Chapter 9 – The Passing of the Seasons

The small green-haired girl walked happily down the street, a basket full of carrots in her hands. She made her way through the market, greeting everyone she knew with a joyful grin and sweet words. The spring air made her orange dress flutter prettily as she walked.

Kaito and Luka watched her from a side street partially blocked by a cart full of produce.

"She looks pretty normal to me," Luka stated. Kaito grunted in response.

Gumi was the first person mentioned on the map they had managed to locate. Castelo had disappeared almost five years before from his town, and no one had even admitted to knowing who Arevalo was in the mountain village marked with that name. Kaito and Luka had gleaned two things before they were expelled from both locations; firstly, the villagers in each place didn't enjoy visits from unusual people. Second and more important was the fact that a mage had visited each place, a tall individual with a staff. In the first town he had given his name as Velasco; in the second, he had presented himself as Valdemar.

Gumi seemed safe for the time being. Perhaps she wasn't as powerful as the mystic had hoped. Another possibility was that he was simply waiting for her to develop naturally, since he obviously kept tabs on a number of prospective mages at the same time.

"I wonder if we should just go and ask her if anything odd has happened to her," Luka continued. It was difficult to anticipate her reaction; it might even cause Gumi's relatives to send word back to Oto, when the last thing Luka wanted was for her father to track her down. On the other hand, if Gumi had latent powers, it might be wiser to let her know that the mage was bad news.

"Whatever we decide to tell Gumi, we shouldn't approach her in the open," Kaito replied, a slight somber tone marring his speech. Luka was almost used to it by now; he never again lost his cool as thoroughly as that day in Verdirrama's tower, but a part of his soul had definitely dimmed. She found herself in the curious position of being the cheerful one, trying to fight his sadness with unrelenting optimism. It felt as natural as wearing plate-mail, but at the same time, it was a nice feeling, to know that she was helping him, even if only a little.

"Let's follow her, at the very least we should ask her if Verdirrama has ever showed up here," Luka said and led the way, trying to look as inconspicuous as she could, while keeping an eye on the younger girl.

Their opportunity came soon, thanks to the complicated layout of the seaport. Gumi took what appeared to be a shortcut, which lead her over one of the city's canals. The roofed bridge was sufficiently deserted for Luka to decide calling the girl out loud.

"Excuse me, can we talk with you for a second?"

Gumi turned and gave them a curious look. She didn't seem to recognize them, which made sense. She'd been very young when Lily and she were sent away. "Yes, can I help you?"

Kaito smiled pleasantly. "It's quite a surprise to see someone with hair like ours here. Are you from Oto, by any chance?"

Gumi blushed a bit, evidently impressed by the handsome youth in uniform. "Um, my parents lived there…"

"It's such a beautiful green."

"Th-thank you." The girl played with her basket nervously.

"I'm Kaito and this is Luka. May we know your name?"

"Gumi."

"Nice to meet you, Gumi." Kaito flashed her a big smile, showing, at least in Luka's opinion, some serious acting chops. "This might seem like a strange question, but do you have other special characteristics, aside from the color of your hair?"

"Special characteristics?" Gumi gave him a blank look. "Like what?"

Kaito glanced at Luka. After taking a cautious look at their surroundings, she nodded.

"Don't be scared." Kaito extended one hand. In the palm of his hand, a small blue flame appeared.

Gumi gaped. "Is that…are you mages?"

Luka hadn't considered it that way, but she supposed the label was a useful one. Mages were not exactly the most popular of people, but they were still accepted in most countries of the continent.

"Yes, we are." Kaito masked his surprise at her words pretty well; Gumi didn't seem to notice his momentary hesitation. "We were wondering if you were a mage too."

Gumi looked at the blue flame, mesmerized. "I don't know how to do anything like that! I wish I could, though."

She's probably too young, Luka realized. If magic was somewhat tied to physical maturity, Gumi had at the very least five or six years before she could start worrying about it. Good.

