Moral Stand (Aether’s Revival Book 7)

Dinner at the barracks was delicious. Barny was a good cook, and if he was given the time and equipment, he could make some wonderful dishes. He’d taken to making stews when they stopped for a day or more, as that gave him the time to really let the flavors come together.

His men had a curfew for the night, even though they would still be in town tomorrow. Gregory would be staying up, to make sure that his men did return on time. He’d be able to use meditation to augment his rest, so it wouldn’t hinder him.

“Are we going, sir?” Davis asked, coming over to him.

“For a couple of hours, at least,” Gregory said, getting to his feet. “Cards and drinking?”

“And them asking us for the latest news from the empire. They’ll want to hear anything we can tell them over the last year or two.”

“I guess we can glean information about the slavers in return. I’ll sprinkle those in around other questions to not make it blatant.”

“For the best.”

“Do we ride over, or walk?” Gregory asked.

“We can walk. Inside the town, there’s not as much need for horses. If you wanted to go across the city, it would look better if you rode.”

“Hmm… didn’t do that today. I’ll see about it next time.”

“How did your meetings go, sir?”

“About how I thought they would. Magus Smitton is just as complicit as Magus Artok. Commander Trida might step in if his men get involved, but doesn’t want to touch it, otherwise.”

“Do you think the commander of Coldwood will be any different?”

“Probably not, but I will gently prod to find out. I can hope that he wants to get involved in enforcing the laws. One ally would be very welcome.”

“That would be nice.”

“I think we’ll be alone in this. If they cared, they could’ve pushed on their own. Trida might be the best we can find.”

“That’ll make things difficult, but we’re all behind you.”

“Thank you, Davis. Tonight, though, we’re being friendly.”

“I just hope I don’t lose too much.”

“I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Gregory chuckled.

~*~*~

The Gilded Cup was an upper-end tavern; the silver fixtures and plush décor spoke to that. The commander and a couple of officers were at a large table in the back of the room. When Gregory entered, Trida waved him over.

“Thank you for the invitation, Commander,” Gregory said as he took a seat. “This is my lieutenant, Davis Williams.”

“And these are my officers who worked today: Captain Hendil and Lieutenants Smite and Johnson.”

The men exchanged pleasantries as a fox eurtik maid came to the table. She wore more covering than a lot of barmaids, but the brand directly under her throat was uncovered. After the table ordered and Trida paid, she hurried away.

“We’re glad to have you sit with us,” Hendil said. “The last couple of magi never set foot outside the Silver Collar.”

“My wives would never forgive me,” Gregory shrugged.

“You’ll be one of the rare loyal magi, then,” Hendil snorted.

“Captain, it isn’t our place to say such things,” Trida said.

“Sorry, sir, but even you have to admit it’s a change.”

“It is that,” Trida agreed as he placed a deck of cards on the table. “We normally have a few rounds, if you’re amenable, Magi?”

Gregory let a small coin purse appear in his hand. “I’m not very good, but I enjoy a good game.”

“Not very good, yet with amazing luck,” Davis said. “He rarely ends up down when he plays with me and the sergeants.”

“You let your sergeants play?” Hendil asked.

“It’s the only way to have a decent game,” Gregory said. “If it was just me and Davis, what would be the point?”

“You need at least four to make it worthwhile,” Trida nodded as he shuffled the deck.

Gregory gave the maid a nod in thanks as she set the rosem wine on the table. “I’ll be imbibing slower than everyone else. Alcohol and magi are a terrible idea. I’m glad this place has things I can enjoy, even if in moderation.”

“We’ve had magi play with us before,” Trida said, “but as Hendil pointed out, the last few have not joined us.”

“Having a good working relationship with the guard is something I try to establish,” Gregory said, sipping his wine.

“Losing a few big hands will do that,” Hendil laughed, joined by the two lieutenants who’d been staying quiet.

“Let’s see what the cards have in store for us,” Gregory grinned.

~*~*~

“You know they’ll probably stop asking you to play once they hear about your magic, sir,” Davis said as they left the Gilded Cup.

“Possibly, but I lost today. Not a lot, but some. The fact that you won more than I lost won’t really dawn on them.”

“It felt a little odd. Did you influence that?”

Gregory chuckled. “I can’t change the cards, Davis. All I did was stay out when you had the best hand. Every single time you had the best hand, I folded.”

Davis’ brow furrowed, then he laughed. “I didn’t even notice that.”

“Good. If you didn’t realize it, then they shouldn’t have, either.”

“We’re going to the Groomed Mane, sir?”

“I want to see the place and check on the men. We won’t stay long… or I won’t, at least.”

“Gregory, it’s moments like this that make me question if you’re really an adept. Experienced commanders rarely think to do this. If they do, they usually send their staff to check.”

