Aether's Apprentices

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “Did you need new books?” Simon asked.

  ~*~*~

  Rufous caught their mood and stayed quiet as they rode to Gin’s residence. Guess it would be Aether’s Shelter, now, Rufous thought as he stopped on the street. There was a sign above the door of the building, declaring it as more than a home now.

  Gregory looked at the sign and smiled. It felt right to him, like it was meant to be just this way. Shaking his head, he gave Rufous a nod. “Thank you.”

  “Always a pleasure,” Rufous said. “I’ll be back on time.”

  “We’ll be waiting,” Gregory said as he hopped down, helping the women out of the carriage.

  Gregory felt a touch of melancholy as he did. He’d only done it a handful of times, but like this place becoming an orphanage, this felt right to him, too. Helping each of them out with a smile felt natural to him.

  Daciana was the last one out of the carriage this time, and she stumbled as she stepped down. Gregory caught her, then quickly moved his hands, having caught her in the wrong place. His face was burning as much as hers was while he steadied her. He started to panic, but then recalled what Darkness had told him. He exhaled, knowing this is what she meant.

  “You okay?” Gregory asked.

  “Yes,” Daciana whispered. She leaned against him for a second, hiding her face.

  Everyone by the door was watching them with raised eyebrows. They’d seen his hands when he’d caught her, then seen when he’d moved them. Daciana righted herself and mumbled a “thank you” before rushing to the door.

  Elsa opened the door when she got there, as Jenn had knocked on it before the slip. “Welcome to Aether’s Shelter, magi,” she greeted them professionally, a hint of sadness in her voice.

  Yukiko tried to smile, but couldn’t manage it. “Thank you, Elsa. May we come in?”

  “Of course,” Elsa replied, stepping aside.

  Gregory looked back at Rufous. “See you later.”

  “Of course,” Rufous replied.

  Gregory was the last one through the door. Elsa shut it behind him, then stepped into the hallway. “I’ll make sure the children are gathered, magi,” Elsa told them before sweeping away.

  Watching her go, Gregory felt another pang of sorrow. They wouldn’t see her much after this year as it was, but knowing this was likely his last time seeing her for years cut him. Yukiko took his hand and gave it a squeeze, feeling much the same as he did. Jenn joined them a moment later, taking his other hand.

  “Changing into gi?” Nessa asked.

  Gregory shook his head to clear the thoughts away. “Uh, yeah. Peaceful Fist with them, and then we’ll spend some time playing games until it’s time to go. We’ll tell them after meditation is over.”

  “Who leads today?” Ling asked.

  “Gregory,” Yukiko and Jenn said together.

  “Yes, that’s for the best,” Victoria nodded.

  There was a knock on the door, and Gregory turned toward it, pausing. “Should I?”

  “Yes,” Clover grinned.

  Gregory opened the door to find Roshana standing there. “Oh, we forgot.”

  Roshana bowed to them. “Clover told me you would likely be here. If you want me to go—?”

  “No,” Yukiko cut her off gently. “You’re one of us. Of that, I am sure. Come in and forgive us, Roshana.”

  Elsa came rushing back down the hall, but slowed when she saw Gregory with the door open. “Magi, welcome back,” she said to Roshana. “Are you to join us?”

  “If you welcome me, I will,” Roshana replied, bowing formally to Elsa.

  Elsa glanced at Gregory, then curtsied. “Any friend of my friends is welcome here.” Turning from Roshana, Elsa looked at Yukiko. “The children are gathering.”

  “We need to change,” Yukiko said. “Please lead us, Elsa.”

  Elsa dipped a small curtsy, then started away. Roshana entered and quickly changed her boots for slippers. She gave Gregory a small smile before she hurried after the others. Gregory shut the door, taking a slow breath.

  He was the first of them to enter the atrium. The children, including Enzo, were all lined up, waiting for them. They were trying to smile as they normally would, but all of them looked somber, and the youngest were barely holding back tears.

  “Good morning,” Gregory greeted them, bowing formally. “I will be the leader of today’s meditation.”

  “Welcome, Sensei,” the children replied, bowing back to him. A couple hiccupped, as they were still on the verge of tears.

  “Is something wrong?” Gregory asked.

  “We’ve had news,” Enzo said with barely controlled emotion.

  “Bad news, it seems,” Gregory said.

  “Inevitable news,” Enzo replied, “but it isn’t my place.”

  Gregory was about to ask another question when the women showed up, funneling into the walled garden. Yukiko went to Gregory’s side and looked over the children with a sad smile.

  “Elsa tells me she’s leaving you this week,” Yukiko said.

  The youngest two sniffled more, trying to be impassive. The words hit Gregory like a gut punch. He glanced at Elsa, who was wearing a mask of stoicism, though her eyes were sad.

  “We knew this time would come,” Enzo said a little stiffly as he held his own emotions in check. “There just wasn’t a lot of warning, and we thought it would be later.”

