The men excelled in training over the next week. The biggest improvements came in their handling of the naginata once they actually began to spar against each other. The obstacle course was tinkered with— some of the men had ideas on how to improve it, and Gregory approved them.
Willof taught the officers or refreshed them on army protocols, hoping to better help them work with the normal army if needed.
The time had come for them to restock their supplies, so the men were given the day off. Gregory chuckled when he heard almost all of them were planning on gambling. The sergeants would be handing out pay, giving them money to bet with.
Basal watched as Gregory saddled his horse, ready to help. When the magi stepped back and asked him to check, the young eurtik was quick to do so. After a moment, he smiled. “Everything is as it should be, sir. You’ve not needed any help for a week now.”
“I’ll let you handle it most of the time, then,” Gregory grinned. “I’ll do it off and on just to keep in practice.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Are we ready to go?” Davis asked as he came over with one of the men.
“We are,” Willof said.
Gregory recognized the guard as the one who’d first spoken to him during a meal: Jim Brun. The part-panther eurtik saluted them before he gathered up the lead for the wagon team. “Ready to go, sir.”
Gregory waited for Davis to mount up, then nudged his mare to get her walking. “We’re off.”
They didn’t go fast, since they had the wagon with them. Willof and Davis came up alongside Gregory as they rode out of camp.
A few minutes later, Willof told him, “You’re getting better.”
“Thank you. I don’t feel as awkward… I’m still not going to ride Davis’ beast, but the mare and I have an understanding.”
“If you keep going the way you have, a stallion will be doable in the future,” Davis said.
“You need the right temperament for a warhorse,” Willof added. “Davis’ is trained to ride into combat, as is mine. If we tried with yours, she’d balk.”
“Not looking to ride into combat. At the moment, I’m better when being able to move as needed. Do any of the men know how to ride?”
“The sergeants have some experience, but not a lot. They could muddle through,” Davis replied. “The rest of the men… I think we have two or three who’ve ridden before. Why?”
“Thinking about if we ever need to send one ahead of the rest.”
“That’s good forward planning,” Willof said.
“Tag the men who can ride,” Gregory told Davis. “We’ll want them to get at least a little practice now and again.”
“Will do, sir,” Davis replied. “We have two replies to our search for cooks. Did you want to meet them while I arrange for the rest of the supplies?”
“That sounds like the best idea. The deals we have are solid and don’t need me to meet with them again. We’ll meet you back at the distillery after we finish the things I want to do.”
“Understood, sir.”
Jim marched along behind them, leading the oxen as he listened to the officers. Some of the others wondered if Gregory was just acting when he was around them, but he didn’t seem any different to Jim.
As they approached Gardenia, Davis gave Gregory the names and places to meet their prospective cooks. They weren’t far from some of the other stops Gregory wanted to make, which would make it easier.
“Magi, welcome back,” Bill, the gate guard, said.
“Thank you. The ride was pleasant. Not being worried about falling off helps.”
A muffled snicker came from the wall, pulling eyes to the guard there. “U-uhh… err!” Larry, the wall guard, stammered.
“Be glad he’s a kind one,” Davis snorted. “We’ll see you at the distillery, sir.”
“I’ll be there. Carry on, Lieutenant.”
“Yes, sir,” Davis saluted. “This way, Brun.”
“Yes, sir,” Jim saluted with his free hand, then guided the wagon behind Davis as Gregory split off.
Bill looked up at Larry when the others left. “Did you want to die today?”
“It slipped out,” Larry said, his face pale. “Think he’ll tell the captain?”
Bill glanced after Gregory. “Oddly, no. I think Davis is right: he’s one of those rare nice ones. If it happens again… well, even the nice magi have limits.”
Larry shivered and looked into the distance where the magi had his camp.
Gregory rode slowly down the street with Willof beside him. “Should I have reprimanded him?”
“Most magi would have, or would go speak with his commanding officer. He basically laughed at the thought of you falling off your horse.”
“I did make the initial comment, though.”
“You did. For who you are, no, you didn’t do anything wrong. Hopefully, the other guard reminds him to mind himself. Who knows who will be stationed here in the future?”
“Surprised there’s no magi stationed here as it is,” Gregory murmured. “That’s because we’re just outside the town, isn’t it?”
“Yes. You are technically the acting magi for Gardenia. When we begin to patrol the streets later, you will be the stationed magi. You’ll be the one to administer the rite of Aether, too.”
