The following day at class, Xerxes felt like a weight had been lifted off him. Granted, hed failed in his attempt to get promoted. But at least he didnt have to worry about the cult etings anymore. What was more, given that hed achieved his breakthrough, he could now focus on rune study.
Thanks to the imnse asset that was the book Rabya had gifted him, he had already reached the point where he could practice the Asgagu Sebum rune using paper and ink. That was the most expensive part of learning a spell, and he was careful to use his supplies wisely.
On Secondday, Jad achieved his breakthrough. Kashtiliash followed on Thirdday.
On Fifthday, Rabya held true to her promise and took them to her favorite sword shop. There, Xerxes spent more money in one place than hed ever spent in his entire life. He didnt buy the most expensive sword therethat would have been impossible, even if theyd allowed him to buy it on credit. But he got sothing that put his old sword to sha.
None of the other mbers of the Swordmasters bought new weapons. However, all of them bought the fancy kind of sheath that Xerxes had first seen used by Purattu. It secured the large sword to the back, but at the sa ti, allowed it to be drawn easily. He paid extra for a variation designed for Asgagu High Seers, which facilitated easy casting of Minor Augntation.
The announcent ca on Sixthday during the morning assembly.
This will be your last week at the school, High Archon Kingallu said. Abhorrent activities have surged, and we need mages on the ground in various starisles. Those of you who havent reached the High Seer level would do well to work as hard as you can toward that goal. Once you leave these walls, you wont have the spell formations. Or the ti. Because of this, well be opening more slots for spell formation usage. Only for Seers. Any whove reached the High Seer level should focus on rune study or other training.
During the assembly, Xerxes looked over to the spot where the officers lined up. He saw Gandash there, clad in his special officer robes, chatting with so of his fellow officers.
After the prayer was over, Xerxes took a deep breath and walked over. He arrived just as Gandash was taking his leave from his friends.
Hey, Gandy, he said.
Gandash looked over in surprise. Oh. Xerk. Hey.
I think we should talk, Xerxes said.
About what?
Just stuff. Theyre going to send us out, and for all we know we might not see each other again for a long ti.
Thats true.
I did so things. Said so things. I dont know, I I just want to talk. Like old tis.
Gandash smiled. Sure. Now that you ntion it, I have so things I ought to get off my chest. Tomorrows Restday. How about then?
Okay. et at the gate before lunch?
How about dinner instead? I have a bunch of things to do in the morning.
Sure. See you then.
Sounds good.
Xerxes wasnt sure what he would say to Gandash. And he could only imagine what Gandash wanted to get off his chest. But just having agreed to talk to him made him feel better.
The next day, he spent ti studying in the morning, then did sword training with the Swordmasters for about three hours. All of them had vastly improved in their dueling skills. Xerxes and Kashtiliash were now about even in terms of who ca out on top when they faced off.
After cleaning up, he headed to the gate to wait for Gandash. He made sure to fill his pouch with a few extra shekels just in case.
His friend showed up only a few minutes later.
Do you know that lamb place to the north? Gandash asked. I forget the na, but its run by a guy nad Tor.
Xerxes knew the place. Ive heard of it. Its a bit pricey, isnt it?
My treat, Gandash said.
Xerxes jaw tightened. Its fine. No need.
If you say so.
On most occasions when he and Katayoun ate together, or even when he went out to eat neverending at with the Swordmasters, they rarely went anywhere that charged more than about twenty to thirty minas. This placed charged an even shekel. Granted, they could eat as much as they wanted. But at a price quadruple what he was used to, it was grimace-inducing. It was a good thing hed co ready to spend money, so he paid and followed Gandash inside.
The pitcher of ale ca before the at did. Gandash poured, then raised his tankard.
To the Mannemid boys, he said.
Xerxes grinned. Starting on an empty stomach? Officer training has toughened you up. To us.
They drank.
Then the at ca and they ate.
At first, they talked about trivial matters. Gandash told him about so of the classes hed been taking, everything from advanced cavalry tactics to boring things like supply lines. Xerxes talked about Mystic Rabya and her longsword classes, and how much hed learned about the Epito.
When they finished the first pitcher of ale, Xerxes noticed that Gandash was talking a bit louder than before. Maybe he hadnt developed a bit more of a tolerance for alcohol in the recent months.
Hey, why dont we take it easy on the ale? Xerxes said.
Nah. This could be our last al together for a long ti. Lets make it morable. Raising his voice much louder than was necessary, he yelled, Waiter. Another pitcher!
They continued to drink and eat.