"Are we the first mages you've met?" Kaito asked, a charming smile still firmly affixed to his face.

"Um…a mage visited my uncle's store once," Gumi recalled.

"What was he like?"

"Not a he, it was a lady mage. Orange hair, very kind. I think she was called…Rosamar?" Gumi looked upwards.

Kaito and Luka eyed each other in confusion. "Just she?"

"Yeah."

Luka spied a group of laborers coming closer, and softly touched Kaito's arm. The blue flame vanished, making Gumi pout.

"Um, we're running late for an appointment," Luka lied. "But one last thing, if you don't mind. You haven't heard of your brother lately, have you?" It was a long shot, but it didn't hurt to ask.

Gumi's blank expression returned. "…I don't have a brother, it's just Lily and me."

"…Oh, sorry. Since your name is Gumi and your family is from Oto, I thought your parents were Gakuto Kamui and his wife," Luka tried to sound innocent.

"That's right," Gumi furrowed her brow. "But my brother died with them, years ago." Kaito's and Luka's expression reflected their surprise at this. "What is it?"

"Did your relatives told you that?"

Gumi nodded, now narrowing her eyes with suspicion.

Luka bit her lip. The group of men were very close now, eyeing her with appreciative eyes. Hopefully Gumi wouldn't make a scene, but now Luka was really curious about her reaction.

"Your brother is alive, Gumi. And we're looking for him," Luka confessed before she could change her mind.

Gumi's eyes widened and she dropped her basket, spilling some of the carrots on the wooden planks of the bridge. A couple of the workers stopped the runaway vegetables and handed them back to Gumi before they rolled off the sides of the bridge and into the canal. Gumi thanked them, flustered, and a man patted her head, laughing, before walking away.

Once its contents were secured, Gumi looked up at Luka and Kaito, hugging her basket as if seeking protection. "He's alive?! Gakupo's alive?!"

"As far as we know, yes. We just don't know where he is."

"I have to tell Lily! And my uncle and aunt!" Gumi was practically bouncing with enthusiasm.

"Um, telling Lily is fine, but could you keep it a secret from your uncle and aunt for now?" Kaito interjected. "It's really important." Gumi seemed confused, but nodded after a few seconds.

"Once we find him, we'll come back to visit you, ok?" Luka added.

"Ok!" The girl grinned.

"Thank you for talking with us, Gumi." Kaito said politely. "Have a nice day."

"You too!" Gumi skipped away; going by her expression, she was anticipating telling Lily the good news. Kids are definitely easier to talk with than grown-up villagers, Luka thought gratefully.

"Luka, that Rosamar…? Who do you think that was?" Kaito whispered.

"You know what, that sounds kind of familiar…." Luka extracted the map from her pocket and crouched down, spreading it on the ground. Kaito knelt by her side. Their eyes scanned the names marked all other the paper.

"There!" Kaito's index finger pointed to the name 'Rossemara,' written near the far west of the map, over Lusania. "You think she misheard?"

"Could be. But what does mean?" Were Verdirrama's recruits helping him get more mages? "Just how big is this operation?"

Kaito shook his head, indicating his ignorance. "At least we know Gumi and Lily are ok for the moment."

"Yeah." Not that it helped them get any closer to Gakupo, but it was one less thing to worry about.

"Let's go back to the inn for now. We'll figure out what to do next after lunch." Kaito helped her get up and fold the map again. They walked back to their lodgings at a brisk pace.

Gakupo fell to his knees, clutching his thigh with one hand. Invicto's icy projectile had cut his flesh as if it was butter under a hot knife. Blood poured from between his fingers and fell into the stained floor of the training chamber. It wasn't his first injury of the day, but certainly the flashiest. From her spot near the wall, Maika gasped in anguish, but made no attempt to get near. Invicto had threatened to throw her out if she intervened again.

"Get up," Invicto said. "You have five seconds." Above his raised hand, another volley of projectiles began forming.

