Chapter 19: Friends

Albaric stepped out of the court. As he did, the wizard emerged from the opposite direction. Albaric intended to walk past without paying him any attention. However, the moment they walked past each other, the wizard said under his breath:

"Keeping the court sufficiently entertained?"

Albaric halted in his tracks looking back with contempt.

"And you? What do you need to say to the Emperor that can't be said in court?"

"Hmmm, what could it be?" the wizard provoked.

Albaric gritted his teeth, "I don't know what has happened to you in the years I've been gone, or since when you go at the beck and call of the Emperor, but this isn't who you are!"

The wizard's spiteful smile faded for but a second before he walked on without answering. Albaric released a tense breath as he too marched on. He came out at the foot of the courtyard. Through the rim of autumnal trees, he could see Ace seated beside someone in the garden. He began walking towards them.

As he approached, he was spotted. Ace stood to greet him. The person at his side hastened to depart. However, Albaric knew her from the back of her head as she strolled away through the gardens.

"What are you doing with that woman?" Albaric interrogated.

Ace was taken back by the force to which the question was put. As usual, he retracted a little into silence.

"I mean," Albaric added, this time more hospitably, "Are you sick? Is that why you're with the healer?"

"No," Ace answered reticently.

Albaric regretted his initial line of enquiry and tried to remedy the mood, "We'll along as nothing is wrong. That's good,"

"Do you know sister Leila?" Ace enquired.

Albaric inwardly chastised himself. He knew full well that Ace's keen observation wouldn't miss his apprehension towards her. This time, he decided against any long explanation that might rouse more questions.

"Yeah, I don't like her," Albaric answered truthfully, "You should be careful around her,"

Ace suspected Albaric had been jilted by her sometime before. It was only on such occasions, he observed Albaric would become sulkily unyielding when it came to a woman. However, this didn't usually last more than a week or so. He suspected their relationship might have been something deeper than the others.

Ace nodded and tried to change the subject, explaining he had just been training with the wizard.

"How is it going?" Albaric asked.

"It's finally starting to pay off," Ace said and he then revealed how he had finally been able to produce some magic. Albaric's face warmed and he went on excitedly:

"That's great! That's what you wanted, isn't it?" Albaric smiled but then he paused, "You don't look happy about it,"

"I am," Ace replied flatly, "I just wish I could learn faster,"

"It comes with time, Ace," Albaric encouraged, "Considering you've been at a disadvantage, you've already made great progress,"

Ace rallied and nodded with a small smile. Albaric had a way of brightening anyone's mood.

"Actually, there's another reason I came to find you," Albaric confessed, "Now that I've done my part, I've been relieved of duty so to speak. The contract has been fulfilled. I'm planning to go back to the east,"

Ace's heart sank, though it didn't show on his face. He looked over at Albaric who appeared to be waiting apprehensively for his reaction.

"I know you don't like it here," Ace said at length, "I understand."

Albaric gave a relieved nod and sheepish smile, "but you know, if anything, and I mean anything, no matter how small happens - if you change your mind about staying here - you can always send for me or come find me,"

"I know," Ace answered. At that moment, he regretted the cruel words he had said to Albaric before. It had been a long time since he trusted someone as he did Albaric. He reminded him of Sena. He was like an older brother.

"Albaric," Ace swallowed hard, "Thank you,"

Albaric was caught off guard. His lips parted in surprise.

"Thank you for everything," Ace smiled a wide toothy grin.

Albaric let out a light laugh, he playfully patted Ace on the shoulder and nodded. Ace watched him go with a mixture of melancholy and trepidation. The Capital seemed an even more daunting place without the Sword Saint as an ally.

Nevertheless, after his conversation with Leila, Ace was more determined than ever. Though he would miss the sword saint, it was better this way. Ace knew he would only be disappointed if he knew the truth.

Over the next few weeks, Ace continued under the tutelage of the wizard. The lessons were hard and he felt more alone than ever. Occasionally, he would meet Bird for lunch and that would serve as some relief.

However, the rest of the students had only grown more hostile to him since the Sword saint had left. One afternoon, after a session with the wizard, he was waiting in the courtyard for Bird. It was lunchtime and the other students were strolling the grounds.

