Aether's Blessing (Aether's Revival Book 1)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “Can we go a little slower so you can explain why I lose each time? The adepts don’t want you to, but they won’t be here to stop us today,” Gregory asked.

  “Does it bother you?” Yukiko asked as they stepped into the training hall and saw that no one was there. “Losing to me all the time?”

  “A little, but not because it’s you. It’s because I should be good enough to be your partner.”

  Yukiko’s eyes sparkled and she swallowed hard. “I’ll do my best, Greg.”

  “So will I, Yuki.”

  Trading their shoes for slippers, they went to an empty room to face each other in. Gregory focused, studying Yukiko as she settled into her preferred stance, trying to find a weakness he could use.

  ~*~*~

  Tenth bell brought them to a stop, both covered in sweat and panting. Gregory shook his head in frustration as he got off the floor again.

  “You are improving,” Yukiko said.

  “Still haven’t managed to put you down,” Gregory grumbled. “Feel like I’m being toyed with.”

  “No,” Yukiko said quickly, holding out her hand, palm toward him. “I have to work hard to stop you. Believe me, Greg.”

  Exhaling to try get rid of his frustration, he nodded. “I do, Yuki. I’ll see you for dinner and study, right?”

  “Yes, I’ll be at the dormitory by the eighteenth bell.”

  “See you then,” Gregory replied, making his way to the showers to clean up.

  “Greg…” Yuki called after him hesitantly.

  “Yeah?” Pausing in the doorway, he looked back at her.

  “Do you need any vela for today? I have some if you need it.”

  Gregory stopped his first reply, which was tinged with his frustration. Seeing her worried eyes, he shook his head, “No, Yuki. Nick said it was all taken care of.”

  “Oh. Okay. Umm… are you considering joining them?”

  “The Eternal Flame?”

  “Yes.”

  “Not at the moment, though Nick wants to make it hard by being as friendly as he is. I doubt there’d be any…” He trailed off as he thought about what Nick had said about Yukiko’s betrothal being voided if she joined.

  “Any what?”

  “Huh? Oh, sorry. Any reason to join. I do want to join a clan where I know someone to make things easier.”

  “So do I,” Yukiko murmured too softly for Gregory to hear, before she cleared her throat. “I was just curious. I’ll see you tonight.”

  “Yeah. Have fun with Michelle and the others.”

  “You, too.”

  The eleventh bell was chiming when Gregory met up with Nick and the others by the main gate. “Sorry for the delay.”

  “It’s fine. Fureno just got here, too,” Nick shrugged. “Now that everyone is here, we can get going.” Gregory turned to start for the postern gate when Nick stopped him. “The carriage is waiting for us this way.”

  Following Nick and the others, Gregory was surprised to find a stable tucked away behind a screen of trees a few hundred yards away from the main gates. Nick motioned to a carriage, and the group moved to the side. The bright red carriage came to a halt near them, the emblem of the Eternal Flame emblazoned on the door.

  “This will take us where we need to go. Everyone in,” Nick said, opening the door. “Time to show you another perk of joining the Eternal Flame.”

  The carriage was large, but it was a little crowded with them all inside, so Nick had Fureno go ride with the driver. Fureno grumbled but did as he was told, and a few moments later, the carriage started to roll.

  “Surprised I wasn’t the one to ride with the driver,” Gregory said as the carriage paused for the gates.

  “Fureno knows propriety,” Nick shrugged. “He’s along for the ride currently, but he needs to improve in conditioning and in magic. We can’t just have everyone join the clan, after all.”

  “I didn’t think any novice could join a clan until after the first tournament.”

  “Officially join,” Nick chuckled. “My family has been with the Eternal Flame since its founding. Everyone knows that I’ll be joining them as soon as the rules allow. It’s your good fortune to be in the same year as me.”

  “You’re scouting the novices for those who’ll fit in, making it easier for the clan later.”

  “We all help the clan as we can,” Nick grinned. “Was glad you decided to join us. Thought for sure you were going to decline and stay at Yukiko’s beck and call.”

  Gregory frowned, “I don’t stay at her beck and call.”

  “Seems like it to us,” Jason snickered. “You even let her thrash you in sparring every day.”

  “I don’t let her thrash me; she’s just more skilled,” Gregory said tightly.

  “Maybe you should partner up with Jason or Fureno, then,” Nick suggested. “I understand the attraction you have to her, but it’s not good to let a woman you’re interested in unman you over and over again, especially in front of others.”

  “Maybe,” Gregory said grudgingly.

  “We heading to—” Jason began to ask, but Nick cut him off.

  “Of course. Have to let the others see one of the major perks of joining the clan.”

  Chapter Thirty-four

  The carriage came to a halt outside a grand manor. Gregory looked at the massive structure with awe and trepidation. The motif told him it belonged to the Eternal Flame, but the craftsmanship and material it was made of boggled him.

