Magi's Path (Aether's Revival Book 3) by Daniel Schinhofen (best black authors .TXT) 📗

“Odd,” Yukiko said. “There should be some, at least. It’s possible that they’re just low-staffed and have a longer patrol route.”

“Could be,” Jenn said. “Ready?”

“Yes,” Yukiko smiled. “It feels good to be back on a schedule.”

“We need to practice our magic, too,” Gregory said. “Did Master Chen give you ways to practice, Jenn?”

“Yes. It’ll be less effective than sparring against another physical enhancement magi, but it’ll help.”

“Maybe we should practice magic first, then?” Yukiko suggested.

“We can do that,” Jenn said. “Greg, would you help me? Can you call out attacks and blocks for me to execute, with and without aether?”

“Sure.”

~*~*~

They were finishing their practice when Yukiko looked down the street. “Someone is coming this way,” she said.

“Oh?” Gregory asked, trying to see down the dark street.

“I’m doing something Inda wanted me to try,” Yukiko said before sighing. “I need to work on it more.”

“What is it?” Gregory asked, still looking down the street.

“Using the shadows to listen,” Yukiko said quietly. “The sound is muffled and indistinct right now, but Inda says it will get clearer with time. I heard someone coming this way at a jog.”

“How far away can you do that?” Jenn asked.

“At the moment, a few blocks, but that will grow with practice and more aether.”

Gregory made out a shape moving through the darkness. “There is someone.”

They waited to see who was coming toward them. The sky had started to shift to predawn gloom instead of the stygian darkness it had been.

“Apprentices, have you already finished your training?” Dia asked as she drew closer.

Gregory exhaled, not having realized he’d been holding his breath. The harder exhales that came from Yukiko and Jenn let him know he hadn’t been alone in doing so.

“We were just about to begin, Dia,” Gregory replied.

“Ah, did you start with magic?” Dia asked, drawing closer.

“We did. We thought it best to not startle people,” Yukiko said.

“Ah, a pity. I would have joined you, but I slept later than I had intended. Magus Yang wanted to talk far longer than I did.”

Jenn shuddered. “Thank you for freeing us from the conversation, Dia.”

Dia snorted mirthlessly. “Had I known how it would have gone, I might have chosen differently. But no, that’s a lie— it is my task to shelter you from such unpleasantness.”

“Will you join us for the Peaceful Fist, Dia?” Yukiko asked.

“Gladly. Maybe meditation will help ease my anger,” Dia said. “Besides, it will look better to the town if I am leading your training. I shall join you every morning going forward, barring… future unpleasantness.”

“We’re glad to have you, Dia,” Gregory said as he moved to take up the first stance.

“We are ready when you are, Dia,” Jenn said, her stance set.

~*~*~

As the exercise came to an end, Dia swallowed hard and wiped at her face. “After so long, Aether?”

“Dia?” Yukiko asked, looking concerned.

Dia looked elated as she dried her face again. “I’m fine, but thank you for asking. My cavern showed traces of channels expanding again. I haven’t seen that since my training years. Decades of nothing, and now, I see growth on the body path again.”

Gregory blinked and thought of Darkness. Is this you helping those close to me, Darkness? Dia is a trusted friend, and I approve, so thank you. He caught sight of Jenn’s questioning look and gave her a small shrug.

“I have practiced the Peaceful Fist since my adept year,” Dia said with a small laugh. “I watched as the embers stopped expanding the cavern channels that year. I have not seen them since then, until this morning.”

“Aether has blessed you,” Yukiko said. “Maybe even he thanks you for your help with Yang?”

Dia snorted, then began to laugh. It was a deep belly laugh, with tears that flowed from her eyes. “If I’d known that is what it would have taken, I would have talked well into the morning with him.”

The others laughed, as her humor was infectious.

“Ah, I must make sure to thank Aether properly later,” Dia said. “I’ll go to the temple while you work and present an offering to him. Maybe he’ll take pity on me and spare me having to repeat last night for it to continue.”

That got them laughing again, and Dia was grinning broadly as she watched them.

“But it is almost time for you to work, so off you go. I will make sure that dinner is a feast tonight, as I wish to celebrate. I will make sure we have a private room so that even Yang will not interfere with our dinner.”

“Thank you, Dia,” Jenn said, the others echoing her.

“And thank you, all three of you,” Dia said softly. “I have felt a change since you joined the clan. I know that Aether’s Guard will again take its place in the empire as one of the great clans. If I could have one wish, it would be to see it rise above the others and shine brightly so that all know the glory of Aether, as they should.” Shaking her head, she looked at the town starting to come alive around them, as the sun was just under the horizon. “Now go. Your instructors will be upset if you’re late.”

The three friends bowed formally to her in unison before they grabbed their bags and took off jogging.

Dia watched them go, her eyes shining.

Chapter Nine

Arriving at Brighid’s Bows, Gregory wished Yukiko and Jenn a good day as they jogged off for their own work. Going to the door, he discovered it was locked.

“Guess I’m not late, then,” Gregory smiled.

“Early, by nearly an hour,” Bryn said from behind him.

Gregory stifled his surprise and turned to face the man. “Good morning, Bryn. Can I help you?”

Bryn was