Empire's Orders (Aether's Revival Book 9), page 27
“It’s in flux,” Gregory sighed. “It’ll be a debate if they want me to negotiate, fight, or do nothing.”
“Do you live in all three of those?”
“I can’t see it. It’s ever-shifting because of Ragnar. I’ll be doing my very best to come home. Of the three, it’s more likely they have me sit and wait.”
“As long as you come back to us, it’ll be fine,” Yukiko said. “Now, before we go to breakfast, we all want more kisses.”
“As my hearts wish.”
~*~*~
The dining hall was quiet, as both Ironhand and Levi were already there when the family arrived. Davis and the other two lieutenants approached the moment the group was seated.
“Sir,” Davis spoke up for the trio of officers, “is everything okay?”
“The war needs reinforcements. The units will be staying here,” Gregory replied. “That’s all I can say, Lieutenant.”
Gregory’s tone made it clear that he was constrained on saying more. “Understood, sir.”
Rudit and Makkar came striding into the room, cutting off any other possible conversation. Rudit went to the table that Ironhand was using, but didn’t sit. She first looked at the elder, who nodded. “I need a moment of your time,” she announced to the room at large. “There is news.” When the room fell silent, she went on, “Two of my assistants will be leaving with Elder Ironhand for a short period of time. After they have done as is required of them, they will return to their posting. In the interim, we will continue as we have. Lieutenants, you are to double-check your men’s duties. Word of this should not leave the embassy. If it does, I will have pointed questions.” The three men saluted her, and she then took her seat. “Serve us.”
~*~*~
When breakfast was over, Gregory and Mindie approached Ironhand and his ally, Levi. “Sir, we’re ready.”
“You have your armor, weapons, and supplies?” Ironhand asked flatly.
“We do,” Gregory assured him.
“Very well.” His eyes went to the rest of Gregory’s wives before he shook his head. “Six…? You are an odd man, Pettit. Hopefully, you return to them soon. Levi, we are ready.”
“Yes, sir.” Levi turned to an open space in the room and then motioned sharply at it. Space rippled, and a portal was created between the embassy and their destination. “One minute.”
“Go!” Ironhand barked at Gregory and Mindie.
The two didn’t pause or hesitate; they immediately stepped through the portal. Ironhand and Levi were behind them in seconds, and the moment Levi went through, he cut the portal off. The guards on duty in the pavilion relaxed when they saw Ironhand.
“Follow me,” Ironhand said, walking toward the exit. “Levi, you are dismissed.”
“Thank you, sir,” Levi said.
Gregory and Mindie fell in behind Ironhand as he led them across the encampment they were in. Men and women in armor were going about camp duties; the sounds of people in distress filtered through the noise, getting Mindie’s attention. The tent with the heart icon was not on their path, but Mindie made a mental note of where it was.
Gregory spotted the command tent. General Ruzi was there, as well as his officers, Egil, and the higher magi who were trying to exert their influence on things. It was a battleground of its own, and Gregory was about to be thrust onto the stage.
The guards outside the command tent came to attention when Ironhand approached. Their eyes tracked Gregory and Mindie, memorizing their faces in case they later had to allow or stop them. The sound of voices grew louder as they got to the entrance, turning into an argument when they entered the canvas structure.
Ruzi was glowering at a grandmaster from a clan Gregory didn’t recognize. “Who controls the army? Remind me, Grandmaster Frost.”
“You, General,” Frost said with a sneer, “but only if the emperor doesn’t remove you after this debacle. I’ve long lobbied to hand the army over to a magi for a reason.”
“And the emperor has put the army in the hands of the man who has never before lost a war!” Ironhand barked, then marched to Ruzi’s side. “Sorry, sir. I have brought them.” The second was said to Ruzi.
“Clear the tent,” Ruzi said flatly. “Only Ironhand, Egil, and our two new guests are to stay.”
