Hao stared at the medallion, “By the end of the year? You are sure?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm,” Hao nodded. “Very well. The cost of Gin’s tutelage is far outweighed by this. And so much more. You have been correct in your assessment, Yu. If you are going to stand out that far, though, you will become a target, will you not?”
“Yes. After this tournament, the clans choose which novices to accept. Greg and I have not chosen a clan. You know of the great clans and why I won’t choose any of them. The lesser clans would get overpowered and bow to them if we joined one of them. That leaves me lacking in many ways. Some can be fixed by the proper application of vela, but others cannot.”
“Gregory, will you not be joining a clan?” Yoo-jin asked.
Asked the question flatly, Gregory answered truthfully, “I will go where Yuki goes.”
Yukiko turned on him, her mouth opening and closing, clearly lost. “Is… is that why… you haven’t chosen?”
“Yes. We are partners. We agreed, and we can’t continue to be so if you and I go different ways.”
“Greg,” she grabbed his forearm. Gregory hissed in pain as she squeezed the wound there. “What?” Feeling the bandage under his kimono sleeve, she pushed it out of the way, exposing the bandage. Her face went white, then red in anger, and her chair shot backward as she spun on Lin. “What is this?”
Lin stiffened in the face of her anger. “Yu, I can—”
“No evading, Lin. Why is he injured? He was in perfect health when we arrived. Now his arm is bandaged.” Looking back at Gregory, she scrutinized his clothing, letting Gregory see how serious she was, before she spun back to Lin. “His silks are marred as well. What did you do to him while I was speaking to my parents?”
Lin did not back down, instead pressing into her verbal attack. “Nothing to concern the young miss. He hasn’t complained about anything. You seem to be trying to make an issue out of nothing.”
Yukiko took a step forward, her jaw set, “Nothing? He is injured. When is it nothing if a guest of ours becomes injured? I left him in your care, and now he is injured and his clothing is damaged.”
A knock on the door made her pause, and it opened to reveal Gin. “Excuse this old man, but I think I need to step in here.”
Yukiko’s ire went from Lin to Gin without dimming in the least. “What did you do, Gin?”
“An object lesson in who is fit to stand beside you,” Gin said steadily as he shut the door behind him. “He fought ten of the guards.” He paused, looking intently at Hao and Yoo-jin in turn. “He defeated all of them, and not one-on-one, either. He had only a practice naginata in his hands and no armor while they had their armor and practice swords. His knee was injured and his arm. His knee is healed already, and his arm will be by the end of the day.”
Yukiko worked to conceal her astonishment, her emotions fluctuating wildly.
Hao spoke into that moment, “Bested all of them?”
“Earlier today, he fought Egil to a standstill with a naginata,” Gin said. “Gregory is without a doubt among the best wielders of that weapon in the empire at this time, and in a few years, he will eclipse all others.”
“What did Egil have to say?” Yoo-jin asked curiously.
“He concurred with my assessment,” Gin replied. “Considering the restrictions placed by the academy, it is my opinion that Gregory is the best person to have at Yu’s side. He will keep her safe and do everything he can to protect her. I’m willing to go so far as to say that he is as worried for her safety as either of you are.”
“Yuki,” Gregory said softly, “everything is fine. You’ve hurt me worse than this during training, and I’m as equally at fault. I agreed to the match in the yard. If you are going to chastise him, you must include me, too.”
“I see.” Yukiko’s shoulders slumped, “You’re really okay?”
“Not entirely. I’m worried for you.”
With her cheeks flushed, Yukiko returned to her seat, not meeting his gaze. “I’m sorry for my outburst. It is wrong of me to act in such a way.”
“Yu, we should leave your father and the others here. We need to speak privately concerning the matter of betrothal,” Yoo-jin said, rising to her feet. Her face and tone were carefully neutral.
Yukiko’s face froze and the color drained from it. “Yes, Mother.” Rising from her seat, Yukiko looked down at Gregory, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Greg… I am sorry.”
Gregory thought hard, trying to figure out what she could mean. Watching the door close behind Yukiko and her mother, he felt his heart clench as understanding came to him.
“Hmm. Yes. Talks,” Hao said gruffly.
Gregory closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before he turned back to Hao. When Gin and Lin took seats beside Hao at the table, Gregory wondered exactly what was coming.
“Yukiko has been betrothed for nearly a decade,” Hao said, his expression serious. “Her betrothed is Dan Yulin, the heir to the Yulin Merchant empire in Buldoun. Has she mentioned this to you?”
“She has told me repeatedly that she is betrothed, sir. Not to who, nor any other specific.”
“What of you?” Lin cut in. “Where do you come from? Who are your parents? Do you have a betrothed?”
“I come from Alturis. My mother died when I was a child and my father is currently a servant to the village. There is no one waiting for me,” Gregory replied, feeling his hopes diminishing with each word.
