AR10 Ch1

Previously…

Pulled into the solstice tournament at the invitation of High Priest Stenson, Gregory and Jenn did their best to prove their strength to Krogga. They didn’t just try to crush their enemies, instead building goodwill even as they won time and again. In the end, both of them still lost to the youngest High Champion of Krogga, Ragnar Ivarson.

The bigger surprise was that Ragnar was far more than he appeared, much like Gregory. Krog had been reborn and was faced with Aether-reborn in that arena; the two fought with joy in their hearts when they realized who the other was. The biggest surprise was Ragnar’s comment that his sister was waiting for Gregory, meaning Vera had been reborn, as well.

However, the first visit between the reborn gods didn’t come quickly. The weeks after the tournament were busy for everyone. Gregory and his wives had an age day ceremony to oversee, plus visits from practically every ambassador to attend. Before too long, though, Ragnar and his sister, Verka Mohadottir, came to visit. Having three reborn gods all in the same room without being under observation took a lot of finagling, but they managed it for a time.

Verka was eager to rejoin her family, but she didn’t balk when the processes required to join were explained to her. She was content that she’d be accepted, even if it took years to arrange things to make it happen. Ragnar postured about Gregory needing to defeat him to have his blessing, but he didn’t hold to it as tightly when Verka expressed her displeasure at him.

The joy of finding each other was quickly dimmed by the raids into the empire. Ragnar led not just a raid, but a full war to recapture Bloodrock. Gregory was pulled into it even with being stuck at the embassy. His foresight was demanded to assist in helping the empire win, or at least not to lose as much. Eventually, Gregory and Mindie were taken via spatial magic to the frontlines to assist in person.

A few major events came from Gregory being on hand. First was his foresight finding a way to root out the opposition to General Ruzi losing his first war. The solution cost Egil Magi-killer his life, which he gladly gave, and would see Elder Ironhand take over as commander of the army in a few years. The second was Ironhand using a lost treasure to crystalize Gregory’s core and aether channels, allowing him to use far more aether without the risk of fracturing his core or channels. The last was arguably the biggest of them. As a concession to losing the war, the empire had to allow Krogga to name a magi to wed Verka and give her a child. Ragnar demanded Gregory because even the slim chance of a child with foresight was too good to let go… or at least that was the official story. Unofficially, Verka would’ve gutted her brother if he’d picked anyone else.

Taken back to the embassy after the war was decided, Gregory and his wives had little time to settle back into their pre-war routine. All of them were looking forward to the solstice, especially when it was broadly hinted that Verka’s marriage to Gregory would take place. Their lives were rapidly heading toward a vast change, but not all of that change was in a way they knew to be coming.

Chapter One

Gregory smiled as he watched his wives get dressed. Their time in Krogga was something he would cherish forever. While he wished the others who were waiting to get married could be with them, too, it was still joyous to have as many of his wives here as he did. His eyes traced over each of them, taking in their differences, but loving them all equally.

Jenn, short in stature but large in heart, was laughing with Mindie. While she was short from her partial dwarven heritage, she was their fierce fighter. Her physical enhancement magic made up for her physical shortcomings when it came to fighting. Her black hair was shorter than many of the others, as she found she preferred keeping it that way. The scars she’d accrued during her time as a magi didn’t detract from her beauty at all, either. Gregory found that they added an air of strength to her. Her hazel eyes crinkled as she snickered at a joke Mindie had told her.

Mindie was Jenn’s opposite when it came to fighting, being nearly a pacifist. She’d taken to learning how to use her staff in self-defense, but she’d never be a fighter. Her fox ears quivered as she giggled with Jenn. However, the ears from her fox eurtik heritage weren’t her most distinctive feature. Instead, it was her pupils, which were divided in half between pale blue and red in the shape of a star. Her nature was to soothe and heal— her healing magic influencing that— but she would stand her ground if she needed to, even against those far more powerful.