Gregory thought about what he was told. “That’s another reason the mayor wanted to meet me. He was worried I’d just stay in the town and ride out to see the men.”
“Undoubtedly he was, and some of your contemporaries might do just that.”
“That wouldn’t reflect well on them.”
“Depending on who their advisor was, it wouldn’t, but it might be overlooked for some.”
“As I’ve come to understand,” Gregory said sadly. “Power and wealth bend things that shouldn’t be bent.”
Willof stayed quiet, but he smiled. The young man beside him had time and again shown understanding beyond his years. More than that, Gregory clearly wanted the empire to change for the better of all, not just the magi.
“What stop did you want to do first?” Willof asked.
“Might as well see the first potential cook, since they’re closest. After that, I’m off to the bakery to spoil the boys.”
“Not the men, too?” Willof asked.
“Maybe. They have put in a lot of work over the last three weeks. A reward for that wouldn’t be too bad. It would remind them of how much I value their effort. I worry about them in Grakle. That’ll be where we go for the next resupply.”
“It’ll show you your potential troublemakers. Paid with a week off… there are always a few, at the very least.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Gregory sighed. “I’ll have a chat with them the day we head out. Hopefully, that helps curtail some of the problems.”
“It might. Your men are loyal, and your gestures of working alongside them have built a level of trust not seen in trainees. Someone will fail, but you might have one of the least problematic units in your year’s class.”
“The sergeants are serious, which helps,” Gregory said. “That’s why I’ll be stopping off at a general store, and then a tavern.”
“Keeping it to flasks is for the best. It gives them a gift, but also minimizes the amount they can drink. Your sergeants aren’t drunkards, at least, so they’ll make it last.”
“That’s the point, right? A nod of appreciation without giving myself more trouble?”
“It is,” Willof chuckled. “You pick things up quickly.” He hesitated, then pushed on to a different topic, “Thank you for the journals to read. Lighthand is well-known for his actions during the first Eurtik War, but seeing his human side… helps one know him better.”
“The later journals are where people disagree with his views. His questioning of motives in the first dozen is bad enough from the empire’s standpoint.”
“There is that… Your clan was always one built on tolerance. He had many of mixed blood under him. None of the other great clans accepted mixed blood under their banners, yet his men were as steadfast and loyal as any other, if not more.”
“Something I want to see continue now that Aether’s Guard is rising again.”
“From your lips to Aether’s ears,” Willof said softly.
Gregory’s lips twitched at the phrasing— it amused him, since he was Aether reborn. “Agreed.” His gaze took in the tavern in front of them. “This is the place: Blushing Maids.”
Willof nodded as he looked at the sign of a woman’s blushing face with a knowing smirk. “Hmm… glad it’s early in the day. Later tonight, this is likely a very rowdy establishment.”
“Doubtlessly true,” Gregory said, slipping off the mare.
Willof tied both mounts to the post out front before following Gregory into the tavern.
The only light in the room was from the large window facing the square. Behind the bar, a tired, older man was leaning on the counter. He gave them both a dismissive look until he recognized the kimono. Standing up straight, he tried to put a friendly smile on, but it was more of a grimace than a smile.
“Magi, didn’t expect to see you. I’m Bruce Dodger, and this is my establishment. You’re here about hiring one of my helpers, right?”
“Possibly. I’m here to speak with them, first. I have others who are interested in the position.”
“I bet you’ll have to pay the others, though,” Bruce chuckled. “Give me a moment.”
The line about pay made Gregory’s teeth itch; he was sure he knew what was coming when Bruce stepped into the door behind the bar. When Bruce came back, Gregory knew he was right. The person behind the owner was a full pig eurtik.
“Magi, this here is Belly. He’s been the top assistant to my cook for the last decade. I’d never have considered letting him go, but I’ve heard you’ll pay well for a cook. Pay once and done. This way, you won’t have to keep paying a cook who might want to leave.”
Belly kept his head bowed, eyes on the floor as he stood beside Bruce. Mottled skin, large ears that stood out beside his head, and a snout with a flat upturned nose spoke volumes about his pure bloodline.
“‘Belly’?” Gregory asked, knowing the name was demeaning.
“Pork Belly,” Bruce guffawed. “Got to remind him he’s just bacon that won’t be eaten.”
Gregory’s eye twitched once, but he managed to keep his face otherwise impassive. “I see. You named him?”
