“Early in the day, but it’s allowed,” the apprentice replied. “Novices are to be back by sundown, or they will face discipline.”
“We understand,” Gregory said.
“Sergeant, the door,” the apprentice said.
“Open it,” the sergeant told the man closest to the door.
With the metal door unbarred and opened, Gregory and Yukiko stepped out into the city. The door closed behind them with a firm thud.
Gregory looked around in the predawn light. “Not sure where we should be going besides down to the lowest ring.”
“It’s a walk to get there unless we can find a rickshaw,” Yukiko said. “We can try to find one, because it will take us most of our time otherwise.”
Thinking about the limited funds he had, Gregory frowned, but followed her. “Okay, but we should start walking just in case we don’t find one.”
“Agreed,” Yukiko said.
They did not have to walk far before a man driving a rickshaw came toward them, clearly heading for the academy.
Yukiko flagged him down, and when the man came to a stop next to them, she handed him a coin. “We would like to be taken to the lower ring.”
“Of course, mistress,” the man bowed.
Yukiko got into the seat and Gregory followed her. He tried not to stare, and he had seen this vehicle during his trip to the academy with Proctor Bishop. The seat in the covered carriage was barely wide enough for them both, and once they were seated the driver mounted the device at the front and pedaled them down the gently curved incline toward the lower ring.
“How much do I owe you?” Gregory asked after a minute.
“Nothing. I was the one who wanted to take the rickshaw,” Yukiko said, aware that Gregory did not come from money.
Gregory considered arguing, but he glanced at her and noticed her set expression. “Okay, Yuki. Thank you.”
She smiled, “You’re welcome, Greg.”
The pair watched the streets roll by as the sun broke over the horizon. The empty streets slowly came to life, the traffic increasing as they drew closer to the lower ring gates. Sixth bell had just chimed throughout the city when they arrived at the gates between the upper and lower rings.
“Should we start here or at the lower gates?” Gregory asked her.
“Let’s start at the bottom,” Yukiko replied. “I doubt we’ll make it around the entire lower ring, but we can try.”
“I’m in your hands, Yuki. You have more experience in a city than I do.”
Yukiko’s cheeks pinked and she nodded. “I will do my best, Greg.”
It took a few minutes before they were past the gate and into the lower ring. The rickshaw driver followed the long, spiraled, inclined main road all the way to the north gates. Yukiko had him stop a hundred yards short of them.
“We will disembark here, thank you,” Yukiko called out.
“My pleasure, mistress,” the driver bowed deeply to her and Gregory. “A pleasant day for you both.”
Gregory whistled as he took in the view. None of the cities he had been in with Proctor Bishop had been anything like as grand as the city spread out in front of him.
“Are you looking for anything specific, Greg?” Yukiko asked, bringing Gregory’s attention back to the street in front of them.
“Better clothes, maybe? Beside you, I feel like a beggar.”
“A clothing store first? Very well,” Yukiko said as she looked down the street. “Follow me.”
Gregory fell into step with her. He was looking everywhere, trying to both take in the city and avoid another run in with muggers. After a few blocks, Gregory realized something that had been nagging at him.
“These shops are all pretty large, but the second levels are almost always smaller,” he muttered.
“They’re homes. They reside above the shops, or their apprentices do,” Yukiko told him. “It is a common practice.”
“Why are the shops so large?”
“They have storage space as well.”
A stray memory came to him, “We should find Lagrand Clothiers. I ran into one of their family on my way here. He sold me this tunic, in fact.”
Yukiko slowed her pace for a moment. “Okay.” Looking around, she waved at a man in light armor bearing the empire’s colors and emblem. “Sir, may I trouble you?”
“Yes, miss,” the guard said, coming over to them. “How might I help you?”
“Where might I find Lagrand Clothiers?”
“Not far from here,” the guard said, turning to face the direction they were heading. “Six or seven streets that way, on the left side.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Have a good day.”
“You, as well,” Gregory replied to the guard. “Well, that will make it easier to find. I’m not used to patrolling guards.”
“They help people like us find our way, as well as deterring crime,” Yukiko said as she started walking again. “Another expense of the empire, but one that is well spent.”
Chapter Twenty-three
Gregory was interested to see that the sign for Lagrand Clothiers was a little more ragged than some others they had passed. Yukiko stood for a moment, looking at the exterior of the shop thoughtfully before she went inside. A small chime announced them to the staff.
“Welcome to Lagrand Clothiers. How can I help you?” a kindly-looking middle-aged woman asked.
“We’re hoping to upgrade his wardrobe,” Yukiko said plainly, motioning to Gregory.
“Of course, miss. Are you looking for multiple outfits or just the one?”
