Aether's Apprentices

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “That’s a good plan,” Yukiko said, “but we can’t interfere with the game. We can’t tell her when we retire for the evening. The best we can do is be ready to support her.”

  The other two nodded, and they lapsed back into meditative silence as they waited for night to come.

  They didn’t react when the others came back to the room an hour later, though they did reply whenever someone asked them a question.

  As evening turned to night and the break came closer, Roshana appeared in the doorway. “Excuse me, another magi is being fielded. She has asked for Klein Armit.”

  Yukiko’s lips flashed in a smile when she heard the name, her mind having been chewing on possible combinations and counters.

  Klein blinked as he was pulled from his meditation. “Me? Not one of her clanmates?”

  “You, by name,” Roshana said, though she was clearly as unsure as Klein was.

  “Klein,” Yukiko called out, “there is a reason. If you want to win, trust her.”

  Looking at Yukiko and the others all still in the corner, he bowed formally. “Your clan has beaten long odds before. It is famed for it, all the way back to Lionel Lighthand. I will trust in that history.”

  Dave looked a little sour, but stayed quiet as Roshana led Klein away.

  Gregory saw his look. “Dave, she isn’t not choosing you because of what you did. If it was based purely on feeling, she’d have taken Yuki. Jenn has a plan that requires him specifically.”

  Clover inhaled sharply as she jerked upright. “Oh…!”

  Ling blinked. Her ears twitched and she nodded. “Yes, I see it now.”

  Dave looked at them with a frown. “You both know what she has planned?”

  Gregory laughed when he caught on to what they were likely thinking. Seeing Dave’s steadily deepening frown, Gregory held up his hand. “Do we ‘know’? No, but we talked a lot about strategy for the tournament. One of the things we’d come up with was what a spatial magi could do in unorthodox ways.”

  “And?” Dave asked bluntly.

  “Instead of attacking the commanders themselves and possibly losing, why not ruin their supplies, instead?” Clover asked with wide eyes.

  Ben Ursage, the instructor responsible for this room, jerked upright. “Where did you hear of that tactic?” he asked sharply.

  They all looked at him for a moment before Ling snickered. “We thought of it ourselves. Spatial magic can be used to transport people, sure, but it can also deliver items across distances— add rats to the grainstore, drop some poison into the well, and other ways.”

  Dave looked disgusted. “That isn’t proper war.”

  Magus John Dunn sighed. “It is exactly war, and it’s been done countless times, but it is a tactic that isn’t written down or discussed. If we can do it, so can others. It’s something to consider and keep an eye open for in the future when you command your men. Having men on patrol of your stores is not a waste of manpower.”

  Silence fell as Dave thought over what Dunn had said.

  Gregory smiled, thinking of the tactic that Clover and Ling had brought up days ago that Jenn was going to employ in this game. He looked to the two women beside him and said in as low a whisper as he could, “Good job, you two. If we win, it’s your victory.”

  Clover and Ling’s ears twitched, and their smiles widened as they sat back. They snuck glances at him before closing their eyes and lapsing back into meditation. Yukiko caught the exchange and gave Gregory’s hand a squeeze as she sat back to meditate again.

  Gregory closed his eyes, thinking of the proud smiles he’d seen on them. Lightshield did say you’d be going for your own merits, Gregory thought. Maybe this is what he meant?

  ~*~*~

  Two hours later, the instructors from the other rooms came past. One of them stopped to tell them the day was over and to be back at fourth bell.

  The Shining Light clan and Aether’s Guard all stood and stretched, looking refreshed. They followed the tired people out of the room. Gregory let his steps slow, and those with him did likewise. He smiled over his shoulder when he caught sight of Jenn coming his way.

  Jenn was tired, but not as tired as Roshana, who was dragging as she walked beside Jenn. “Thank you again, Roshana,” Jenn was saying. “You’ve been very helpful, more than some other coordinators have been.”

  “Thank you,” Roshana said a little dully. “I’ll be back to continue assisting. I need to rest.”

  “We’ll bring you some food,” Yukiko said, stopping entirely to let them catch up. “So sleep as much as you can.”

  “If I can just rest for a few hours, I’ll be fine. I just didn’t find the right rhythm to meditate today.”

  “Spirit path?” Klein asked, trailing the two women. “If you follow that path, you could speak with my clan. The Shining Light adheres to the spirit path. We know the benefits it can bring.”

  Roshana looked at him blankly for a moment, then shook her head. “Thank you, but I think I’ve found a clan I am interested in. I just need to ask them. If they turn me away, I will come to speak with yours.”

  “Not many will take a spirit path adherent,” Klein said, “but it is your choice. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he added, giving them all a nod of his head as he passed them.

  “I didn’t get to meditate much, either,” Jenn yawned. “I need sleep.”

  “We’ll help you,” Gregory said, giving her a smile. “Let’s go home.”

