Quill

425. Nocturnal Visitations

As Moira arrived at the Circle of Fire, Martel noticed that she once again carried four staves rather than three and a wand. Perhaps she was no longer amused by the jest of seeing a fire acolyte wielding the tool of a weathermage, or she considered it in vain. In a way, Martel felt a little disappointed; even if he would never use a sapphire for his magic on the battlefield, he would rather spend his time learning how to use it than waste these hours with the ruby staff, which he had already ...

424. In the Meadow

As soon as first bell rang, Martel got out of bed. Yawning, he splashed water into his face and washed himself before changing from nightshirt into his acolyte robe. He tied his belt around the waist with his dagger in its sheath, wondering if he should bring anything else. Mistress Rana had not given him any instructions beyond simply appearing as early as possible; obeying this command, Martel made his way down to the entrance hall.

He ended up waiting a while, sitting down on the flo...

423. A Spell in a Jar

The next days progressed in typical manner; Martel attended his lessons and chores, occasionally thinking about his trip on Solday. Nora had already gone on such forays a few times and told him what little there was to relate. It was exactly as it seemed; a trip to the fields outside the city, gathering herbs. Mistress Rana would explain the exact details and methods, but as Martel already knew how to awaken magic in the Sindhian manner, he should not have any difficulties.

***

Do...

422. The Next Step

It was a new fiveday, and Martel began like most mornings in the apothecary. As he entered, the resident apprentice turned and nodded at him in greeting. "Hullo, Martel. Mistress Rana was out last night, gathering herbs. I started, but if you could dry those?"

"Certainly." Martel took position at his worktable and looked through the plants. It was an eerie sight; they looked familiar, yet he did not feel certain he could recognise them. He picked one up; it resembled coltsfoot, but the ...

421. A Revelation

Solday morning afforded Martel another bell working on his enchantment skill, but to much the same result. Infusing the oil with the spell seemed like balancing an egg; no matter how many times he tried, regardless of how, his attempts fell flat. But experience had taught him that consistent practice persevered; he would continue until he cracked this particular egg and made it stand upright.

***

In comparison to his practical efforts at learning magic, studying the Tyrian runes w...

420. The Strategy of the Age

Entering the small laboratory in the workshops, Martel bent down to examine any residual heat in the stone he used for his enchantment work. He had checked on it during the fiveday, and even this morning, he still found it warm to the touch. Not enough to make much of a difference – it could barely heat enough water to give a warm bath to a mouse – but it was a significant step forward. It meant that his spell had a long-lasting effect now, even if still weak in terms of power; enough tha...

419. From Red to Blue

Waiting for the lesson to begin in the Circle of Fire, Martel noticed something amiss once Moira arrived. She carried only three of the staves rather than four, despite the full number of acolytes present. She distributed the ruby-tipped implements to the other students and instead pulled out a small wand from her belt. "Well?" she said, directed at Martel as she extended the small tool towards him. "Get to practising," she barked at the remaining acolytes, who mumbled to themselves and dispe...

418. Eyes Across the Hall

A hammer came swinging through the air to strike Martel on the shoulder. Fortunately, chain armour and layers of cloth softened the blow, and it did not hurt. "Slow reactions, Nordmark!"

Martel looked towards Maximilian, taking a step away. They had been milling about, waiting for the next round of sparring. "I didn't realise we were fighting."

"This is combat. You have to be ready at all times," the mageknight chastised him.

"Combat lessons," Martel corrected him. Around th...

417. Fading Gems

Another fiveday began with Martel back in the Circle of Fire. Hopefully, his quarrels with the Nine Lords were done with, and he had tried his best to help Eleanor find a cure for her sister. He would just have to wait for any results. Until then, he could return his focus to his schoolwork. Holding an enchanted staff in his hand, staring at the slit in the wall ahead of him that served as his target, Martel once more practised channelling his magic through the ruby.

He went for the str...

416. Trading in Fear

Solday afternoon, Martel spent a bell with Eleanor in the library as usual. However, towards the end, he began copying her notes about all possible runes that might possess healing powers.

"You could just borrow my notes if you need them," Eleanor said, as she looked up and noticed what he was doing.

"This way is better," Martel just replied. He did not wish to tell her his intentions, should nothing come of it. When he was done, he made sure to use the library to confirm what he ...

