“I realized that you might not think of it ahead of time.”
“Hmm, I should let Father know,” Yukiko said as they took seats. “We’ll need the same thing for our third year and possibly beyond.”
Dia nodded. “It wouldn’t hurt to continue them during that time.”
Serving themselves large portions, the three apprentices were eager to dig in. The food was amazing— they thought it might even be better than what they normally got at the clan hall. The aether-infused food hit them hard, and they had to slow their pace.
“This is incredible,” Gregory said after a few bites, “and it’s very rich in aether.”
“He is quite talented,” Dia said, watching them with a smile. “If he weren’t so abrasive, I’m sure a grandmaster or elder would have hired him as a personal chef.”
“The cook is hard to deal with?” Yukiko asked.
“Quite,” Dia replied with a grin. “You’ll see, I’m sure. Someone will upset him, and he will let his displeasure be known.”
“Is he a magi, Dia?” Jenn asked.
“He was trained and did his time for the empire, but never moved past the status of magus. As a chef, he is as skilled as the cooks of Sakura-ji. It is rumored they once asked him to join them, but he refused.”
Yukiko’s eyes widened and she swallowed quickly. “He refused?”
“That’s the rumor. His love of food is trying new things, and that isn’t what Sakura-ji does. If he comes out of the back, be respectful and do not try to flatter him.”
“Yes, Dia,” they all replied, staggered, as they were still eating.
“I’m sure you’re wondering where you might get your training in, correct?” They each nodded their heads and she smiled. “There’s a small park that can be utilized. If you go out the door, turn right, and walk for a while, you will find it.”
They thanked her again between bites.
“There is also a place where you can study Empire’s Gambit, if you wish,” Dia said, “I’ll have to ask the innkeeper to prepare it if you want to use it.”
“We aren’t sure if we’ll have time,” Yukiko replied. “If we do, we’d like to.”
“I’ll make arrangements,” Dia said. “It is a room in the inn, or was. It has been a number of years since the clan was here.”
“About that,” Gregory asked, “where are we, Dia?”
Dia laughed lightly. “We are in Waterrock, a small town a few days to the northwest of Wesrik. You’ll see why it is named that when you go train. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do. I’ll see you back here at midday.”
Not waiting for their replies, Dia left them to their meal.
~*~*~
The park wasn’t large, but it was well kept and big enough for what they needed. Dia’s comment about understanding the name of the town was readily apparent— in the center of the park was a six-foot-tall rock with a smooth vee-cleft splitting it to the center. A pool of water dozens of yards across surrounded it. From that cleft, a spray of water gently fountained.
“That is interesting,” Yukiko said, going to study the rock.
Gregory agreed with her and pulled up what he was dubbing “aether sight.” Thick strands of aether encircled the rock. Gregory’s mouth fell open as he stared at the sheer power in those strands.
“Greg?” Jenn asked.
“Whoever did that was powerful,” Gregory said.
“Did what?” Jenn prompted.
“The rock is nearly swallowed by thick aether strands,” Gregory replied after looking around to see if anyone was nearby. “I don’t think they will fade for millennia. Why did they do it?”
“We’ll likely never know,” Yukiko said. “That does answer the question I had, though. There are koi in that pool.”
“I’m not surprised,” Gregory said as he dismissed aether sight.
Jenn stretched. “I wonder how long it’s been here?”
“As long as the town, if the town is named for it,” Yukiko suggested as she began to stretch.
“Far longer,” Gregory said after a moment. “Those strands felt ancient to me.”
“Older than the empire?” Jenn asked.
“Yes,” Gregory replied.
“I think that would fit in with why this is the town we were sent to,” Yukiko said, taking the first stance of their meditation.
“Lightshield,” Gregory murmured as he matched her.
“He believes deeply in Aether,” Jenn commented.
But does he know? The question hung in Gregory’s mind as he moved in the controlled, slow movements of the Peaceful Fist.
The exercises helped settle Gregory’s mind. As each form flowed smoothly into the next, he found himself in his aether cave. The fire danced as if a gentle breeze was blowing through the area. The flames rose a little higher and formed a Magi Squares problem for him.
“Thank you,” Gregory said. “Can you give me Empire’s Gambit?”
The fire wavered a little, then dimmed, before returning to the Magi Squares.
“Not yet, then?”
A single flame grew larger briefly.
“I need to grow a little stronger? I will. This isn’t the extent of what you can do, is it?”
Again, the flame died down before returning to normal.
“I look forward to helping you grow and purify,” Gregory said.
The flame danced and Gregory laughed as he continued the measured steps of his meditation. Giving his attention to the Magi Squares, he worked on them as he continued to move his body.
~*~*~
Meditation came to an end, and Gregory was smiling. He’d solved several of the problems, some quickly, and some with difficulty.
“That was peaceful,” Yukiko said, having just finished, as well. “The Magi Squares were simple, except for a few difficult ones.”
“I did well, but not as well as you, I feel, Yuki,” Jenn said.
“I’m with you, Jenn,” Gregory said. “We have come to expect her to be better with numbers than we are, though.”
“Entirely,” Jenn