  “Since there is already sadness,” Yukiko said, letting them see her own sorrow, “we might as well make it a clean break. Today is the last day we will see you for several years. Gregory, Jenn, and I will be leaving for the tournament with Buldoun. Afterward, we will not be back to the academy.”

  More of the children started to cry.

  “All is not terrible,” Yukiko went on as tears fell from her eyes. “Our friends will still be here. Ness, Vicky, and Daciana will be here for another year, and Clover and Ling will be in the city for even longer. You won’t be alone, and we’ll be getting word of how you’re all doing.”

  The two youngest rushed her, grabbing her gi and sobbing into her clothing.

  “We’ll be hearing about you, and know you will do well,” Jenn said when Yukiko broke down, kneeling to hug the youngest. “As before, the better we hear of you, the greater the reward you’ll get when we see you again. We’re sure you’ll have things you want, then.”

  The next couple of youngest rushed her, doing as the smallest children were to Yukiko.

  “So do your best,” Gregory choked out. “Aether’s Shelter is a name that will be spoken of proudly, because you will show the empire…” He trailed off, unable to continue.

  Elsa hit him in the side, hugging him tightly. The other children all hugged each of the other magi. Only Enzo stood alone— he wiped his tears, but raised his chin, meeting Gregory’s eyes and nodding.

  “We will make you proud,” Enzo said. “We believe in Aether’s Guard and are proud to have found shelter under Aether’s name. The children that come after us will learn as we have. We will be their senseis, showing them how to live as you’ve shown us.” When the last word left his lips, he finally broke down.

  Roshana went to Enzo, embracing him gently, holding him close as she stroked his hair. She spoke softly to him, but Gregory couldn’t hear what she’d said over the sobbing from the others.

  Elsa sniffled, clutching his gi tighter and looking up at him. “Greg?”

  Looking down at her, he touched her head gently, brushing the hair out of her eyes. “It’s okay, Elsa. This is the path you asked for. Even if you aren’t a magi, you can be a maid.”

  Elsa swallowed, blinking at him. She sniffled once more, then stepped back. “Yes. That is what I want.” She wiped at her face, composing herself before turning to the other children. “We knew these days would come. We said we would be strong. Sometimes, we’ll fail, but we’ll stand back up and push on. Today is sad, but it’s also a good day.”

  Some of the others stopped crying, sniffling as they looked at Elsa w
ith questioning gazes.

  “Today is a day we step onto the paths we want,” Elsa said softly, wiping at her eyes again. “I’ll go to learn to be a maid so I can be with them. Enzo gets to take over as a butler, so he can move on to help them. In time, each of you will pick your own path. A gardener,” she said, looking at Reno, the boy with rabbit ears. “A cook,” she said, smiling at Cosette, the youngest girl with the scaly, crocodilian tail. “All of us have things we want to do. Today starts us on those paths. It also starts our senseis on their own paths.”

  Enzo was the first to step away as he wiped at his cheeks. The others began to do likewise, until they were all standing in a line again. Lips quivered and sniffles happened, but they stood proudly before the magi.

  “They feel the same pain— you can see it in them right now. They would rather stay and be here with us, too, but would we grow if they did? Would they grow if they did?” Elsa asked. “We’ve all suffered loss, but this isn’t loss... this is growth. We grew through pain before, and we will again. We’ll make the empire see the strength of Aether. His shelter will have guarded us, let us stand proud, and then let us shine his light for the world to see. We are Aether’s scions, and we will make him proud.”

  Gregory swallowed. Elsa had locked eyes with him during the last few sentences, and her belief was palpable. Yukiko bowed her head, followed by Jenn, Nessa, and then the rest of the magi. Gregory was the last one to bow his head to her.

  “Aether will always be proud of you,” Gregory said softly, “just as we are. We’re Aether’s Guard. We protect him and care for his scions.”

  “Aether,” the children said as they bowed formally.

  As they all straightened up, Gregory could see the children’s renewed determination. Even the youngest seemed resolved, though they still sniffled. Clearing his throat, he shifted to the middle of the garden. “We begin the Peaceful Fist. When we finish, we will stay and spend time with you... our friends.”

  Everyone spread out and took the first stance of the Peaceful Fist. The children were ready, a new determination burning in them. The magi were sad, but also ready to push forward.

  “We begin by flowing to the back foot,” Gregory said as he put action to words.

  Chapter Forty-seven

  After meditation and bathing, they had their snacks— made by Baylyss— spread out in the game room. Gregory looked over the room, smiling sadly. The children smiled back as they ate, playing games with each other, or with his friends.

  “I will send word to you as I can, and when the others leave, to them too,” Baylyss said softly. “I’ve been told Clover will be assisting me in the next few years.”

  “Lightshield told us this morning,” Gregory agreed, accepting the small plate of meat, cheese, and fruit from her. “We had no idea this was becoming an orphanage.”

  “I was told a few weeks ago and told to keep it a secret. The children found out last night. Tomorrow, we will be going into the city to find other lost ones to take in.”

  “Are there any rules to who is accepted?”

