Magi's Path

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “Are girls really that special?” one of the young boys asked, staring at Gregory.

  “Huh?”

  “You always stare at them,” the same boy, with an upturned nose and beady eyes, said.

  “Well, I’m married to them, and they’re beautiful to me,” Gregory replied with a grin. “One day, you’ll see girls the same way.”

  “No way. Girls are weird!” the boy exclaimed.

  Gregory chuckled. “Yeah, they are strange, but when you get older, you’ll find that strangeness is intriguing. I thought much the same as you do when I was your age, and now… well, now I can’t think of a day without those two.”

  One of the older boys looked away, his rabbit ears twitching. “I, uh… I think that Monica is cute.”

  “What?” the first boy asked, his nose scrunching up as if his friend had just betrayed him.

  “Well, I mean... she’s still a girl, and weird,” the second boy said, his ears twitching more, “but… I like it when she smiles.”

  “Yeah, I know how that feels. When I was your age, my best friend, Gunnar, and I used to hang around with Ria and El. The day that they went from just being weird girls to wanting to see Ria smile more... that was a shock.”

  The first boy looked bewildered and altogether befuddled. “But…!”

  “It doesn’t mean he isn’t going to agree with you,” Gregory said gently. “He’s just growing up. In a year or two, you’ll understand what he’s saying. Until then, let them be weird, but be nice to them. Men should treat women with respect, care, and protect them.”

  The first boy nodded vigorously. “Yes, I will. Except Elsa. She’ll be the one protecting us.”

  Gregory laughed. “Yeah, yeah she will. She was afraid, too, though. Did you know that?”

  The boys drew closer and sat down in front of him.

  “When she first came here, she was afraid that you’d all hate her.”

  “Because she wouldn’t be with us anymore,” the oldest of the boys nodded, his square pupils fixed on Gregory. “We were a little angry that she was leaving us.”

  “She wanted to help you all,” Gregory said.

  “Yeah... she brought us stuff and left stuff out for us, risking her place here for us,” the oldest said seriously. “I told her to stop. We didn’t want her to risk it.”

  “Elsa doesn’t listen well,” the smallest boy said with a grunt.

  “She does, but she’s stubborn,” Gregory corrected him. “She didn’t want to lose you all. She thought of you as family, good family, and now look at where you are. Don’t you feel glad she’s so stubborn?”

  The boys all nodded.

  “Just be kind, be patient, and listen when they talk. Even if you disagree with them, listen to them. The worst thing you can do is ignore what they say or fail to hear what they’re trying to tell you,” Gregory said, thinking of how Amoria had tried to get him to see her as more than a friend.

  All the boys nodded again, but the eldest spoke up, “Your friend, Gunnar— what was he like?”

  “Gunnar? Strong, big, loyal, and honest, but he also had a mischievous streak. There was a time when he and I were going to try scaring the twins, El and Ria…”

  ~*~*~

  Gregory was laughing with the boys when Yukiko came back into the room with a smirk. “Telling stories, dear one?”

  “About Gunnar and me,” Gregory said, getting to his feet. “Passing the time while we waited to bathe.”

  “Well, it’s available now. We’ll be seeing if Baylyss needs any help with dinner.”

  “We won’t be too long,” Gregory said.

  “Just make sure they clean properly,” Yukiko said as she left the room.

  “Come on, guys. We’ll be as clean as we can be so they won’t have anything to complain about,” the oldest said, leading the way.

  The others agreed and followed him. Gregory trailed them with a grin.

  ~*~*~

  Dinner was simple, but still delicious. The soup for the apprentices came with pieces of jerky that had been soaking in their bowls to provide some aether for them. It was the only aether food they had, but Gregory didn’t mind, as eating with the children was still fun.

  “I believe it is time for the cake,” Baylyss said.

  “I’ll get it,” Elsa said, jumping to her feet and rushing off.

  “She worked very hard on it,” Baylyss said as she watched Elsa go. “That’s why she missed sparring.”

  “I figured,” Gregory replied. “She was a little distracted during meditation, too.”

  “She has been since we had word you were all coming, and that your birthday was to be celebrated,” Baylyss corrected him. “So even if it isn’t the best cake, be kind to her.”

  “I will be,” Gregory assured her.

  Elsa came back a minute later, wheeling a small cart in front of her. Reaching the table, she took a deep breath before lifting the book-sized cake onto the table. When it was safely in front of Gregory, she exhaled, then smiled and pulled out a long, thin spatula. “This will cut the cake, and also serve it.”

  “Thank you,” Gregory said as he accepted it from her.

  She smiled, then pulled a small bowl from the lower section of the cart and placed it between the three apprentices. “This has bits of aether-infused fruit from Dia. I used similar fruit in the cake, but without the aether infusion.”

  “Thank you,” Yukiko smiled at her. “We’ll make sure we add them to our cake.”

