Aether’s Apprentices: Chapter 2

“Dear one, are you okay?” Yukiko asked as they walked back to the clan hall.

“It was harder to write those letters than I’d thought it would be.”

Jenn touched his arm lightly. “Anything bad?”

“Just letting Father know that I’ll probably never be back to the village, but that if he visits, I’d love to see him. For Gunnar, it was more asking if my last letter upset him since I haven’t heard back from him. The idea that it did and he decided to just cut ties…” He exhaled as he trailed off.

“Would he do that?” Yukiko asked.

“It isn’t like him,” Gregory replied, “but I can see El and Ria being upset enough by it to pressure him for a bit.”

Both of his wives took his hands in theirs, giving them a light squeeze before letting go.

“I’ll just hope that he wrote back and the letter was just delayed,” Gregory exhaled slowly, forcing a smile to his lips. “We’re about to go get fitted for armor and talk about weapons that we’ll use for years. I need to look forward, not back.”

“There’s nothing wrong with glancing back and feeling sorrow,” Yukiko said softly. “The solstice is next week.”

“And your birthday.” Gregory’s smile was real when he said it. “Hmm… I wonder if you’ll like our gift to you?”

“Our gift?” Yukiko’s smile was wide. “A gift from you both will be treasured. You set it up without me knowing about it too. Well done, both of you.”

Jenn chuckled. “Gregory had the idea, and I agreed to it. We pooled together to make it happen. Practical gifts are what you like, so we went with that.”

“Oh, I can’t wait to find out.”

“We wanted to do a small party for you, too, but with our classes being the way they are, we can’t, as I doubt we’ll have the day off.”

“Oh,” Jenn said suddenly, “we should tell the others. They likely have no idea.”

“Nessa does, if she remembers,” Gregory said. “The meal I arranged was at Stabled Hunger and she was the one who served us.”

“Yes,” Yukiko smiled fondly. “Cherry incense still brings it to mind.”

“Ling and Clover wouldn’t know, though,” Jenn said.

“True,” Gregory nodded. “We can mention it tonight.”

“Apprentices, good,” Dia said when they reached the clan hall’s hedge. “Follow me.”

“Yes, Dia,” the trio replied, falling into step behind her.

Dia’s lips twitched and she shook her head. “Are they settling in?”

“So far, yes,” Gregory replied. “Dia, can I ask for a small favor? I need to drop off some letters, please.”

“We can make a detour after we’ve seen the crafters,” Dia replied.

“Thank you.”

“Oh, good,” Yukiko said. “Ling and Clover wrote to their parents too. They asked that I drop them off if I was able to.”

“It is good to maintain ties to family,” Dia said softly. “Even knowing the pain that will come, it is worth it.”

“Is Baylyss the last of your family, Dia?” Gregory asked.

“Yes,” Dia nodded. “We are the last. She opted to not marry or have children, and I… can’t.”

Gregory thought back to the scars he’d seen on Dia’s lower abdomen, then blinked at the realization of what those meant.

“Baylyss saw what I went through during the academy. She vowed to not have any child that might become a magi,” Dia continued, touching one of her panda ears absently. “That made her decision to care for Elsa and the others a surprise to me. Seeing her smile with them made me happy. She gets a little bit of what she missed, because of me.”

The apprentices were silent as they digested what Dia was telling them.

“I have gone far from the original point,” Dia sighed. “You should try to maintain ties with your family, even if it is difficult and painful. I have been blessed to have Baylyss to speak with. The joy I’ve had will help balance the loss I feel when she does pass.”

“I thanked him for coming,” Gregory said, his voice a little thick with emotion. He gave Yukiko a trembling smile. “Thank you again, dear one.”

Yukiko took his hand. “I’m glad that my gift to you was a happy one. I was so worried when you saw him.”

“It looked like you two made up,” Jenn said. “He was all laughter and smiles during the wedding feast.”

“We did,” Gregory said, clearing his throat. “I’ve heard your wisdom, Dia, and I’m trying.”

“Having your juniors take your words to heart is a good thing,” Dia said. “Those words also extend to both of you.”

“Understood, Dia,” Jenn said.

“I will always keep in touch with my family,” Yukiko replied.

They were almost at the stables, so they lapsed back into silence, thinking about what Dia had said.

~*~*~

Dia watched the three younger magi as the carriage took them into the city. Each was lost in their thoughts, and she understood what they were going through. She’d given them the same advice a fellow magi had given her when she was younger— that advice is what had kept her in touch with Baylyss even when her younger sister had been upset with her. Weathering Baylyss’ temper all those years ago had strained their relationship, but in the end, it had made their relationship stronger.

