Daciana laughed softly. “Yes, you would know. I have time to learn to make myself worthy of the clan. I will show you how much I’ve grown when you return.”
“We will look forward to it,” Jenn said.
~*~*~
Returning to the clan hall, the three friends found Dia waiting for them on the porch. “Good, I would have been upset if you were late,” Dia said. “Let’s get going.”
“Yes, Dia,” they each said.
Dia led them down the path toward the gates. “Was your studying with friends appreciated?”
“Yes, Dia,” Yukiko replied. “They’re both pushing hard to be worthy of being invited to the clan.”
“The clans can’t begin to show interest until after the classes begin,” Dia said. “Do all three of you feel that they would do well with us?”
“Nessa would fit in well. She is studious and eager to learn,” Jenn replied. “Daciana is applying herself as much as she can, and she’s assertive in a way that none of us are.”
“She is definitely assertive,” Gregory chuckled. “Daciana has all the self-confidence in the world, but she’s aware of her flaws and is working on them. Nessa is more timid than any of us, but with Daciana beside her, she’s starting to grow.”
“They balance each other very well together,” Yukiko said. “Apart, I’m not sure either would do as well.”
“I see. Since our former novices endorse them, it does mean I am more inclined to invite them. I wouldn’t do that until the tournament, though.”
“Because the novices of the Eternal Flame would target them if it became known,” Yukiko said. “Would we be able to let them know?”
“Use it to motivate them,” Dia told her. “If they are to follow after you, they need to be able to bear the weight of the scrutiny.”
“Yes, that does make sense,” Yukiko nodded.
“Daciana will be even more focused,” Jenn snickered.
“Have you heard of any other novices that might be worth approaching?” Dia asked.
“No, but we can ask them when we return,” Gregory said.
“I would like to hear what they have to say on the matter, but alas, I can’t speak with them directly.”
“We’ll help, Dia,” Yukiko said. “Discreetly, of course.”
They were nearing the stable and heard a commotion growing ahead of them. Gregory frowned and triggered his foresight, looking into the future by a handful of seconds.
“Dia, wait!” Gregory called out to her, stopping.
Dia stopped walking instantly, as if her feet were frozen to the spot. She looked back at Gregory with a questioning raised eyebrow.
“Eternal Flame. They’re causing trouble,” Gregory said.
“You three, wait here,” Dia said calmly. “I’ll return in a moment.”
They moved to the side of the path and Dia started toward the stable yard again. Gregory wavered on if he should try to push his foresight. Taking a deep breath, he chose to hold off, as he had no idea if he’d need his aether or not.
“What were they doing?” Jenn asked.
“Harassing the carriage driver,” Gregory replied. “It’s their entire novice class, a handful of apprentices and initiates, and Magus Elkit.”
“And Dia went alone?” Jenn asked tightly. “We can’t leave her to them.”
Gregory exhaled and held out his hand. “I’ll push. Give me a moment.”
Yukiko moved to his side. “I’ll be ready to support you, dearest.”
Jenn was on his other side a heartbeat later. “I’ll help.”
Closing his eyes, Gregory focused on foresight and looking further into the future. Several paths opened up to him, but he focused on the one where they went to help Dia. That path split into a dozen more, and in most of them, conflict came. Feeling his aether draining, he pulled back and focused on the future where they waited for her. Another multiple-branched pathway came to him, and in the majority of them, Dia returned uninjured.
Panting as he let go of his foresight, Gregory’s legs shook slightly. “Wait. She’ll be fine.”
Jenn and Yukiko both watched him closely and he gave them a tired smile. “I’m fine, and she will be, too, if we wait.”
Jenn nodded. “Then we wait.”
A loud voice drifted over to them and Yukiko’s head tilted as she listened. “The sergeant is there. I think the situation is being resolved. I can’t hear him anymore.”
“What happened?”
“He demanded to know what was happening, and ordered his men to fall in on him,” Yukiko said. “He’s been fair to us in the past, so I think it’ll be okay.”
Gregory thought and nodded. “She’ll be fine. She mentioned them in one future.”
Minutes ticked by, each feeling like a dozen. When Dia appeared on the path back to them, her expression was neutral. “We may go. Unfortunately, it is known that we’re leaving now. I had hoped we would go unnoticed, but there’s nothing to be done for it. However, the instructions from Elder Lightshield are now more clear.”
Gregory shook his head and wondered when he would have the power to look that far into the future. He went to take a step, but his leg buckled.
Jenn grabbed him. “Easy, Greg. I’ve got you.”
“What happened?” Dia asked.
“He used foresight,” Yukiko said. “We were concerned.”
Dia’s lips twitched up for a second before returning to neutral. “What would have happened if you’d disobeyed me?”
“Conflict,” Gregory said as he felt his legs firm up again. “A fight that could have become very nasty very quickly.”
“I’m glad you obeyed me, then,” Dia said. “Come. It’s time for us to get on the road, as our journey just got far longer.”
“To lose anyone who might try to follow us?” Yukiko asked.
Dia’s lips creased up again. “You’re very astute. Now, let us go.”
~*~*~
Gregory yawned when they stepped out of the carriage. It was well into the evening,
