Their men did them proud over the week of night patrols. Most of the trouble was caused by drunks and people soliciting outside of proper houses. It wasn’t the drunks that hurt them the most— it was the women. They had no qualms about kicking the men between the legs and running off. With nothing major to cause problems, the last few days glided past without issue.
The woman Yukiko saved, Betsy, had taken the offer to stay with Magus Icyheaven. They’d escorted her over the day after they’d spoken to the magus. She’d thanked them repeatedly before seeking asylum with the higher-tiered magi.
“I know some of you are looking forward to sleep,” Egil said when everyone sat down for their morning meal, “though three of you will have to go back to the barracks, if only briefly.”
All three lieutenants gave Egil questioning looks.
“Tonight, your men do not patrol. They sleep because tomorrow morning, we leave.”
“Oh, thank Aether,” Max Pellant sighed. “I thought it was something bad.”
“I was right there with you,” Jayson Taylor said.
“What do we need to prepare for?” Yukiko asked.
“It has all been arranged,” Egil said firmly. “There will be a single carriage that myself, Mindie, and Rafiq will ride in. The rest of you will ride or march along in front of it. We will pause twice on the long march to refresh supplies in cities.”
“Are we staying in towns and villages, or camping?” Jenn asked.
“Mostly camping, but there will be a few stops in towns.”
“Will we have any time on arrival before the tournament starts?” Gregory asked.
“None. We will arrive after it has started. The three judges will preside over the events in a set order. The schedule for it was set at the start of the year.”
“Understood, sir.”
“Who are the judges, sir?” Jenn asked.
Egil smiled, but shook his head. “That will be revealed when we arrive. They’ll be individuals who can fully understand the complexities of what you should’ve learned.”
“How long will we march each day, sir?” Yukiko asked.
“An hour after full sunrise to an hour before sundown.”
“This is to test how we and the men hold up to a prolonged march?”
Pulling the rope behind his seat, Egil just chuckled, but didn’t answer her question. “After breakfast, Magi, we will be going to see Commander Fillion. I will be collecting his report of your men so it can be turned over to the judges. He asked to speak with you before you leave.”
That had Gregory, Jenn, and Yukiko wondering if he was going to thank them for what they’d done, or thank them for leaving.
~*~*~
This time, they took a carriage, as the guard offices were halfway across the city. A sergeant was waiting for them when they stepped out of the vehicle.
“Commander Magi-killer, Magi, please follow me,” the sergeant said after saluting them.
The group was led through the building and up to the top floor where the commander had his office. The dark-haired woman in the outer office took them from the sergeant. She ushered them into the commander’s office after she’d informed Fillion that they were there.
“Thank you,” Fillion told her as he motioned to the seats. “Please, Magi, Armsmaster, sit.”
Five chairs had been arranged in front of the desk, so the group took their seats.
“We haven’t talked,” Fillion said with a pleasant smile. “An oversight, considering how much you did for my city. Armsmaster, I have the reports for each unit’s men. My assistant will hand them to you when you leave.”
“Thank you, Commander. My replacement will be back before the magi arrive for next year. The initiates are all from Aether’s Guard.”
“Hmm… should I expect the same well-behaved troops, then?”
“They were trained the same way ours were, sir,” Yukiko answered. “The magi are friends of ours and will be holding their men to the same standards we did.”
“None of them are foresight magi, are they?” Fillion asked.
“No, sir.”
“Gregory Pettit, you specifically deserve my thanks. Your magic let you be in the right place at the right time. Not just you, but your wives, as well.”
“We just did the best we could, sir,” Gregory said.
“If only more magi did,” Fillion chuckled, but there was a tightness to his eyes that indicated he wasn’t entirely joking. “I was shocked to find you were married to all three of the other magi here.”
“My life has been blessed by Vera in that way, sir.”
“I would say so. Two of them are reportedly skilled in combat, having fought with you in the academy tournaments, where you are undefeated as a team. I also know that Magus Mindie Pettit is a healer to whom we owe a great deal of thanks.”
Mindie bowed her head. “I was just doing what I could, sir. Healing is not just my magic; it’s my calling.”
Fillion’s face softened. “You still have the gratitude of myself and my men, Magi. Time and again, you helped save them from near-certain crippling injuries. Even in the middle of the night, you were willing to help. I’m grateful you will be returning next year. Two years with such a talented healer on standby will save many lives. Instead of a glowing report, I have a medal for you.” He raised his voice, “Morena, bring it in.”