415. Rising to the Top

Next day, in between lessons, Martel hurried into the city. He walked around for a while, checking some regular places for his quarry. In the end, he found what he was looking for, scurrying along the house walls from one hiding place to another. Moving to intercept, Martel went over and sat down on some crates. "Hullo, Mouse."

A small girl appeared, climbing out from behind a barrel collecting rainwater. "Hullo. I don't mean to be rude, but I'm supposed to be working." She glanced out ...

414. In the Market for Trouble

Combat training had returned to its usual dull state. They did not practice with golden weapons or in any kind of challenging conditions, such as twice the number of mageknights against fire acolytes; it was once more individual sparring or else battlemages practising together with protectors, learning to fight in synergy. While useful, Martel doubted that much more could be gained, at least for him; it had become routine, practising the same moves over and over, facing the same challenges ag...

413. Intangible Bonds

The duke's words haunted Martel for the rest of the evening, and it interrupted his sleep at night as well. He had been certain that Cheval had attempted to exact revenge on him. Gathering information about Martel and his exploits, such as his apothecary business in the copper lanes or completing tasks with the Night Knives. Using this information to get Martel into trouble, setting a trap at the docks with the inquisitors; it had to be the duke.

Except Martel had another enemy, the mys...

412. Watching Steps

Solday was the last day of the solstice festival, but Martel did not mind that it was nearly over. He had enjoyed himself, watching a play at the Golden Goose, and his friends of the actor troupe would remain in the city even after the celebration had ended. His feelings were more mixed when it came to the festivities among the nobles, but ultimately, the food was good, and he did not have to worry about his secret being revealed like last year.

Of course, an encounter with Duke Cheval ...

411. What's in a Name

The following day, Martel was once again a simple fire acolyte, learning magical skills. As it was Manday, he began in the laboratory of the workshops, practising his enchanting. He was improving at a decent speed; his heat spell lasted for a few days now before extinguishing. As Master Alastair had instructed him, he would keep practising on the stone, dull as it was, until he no longer seemed to make much progress. Then it would be time to once more try enchanting the fire pots.

Makin...

410. A Performance to Remember

Martel dug out his expensive clothes, given to him last year by Maximilian. He felt a little odd putting them on; he was used to wearing a robe rather than a doublet, and not just in terms of comfort. His red, embroidered garments marked him as a wizard; people recognised his power and afforded him respect accordingly. In comparison, his luxurious garb only signalled wealth, which he did not have nor did he particularly wish to be associated with. But at least he would eat and drink well toni...

409. A Stone to Hinder

The hour grew late before Martel and the mageknights returned from the first night of the solstice. After the play, the troupe entertained them with songs and dances; Martel's many favours in the past had earned him considerable goodwill from each of the actors, and they were eager to show their gratitude.

The next day was almost depressively mundane in comparison, consisting of combat lessons. The only bright point during the day was the second class, where Martel could meet up with Ma...

408. A Golden Solstice

The following day promised to be busy with two lessons in the Circle of Fire and Martel's plans with Maximilian and Eleanor in the evening; in spite of this, he decided to add more. He had not been to see Sparrow in a while; his last visit had been prevented by the inquisitors swarming the copper lanes. That had been around the full moon, where nothing had happened, at least not to Martel's knowledge. Regardless, there was no reason for the zealots to be on the prowl for the maleficar now, an...

407. The Promise of Spectacle

Martel returned to the workshops the next day, entering the small laboratory where his stone waited for him. Placing his hands against it, it felt cool as always; he had yet to enchant it sufficiently that it actually produced heat that would be noticeable. Only his sense of magic, attuned to warmth above all else, could detect the layer of fire suffused into the rock.

Nothing to do but give it another try and hopefully improve a little compared to yesterday. With the entirety of both h...

406. Overcoming a Pest

Martel exchanged a brief nod with Master Jerome and continued through the workshops to the small laboratory, where he practised enchanting. The artificer did not interfere much, content with letting Martel work at his own pace after the acolyte revealed that Master Alistair was providing him with counsel.

In the small room, the big, round stone sat on the floor, waiting for him. Martel touched the surface, almost by reflex; it was entirely cold. Martel's last enchantment had been days a...

