Magi's Path (Aether's Revival Book 3) by Daniel Schinhofen (motivational books to read txt) 📕

Yukiko said softly. “When we arrive, stay in the main room until I call for you.”

“Yes, mistress,” Elsa said.

“I expect my mother to agree, but there’s a chance she will not. If not, you’ll be returned to Gin’s.”

“I understand, mistress.”

“Very well.”

“We need to speak with Ramon and possibly Gufta today,” Gregory said.

“We can talk to Ramon after brunch. Gufta might not show up until it’s almost time to leave,” Yukiko replied. “We can leave a message for him, if nothing else.”

“I wonder what our elder has up his sleeve for tonight?” Jenn asked.

“Good question, but only he knows,” Gregory chuckled. “We’ll find out when we return to the clan hall.”

~*~*~

Arriving at Stabled Hunger, they followed Lin inside. The taproom was half-full, with the Warlin guards being the only patrons in the place. When they entered, Ramon looked over at them with a hopeful expression.

“Ramon, after brunch, can I talk with you for a few minutes?” Gregory asked as they crossed the room.

“Yes, of course,” was his quick reply.

Gregory gave him a nod as he trailed the others into the hall. Elsa watched them go and moved to the side, taking a seat. She cast furtive glances at the armored men, who kept glancing at her, trying to puzzle out why a maid had come with the others. Taking slow, deep breaths, Elsa tried to center herself— she would have faith in Yukiko.

Lin knocked on the door and opened it a moment later. “Sir, your daughter, son-in-law, and Jenn Bean.”

“Jenn Pettit,” Jenn corrected him as she entered the room, giving her mother a worried smile.

“Oh, you married?” Umbrose asked, rising to her feet. “I’m so happy for you!” She came around the table and hugged her daughter.

“Well, it seems our family has grown again,” Yoo-jin smiled. “Everything has been good with you?” she asked Yukiko.

“We’ve been wonderful together,” Yukiko replied.

“You’ll take good care of my daughter, right?” Umbrose asked Gregory.

“Yes, ma’am,” Gregory replied. “I was hesitant at first, but everything has been wonderful since I accepted their proposition. Jenn is the second most important person in my life.”

Umbrose let go of Jenn, went around the table, and pulled Gregory into a hug. “She spoke so highly of you, Gregory. If you’re even half the man she said you are, then I know she’ll be happy for her entire life.”

Gregory blinked and lightly hugged his mother-in-law back. “I’ll try to be more than she said.”

“You’d have to be a god to come close to that,” Umbrose laughed.

Gregory’s expression went blank for a second before he laughed, too. “I’ll just have to try harder, then.”

Umbrose let him go and hugged Yukiko. “Please take care of her. I know you’re the primary wife in this relationship, but please, treat her well.”

“I will love her only slightly less than our husband, and I do mean slightly, Mother,” Yukiko said softly.

Hao rubbed at his chin. “This is highly unusual, I’m sure, but my Yu is happy, so I can say nothing against it.”

“Thank you, Father,” Yukiko said.

Umbrose let her go and they took their seats.

“Before we get too involved, I had a request, Mother,” Yukiko said. Seeing Yoo-jin focus on her, she went on, “I was hoping you’d do me a favor and take on a maid-in-training while you’re here.”

Yoo-jin’s lips pursed. “Tell me the story, please?”

Yukiko exhaled slowly. “Very well. This might take a while. Lin, can you tell Vana to hold off for a bit, please?”

“Of course,” Lin said, stepping out of the room.

“The one I hope you will train is Elsa…”

~*~*~

It took her some time to tell the story, including her reasoning. Yoo-jin looked thoughtful after Yukiko finished. “Hmm... it has been a long time since I’ve had to train a maid. You are sure she will take this seriously?”

“She will,” Gregory said. “Elsa is determined, almost as determined as I was about becoming a magi when I was her age. She knows that if she doesn’t give everything she has, it stops instantly.”

“I will try, then,” Yoo-jin said. “Do you want me to be as strict as possible?”

“She wants to learn what it means to be a lady’s maid, but only has minor training as a housemaid. She’ll make mistakes, but she will learn and not repeat them. You don’t have to be overly strict, just be firm with her. Please, Mother?”

“Very well,” Yoo-jin said. “Dear one, is this acceptable to you?”

Hao had listened the entire time, clearly thinking. “Hmm... at the end of the year, you all leave to train with your men. After that, you’ll be given your adept posting, and then your magus posting. There will be seven years where you won’t be here to check on her or the others.”

“That’s right,” Gregory said, wondering where Hao was going.

“I was thinking ahead. Pardon me,” Hao said. “I am fine with this trial.”

“Thank you,” Yukiko said, looking back at Lin. “Lin, please tell Elsa to attend us and let Vana know we’re ready.”

“Of course.”

There was a knock on the door a minute later. After a few seconds, it opened and revealed Elsa, with Lin behind her. Elsa entered the room and came over to stand beside the table, looking at Yoo-jin. “Mistress, I’m Elsa Bommet. Thank you for this opportunity.” She dipped into a curtsy.

“Elsa, my daughter asked me to give you this chance. I will explain things to you one time only, and I expect you to accomplish the tasks. If there is any confusion, you may ask for clarification, but my daughter has said you are intelligent, so I’m sure those questions will be few. If you repeat a mistake, I will be displeased. From this moment until the time we leave the city, you will be my personal maid. Normally,