AR10 Ch6

Chapter Six

“Good morning, Rudit,” Gregory said, taking his seat across from her.

“Good morning, Gregory,” Rudit replied. “I have some questions about the ambassadors coming to speak with Yukiko during my days off.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Gregory said.

“Some might find it odd that two ambassadors visited while I was away.”

“As our reports stated, ma’am, we believe they were trying to use our youth to gain more information than they would have received from an older magi.”

“Which is a plausible theory. I skimmed your reports, and if they are accurate, then you did well in skirting dangerous territory.”

“Yukiko helped advise me ahead of time,” Gregory said, aware that two people were spying on them. He was sure Rudit was aware of them, as well. “We didn’t get anything of worth from Spirit-Lotus. She prefaced her visit with having been intending to inform you that Bishop accepted the deal put forth by the ambassador. Aether’s Guard will have the lotus to sell in the near future.”

“Which will be a complex task to ensure it does reach the clan, much less whoever the buyer is. If it is the emperor, well… only a fool would interfere with that.”

“Agreed, ma’am.”

“And from Clearwind, you got stories of Limaz. How is that helpful, Gregory?”

“One or more of us might be stationed at the border or as an assistant or full ambassador to Limaz, ma’am. Having more knowledge of the country is never a bad thing. The way he spoke about it was, of course, propaganda to make it seem better than it likely is.”

“Of course. Making the younger magi think Limaz is an idyllic place might make them hesitate to take actions they should,” Rudit nodded.

“We recorded everything so those with more knowledge of Limaz can correct the information to be factual.”

“A wise move. I would think Yukiko suggested it?”

“Ling did, first, but Yukiko agreed with her.”

“Interesting. I also saw a note on Ling being allowed to study the enchantment in the office.”

“Only some minor aspects, ma’am.”

“That’s acceptable. I will ask her to look over everything before her term ends. I doubt I’ll allow her to touch any of it, but she should be able to spot wear and tear on it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Anything of note today?” Rudit asked about shifting from her days off to the present.

“Nothing for the embassy, ma’am. I will be going with Mindie to the honor duels. The youths there today are a bit younger than before and get injured against the men, but Mindie gets them patched up without trouble. Clover finishes the last of the burn cream you set her on making, and you implement a new program with her.”

“Ah, yes. I will have her begin that tomorrow, but I will task her with it when she comes to me later. It’ll be best to have Yukiko aid her in part of it. That is not your concern, so was there anything else of note?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Good. Grab Makkar, and we will begin the Peaceful Fist.”

~~~

With training over, Gregory and Makkar left Rudit’s office. Makkar cleared his throat to stop Gregory from leaving his office right away. “Do you have a moment, Greg?”

“Of course. What’s on your mind?”

“I wanted to thank you again. The last two days with May were special. We’ve agreed that it’s best to take our growing relationship slowly, but we’re both eager to see where it goes.”

“I’m happy for you, Makkar.”

“Umm… I know it’s cheating, but will you look at where she and I are in five years?”

Gregory hadn’t seen the question when he’d looked at the day earlier, but he hadn’t focused on his brief moment with Makkar, either. “I can. What are you looking for?”

“Just… do we stay in Krogga?”

Gregory smiled as he touched his magic and resonance. A few minutes later, he nodded as he let his magic go. “You both stay in Krogga.”

Makkar exhaled slowly before looking thoughtful. “Very well. I can look at what is best for both of us in that future. I would never want to take her back to the empire.”

Gregory put his hand on Makkar’s shoulder. “Because you’re a good man. If things go the way you hope and it’s what she wants, then we’d gladly hand over her rune.”

Makkar bowed his head. “Thank you. I have a lot to think about.”

“Don’t overthink it. If you stay true to who you are, it’ll work out.”

~~~

Meeting Mindie in the parlor, he hugged her. It was fine, as the parlor maid wasn’t in the room. Mindie was surprised, too, but she held him back.

“Is everything alright, my heart?” Mindie asked.

“Yes. Makkar asked an oblique question about him and May. It just reminded me how loved I am, and I wanted to hug you.”

“I don’t mind at all,” Mindie murmured happily.

The sound of the door opening got them to separate. Two steps into the room, the parlor maid slowed, looking uncertain because she saw them step away from each other.

“It’s fine. We were just heading out,” Gregory said. “Have a good day.”

The parlor maid murmured her thanks as she bowed to the two magi. Her cheeks were red, though, as she was certain the pair had been embracing, and the healer was slightly flushed. She’d never say anything, not with how kind and helpful the entire family had been to the staff. It was night and day between them and the previous ambassador.

They made it out to the gate just as the sergeant on duty ordered one of his men to get Gregory and Mindie. He’d actually been a little confused that the pair weren’t there already, but just countermanded the order and had the gates opened. Vexa was there with the youth of the city, waiting for them, even though she looked confused by their late arrival. She didn’t question it; she just got everyone moving.

“Good morning, Magi. Is everything okay?” Vexa asked a minute later.

“Busy this morning,” Gregory said apologetically. “How are you?”

“Good. I’m eager for my daughter to return.”

“It’ll be a few weeks until she does.”

“A small wait that feels far longer than it is,” Vexa said softly. “I hope your men will be okay with some of the younger men today. “

“It’ll be mismatches because of strength, but I’ll make sure they’re fine,” Mindie said.