  Gregory deftly sliced the cake into pieces and distributed them to everyone. His was the last and slightly larger than the others.

  “Seems you wanted a bit more, and you haven’t even tasted it yet, dear one,” Yukiko smirked.

  Gregory shook his head ruefully. “It just came out that way.”

  “Or maybe our husband likes sweets?” Jenn rebutted with a smirk of her own.

  Elsa hadn’t touched her piece of cake, even as the other children were already eating theirs. She watched them closely, waiting to hear what they thought.

  Dividing the fruit from the bowl onto their plates, all three of them took a small sliver of cake and sampled Elsa’s work. They had smiles on as they took a second bite, and Elsa felt her fears fade.

  “It’s very good,” Gregory said after the second bite. “Vanilla and strawberry?”

  “Yes,” Elsa replied with a large smile on her face.

  “It’s even better than what my mother can make,” Jenn said. “Did it take long to make the compote?”

  “We had some already,” Elsa said with a worried look to Baylyss. “I used what we had.”

  “I thought so, but it was the only way to make sure it was present in every bite. I will get it replaced in a few days,” Baylyss said. “Next time, just ask, Elsa. We might have been able to find another way to achieve the same thing.”

  “Yes, Baylyss,” Elsa said, bowing her head. “I didn’t think. I am sorry.”

  “As long as it doesn’t happen again,” Baylyss replied lightly.

  Chapter Forty-two

  Elsa smiled at them when they entered the dining room. “Good morning to you, magi. Baylyss is almost done making breakfast.” Her words were professional, but her tone was friendly.

  “Good morning, Elsa,” Gregory returned the smile. “Didn’t expect you to be awake already.”

  “We have guests. It would be wrong to sleep in when they might have needs to be seen to,” Elsa said primly, the friendliness chilling dramatically. “If you will excuse me, I need to check on breakfast.”

  Gregory blinked after her. “Did I upset her?”

  “I don’t think ‘upset’ is the right word, dear one. ‘Miffed’ would be closer.”

  “Yuki’s right. Annoyance is a better way of describing it. Elsa is always trying to show us that she’s doing everything she can. She took your greeting to mean that you expected her to be lazy.”

  “But—!” Gregory started, but the door opening cut him off.

  “B
reakfast is ready,” Elsa said, pushing a cart into the room.

  Elsa served them as if they were royalty, her face impassive and not meeting their eyes. “Please, enjoy,” she said as she went to leave the room.

  “Elsa, wait! Please!” Gregory called out. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to annoy or upset you. You do an amazing job. You’re learning faster than I could if I was in your place. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

  Elsa had stopped just short of the door, her head bowed. “I just want you three to be proud of me, and to do everything I can for you. That’s the only thing I want,” her voice nearly broke as she said those words. She quickly pushed on. “I’m sorry I took what you said wrong. I’ll see you for training.”

  Gregory wanted to say more, but Elsa left the room. Sitting there, looking at the door, he frowned. Did I make it worse?

  “You did the right thing by telling her, Greg,” Jenn said, patting his hand. “Just leave it be for now.”

  “Jenn’s right,” Yukiko said softly. “Eat your food and give her time.”

  Gregory looked down at his fish and rice and exhaled slowly. “Okay.”

  ~*~*~

  The three of them were in their gis and talking quietly in the courtyard when the door opened. The children came in, smiling and moving to take their spots for meditative stretching. A few steps behind them, Daciana, Nessa, and Victoria entered the outdoor space. Trailing the group was Elsa, who shut the door and went to her usual spot without looking at Gregory. Gregory bowed his head and felt sadness touch his heart.

  “Good morning,” Daciana smiled. “We’re ready to train as much as we can.”

  “Good,” Yukiko replied. “Children, we are sorry, but after this, we will be sparring exclusively with the novices. We have to get them ready for their tournament. There isn’t enough room for all of you to sit and watch.”

  The children nodded, disappointed, but understanding.

  “Elsa,” Gregory said, “you’re allowed to watch, and we’d like you to, as you’re the leader of the others. You’ll be the first one to spar in earnest, and will be the one to help guide them.”

  Elsa glanced his way. She saw the honesty, but also the hint of sadness. She blinked rapidly for a second before bowing her head. “As you command, sir. I will learn all I can.”

  “We know you will, Elsa,” Yukiko smiled softly. “The children will be depending on you.”

  Nessa and Victoria exchanged a look, their eyes going from Gregory to Elsa, then to Yukiko.

  “Everyone, take the first stance,” Jenn said. “I’ll be the one leading the meditation today.”

  “Yes, Sensei,” the children replied in chorus as they set their feet and positioned their hands.

  ~*~*~

  Gregory felt his mind drift shortly after they’d started meditating. Instead of the cavern filling his mind, a memory did, instead.