  “The Manor of Flame,” Nick smiled as he nudged Gregory. “This is where those of the clan can find rest and relaxation while in the city, and those in training can use it on their days off. The rooms inside can be claimed for just a day, or up to a year, depending on what the magi of the clan needs.”

  “What is the red crystal that the columns are made of?” Gregory asked.

  “Lava stone. When aether is added to it… easiest to show you.” Moving over to one of the columns, Nick touched it reverently. A few heartbeats later, the red crystal began to glow with red light. Stepping back and wiping his brow, Nick grinned, “I can manage that, at least. It’ll glow for an hour, maybe.”

  Gregory stared at the red column, which now looked as though it had living flame inside of it, illuminating the area. “That must be something to see after nightfall.”

  “When they’re all lit, it can be mesmerizing,” Nick chuckled. “We have permission to use the manor all day. Do mind your manners if you see other magi, though; they are full members of the clan.”

  Gregory nodded, pulling his gaze away from the column to follow the others. They are one of the great clans, but it seems a waste to use aether just to make the columns light up. Why don’t they try to improve the outskirts of the empire, instead? Why don’t any of the clans? In the front room, the others were exchanging their boots for silk slippers. Gregory did the same, noting the clan emblem emblazoned on the silk.

  Once everyone had slippers on, Nick addressed them formally. “Welcome to the Manor of Flame. You are guests inside these walls. I’ll give you all the tour before I turn you free to enjoy your day.”

  Gregory frowned briefly. Why invite us if we’re going to be left to our own devices? The frown vanished as he followed the others. The manor had dozens of rooms that offered various distractions: two small archives, a game room where some magi were playing cards, an indoor hot spring and outdoor pool, and a handful of small sparring areas, two of which were in use. There was a dining area that was staffed with full-blooded eurtik in maid outfits, waiting to serve them.

  “There you have it. Enjoy the day. I’ll be collecting all of you an hour before sundown so we can make it back to the academy. If you need anything, just ask one of the slaves, and if you want that, go upstairs and find a room marked with a red light that is uncovered.” Nick grinned, “No one here will comment on what you get up to.”

  Fureno laughed as he headed for the stairs, “Might as well go see what’s on the menu.”

  Jason shook his head
, “He’s so simple. I’m going to see about joining the card game. Anyone else want to go?”

  “I’ll come with,” Nick said, a couple of the others chiming in. “Greg?”

  “I want to take a walk through the whole place again... it’s daunting.”

  “If it’s the coin, I can lend you some,” Nick said, seeing his reluctance.

  “Maybe after the walk.”

  “As you like. Just make sure to enjoy yourself. I’d hate for the clan’s name to be lowered because you didn’t.”

  “I’m sure I’ll find something to keep me interested.”

  “He might just want to sneak upstairs without us all knowing,” one of the others snickered. “After all, he—”

  Jason elbowed the man in the stomach, “We’re going.”

  Grumbling and rubbing his stomach, the man complained as they left. “Why does he get special tre…”

  Gregory had walked away from them, not wanting to get involved. Why do people always want to pick fights? I was telling the truth, and I might well have gone up there to at least see what it was all about, but damned if I’m going to now.

  Pausing outside of the sparring areas, he watched two magi fight. Neither were in the colored kimonos that denoted their rank, but he figured they had to be magus at least. One of them kept taking to the air in short flights while the other flung fire at him. Gregory blinked when one of the small firebolts vanished as it reached the edge of the area.

  The fight ended a moment later when the magi in the air was hit by a firebolt. Screaming in pain, he landed and tapped the ground. “Damnit, I forgot how much that hurts.”

  “Just be glad the area has healing enchantments or that arm would be badly damaged,” the fire magi chuckled. “Things would have been different if we hadn’t been in here, anyway. You’re hemmed in by the enchantment, so you can’t go too far any one way without leaving the area.”

  “True, but I need to work on dodging in tighter conditions, which is why I asked you to help.”

  “Enjoy the show, boy?” the fire magi chuckled, seeing Gregory.

  “It was an honor to watch two magi of your strength spar,” Gregory replied, bowing to them.

  “You one of the ones with Shun’s grandkid?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “A novice, then. Maybe a recruit,” the wind magi smiled. “What magic do you possess?”

  Gregory grimaced, “Unknown.”

  Both the magi exchanged a look, but the fire magi spoke up, “You’re the one, huh? Want to spar a little? No aether, just unarmed?”

  “I’m lacking in that area, sir,” Gregory said. “I wouldn’t pose any challenge for you.”

  “Not what I was saying. I was giving you the chance to have some one-on-one tutelage.”

  Gregory blinked, not expecting the magi to offer him instruction. “If you are willing to do so, I would be foolish to decline.”