When the carriage slowed, Dia stilled her expression. “We are here, Shieldbreaker’s Armory. This will be the quicker of the two stops, but don’t rush your decisions.”

“Yes, Dia,” they replied.

The footman opened the door seconds after the carriage stopped moving, and Dia was the first one out. The other three followed her out and looked over the imposing, walled-off complex. A collection of buildings took up the majority of the space inside. The sound of smithing came from one of the buildings, letting them know that their weapons would be made to order.

“Aether’s Guard?” the dwarven man asked, looking over the group.

“I’m Magus Dia, and these are the champions,” Dia replied. “We have an appointment with the master crafter.”

“Yes. He is waiting. Follow me, please.”

The four magi walked behind their guide.

“We were surprised to hear your clan was still around, much less that it was your apprentices who won the tournament,” the dwarf commented as he led them to the smallest of the buildings. “And we were very surprised when we heard which clans they beat on the last day to make it to the top.”

“Our clan will be seeing you again next year,” Dia replied with a proud tone. “Our novices will be the top of their apprentice class.”

“You say that with a lot of conviction,” the dwarf chuckled, “but considering we heard that these three were the champions of their novice class, and your current novices are champions as well, maybe that conviction is warranted.”

“It is, indeed,” Dia smiled. “Aether’s Guard will become the clan it once was.”

“I feel that would be a hard goal to achieve,” the guide said, “but if your clan keeps attracting young magi like these, well… it might be possible.”

Ushering them into the building, the dwarf led them past what was obviously an office, but the desk was unmanned. They were led into a workroom. Workbenches lined most of the walls, while various enchanting materials took up numerous shelves above the workbenches.

In the middle of the room, an old, one-eyed dwarf stood waiting for them. Skin had grown over the missing eye socket, as the wound was obviously old. Standing at parade rest, he stared at them when they entered. His long, white beard almost reached his knees. The top of his head was bald with just a ring of hair around the sides, and his scars were clearly visible against his aged skin.

“Aether’s Guard,” the dwarf said. “Is your elder still alive?”

“He is, but he’s out of the city again, sir,” Dia replied.

“A pity. He’s one of the few magi I’ve ever cared for. Three apprentices? Hmm… very well. Which of you am I starting with?”

“Yukiko,” Dia said.

Yukiko bowed to the dwarf then stepped forward. “An honor, sir.”

“Come stand here,” the dwarf said, directing her to stand in a small circle in front of him.

Yukiko moved to stand before the aged man. The dwarf eyed her for a long moment, walking a slow circle around her. He came to a stop again where he’d started from.

“What is your magic?”

“Shadow.”

“Weapon preference?”

“Wakizashi or shuriken.”

“I see. Would you prefer something tied to your magic, or just storage for your aether?”

“Magic.”

The old dwarf finally brought one of his hands out from behind him, stroking his beard. “Hmm… Snow owl eurtik blood?”

Yukiko blinked once, then bowed her head. “From my mother’s line.”

“It is very slight,” the dwarf said, “but enough to cause you trouble.”

“I’ve had hardships.”

“But you don’t now?”

“My heart protects me from pain.”

A single white eyebrow rose, and he looked to Gregory and Jenn. “I see… Then I won’t ask if you’d rather have a glamour. Very well. Is there anything specific you would wish of your weapon?”

“If shuriken, can they have a way of coming back to me?” Yukiko asked.

“Spatial enchantment is difficult, but doable. Do you want that?”

Yukiko gave the old dwarf a smile. “Sir, you have made weapons for far longer than my father has lived. You would know better than I what might work best for me. Please, lend me your wisdom?”

A twitch of the beard was the only hint she got that he was smiling. “Not many who come to me ask that. I’ll grant you some measure of my wisdom. Your weapon will aid you in your adept year and beyond.”

Yukiko bowed formally. “Thank you, sir.”

“Step back and let the next one come forward.”

“Jenn,” Dia said softly.

Yukiko and Jenn switched places, and the Dwarf’s eyebrow rose when Jenn stood before him.

“Dwarven blood,” the crafter said.

“My father is half-dwarven, sir.”

“Your frame is slight, so your mother is human?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Magic?”

“Physical enhancement.”

“Yes, that would be. Weapon preference?”

“Wakizashi.”

Now, both eyebrows rose on the older man’s face. “Indeed? Hmm… unexpected. You must prefer speed.”

“My instructor has been showing me how to use greater speed,” Jenn replied.

