Magi's Path (Aether's Revival Book 3) Daniel Schinhofen (books to read in a lifetime .txt) 📖

a few seconds before Baylyss spoke, “If your mother agrees, I will allow it.”

“When the carriage comes for us in a couple of hours, we’d like her to come with us. If it doesn’t work out, she’ll be brought back. Is that acceptable?” Yukiko asked.

“Yes. Elsa, go gather the children. You will need to explain to them what you will be doing. I will bring the magi to the courtyard myself in a little while.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Elsa said, sweeping off down the hallway.

They watched her go before Baylyss motioned to the front parlor. “In here?” Once they entered the room, Baylyss shut the door. “Please explain this to me?”

“You are aware Greg has foresight,” Yukiko said. “Sometimes, his foresight will let him see years into the future. He has no control over when it happens. He had such a vision about Elsa when she asked about being a maid if she didn’t turn out to be a magi. The vision showed her older, wearing a maid uniform with the clan emblem on it, and welcoming him.”

“I know that it was a home— my home in the future— and not a clan hall,” Gregory added.

“I see...” Baylyss said slowly. “Foresight shows probable futures, not certain ones, correct?”

“Yes,” Gregory admitted, “but when I told her that she’d be welcomed in that position, she smiled brighter than I’ve ever seen. I believe that, unless something drastic happens, it will be the future that comes to be.”

Baylyss looked at the floor for a long moment before exhaling softly. “Very well. It will be harder to keep all the others on task without her, but I will do my best.”

“Maybe it will be easier,” Jenn said. “If they see Elsa rewarded with this opportunity, as I’m sure they will all see it as such, they might strive even harder.”

Baylyss looked up and nodded. “Maybe. I’ll hold to that hope. I should go make sure the children understand she isn’t leaving forever, but just for the tournament. Your clothing is hanging up for you.”

A knock on the front door came just as Baylyss stepped into the hall. She answered it to find the novices standing there. “Welcome back, magi. Please come in and then pardon me. I need to check on the children.”

As Baylyss walked off, the novices gave them questioning looks.

“Elsa might be given the opportunity to learn how to be a lady’s maid,” Yukiko explained. “She’s going to see how the others are handling the news.”

“Do we know the person? Would she be safe and cared for?” Victoria asked intently.

Gregory was surprised at how protective Victoria was, but he cleared his throat. “Yes, and yes. It would be Yuki’s mom.”

It was the novices’ turn to be shocked. Nessa spoke up, “Your mother wants her as a maid?”

“My mother doesn’t even know yet,” Yukiko said. “Step into the room and I’ll explain it. Dear one, why don’t you change and go see the children? We’ll be there shortly.”

“Sure,” Gregory said. “I’ll see you all in the garden.”

Gregory stopped at the entrance to the garden and saw the children sitting in front of Elsa, all of them in their gi already. He waited by the entryway and listened in.

“Now, you will do your very best while I’m gone, right?” Elsa asked them.

“Yes,” they chorused.

“Good. I will do my best to reward you all, but the one who does the very best will get something extra special,” Elsa said.

“Elsa, do you think they’ll let us try when we’re older?” one of the other girls asked hopefully.

“I don’t know,” Elsa said honestly. “If I do become Yuki’s personal maid, they will need someone for Jenn and for Gregory, plus more for the general home... but they’ll only take the very best, so we’ll have to prove that we are the very best, won’t we?”

“Yes,” all of the children said again.

“Okay, now let’s get into our places. They will be here soon,” Elsa said.

Gregory stepped back out of sight for a moment before coming around the corner again. “Oh, you’re all here already. Good. Everyone else will be here in a moment. Are you ready to practice?”

“Yes, Sensei,” they said together.

“Good. I’m sure Baylyss will tell you how we and the novices are doing. Remember to keep up with your training, as well as your chores.”

“Yes, Sensei.”

“Sorry for the delay,” Yukiko said, leading the others into the garden. “We’re going to have Daciana lead today’s meditation.”

All eyes went to Daciana, who was wearing a big grin. “Okay. First stance, everyone.”

Chapter Fifty-three

 

They were bathed and sitting in the front room when a knock came on the door. Elsa had been standing by, so she answered the door within seconds. “Hello, sir. They are waiting for you.”

Yukiko was the first one out of the room. “Lin, it’s good to see you. We’ll be having Elsa come with us.”

Lin glanced at Elsa for a moment and nodded. “Very well, Yu. If you’re ready, the carriage is waiting.”

“We are, indeed,” Yukiko smiled. “How are Mother and Father?” she asked as Lin led them out of the home.

“Good. Missus Bean is with them.”

“She is?” Jenn asked, surprised.

“She is,” Lin replied. “She’s with them at Stabled Hunger.”

“I didn’t expect her to be here, but I’m glad she is,” Jenn said.

Lin was surprised that Elsa had a bag with her, but he took it from her and had one of the footmen lash it to the roof. He gave Yukiko a glance and got a head shake from her, so he kept his questions to himself. Lin closed the door behind the four who got in and went to sit with the driver.

Gregory and Yukiko sat across from Jenn and Elsa. Elsa wasn’t meeting their eyes, looking straight ahead.

“Elsa,”