Moral Stand (Aether’s Revival Book 7)

Thera and Gregory went back to the kitchen to get their food. With their meal in hand, they retired to one of the rooms to eat. The tension between them made Gregory sorry that he’d chosen her to help him. He’d thought they’d do the inspection, then have time for games to end the day, but everything had changed with Jack. He had a duty to execute that would’ve caused trouble no matter which way it went.

Gregory summoned parchment and ink during the meal, copying over Thera’s notes. Then, he began composing his report. His lunch was gone before he’d finished. He wrote two more copies, one for Artok, one for Commander Roberts, and one for himself— Yukiko had taught him the importance of making copies when dealing with official documents. When he finally put the ink away, he sighed.

“What will you do, Gregory?”

Blinking, he looked up at Thera, who’d been sitting silently across from him. “Take my report to Artok. I’ll also hand over Jack’s body to them. I’m sure I’ll be asked to leave at that point.”

“If you aren’t asked to leave?”

Gregory’s head tilted slightly, a relieved smile coming to his lips. “Maybe some Shogi?”

Thera looked down, but a trace of a smile touched her muzzle. “I would like that…” She took a slow breath before going on. “Thank you… for killing him.”

“I’m glad I did, but also wish I never had to,” Gregory sighed. “He’s not the first man I’ve killed defending myself, and he’ll probably not be the last, either, but…” He trailed off for a few seconds. “I feel the impact of taking his life all the same. Even when it’s kill or be killed, it appears you can’t leave the weight of the death behind.”

“My father says the same,” Thera whispered.

Gregory watched her face as silence fell between them again. “I’m sorry. You should never have been torn away from your family.”

Thera’s head jerked up, her feline eyes wide in surprise. Searching his face, she gave him a tentative smile. “You might be the only one in town to feel that way.”

“Not all people from the empire believe in the slave trade. A few other magi I know dislike it as much as I do. I have to stop there, though, as anything more, if you’re compelled to talk, could hurt me and my clan.”

Thera bowed in her seat. “I thank you for sharing even that with me. Unless they compel me, I will never speak of it.”

Gregory got to his feet. “Thank you. I’m going to Chainer’s office. You should head back to the lobby. Let everyone know the inspection is over, and that they’re free to go about their day as normal.”

“I will.” Thera stood, then bowed to Gregory. “On behalf of those who’ve been hurt by Jack, thank you again. I hope to see you after your meeting. In case you can stay, I will be in my room with the Shogi board, ready to play.”

“I hope to join you.”

The pair parted, and Gregory pulled up foresight to look into the future of how the meeting would go. Lips pursing, he nodded as he checked a few alternative paths, draining his stored aether. In the end, he had his plan in place for what was going to come.

~*~*~

Knocking firmly on the door, Gregory gave a long pause before he opened it. “Excuse me? I have my report for you, Magus.” He didn’t bat an eye at the two naked eurtik who’d barely put room between them and Chainer and Artok.

“I thought I told you to deliver it to my manor before you left, Pettit,” Artok said coldly.

“Yes, sir. Considering what happened, though, I thought it prudent to deliver it now.”

Chainer’s lips compressed. “Magi, the piddling contraband shouldn’t have—”

Gregory summoned Jack’s body, letting it fall to the floor from his ring. “I was attacked by your head of security. That isn’t a trifling matter, Chainer.” Gregory spoke with power, letting his aether flow out. “Attacking a magi means death. He was judged and sentenced. That isn’t all that I found; just the worst of it.”

Artok felt the brush of Gregory’s aether and sat up straight. That was enough to make it obvious that the magi only had his haori on to cover himself. “Restrain yourself, Adept.”

Gregory pulled his aether back, then bowed formally to Artok. “Apologies, Magus.”

Chainer used a napkin to blot his head. “Well, uh… that is—”

“Why did he attack you?” Artok asked, taking control of the conversation.

“He’d been imbibing bone spark, sir. When I went to inspect their quarters, he became irate. After his boast of killing magi and threatening me, I warned him to desist. He attacked instead.”

“Bone spark?” Artok asked with a grimace. “Did you confiscate it?”

Gregory went to the table, letting the small pouch of sparkling white powder appear. “I have every bit of contraband on me, Magus. I was going to turn it all over to the commander to dispose of.”

Artok turned his angry gaze to Gregory. “Why in Aether’s name did you search the guard’s quarters? You should’ve only searched the slave’s quarters!”

“Sir?” Gregory asked with puzzlement. “You told me to inspect every room. I was only following your orders.”

“Artok, what is—?”

Artok motioned toward Chainer, who went pale, cutting off his sentence. “I’m dealing with this. Just stay quiet.”

Gregory kept his eyes on Artok. “Sir? Did I do something wrong?”

“Technically, no, Adept… I just didn’t understand how zealous you were.”

“There’s also the matter of the chef, Magus,” Gregory said. “I have him confined to his office. He tried to bribe me, sir.” He placed the chef’s slave runes on the desk. “I made sure he didn’t circumvent my orders while he was in his office.”

Artok’s gaze went to Chainer. “Bribery, hmm? Leave your report, Adept, along with all the contraband. I’ll deal with it. You can then go enjoy the evening.”

“As you command, sir,” Gregory said as he began to pile up the contraband. The last item was Barnabas’ book, which Gregory had soaked in wine. “There was an accident with the book, sir. It had a bottle of wine fall on it.”