405. A Precious Stone

Arriving at the apothecary for his morning chore, Martel found that Nora had laid out his work for him, as she often did. He set to it quietly, letting his mind wander while his hand went through the motions of drying, cutting, grinding, and what else was needed.

Soon after, Mistress Rana appeared with a scrap of parchment. "For tomorrow's recipe." She handed it over and disappeared again.

Martel mumbled his thanks and glanced at the list of ingredients. He recognised several from...

404. Near-sighted

The next day held combat lessons. While Martel disliked any time spent with Reynard, the teacher's disinterest in his students made for less trying hours. It even afforded Martel an opportunity to spend some moments with his friends when they had the second lesson together.

"You were out quick last night! I would at least have expected you to accept the accolades of the crowd," Maximilian remarked.

"Honestly, even though I won, I felt wiped out."

"No wonder, seeing as you we...

403. Counters

"Not really getting it through your thick skulls, are you?" Moira's disdainful gaze swept over her students. "Getting a few flames up and around the ruby won't be enough. I expect each of you to be able to release a proper fire spell from your staff, but Stars help me, that's looking like a lofty ambition! By the time you've managed to hit a single Khivan, they'll have riddled you with holes!"

Martel did his best to ignore her. She was not offering any actual advice; her sole method of ...

402. Making Strides

Several fivedays followed where Martel focused on his schoolwork, free from the interruptions and entanglements of the wider city. Nobody sent him messages, requesting or demanding anything from him; for a while, he was like any student at the school. The only exception would be the few occasions when he went to teach Sparrow, or he visited Julia, also paying her rent for the month. Nothing out of the ordinary happened on those occasions either; no assaults upon his life, nobody surveying him...

401. A Focus for the Fire

When Moira appeared in the Circle of Fire, all the acolytes could sense this lesson would be different. It was rather obvious as she carried four staves in her arms, and unlike those used for weapon practice, which were rough and simple, these were exquisitely carved. Each had a top with particular markings and carvings, allowing room for something to be inserted. As Moira handed out one staff to each student, Martel got a chance to take a closer look at what rested atop. It was a ruby.

400. Circumstantial Studies

Next day was Solday, where Master Jerome had kindly allowed Martel to practice his enchantments rather than do his regular chore for the Lyceum. However, instead of proceeding directly to the laboratory, Martel sought out the artificer. "Master, I spoke to Master Alastair, who suggested I begin by practising on the large stones that he regularly enchants for you. The heated stones you use in the baths and such."

"Are you sure? That seems only more difficult to enchant with fire. Well, i...

399. Bloody Reactions

Martel stared at the little clay jar in his hand, which continued to frustrate his efforts. He knew it would be difficult to learn but he thought that his experiences with Sindhian and Tyrian magic had taught him patience. Perhaps they had, but it did not lessen his frustrations. Every time he thought that he had managed to trap the spell inside the oil, nothing happened when he removed the lid to allow airflow back.

Martel had not really seen Master Jerome during these bells, and altho...

398. A Father's Fear

Training in the Circle of Fire had returned to the regular duelling, meant to hone their spellcasting and reflexes. Martel had his doubts this accomplished anything for him; any further improvement might come about if he was put under real pressure, fighting for his life. This, despite the stinging sensation from the other acolytes' spells, would not be enough. Martel felt he had reached the limits of what repetition under relatively safe conditions could achieve.

Yet he knew that any w...

397. Old Confessions

While Malday was for lessons in combat magic, Martel spent the bell between studying elemental spells. Though this was not for his own sake; he had Master Alastair to guide him in learning spells. Rather, he went through what he had learned about earth magic that he might teach Sparrow.

The most interesting candidate was a spell called earthen armour, mentioned in more than one book. It raised the earth up to act as a shield, much like the empowerment spell that Martel himself had learn...

396. Sleepy Work

The hours in the Circle of Fire felt long as always; the physical and magical exertion was only made worse by constant tongue lashings from Moira. Martel longed for the day when he would never have to endure a moment in her presence again, though he grudgingly had to admit that she returned his golden dagger to him where others, such as Master Alastair, would not. She had not argued against him or tried to make a decision on his behalf; she had simply given it to him. Not that one friendly ac...