Magi Guard (Aether’s Revival Book 6)

The bath wasn’t nearly as long as any of them would’ve preferred, but they did get time to soak. They put on their formal dress uniforms, the insignia clearly showing them as part of Aether’s Guard.

They were taken back to their campground, but only had a quarter-hour before they were assembled for the banquet. The march across the campgrounds showed mostly deserted camps; all of them had at least one person tending to things, mostly squires. Gregory had been mildly irritated that the squires weren’t included in the festivities. Before he’d left, he’d given the boys the last of the sweets he’d been hanging on to as an apology.

The trip eventually found them once again near the bathhouse. Pavilions had been erected with lamps, denoting the edges of the banquet area. Each pavilion was sized for single units, and Gregory was glad to see that his wives were the closest two to where he’d been placed.

The staff member saluted them after he explained that this was their space. They’d have an hour to mingle, but when the chime sounded, they needed to return to their pavilion. Gregory thanked him before he turned to his men, giving them a smile.

“Men, you represent not just our unit, but all of Aether’s Guard. I know you will not disgrace us, but mind those that will try to provoke you. Mainly the Eternal Flame, but a few others might, as well. If they’re boorish, walk away. It can be addressed later.” Seeing nods from them, Gregory grinned. “Enjoy this feast. Hopefully, the food is as good as we’ve gotten used to. Dismissed.”

Laughter came from the men as they headed straight for the nearest pavilions, eager to trade stories with the others they’d come to know. Gregory met Yukiko and Jenn in the middle between their pavilions.

“My hearts, it’s good to see you again,” Gregory said. He disregarded what society would think, opting to plant kisses on their cheeks. “Jenn, thanks for trying to free me for the course.”

“Of course. I’m upset we didn’t have a fair challenge.”

“I’m displeased that every instructor’s answer has been to ban you from competitions,” Yukiko said. “How are they expecting you to get any experience that way?”

“They had a valid reason. None of the traps would’ve mattered to me; I’d have known about all of them. Both of you had to find ways around them, which I loved watching. Seeing the different ways you handled them was amazing. The judges were shocked at your actions, but also impressed,” Gregory said.

“Did your men do enough for third?” Jenn asked.

“They might take second,” Gregory said with a straight face.

“Perhaps, but I think unlikely,” Yukiko smiled. “Shall we go see a friend?”

“Farin?”

“We wanted to wait for you,” Jenn said.

“He had his men salute us, so I’d like to. Have to stay away from the idiots, though.”

“Farin’s camp was right near Jason’s, so we might not have that option.”

“We’ll do our best,” Yukiko said. “Do you think Jason will eat crow when we’re announced as the best?”

“He’ll spit blood,” Gregory chuckled, then sobered up. “Nick isn’t here at all. Grandmaster Zhu let that hint drop during my time at the obstacle course.”

“Hmm… he’s likely been relegated to something safe and away from places he could cause more trouble for his clan. He might even be stuck in one of their clan halls, helping others, of course.”

“You mean detained in comfort,” Jenn snorted.

The trio walked through their units, going toward where they believed Farin would be— the banquet area looked to be set up roughly similar to the campgrounds. They hadn’t made it to Farin’s pavilion before Jason and Parks were in their way.

“If it isn’t the Pets,” Jason sneered. “Heard a rumor you added a second beast to your collection of freaks.”

All three of them paused, but it was Jenn that replied first, “How disgraced is your clan currently? I mean, the heir apparent almost started a war. That can’t be good, can it?”

“I don’t see your mistress,” Yukiko added. “Did she not get training?”

Gregory was a second after his wives to reply, “Jason, I offered a truce when things were bad for the Eternal Flame. Why do you act out now? Why continue this aggression?”

Jason’s face had gone red at Yukiko’s and Jenn’s jabs, but he just stared at Gregory when he replied, “Keep your menagerie on a tighter leash. The Eternal Flame is going to show we are far from disgraced when they hand out awards. As for continuing, you started this when you insulted the clan, Pettit. Turning away to take your bird and hide in a dead clan… too bad your elder is gone. There’s no one left to shelter you now.”

Jenn laughed a deep belly laugh that grabbed the attention of Farin’s men a few dozen yards away. Other nearby people slowed to see what was happening, as well. “Shelter? Shelter, Jason? Really? Do you not remember how the conflicts between us have gone? In the last two and a half years, none of us have lost to you, or the others of your clan. Word is that Aether’s Guard took the tournaments at the academy this year, too. Your clan placed where?”

