Moral stand aethers revi.., p.11
Moral Stand (Aether's Revival Book 7), page 11
When the trio left the tent, Gregory pulled it into his ring. “See you at the table. I can start collecting tents.”
~*~*~
The command staff was not entirely happy with Gregory’s plan for the bane bear, but they also didn’t want their men dead or maimed. With Gregory’s reassurance that he’d be fine, they didn’t argue. Some of the men, however, were upset— they wondered if Gregory felt they weren’t capable until the sergeants explained what the casualty rate would be.
Gregory got off Legacy as they got close to the marker the bear would be near. Handing the reins to Dot, Gregory jogged ahead of the unit, summoning his naginata. He’d put on his full armor after breakfast, knowing the fight was going to happen. His foresight had shown him that he’d need it if he wanted to not suffer deep lacerations.
Just past the marker indicating that they were an hour from their normal camp, the underbrush went flying and the bane bear surged into the open. It was huge, massive in breadth, height, and muscles. Where most bears topped out at ten feet standing, this one was well over fifteen. Its roar echoed off the trees, the aether behind it forcing the closest men to their knees.
Gregory let it wash over his resonance, triggering foresight as it did. Not cowering the way most prey would, he instead rushed forward to meet the beast. The bear growled as it dropped to all fours, lunging to meet him. One massive paw came in with a quickness that most would never expect from the massive creature, but Gregory knew it was coming. He shifted just enough that he could redirect the swipe with the haft of his naginata before cutting a gouge into the bear’s back leg.
Spinning with a nimbleness that wolves would’ve envied, the bear brought its maw into play. The crunch of the naginata’s butt meeting one oversized tooth was loud as Gregory danced back, spinning his weapon back into ready position while the bear drew up short with a cracked fang.
Red fire burned in the bane beast’s eyes. Gregory was moving before the bear even shifted; he wove around the attacks like a river, landing cuts before the pair finally broke apart again. The wounds were bleeding, but they wouldn’t stop the bear nor even slow it. When they separated, the beast was growling, shaking its head side-to-side, puzzled at how its meal was still standing.
Gregory grimaced, knowing what was coming next. His choice was which attack he’d let land. He chose the least dangerous, darting to the side as the bear charged him. Earth spears shot up, impacting his armor. One of them struck his thigh guards— what should’ve crippled or killed him only left a bruise from the force of the attack.
Spinning back, expecting its prey to be bleeding on the ground, the bear wasn’t prepared for the flurry it suddenly faced. Growling and snapping its teeth, the bear backed away as the naginata cut and gouged its muzzle. It let out a howl of pain when one of its eyes was blinded. Lunging forward, it tried to bury the man attacking it with its bulk.
Gregory dove to the side, coming up and spinning away from the earth spikes that followed him. A back leg grazed him, sending him stumbling into a tree, but Gregory used the tree to steady himself before rushing back in.
Slack-jawed, everyone watched the fight in awe. Not only was the bear a bane beast, but it could also use earth magic. The few men who’d wondered why they shouldn’t help before understood why now. Fighting a magi was bad enough, but a bane beast with magic was even worse.
Gregory took a few more hits from the earthen spears during the course of the fight, but he never got bitten or hit with a paw. He dodged and shifted, landing more and more cuts that slowly bled the bear, taking its other eye as the fight wound down.
Blind and hurt worse than it’d ever been before, the bane bear tried to flee. It had an advantage over most blind creatures, as it could use its magic to guide it around obstacles, but the magi never stopped hunting it. More earth spikes were summoned, but they were weaker and weaker, just like the bear. Tired, injured, and spent, the beast slumped to the ground, letting out a pitiful growl.
Gregory wasn’t in much better shape. He’d spent aether like he had a fortune, even using the majority from his ring. Panting as he approached the slowly-dying beast, he felt a little sorry for it; it was just trying to survive. The fact that it’d tried to kill him dampened his sympathy, but he understood why it had. Letting go of foresight, he walked closer to kill it quickly.
“You chose poorly. I’m sorry,” Gregory said. He raised his naginata to deliver a death blow, which is why the spike from behind caught him by surprise. It barely had enough aether behind it to move him an inch, but it meant his first attempt missed the mark. He quickly pulled back and delivered the killing strike.
He had to wait for the bear to fully die before he could put it into his ring. Once he could, though, he summoned a clean cloth to wipe his weapon down as he walked back toward the trail. He’d gone well off it to hunt the beast down. He hoped his men were still waiting for him, or he’d have a lonely hike to camp.
He felt eyes on him after a few minutes, so he paused. Looking around, he opened aether sight, but didn’t see any aether being used. Shaking his head, he let go of his aether and kept walking. “I should be paranoid after the bear…”
A minute after he walked away, a pair of yellow eyes rose from the scrub they’d been mostly hidden by. The magi had almost spotted them, which would’ve meant a fight. Something about this magi felt different, different enough to cause them to slip away rather than trying to kill him.
