Gregory was glad he didn’t have to push his aether to look at the future again until later. He slipped his haori on last, the clan emblem emblazoned across the back. “At least the men get today to try getting switched over to nights. The patrol pattern is about right for our lesser numbers, too.”
“That’s good,” Jenn agreed.
“As long as the mastermind Victor is done,” Yukiko said.
“Egil said we’d be going to see the city’s magus today,” Mindie added.
“What’s his name?” Gregory asked.
“Magus Feng Icyheaven. He’s part of the Winter’s Tears clan. He’s older than a normal magus.”
“Older?” Yukiko asked.
“Showing hints of white in his hair and beard, wrinkles around the eyes. Looks like an early grandfather.”
“And he’s still a magus?” Jenn asked.
“Yes, which is one of the reasons I mentioned yesterday that he doesn’t seem interested in doing anything.”
“If he looks older than Dia and is still a magus, he must’ve neglected his training,” Gregory said. “I don’t recall Winter’s Tears as a clan.”
“They’re a smaller clan,” Mindie said. “I asked about them when I met him. They only accept ice and water magi.”
“How odd,” Jenn said. “It’d be hard to grow a clan that way.”
“Reminds me of Whispering Darkness,” Yukiko said. “They only take shadow magi.”
“Oh, Magus Aldum’s clan?” Gregory muttered. “I didn’t like him.”
“They’re trying to gather as many shadow magi as possible so they can do like the Hardened Fist: offer their services for a fee.”
“So any clan that wants spies or assassins have to deal with them,” Mindie said tightly. “Do they hold a grudge over you joining Aether’s Guard?”
“They never gave a hint, but Aldum likely does,” Yukiko replied. “He had to work gate duty once because he made a mistake in aether introduction class.”
“Dunn called him out on it,” Gregory nodded. “Aldum was unhappy when we saw him on gate duty.”
“They weren’t involved with Lightshield’s death, were they?” Jenn asked.
“No. That was the assassin group from Buldoun, Black Cats,” Gregory said, but then paused. “At least those were the assassins that went after Claudia.”
“Hmm… a good point, but it seems highly unlikely for it to be anyone else,” Yukiko said.
“The one who killed him used fire, and was there and gone.”
“Hemet mentioned it would’ve taken a spatial magic user to pull off the transport the way it happened,” Mindie added.
“Likely part of the Black Cats,” Jenn said. “It makes sense that there was a fire mage to back up the shadow mages.”
“If one thing doesn’t work, try another,” Yukiko nodded. “When you pulled her away, they had their backup plan.”
Something about the reasoning didn’t sit right with Gregory, but he pushed the memory of the attack away. “That’s in the past. Today, we have something else to deal with.”
“We do,” Yukiko agreed. “I’m glad we can supplement sleep with meditation, or else we would be exhausted later tonight.”
“I just hope our men got some rest,” Jenn said. “Tonight will be difficult for them.”
“They’ll manage,” Yukiko said. “All of our men want to prove that they’re the best.”
“They do, indeed,” Gregory chuckled. “They even have a friendly rivalry among them, which is good, as long as it stays friendly.”
“If it doesn’t, we can step in,” Jenn said. “Shall we go?”
~*~*~
Egil led the group to the manor of Magus Icyheaven a few hours after breakfast. Since it was only a street away, Egil eschewed a carriage for a walk. The four magi walked behind him, curious as to how the meeting would play out.
“They had the right idea to sleep in,” Jenn said.
“They don’t have aether to offset their sleep, so I’m glad the lieutenants are,” Yukiko nodded.
“All of them have previous experience, which is probably why,” Mindie said. “The more experienced men will be doing the same.”
“We’re here.” Egil walked through a small flower garden toward the front doors of the manor. Reaching them, he knocked once firmly.
The butler opened the door, then bowed low when he saw who it was. “Magi, Commander. Please come in.”
Gregory was surprised to see a full eurtik as a butler. The crocodilian eurtik was colored and patterned differently than Rafiq, but it was clear that they were the same type of eurtik. The group entered to exchange their footwear for silk slippers. Gregory, Yukiko, and Mindie had their boots change to look like slippers. The butler gave their feet a long look, but shook his head as if doubting what he saw.
“If you’ll follow me. I will make sure that you are seen to, and then inform the magus that you are here.”
They followed the butler to a parlor, where he instructed a maid to get them drinks. The maid was back after a few minutes with a tea trolley, pouring them all a cup to their preferences. They sat in silence for a few more minutes before the butler came back with an older man in a cyan kimono.
“Commander Magi-killer, welcome back to my manor. Who are your students?”
“Gregory, Jenn, and Yukiko Pettit. You’ve met Mindie Pettit already.”
“A family of magi?”
“Married to each other,” Egil corrected.
“Three as initiates and one a magus? How very unusual,” Icyheaven said. He took the last open seat, the most comfortable chair in the room. “What can I do for you?”
“You have a problem in the city named Victor,” Egil began, then went into the events of yesterday.