Beside them, Ling was chiding Clover to calm down. The ever-patient and calm lioness was Clover’s best friend. Her lion ears twitched as she handed Clover clothing, but her light green cat eyes held only love even when exasperated with her lover. She was a stabilizing force for them with her steady calmness. That composed demeanor helped with her enchanting, too, as the intricate magic was unforgiving of mistakes.

Clover was the opposite of Ling. Excitable and energetic, she was a bright spark in their family, even if she did exasperate everyone occasionally. Her red-orange hair was messy, much like her fluffy squirrel tail, but it would be tamed before they went to breakfast. At that moment, her solid black eyes were downcast while she apologized to Ling. For all of her exuberance, when she was at her cauldron working on alchemy, she was focused on her magic. It was odd to see her so calm and attentive in those moments, but also good because a misstep with alchemy could harm her or even kill her.

The last two of his wives were almost done getting dressed. Roshana’s curled rabbit tail stuck out from a small slit at the back of her pants. Her tall ears were turned to listen to everyone while she helped Yukiko. She’d need to brush her long hair later, but for now, the black waves were pushed behind her, hanging loose to her lower back. She’d been the one to summon water for them to rinse with that morning, one of the small things she did every day for the family.

That brought his gaze to Yukiko, the first of his many wives. Her long, white-blonde hair would also need to be brushed out, but it was currently over her shoulder as she pulled her overrobe on. All of them knew Yukiko was the smartest of them, but they never felt threatened by her keen intelligence— she used her prodigious talents for the family’s benefit above all else. The shadows shifted around her as she listened to others in the embassy. Information was always the most important thing when knowing what would be best for them. As if she could feel his gaze, she glanced his way. Her cyan eyes twinkled when she smiled at him.

“Did Clover drain you so much, dear soul?” Yukiko asked.

“Just enjoying the moment,” Gregory said as he got out of bed and stretched.

All of his wives watched as he did. Gregory was far from the spindly twig he’d been when he’d gotten to the academy so many years ago. The hard work and good food had turned the malnourished young man into the solid warrior he was now. While taller than all of them, he wasn’t massive, as he lacked the broad shoulders to make him look imposing. However, being naked, his hard, lean muscles were on display, along with the scars he’d gained after surviving years of dangerous combat. Blinking at them when he finished, his green eyes were filled with love.

“It’s only fair that you all have a moment to enjoy the show like I did,” Gregory chuckled.

“And we do,” Mindie murmured.

“We really do,” Clover sighed happily.

“We need to finish getting ready and do our training,” Yukiko snickered. “Today is a big day for us.”

“My birthday,” Roshana beamed. “I’ve been looking forward to it.”

“Exactly. We have so much planned for today,” Yukiko said. “Greg will tell us if there are any problems once he joins us in the outer room.”

“I’ll be along once I’m dressed,” Gregory said, but he went to the basin to wash first.

“Tomorrow, you’re acting as ambassador, Yuki?” Jenn asked.

“Yes. That’s when Spirit-Lotus will be over,” Yukiko said.

“I’m curious if she’ll tell us the Emperor’s magic,” Ling wondered.

“We’ll have to wait and see.”

“The day after that, I’m your assistant, and Clearwind is coming, right?” Roshana asked.

“That’s right. Your idea to give the last of our dates to him is a good gesture for both the embassy and our family. I’m hoping he’ll be able to supply more for us when he comes, too,” Yukiko smiled. Yukiko and Roshana headed toward the door, pulling brushes from their spatial rings as they went. “Don’t dally,” she told the others.

“We won’t,” Ling said.

“Right behind you, Yuki,” Jenn said as she and Mindie finished tying on their obis.

“It’ll be a bit longer for me,” Gregory chuckled.

“Sorry,” Clover said, pulling on her clothing.

“It’s fine, Clover,” Gregory said as he finished washing. “All of us know and accept your desires.”

“Him even more than we do,” Ling smirked. “Though Mindie isn’t far behind as long as she gets to watch.”

Clover giggled. “Yeah, but we love that, too.”

“Our family is not short on love or understanding. Now let me help you with your obi.”