~*~*~
“I’m glad you’re all still here,” Gregory said when he got back to the trail. “I have the bear to deal with in Coldwood. Should be a small bump next payday.”
“But we didn’t do anything,” one of the men said.
“You followed orders,” Gregory replied. “I know some of you really wanted to help. As your sergeants doubtlessly told you, that would’ve been bad. Besides, most of the bear will be turned into jerky for Rafiq and myself. It won’t be a big bonus, but I’m sure the parts and pieces will still get you an extra mug or two.”
“Your horse, sir,” Dot said, handing him the reins.
“Thank you, Dot.” Gregory smiled, then climbed up onto Legacy. “Come on. One more hour of marching, and then I can rest.”
“If any of us need it, it’s him,” Davis said. “Move out.”
Rafiq came up to walk beside Gregory. “It is unusual for a bane beast to have magic other than physical enhancement.”
“I was going to ask,” Gregory said. “On the plus side, I’m glad it only had earth and not physical enhancement.”
“No. You misunderstand, Gregory. It had both. That is why it was as fast as it was. All bane beasts have physical enhancement. If they have another magic, it’s in addition to that. The bear having earth magic is rare, so its core will be… exceptional. Have it set aside for your friend Ling. It will be of use in enchanting.”
“Oh… uh, sure,” Gregory said. “On a different topic, about the scroll you lent me on the spirit path? It says that it’s normally masters or grandmasters that can manage it. Is it only them, or can it happen before that?”
“Very rarely has it happened for magi before master tier. It is one of the hidden bonuses of walking the spirit path. A few have suggested that that is why the empire frowns on that path specifically.”
“I can see why…” Gregory murmured. “I haven’t noticed anything like it in my aether cavern yet, but I’ll be keeping a close eye on it.”
“When it happens, it will be obvious, at least from what Sarinia has told me.”
“She’s spirit path?” Gregory asked.
“I cannot say,” Rafiq said, bowing his head.
“Oh, no, that’s fine. I’m sure that shouldn’t be talked about.”
“I’ve told you of my path, and that is already more than any of the archive would ever admit to a magi.”
“With good reason,” Gregory grunted. “Can you assist me later?”
“With?”
“Refilling my ring?” Gregory chuckled softly. “I used most of it.”
“Gladly. Your being able to see the future keeps us all safer.”
“Thank you, Rafiq.”
“Friends help, as a good friend once told me.”
Gregory laughed, grinning down at the smiling archivist.
Chapter Sixteen
The last couple of days marching to Coldwood were calm. The men put in even more effort during evening sparring and morning Peaceful Fist— Gregory’s display of fighting the bane bear had inspired them to do more.
Gregory smiled when they finally reached Coldwood, as the gate sergeant replayed an almost identical copy of the summons he’d gotten in Icelake. Gregory thanked the sergeant, but again decided to go the following day, as it was nearing evening.
~*~*~
Breakfast was delicious, with small omelets and bacon. Barny put in as much effort as he could on their days off, having the time and space to really go all out. The entire unit loved it, and it made the days off between patrols feel even more special. Gregory and Rafiq finished the last of the baked bane bear heart— it’d been potent enough to take three days to consume.
Saying goodbye to Davis, Gregory set out to get errands done before he went to see Magus Artok. His first stop was the bank; he’d given his own vela to pay the men before he left, so he’d use their normal paychecks to pay himself back. The bank in Coldwood was identical to the one in Icelake, used only for the guards and traders who needed to move large amounts of money.
The bank manager, Brenton Linok, was happy to personally assist Gregory with his monthly pay chest. Tea was served as the assistant, a buxom bovine eurtik, went to get the vela. Gregory managed to keep a smile on his face, though very fake, even when Linok slapped the woman’s rear with a leer.
“How have your patrols been, Magi?”
“Mostly quiet. Just a few bane beast attacks, is all.”
“Ah, yes. I’m sure the cost to help your men stay in shape is starting to put some strain on your pay chest.”
Gregory shrugged, not verbally answering Linok, who appeared to be angling toward something.
“I’ve helped other magi in the past who’ve had similar difficulties if you’re willing to be flexible on some topics.”
Gregory took a sip of tea. “Flexible in what ways?”
“Well, you’re supposed to take any slaves you capture to the market for fair sell.”
“That is the law, yes.”
“But if you captured any slaves— ones like my assistant, for instance— I’m sure we could come to an arrangement.”
“Just her type?”
“Oh, no. Anything that has sensuality would be good. She just has the massive chest to get my interest, but if you had a panther, that would work. I’ve seen those sleek ones, but have yet to acquire something similar for myself.”
Gregory managed to keep polite interest on his face, but the internal struggle was intense. “I see… I’m not sure I’ll be bringing any slaves in, but I’ll keep it in mind. The kind you’re asking for would sell for a nice amount.”
