Leaving Grakle had been just as tough, if not tougher, than the first time. Gregory still led his men back out to the camp instead of trying to stay longer; he had goals to meet so he could see his wives again.
The men set up camp without issue, and the tables were again delivered the day they arrived. Willof gave good marks for the efficiency they had in getting everything in order.
Starting on their first full day of being back at their camp, they got back into their usual routine. There was only one additional wrinkle added this time: Willof spoke to each squad about the town patrols that would begin after the solstice. That gave them another thing to work on, as the sergeants randomly quizzed them on the laws that they might encounter.
Near the end of the first week, Gregory had Dot run to Gardenia, arranging a room for him at an inn for the solstice. When word of that got to the men, they were surprised; Gregory hadn’t once done anything to act like he would take time off. The more experienced sergeants soon explained how magi infused themselves with supplements and how they needed to bathe with yuzu to purify the effects. With that knowledge, the men understood that Gregory wasn’t going to just enjoy a day in comfort, but to push himself in yet another new way.
~*~*~
About to leave his room on the morning of the solstice, Gregory paused when he heard soft voices in the main room.
“Only on the solstice? But why?”
“Tradition is all we can say. It stretches back to Aether’s time,” Rafiq replied to Basal. “It’s said that even he ingested the most potent alchemical aids he could, then purified himself with yuzu.”
“Must’ve taken a city’s full supply to manage that.”
“A dragon’s heart is the myth,” Rafiq chuckled, “though it did take an entire grove of yuzu to help him purify it.”
“A real dragon?”
“They’re gone now. Some say it’s because the gods killed them all for their powers,” Rafiq replied. “I have a scroll of their myth, if you want to read it.”
“That would be amazing! Thank you!”
Gregory smiled at Basal’s eagerness; it was gratifying to him to see the young man expand his horizons. He almost stepped out of his room again, but Basal’s next few words stopped him.
“Rafiq, can I ask about women?”
“I’m not sure I can answer it. I have only been with my wife, but I will try.”
“I… uh… Dot… s-she…”
“Only a few years your senior. Nothing wrong with that. Not once you’re an adult, that is.”
“Would she even give me a chance, though?” Basal blurted out. “How do you know if you should ask?”
Rafiq didn’t answer right away, so Gregory stepped out of his room. “You never know,” Gregory said. “To be fair, some of my wives and friends have told me that they were uncertain if they should mention their feelings, too.”
Basal went bright red, embarrassed to be caught asking that. “Sir, I—!”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Gregory cut him off. “You’re only a few years from your age day. She’s her own person, rune notwithstanding.” Gregory grimaced at the word “rune.” “If she agrees to court you, that will be between you two, as long as it doesn’t interfere with camp duties.”
Basal stared at Gregory in shock.
“Asking is the hard part,” Gregory said, looking distant and remembering how hard it was for Jenn to admit to him. “You’ll never know if you don’t ask, but do you have the courage to ask her to wait for you to become an adult?”
Basal blinked slowly before his jaw set. “I do.”
“Then ask her. I suggest away from the others, just in case she does reject you.”
Basal deflated a little. “That’s what I fear the most, her telling me that a kid like me isn’t worth her time. Maybe waiting until I pass my age day is better…”
“She might find someone else by then, not knowing you held out hope.”
“Hard choices on either side…” Basal muttered.
“That’s life, but hard paths make us better,” Gregory said gently. “Come on. It’s time for breakfast. No need to rush today.”
“Yes, sir.”
~*~*~
Walking to town with Rafiq beside him, Gregory chuckled. “Didn’t expect them to wish me well.”
“You should have. They all know you’re one of the good ones, Gregory. If you add in the food you provided for today, it really is no surprise.”
“They did seem thrilled to have the day off, and the food.”
“Barny was even happy to be able to cook up the variety you gave him,” Rafiq laughed. “He’s the one who’s working the most today, too.”
“Fair enough,” Gregory shrugged. “Just have a hard time seeing kindness as something to celebrate. It should be the default state.”
“That world would be a wonderful place if that were true,” Rafiq murmured. “Thank you for agreeing to take me with you. I wish to document your additives and growth.”
“That’s fine, but you won’t be just documenting.”