“Thank you, Ling.”

“Always, my sweet,” Ling murmured, kissing the tip of Clover’s ear.

Gregory began to get dressed, though he kept glancing at his two wives. Their dynamic was one of the things he cherished about them. All of his wives had pairings that had an odd semblance to each other. Each trio was composed of an intellectual, someone who was driven emotionally, and a balancing partner between the two extremes. Ling, Clover, and Roshana were one group, and Yukiko, Jenn, and Mindie were another. Among his not-yet wives, there were his younger friends, Nessa, Daciana, and Victoria, who also had the same dynamic. The unknown was between Claudia in Buldoun, Verka here in Krogga, and a nameless yet-to-be-met woman in Limaz, but he was sure that the remaining three would follow the same pattern.

The only one who broke that pattern was Darkness, but there was no way anyone could be her equal, as she was sentient aether. Gregory loved her and would do the best he could for her. He had no idea what his old self thought when he’d created her in the image of Vera, but he wouldn’t follow whatever plan he’d had for her. Darkness would be treasured and loved, not used for his personal satisfaction.

“Don’t take too long, Greg,” Ling said, breaking him out of his thoughts.

“I’ll be right there,” Gregory said. While he sped up getting ready, he opened his mind to foresight to see what the day would bring.

When Gregory joined his wives in the front room, he was thoughtful. Nothing terrible was going to happen, but there were a few moments that would need to be handled with care. The city was still jubilant about their victory over the empire at Bloodrock. A few hotheads seeing the magi, even dressed as locals, would try to cause a scene. There were ways to prevent it from devolving into a scene that would bring the guards down on everyone, and he knew he’d have to guide them during those moments.

“Problems?” Yukiko asked.

“Some troublemakers, but I can get us around them,” Gregory said. “Nothing will mar Roshana’s day if I can guide the outcomes.”

“We defer to you,” Roshana said.

“Everything else is okay, right?” Jenn asked.

Gregory exhaled slowly as he took his seat. “Yes. We’re there when Stev returns. His band arrives home today.”

“We’ll be there with you,” Yukiko said. “Anna was relieved to hear your foresight was correct.”

“Thank you. I just… he was up against Daciana. The duel she fought is what sent his group home. He talks about her while we’re there.”

“Is he respectful?” Ling asked.

“As much as he can be. Daciana used her magic, which cost many of the raiders their lives. Her men bled just as heavily in return. He speaks of her honorably for her willingness to challenge the champion and defeat him without her magic.”

“She got her scar during that fight, didn’t she?” Jenn asked.

“Yes, the one she’s worried about.”

“We’ll just have to reassure her when we see her again,” Clover smiled.

“And we will,” Yukiko nodded. “We’ll be fine during the meal. If Stev is mostly respectful, we’ll remain quiet.”

“We can’t,” Gregory said. “Stev recognized the clan emblem, so he’ll ask about her. When we tell him she’s a friend, he understands her willingness to challenge the champion. The fact that some of Aether’s Guard use their magic in battle casts a pale shadow on the clan as a whole, but her challenge and defeat help keep it minimal.”

“It’s going to be a busy day…” Roshana murmured. “I’ll still cherish it, no matter what happens. My family will be beside me, and that’s what I will remember the most.”

Ling and Clover rubbed her back as she was seated between them on a sofa. “We’ll make sure there’s laughter and joy,” Clover beamed.

“You always do,” Roshana smiled at Clover.

“But right now, we have training,” Mindie said softly. “After breakfast, we head out. The markets are first, Greg?”

“Yes. We’re shopping for our wife, and Verka’s parents, as well.”

“A few months and she’ll be a wife, too!” Clover bounced slightly in place.

“She’s passed every test,” Yukiko nodded. “When the time comes, we’ll welcome her into our fold warmly and with love.”

The others all agreed as Gregory pulled out his wax tablet to copy over the Magi Squares. Life was going to be busy in the next few days and even the coming months, but life was good, and with his family beside him, he’d face anything with a smile.