The days came and went quickly for them— Dia joined them in the mornings for the Peaceful Fist; they learned and worked under their instructors, each completing at least one project; and Magus Yang came back to the inn periodically to speak with Dia. She’d been gracious while dealing with him, then extra intent on her meditation the following morning.
Mixed bathing got easier for them. Their faces still reddened, but not as often, and they hadn’t gone as far as to stand nude in front of each other again. The last bath had brought some of the awkwardness back up as Jenn washed Gregory’s back, leaving them both red-faced for the rest of it.
Breakfasts and dinners pushed their aether hard, but always came with sides to temper the influx. Each meal was something new and delicious that had them all smiling. They were all eagerly wondering what tonight’s meal would be as they sat with Dia in the taproom.
“Dia, are there any days off this month?” Yukiko asked.
“Only if your instructor takes a day off,” Dia replied. “It is at their discretion.”
“I haven’t seen the number of guards I expected for this town,” Jenn said. “I’m surprised that small crimes aren’t more frequent.”
“Magus Yang has decided on a different tactic for keeping the town secure,” Dia said with a hint of anger. “There are fewer guards because of this.”
“But the population dictates the support the town receives to keep it staffed and functional,” Yukiko said. “If there are less… oh.”
“It’s not our concern,” Dia said, making sure they understood. “I’m sure it will come to light all on its own. Do not meddle.”
“Yes, Dia,” they said, bowing their heads to her.
“Your meal, magi,” the barmaid announced, having brought a cart to their table. “I have been told to inform you that tonight, the aether-infusion is in the rice. The salmon and charid can be used to temper it.”
“That rice looks different from any I’ve seen before,” Dia said when her plate was set on the table. “What is he calling it?”
“Garam magi rice,” the barmaid replied. “And we have some tea to accompany your meal.” She poured them all some of the green tea before leaving the room.
“It smells wonderful,” Gregory said. His mouth had started watering as soon as the maid had removed the lid on the rice.
“Agreed,” Jenn nodded.
“Go slowly with it,” Dia reminded them as she served herself. “There’s enough for you all to have a filet of salmon each, and I think you’ll need it.”
Once he had food on his plate, Gregory used his chopsticks to bring a few grains of rice to his mouth. His skill using chopsticks was improving, but even so, his first bite was small. Gregory inhaled sharply as the spice of the rice felt like it exploded on his tongue. Chewing slowly, he marveled at how much flavor that single bite held.
“Goodness, this is potent,” Jenn said, pulling a handkerchief from her pouch to dab at her head.
Gregory realized he had broken into a light sweat as well, and followed her example. “It’s so flavorful… I didn’t even realize it had that much heat until now.”
“It is a bit hot,” Yukiko said before taking a quick bite of the salmon.
“Ah, now I recall where I’ve heard the word ‘garam’ before,” Dia said with a soft smile. “It is a primary ingredient in Limaz.” She was clearly lost in a memory, so the apprentices didn’t interrupt her. A moment later, a loud voice pulled her from her thoughts.
“This is trash!” a richly-dressed man snapped at the barmaid, a light accent tinging his words. “Bring me a real meal, and quickly!”
Dia blinked and shook her head. “Oh, dear. This isn’t going to end well for him.”
All three friends looked over at the man, but quickly turned away.
“Is that because of Brown?” Yukiko asked before returning to her meal.
“Yes,” Dia smiled. “It shouldn’t be long.”
A minute later, Gordon Brown came out of the kitchen. He was wearing an odd, large-buttoned white jacket with his sleeves rolled up past his elbows. The maid pointed out the man who had complained, and Brown’s jaw set.
“Did you just insult my food?” Brown asked bluntly, staring down at the man.
The man looked up and sniffed. “Goodness, you smell like the rubbish I sent back to the kitchen. When I asked Yang where I could get a good meal in this town, he assured me that this was the place. I might have to reevaluate my opinion of his intelligence now.”
“What would a merchant from Buldoun know of good food?” Brown asked icily. “Considering some of the things your countrymen eat, it’s a surprise you can judge any food.”
The man stood up, glaring at Brown. “Considering what you just tried to pass off as a meal, how are you any judge?!”