Parks’ lip pulled back. “I’d show you your place right now, if not for the rules.”

“When have rules stopped your clan from acting rashly?” Yukiko asked serenely. “Now, you’re in our way. Excuse us. We were going to see the magi behind you.”

Jason looked over his shoulder to find the entirety of the Iron Hand initiates. As he jerked his gaze off them, he also spotted Hayworth and the Swift Wind initiates closing on the scene. “That’s fine. Hide behind better clans than your own. Come on,” he said to Parks, “we have others to speak to.”

Gregory watched the duo stalk away; he left his foresight open for a bit, then nodded. As the magi guards went back to their own entertainment, Dave Marthman and Farin Wood stepped forward to meet them. The other couple of Iron Hand initiates waved and went back the other way.

“Still a dick, is he?” Dave asked.

“Biggest prick besides Nick,” Gregory said, shaking hands with the two men. “Good to see you both. How have you been?”

“Good,” Dave said. “Farin here thinks he did the best out of us. We’re hoping to hear from Elder Ironhand about our individual standings after the banquet.”

“I didn’t say that, Dave,” Farin said calmly. “I said I think I might’ve been in the top ten. You should be up there, too.”

“You’re too soft on your men,” Dave said, “but they responded to you, so…” He trailed off, patting the air. “I’m not going to say more until we hear from our elder.”

“I was surprised your clan head was an elder,” Yukiko said. “He looks much younger than Lightshield did.”

“He just made it to elder,” Farin explained. “The newest elder of the empire, and only three years ago.”

“Ah, that would be why,” Yukiko nodded. “I thought I had known all the elders: I looked them up in the archive. Best to know who the most powerful magi are.”

“Surprised he was so calm with Grandmaster Zhu,” Dave snorted. “Much calmer toward the Hardened Fist than Master Chen is.”

“Master Chen lost a friend to the Hardened Fist is why,” Gregory said. “He mentioned it a couple of years ago.”

“That’d explain it,” Farin nodded.

“I’m going back to join the others,” Dave said. “Enjoy the party.”

“You, too,” Gregory said.

As Dave left, Farin sighed. “He’s just as competitive as he was last year. I’m not sure he’ll take it well if I get an accolade and he doesn’t.”

“If you get one, it’s because you earned it,” Gregory said. “None of those three are going to go easy on anyone.”

“Agreed. Look, I’ve got to get back. I’ve got to make sure I’m showing myself in step with the rest of the clan.”

“It was good seeing you again,” Yukiko said. “And Farin? We know how hard you strive. More than that, though, you’ll always be our friend.”

Farin gave her a smile. “Thank you. You three gave me hope when I had none. I’m proud to call you friends.”

There was another round of goodbyes before Farin stepped away. As the three of them went to head back to their pavilions, they had to pause, as Hayworth was standing back, waiting for them.

“Pettits, it’s good to see you again,” Hayworth said. “I was late to what was going on. Was the Eternal Flame being themselves again?”

“As always,” Gregory chuckled. “How did your year go?”

“Differently. I was prepared the best I could be, but there was still adjusting to do.” He met Gregory’s eyes. “I learned to be even more humble this year. The lack of comforts helped take some of my residual arrogance away.”

“Never thought we’d have a conversation like this,” Gregory said, shaking Hayworth’s hand. “I still remember you insulting my mother that first day.”

“I was an idiot twit. I’d punch the old me now.”

“I almost punched the old you then,” Gregory chuckled.

“I would’ve hated you, but I wouldn’t blame you for it now. Our clans aren’t exactly allies, but… I would like to say differently about us.”

“I’d accept that,” Yukiko smiled. “It was the fight with Jenga, wasn’t it?”

“Your husband dismantled an apprentice— a skilled apprentice— in seconds as a novice without aether. It turned my whole view of fringer magi being worthless upside down, and possibly inside out. The fact that you stepped away from that terrible clan also helped.”

“I’m glad it turned out this way,” Gregory said.

“Surprisingly, so am I,” Hayworth agreed. “I’m going to assume I’ll see you when they hand out medals. If I’m not up there collecting one, I’ll be shocked.”

“Oh, we’ll be there,” Jenn chuckled. “We have a reputation to maintain.”

Hayworth laughed. “Going to take the best awards?”

“Of course.”

“We’ll hope to,” Gregory laughed. “Until we see you again, Hayworth, may Aether watch over you.”

“You three, as well,” Hayworth said.