  “Only that they get along with the other children. We won’t abide prejudice or bigotry. If someone isn’t suited for us, we will see them shipped to another orphanage. There are a couple in the city.”

  “If there are, why—?”

  “Many do not take eurtiks, or they treat those with eurtik blood badly,” Baylyss cut him off gently. “It’s why many of those still on the streets are like my children, though some others still slip through the cracks. Each of these children, besides Elsa, was briefly in another orphanage. They chose the streets over those places.”

  “I see...” Gregory murmured.

  “Elsa told you?”

  “Only that she was leaving, I don’t know the full story.”

  “You should speak with her,” Baylyss said, handing him a drink. “I’ll be back to collect the dishes in a bit.”

  Gregory dipped his head to her. “Thank you, Baylyss.”

  When Baylyss left, Gregory looked around the room and spotted Enzo and Elsa playing Go. Going toward them— Gregory paused to encourage each group of children— he eventually made it to where Enzo and Elsa were finishing their game.

  Gregory stopped a few feet away as Enzo bowed to Elsa. “Well done, Elsa. I’ll be ready to beat you when we play again.”

  Elsa bowed back to him. “I know you’ll try.”

  “Enzo, if you’re done, do you mind?” Gregory asked, taking another step closer.

  Enzo got to his feet. “I’ll go assist the others.”

  Gregory took a seat opposite Elsa, who was resetting the board. “Elsa, how did you find out?”

  Elsa’s hands paused. “We got a message a couple of days ago.” Setting the pieces down, she looked up at him. “It told me to be ready a couple of days from today. The Warlins would be sending a carriage for me. That was all. I hoped you’d all come, but also… feared you would.”

  “Didn’t want to say farewell?” Gregory asked softly.

  “Worried about it,” Elsa admitted, glancing at him, then away again. “It was hard enough staying strong for them. When you all showed up and also said you were going… it hurt, even though I already was.”

  Gregory held out his hand to her. “I know.”

  Elsa placed her smaller hand in his and smiled, still not looking at him. “I’m glad you all came now. I will do my best. When you are done serving the empire, I will be ready to take up the mantle of maid in your house.”

  “Unless you’re a magi yourself,” Gregory said softly.

  “If I am, then I will be in Aether’s Guard,” Elsa said, looking up to meet his eyes. “I will do my best, no matter which of those paths I end up on.”

  “I know you will,” Gregory said, giving her hand a squeeze. “We’ll never ask for more than you trying your best.”

  Elsa swallowed, then bowed her head. “And I will do my best to exceed your expectations every time.”

  “Are you up for a game?” Gregory asked.

  Elsa looked down, but her gaze shifted to their hands, still clasped over the board. “That sounds like fun,” she said. She took her hand from his and went back to setting up the board.

  ~*~*~

  Gregory won the game, but he explained his moves to Elsa when she asked about them. She was clearly enjoying herself, but also wanting to learn at the same time. Yukiko joined them during the course of their game, sitting to the side to watch them.

  When Gregory won, Yukiko shifted over to sit beside Elsa. “My parents will treat you well, but also like one of the staff. I know you’ll do well, and I look forward to hearing about it, as I’ll be asking Mother to send me word.”

  Elsa bowed her head. “I will. Your mother will have nothing but glowing praise for me.”

  “Of that, I have no doubt,” Yukiko smiled, taking Elsa’s hand in hers. “You have proven time and again how driven you are. I know that won’t slacken just because you aren’t here. But even while you strive, please take moments for yourself. Like the garden here... find something to enjoy and let that bring you happiness.”

  “I will, Yuki,” Elsa replied, squeezing her hand. “When we see each other again, I’ll be ready to be your maid, or I’ll be in the academy.”

  “Either way, I’ll be happy for you,” Yukiko said.

  “I will be happy, but I hope…” Elsa trailed off, a small smile on her lips. “Thank you. Thank you for being kind, for helping me, for supporting him when he wanted to help me.”

  “I worried he was being taken advantage of,” Yukiko replied. “I’ve seen the urchins who use and take. You were, as always, a surprise, one that makes me smile every day.”

  Elsa met Yukiko’s gaze for a moment, her smile growing slightly. “I hope that remains true for the rest of our lives.”

  “So do I,” Yukiko replied, her smile matching Elsa’s. “Now, will you play me?”

  Gregory winced. “Yuki, that’s not good.”

  “We learn best by
doing,” Elsa said as she reset the board. “She will win easier than you did, but I will learn while I lose. In time, maybe, just maybe, I can win one.”

  “I say that all the time,” Jenn laughed lightly as she took a seat. “I get to play you next, Elsa.”

  Gregory got to his feet. “I’m going to play some more with the others.”

  “Greg?” Elsa asked, meeting his eyes when he stood up, towering over her seated form. “Thank you for taking the chance on me. I will repay you.”

  “You already have,” Gregory said softly. “Good luck,” he motioned to Yukiko with his head. “She’s vicious.”