Staring at the pile, Artok’s eyebrows rose. “That’s fine. A book is normally expensive, but considering everything here, it’s negligible.”

Gregory bowed. “I hope your conversation is productive, sir.”

“Oh, it will be,” Artok chuckled.

~*~*~

Gregory made his way back to Thera’s room, greeting the slaves he passed with a nod. Knocking on the door, he waited in the hall. A moment later, Thera opened the door with a happy smile.

“Looks like Artok will be handling everything. I was given leave to enjoy the rest of the evening. If I might come in?”

“Please, Magi,” Thera said, stepping aside for him. “I have tea and the board set up.”

“Wonderful.” Gregory entered the room with a smile. “I’d been hoping to talk with you all day. I’m glad we finally have the chance to do it.”

Thera took a seat across the table from him, pouring tea for them both. “As am I, Gregory. I never thought I’d see the day I’d be so happy to be chosen by a magi.”

Gregory laughed. “Well, we both know I’m not the usual magi. No clothing will be coming off.”

Thera chuffed a laugh. “That’ll be different. I wasn’t sure if I should undress again or not. You never even looked at me the last time you were here. I wasn’t sure if it was just you, or you not being attracted to eurtik.”

“Never thought about it that way,” Gregory said as he accepted the cup of tea. “Honestly, I’m a happily married man. Besides, I find it distasteful when someone’s being forced to do something they’d rather not.”

Thera sipped at her tea. “The first move is yours.”

Gregory looked at the board before moving his first piece. “If it’s okay, I’d like to hear about your family. Not where they are or anything like that, just more… what’s life like in the north?”

Thera hesitated, then made her move on the board. “I’m not sure it would be wise for me to do so even to you, Gregory.”

“I can understand the hesitation. There are no texts I’ve found that could tell me what it’s like for the free people of the north. I’m sure it’s much like life anywhere, but at the same time, I’m sure since you live in the wilds, it’s also vastly different.” He made his next move with a smile.

“Double wing attack,” Thera murmured, looking at the board. “A well-known opening.”

Gregory didn’t push for more, just playing the game with her while drinking his tea. Thera focused on the board, but she kept glancing at him. After a while, Thera resigned when she couldn’t see a way to go forward.

“Well played, Gregory,” Thera said as she reset the board.

“Thank you.” He refilled the teacups while she did.

Her eyes went to his hands, and then she exhaled slowly. A magi was pouring tea for her, treating her like a friend while they played Shogi. Everything about it was wrong, but felt right in her heart.

“Life in the north is like life everywhere,” Thera said slowly. “We don’t have places like this. Slavery isn’t practiced. The worst we have is indentured service if debts aren’t paid.”

Gregory didn’t speak, not wanting her to stop.

“The villages the slavers raid are places like Coldwood, places where those who wish to have another war, the criminals, and those unfit for civilization live. Farther north is where our towns and cities are, but even if the empire pushed, they’d not find us… them.”

Gregory stayed quiet, making the first move on their next game.

Thera picked up her cup, taking a drink before making her own move. “Do you know of the elves?”

“I’ve met a couple. I know they’re said to have a city in the north.”

“Beyond the Guardian Wood…” Thera said softly. “That’s where our civilization has been pushed to. The empire would have to fight the elves to get to us. We’ve given up on almost everything south of their city.”

“Except for the villages.”

“It’s easier to let those who are unsatisfied go south.”

“You were unsatisfied?” Gregory asked gently, making his next move on the board.

Thera went rigid, then set her cup down. “No. I went to get my sister to come home.” Sadness filled her voice. “She was killed, and I was captured.”

Gregory’s head came up to meet her feline eyes. “I’m sorry, Thera.”

Shaking her head, she moved another piece without thought. “Why? You were not the men who attacked us.” She took a slow breath. “You’ve been the nicest person I’ve met since being sold to this place… since I was captured.”

“I’m sorry that the empire allows what is. There are laws…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “All of the staff here are just like you, aren’t they?”

“Of course. We’re all slaves, captured and sold. There are three others just like me, though… slaves who went to try to bring their family back to safety, but failed.”

Gregory bowed his head. His hand shifted a piece on the board even while he thought about what he could do. Silence fell between them as they played without really seeing, both lost in their thoughts. In time, the game ended with Gregory admitting defeat.

“I should go,” Gregory said softly. “I’m sorry for opening old wounds.”

Thera reached over the board to touch his hand. “I’m fine now. I wanted to share. Thank you for listening.”

Looking at her furred hand on his, he exhaled. “If… Would…?” He tried twice, failing both times. What he was considering was treason under the empire’s laws, but something about Thera’s plight tugged at his heart. “Dammit… how can I go after them for breaking laws if I do the same?”

Thera withdrew her hand slowly. “What?”

“I have plans… to make the next year better for people like you who aren’t yet branded. Laws are being ignored… I had a wild idea that would see you freed from this place, but it would severely undercut my position later.”

Thera blinked at him, then began to chuff. “Gregory, I don’t think you buying me would undercut whatever plan you have.”

He almost told her, but instead, he closed his mouth. What if I bought her, let her become a follower for the year, then freed her at the end of my time here? That might work… I could still push the slavers now. Once it’s time to rotate out, no one would know if I freed her after the last patrol. But should I take that risk? That echoed in his head as he looked up into her smiling eyes.