  “Greg, I’m going to make sure Roshana makes it back to the dormitory,” Yukiko said. “I rested enough to miss some sleep. Get our wife settled and I’ll be home soon.”

  “Be careful,” Gregory told her. “Roshana, thank you. Sleep well.”

  Roshana’s sleepy smile was beautiful, her white teeth gleaming against her dark skin. “I will. Thank you, Greg.”

  They split into two groups once they left the building behind.

  Jenn gave the two behind them a grin as they walked. “I’m employing your tactics. If we pull this off, it’ll be because of you two. I wouldn’t have taken this route if Dave had stayed, but once he left, I knew I had to do something radical.”

  “The hard part will be knowing where their supplies are to use the tactic,” Ling said. She inhaled sharply. “You said ‘tactics.’ Plural.”

  “I did,” Jenn giggled. “I had to argue with Harrison some, but he finally agreed with my reasoning about scouting.”

  “You’re going to put the balloon into the air?” Gregory asked. “That will help them find you.”

  “Considering Gin died when he went out, they have a good idea of where I am, anyway,” Jenn countered. “That’s why they’re moving together now, to make sure they don’t get caught alone.”

  “Fair point,” Gregory said.

  “Use the scout balloon to find them, use Klein to ruin their supplies, and use the Buldoun mercs to thin them.” Clover was all smiles as they got closer to the clan hall. “Oh, I like it, I like it, I like it!”

  They all laughed at Clover’s antics as she broke into one of her small, silly dances in happiness.

  “But first, sleep,” Gregory said, taking Jenn’s hand. “We’ll see you two in the morning. Feel free to get there before us and tell the novices what you can.”

  “We will,” Ling said as she snagged Clover’s sleeve and pulled the other woman ahead of Gregory and Jenn. “Good night.”

  “Good night,” Clover added as she was towed along.

  Gregory slowed his pace for a moment to let the pair get ahead of them. When he was sure they were out of earshot, he asked softly, “How are you, my heart?”

  “Tired, angry with Dave still, but good. I think this will work, or at least push them to the brink. I have one last trick to play, too. If it comes to it, I’ll use a tactic that we almost never use against Krogga, but that they respect.”

  Gregory inhaled slowly. “Challenge?”

  “Yes. I won’t dare fight Egil, but Paul, who will have to fight without his aether…
I think I can best him.”

  “Okay. Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that. Now, let’s tuck you in, and I’ll hold you all night. I’ve slept enough already.”

  Jenn’s smile was bright as she squeezed his hand. “That sounds wonderful, my heart.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Yukiko appeared in the shadows of the room when Jenn was sleeping soundly. Gregory had tensed, but relaxed when he saw the white-blond hair of the person in the shadows. Yukiko apologized, then quickly stripped and slipped into bed with them. The three cuddled, with Jenn being the only one to sleep.

  When third bell rang, Gregory and Yukiko were already out of bed and dressed. Jenn came awake and, with a bright smile, stretched before dressing quickly.

  “I feel good enough to go another full day, if needed,” Jenn assured them. “I hope it doesn’t stretch into a third. If it does, they’ll outlast me.”

  “Gregory told me your plan. Do you think Egil can be removed?” Yukiko asked.

  “We have to if I want to force combat with Paul,” Jenn said. “I’ll explain my full tactics to Klein today, including my plan for single combat. If Gregory had been allowed to be on the field with us, I’d push for combat now, but they took that option away from us.”

  “They did,” Gregory said. “You’ll win. I have faith in our heart.”

  Jenn swallowed the lump that appeared in her throat as Yukiko tied her obi for her. “Well, I can’t lose now.”

  “No stress,” Yukiko whispered, planting a peck on Jenn’s nose. “Just do what you plan and we’ll back you.”

  “Has Harrison been pleasant?” Gregory asked to help shift the topic.

  “Surprisingly, yes. He made me defend the hot-air balloon idea, but other than that, he’s been fine. Ever since the tournament, he’s been different.”

  “I think Bishop has been talking with him,” Yukiko said.

  “She’s been a little distracted since the tournament, too,” Jenn smiled. “Maybe they’re making up on their friendship?”

  “That would be good,” Gregory said. “It would help solidify the clans with each other. Harrison and Bishop, Hayworth and us…” He trailed off.

  “And perhaps Kyle Walun and Daciana,” Yukiko finished. “But that will depend on if he’ll take the rejection well.”

  “That’s what I failed to say,” Gregory nodded. “Only time will tell.”

  “Let’s go see our friends, have breakfast, then make it to the hall,” Jenn said.

  ~*~*~

  When they arrived at the tactics hall, they met up with the Shining Light and Iron Hand groups. Everyone but Roshana was there, and Gregory worried that she might have overslept. They trudged upstairs, taking their place in the waiting room, while Klein and Jenn continued upward.

  “Jenn has the extra food, right?” Clover whispered as they settled in to wait.

