73 A Show 1 (1/2)

”Is there any reason for me to be dressed like a puffed up cho-beast?” Etenani grumbled at Nikolai's side, pulling on the ruffled collar of his formal robes. Clean shaven and bathed, the old man's regal features were on full display. Nikolai had always ignored the tales of his Master's youth, refusing to believe someone so sloppy and untrustworthy could have been a heartthrob, but the considering glances Etenani received from the female members of his convoy forced him to reconsider.

A little.

”You think you can approach my family dressed like a bum? Be glad you're even allowed to participate old fool.” Natalia waved her cane from the other side, the sinister staff far too close for Nikolai's comfort. Settled comfortably in Nikolai's newest wheelchair prototype, she was the perfect image of an Imperial Duchess. Decked in the finest jewellery and latest fashion from the capital, everything from her sharp gaze to her impossibly convoluted hairstyle proved her pedigree. How she was able to create such an appearance on the road without Magic was baffling. He'd already scanned her with Mage Sight to make sure it wasn't an illusion.

Nikolai's skin tingled with a familiar surge of Magic and he took a step back, sighing as the earth around his Master rippled in time with his displeasure. ”Why do you think you can dictate where I'm allowed to go hag? I have every right to be here. More than you anyway. He's my apprentice.” Etenani's robes flowed ominously under the power of his Magic. It was an old trick Etenani used to awe his opponents. Unfortunately, against Natalia it was useless.

Bluffs didn't work on Truth Seers.

”Act up! Make a move against a helpless old woman. Master Mage you may be, but don't for a moment think you can bully me.”

”Bully?” The ripples dissipated and Etenani tugged at his collar in discomfort. ”I'm simply explaining the situation. You can't stop me.”

”Oh?” Natalia's eyes narrowed dangerously, glowing with faint hints of her power. ”Your status as the boy's Master won't protect you.”

”Your status as the boy's future aunt won't protect you.” Etenani growled in return.

Nikolai sighed again. He couldn't understand how these two ended up arguing. By all measures they should have gotten along wonderfully, yet somehow, sparks exploded the moment they met, like two beast kings being forced together on a hill. Elya had vanished at the first sign of trouble, hugging Nikolai for a moment before dashing away. In a way, her trembling figure should have warned him of the potential disaster.

”Master. Aunt. Please calm down. Both of you are very important to me so please try to get along.”

”Stay out of this boy!” They both shouted, fixing him with identical glares.

”You two really are the same. Should have gotten along nicely.” He mumbled under his breath, hanging his head at their expressions.

”This hag has pushed me since we met. If I don't resolve this now, my name isn't Zengari Etenani!”

Nikolai rolled his eyes at Etenani's antics. His Master's first name was Coursouz.

”Who's the one who drank all my wine without even asking?” Natalia roared, almost jumping out of her wheelchair.

”It was a tot that came from MY APPRENTICE's supplies!”

”Which YOUR APPRENTICE gifted ME!” Natalia jabbed out with her cane and Nikolai retreated another step, almost bumping into his own wide-eyed apprentice.

Jarek cast a pleading gaze towards him, tugging on Nikolai's sleeve with his free hand, the other wavering under the weight of Nikolai's ceremonial sword. ”Khan.” He whispered. ”I'm scared.”

”I told you to call me Master!” Nikolai hissed, suppressing his voice to a murmur, afraid the bickering elders would focus on him again. ”And I'm also scared. Let's get out of their way.” As the argument escalated, Nikolai pulled Jarek towards the lounging War Mages standing just out of earshot.

Except Nikolai, no one was idiotic enough to act as peacemaker.

”Looks like Iron-Head's in great form today.” One of the Mages quipped, smirking at Nikolai's frustrated expression.

”It's Iron-Hand, Zhenya.” Nikolai replied with a dark glare.

”Could have fooled me.” Zhenya mumbled, continuing to polish his War Staff. He was the squad leader for the third Imperial Mage corps and Nikolai's peer, graduating alongside him from the Imperial War College.”So when do we start?”

”Soon. We have to give Elya time to reach her family.” Nikolai gestured towards the distant squad of riders approaching the Suzdal contingent. The Suzdal's had turned out in full force, hundreds of branch members and attendants forming into a line of battle almost by instinct. There was a reason House Suzdal dominated the Ministry of War after all.

”I didn't think you'd be the first one to get married.” Zhenya said after a moment.

”Neither did I.” Nikolai opened his Sight to catch a glimpse of his Fiancée's flowing silver hair as she galloped towards her family. ”But it's for the best.”

”Like her?”

”A lot.”

Zhenya grunted and ground his War Staff, pulling a crimson leaf from a pouch to chew on. ”Heard she got you out of a fix at Galicia.”