Brown’s eyes glittered. “Let me introduce myself— I am Magus Gordon Brown. I have cooked for magi up to the rank of sage and had them weep with joy. The Sakura clan has asked me to marry into their family on three occasions. I have more talent with food than your entire country combined. If you insult my food one more time, there will be repercussions.”
Gregory was silent. He could feel the power that was rolling off Brown. A few of the non-magi in the room went white and started to huddle into themselves. The merchant paled slightly and placed a hand on the table, clearly trying to steady himself.
“I see,” the man said, his accent thickening. “A magi who has failed to climb above the magus rank is not anyone I need to concern myself with. I deal with the five great clans, not washed-up magi who cook in backwater towns.”
The power coming off Brown increased and his voice dropped in volume, “Backwater? Washed-up? You didn’t insult my food that time, so I’ll give you this one chance to leave on your own. If you do not, or if you ever come back, I will make sure your family is paid the appropriate wergild.”
The merchant swallowed and started to sweat. “Are you threatening me?”
“No. I am stating fact,” Brown said flatly. “I shall give you a minute to collect your things and go. If I return and you’re still here…” A cold and cruel smile crossed Brown’s face before he spun sharply on his heel and went back into the kitchen.
The moment Brown left the room, everyone felt the pressure of his power ease up. Those who had been near passing out quickly paid their tabs and left. Dia took a sip of her tea as she watched the merchant, motioning Gregory, Yukiko, and Jenn back to their food. The merchant took a deep breath, dropped a coin on the table, and left with stiff legs. His face was clouded, and it was obvious that he was beyond upset.
A minute later, on the dot, Brown came back out of the kitchen. Once he realized that the man was gone, he snorted and returned to the kitchen.
Yukiko cleared her throat. “He felt like a master, not a magus.”
Dia chuckled lightly. “He is on the ninth or tenth rank of the magus tier, and when it comes to his food, he’s always been extra passionate. The merchant got off lightly. Normally, he breaks bones. Brown must have wanted to not antagonize Yang more than necessary.”
“Because the merchant said he was dealing with Yang?” Jenn asked.
“Yes.”
“Dia, I’ve been wondering,” Gregory said, “we’ve felt the pressure of other magi before. How do they project that?”
“I’ll explain it in the morning,” Dia said. “We don’t want to disrupt the inn.”
“Yes, Dia,” Gregory said, bowing his head.
As they were finishing their meal, Brown came over to the table. “How was it?”
“Fabulous, as always,” Dia smiled. “How did you infuse that much aether into the rice?”
Brown’s eyes sparkled. “A secret.”
“It was very potent,” Yukiko said. “The charid and salmon were enough to help us be able to enjoy it.”
“Good. Do you have room for dessert?”
“If you made it? Of course,” Dia smiled.
Brown chuckled, seemingly past the anger he’d felt earlier. He placed his hand over the table and four glasses appeared, he then set one in front of each of them. “This is purity plum extract, infused with vanilla and chilled to near freezing. Just down them.”
Gregory picked up the freezing glass and tossed the shot back. For a second, his head ached, but it cleared quickly. The deep and rich flavor of plum and vanilla lingered on his tongue.
“It was sweet, but over with quickly,” Dia said. “I’m waiting for the trick.”
Brown laughed and nodded. “Give it a moment.”
Jenn was the first one to feel it— her throat started warming, then her nose. “What? I can smell them.”
“Oh? Oh, you’re right,” Yukiko said.
“Ah, yes,” Dia nodded, picking up her teacup. “That is pleasant.” Taking a sip of her tea, her brow contracted and she took a second sip.
“That is the trick,” Brown smiled. “For the rest of the evening, you’ll only be able to taste the dessert. Nothing else will hold the flavor it should— it’s overpowered completely by the purity plum.”
“That could be disconcerting,” Dia said as she set her cup down. “What do you call it?”
“‘Plum-Emitting Warmth.’”
Dia’s eye twitched. “Ah, yes. That does suit this.”
“I’m glad you all like it,” Brown said, giving everyone a smile. “Good evening to you all.”
“Good evening, sir,” they replied.
“I’ve been meaning to ask, have those books been useful?” Dia asked once Brown had left.
