Mages of Buldoun (Aether’s Revival Book 5)

When the carriage came to a stop, Gregory was the first one out. Looking at the plain stone building, his eyes widened when they saw the emblem above the door.

“It seems fitting,” Adolphus said, having gotten out after Gregory.

“Magi of the empire marrying at an Aether shrine,” Hao smiled. “If they will allow us to hold the ceremony here, at least.”

Gregory followed his fathers-in-law into the temple. Will there be another alcove in the altar? If there is, how do I check it without calling attention to it? Gregory thought as he stepped through the door.

The interior of this temple wasn’t that different than the one in Waterrock. Here, it had golden fixtures instead of silver holding the lanterns. Silk tapestries hung on the walls, but they didn’t show depictions of Aether. Instead, the tapestries focused on magic being used; crops being watered, a building being molded from the ground, and bane beasts being burned by fire.

A man with graying temples came their way from near the altar. “Good morning, gentlemen. Have you come to give devotions to Aether?” His steps slowed when he saw Gregory. “Ah, one of the magi from the tournament? Have you come to pray?”

“I would like to, sir,” Gregory said quickly. “Might I approach the altar?”

The man’s eyes narrowed for a moment before he nodded. “Just be respectful.”

When Gregory went past the man, he felt a thrum of aether touch him— it felt stilted, off-balance, unwelcome. He spotted the emblem on the man’s jacket. It was a snake coiled up with its head lifted to strike. The snake had its mouth open, showing fangs.

Asp House, Gregory thought as he went past.

“How might the temple assist you today, gentlemen, or did you just bring him to pray?”

“I come on behalf of magi who seek to wed during the tournament,” Hao smiled. “Where else should magi wed but in a temple dedicated to Aether?”

“Hmm… yes. We don’t have many weddings, unlike the Vera temple on the other side of the city. Then again, the magi of the empire do take their devotion to Aether very seriously.”

Gregory only half-listened as he went around the altar. The same icon as over the door was etched into the stone. Breathing slowly, Gregory knelt, then glanced back at the other three. None of them were looking his way, but he bowed his head as if in prayer. With a shaky hand, he touched the icon.

The stone shifted with absolute silence, but this time, it was a larger section of the altar. A gleam of metal inside was all Gregory saw when he reached in. Cold, hard slickness touched his hand. He didn’t dare try to shift whatever it was, as it might make noise. Instead, he willed the object into his storage ring. It vanished from under his hand before he withdrew his arm from the cubby. Swallowing, he watched the stone reset itself just as soundlessly as before.

Exhaling another shaky breath, Gregory looked up. He found all three men looking his way. “I’m sorry. What?”

“I asked if you were set on holding the wedding here,” Hao asked, his eyes narrowing the tiniest bit.

Gregory stood slowly. “Father, this temple would see us married in Aether’s eyes. I missed the discussion as I prayed. I apologize.”

“I see,” Hao said. “The price of holding the wedding in the temple is a little higher than I thought it would be. I’m not sure it is the best place, is all. The sage would likely prefer to see two of his students wed here, though.”

“The sage? You mean the academy overseer will attend the wedding?” the mage asked, clearly not expecting that news.

“The archmage is slated to attend, along with the mages and magi of the tournament,” Hao smiled. “It is an event by itself.”

“Ah, I see,” the mage said softly. “I could lower the price some. We are flexible for those with the right connections.”

“Buldoun is known for its deals,” Hao laughed.

Adolphus watched the entire thing with uncertainty. Gregory moved to his side. “Why don’t we let Hao do what he does, Father? We can look over the tapestries to give him room.”

“Uh… yes,” Adolphus said, letting Gregory lead him away.

Gregory could feel the gaze of the mage on his back, but he did his best to ignore the feeling. Please don’t take long, Hao, he thought.

~*~*~

They were back outside a few minutes later, the carriage taking them to another location. Hao turned his gaze to Gregory. “What happened inside?”

“What do you mean?” Gregory asked slowly.

“From the moment you went past the mage, your body shifted. Is he a danger?”

Gregory exhaled internally, glad that Hao had no idea about the altars. “He isn’t to be trusted, but considering the people who’ll be there for the wedding, he should be fine.”

“He was very… oily,” Hao sighed. “Asp House mages always are, though.”

“Isn’t the archmage…?” Adolphus started, but trailed off.

“He is,” Hao nodded. “How do you think he got there?”

“I don’t want to know,” Adolphus was quick to say.

“What about the reception?” Gregory asked to pull the conversation to a different topic.

“That’s where we are going now. The city has three places that specialize in weddings. We’re going to the closest of them. It’ll easily be able to set the tone for a wedding between magi.”

Gregory stayed quiet. He knew Hao could manage the business dealings, and he was eager to return to the camp for the night to see what he’d found in the altar.