“A fringer with no family of note,” Hao said flatly.
Gregory stiffened at the words. “Do only those born into privilege and power have substance in your eyes?” Gregory asked harshly without thinking.
Hao’s eyes narrowed, “My daughter is the only thing besides my wife that matters in the world. All of my accomplishments are to ensure they are well cared for and safe. Evan was a street rat, and he is one of my most trusted employees.”
“Then why can’t a fringer be as trusted?” Gregory asked bluntly.
“He has a point, Hao,” Gin nodded. “I’ve worked with them every week, and I can say that he has shown no inclination to tarnish Yu.”
“Ten men,” Lin added. “Not trash, either, but my men. Father and myself would be hard pressed to do as much, and to be standing at the end with only two wounds? He’s by far better able to protect her than anything we can arrange for her inside the walls of the magi.”
Hao looked thoughtful for a long moment. “You both raise valid points. I need to seek my wife’s council before—”
“We have returned,” Yoo-jin said as she came into the room. “Has anything drastic occurred?”
“No,” Hao said. “I was about to seek your council, dear one.”
“Ah, a good idea. Step out of the room with me. Evan, Lin, Gin, all of you come as well,” Yoo-jin said as she moved to stand beside the door. Yukiko came into the room, her head down.
Gregory wondered what was happening, but could not ask any questions before everyone was gone, leaving him alone with Yukiko. He went to her, coming to a stop a few feet from her. “Yuki, are you okay?” he asked when she stayed by the door, her face hidden from him.
“I am not sure. I’ve had news about my betrothal.”
Gregory’s heart clenched, his final few hopes falling away. “Oh. I’m sure you will be happy. No man could have you as a wife and not feel as if the world smiles upon him.”
“No man?” Yukiko said softly, her voice hitching. “I have one question that I need an honest answer to, Greg. Will you do that for me?”
“I’ll always be honest with you, Yuki.”
“If I asked you to flee with me, to run from this place, leaving behind the academy, to spirit me into the northern wilds, would you?”
Gregory inhaled sharply, unsure if he was hearing her right or if this was a test. Shaking his head, he did as he said he had promised and answered honestly. “I want to, Yuki. My dream of being a magi has met another dream and I’ve found it to be the lesser of
the two. I can’t, though; it would destroy your family and I know you love them. I can’t cause you that pain.”
“If not for my betrothal… would you…” Yukiko tried to ask the question she wanted the answer to, but she could not bring the right words forth.
“Yes. No price would be too high,” Gregory said, his throat dry as he forced the words out. “I know that it—”
Yukiko was suddenly in his arms, her soft lips on his. Gregory pulled her tightly to him and returned the kiss, as he had time and again in his dreams over the last few months.
Breathing fast when the kiss ended, Gregory stared into Yukiko’s cyan eyes with fear and hope. “Yuki?”
“My betrothal was absolved,” Yukiko whispered. “Being married to a ‘magi of the empire’ was too much for him. I can accept my heart now.” Leaning forward, she kissed him again, gently, sweetly, hopeful.
Gregory returned the kiss in equal measure, his heart pounding as he felt his dreams burst forth into reality. If this is a dream, please, Aether, let me die before I wake.
Gregory and Yukiko stopped kissing, but did not step away from each other when the door opened, knowing they had already been seen. “It seems you’re right again, dear one,” Hao sighed.
“It was painfully obvious to me, but men can be slow to see,” Yoo-jin smiled. “I thought she was going to be upset by my news, but it turns out our little girl has turned out to be just like me. She found her heart all on her own and only tried denying it for our sake.”
“Your father hated me for years,” Hao said, glaring at Gregory. “I should keep that tradition alive.” His lips trembled as he fought to keep a smile off them.
“Father,” Yukiko sighed, “no.”
“It seems we are going from one betrothal to another,” Yoo-jin said, looking at Gregory. “I do take it that you would be amenable to that?”
“I have no bride price,” Gregory hated to say it, but he did.
“Teaching her how to combine all three paths is bride price enough,” Yoo-jin smiled. “She will be unique, alongside you, in that regard.”
“I told you that we would be equal partners,” Yukiko whispered.
Gregory chuckled, “I could never have hoped that this is what you had in mind.”
“We shall have the official announcement dinner on the last night of the tournament,” Hao said. “I trust you to do what is right and proper, Gregory.”
Releasing Yukiko, who he had been holding the entire time, he bowed to Hao. “Yes, Father.”
Yoo-jin laughed loudly at that, “Oh, he will fit in fine.”
Hao blinked, shaking his head. “I can feel more hairs turning gray already.”
Chapter Forty-four
Third bell woke Gregory from his dreamless sleep. Moving on auto-pilot, he got dressed and ready for the day. Opening the door, he met Yukiko, who was leaving her room at the same time. “Morning, Yuki,” he said with a soft smile on his lips, memories of the day before flooding his mind.
