AR10 Ch4

Chapter Four

“We’re under heavy scrutiny today,” Gregory said, taking his seat between Clover and Ling. “As much as we’d like to use the enchantments, it draws even more attention to us if we do.”

“Aww…” Clover said in disappointment.

“A pity, but if we’re being watched that much, it might be better if we don’t tempt even more attention,” Yukiko said.

“Is it that out of the ordinary, Greg?” Jenn asked.

“The most people we’ve had before watching us was a little over five. Today, it’s a dozen,” Gregory said. “And Stenson promised to pull back before, too, meaning his spies shouldn’t be in that number.”

“A clan or two must have spies covertly in the city,” Ling said.

“I agree,” Yukiko nodded. “Greg’s actions during the war and his upcoming wedding have no doubt prompted us to be spied on by our own people.”

“And we used the enchantment when Spirit-Lotus visited last time, too,” Mindie said.

“Which all comes down to people wanting to see and hear what we do this time,” Gregory said.

“A pity, but we do what we must,” Yukiko said. “We’ll just have to accept that today’s not our day.”

“Once she realizes how many people are keeping tabs on us, she makes sure to be cautious with her conversation, as well.”

“Did you check on Makkar and May?” Clover asked.

“He only says they are going slowly,” Gregory grinned. “His smile and demeanor all say he’s very happy with how things are going. If I check on May, she’s all smiles and says the same thing.”

“Aww,” Clover murmured a happy sound as she leaned against Gregory.

“Let’s get our training done,” Yukiko said. “Jenn’s with me today, and Roshana is with me tomorrow. We canceled honor duels so we could all be here, but now, that doesn’t seem to be as important.”

“The champion who’s forced to wait a couple of days will get a little belligerent, but Jenn handles him easily,” Gregory said. “He was just made a champion last solstice and wants to prove himself.”

“Does he take the loss badly?” Jenn asked.

“He doesn’t lash out,” Gregory said as he worked on copying his puzzle to the wax tablet. “If anything, he’s despondent that he loses so easily.”

“I can work with that,” Jenn said. “Sounds like he just needs a pep talk to understand how to improve.”

The family continued to chat as they worked on their mind paths. When they’d finished, they all lapsed into different meditations. Some focused inward, while others worked on expanding their resonances. Gregory focused inward, as he wanted to look at his cavern again.

His aether flame danced merrily in the middle of the cavern. The crystallized channels reflected the light back in a multitude of colors. He went to the latest addition to his soul space, giving it a long look. Since it’d finished being worked on, he’d been wondering when he should start using it. He walked around the stone statue of himself that’d been carved out of the cavern.

“Soul storage, a technique of those on the spirit path to store their armor and weapons,” Gregory murmured as he completed the circuit around his statue. “Instantaneous transfer of items from spirit to body. It even works if a spatial magi is trying to suppress the use of spatial items. Nothing can stop it from working, not even the resonance of another stronger magi. It makes the wearer always capable of having an unseen weapon at hand and armor if suddenly attacked. A second of thought is all it should take to bring the spiritual to physical or back. This has to be why the spirit path isn’t recommended to young magi. Stronger or wealthy magi would be able to stop or slow spatial items from working, leaving a weaker magi vulnerable, but a spirit magi who’s gone this far is never as vulnerable.”

Gregory went to his flame, sitting to meditate. He hadn’t brought his armor into his soul yet, nor his naginata. Only master-tier magi and above on the spirit path had this open to them. As a magus, it would bring far too much attention to him if it was known he already had this, but having his armor and weapon ready at a moment’s notice would make him far safer. Yukiko had cautioned him against it, but also said it was worth the trade-off to keep him safer, even if it caused them problems. He could always lay the blame at Ironhand’s feet— the tonic that’d crystallized his channels had also finished the statue for him.

“What do you think, Darkness?”

The flames only danced, not answering him.

“Not taking sides?”

The flames flickered.

“I get the wariness of going either way. How are my friends?”

The flames flickered brightly.

“Good. Vicky’s handling things?”

The flames dimmed.

“Getting worse for her?”

The flames climbed.

“I hope she can handle it. I know the shipping problem has been discussed by the ambassadors. Whatever’s happening is going to come out eventually.”

The flames blazed before settling again.

“Yeah. Hopefully, she’s safe.”