“True, true, but then you’d have to wait for the auctions. I’d pay cash in hand upon delivery. I’ll even make sure to cover the bribes for the guards. This way, it’s pure profit for you.”
“That’s an interesting offer,” Gregory said. “I’ll make sure to keep it firmly in mind.”
“Good,” Linok chuckled. “Ah, and here’s my assistant now.”
The slave brought the chest over, kneeling beside Gregory to open it. She wore a thick collar around her neck, clearly a symbol by the manager, as the mark on her chest was visible with her position. Gregory pulled the bags of vela from the chest, absorbing them into his ring with only a glance at the eurtik, mentally lamenting her fate.
Standing up once he had the money, Gregory inclined his head to the manager. “I’m sure we’ll have more to talk about in the future.”
“Excellent. Let me show you out.”
Leaving the bank behind, Gregory was busy formulating the best way to entrap Linok. Yuki would suggest enacting a fake sale to have firm evidence he’s attempting to bribe a magi. That might be the easiest and best route. I should hold off until I start coming down on the slavers… let the first crackdown happen, and Linok might see it as me clearing the competition out. I’ll have to entrap him before the third, or he won’t bite. It’ll be too obvious by then that I uphold the laws. Commander Roberts will be happy to help me, I’m sure, he thought as he walked toward Cleaned Cuts.
~*~*~
The butcher, Blasot Cutter, wasn’t as good as Frenton Block in Icelake, but he was the best Coldwood had.
“Welcome back, Magi,” Blasot said. The owner smiled widely as he put a couple of chests onto the counter. “I have all the meat ready for you. Magus Artok was happy about the gift, but almost demanded that I sell him more.”
“I’m heading to see him next,” Gregory said, opening the chests and pushing the smoked fowl into his ring. “You can keep the chests. I don’t need them.”
Blasot looked into the now-empty chests with a smile. “Gladly, Magi. I wasn’t sure your spatial item could hold them. I know you used it to deliver them, but you might’ve filled it with other things since then.”
“It was an admirable thought, but you can repurpose them.”
“I did want to thank you for your advice on how to prepare bane meat. I’m sure that my business will become even more popular in the future.”
“We should head into the back. I have more for you to work on,” Gregory chuckled.
“Oh, of course. Was it wolves? They’re the commonest of the bane beast we see.”
“It wasn’t,” Gregory said as he led the way into the back room. “It was this, instead.” He summoned the bane bear from his ring, letting it land on the prep station Blasot had.
“A bane bear…?!” Blasot whispered. “Didn’t expect to see another one so soon. If you want the meat to be as good as it can be, I’ll have to use the core on it.”
Gregory pulled out two normal bane cores. “Use these, instead. I’ve already claimed its core and heart.”
“Ah. Yes, sir, Magi. It’ll take me a couple of weeks to prepare all of it.”
“I’m sure. Set aside a tenth of what it produces and have it delivered to Artok, with my compliments.”
“Gladly, Magi,” Blasot agreed.
“I’ll let him know, so he’ll be expecting it.”
“Of course.”
“I’ll see you in two weeks.” Gregory smiled before he left the shop behind.
Blasot watched Gregory go, then wiped his forehead. “I wonder how many of his men died fighting you…?” he murmured before he turned back to the bear.
~*~*~
Gregory took the offered tea with a smile. Sitting back, he sipped from his cup while he waited for Magus Artok. It wasn’t too long a wait before Artok entered the study.
“Adept Pettit, I’m so glad you could visit.”
“The sergeant told me that you required my presence, Magus.”
“Required? He must’ve misunderstood my phrasing. I just wanted to make sure you knew I wanted to talk.”
“I’m glad. I’d been trying to think of what I might’ve done to be summoned.”
Artok laughed as he waved his maid over to make him a cup of tea. “Goodness, no. I just wanted to thank you for your gift of jerky. The butcher informed me that it was from the flock of bane vultures you killed last patrol.”
“Yes. It wasn’t a big flock, but flying enemies can be quite bothersome.”
“Indeed,” Artok smiled, taking the offered cup. “When I went back to inquire about more, he didn’t have any for sale.”
“I can easily remedy that, Magus. I paid for all of the meat to be treated. Besides the portion I had set aside for you, I have the rest of it.”
“I wouldn’t turn down another gift,” Artok smirked over the rim of his cup.
“If your maid can bring me a container for it, I’d be happy to pass some more off to you. It never hurts to have friends.”
“Indeed…” Artok murmured. He drank from his cup, but motioned his maid to go. “How have your patrols been, Adept? I don’t recall hearing about any of your men being wounded by the vultures. I know your reports normally go to the commander, but I was curious.”
“We didn’t suffer any major injuries; my men all carry crossbows. I knew that we might face bane fowl, so we came prepared for it.”
“I can’t think of the last adept who thought that far ahead. You are a true exception, Pettit. I have reports of how far Aether’s Guard has risen back into the ranks of the clans. All of it seems to have started with you.”