“I’m sure we’ll see others soon enough,” Gregory chuckled. “Word of the duels must’ve spread to the villages and towns nearby.”

“Oh, that is a good point,” Vexa said slowly.

“We’ll see one today,” Gregory said. “He won’t be entirely happy with being made to wait, but he doesn’t argue.”

The reason the nameless person wouldn’t argue was because Elder Lilydottir was at the fighting pit. Her tufted lynx ears twitched as she bowed with her right fist clapped to her chest. Gregory and Mindie returned the Kroggian salute to her. Someone must not have recognized her, or else he was too focused to pay attention as he shoved through the crowd to face the approaching group.

“Magi, I seek an honor duel with you!” The man was older than most challengers had been. His beard was trimmed short, but Gregory spotted a few flecks of silver in it.

“There are rules to these duels,” Lilydottir said from behind the man. “Rules agreed to by the council.”

The man turned to argue, but then his mouth snapped shut when he recognized the clothing and markings on them. He coughed once as he saluted her, his tone suddenly polite. “Elder… rules?”

“They see a set amount per day, and to be chosen, you have to speak to the one who organizes the duels. Currently, that is Vexa Brekadottir.” Lilydottir motioned to Vexa. “You can find her at the Hauling Oar at sunrise every morning when there is a duel.”

“Vexa,” Gregory said, “please include him tomorrow. Sir, inform your friends of the rules, please. We have agreed to the honor matches to show our goodwill and interest in honoring Kroggian traditions, but we must also be mindful of our men. If you can help curtail others from doing what you have, it’ll help us continue these duels without problems.”

The man was surprised at how easygoing the magi was. He’d expected Gregory to lash out blindly at him— after all, that’s what magi were known to do. The shock had him saluting Gregory and agreeing before he could think to argue.

“That is for the best,” Lilydottir said. “I might need to have the men on the gates post the rules to make it even less likely for a repeat of this.”

“We’d be grateful, Elder,” Gregory said, bowing as a magi to her. “Vexa, if you’d like to pair the first set to duel?”

“Of course. Hmm… let me see…” Vexa said, turning to look at the youths with her.

~~~

As the fights went on, Lilydottir moved over toward Gregory. “Pettit, I was meaning to speak with you.”

“I am willing to talk, Elder,” Gregory smiled. “Please, call me Gregory. I don’t want to cause confusion with Mindie here, too.”

Lilydottir chuffed softly. “I must decline for now, but thank you. The council has a bit of concern about your pending wedding.”

“On what parts of it, ma’am?”

“We’re nearly certain that Mohadottir will want a traditional Kroggian wedding.”

“I’ll make sure to find a wreath to wear,” Gregory said.

“Yes, but it’s more about the climb up the road.”

“Ahh. I see. You fear a repeat of the last time?”

“If it’s known that you are going to fight your way to the top… you might find it far harder than you believe it will be, Magi.”

Gregory smiled softly at Lilydottir’s concern. It wasn’t for him, but for her people, and that made him happy to see a ruler worried as she was. “I understand, Elder. I didn’t want to slay Axelson during the last wedding. Do you think Ivarson and his friends would fight me to the death?”

“It’s not the champions I fear going too far, Pettit. Some of our people might not welcome the wedding.”

Gregory bowed his head at that. It was a point he hadn’t considered. He was silent as he considered solutions, then exhaled slowly. “Can you arrange for healers to line the path? I will do my best not to kill anyone, but as you point out, I can’t stop those fanatically opposed to the idea without possibly having to go further than I’d like.”

Lilydottir was silent as Mindie rushed forward to heal a broken arm. Gregory had given her a valid solution to the problem. The other was that Ragnar might very well use the wedding as a way to fight Gregory again— the two of them fighting near the temple could endanger many lives. She’d need to speak with Stenson about that later. “I will speak to the priests and see if that can be arranged. I have to ask, though, are you so set on marrying her?”

Gregory’s lips twitched before he stilled them. He glanced at Lilydottir before he answered her, “She’s a friend to my wives, and I am not like other magi, Elder.” He gently touched Mindie’s back briefly when she came back to stand beside him again. “Verka Mohadottir will not be unloved in our family.” It was the best answer he could give without appearing too eager to the people watching them.

Lilydottir had no idea that at least two wind magi were focused on them, so her lips thinned slightly. “I see. She will have to agree, of course. Her brother can’t speak for her in that regard.”

“As it should be,” Gregory agreed. “I’m not a monster to force anyone to marry me. I don’t think Ivarson would do similar to his sister, either, not from my limited time with them. It is possible that both of them are using my family for their own ends. The deal was for a single child before the wedding could be annulled, a child that might have foresight. There is the possibility she might enter into a marriage for that sole reason, then end it as soon as a child comes from our union.”

Lilydottir was silent while the duels continued. Gregory had raised a valid point, one she hadn’t considered. She’d been shocked at the agreement of the war’s end. For a priest to marry a magi and have a child still didn’t sit right with her. That thought clicked onto a different track for her at that moment. What if the siblings had arranged it ahead of time? They both had been spending time with Gregory and his family. Was it possible they’d all agreed to it, and Gregory used his foresight to arrange it for them? Shaking her head, she exhaled, knowing she really had to speak to Stenson now. If that thought stream was correct, then he should know what was happening.