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

aren’t different in layout in my opinion, but the company vastly improved them.”

“Hmm, you have a point,” Ling nodded. “Not needing to look over your shoulder made it much more relaxing.”

Daciana barked a short laugh. “Reminds me of when Lucy grabbed my tail while we were bathing and commented about my heritage.”

“You could have gotten in trouble for that,” Nessa hissed at her, glancing at Lightshield.

“Intolerance is an ugly thing,” Lightshield sighed. “Alas, it is commonplace.”

That dimmed the conversations around the table for a bit, and they finished their dinner during that lull. Ravol and the other staff members, besides Murium, gathered the dirty dishes. Murium excused herself, as did Inda and Indara, leaving the clan members and Gin at the table with their guests.

“Now that dinner has come to an end, we should speak on why you are here tonight,” Lightshield said. Seeing that he had their attention, he smiled. “Each of you has expressed interest in the clan, but there are two reasons we do not accept people readily.” He paused. “Do you know what those are?”

“The other clans might try coming after us to hurt your clan,” Nessa said first.

“That is one of them.”

“Belief in Aether,” Ling said softly. “We’ve studied the clan, Elder. The driving force behind Aether’s Guard is the idea that Aether will return. When that happens, the clan will be there to guard him from his enemies. To truly belong, you have to believe that Aether will return and be ready to stand beside him...” Ling licked her lips, causing a brief pause before she rushed on with, “No matter who stands against him.”

Lightshield smiled at her. “That is the second. Well done, both of you.”

Nessa and Ling bowed their heads to him.

“Now, what I need to ask each of you is a very serious question, and I want you to answer one at a time. Do you believe?” he asked with reverence.

“Yes,” Daciana said when he looked at her. “Aether will return, and I will be his fangs if needed. There is an old myth in my family that we once stood at Aether’s side, and that has passed down every generation since. It was the first reason I wanted to join the clan.”

“I see,” Lightshield said, a smile touching his lips briefly. “There are other reasons, but I will not pry into those.”

Daciana blushed and looked at the table. “Thank you, Elder.”

Nessa exhaled slowly when Lightshield looked her in the eyes. “Elder, I’m sure you know that those with eurtik blood are barely tolerated at best, and used or killed at worst, by most of the other clans. Aether’s Guard has always been different. I’ve looked long and hard into the clan, and I can find nowhere when people like me and my friends were treated similarly by this clan. I pray that Aether, when he returns, will take that ideal and make it shine out over the entire world.”

“That is my hope. One of them, at least,” Lightshield replied.

Victoria blinked when Lightshield looked at her, and her eyes went to Gregory briefly. “Elder, I’ve always wanted to see the world. I prayed to Aether for years, as being a magi was the easiest way to accomplish my goal. A little over a year ago, that changed. My only goal now is to be the best I can be, and I hope that Aether may cast his gaze my way in time. I will serve him faithfully and will always put his needs above my own.”

Gregory blinked at Victoria’s wording, and he felt his aether flare briefly.

“Yes, I can see it in your eyes,” Lightshield said softly. “That is devotion. When he returns, I am sure he will be very glad that you are there for him.”

Ling swallowed when Lightshield shifted his gaze to her. “Elder... I don’t know if I believe as deeply as the novices do. For that, I am sorry. What I do know is that six months ago, I had only one friend, Clover.” She put her hand on Clover’s for a second. “She was my only solace during the first year... now, I have more friends, friends who have helped guide us and helped us grow. We’ve grown faster since we’ve met our peers in the clan. At times, I almost felt like Aether himself had taken notice of us... I want to join the clan to repay him, and to stay with my friends.”

“Me, too,” Clover said before anyone else could speak. “I want to be here with my friends, too. I don’t know if it’s Aether, but I do know it’s Greg and Yuki and Jenn that have pushed us and encouraged us to do better. I want that. I want to be with them so much.” Her tone was pleading at the end.

Lightshield chuckled softly. “Honesty is always welcome here. Each of you spoke the truth, as you feel it to be, which leaves me with only one last question— why did I invite you all here together, instead of as separate groups? I could have asked just you two, or you three, here on different days. So why did I do this?”

The five guests all looked at each other, wondering if one of the others knew.

When no one spoke after a minute, Lightshield spoke again, “In the future, there was the chance for ill will. Each of you might have felt slighted that the others got in before you.” He held up a hand when Nessa and Ling started to speak. “I have foresight. There are very people who have that magic. When I say there could have been ill will, I know of what I speak. This is why I had you all come tonight. You were able to speak to each other, interact, and hear why each wishes to join the clan. It is my