"Yes, sir," Gakupo replied, struggling to stand steadily. His hands shook so badly that the sword would've fallen to the ground, were it not magical and part of him. As it was, the multicolored blade's point seemed to be tracing a whimsical figure in the air, instead of aiming straight ahead.

"Defend yourself!" Invicto shouted, and launched his icy crystals towards Gakupo, along with a strong blast of cold air.

Gakupo did his best to guard himself from the attack, but it was too strong. Even after successfully blocking the projectiles themselves, the current of air pushed him off his feet and sent him bouncing and rolling on the floor like a ragdoll, until he collided with the far wall of the chamber.

"You have to block and produce an opposite current of hot air, boy," Invicto instructed him. "You are getting better. Take an hour's rest." The old mage turned around and calmly walked towards the exit of the chamber. He didn't seem all that concerned about the health of his pupil, but that was to be expected. The icy mage didn't waste his limited amounts of kindness and patience on anyone that wasn't Fortunata, his wife.

As soon as Invicto's steps became inaudible, Maika rushed to Gakupo's side to bandage his wounds. "Ma- Gakupo, are you alright?!"

"…I'll survive." Gakupo was still lying in the same position he ended up in, with his eyes closed. Only when Maika began to clean his cuts did he open his eyes, just a smidgen. "I feel so tired I can't focus my eyes." Even when trying to look at Maika's face above him, his eyes seemed to swerve and dance around, uncontrollable.

"Do you want to eat something?"

"No, I wouldn't be able to keep it inside. Just some water, please."

Maika almost tripped as she ran back to the table next to the wall, grabbed a jar of water and a small bowl and returned. She placed the items on the ground and helped Gakupo move into a semi-reclined position, resting against her body. Finally, she filled the bowl and held it to his lips.

"It's so cool…" Gakupo whispered gratefully, after a long gulp. As it was usual when using his powers for a long time, he felt slightly feverish. It didn't help that the days were increasingly warmer. His sunset-colored eye itched; the lachrymal seemed to be insufficient to lubricate it properly some days. He closed both eyes, already falling asleep.

Just a short nap would be enough.

A fresh hand touched his forehead; the skin was subtly rose-scented. There was a slight rumor in the air, and when Gakupo opened his eyes, he saw the trees and plants of Yuu's orchard swaying in the breeze. His head was in Luka's lap. She inclined her veiled head downwards and smiled sweetly.

"You look so beautiful," Gakupo said. Her mother had truly outdone herself with Luka's wedding dress. A queen on her coronation day would've been proud to wear the white and pale pink outfit hugging her body. Hundreds of small beads decorated her bodice, catching the light of the cell's lantern, hanging from a nearby tree, and the silk of her wide skirt caressed his cheek, before expanding all around them like a cocoon of pink flames.

Luka didn't reply; she never spoke to him anymore. She just played with the wild hairs on the top of his head, curling them around her fingers.

"You're going to be happy, Luka. I'm sure of it."

Birds cried out in the distance, foreshadowing rain.

"You need to go, or you'll ruin your dress."

Luka lowered him to the ground and stood. She walked calmly, squeezing her way past the tombs of the cemetery. The wind tossed her veil left and right, like a long transparent banner. It was the last thing to disappear, when she dissolved in the air.

Gakupo looked upwards. The birds were circling above him, huge black shadows against the moon. They always ate his eyes, every single time. He didn't try to run away. He couldn't, not with the branches of the crystal tree pining him to the ground.

"I always try to shelter you the best I can," the tree said, in the whisper of the air blowing past its branches. "You are so ungrateful."

"I didn't mean to bring you harm," Gakupo said. But the crystal tree never listened.

"I wasted my life protecting you."

"I'm so sorry."

"Here they come."

The birds landed all around his head, laughing with girlish voices. The biggest one placed a skeletal claw on his forehead, and dipped its beak. Pain exploded across Gakupo's face once more, and he felt his eye dribbling down his face.

