Two weeks went by as Gregory learned how to set camp, the rotation of duties for the men, and the other beginner’s information he needed. Davis and Willof were both able to keep their surprise quiet over how quickly Gregory picked everything up.
The men had complained over the first few days about the Peaceful Fist— it made it hard for them to stay motivated for the rest of the day when they were tired right after breakfast. As the second week was coming to an end, the fatigue they felt was rapidly diminishing. The fastest in the unit were energized and ready to take on anything.
Davis had told Gregory that he was making a trip to Gardenia to restock some things for the camp. Gregory immediately opted to go with him so he could learn the process, and they also had a bed to return to the mayor. That was how Gregory found himself, right after breakfast, explaining that he’d walk beside the wagon. “Still haven’t covered horse riding yet, so I’ll just go with the goods.”
“That won’t look right to the town guards, sir,” Davis said slowly.
“It’ll do for now,” Gregory said. “We need to unload the bed, and I have to do that. Besides, I need to learn what to buy, in what quantities, and why.”
“He’s right in that,” Willof said. “I’ll walk as well so it sets a tone.”
Davis nodded. “Guess we’ll all be on foot, then. They might chalk it up to the horses being ill that way. We’ll need you to learn how to ride before you go to town next, sir.”
“Agreed,” Gregory said. “Willof?”
“I’m in agreement. How and when to learn things isn’t a set curriculum; it’s flexible to adjust to the needs of the magi. I just have to cover it all before the time here ends. We can start the men on building the course. This way, they can have it finished by the time Gregory learns how to ride.”
“I’ll let the sergeants know,” Davis said. “Be right back. Hanz, Basal, get the horses unsaddled and give them a good walk today.”
“Yes, sir,” Hanz said, the part-snake eurtik squire hurrying to comply.
Gregory watched closely as the boys unsaddled the horses, then replayed it in his head backward. He compared it to the scroll he’d read in the archive about saddling horses, seeing how the text and what he was being shown matched or differed.
“Ready?” Davis asked.
Gregory nodded, coming out of his thoughts. “Yes. While we walk, you can help explain the names of the tack and what each is for.”
“I can manage that,” Willof chuckled, seeing Davis’ expression. “I told you, Lieutenant, that he would be eager to learn everything.”
“Just hard to adjust to. The last magi I dealt with… well… they were different.”
“I’m sure they were,” Gregory snorted. “My clan is vastly different from what you expected. My wives and clan mates are just as intense in their drive to learn. I have no doubt that my wives also started their men on the Peaceful Fist.”
“They have calmed down about it,” Davis said. “I was talking with the sergeants last night, and all of them said their men had completely stopped grumbling, and a few were even looking forward to it.”
“Wouldn’t have thought the slow movements would be as taxing as they were, but now, they just feel natural,” Willof added.
“It was designed to flex every muscle and joint, but as you no doubt realized, it also has you go through basic attack and defense katas. The movements become ingrained into the body. When we start sparring, the men will see that.”
“We’ve been waiting on that. Sparring can lead to rivalries,” Davis said.
“Strongest man around?” Gregory asked.
“Roughly.”
“What about when we fight as squads?” Gregory asked.
“It’s less of an issue, but some squads will see it as bragging rights.”
“Nothing wrong with one squad being better at fighting. I’m sure that Glasson’s would easily out-scout them all.”
“Without a doubt,” Davis said.
“As long as they can all meet the standard, it’ll be fine. A squad or two specialized in some areas is good, too.”
“Lighthand’s journals?” Willof asked.
“Yes. I’ve been learning a lot from the magi who started my clan,” Gregory replied.
“He was right, as are you.”
“The obstacle course is to teach the men teamwork, how to navigate some obstacles, and the reason they are split into squads,” Davis said, transitioning the conversation. “That’ll help since it’ll be every squad running it, broken down by one squad a day.”
“We can make a rotation of sparring, obstacle course, and anything else that’s needed,” Gregory said, already working through it in his head.
“Didn’t even have to prompt him,” Willof laughed.
“It was obvious,” Gregory said.
“Not to everyone, it isn’t. You also didn’t tell him to draw it up for you. Most magi less than a month into this year lean on their officer.”
“How can they learn if they don’t do it?”
Willof shrugged. “A question every officer asks themselves.”
Gregory lapsed into silence, going back to working on a schedule to rotate the men through the different training they all needed.
As they were reaching the village, Gregory asked, “How often should the men be rotated to town for a day off?”
“Not a full day; after conditioning to just before dinner,” Davis replied. “I’d suggest after our first trip back to Grakle. Let them get used to no time off, then once we get back from our week off, they’ll have bright spots to look forward to. I’d put off the idea of the schedule until after that trip, too. Some of them will fuck up, and you don’t want the worst squad getting another day off before the others.”
“That makes sense,” Gregory agreed. “I need to address that with the men before we go to the city.”
“It’ll take us a little over a day to make the trip. Striking camp and moving for most of the day, setting up a quick camp for the night, and then getting to Grakle around midday.”
“I figured as much with spending over a half-day traveling by carriage. The carriage moved faster than we’ll march.”