  “Yes. I made double sure of it,” Yukiko replied.

  “Roshana? It’s a common name in Limaz,” Ling said. “My family comes from near the border of Limaz. Besides her eurtik blood, she has a lot in common with the people there.”

  “You have hints of it, too,” Clover said, “though it’s not as pronounced as it is with her.”

  “I talked with her on the way back to the dormitory,” Yukiko said, her eyes on the others in the room. “She might end up joining the clan after the tournament.”

  “I would have thought she might worship Mortum more,” Ling said.

  “Me, too, or perhaps the Traveler,” Clover added.

  “She has faith in Aether,” Yukiko told them. “Her grandmother and mother held a firm belief in Aether returning and that he’d reappear in the empire. It’s why they came here, even though their heritage would cause them greater problems.”

  Ling and Clover lapsed into silence as they thought.

  “She seemed truthful when I spoke with her,” Gregory added, “and she also appears to be a genuinely nice person. Dia will have to find out how deeply she really believes, though.”

  The other three nodded, then settled in to meditate while they waited for the game to begin.

  ~*~*~

  Time had no real meaning for them as they sat in the room, waiting for news. Gregory had a better understanding of how boring it was to be on the sideline.

  “Sir?” Dave addressed Ben. “We’re not going to get called back in. If we give that option up, can we go down to watch the game on the main board?”

  Ben looked thoughtful for a moment before he stood up. “I will inquire. Wait here.”

  Gregory pushed his meditation away, curious as to what the answer would be. He noticed the Shining Light members and his friends doing the same.

  Ben returned and nodded at Elder Cho. She walked past their room, obviously coming down from comparing turns with Roshana. “The Elder says you may, but you will not be allowed back in no matter what happens. So, if either of them requests aid, another will have to be chosen.”

  Dave stood up, as did the other Iron Hand members except Farin. “We understand. We aren’t the ones they will choose, so we’ll head down. I can’t sit here without knowing what’s happening anymore.”

  Dunn stood up when the other Shining Light members did. “Armit will choose the ones best suited for the fight, which means either of you.” He looked at Farin and Yukiko. “We will go downstairs. I find myself very curious how they are playing, as well.”

  Clover shifted and looked at Yukiko. “Yuki?”

  “Magus Dunn is right,” Yukiko replied. “If you want to watch your tactic in play, go ahead. I will sit here in case she calls for aid.”

  Ling stood up with Clover. “We’ll watch and hope. Greg?”

  “I’ll sit here. They might need another coordinator, and I’ll take that role if it’s needed.” He looked at Fred. “Go ahead.”

  Fred hesitated before bowing to Gregory. “Thank you.”

  When the exodus finished, it was just Farin, Yukiko, Gregory, and Ben left in the room. Farin stretched and shifted to take advantage of extra room, while Yukiko stayed snuggled against Gregory’s side. Ben looked amused at the couple, but didn’t say anything.

  “Do you really think they’ll call either of us?” Farin asked.

  “It’s possible, especially if they clash for a turn and it doesn’t end right away,” Yukiko replied. “Either might need earth or water, which is why you staying makes sense. I’m only going to be called in to try assassination, but I might be called.”

  “But if all three magi are in the same base…” Farin trailed off.

  “The boost the Kroggian force will get is substantial,” Yukiko finished for him after a few seconds pause. “Yes, which is why if they do call, they both won’t be in the same base.”

  “Dave proved why that’s a bad idea,” Farin said.

  “Normally, but if a specific instructor is removed from play, Jenn has another option she could use,” Gregory said.

  Ben jerked upright, as he had taken a relaxed seat in another corner of the room. “She wouldn’t.”

  “Jenn would if she felt it gave the best odds of winning,” Yukiko said.

  Farin paused, then inhaled sharply. “Oh. That tactic.”

  “Yes,” Gregory smiled. “As was discussed before this round even began, but it means Egil needs to be off the field.”

  “I can see where they might call for you,” Farin said to Yukiko.

  “Yes, but if they can remove him first, they might need to slow the remaining Kroggians or entrench themselves further,” Yukiko said. “It’s why we sit here and wait. If they call for Gregory, then we’ll know they’re splitting and one of us is going to be called.”

  Farin settled back, clearly excited and worried for what might come.

  ~*~*~

  The sun had come up when Roshana appeared in the doorway. Farin jerked to his feet, staring at her, which is what pulled Gregory and Yukiko from their meditation.

  “Yukiko, Klein is asking for you,” Roshana said.

  Fa
rin exhaled and slumped back to his seat. “Good luck,” he exhaled. He was happy that he wasn’t going to be the one in, though also sad for the same reason.

  Roshana turned to him and Gregory. “Elder Cho said it was okay to tell you both to head to the main room. There’s no way they can build up the funds before the game ends to ask for another magi. The other instructors will be aiding for coordination from here on out.”