Is he trying to get drunk? Maybe to impress , or show up?
A few minutes later, Gandash said, What did you want to talk about?
Xerxes leaned back as the waiter deposited another tray of at in front of them. Nothing really. Just I feel like we havent had any ti together for a while.
Well, thats true. I an, you do have your new best friends.
Xerxes brow furrowed. What?
Its fine, I get it. I was sucked into the boring officer training, so what else are you going to do? Its not like I bla you for it.
Gandy, youre reading too much into this. Jad, Kash, Enusat. Tuecer. Theyre friends, for sure. But I didnt grow up with them like you. You and I are best friends.
Are we? We hardly even see each other anymore.
Xerxes sighed. Were seeing each other right now. He lifted his tankard. To best friends.
Gandash frowned but lifted his tankard.
They drank. Ate so more.
Gandy, I never congratulated you on climbing the rankings. Everybodys talking about it.
Surprised you had ti to notice given your new girlfriend. Gandash stuffed so more at into his mouth.
Xerxes was working hard to keep his mood from turning black. It felt like Gandash was trying to provoke him. But why?
I need to distract him like I did that ti back on Mannemid.
He opened his mouth to say sothing, but before he could, Gandash continued, Youre doing it on purpose, arent you?
Doing what?
Flaunting her.
Flaunting? Wait, you an Kat?
You have a pet na for her now?
Xerxes closed his eyes and took in a deep breath through his nose. Hed wanted to have a nice heart-to-heart with his childhood best friend. But Gandash had always been an angry drunk. Or at least an unstable drunk.
Im not flaunting her, Gandash. I dont even know what that ans. How could I flaunt her?
I saw you making out with her the other day. I was across the street and you did it on purpose. And youre always holding hands, looking all lovey-dovey. You want to see you together. To remind that I dont have a girlfriend anymore. Tell Im wrong, I dare you.
Xerxes forced himself to remain calm. I didnt see you the other day. That was the first ti we kissed. I dont even know how it happened. One minute we were standing there, and then next minute we were kissing. Just like back ho when you and
Gandash shot to his feet, knocking down his ale tankard in the process. As ale ran over the edges of the table, Gandash jabbed his finger in Xerxes direction. Dont say it. Dont you dare say her na.
Xerxes stood. The restaurant had grown quiet, and the patrons were all looking at them. Everything clicked just then.
I wasnt going to say to say her. The words died in Xerxes mouth. He had been about to say Bels na, simply because the randomness of his first kiss with Kat had resembled that first kiss between Bel and Gandash.
You were going to say it, Gandash said, his jaw jutting out. His eyes glistened.
Gandy, Xerxes said, lowering his voice. Just calm down. This is getting out of control. He extended his hands, palms down, in his friends direction.
Im tired of this, Xerk, Gandash said, bunching his hands into fists. Everythings gone bad for in life, while youre living it up. Brand new friends. Brand new girlfriend. Everything going your way, and you sit off to the side laughing at . Youre the only one who knows the story of wetting my pants in the library. Whyd you spread that story, huh? You wanted to embarrass ?
So of the patrons murmured, and the owner of the restaurant was walking in their direction.
Gandy, sit down, he said. Lets talk this out.
He reached out, intending to put his hand on Gandashs forearm and pull him back down into a sitting position. In response, Gandash blurted, Back off, jerked his hand away, then shoved Xerxes.
He nearly toppled backward.
Hey, he said. Thats enough! He managed to grab Gandashs his wrist.
His friend pulled in the opposite direction, forcing Xerxes to lean forward. Then Gandash tried to punch him.
The blow was wild and easy to dodge. While Gandash was still overextended, Xerxes clenched his own hand into a fist and punched him in the stomach. Hard.
His friend doubled over.
Stepping out from behind the table, Xerxes said, Enough, Gandy. Youre drunk. We need
Gandash let out a shout and threw another wild haymaker. Xerxes leaned back and hit him right across the side of the face.
Gandash grunted and half-spun half-fell onto the table. at, dishes, and cutlery flew in all directions.
Xerxes took a step forward, but when he saw that Gandash was just lying there breathing heavily, he backed up.
Looking around at the shocked patrons and staff, he found the manager and walked over. Sorry, he said. He dug out a shekel. Will this cover the inconvenience?
Of course, the manager said, smiling woodenly. What about your friend?
Hell co around soon. Maybe have soone escort him back to the Institute.
Will do, Sir Mage.
Thanks.
Leaving Gandash behind, Xerxes stalked back to the school.
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