That got everyone to look at who had come in with Ironhand. Raised eyebrows and derision accounted for almost all of them. Even Egil looked surprised to see them. Gregory gave his old mentor a bow out of respect. Egil’s shoulders were slightly bent, as his age was catching up to him. The few years that’d separated them looked to have taken a toll on the armsmaster. The same could be said of Ruzi, whose face was far more lined than it’d been. The officers were the first ones to leave the tent; the magi were slower, but still left.
The moment the tent was clear, Ruzi addressed Gregory. “Pettit, I’ve been kept up to date on your foresight visions, as well as what transpired since we parted. Tell me about my death.”
Gregory stood at parade rest as he addressed Ruzi, with Mindie copying him while she waited beside him. “Sir, if you fight High Champion Ivarson, you’ll die on the field. If Magi-killer goes with you, he dies, as well. Having fought Ivarson during the festival, I can attest that he would push even Elder Ironhand. If they clashed, it comes to a wire’s edge, but Ironhand would die. Ivarson will end up injured either way, but it’s only treachery by some magi that attempt to kill him after an honor duel that might kill him. If that happens, High Priest Stenson comes and kills Ironhand or you for failing to follow honor. Sage Windfoot is brought in, and he also falls to a gravely injured, but still alive, Stenson.”
“He can face Ironhand and win? How certain is that future?”
“All futures around this conflict are… jumbled, ever-shifting. My only conclusion is that I lack the power to force it to be clear because of the power of all the aether users involved, or the city being involved. With that said… Ivarson will win any honor duel. If you continue to attack Bloodrock, it bleeds the army while Buldoun is beginning to see weakness on their border.”
“What is this?”
“Currently, my future shows Buldoun personally looking to gain prestige by attacking our other border. We’ve committed more men here than we have in a century. It pulled men from there, and now, the intrepid and eager are eyeing the weakness as an opportunity.”
“You want us to abandon Bloodrock to Krogga?” Ruzi asked quietly.
“No, sir. The best future at this point has us signing a deal with Krogga for the city and moving the best of the army quickly to Buldoun’s border to stop us losing towns there. It’d be best if you stayed in command for the next few years, but… if you assign Ironhand as your second, he will hold the army as you did. He just has to remind others that he isn’t to be questioned when it comes to keeping the empire safe.”
“Gregory,” Egil asked, “can you beat him?”
Gregory fell silent before he shook his head. “No, sir. Not as I am. In a century or two… maybe? If you send me to face him… I’ll die, and I don’t know if he succumbs to his wounds or not because I’m dead. If I’m dead in a future, I can’t see past it.”
“Lightshield never mentioned that,” Ironhand said.
“It’s a limitation he’d likely not want others to know. I can say that it saved my life once. It shook me to not see a future.”
“Yes, the assassination attempt by Buldoun. Your capture made it back to be interrogated,” Ruzi cut back in. “The fact that anyone attempted it shows you have more value than many would like to think. I cannot allow you to face Ivarson.” He coughed roughly, then turned to Mindie. “Healer, speak to the guards outside. You are to report to the officers’ healer.”
“Yes, sir,” Mindie said, bowing. She glanced at Gregory, then left.
Ruzi waited for her to go before he exhaled. “I’m dying, Pettit… tell me: if we withdraw with me in command, what happens?”
Gregory took a deep breath, then used foresight. After a couple of minutes, he let go of his magic. “You stop Buldoun from their attempt just as it starts, getting concessions for the attacks. A couple of young magi did the right thing to buy time; you lauding them for their clear thinking is celebrated even by your detractors. The emperor will bring you back to his side, and then ask you to step down. In doing so, you get to pick your successor, ensuring good oversight in the future. If you hadn’t asked, I’d never have checked this potential future, sir. Every other future has you insistent on a duel.”
Ruzi exhaled slowly as he leaned against a table. “Egil has placed great trust in you. You showed me intelligence when we met last. Ironhand went against my desires and brought you here, anyway.” His gaze went to Ironhand, then back to Gregory. “He’s an ass about many things, but he rarely goes against my orders unless he is certain of his reasons. With all of this, I’d be a fool not to use your magic.”