Gakupo jolted awake, his head almost rolling off Maika's lap. He looked around him, groggily. It was a big circular chamber, with many dark spots on the ground, and no windows. "Where am I?"

"Invicto's villa," Maika whispered. "You still have forty minutes more, don't worry." She covered him again with her shawl. She likely had draped it around his body when Gakupo was asleep.

Forty minutes until what? Gakupo couldn't remember. But there didn't seem to be any rush for him to do anything, so he closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep soon after. This time, there wasn't anything concrete hounding him inside his head, just rain and muffled sounds, like conversations heard from a great height. He peacefully let the sounds wash over him together with the water falling from the sky.

"Is it just me or we've been through this before?" Kaito said.

Luka and he were hiding in the bushes, watching yet another isolated building that was supposed to house a mage, in this case the mystic Vardano. The gardens around the old mansion looked much more verdant and fertile this time around, full of flowers and plants basking in the summer afternoon, but the house itself seemed as deserted as Verdirrama's tower.

Like Castelo or Arevalo before her, Blanca was long gone by the time Kaito and Luka reached the barony where she had once lived. But unlike any other place they had visited during the past months, here everyone connected to the baron, or hoping to win his approval, seemed more than eager to brag about how Blanca had been accepted as an apprentice to the great Vardano. Conversely, the common people (or at least the ones willing to speak to Kaito and Luka) were happy that the cruel and haughty daughter of the baron was gone. It wouldn't save them from the oppressive taxes and arbitrary decisions her father made, but it certainly kept the prettier farm boys with their families, instead of locked away in the palace, as entertainment.

"It's kind of amazing that the baron never bothered to check if his daughter and the mage were actually here," Luka commented.

"He doesn't strike me as a particularly wise person, from all we heard," Kaito replied. "Well, let's check this place out." He stepped out of the bushes, and with a casual flick of his arm, summoned a shield of blue flame to hang from his arm. Thanks to months of practice, its corners were much more defined than before.

"I hope he doesn't have any nasty surprises for us," Luka said, moving out to the open. She traced an arc in the air, and a pink bow appeared at the tip of her fingers. She gripped it with a confident grin and produced an arrow of flame. The wooden bow from Asa had long since been pulverized by the strength of her powers, but her own weapon was more than an acceptable substitute.

The grass around the property was luxuriant, so tall it was clear no gardener had trimmed it in many seasons. Luka had difficulties advancing; the thornier plants hidden between the blades insisted on hooking themselves to her skirt. Kaito busted out laughing when she began to kick the plants all around her, in a childish pique of rage.

All of sudden, his laughter was joined by many other voices, high-pitched and distorted. They both looked upwards, surprised.

Many, many dark shadows stared down at them from the roof of the mansion. Without warning, the little beasts jumped down towards them. The limbs were joined by leathery skin, like bat wings, but they were bigger than any critter of that family, and looked vaguely feline in nature. Kaito erected a blue bubble around Luka and him just before the animals could land on them. Undeterred, the creatures began scratching at the barrier, laughing and muttering in some strange language.

"Luka!"

"On it!" While Kaito kept the barrier in place, Luka began shooting the beasts one by one. For whatever reason, his shielding abilities weren't affected by her arrows; they just passed through harmlessly.

Arrow after arrow after arrow, a wall of smelly dark meat began forming around them. The only thing the beasts had going for them was persistence and numbers. But their numbers trickled down pierced by her attack, until the last burning body fell. Unfortunately, the smoking grass outside the barrier finally caught fire under the corpses, threatening to spread to the mansion and the nearest trees.

"Oh, no!" Luka gasped.

Without hesitation, Kaito grabbed her free hand. "Make the bow go away!"

Luka obeyed, and Kaito molded his powers into shimmering cocoons of blue flames for them both, like Gakupo had done subconsciously that night many months ago in Oto. Luka had yet to manage anything like that, but Kaito had reproduced the effect just by hearing her description.

