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

and had been said in the bath. They arrived at the private dining room shortly after being told.

“Sit. Dinner will be here shortly,” Dia said, giving them all a searching look. “I know that the shared bath is difficult,” she went on as they took their seats, “but it will help you down the road. If it becomes a problem, don’t force yourselves. It is fine to bathe separately.”

“Thank you, Dia,” Yukiko said. “We’re fine. A little awkward, but fine.”

Seeing Gregory and Jenn nod in agreement, Dia smiled. “Very well. As long as you are all sure.”

A knock came on the door before it opened to reveal a thin man wearing spectacles perched on his nose. His thinning hair and scruffy beard gave him an almost disreputable appearance.

“Ah, Brown, it is a pleasure,” Dia smiled. “Apprentices, this is Magus Gordon Brown, the most talented chef I have ever known.”

Brown’s lips twitched into a brief smile. “Magus Ursinda, it has been many years since Aether’s Guard was here. How have you found the food?”

“Delicious and as aether-filled as always. Breakfast was new. When did you create that recipe?”

“Five years ago,” Brown said as he pushed the cart into the room. “The interesting part of that dish is that the aether infusion comes from the herbs alone. It means I can make separate dishes for magi and non-magi side by side.”

“That is different,” Dia smiled. “It was delicious.”

“All of my dishes are,” Brown said. “Tonight, we have a feast, since you requested one. It will be served all at once for you to enjoy at your own pace, and at your own discretion. The high point is the grilled koi.” He looked at the apprentices. “Take small pieces only, and make sure you alternate bites with the other foods. Understood?”

“Yes, Magus,” the three replied in unison.

“Dia, they are your problem, but they have been warned. Now, the rest of the feast is a salad spritzed with purity plum juice— just enough to help with what you are taking in tonight only. Charid, lightly cooked with butter and herbs so it’s still crunchy, the only way it should be served. There are also crispy potatoes sprinkled with rosemary and dusted with powdered hard cheese.”

“It all sounds delicious,” Dia smiled.

“The beverage is green tea to go with,” Brown added as he finished setting the food on the table. “When you are done, pull the rope, and I shall bring out the dessert. Enjoy.” With that, he swept out of the room.

“Dig in, but sparingly with the koi,” Dia told them before serving herself half of the fish.

Chapter Ten

Gregory looked at the board and frowned— Yukiko had played a devastating round against him. He was pushed well back into his territory, and had barely been able to break the engagement.

“I think I might have to clear the field,” Gregory sighed, looking at what he had in his hand. “Krogga might give the empire fits with their zealots, but they’re paper compared to the well-geared army of Buldoun.”

“It’s why I pushed you now,” Yukiko said. “I need to make sure I can turn on Jenn safely.”

“But I am a match for you, or even ahead of you,” Jenn said. “Why go after him?”

“I have things in motion to help me level the board against you,” Yukiko said, pointing to her facedown cards. “I can give myself an even chance or better in the next few turns. If he’s still a threat at that point, you both might attack me and push me off the field.”

Jenn nodded slowly. “I did have a plan for that, and then for turning on him directly, afterward.”

Yukiko smiled. “Yes. It would have been the right move, hence catching you both unprepared for my going after him so aggressively.”

Gregory looked at his facedown cards that were waiting for their time to come up, then at his decimated army. I can’t win... There’s no coming back from here, but I can be spiteful. Considering how zealous Krogga is, it even makes sense to be a bit spiteful. Letting out a sigh, Gregory placed two cards faceup on the table. “Tactical retreat and entrenched defense. I might still have to call the army off the field, but I’m not going, yet.”

Yukiko’s eyebrow went up and she looked at Gregory thoughtfully. “That’s different from your normal play... Hmm...” She stared at the board for a long moment before shaking her head. “No, you can’t win. I don’t think you can even threaten me when I push for Jenn.” Nodding, she played her own card to recall her army back to her camp.

Jenn glanced at her cards in hand, then at the facedown cards she was waiting to trigger. “I won’t be able to stop them from regrouping. Very well. The turn is over?”

“Yes,” Yukiko smiled. “Buldoun will take the field by the end of this game.”

Two more turns went by with all three focused on the game. Gregory smiled— he was ready for his surprise, but he needed Yukiko to commit to the attack first. Yukiko was looking over the board and clearly deciding if this was the turn for her.

Jenn beat her to the punch, flipping over two of her downed cards. “I’ve been waiting for these, Yuki. I come for you with aggressive posture and extra magi.”

Yukiko inhaled sharply before nodding. “That’s bad for me. I wasn’t expecting the magi reinforcement. However, I can accept the losses, as I held back my reinforcements.” Flipping over all but one of her facedown cards, Yukiko smiled. “Four more platoons of archers will form a company and thin your ranks. That will leave your magi nearly undefended for my magi,” she flipped over her last facedown card, “to deal with.”

Jenn just stared at the board and the revealed cards, then back at her hand. “That’s