Gregory bowed deeply. “I will do my best, sir. I’m only a magus, but I have stored aether and can push today and tomorrow, but then I will be taxed.”
“Ironhand, take him to your tent. He will bunk with you. Push him to find the best we can to get out of this debacle. He might not be able to see this conflict, but if we can push him to see other futures that ensure the empire’s security, do it.”
“Yes, sir,” Ironhand saluted.
“Send the peacocks back in,” Ruzi grunted. “I’ll keep them occupied.”
“Better you than me, sir,” Ironhand chuckled.
“Dismissed.”
Gregory turned to go with Ironhand, shocked that he hadn’t seen this potential future. His mind raced at how quickly what he thought he knew had flipped. What could’ve caused it to happen? Or was it deeper than he originally thought it was? Lips pursed, he followed Ironhand from the command tent.
Chapter Forty-two
Ironhand’s tent was spartan and far smaller than others near his. A single Iron Hand magus stood at the entrance, his wolf ears twitching. He saluted when the pair approached, his eyes drifting to Gregory.
“Thomas, Pettit will be staying with me for a few days. Give him anything he wishes,” Ironhand said.
“Yes, sir. A couple of the other clans have been hoping to speak with you. No one knew that you were gone.”
“Pettit, this is Magus Thomas Ironside, my aide. He will take care of anything you need if I am not present. Thomas, secure refreshments for us. Get high-aether food for the fresh magus; he’ll need it.”
“Yes, sir. What do you want me to tell the magi?”
“Nothing. If I want to deal with them, I will. They push you because you’re a magus. Keep yourself centered when you deal with them. None of them follow the spirit path, so you should be fine to resist them.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Dismissed.”
When Thomas left, Ironhand led Gregory into the tent. It reminded Gregory of his tent, but this one didn’t have a partition. The interior was as spartan as the exterior; the few things that were out were expensive and showed care and love, but there wasn’t a lot of clutter.
“We’ll set up the partition for you in a bit,” Ironhand said. “Have a seat. Thomas won’t be long, and as soon as he gets back, you’ll start.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ironhand took his favorite chair, relaxing when he sat, glad that no one had pushed Ruzi into action while he was gone. “We still have a chance to keep him alive past this… Aether be praised.”
“Sir?”
“Unlike the idiot you heard when we got to the command tent, I know how much better things have been with Ruzi in charge. They all forget what it was like before. It’s only been fifty or sixty years, but even magi think the past won’t come again.”
“People are people, sir. Lighthand always said that the empire would forget the lessons that came before.”
Ironhand snorted. “He did. That also tells me you’ve read his journals, Pettit. You shouldn’t give that information out so freely, considering that many of his later journals are forbidden texts.”
“But you’ve read them, sir. You would have read the copies your adoptive father had.”
Ironhand closed his eyes for a moment. “When he stepped away from his old family to create my clan… I have. How long should a family carry a belief before finding their own way?”
“As long as they have faith, they should continue, but if they no longer believe in what they did, they should find a new path, sir.”
“Which is what my predecessor did, even if it did cause a rift between him and Linus.”
“Lightshield never spoke poorly of his father, sir. He didn’t speak of the separation often, but he never seemed to harbor animosity.”
“There was just sorrow, not anger, between them as far as I know. I know that foresight has many pitfalls most will never know about. Lack of aether to see far enough or against those who are actively working against you are two of them.”
“I can confirm both of those.”
“I think Ivarson might be special,” Ironhand said slowly, watching Gregory intently.
“He felt that way when I faced him during the festival,” Gregory said, keeping his face as still as possible.
“Do you honestly think he can beat me in a fight?”
“I’ve seen a multitude of futures, as my reports noted. You die in all of them where the duel is honorable. He dies in some, but only because of treachery.”
“That is troubling…” Ironhand said.
“Because he’s so young? It makes you wonder what might happen if he gets a chance to grow in power.”
“Exactly.”