"Let's take a look inside, before it burns down!" Kaito pulled her forward, and they jumped over the dead beasts. Kaito's flames made short work of the entrance door, revealing a dusty and bare interior.

The trail was older and difficult to see, but Luka spied the signs of two sets of footsteps, walking towards the door on the left. "That way!" She pointed, and they both zipped through the air thanks to Kaito's powers.

Like in the tower, there was little inside of the room behind the doors, just some documents and another map. The only difference was some sort of small rounded platform in the middle of the room, inscribed with mysterious symbols.

Kaito dissipated his flames, and he and Luka began to gather the papers on the desk. In preparation for something like this, Luka had brought a satchel, so while she placed everything that seemed of use inside, Kaito took down the map and hastily placed it inside of one of his pockets. The creaking of flames roared near.

"What do we do with that?" Luka pointed outside when Kaito grabbed her hand once more.

"There's nothing we can do," Kaito shook his head. "Nothing except get out of here fast!"

Luka frowned. But he was right, they had to get to the horses before anything happened to them. She gave a last look to the room around her, before nodding. "Let's go!"

It was a shame they didn't have the time to investigate the platform in the middle of the room. Luka hoped dearly it wasn't important.

Verdigris and Gakupo were in the older man's study, one autumn afternoon. The mystic was quizzing him, like he did each week since he started his training.

"And what is this?" Verdigris lifted a bottle, making the liquid swirl slightly inside. The top of the brew was reddish with purple flecks, the bottom a clear golden. He was sitting behind a desk with several potions lined on a row.

"Arra's Lethargic Brew," Gakupo answered promptly. He was standing a few steps away, his hands formally folded behind his back.

"Very good. The only one you mistook was this one." Verdigris lifted a slim bottle of green liquid. He casually uncorked it and took a sip. "Mint liquor. Sim Pace Poison is much thicker in consistency. Still, you did well."

"Thank you, master."

"Come here." Verdigris stood, and when Gakupo moved closer, he placed a hand around his shoulders. "Walk with me."

They exited Verdigris' study and crossed one of the adjacent laboratories. A couple of servants in charge of monitoring ongoing experiments bowed deeply as they passed.

Verdigris didn't seem to be in any particular hurry to speak. Only when they reached a terrace overlooking the palace's gardens did he break his mutism. "You've done very well during your time here, my boy. Your teachers speak highly of you."

"I'm glad to hear it, master," Gakupo said politely. In truth, the only times when he felt anything approximating joy was when he visited Rossemara's house. The classes were often fascinating, but together with the magical training left him in a persistent state of numb weariness, not helping his mood.

"I know that your life here is rigorous," Verdigris stated. As usual, he always seemed to know what Gakupo was thinking. "But it's only because I'm placing a lot of my hopes on you. One day I'll be gone, and if our nation is to grow, it will need a competent leader in charge."

"Me? But what about the Five?" It hardly seemed fair to Gakupo that the youngest, more inexperienced mage would be the one to rise to the top.

"Blanca is too emotional and egocentric, I'm afraid. Castelo would let his animals run through the streets goring the commoners if left to his own devices. And Invicto…well, he's old and cares nothing about this nation. He just knows my deal with him is good. But if he thought he could get a better arrangement elsewhere, he'd leave without a second look," Verdigris rattled off with an unusually grim expression of his face, leaning on the balustrade.

Gakupo tilted his head. "What about Arevalo and Rossemara?"

"I'm afraid they fall into the opposite end of the scale. They are too selfless and good-natured to be effective rulers. You wouldn't think so of Arevalo, given her lineage, but it's the truth."

"You want someone that can lead Alm-Ardjalus into war," Gakupo said softly.