“We’re working through them,” Gregory said. “Some of the tactics for Krogga will make it easier to play them in the future.”
“Buldoun’s are very easy to understand,” Jenn grinned. “It all comes down to building wealth then using it correctly. The book helps describe the different tactics that might gain you the most use at the least cost.”
“Limaz’s book is the thickest of the three. Their tactics are more varied, shifting against each nation, more so than the others do,” Yukiko clarified. “It’ll take some time to understand it all.”
“The fact that you three are this invested already will make your class much easier,” Dia smiled. “Will your game be coming to an end soon?”
“Tonight,” Yukiko smiled. “I believe this time, they have no tricks to stop me.”
Gregory sighed. “She dismantled me last turn. Unless the upkeep gives me something surprising, I’ll probably have to concede.”
“I walked into her trap three turns ago and have been trying to regain my ground,” Jenn grumbled. “I spent my funds badly at the start and have been paying for it since. Buldoun is tougher to command than I anticipated.”
“I assume, then, that Gregory has not used his magic during the game?” Dia asked.
“No,” Gregory replied. “I’m learning as they are. I’m sure our instructor will stop me from using it, anyway. It’ll make it harder for me, though, as the game has no commander with my magic.”
Dia nodded in agreement. “I doubt they will have one in place before the year begins. What has your solution been?”
“Picking one. It helps me understand what the commanders can do, and also helps them know what tactics to expect.”
“A solid plan,” Dia smiled as she rose to her feet. “I wish you all a good night. I will see you in the morning.”
“Night, Dia,” they said.
As Dia walked away, Gregory looked toward Jenn and Yukiko. “Should we go finish the game?”
“Of course,” Yukiko smiled. “I look forward to my victory.”
~*~*~
Yukiko had her victory an hour after they began. “It was a good try, Jenn.”
“It was a long shot, and you knocked it down quickly.”
Gregory started putting the pieces away. “You did better than I did. I had no feel for the Limaz troops.”
“We’ve never used them before,” Jenn said as she helped him. “It’s not surprising that you had trouble with them.”
“She isn’t wrong, dear one. I think you did as well as could have been expected. I’ll try them for the next round.”
“Hmm… I want to try Krogga,” Jenn said.
“I’ll give Buldoun a go,” Gregory said. “No home ground rules, since none of us will be the empire.”
“That makes sense,” Jenn nodded.
They finished cleaning up and headed upstairs. Gregory was busy thinking over what he could have done differently during the game. When they stopped outside their rooms, he blinked, having been lost in his thoughts.
“Good night, Jenn.”
“Before she goes, there is the matter of my victory,” Yukiko said.
Gregory laughed and gave her a quick kiss. “Paid to the victor.”
Yukiko gave him a smile and a wink before she turned to Jenn. Jenn hesitated, but stepped forward. Yukiko lowered her head, turning her head slightly for Jenn. Jenn leaned in, kissing the side of Yukiko’s mouth instead of her cheek.
Stepping back quickly, Jenn gave her an uncertain smile. “To the victor.”
Yukiko’s eyebrows had gone up and her pale cheeks had turned pink when she met Jenn’s eyes. “If that’s what I get for winning once, I wonder what a repeat win would net me?”
“Do it and find out,” Jenn said, her cheeks reddening more when she said it.
“I will do my best. Good night, Jenn,” Yukiko smiled. “Pleasant dreams.”
“Night,” Jenn said as she watched Yukiko pull Gregory into their room. Letting out a giggle, she went into hers.
Gregory blinked when Yukiko dragged him inside their room. The image of Jenn kissing Yukiko, even as obliquely as she had, was lodged in his mind’s eye.
“I see that you don’t object to it,” Yukiko said softly as she embraced him.
“Huh?” Gregory asked, blinking.
“Jenn kissing me,” Yukiko clarified. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be jealous.”
“Not jealous,” Gregory said, his arms going around her. “Wasn’t expecting her to be that bold though.”
“Neither was I,” Yukiko giggled. “We’ll table that for now, as there’s something I want. As the victor, I demand more tribute than just a simple kiss from you.”
“Oh, and wh—?” Gregory began before he was silenced by Yukiko kissing him hard, her leg wrapping around his waist.