The assistant came back into the room. She held a small pillow in her hands; on that pure white fabric, a medal and ribbon rested. Morena came to a stop beside Mindie, presenting the medal to her.
“On behalf of Grakle, bestowed upon you by myself, Commander Fillion, I present to you, Magus Mindie Pettit, the Wounded Heart. Normally, this medal is given in war, but all that is required is that a healer treats over fifty men for injuries sustained in the line of duty in a single year. Morena, please pin the medal.”
Morena set the pillow on the desk to pick up the golden medal. The medal itself depicted a heart with a smaller heart-shaped hole in the center. With deft movements, she pinned it to Mindie’s kimono.
“Thank you, Magus,” Morena whispered before she collected the pillow and left the room.
“Just reached the milestone last night, did she?” Egil chuckled.
“I was keeping an eye on the reports this morning,” Fillion nodded.
“But why?” Mindie asked.
“Because few magi healers care enough to do what you did,” Fillion replied earnestly. “You say healing is your calling, and I believe you, but few magi with your magic do more than is absolutely required of them. Outside of wars, they treat the rich and powerful, never helping the poor and infirm who could use the help. I know you helped everyone who asked, Magus. Any citizen who asked was healed by you. While that will never be in any report, it was seen, and I wanted to make sure you knew you have the thanks of the city.”
“You doing so, but not the mayor here, also speaks volumes,” Egil said.
“The mayor and the city magus are kindred spirits,” Fillion replied. “Tomorrow, you all leave. I will be sad to know you’ll no longer be here to assist the city, but gladdened by the thought of you all advancing in the tiers of the magi so you can do even more. Thank you for coming.”
Egil was the first on his feet, followed by the magi. “It was our honor, Commander.” Egil saluted, and the four with him copied it.
Fillion stood, saluting them back. “It was an honor to have you serve even briefly in my city. May Aether guide you.”
“May Aether watch over you,” Gregory and his wives echoed back to him, bowing as magi after the salute.
~*~*~
As they settled into their seats of the carriage, Egil gave Mindie a smile.
“You did a lot of good for the city, Mindie. You might not feel like you deserve that medal, but you do.”
“Yes, sir,” Mindie said, though it was clear that she still didn’t think so.
“Mindie,” Yukiko said, taking her hand, “you deserve the recognition.”
“She’s right,” Jenn said, taking Mindie’s other hand. “There’s nothing wrong with being recognized for doing what you love.”
“Your wives are correct,” Egil added.
“Time and again, you went above and beyond for us at the academy,” Gregory chimed in. “You helped possible allies during the Buldoun tournament, and here, you’ve healed the guards and citizens. Do you think the healers at the academy would’ve done as much?”
Mindie looked down at her hands, her lips twitching up into a smile. “No. They didn’t care about the patient. They only cared if they’d done enough to stop. Unless it was someone like Shun— someone powerful or with powerful connections— they wouldn’t push.”
“Which is why you deserve that medal,” Egil said. “Your partners will no doubt receive their own over the coming years.”
“I’m trying to accept it. After hearing all the negatives about myself at the academy, it’s taking effort to believe that I’m better than others constantly told me. My loved ones are helping me with that.”
“And we’ll continue to do so,” Gregory smiled at her.
Looking up, she met his smile with her own. “I know.” Squeezing the hands holding hers, she leaned back. “I know…”
“The rest of the day is yours,” Egil said, seeing the moment of doubt passing. “Make sure you are prepared to go.”
“We’ll be ready, sir,” Gregory said.
“You’ll each be camping with your specific unit,” Egil went on, “or at least setting camp with them.” He chuckled. “I will not be conducting a bed check, though I would remind you to be aware that you will have your men nearby.”
Mindie blushed hotly.
“We’ll be mindful of the noise if things get… excitable, sir,” Gregory coughed.
“It’s for the best,” Egil nodded. “Your men are some of the best I’ve seen, but even they might get a little restless if they have to endure hearing those noises.”
“Yes, sir. We’ll keep it in mind,” Yukiko said, a light dusting of pink on her cheeks.
“Very well,” Egil nodded once more, letting the conversation end.