“Just—” Gregory began.
“At least three sets,” Yukiko cut him off, her tone more assertive than usual. “He must look at least my equal.”
“Yuk—” Gregory began again.
“Excuse us,” Yukiko told the staff member, cutting him off again. Taking his elbow, she led him toward the door. “Greg, let me handle this. I come from merchants, remember?”
“Yes, but I don’t have that kind of vela.”
“We’ll sort it out later. Trust me for now.”
He wanted to argue, but seeing her earnest and hopeful expression, he bowed his head. “I’m in your hands, Yuki.”
“Thank you.” Giving him a bright smile, she turned back to the shopkeeper. “Now, as I was saying, three outfits, equal or better than what I am wearing. I would like two of them in Buldoun cotton, and a silk kimono for formal wear.”
Gregory’s eyes bulged at the word silk. He knew that the Delarosas only had it to work with once. They had made a dress from it that they sold to a merchant for hundreds of vela.
“We can do that,” the shopkeeper smiled, picking up a bell and giving it a ring.
A tall man came out of a side door, “You rang, mistress?”
“Measure the gentleman. We will be doing three outfits, two in Buldoun cotton and one kimono in silk. Did you have a preference for colors?” the shopkeeper addressed the last to Yukiko.
Yukiko looked Gregory over. “Green, like his eyes, but don’t overdo it. I want it to be subtle.”
“Very well, miss.”
“Sir,” the tall man said, motioning Gregory to the door, “if you will follow me, we need to measure you.”
Gregory looked at Yukiko, who met his gaze. After a few seconds, he followed the man into the back. They went into a hall lined with doors, and the servant led Gregory to the second room.
“Please, stand on the blue square,” the man said with deference. “I’ll have you measured quickly.”
Doing as he was told, Gregory placed his stuff on the single chair in the room before stepping onto the blue square painted in the middle of the floor. The servant began to measure him, starting with his legs.
Gregory had been measured before, helping Amoria practice, and his mind drifted to an old memory. A traveling merchant had stopped in their shop about five years back and asked to have a new set of clothing made to order. The Delarosas had been mor
e than happy to help him until the man began to strip. Tony, Amoria’s father, yelled at the man to get him to stop. The merchant explained his normal tailor had him strip to be measured, but Tony had just sighed and explained it was not necessary, grabbing his tape to start the process once the merchant was dressed again.
“All done,” the man said, stepping away and making notes. “Would you like something to drink while we get things ready?”
Blinking as he came back from the memory, Gregory shook his head. “No thank you, I’m fine.”
“Very well,” the servant said before stepping out of the room.
Gregory took a seat and closed his eyes. He knew it might take them a few minutes to find the right items, so breathing slow and deep, he tried to find the right meditative state. Calmness spread over him and memories came trickling back, until one filled his mind.
~*~*~
“Greg, why don’t you want to consider it?” Amoria complained.
“Because I’m going to be a magi, Ria. I won’t be here after next year,” Gregory replied, his jaw set. “Your father wouldn’t seriously take me as an apprentice, anyway. I know you think he would, but you’re not being realistic. What future would you have with me? Gunnar would be a better bet, or even Stan! He’s always had a crush on you.”
Amoria’s face went red, then white, before heating again. “You dumb asshole!”
“I don’t see why you’re upset. I’ve told you every day that I’m going to be a magi!” Gregory called after her as she stormed away.
~*~*~
The moment crystallized for Gregory and he knew now why she had been so upset back then. It was right in front of me and I was too blind to see it. I was so caught up in wanting to be a magi that I couldn’t see, or didn’t want to see the truth. Ria, I hope you’re doing okay and are doing what you promised.
“Sir, we have a few selections for you to try,” the servant said, coming into the room with a collection of clothing in his arms.
“Yes,” Gregory said, blinking and wiping at his eyes. “Of course.”
It took him a while to try on all the different outfits. Eventually, he settled on two that were off-white with green accents for the cotton. The last one was mostly green with white accents for the silk kimono. All of them were a little large for him, but he knew he had been putting on muscle and wanted to make sure he had room for growth.
“Are you sure these are the ones you want, sir?” The servant looked a little skeptical because of the looseness of the fabric.
“I’ve been putting on weight and will need the extra room,” Gregory told the man.
“Very well, sir. The mistress has already paid for them and asks that you change into one before coming out. We will have the others sent to your abode, along with your current clothing.”
Gregory held in the wince as he thought of what this was costing Yukiko. I’ll have to pay her back somehow. “I’ll wear this one,” Gregory said, picking up the first outfit.