Rafiq shook his head. “You wish for me to partake, as well?”
“Additives and bath,” Gregory nodded.
“I will not fight this gift. Thank you again.”
“I have a question I couldn’t ask near others,” Gregory said once he’d felt the area out for any aether. “Are slaves ever checked for aether?”
“Outside of those of us in the archive, it’s doubtful. As for us in the archive, it’s only because it’s part of our surrender to the empire.”
“Which the emperor was going to have Laozi break.”
“He chose the wrong man,” Rafiq chuckled. “By the time he figured it out, it was easier to just let us be. He still believes we will fail to have children and continue the tradition.”
“You have a son, you mentioned. This morning, you mentioned your wife, too. But you rarely talk about them.”
“We rarely talk of family with those outside our clan of the archive. Some of us still fear they will be used to break us.”
“Oh… I won’t ask again.”
“I do not mind with you, Gregory. I have come to know that you’re not like most magi. Your wives, as well as your close friends… indeed, most of your clan to this point included. Aether’s Guard has taken a firm stance on how they view the people that the rest disparage. Thank you for that. Your actions with the former barmaids have proven the point again. Sarinia was right about you.”
“She believes in me?”
“Yes. She was certain you were a good man from the very first day she spoke with you. Her small tests were just to help her be more certain.”
“Tests?”
Rafiq laughed. “She tests everyone. It is her nature.” The laughter faded. “She has to test everyone. Our clan of the archive depends on her as our chief.”
“I have a feeling that nothing happens in the archive that she doesn’t know about.”
“The shadows have ears,” Rafiq said knowingly. “I believe that Yukiko was working on that, too.”
“She has been.”
“Sarinia was surprised at how advanced Yukiko was with her shadow magic. It was like she’d had a teacher from outside the empire.”
Gregory stiffened slightly, then chuckled. “But we stayed inside the academy walls most of the time. How could that be true?”
“Perhaps she found texts on shadow magic, or was gifted them by her father,” Rafiq said casually. “I’m sure if she asked for aid from those who could help her, she would find aid.”
Gregory was quiet for a moment before he nodded slowly. “If someone of knowledge had things that she could use, I would ask them for help.”
“Ah. Well, since you have asked me about shadow magic,” Rafiq grinned, suddenly holding a few scrolls, “these would serve her well.”
“Older rules?” Gregory asked as he accepted the scrolls, putting them away.
“You’re all initiates, so she can read them now. Copies of copies that she can keep, in case anyone ever asks where she learned how to do some of her magics.”
Gregory chuckled. “Thank the chief for me. You have my thanks, too, Rafiq. I’m glad you’re the one with me.”
Rafiq gave him a grin. “I find myself enjoying it most of the time, as well, Gregory.”
The pair walked on in silence, both lost in their own thoughts.
~*~*~
“Surprised to see you without the mare, sir,” Bill the gate guard said, his eyes scanning Rafiq. “Different slave?”
“Rafiq is from the academy, per the overseer himself. He’s chronicling my year in training for the archive.”
“Oh,” Bill said, standing up even straighter. “I meant no disrespect, sir.”
Gregory realized his tone had been clipped. “Bill… right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“It’s fine. In the future, I’d just note that, if you’re unsure of someone with a magi, tread lightly. We’ll be at the Silver Star for the evening. If you’ll excuse us.”
“Yes, sir,” Bill said, saluting.
Gregory walked on, and Rafiq trailed him a step back.
As they got farther away, Larry called down from the wall, “Do you want to get killed, idiot?”
“Shut it, Larry!” Bill snapped. “I was just trying to make conversation.”
“Trying to make conversation with a magi? I was right: you’re an idiot.”
Bill grumbled, ignoring his friend on the wall.
“Gregory,” Rafiq said softly, “there is no need to defend me from questions like that. Doing so might even cause you trouble in the future.”
“I know,” Gregory exhaled the remnants of his anger. “Sometimes, the reply comes out before I think. You’re a friend. I would defend any friend being made to seem lesser.”
Rafiq patted Gregory’s shoulder. “Thank you. I can only be lesser if I lose the respect of my family or friends. After all, I have to value a person’s words for them to harm me.”
Gregory laughed. “Well said, my friend.”
