Moral Stand (Aether’s Revival Book 7)

“Thank you, Magi,” the wounded eurtik said, bowing to him before she hobbled off with her two friends.

“Fucking eurtik lover…” Cleamon muttered just loud enough that it carried to anyone near him.

Townson was the one closest to Cleamon, and he turned sharply on him. “Care to say that again?”

Cleamon spat at Townson’s feet. “What are you going to do, pointy-ear? Ain’t a crime to speak.”

“Leave him be, Sergeant. If he acts up, we’ll just add charges when we reach Icelake,” Gregory called out. “As it is, he’s not likely to be able to pay off his fines, meaning he’ll work for the town to pay it off. The more he does, the longer his life won’t be his own.”

“Fitting,” Townson snorted.

“Just like an elf to protect the animals,” Cleamon sneered.

The other surviving slavers kept their mouths shut— they didn’t want to antagonize the armed men who surrounded them. If they behaved, they hoped the magi would lessen the punishment they were facing.

“Everything is packed and ready, sir,” Davis reported to Gregory.

“Attach the chain to the wagon and let’s get moving, Lieutenant.”

“Yes, sir.” Davis turned to Townson. “Attach the chain.”

Cleamon had a moment of hope. Only eurtiks walked beside the wagon, besides the two young men, and wagons always trailed the unit. If he bided his time, he might be able to free himself and get away. They’d not searched him thoroughly, so he still had his spare key around his neck. To keep up the act, he dragged his feet as Townson tugged them over to the wagon, locking the chain to the tie-off ring that horses normally used.

When everyone was ready, Gregory gave the order, and the unit set out. That was when it became clear to Cleamon his plan was doomed to fail. Two units walked on either side of the wagon while the fifth trailed it and them. He’d never seen a magi guard unit keep a wagon in the middle. Gritting his teeth, he silently cursed the magi leading the group.

~*~*~

The march took a little longer than normal, but as they’d skipped the Peaceful Fist that morning, it had them arriving at their usual time. The sergeant on the gate looked leery when Gregory came ahead of his men. The men on the walls had called down that the magi unit had prisoners, which had made the sergeant worry.

“Sergeant Quintas,” Gregory said, waiting for him, “I have four men who broke the slave laws. I have them held on failure to have the proper paperwork, just like the last set. I also have the corpse of the fifth who died to bane wolves. Where do you want the body?”

Quintas blinked slowly, then motioned to the side. “Over there will be fine, Magi. I’ll have them taken in for you.”

“Mind the leader, Cleamon; he’s been looking for a way to escape since he was shackled. He has a key around his neck. I let him keep it before, but you should confiscate it. Also, make sure at least four men escort them to make them less inclined to attempt to run.”

“Yes, sir,” Quintas saluted.

“I’ll be heading to the commander now,” Gregory said, turning as Davis came trotting up. “Lieutenant, get the men settled. I’ll be back to the barracks soon.”

“Yes, sir,” Davis said.

Gregory nudged Legacy over to where Quintas had pointed earlier. With a thought, he summoned the dead man’s corpse from his ring, letting the body fall to the ground. Wide eyes stared at him as he turned Legacy around, then trotted into the town.

Quintas swallowed. He wasn’t sure who scared him more: Gregory or the town magus. Either could end his career or his life casually. Trida wouldn’t stand to help him, either, not after the commander had chewed him out for taking money from the slavers. Looking at Davis, he smoothed his expression. He’d do exactly what he was told. He couldn’t get into trouble if he followed orders.

~*~*~

Gregory nodded to the guard posted outside the command building. Taking the stairs to Trida’s office, he knocked, then entered when called. “Commander, a report for you.”

Trida looked up and sat back in his chair. Gregory was early; his unit wouldn’t normally be in for another day, at least. “Pettit, did you fast march for a day to get an extra day off? You just had a whole week off, didn’t you?”

“We left a day early,” Gregory said, taking a seat. “It’s a good thing that we did, too.” He placed a report on Trida’s desk. “We saved lives on the way here.”

Trida picked up the report. Opening it, he scanned the contents until he got to yesterday. It was obvious he’d slowed down to read it properly. Sighing, he set the scroll on his desk. “Four for failure to have paperwork?”

“Laws are laws, Commander.”

“Yes. I know that, Adept.” The last word was bitten off. Taking a deep breath, Trida calmed himself. “Pettit… why? Why are you pushing this? Didn’t the magus express her displeasure over the last group you arrested?”

“Laws are laws,” Gregory said again. “She might be upset, but even she can’t fault me for enforcing the laws, Commander.”

“I won’t stand in her way when she chastises you.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to. I’ll likely be summoned tomorrow. Even if she doesn’t, I’ll be going to hand her a report. There’s no need for me to hide from her, Commander.”

“The young are always righteous,” Trida sighed. “I wish you the best of luck with the magus tomorrow.”

Gregory heard the dismissal and stood. “Commander, I’ll spare you more trouble. Tomorrow, Davis and I will not attend the evening gathering.”