The flames danced, and he stared into them, letting his mind drift with the sparks down his channels.

~~~

“Welcome, Ambassador,” Yukiko said warmly when Gregory led Spirit-Lotus into the office with Jenn. “Please come sit. We have some green tea and fruit to share with you.”

“Thank you for having me, Ambassador Pettit,” Spirit-Lotus smiled, her eyes going over the rest of the family as she took the offered chair. “I’m honored to converse with all of you.” Her eyes darted to the patio and a dark wall where a handful of spies were already listening to them.

“When dealing with an older, wiser ambassador, I thought it prudent to have us all here,” Yukiko smiled. “Ling, will you please pour for our guest?”

“Gladly,” Ling said. “Milk or sugar, Ambassador?”

“Neither, thank you. I would love an assortment of the fruits, though, especially one of the dates if those are made in the Limaz fashion.”

“They are,” Roshana smiled as she put together a plate for Spirit-Lotus. “We don’t have many left, sadly. We’d made a deal with Ambassador Clearwind, but then the war closed the embassy, so we’ve been missing the fruit to make more.”

“I’m sure he’ll rectify that soon,” Spirit-Lotus smiled as she accepted the plate and tea. “I’m sad to have missed Ambassador Glowstone again. I was going to let her know that your clan head approved the deal I presented last time. Things are in motion for the first delivery.”

“Wonderful!” Yukiko beamed. “I’m sure that Bishop will put the lotus to good use for the clan.”

“She’ll have a lot of interest, I’m sure,” Spirit-Lotus said, her eyes going to where the spies were listening in.

“Once word gets out, I’m sure she will,” Yukiko smiled knowingly. “Transport will be the hardest part to arrange. I’m sure she’s already considered that, as have you?”

“We will deliver it as she requested, but after that, it is in her hands. Since I am here, though, I did want to hear about the latest war with Krogga. It was shocking to hear that your husband and healer wife both managed to leave the city to assist at Bloodrock. Rumors of what happened have started up, but why listen to rumors when I can hear the story firsthand?”

“I don’t mind,” Gregory said. “Mindie was mostly stuck in the healers’ tent.”

“That’s true. He can explain it far better than I could,” Mindie agreed.

“Very well,” Gregory said. “I won’t say anything about our leaving, but we were requested for our magics. Mindie was asked to help heal, and I was to help find a way to end the war.”

Gregory didn’t give more than the minimal facts away, leaving off his potential assassination entirely. Another point he left off was what Ironhand had done for him, but he caught Spirit-Lotus eyeing him intently when he spoke of pushing his aether every day.

“It is still surprising that Ruzi let his untarnished record go,” Spirit-Lotus said when Gregory finished. “It is crystal clear that you pushed yourself to find the best solution.”

Gregory and his family caught the slight stress on the word. Yukiko shifted forward, her eyes intent. “Ambassador, you are more experienced than we are. Perhaps you have an insight to share with us?”

“I just know that pushing your aether like they had your husband do could fracture his channels. It’d take the best aether healers to help him if he did. Only a rare few have channels that can handle such stress.” Spirit-Lotus sat back, but the slight nod of her head made it clear that she knew Gregory had left something important out.

“That would’ve been a tragedy,” Mindie said. “But with the best healer outside of the emperor’s court there, I’m sure they’d have healed him. I’m not up to such a delicate task, though I will be pushing myself to be able to in the future.”

“It isn’t about raw power, but technique and deftness of aether use,” Spirit-Lotus said. “The gurus of Limaz are highly skilled in such healing. Perhaps Clearwind can speak more on that topic.” She set her empty cup down. “I should be going now. I’ve already spent far more time with you than I should have. Let Glowstone know that I did come to inform her that the deal is in place.”

“We will,” Yukiko said. She stood up, and the others stood with her. “Dear heart, please escort our guest out.”

“Of course,” Gregory said. “This way, Ambassador.”

Gregory walked with Spirit-Lotus through the embassy. The spies did not keep up with them as they went, so he waited for her to touch on the subject.

“You underwent a grueling process to help your nation, Pettit,” Spirit-Lotus finally said. “It was dangerous and potentially deadly. Did you not fear it?”

“I didn’t know what it meant. I was exhausted when it was brought to me,” Gregory said. “How did you know?”

“Your resonance has grown far stronger in a short amount of time. The reasons for that are few, and it is known that the Ironhand clan had a few tonics given to Lighthand ages past. That seemed the likeliest answer. Only those who’ve dealt with you recently would be able to tell you’ve changed if they touched your resonance.”

“I see…”

“Giving you that gift when he did will mean he’ll call on you again.”

“When he needs to know how to save the empire from war,” Gregory nodded. “I know.”

“I doubt he understands how much of a boost it is for you. Lightshield called it the greatest gift he’d ever received.”

Gregory slowed for a few steps before catching back up to her. “I see. Thank you.”

“I will be interested to see what you do in the future, Gregory. Your future will shape your nation. Lightshield did his best to keep things from becoming untenable, even while assisting Ruzi. I wonder if you will balance the future as well as he could?”

“I will do my best.”

Reaching the entrance, Spirit-Lotus smiled softly. “That I believe without reservation. Good day, Magi.”

“Good day, Ambassador.” Gregory bowed to her after opening the door for her.

After seeing her out, Gregory went back to Yukiko and his wives. The spies were lesser, but a few still lingered. “She has left the grounds, Ambassador.”

“Very well. You all have tasks; be about them,” Yukiko said, but she stared at Gregory. “Later, we will have to compare notes on the visit. My report needs to be thorough for the embassy.”

Gregory bowed to her, as did the others, before they all filed out of the office. Gregory caught Clover’s hand before they left. “I’ll come see you after I train the men.”

“I’ll be waiting,” Clover beamed at him.