"Indeed." Verdigris studied his expression. "War is necessary sometimes, Gakupo. Think of your home town, full of backwards peasants. It's not their fault, true. The lords in their far away castles prefer to keep them ignorant, shackled by the convenient chains of the church. We can help the common people. We can give them a better tomorrow…and we can make sure no other child is persecuted because of the circumstances of his birth."

"I don't know what to do," Gakupo fixed his eyes in the reds and yellows of the autumn foliage below.

"Oh, you don't have to do anything but study just yet." Verdigris smiled. "We won't start our campaign against Shinwa until the coming spring, and I don't expect you, or anyone but Invicto and me to lead any attacks. At the very worst, Rossemara might need to lend us a hand when we destroy their capital."

"Shinwa? But Oto-"

"Oto is a protectorate of Shinwa, of course. They must be conquered as well." Verdigris lifted his eyebrows, seeing the shock in Gakupo's face. "Son, don't tell me you pity them, not after all they did to you!"

"It doesn't make me happy to see anyone suffer." The people of Oto were nothing but an amorphous mass screaming in the back of Gakupo's mind, a raging thing that plagued his nightmares at times. Still, the idea of their destruction brought him little satisfaction. He just wanted to forget they existed.

"You won't have to see it." Verdigris patted him paternally on the head. "The city will be cleansed, and become a productive part of our nation. By the time you visit it, Oto will be a completely different place."

"But what about…" Gakupo trailed off. He hadn't said their names aloud in a while. It didn't seem right, not inside the walls of this palace.

"There's no one left in Oto that cares about you, Gakupo. They all hate you. Don't waste your time thinking of them."

"Yes, master." Gakupo replied after a small pause and lowered his head. He doesn't care about your opinion. And neither would they, for that matter. You are nothing.

"Good lad. I truly wish I had a son like you." Verdigris ruffled his hair. "Milena must have the tea ready by now, come."

"Happy birthday, Kaito!" Luka moved out of the way, so her friend could see the small table covered with a blue tablecloth: in the center, she had placed her gift for him: a sugary dessert made from shaved ice, cream and wild berries.

Kaito did his best to act surprised, hard as it was to ignore that Luka had been preparing his 'party' for the last couple of days. "Wow, thank you Luka!" He grabbed the bowl of unhealthy delight and a spoon, and sat on his bed to taste it. Luka sat across him in her own bed, observing him with a small smile. He really seemed to like it.

Outside, the world was covered in snow. The winter was harsher this year, so they had been forced to spend the last couple weeks holed up in an inn. Luka helped the owner around in the kitchen, while Kaito did odd jobs around town. They were posing as brother and sister, to avoid unwanted questions.

To pass the time, Luka took out the map from her satchel. It was the tower's map, although the differences with the mansion's map were very small. The mansion's map didn't have Gakupo's or Gumi's names on it, and there were a couple of scratched out names on it that weren't present on the other.

"We're running out of places to search," Kaito commented. Luka realized the presence of the map was spoiling the festive mood and silently grimaced. "It's hard to believe that we've been at this for almost two years," Kaito continued, shaking his head.

"Well, I can believe it. You actually look like you belong inside of that uniform now." Luka replied drily. As she hoped, Kaito let out a short laugh.

"I wish my father could see me…" His words were nostalgic and affectionate. The ache was still there, even if its edges were finally dulling slightly with time. But now Kaito could look back and smile at the man in his memories. "I hope he'd understand why I'm doing this."

"I'm sure he would." Luka's eyes travelled downwards to the map. "Besides, this is not a bad life."

"That's true. We've seen some nice vistas during our travels, haven't we? If Gakupo were here with us, I'd have nothing to complain about."

Luka sighed without thinking, at the mention of that name. He was never too far from her thoughts, especially when bad weather confined them in one place like this. In any case, Kaito was right; they were running out of clues. They had practically visited every major power of the continent by now, with the exception of Alm-Ardjalus. She tapped that last name distractedly. The capital was beautifully decorated with a small gilded emblem, a staff surrounded by stars. As she observed the emblem, a vague idea began forming in Luka's mind.