The dwarf’s lips pursed before he walked around her. Jenn stood still, waiting for him to come back to stand in front of her again.

“Do you feel like you need more length at times?”

“At times,” Jenn nodded.

“A blade that could change its size would be something of interest, then?”

Jenn blinked as she considered being able to shift her weapon to a katana or odachi as she needed. “That would be useful.”

“Or would you rather have one that will never break?”

Jenn stood silent as she weighed each option. After a minute, she exhaled slowly. “I cannot choose, both have benefits. Will you do for me what you did for my wife, and lend me your wisdom, sir?”

He looked surprised again as he looked back at the others. “Hmm, I didn’t expect that. I see. You’re correct that both have their times when they would be best. Very well. It has been many long years since even one apprentice has asked me for my opinion on their weapon, and it has been far longer since more than one has, yet your wife and friend haven’t even twitched in disapproval as others normally do.”

“Husband, sir,” Jenn said softly.

The dwarf’s single eye locked onto Gregory. “Husband? Interesting. Both of you are married to him?”

“He is our heart, as we are his,” Jenn replied.

Rocking back on his heels slightly, the older dwarf nodded. “I see. You may move back. Let the husband come forward to stand before me.”

Gregory approached the crafter, his heart beating a little faster as the older man sized him up. Standing still when the dwarf moved around him, Gregory waited.

“Two wives, both who call you their heart.”

Gregory didn’t reply, as there was no question in his words.

“Tell me, Apprentice, why do both of them love you?”

“I don’t know, sir. I ask myself that most days. I can only thank the gods that they do.”

“Is it your looks, power, or perhaps you come from a wealthy family?”

“I do not think I look exceptional, sir. Yuki loved me well before I grew strong enough to be her equal, and Jenn never seemed to care about my power. As for wealth… I come from the fringe, sir.”

“The fringe?”

“Alturis, in the northwest.”

“Magic?” The question was more curious than it had been for the other two.

“Foresight.”

The older dwarf stared at Gregory. The silence stretched out and started to feel uncomfortable.

“Weapon?” Now there was definite curiosity.

“Naginata.”

“Is that what you want, or was it your affinity?” There was a challenge to the old man’s tone.

“Affinity,” Gregory replied simply.

The dwarf looked past Gregory. “Is this true, Magus?”

Dia’s tone held a touch of humor, “It is. He has sparred with Armsmaster Magi-killer with both of them using that weapon.”

Now, true surprise was visible on the dwarf’s face. He turned his single eye back to Gregory, then took another long walk around him.

“Most magi who ask for a naginata wish to have it invoke the idea that they’re special. What would you wish for yours?”

Gregory bowed his head to the crafter. “Sir, as my wives said before me, I would ask for your wisdom in this matter, though I have had several training weapons broken in my hands. People have tried to rob me of a strength.”

“Even foresight has limits if you’re unarmed,” the dwarf nodded. “I can’t do much to assist with foresight, like I could for your wives magics… Very well. Since all of you want to leave the choices to me, I will accept your faith. This is a first for me in my long life. Never has an entire clan’s champions asked for my input. You may return to your clan.”

Gregory bowed formally before returning to Dia and his wives.

“Magus, this will take me longer than I had thought it would.”

“My elder has told me that you’re to be given all the time you deem necessary. We will see them armed with other weapons while you work.”

Snorting, the crafter’s beard twitched. “Yes, I’m sure he knows better than I do what I will make. Apprentices, I’ll be interested in how your service to the empire goes.”

“Thank you,” all three bowed to him.

“Show them out,” the older dwarf told the guide.

“Please, follow me,” the guide said, leading them out of the room.

As they crossed the yard again, the guide chuckled. “Your apprentices are surprises. He will be engrossed in this challenge.”

“I do hope that Shieldbreaker finds joy in this,” Dia said.

“My father is already working through what will work best for each weapon, of that I have no doubt. I do not mean to rush you, but I learn best by watching and helping him.”

“I understand,” Dia smiled. “Let us not keep you. Our carriage is right there.”

Bowing, the younger Shieldbreaker turned and rushed back toward where his father was.

“Shieldbreaker is their family name?” Gregory asked.

“It is,” Dia nodded. “The Shieldbreakers have been part of this city since the empire conquered it.”

“They are well known as some of the best weaponsmiths and enchanters in the empire,” Yukiko said.

“I didn’t think he was a magi,” Gregory said slowly.

“He isn’t,” Dia said, “but others in his family are. On rare occasions, they do hire others to do a single enchantment.”

Gregory nodded, wondering what the old dwarf would craft for him.