  “He’s trying the best he can, dear,” Marian, Gregory’s mother, was saying.

  “I know, but he struggles all the time,” Carmichael exhaled grumpily. “He’s my son, but he’s so weak.”

  “Because he is also my son,” Marian said softly, placing her hand on his shoulder. “You don’t fuss at me for being unable to do things...”

  “That’s different,” Carmichael said, turning to hold her. “Women should be cared for and protected. The heavy things should be left to us men.”

  Marian rolled her eyes. “You forgot one.”

  “Respected,” Carmichael said with a small wince.

  “Yes,” Marian giggled. “But that’s beside the point, dear. He tries... he wants to be as big and strong as you, but he never will be. He’ll be tall, but not massive. Our dear boy will never inspire fear or anxiety based on his stature. So encourage him. Don’t chide him.”

  “I didn’t mean to...” Carmichael exhaled, resting his chin on top of her head. “I just…”

  “You see Gunther and Gunnar, and want to be like them?”

  “Yeah...” The word was soft. “Our son won’t be able to work in the mine beside me like Gunther’s boy will beside him unless he has a growth spurt to fill him out.”

  Marian’s arms tightened on her husband. “Dear, he’ll never be in the mine. His road will be a far different one. I know what you hope will be, but my dreams tell me differently.”

  “I’ll do the best I can,” Carmichael murmured, kissing the top of her head. “Besides, you’ll be there to help guide me to the right path when I stray.”

  Marian didn’t answer him. A single tear fell as she stood there, holding him back, her expression one of sorrow.

  Neither of them noticed the small boy peeking around the edge of the hallway, watching them.

  Gregory blinked when he found himself back in his cavern, his body still moving to the pattern of the Peaceful Fist. His body moved on its own as he watched the flames and the drifting sparks.

  “Was that memory because of my misstep with Elsa...?” Gregory asked the flame. “I hurt her as surely as Father hurt me that day.”

  Taking a deep breath, he silently promised to do better for Elsa.

  ~*~*~

  Victoria hit the mat hard, and Gregory was on her in an instant, his hand lashing down before she could get her arms up to defend herself. He slammed his palm into the mat beside her neck.

  “Match,” Yukiko said. “Break and bow.”

  As Gregory got up and moved away, Victoria sighed. “I need to do better.”

  “You already are,” Jenn said. “I recall how raw you were last time. Your movements have more precision to them now.”

  “How did he get her into the clinch?” Elsa asked.

  “He snagged her sleeve,” Yukiko smiled. “He used that moment of contact to bring her in closer. That’s all for today. We should wash up before we head back.”

  Everyone rose to their feet and started for the door except Gregory, who went to the far side of the room to grab a towel to wipe his sweat off.

  “Greg?”

  Turning back to Elsa, he gave her a questioning look. “Yes?”

  Elsa fidgeted, then bowed formally. “I’m sorry for my reaction at breakfast.”

  “No,” Gregory said softly. “You have no need to apologize, Elsa.” He draped the towel over his shoulder and crossed the room to her to stand a few feet away. “My unthinking words hurt you. I know how much you do above and beyond merely your assigned tasks. I’m sorry, and I’ll try my best to do better.”

  Elsa glanced up at him, then away. “Okay. I’ll try to do better, too.”

  As she turned to leave, Gregory spoke again, “Elsa, all three of us are proud of you. I never want you to doubt that.”

  Elsa didn’t look back, though she did pause in the doorway for a moment. “I won’t doubt it again, Greg.”

  Staring at the empty doorway, Gregory exhaled. I hope she believes me, but that’s all I can do. I’d have been thrilled if he’d done even that much for me...

  ~*~*~

  Dressed and ready to leave, Gregory was surprised that the novices weren’t waiting with Jenn and Yukiko. “Where’d they go?”

  “Back. It wouldn’t be good for them to be seen returning with us,” Jenn reminded him.

  “Right,” Gregory said, feeling foolish.

  “Are you okay, dear one?”

  “I remembered something during meditation,” Gregory admitted. “It was when my father chided me for being a failure, before Mother died. I hurt Elsa the same way my father hurt me on that day. More than that, though, I recalled how Mother looked when Father said she’d always be there to help him with me...”

  Both women were beside him in seconds, each touching one of his arms.

  “Are you okay?” Yukiko asked again.

  “Shaken. I know she saw into the future, but not how far. She knew I’d be a magi and that I’d have a rough life, but that’s all I know of it.” His lips ticked upward for a scant moment. “She also said I’d know love. She was obviously right in that, but did she
see you both? Would she be happy for us?”

  “She would have been,” Jenn said. “She loved you. How could she not have been happy for you to find love with us?”

  Gregory blinked at her, then felt his sadness fade a little. “Yeah, that’s a good point. I’m sad you both never got a chance to speak with her, though.”