"…Kaito, let me see the other map." she said in a veiled tone. Kaito gave her a curious glance, but stopped eating long enough to reach inside his coat and pull out the folded paper. Luka accepted it with slightly trembling fingers. She turned it around, and sure enough, the mapmaker's logo was identical in both maps. More importantly, it was a variation of the emblem adorning the capital of Alm-Ardjalus.

"It can't be…can it?" Luka whispered.

By now, Kaito had put the dish aside and was watching her expression with some anticipation. "What is it?"

"Kaito, these maps have no names inside the territory of Alm-Ardjalus," Luka said.

"…Yes," Kaito cocked his head to a side. It was one of the first things they've noticed. "Didn't you say that perhaps there have been no magical phenomena in that area?"

"Or maybe Verdirrama doesn't need subterfuge to keep tabs on the prospective mages in that country," Luka said. "Maybe he's perfectly aware of what's going on inside its borders."

Kaito stared at her for a few seconds. "Are you saying his main base of operations is there?"

"Look at the mapmaker's logo," Luka showed him the back of the maps, then the emblem marking the capital city. "It could be a coincidence, but maybe the maps were first produced in the capital."

"What do you know of Alm-Ardjalus?" Kaito asked after a pause. "I should've paid more attention in class…I barely remember anything about them."

"They are ruled by some kind of autocrat, I think. He killed the king around thirty years ago," Luka replied. "But I doubt the teachers ever explained us their inner workings. It's not like they are allied with Shinwa."

Kaito rubbed his chin. "I'll go talk with the traders back down in the docks. Maybe someone has been there, and can tell me more details."

Luka tried to get her hopes in check, but it was too late. They were already growing, telling her to pack everything up and leave town. He's waiting, he's waiting for us.

Winter was finally over. Already the days were pleasantly warm, and many sprouts were beginning to dare the open air, rising from the soil of the palace's gardens. The campaign against Shinwa was about to start.

Gakupo watched the cloud-covered sky from his window, wrapped in a bathrobe. From time to time, a gust of wind toyed with his hair and made him shiver momentarily. But the weather was expected to improve later in the day.

The bedroom door opened and Maika walked in pushing her cart. She stopped and stared at him, surprised. "You still aren't dressed? Is there something wrong?"

Gakupo shook his head. It wasn't nearly as often as before in Oto, but there were still days when he simply had no desire to move or do anything. It wasn't physical tiredness exactly, but something much more difficult to define or explain. Wearily, he sat at the table and watched Maika set their plates and cups for breakfast. By sheer repetition, he had forced her to get used to the idea of eating in front of her master. Before she sat across him, she suddenly leaned over and kissed him, giggling. He kissed her back, mechanically. As long as it made her happy, it didn't particularly bother him, meaningless as the act was.

"Today's parade is going to be so exciting!" Maika enthused once she settled in her chair. "Finally Master Verdigris is making his move!"

"You're looking forward to the invasion? Why?"

"Why?" The young woman stared. "Oto deserves to be destroyed, after what they did to you!"

"What good is that going to do? They can't hurt me anymore," Gakupo said, trying to smile in a carefree way.

"It's justice!" Maika replied adamantly. "Anyone that harms you must die!"

"Maika..." Gakupo sighed. For a brief time, he had been hopeful that contact with specimens such as Blanca would convince Maika that mages weren't something to be idolized. But all that had achieved was focusing her devotion on him, as if he was some sort of pinnacle of his kind. Verdigris' plans of making Gakupo his successor had all but cemented her views.

There was no point in arguing with her, Gakupo decided. "I suppose it can't be helped," he admitted, eating his breakfast without any enthusiasm. "The invasion of Shinwa is going to happen whether I like or not."

"It's for the greater good." Maika said with satisfaction. "My lord mage is too kind and generous to see it just yet. They must die."