Ace was sitting under the shade of the tree by himself. It was one of those warm autumn days that still harboured a touch of summer. The mood of the courtyard was strangely calm. Though most of the students were out, everyone was talking in low whispers.

Ace's presence sometimes had that effect though usually not to the extent of the entire student body. Nevertheless, he took his jacket off and laid it down beside him. Between the warmth and mellow sun, Ace felt tired. His eyes began to flutter and he briefly closed them. He was listening to the sound of the birds overhead and gently nodded off.

However, within a few seconds of resting his eyes, his throat was jarred with the smell of smoke. His eyes opened as he coughed back black fumes. He turned to his jacket to see it engulfed in flames. It had been right beside him.

He rose immediately to stamp out the fire. The fire was more hardy than he expected. The flames lapped at his feet scolding him and he recoiled. Ace glanced back. To his surprise, all the students in the courtyard were watching. Not one offering any assistance. They all seemed more interested in seeing what he would do.

Ace inhaled a sharp breath. He didn't have the power to put out the fire with magic. He considered what he ought to do: Clearly no intended to help him. Still, If he called for the wizard, no doubt it would only make the student's retaliation more aggressive.

He was watching the fire apprehensive when suddenly, the air began to tremble. A rush of wind engulfed the courtyard. Some of the students gasped in surprise. The wind hurtled towards Ace. At first, he feared it might be another trick.

Thankfully, the wind passed him without harm. The fire was extinguished instantly. Ace breathed a sigh of relief. He turned back to see Bird walking towards him with a welcome smile.

"Oh? Were you waiting long?" He said with his usual good-humour.

"No," Ace laughed. He couldn't help it. Bird had a smile to offer no matter the situation.

Bird stared down at the fire for a minute. He was still examining it as he held out a hand. With a beckoning gesture, a student on the other side of the courtyard was hurtled forward. A ferocious wind drawing him forward. It was a buff looking young man with freckles and red hair. He was roughly ferried to Bird's feet at such a start, he hit the ground beside them.

Bird's eyes fell to him with his usual mischievous grin. However, there was a hint of something serious in his eyes.

"Senior," the boy entreated Bird, "It was an accident!"

"How can it be an accident?" Bird laughed, "Have you been casting magic in your sleep?"

The boy shook his head vigorously, "I was casting magic nearby and his coat caught fire."

"You know it's forbidden for juniors to cast magic outside of classes," Bird waved a fingered chastising. He knelt down beside the boy and added with a tone more vicious than Ace had ever heard from Bird:

"You BROKE the rules. Be grateful I'm the one that caught you. You know what the punishment is, I'll see you at the end of the day,"

The boy's face drained of colour. His head was still shaking instinctively. Bird stood back up and turned to Ace with a smile.

"Shall we?" Bird gestured.

Ace had suggested they eat in the gardens. The rest of the students seemed significantly hastier in their departure than usual as the bell tolled. They all dissipated as Bird and Ace set off.

Once they arrived, Bird bit into his sandwich hungrily. Ace watched him at length before asking:

"What is the punishment?" Ace enquired. It had remained on his mind during the duration of their walk.

Bird was intently feasting on his sandwich, he answered with his mouth still full.

"You don't need to worry about it, Ace. It doesn't apply to you,"

Ace nodded, still feeling uncertain about it all. He looked down at his own lunch but he didn't have an appetite. Bird cast him a wayward glance. He looked determined to say something when something else caught his attention and his eyes peeled up.

Sister Leila was passing through the gardens. Ace had seen her again several times since the sword saint had left. She greeted them with a polite nod but didn't stay to chat as she usually did. She continued along the garden paths until they couldn't see her anymore.

"A friend of yours?" Bird enquired.

Ace was a bit surprised by the question, "Yeah," he answered instinctively. A 'friend'. He didn't know how else to describe their relationship. Over the weeks, he had unconsciously come to think of her that way. She offered him advice he couldn't get from anywhere else and he appreciated her insight.

"Really?" Bird said, partly amazed but more so intrigued, "What's it like being friends with a princess?"

Ace's brow furrowed, "What are you talking about?"

"Isn't that woman the Emperor's sister?"