“He’ll lead Krogga in a few centuries if he survives,” Gregory said honestly.
“Stenson will take him as his successor? Hmm… if he manages to keep Bloodrock and can get another big raid or two in, yes, he just might. I’ve seen twelve high champions in my lifetime; only five are still alive, as most extend too far during a raid and die for it.”
“I haven’t seen the others.”
“They’re spread out across Krogga. Their biggest contributions are to train champions and find people who might be champions. Ivarson must have been in Krogheim just to make sure he won their festival so he could do this.”
“He was intent on leading their raid. I had hoped that building goodwill with him would help push him toward Limaz.”
“No, Bloodrock has a long history. Taking this city ensures his name will be spoken of for a long time.”
“Sir,” Thomas said from outside the tent, “I have the refreshments.”
“Bring them in, then secure my tent.”
“Yes, sir,” Thomas replied before coming in. His hands were empty, but he wore a ring that soon supplied their food and drink. Once he had them on the table in the room, he left.
“Come over, Pettit. Eat, drink, and take a moment to relax. As soon as you’re ready, I’ll be pushing you down different futures.”
Gregory did as he was told. The food was full of aether, so he had to eat slowly to not feel the strain. The moment he felt even remotely good, Ironhand cleared his throat and raised his eyebrow at him. Setting down his cup, Gregory touched foresight and resonance, giving Ironhand a nod.
“Who is the biggest problem in the camp for us to withdraw without trouble?” Ironhand asked before taking a deep pull on his mug.
~*~*~
Gregory groaned as he slumped in his seat. “I can’t, sir…”
“A little longer than I thought you’d manage, Pettit. You should be proud. Relax for a few minutes. I will return.”
“Yes, sir…” Gregory mumbled. He picked up some of the cold food on the table to chew.
Sitting alone, Gregory winced in pain, glad that Ironhand had stopped. His channels felt sore, so he knew he’d need Mindie to check them tonight to make sure he hadn’t pushed too far. That brought his thoughts to his wives left behind in Krogheim. Stenson wouldn’t move for another two days, but then, he’d show up to speak with Rudit.
The food was almost gone, and the bottles were empty when Ironhand returned. Gregory smiled when he saw Mindie behind Ironhand, but then an older man came in behind her. Medals dotted the other man’s kimono. Most of them were similar to the ones Mindie wore, which told Gregory who the man likely was.
“Pettit, this is Grandmaster Brent Bloodhand of the Iron Hand clan. He’s the personal healer to General Ruzi and the officer corps. Sit there and let him examine your core and channels.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Follow along with my aether, Pettit… hmmm… married?”
“Yes, sir,” Mindie said. “Gregory is my husband.”
“Always confusing when multiple magi have the same surname,” Brent sighed. “Follow along, and you, Pettit, just grit your teeth.”
“Yes, sir,” they both said.
Gregory gritted his teeth as the alternating current of cold and heat surged through him. He could feel the two aethers that scoured his channels. One was harsh and unforgiving. The other was Mindie’s, which had started to feel softer and more welcoming to him over the last few months.
“He stopped in time to not crack them,” Brent said. “Perfect timing, really. I can administer the tonic.”
“Proceed,” Ironhand said. “Pettit, you are about to receive a secret of the Iron Hand clan. It comes from our founder, who received it from his father, who is said to have found it ages past. It will help crystalize your channels.”
“What’s the downside, sir?” Gregory asked.
“Smart,” Brent chuckled. “Besides it tasting like rotten meat and ash? You’ll be rendered unconscious for eight hours while having the worst nightmares you can imagine, unable to wake up. Your wife will be sitting with you during that.”
“The moment you wake, we’ll be continuing our orders,” Ironhand said.
“Where is he to rest?” Mindie asked primly, not seeing a bed.
“Ah, right,” Ironhand sighed. “Thomas, get a cot and set up the partition here.”
“Yes, sir,” Thomas called from outside. “Be back shortly, sir.”
“We’ll just wait for him to return,” Ironhand said.