“Glad you see it, sir.”
“I sometimes wonder how we’ve managed to hold the empire if the other initiate magi couldn’t see it…” Gregory sighed.
“To be fair, sir,” Davis said slowly, knowing he was taking a risk, “the army holds the empire. The magi are just the biggest weapon we can bring to bear. Everyone who attacks us knows we can bring dozens of magi to the fight without depleting ourselves, and none of our neighbors can do the same.”
Gregory nodded; he could understand that. He’d come to realize from Empire’s Gambit that the magi were the leaders of a battle, but it was the men that did the actual fighting most of the time.
“Lieutenant Williams,” a guard greeted them as they approached. “Who do you have…? Magi, sir! Sorry, sir. I didn’t expect you to be walking.”
“Horses,” Gregory sighed. “We’re here to resupply my men.”
“Of course, Magi,” the guard said, stepping aside so they could enter the town.
“Thank you,” Gregory said as he kept pace with the wagon.
The guard watched them go, a little shocked the magi had just thanked him for nearly stopping them.
A second guard on the wall snickered. “Close one, Bill. Luckily, that one seems to be distracted.”
Bill wiped at his forehead. “Shut it, Larry.”
“Where to first?” Gregory asked when they walked through the open gates.
“I’d normally start by going to the distillery. It lets them get to work on filling the empty kegs while we do the other things.”
“We’ll do that, then. Maybe after them, we’ll see the mayor. I’ll be there for a few minutes at least.”
“He’ll want you to stay for longer than a few minutes, sir.”
“No time; I need to learn. I can give him a social visit in the future.”
“Sir,” Davis said slowly, again knowing he was probably overstepping, “I’d reverse that. Let him have his visit now, and then come back with me next time to learn. Mayors are prideful.”
“Like magi?” Gregory asked with a snort. “He’ll cause trouble if he feels snubbed?”
Davis glanced at Willof, then answered, “He might have his men be extra strict on ours, sir. Nothing that can be pointed to as outside the norm, so if you react, it shows you in a bad light, not him. After all, his guards would just be upholding the laws.”
“Ah, that makes sense, especially if we’re going to be here most of the year. Very well, Lieutenant. Take me to see him after we deal with the kegs. He’s going to be upset that I’m returning his gift, as it is.”
“That is doubtlessly true, sir.”
“Maybe we should just keep it, then,” Gregory mused. “It can be repurposed…”
Willof’s lips quirked up, and he looked over at Davis, who was surprised.
“We’ll just take it back with us. Now I feel bad for carting it all the way out… Learning can happen at any moment.”
“That’s very true, sir,” Davis said.
“You did try to warn me before, but I missed it that time. I’ll listen better, Davis.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Gregory laughed. “No, Lieutenant, I should thank you. I might cause less issues that way.”
~*~*~
The distillery was a large building, and Davis took them around the back to where the massive yard was. The double gates were open wide to allow wagons coming or going. Davis guided the oxen next to the dock so the laborers could walk straight onto the wagon.
“Lieutenant,” a man laughed, coming out of the warehouse, “has it been three weeks already?”
“It has. Magi Pettit, this is Paul Vattakavanich. He is the man in charge of the warehouse. Vattakavanich, Magi Pettit, my commanding officer.”
Paul gave Gregory a big smile. “Magi, an honor. I didn’t expect you to visit.”
“Learning is important. Don’t mind me— I’m just observing today.”
“Ah, one of the rare few who want to learn the drudge work,” Paul laughed. “Williams, I’ll give the same deal as before. Twenty kegs of three-to-one, and forty of six-to-one, for the low cost of eight thousand vela.”
“That’s the same deal,” Davis nodded.
“The cost equals the amount of wine being diluted over all the barrels, plus labor, correct?” Gregory asked.
“Exactly,” Paul grinned.
“Hmm… that would put the cost, I’d expect, at a little over six thousand.”
Paul’s brow furrowed. “How do you figure that?”
“The wine in more potent barrels would be equal to five kegs of wine, as the wine is only a fourth of the total volume. With the others, it’s about seven kegs. You’re only using twelve kegs of wine for the total number we’re buying. A normal keg of that size should run about five hundred vela, which would be six thousand. Add in the extra cost of mixing them, and it might run seven. Eight seems a little high.”
“Which clan are you with?” Paul asked slowly.
“Aether’s Guard, not a merchant clan,” Gregory smiled. “My wife comes from a trading family. I’m not opposed to making sure a business makes a profit, so why don’t we call it seven and a half?”
Davis and Paul just stared at Gregory before Paul started laughing. “Caught me out, and yet still gives me profit? Magi, I’ll take that deal gratefully.”
Gregory chuckled. “My father-in-law is Hao Warlin. He’d no doubt be sad I didn’t squeeze you the way I should have, but we’ll be using you for a year, and I’d rather have a good business partner than one who feels slighted.”
The laughter trailed off. “Warlin Mercantile?”
“Yes. I married his daughter.”
“The deal is made, Magi,” Paul said, holding out his hand.
“It is, indeed,” Gregory smiled, shaking with him.