“The moment he was born. His mother is my head cook. His father used to be my handyman until he got into a fight with a customer.”
“How old are you, Belly?” Gregory asked the eurtik.
“Last year was age day, sir.”
“I see. Did you want to leave town and cook for my men?”
“You’re asking him?” Bruce asked with a furrowed brow.
“I like working with Momma, sir, but Master Bruce has to sell me to someone. He doesn’t have the license to own more than six slaves.”
“Quiet, you!” Bruce snapped, backhanding the eurtik.
“You have more than six slaves?” Gregory asked, pinning the owner with his eyes. “That would break the law. How many do you have?”
Bruce swallowed as pressure built around him. “Magi… I… I… take him! Please, just take him!”
“Answer the question,” Gregory said firmly.
“Eight, with him,” Bruce choked out, his hands braced on the bar to not drop to the floor.
“How have you escaped the law?”
Bruce fell to his knees, wheezing.
“He has two sets of sisters that look alike,” Belly answered softly. He wondered why Bruce was acting like he was being crushed, as he didn’t feel anything. “When the guard checks his staff, he only lets one of each of them out to be seen. Only one can work any given day to keep the guard from knowing.”
“How long?” Gregory asked gently, turning his gaze to Belly while pushing his aether out at Bruce.
“As long as I’ve lived, sir. It’s why he let my father die and why he wants me gone.”
“Breaking article twelve, subsection three of the eurtik slave laws,” Gregory said tightly. “I see. Penalty for that is for the town to confiscate his slaves and level penalties against him. Willof, please step out to find a guard. This man is to be arrested.”
“Yes, sir,” Willof saluted, immediately leaving the tavern.
“All of them are eurtik?” Gregory asked Belly.
“Yes, sir. All women who serve as needed… besides Momma.”
“He sells them to the customers?”
“If they pay what he asks,” Belly whispered. He was worried that Bruce was going to hurt him again, but he was tired of his life.
“Get the staff to assemble down here,” Gregory told Belly. “Gather their things or the things they need and meet here.”
“Yes, sir,” Belly replied before hurrying off.
Gregory looked over the counter to where Bruce was wheezing, face contorted in anger. “Breaking the slave laws and trying to sell illegal goods are serious crimes. You’ll be lucky if the magistrate doesn’t indenture you for the rest of your life.”
“Magi…! N-no… we can… deal…” Bruce managed to say brokenly.
“There is no deal, only the law,” Gregory said.
“What’s the problem, Magi?” a guard asked, coming in with Willof.
Just then, eight eurtik filed into the room from the back hall.
“These eight are slaves to Bruce Dodger. He has willingly and knowingly broken the slave laws for decades. I am confiscating them and turning him over to the magistrate to face justice. He also tried to sell me one of his slaves, which needs to be added to his list of crimes. I will be taking his runes for them, then registering them with the town hall.”
The guard stared at Gregory for a moment before he looked at the eurtik. “Umm… where is the owner?”
“Behind the bar, being held,” Gregory said as he released his aether. “He’s free now.”
Bruce pulled himself to his feet, sweat dripping down his florid face. With a snarl, he went to grab the cudgel under the bar. If he was going to be damned, he’d kill the magi who broke him first.
Gregory slid the two inches to the side to avoid the blow before slamming his fist into Bruce’s jaw, crumpling the older man. “Add attacking the magi enforcing the law to his charges.”
The guard was slack-jawed for a moment before he rushed to grab Bruce. “Yes, sir!”
Gregory let the man take Bruce away, then turned to the frightened eurtik. “You are free of him. No one will force you to sleep with them again. You will get to choose your own names and be given honest work. I’m sorry I can’t do more, but the laws are the laws. You will get paid a good wage, if not exactly what others would be paid. If you’d rather I find you another to take your rune, I’ll do so.”
They all stared at him, clearly uncertain.
“My name is Gregory Pettit, and my clan is Aether’s Guard. My men are training in the field just outside the town. I have a few stops to make before we return to my unit. Do any of you want me to find another for you before I leave?”
No one spoke, but they did exchange glances with each other.
“I’ll go find your control runes. Please wait here with Captain Willof.”
Gregory wondered if he’d made the right choice as he left the room. Pulling up aether sight, he followed the thin threads that went from the slave markings to where the runes were hidden. He had things to accomplish, and now he had eight more people to worry about.