“Morning, Greg,” Yukiko beamed at him. Fidgeting, she asked the question that had plagued her all night, “You do mean it, yes?”
Gregory leaned in and kissed her cheek, “Yes. Or do you have second thou—”
Yukiko kissed him full on the lips, silencing him. She stepped back quickly, her cheeks burning. “Sorry. It doesn’t do for public displays of affection, especially not before the announcement.” She turned to the stairs, “It’s just been so difficult not accepting my feelings for the last five months. I want to experience everything now, now that I can.”
Gregory had fallen into step with her after a second of motionless shock. “Your father asked me to do what is right, Yuki. As much as I would love to spend the days secluded with you, we have goals to meet.”
“Yes. I’m doing my best, dea… Greg,” Yukiko coughed and corrected herself.
“Things will be easier after the tournament,” Gregory said. “Six days of fighting, then the normal day off. The first three days will be difficult; three fights a day to find out who will advance to the top eight spots, then a single fight each day to advance again.”
“Father will be meeting with Magus Han today, and Mother will be viewing the dormitory,” Yukiko said as they put on their outdoor shoes. “We have to be at the training hall by seventh bell to find out when our bouts are and against whom.”
“Morning, Novices,” Dia said as they left the dormitory. “I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re awake this early, but with the tournament, I thought you might take the morning off.”
“No reason to shift our usual routine,” Gregory said.
“My mother will be by after my bouts today,” Yukiko told Dia. “She is quite eager to see the rooms.”
Dia nodded, “I’ll be dealing with a number of visitors over the next few days. I look forward to meeting her. Not many have treated my staff as fairly as you have.”
“We’ll see you later, Keeper,” Gregory said, bowing his head to her.
“Good day, and good luck,” Dia replied, blowing a smoke ring.
“Did she seem happier than normal to you?” Gregory asked as they walked to the mess hall.
“A bit. Maybe it’s the thought of getting rid of so many novices.”
Gregory snorted, “Good point. The dormitory will be much quieter with most of the class gone off to the clans. I’m sure that will make her and the staff happier.”
Gregory and Yukiko smiled and waved back at the eurtiks who greeted them. “Morning, Novices. Today is a big day for you,” Ravol grinned.
“First day of the tournament,” Gregory agreed.
“I believe you’ll pass without trouble,” Zenim said.
“He has a few bets going that you’ll make it to the top eight,” Steva chuckled. “We all do, actually.”
“Oh? Did you get good odds?” Yukiko asked.
“Forty-to-one,” Steva grinned. “We have all our free coin on you two.”
Gregory frowned, “That’s a lot of responsibility.” His smile came back as he continued, “We’ll manage it, though.”
“We thank you,” Velma told him, touching his medallion as she always did, then handing him his bagged snack. “Winning these bets will let us help our families.”
“Quilet is betting on you, too,” Steva said, motioning to the otter waving from the cleaning area.
“We plan to finish with the top spots,” Yukiko said. “Once you have your winnings, use some of them, not all, to bet on us to manage that.”
“I will,” Velma as she touched Yukiko’s medallion and gave her the bagged snack.
“We all will,” Steva added. “No other novices have shown your level of dedication this year or any other I’ve been here.”
“We’ll do our best,” Gregory told them as he went to get some tea.
“You won’t be able to watch any of the bouts, will you?”
“No. We are here from second bell until twentieth bell,” Velma replied to Yukiko. “We will be getting updates about the novices we like and dislike the most, though.”
“We’ll do our best not to disappoint,” Yukiko said as she went to get her drink and join Gregory.
~*~*~
Rafiq greeted them when they entered the archive, “Morning to you both. The scrolls will be brought to your table. We weren’t sure if you would be in today or not.”
“That’s fine, thank you,” Gregory replied with a bow of his head.
“Are you both prepared for today?” Rafiq asked them.
“As much as we can be,” Yukiko replied.
“I see. Let me not delay you further,” Rafiq said. “I’ll have it brought right over.”
“Thank you,” they said in unison, heading for the back.
Once they had taken their seats, Yukiko pulled out some paper and charcoal pencils, “Father gave me these last night before we left. Want to try one?”
“Magi Squares?” Gregory asked, seeing them. “Yes, I’d like to try one.”
The two of them sat
there working on the puzzles, not stopping when an archivist brought scrolls for them. Yukiko nodded a few minutes later as she set hers aside, wiping her hands on a cloth before she touched the scroll. Gregory finished a few minutes after that, frowning. He had guessed wrong three times during his and it bothered him. Wiping his hands off, he set aside the paper and picked up the scroll.
Sixth bell caused them both to stop reading. Gregory pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to relieve some of the tension building there. “This is harder to understand than anything else I’ve read in the archive. I know the words, but the meaning behind them is taking me longer to grasp.”
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