“My going could hurt morale, but I think it’ll just prove that I care for them, especially if I have a drink and then leave them to their free time. If I make a point of checking out the establishment rather than checking on them, that is.”

“I agree with you. Again, it’s not a move most would make, much less an adept.”

“I have knowledge on my side.”

“Speaking of,” Davis said slowly, “I was going to ask if I might read those journals.”

Gregory hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll lend you the ones I have.”

“Thank you, Gregory.”

Lips pursing, Gregory frowned. “Rafiq, Barny, Dot, and Polka are all at the barracks, aren’t they?”

“They should be,” Davis answered, confused by the question.

“There’s no place for slaves to go have fun,” Gregory sighed. “I’ll pick up some extra bonuses tomorrow. They should enjoy the days off, too.”

Davis’ lips ticked up. “That’s kind of you, sir. You’re correct— there’s no tavern for slaves. Slaves don’t have free time or money to spend like that.”

“I’ll do the best I can for them. I’ll ask them tomorrow what they might enjoy to help them relax.”

~*~*~

The Groomed Mane was in a decent part of the town, though close to the worst part. The building was in wonderful condition, looking like it was well cared for. The sign had a brush emblem on a full tankard.

“Different,” Gregory grinned.

“I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it,” Davis said.

The interior was busy— every table had people, and most of those tables were full. Three squads of Gregory’s men were drinking and tossing dice. Besides them, the establishment had plenty of other business. Conversations cut off when the locals noticed the magi; Gregory’s men started to stand, but he waved them off.

“Carry on. I’m just here for a drink,” Gregory said. “I heard good things about the place and wanted to visit.”

The owner had solid gray hair, a neatly-trimmed beard, and numerous small scars. “Magi, what can I get you?”

Gregory paused, as the man’s irises were yellow. “Do you have rosem wine?”

“I do have some left, Magi. I don’t get much call for it.”

He set some vela on the counter. “I’ll take a glass, and then whatever my lieutenant would like.”

“Ale. Pale, preferably?” Davis asked.

“Be right back,” the bartender said.

Davis watched him go with a questioning look. “Something about him…”

“Yellow eyes. I think he might have some eurtik blood,” Gregory murmured.

“Ahh, that would explain it. Unless you’re paying attention, you’d miss it.”

“Here you go,” the man said, setting cups in front of both men.

“I didn’t get your name, sir,” Gregory said, trying to be polite.

“Lowen Pointer, sir.”

“I heard you are a former guardsman.”

“Twenty years,” Lowen nodded. “Ten for the empire, then ten as a magi guard for Swift Wind. That was enough for me, so I came here to open up a tavern.”

“Why in Icelake?” Gregory asked.

“I come from Bunt; the taverns there have been established for decades. I figured that opening one here would be better. It’s worked for me, as I’ve found my niche.”

“Welcoming everyone does give you a wider clientele base. I’m glad that all my men can have a place to relax.”

“That’s my belief, that all people, especially guards, should have a place to drink in peace.”

“All of my men will be using your tavern whenever we’re in town. If any of them cause problems, just let their sergeants know, or send word to Davis.” Gregory motioned to Davis beside him. “I can feel how uncomfortable some people here are because of me. I don’t blame them, so to make sure they aren’t, I won’t stop by often.”

Lowen’s brow furrowed. He’d never known a magi to care if they made people uncomfortable before. He’d seen a lot who reveled in doing just that, in fact. “Uh… you can stay as long as you’d like, sir.”

“My men wouldn’t relax as much if I was here, either,” Gregory said. “It’s best if I just stay away. Do you ever have trouble with the guards or town magus?”

“No, sir. Trida and I came to an agreement when I opened my doors. As long as I treat any guard well, I will not have trouble. You’re only the second magi ever to stop by; the other was also an adept. He… wasn’t as friendly.”

“Normal magi, then,” Gregory snorted. “I view things differently than many other magi.”

“That could be bad for you, sir,” Lowen said, having unknowingly fallen back into his old habits.

“Very possibly, but that’ll be in the future. For this year, I just need to patrol and help people.”

“Best of luck, sir.”

“No need to call me ‘sir.’ I’m Gregory Pettit of Aether’s Guard.”

“Understood, Pettit.”

Gregory chuckled as he finished his wine. “‘Gregory’ works just fine, Lowen. I’ll be heading out. Have a good day.”

“You, too… Gregory.”

Davis downed his mug, setting it down. “Nice place. May the Traveler fill your pockets.”

“Aether watch over you,” Lowen said on reflex.

Gregory had a smile on his lips as he led Davis from the tavern. The tavern was clean, the owner felt honest, and his men were having a good time.