Icyheaven looked displeased when Egil stopped. “I see. The three of you single-handedly foiled all of these plots?”
“Yes, sir,” Gregory said.
“Just happened to be where you needed to be, hmm?”
Gregory didn’t like his tone; it seemed like he was attempting to imply something.
“Our husband is a magi of foresight, Magus,” Yukiko replied a little stiffly.
“Foresight? Ah, that explains your clan. Elder Lightshield is the only other known magi in the empire of that magic.”
“Was,” Egil said. “He died saving the Buldoun Archmage’s favorite student during the tournament. The only remaining magi of that magic is Gregory Pettit.”
“Hmm…” Icyheaven waved to the maid. She pushed the trolley forward to fix him a cup, then refill theirs. “Very well. I shall speak with Commander Fillion about this threat. This person has obviously not given proper thought to upsetting the city, and me. What of the kidnapped woman, Betsy Zu?”
“I will be speaking with her about what can be done for her. I wanted to see if you had thoughts on it, first,” Egil said.
“I could bring her into my manor for the time being. Once Victor is dealt with, she could go on with her life again. The option is open. Just inform me of your decision.”
“I will, sir,” Egil replied, sipping his drink. “In a few days, all of us will be leaving. If you require our aid before then, just let us know.”
Icyheaven chuckled, an edge of condescension to it. “I have no need for the help of initiates or a young healer.”
“Very well.” Egil set his cup aside, which was matched by the others. “We will depart, then. We only wanted to inform you of a serious problem.”
“It’ll be snuffed out shortly,” Icyheaven said with a dismissive hand wave. “Good day.”
The others wished him a good day in return, bowing before following Egil out of the home.
~*~*~
They were walking back to Egil’s manor when Yukiko spoke up, “He isn’t taking it seriously, sir.”
“He is not, but we can do nothing else,” Egil sighed. “It will all be documented. You all have enough work for the next few days. Night patrols can be calmer or rowdier. Have you looked ahead yet, Gregory?”
“Not yet, sir. I was going to wait until the captains were up. The sooner the future is, the easier it is to see.”
“A reasonable plan. Since we have time, then, as they won’t be awake for a few hours yet,” Egil smiled, “we can get some practice in.”
“Yes, sir,” Jenn said before the others.
“I want you and Yukiko to push Gregory with the wakizashi, besides our own spars. He needs more work there than with the other weapons.”
“We’ll gladly help him, sir,” Yukiko said. “I could use more practice against a shield.”
“I can help with that,” Egil nodded. “You three will do fine with the tournament. I saw your passion to improve during the first year. The second only proved your dedication to me. As your third year comes to a close, I can say with all honesty that I’ve never seen magi so eager to advance.”
“We need to be strong,” Jenn said softly.
“Your goals will require it. Entire clans will oppose you,” Egil nodded.
Fear touched all four of the magi with him.
“Trying to change the status quo by making those with eurtik blood equal to humans will be a fight you might not fully comprehend.”
The fear abated with his words, and Yukiko answered, “I have taken stock of what it would cost, sir. Blood, pain, loss, and grief for ourselves and others. Is that not a small price to pay for such a goal?”
Egil bowed his head as they got closer to the manor. “It’s a price that very few would shoulder, even when it touches those they care for. Gin spoke with me about supporting you; no one knows that but us. I have done all I could. My end will come long before your goal is met, but when my time comes, I will be content that I did all I could for you.”
“Thank you, sir,” Gregory said softly. “We never knew you were helping us.”
“I wasn’t helping the way most would think of helping. Others would make things easier for you, favor you. All I’ve done is teach, give you solid people to assist your learning, and then stood back to watch, besides the sparring. I was justly compensated by Gregory facing me, so it can’t be seen as help, either. I will never mention this again, but I wanted you to know that I saw what my old friend did… hope for a better future.”
“Thank you, sir,” Yukiko said. “When the day comes that we can speak about those who helped us, your name will be honored.”
“I have no need for accolades, especially after I am gone,” Egil snorted. “Best to let my name fade with me. Let Rafiq’s notes on my life be the final word on me. I never found the love Gin did, so I will leave no children behind me. I shall name Gregory as my scion, though, for he is the only one to ever push me with my preferred weapons.”
Gregory swallowed, his throat tight as a lump formed. “I’m honored, sir.”
“Egil, Greg. Call me Egil when you can. Honor the fact that I am your commander for now, but once this year ends, let me be just Egil.”
“I will do as you ask, Egil.”
“Good. Now, cheer up. I’m about to thrash each of you at least once,” Egil laughed as they reached the manor. “Even you, Gregory, just not with the naginata.”
Gregory managed a smile, but it felt strained. The difference between magi and non-magi came back to his mind. He briefly thought about his old friends in Alturis, how they were already parents and moving on with their lives.
Yukiko caught his hand, squeezing it to get his attention. Gregory blinked when he saw her concern. He smiled softly then, realizing that, even with the loss of friends, he still had his loves to keep him moving forward.