  “You two have fun,” the wind magi said. “I’m going to get something to eat. Used a lot of aether in that fight.”

  “Have one of the slaves bring me a snack and some infused tea. He’ll need it.”

  Chuckling, the other magi waved as he headed inside, “Sure, sure.”

  “Alright, novice, what is your name?”

  “Gregory Pettit, sir.”

  “I’m Magus Ashon, and I’ll be your instructor for now. The Eternal Flame, for all the bad that is said about it by our foes, always raises up those who deserve it. The strong rise— it’s the way the clan works.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Now, let’s see your basic stance.”

  ~*~*~

  Greg was panting and on his back when Magus Ashon declared their sparring over. “You have a surprisingly good basic understanding for a fringer. They’re either teaching novices better than when I was there, or you have a gifted teacher. Try to drill those attacks I showed you a little every day.”

  “Understood, sir,” Gregory grunted as he pushed himself to his feet. “Thank you for your time,” he finished with a deep bow.

  “You should get cleaned up before enjoying the manor. Come on, I’ll show you the way.”

  He was shown to a room that he had not seen before. Gregory stripped down like Ashon was, dropping his stuff into a basket. Entering the connecting room, Gregory found a bathing room with a tub big enough for a half dozen people. What he had not expected was the naked cat eurtik who rose gracefully to her feet from where she had been kneeling in the corner. Gregory swallowed as he realized that pure-blood eurtiks were not always completely covered by fur; the woman in front of them was fully exposed.

  “Slave, to work,” Ashon grunted as he took a seat at a shower. With a glance at Gregory, Ashon chuckled, “She isn’t that kind of slave, though I believe her sister is upstairs. Now, sit down so she can do her job and we can relax.”

  Tearing his eyes away from the slave, Gregory sat on the stone benches. “I can clean myself,” he coughed, reaching for the soap.

  “Nonsense,” Ashon said. “This is her task, unless you don’t care for her. She can get a different slave if that is the case. Is the otter taking care of the female side today?”

  “She is, sir,” the slave replied in a soft tone. “Do you wish me to get her instead?”

  “No, no, everything is fine,” Gregory said quickly.

  “Start with the novice; he seems a bit nervous,” Ashon snickered.

  Gregory did his best to ignore the small touches of her naked skin against his as the slave washed him. She was efficient and business-like as she deftly cleaned him.

  “You’re done, sir.”

  “Thank you,” Gregory said as he went to the tub. The steaming water felt wonderful as he slipped into it. Leaning against the wall, he let the hot water soak into his muscles.

  “The manor on the academy grounds isn’t this luxurious,” Ashon said, breaking the silence. “It’s not bad, but there are no bath slaves there, and no pleasure slaves, either. Though we do see a number of apprentices and novices on their days off.”

  “It has an archive and training areas?” Gregory asked about the two things he cared about.

  “Not to the same scale, but yes. Also has a gaming room, where many stipends change hands.”

  “I’m not good at cards, so it’d be a place I’d likely avoid.”

  Ashon laughed, “Knowing your weaknesses is good. Fixing them is better.”

  Gregory could not argue with that so he did not try, instead sinking farther into the water.

  ~*~*~

  When the bath ended, Gregory thanked Ashon again before heading for the small archives. The only person in the room was a duck eurtik wearing a butler outfit, who bowed to Gregory when he entered.

  “How may I assist you, sir?”

  “I wanted to see what books and scrolls were available to read.”

  “We have books and scrolls across a wide number of subjects. If you have a preference, I can find something suitable.”

  “Anything on spirit path training?”

  The eurtik’s brow furrowed, “No, sir. That is an inferior way to train.”

  “I’ll leave the choice up to you, then.”

  “Very well. Please have a seat, sir.”

  Gregory took a seat in a well-padded chair at a desk. The cushion sank under him, and Gregory idly mused that this must be what sitting on a cloud felt like.

  “This is a book recounting the greatest members of the clan,” the eurtik said, placing a tome before Gregory. “Would you care for anything else, sir?”

  “Not right now, thanks.”

  “Just ask, and I’ll take care of anything you need, sir.”

  “Got it.”

  Gregory skimmed the book, not bothering to truly read the flower-laden prose that was written as if the author believed that the people he was writing about could do no wrong. He was not sure how long he skimmed, but he closed the book and stood when his stomach rumbled.

  “Are you done, sir?” the butler asked, appear
ing just a few seconds after Gregory closed the book.

  “Yeah, need to get a snack,” Gregory said. “Thank you for the recommendation.”

  “You’re very welcome, sir.”

  Gregory went to the dining room, where he found Nick and Jason talking to an older man whose solid gray temples gave him a refined air. Jason nudged Nick and gave Gregory a smile, waving him over.