As long as you stay true to yourself, Gregory, things will continue to work out well.” Lightshield grew somber. “You will still know pain and loss. I cannot foresee any way to avoid that. I am sorry. I have looked down many paths for you.”
Gregory’s heart stopped as he considered what that might mean to him.
“Now, the time of talking is over. The ring holds at least one other ring like Jenn’s. It should make a wonderful wedding present to your new wife.”
Blinking as the conversation shifted abruptly, Gregory bowed out of reflex. “Thank you, sir. I will do my best for the clan.”
Lightshield bowed his head. “I know. You, your wives, and your friends will do us proud for generations to come. If only Aether would return, then I could die a happy man… but even I am starting to fear he will not. At least not in my remaining lifetime.”
Gregory nodded slowly, seeing the words for the veil they were. “We’ll hold that hope for you, sir. As long as the clan survives, the hope remains.”
“Yes. Yes, it does. I must go. There is a wedding to celebrate later, and I must be ready for it.”
“We’d be honored to have you there, along with the archmage and overseer, sir,” Gregory said, bowing.
“We will be taking a carriage to the temple,” Lightshield said. “It will be in two hours. Until then, relax.”
“Yes, sir,” Gregory said before bowing again.
With a small gust of wind, Lightshield was gone. Gregory stood there for some time, still in shock over everything that’d just happened. He was broken from it when Elsa returned to the tent.
“Greg?” Elsa asked when she entered.
Blinking away the remnants of his shock, he gave her a smile. Elsa was wearing a high-necked dress that went to her ankles and wrists. The light green helped accent her brown eyes. Seeing her hopeful smile, he bowed formally to her. “Good morning, young miss. It is a pleasure to have your company.”
Elsa giggled, then curtsied back. “Why thank you, kind sir.” Her smile was bright when she straightened up.
“There’ll be a carriage to take us into the city with the elder,” Gregory said. “We have a couple of hours before we have to go.”
“Oh. I’ll get tea ready,” Elsa said, going to rush off.
“Elsa, there’s no need, unless you want tea.”
Elsa hesitated. “No… but I want you to be happy.”
“Let’s just sit, then. Spending time with you makes me happy.”
“Okay, Greg,” Elsa beamed as she took a seat at the table.
He took the seat across from her so they could talk easily. “How has it been for you?”
“Good. I’ve enjoyed it,” Elsa said quickly.
“Easy,” Gregory chuckled. “You don’t have to convince me.”
“I’ve learned that I enjoy the job, but that’s because of who it is,” Elsa said, looking away. “Knowing that you, Yuki, Jenn, and the others can do your best because of me, makes me very happy.”
“And it’s true,” Gregory said. “Being able to focus on what we have to, helps us a great deal. Has it been tough taking care of all of us?”
“A little, but I can manage it. None of you asks me for a lot outside of what’s needed. I’m not sure if I’ll be good enough for Yoo-Jin and Hao, but I’ll do my very best.”
“We know you will. We never doubt that,” Gregory said gently. “Was it hard to leave the others?”
“Yeah…” Elsa’s smile faltered. “But no. My leaving means they have to stretch their own wings. I have faith that Enzo will help them. He’s almost as eager to prove himself as I am.”
“I think he wants to be there with you,” Gregory said as he thought back to Enzo’s art of Elsa.
“They all do,” Elsa said, looking into Gregory’s eyes. “We all know who it was that saved us.”
“Elsa, it wasn’t just me. Th—”
“No, Greg,” she cut him off, then looked away. “It was you. The others helped, and we care for them, too, but it was you who started the path for us. You didn’t turn me away when I approached you. Instead, you gave me so much. Then, when I had to go back out, there you were again. Yuki and Jenn were worried about me trying to take advantage of you, but they softened… You helped them see that I wasn’t what they thought. Dia came to speak with me because you offered me help. Baylyss accepted me because Dia spoke for me. The others were accepted because you spoke about them to Baylyss.” She sniffled, looking back into his eyes. “You’re the reason that Aether’s Shelter is what it is now, and that we have the chances we do.”
Gregory met her gaze and felt a weight on his shoulders. He’d started the path that led to the orphanage and the children being where they were. He was responsible for them— it was no fluke they were Aether’s scions, as Elsa had called them. Taking a deep breath, he accepted that responsibility. “Okay. I’ll accept your words, Elsa.” Reaching out, he wiped the single tear from her cheek. “Don’t cry, though, okay? Yuki will be mad at me if I make you cry.”
Elsa sniffled again, a smile coming to her. “Okay.”
“The children will have Clover to watch over them for a few years. I know they’ll be well cared for.”
“Yeah. She’s a good person. All of them are. Every one of your friends are good people we know we can trust.”
“That includes you,” Gregory said. “You’re a good person, too, Elsa.”
Elsa swallowed as memories came back to her. She fought against the tears— he’d told her not to cry, so she wouldn’t. “Thank you, Greg,” she sniffled.
Standing up, he went around the table, taking the seat beside her. He pulled her to his side, hugging her. “It’s okay, Elsa. You have a family that loves you. If you need to let it out a little, go ahead.” He pulled the handkerchief from his suit and handed it to her. “It’s okay. Your future is with us.”
Elsa dabbed at her eyes, letting his words sink in. “Promise?”
“As much as I can. Magi or not, we’ll welcome our flower girl to walk beside us.”
Elsa sniffled more, but she smiled as she wiped away her tears. His words helped her push the last remnants of her broken past away. She wasn’t who she’d been, the unwanted girl forced from her home. Now, she was Aether’s scion, and she would do her very best for him.
They sat there in silence for a long moment as Elsa gathered herself. Gregory held her, hoping he could do what he said. He couldn’t see the future the way Lightshield could. Not yet, at least. But when he said what he did, the words sounded true to his ears, and that gave him hope.