Trida paused, then extended his hand. “Thank you, Pettit. I hope she’s understanding. You might be piling more work on me, but…” He paused for a moment. “Laws need to be followed. You’re aware they’ll be ignored again next year?”

“That’s beyond me.” Gregory shook Trida’s hand. “It’s a pity, but I’m not the emperor or Aether, so I can’t enforce my will on the country.”

“Very true.”

Gregory left the office with a false smile on his face. Not yet, anyway. When I make myself known in the future, I will break the cycle of slavery.

~*~*~

The men were settling in at the barracks when Gregory arrived. He went to his room, and with Basal’s help, got his armor stripped off. Thanking the young man, Gregory took a seat at his desk and prepared another copy of his report. He felt better handing a copy to Roberts, just in case something happened to his reports in Icelake.

When he finished, he went down to the bathroom. A couple of his men were just finishing up when he entered. He chatted with them as he stripped down, letting his ring take his dirty clothing; he’d hand it off to Basal the way he normally did after the bath.

Scrubbing up, he heard the far door open and close, but ignored it. Soft voices murmured in the outer room, telling him it was more than a single person. Rinsing the soap off, he stood up when the inner door opened.

“Oh! U-uh… s-sir!” Dot stammered and covered herself, her sister doing likewise. “We thought everyone was done already.”

“I didn’t know you took baths before dinner,” Gregory said, ignoring the fact that the pair of cheetah eurtiks were naked. “If I’m embarrassing you, I won’t soak for long.”

“You’re okay if we wash?” Polka asked slowly.

“Mixed bathing happens,” Gregory said as he walked to the tub. “It’s your choice.”

“He’s never shown an interest before,” Polka whispered to Dot. “Not once in over a year.”

Dot took a calming breath, then walked fully into the bathroom. “As long as you’re sure, sir.”

“I am,” Gregory said, sliding into the tub and closing his eyes. “Everything’s okay?”

“Yes, sir. How bad would the attempt to catch me have been?” Polka asked, having not wanted to know before.

“Six men, as I told you before. You’d have gotten away, only losing your money pouch. Not many of them could’ve kept up once you knew what was happening.”

“You know who wanted me hurt?” Polka asked softly.

“I do, but I can’t touch him yet. I’m sure before the year ends, he’ll make another mistake. When he does, I’ll come down on him. I won’t let you two get injured for a foolish man’s pride to be soothed.”

“We appreciate that, Greg,” Dot said as she started pumping water to rinse. “Will you administer Basal’s age day in Krogga?”

“Yes. It’ll still be a little while, but he’ll come of age before the posting ends. Have you two talked over what’ll happen when that day comes?”

“If he’s not a magi, we’ll stay on with the unit. It’ll be different if he is… We’re not sure what we’ll do then, as he wouldn’t be able to take me with him.”

“Not directly, at least. I could let you go to the clan hall in the academy. When he gets past the half-year mark, he could join the clan. Then, you’d be near each other. I’d have to send word to Dia or Bishop so they understood and allow you two to build a relationship. It would be doable, but with hardships.”

“Can I tell him that?” Dot asked, taking a seat to wash.

“Yes. We never know who’ll be blessed, but it’d be easier on you both if he isn’t a magi.”

“It really would,” Polka agreed. “Then, she could stop moping.”

“It’s not moping,” Dot grumbled. “You at least get…” She trailed off.

Gregory chuckled. “I understand that. Dot, you have every right to grumble.”

Polka snickered. “And turn into a red cheetah.”

“Shut up…!” Dot mumbled, her face burning.

“The want and need to resist is difficult,” Gregory said. “Mine with Yuki was only a bit over a half-year. I empathize. I truly do.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll stop needling you. For now, at least,” Polka added.

“Are you doing okay, Greg?” Dot asked.

“I wish the year was done and that I was with my wives again,” Gregory shrugged. “Besides that, I’m doing well. The path is going to get worse for us until we leave.”

“Because this is the second group you’ve arrested. The magus will be upset,” Polka said as she rinsed off.

“Yes. I’ll see her tomorrow, and that’ll be eventful. I haven’t looked ahead yet, so I have no idea how bad it’ll be.”

“We can’t help, Greg,” Dot said as she rinsed off, “but we wish we could.”

“Just keep doing what you’ve been doing and that’ll be enough. You two and Barny have helped a great deal with morale.”

“We’ll be out in a few minutes. Thank you for not making my sister a tomato, sir,” Polka snickered.

Gregory laughed, his eyes still closed with his head leaned against the side of the tub. “I figured you wouldn’t be soaking. I know dinner’s soon. I’ll be out in a bit.”

A grunt came from one of them, followed by Dot saying, “We appreciate it. My sister just needs to be mindful to not poke too much.”

“Didn’t need to elbow me that hard…” Polka grumbled.

Gregory tuned the pair out, thinking back to another pair of sisters he knew who acted a lot like they did. Yuki’s with El and Ria now. I really wonder what they talk about over tea…? Actually… maybe that’s not a good thing to wonder about…