The servant had stared at the scars on Gregory’s arm multiple times, but he had politely not asked about them while Gregory was trying on outfits. As he was bundling up the sets that were to be delivered, the servant did make a comment that made Gregory pause. “The mistress seems quite interested that you are her equal in appearance, sir.”
“Yes... yes she is, isn’t she?” Gregory murmured as he continued dressing.
“I will show you out,” the servant said once Gregory was ready.
Yukiko was sipping tea and chatting with the shopkeeper when the servant brought Gregory out of the back. Her eyes lit up upon seeing him, “Very good. Thank you for your service,” she directed at the shopkeeper.
“Please come back if you require anything else,” the shopkeeper said, setting her cup down.
“We will,” Yukiko said. “Are you ready, Greg?”
“Yes.”
The pair left, unaware of the gossip that transpired behind their backs once the door was closed. The streets were becoming busy with people as the eighth bell chimed.
Gregory did not go far before he said, “Yuki, it’s too much.”
Yukiko looked away from him. “I don’t think it is, Greg. We are partners in training, aren’t we? That means we need to be on an even footing.”
“We already are. Clothing doesn’t change that.”
“No, but it will make it easier for others to accept.” Yukiko glanced at him, then away, “Please, accept it for now. If you feel the need to pay me back later, I won’t fight you.”
Gregory sighed, wanting to argue with her, but he saw her eyes and could not. “Yuki, if it had been just one outfit, I wouldn’t say anything. But it wasn’t— it was three, and one of them was even silk. I’ve only ever seen silk clothing once before, but I have a good idea of what it costs.” Exhaling, he continued, “I’ll accept them because you asked me to, but I will try to pay you back in time. For the silk, at the very least. Fair?”
Yukiko nodded, “Fair. I shouldn’t have gone as far as I did. Forgive me.”
“It’s fine. If I could have, I might have done something similar in return,” Gregory admitted. “I will hold you to not arguing when I try to pay you back.”
“I will accept anything you wish to give me in return,” Yukiko said, starting to walk up the street. “What else are we looking for on our day out?”
“That was all I could think…” Gregory trailed off as he looked down at his boots. They stood out badly against his new outfit. He could recall the smith telling him to replace them, but he had never gotten the chance. “A cobbler?”
Yukiko looked back, taking in his entire outfit and nodded. “Yes. I’m sure we will pass at least one this way.”
“Okay,” Gregory said, catching up to walk beside her. “Need to enjoy the little bit of free time we have.”
“Yes,” Yukiko said, giving him a smile.
They walked for a while before finding a cobbler. A gray-haired man sat behind the counter, tapping a hobnail into a boot heel when they entered. A chime sounded, and the man looked up once he was finished with the nail.
“How can I help you?”
“We need boots for him,” Yukiko said, taking the lead again.
Looking at Gregory’s boots, the cobbler nodded, “I’d say you do, indeed. I can get you into good boots today, or have a custom made set in a few weeks?”
“Today is fine,” Yukiko said.
“Fine, have a seat,” the cobbler said. “Be right there.”
Taking a seat on one of the benches, Gregory wondered what this was going to involve. He unbuttoned his old boots and set them aside. The old man came out from behind the counter with a strange object in hand.
“Good, already got the rags removed,” the cobbler said, pulling a stool over so he could sit in front of Gregory. “Give me your left foot.”
Gregory watched as the cobbler manipulated a set of sliding wooden bars to measure his foot. He switched feet at the cobbler’s command.
“Pretty standard. Let me see what I have on hand,” the cobbler said.
When the old man stepped away, Gregory turned to Yukiko and held out his hand, “For the boots, since you’re paying for them.”
Yukiko hesitated, but took the vela. “I’ll return any extra.”
“I doubt there will be any,” Gregory said. “Going to need a clan for the stipend, if nothing else.”
“Yes,” Yukiko agreed. “I had a good sized purse when I left with the proctor, but it won’t last forever.”
“Especially not when you buy expensive gifts for your friend,” Gregory added with a grin.
Yukiko looked away from him, her cheeks heating. “You are showing me how to walk multiple paths. If anything, I owe you even more.”
Gregory blinked, his mouth opening and closing. “Just thought of that, did you?”
“On the way here,” Yukiko giggled. “So when I find a way to pay you back, you shouldn’t fight me.”
Gregory chuckled, then began to laugh
, “Fine, Yuki, fine. You win.”
Yukiko turned back to him, her cheeks still slightly flushed, but she was smiling broadly. “Good. I like winning a good haggle.”
“Young love,” the cobbler guffawed as he came out of the back with two sets of boots. “Ah, the wife will love this story later.”
Gregory and Yukiko went scarlet, both trying to stammer out an objection.
Aether's Blessing (Aether's Revival Book 1) Page 18