~*~*~

When they finally got back to the inn, it was nearly time for dinner. Hao had taken his time in getting the best deal for the reception hall, including getting lodgings at the inn next door for the newlyweds to retire to once the reception ended.

Hao explained everything he’d set up as they had dinner with the family. Mindie was blushing a deep red, not used to having so much done for her. Yukiko kept her hand on Mindie’s the entire time, lending her soon-to-be wife her support.

Yoo-jin told the men the plans they’d made in regards to the wedding. The next day off, all of them would be visiting a couple of tailors in the city to get appropriate clothing made. Because all of them were going to be fitted, it would likely take most of the day.

When dinner ended, the magi crossed the hall to join Wolf House as they had before. The younger mages and magi chatted about the Peaceful Fist and their upcoming fights. It was late when they finally returned to the encampment.

Gregory had nearly forgotten about the altar as they got ready for bed. “Oh… Yuki, Jenn? I checked the altar at the temple.”

That had them both focus on him. “What did you find?” Jenn asked first.

“Did the mage suspect anything?” Yukiko asked.

“I don’t think so. He was busy with your father,” Gregory answered Yukiko first. “I’m not sure. I put it straight into the ring.” Extending his hand, he summoned the item to him.

They all stared at the sheathed tanto in his hand. The sheath bore an aether flame that gleamed blue against the black leather. The small handguard was just large enough to stop a blade from sliding down it and taking fingers off. The pommel was a ryuite gem that shimmered in the dim light. The wrap of the hilt was the same dark leather that they’d seen the armor made of.

“I’d say this was special to Aether…” Jenn whispered.

Gregory drew the blade free, and they all stared at it in puzzlement. The metal had the sheen of steel, but the edge shone oddly.

“Is… is that… ryuite?” Yukiko asked.

“Could be,” Jenn agreed slowly.

“One way to find out,” Gregory said. “Produce a barrier for me. Say… a foot from your body?”

“Oh, a good idea,” Yukiko said, stepping back and triggering her enchanted item.

The moment the barrier appeared, Gregory stabbed at Yukiko, making sure he’d stop before hitting her. The blade touched the barrier and it vanished— Gregory stopped the thrust, the tip of the tanto three inches away from Yukiko. They all stared at the dagger as Gregory pulled it back.

“Can anyone use it?” Jenn asked.

Gregory turned it over to her. “I’ll summon the barrier.”

Again, the tanto passed through the barrier like it was a soap bubble.

“That… could be dangerous,” Yukiko whispered. “If word of a weapon that can bypass protections got out, many would want it.”

Gregory sheathed the blade, then turned the hilt to Yukiko. “It’s yours.”

“What?!” Yukiko blinked in shock.

“An assassin’s weapon,” Jenn nodded.

Yukiko exhaled, but accepted it. “I’ll keep it in my obi. If I ever need to go after another magi in earnest, then and only then will I draw it.”

“Or if Gregory is in danger,” Jenn added.

“Of course.”

“Well… that was different than the amulet,” Gregory said. “I wonder what the next temple we visit will have?”

“We’ll find out in time,” Yukiko said as she put the tanto into her obi, then began undressing. “We need to sleep. We have a fight tomorrow.”

“Yeah, that we do,” Jenn nodded, “either against Wolf or Eagle.”

“Either one will be a fight,” Gregory said as he began to get ready for bed, too.

“I hope our friends do well in their tournament,” Jenn said. “Think Vicky can get to the top two?”

“It’ll be tricky for her,” Yukiko said, “but she might. I think our clan will take the top spot, at least. We have four talented novices.”

“Right, because Frederica joined the clan. I really wasn’t expecting her to,” Gregory said. “I hope she’s settled in okay.”

“Nessa will help her,” Yukiko smiled. “I wonder if Frederica will want a rematch against the one who beat her as much as another physical enhancement magi?”

Jenn laughed. “Unlikely. She might want to stay as far from Nessa as she can in the tournament.”

“Think they’ll do the same as last time? With undefeated fighters in the main arena?”

“Yes,” Yukiko said. “It gives a good focal point for what should be the best fights.”

“Odds they make our friends fight each other on the first day?” Gregory asked.

“No bet,” Yukiko said quickly.

“I’m with Yuki on that. The other clans will want them to lose so they have a better chance to take the tournament.”

“Politics,” Yukiko sighed. “It isn’t the wrong thing to do, either. They were all in the top eight, so they’re the best at the start.”

“We’ll just have to hope,” Gregory sighed as he set his clothing aside. “We’ll have our own fight to worry about.”

“Agreed,” Jenn said, climbing into bed a moment later, snuggling up to him.

“Yes,” Yukiko smiled as she put the lamp out, then joined them. “Good night, my hearts.”

“Night, dear ones,” Jenn murmured.

“Sleep well, my loves,” Gregory added, pulling them closer to his sides.