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695. From One Saint to Another

The shrine of Saint Laurentius looked how Martel remembered it. A few priests puttered about, tending to the temple, though they withdrew seeing the mage enter. Decorations on the walls, but no altar in the centre, only a staircase that led into the depths below the building.

Martel recalled his many previous visits to this place, speaking to the Friar or investigating the theft of its relic from the crypt. Everywhere he went in Morcaster felt like a journey to the past these days; he w...

694. Grey Words

For the second time in a row, Martel woke up only to feel exhausted by the questions that troubled his mind. New concerns had joined the old, worse than those he already struggled with. The decision on whether he wished to retain his position seemed quaint compared to the prince's escape and the issue of bringing the clergy to the negotiating table; either of these problems could wreck the discussions, and everything would slip through Martel's fingers.

At least Giles' demand to pause n...

693. On the Trail

Martel stared at his legion prefect in alarm. "And the emperor? Don't tell me we've lost the most important prisoner in the entire gods-damned Empire!"

"No, captain, the emperor is where he should be. I have seen him with my own eyes," Lara replied.

"Who knows the prince is gone?" Eleanor asked.

"Most of the guards in the Imperial wing. Two of their number were slain to allow his escape, so they are understandably angry, and they told others. I have forbidden them from sprea...

692. Fiery Reminders

The merchants' quarter lay just south of the Imperial palace district, making for a journey short enough to be made on foot. Although Martel had grown comfortable with riding, horses would have drawn a lot of attention, which the two hooded figures leaving the palace preferred to avoid.

As they reached where expensive residences became warehouses and smaller estates suitable for merchants, Martel thought about his few visits to this district. Of all the nine areas of Morcaster, he had p...

691. A Lack of Faith

Sleep provided Martel a reprieve from his thoughts, but no resolution; when Martel woke at dawn, he felt no closer to a decision. He chose to remember Eleanor's words that the matter was not imminent; he could let it rest for now. If the negotiations failed, it would be irrelevant regardless. So he ate a quick breakfast, dressed himself in his uniform, and met up with Eleanor in the atrium of their wing to walk together to the council chamber.

As the remainder joined them, the delegate ...

690. Fate and Future

Martel stood in shock as the words of the duchess sank in. He wondered if he had misunderstood her, though it was hard to see how. He needed advice, either on what the duchess's true intentions might be if he had mistaken them, and what he should do if he had not. He stepped out of his quarters and walked the small distance to knock on Eleanor's door. "It's me, Martel."

She opened the door to let him in. Like him, she was also dressed only in the tunic they wore underneath their armour....

689. Alliances

As evening approached, the delegates gathered in the discussion chamber once more, taking their customary seats. "I remain unconvinced of your plan," Honorius declared. "The legal basis seems flimsy. Relying on the archaic laws of a city-state to decide the future of an empire?"

"Why are you captain prefect?" Martel stared at her, letting his question hang in the air between them.

"I was chosen," she replied with a glance to either side of her at the representatives.

"By wha...

688. One Among Many

"Magistrate. I am glad you would join me for this meal," Martel declared. He sat in one of his private rooms suitable for eating with guests. Two plates filled with delicacies stood on the table, offering spiced meat with the vegetables of the harvest season.

"It did not seem prudent to refuse," Alexius mumbled, sitting down.

"I'm pleased we could find the time to speak," the captain continued, knowing he had plenty of it. Eleanor would make sure that it took all afternoon to fetc...

687. Second Round

Between first and second bell, Martel and Eleanor met in his room. She cast a look at his cot before sharing the notes written by their spies during the night. "The commanders mostly discussed how we took Morcaster. They seem to think that we had traitors in the garrison open the gate for us, and the notion that you and I accomplished it to be a rumour meant to enhance our reputation."

"If that is the accuracy of their military intelligence, I'm less concerned about facing them on the b...

686. Golden Promises

A large procession entered Morcaster through the north-western gate that lay between the Imperial and the temple districts. Soldiers filled the fortifications, watching their progress into the city with stern expressions. They also lined the streets from the gate to the palace in a display of force.

As for the envoys, they came with a small cortege of guards and servants, still numbering nearly a hundred people. Much further to the north, a number of legions marched southwards as well w...

685. New Quarters

Martel looked up, seeing both Eleanor and Lara in his study. "Both of you. This must be important."

The prefect handed over a small bundle of parchment. "A list of the northern emissaries. The first sheet shows their names to help you familiarise them. The remaining contain more detailed information about them and their regions. Anything we thought might help you."

Martel accepted the bundle. "I suppose I should prepare as much as I can."

Eleanor nodded. "They will arrive so...

684. Satisfaction

A fiveday passed before the duke of Cheval was summoned to the fortress of Saint Marcellus. He arrived with his solitary guard afforded him, who stayed outside Martel's study, as did the captain's own sentinels. Only Martel and Eleanor met the duke, one seated, the other standing behind him.

"Captain." The duke gave an impeccable bow. It seemed a simple gesture of courtesy, but Martel remembered that last time, he had only bowed his head. "I heard about the attempt on your life. A balm ...

683. Onions

Running around Morcaster for most of the night meant that Martel slept late for once. When he felt ready, he went to the offices to take counsel with Eleanor and Lara. He had considered gathering all his legion prefects, but he had decided such was unnecessary. This did not involve the legions or matters of strategy, but rather the subtler politics that now took up his days. For all the qualities, his subordinates were men and women of the military with limited knowledge in this regard. At so...

682. Method and Opportunity

Nowhere had seen more change since the conquest of the city than the copper lanes. Morcaster suddenly had several times more soldiers than usual in garrison, and patrolling the poorer districts kept them busy. For the first time in years, perhaps decades, the copper lanes saw regular patrols of ten legionaries through both day and night. It had made some people's lives more peaceful, others more difficult.

Opinions remained divided; half the district seemed to prefer the old status that...

681. Porcupine

For the fourth Solday in a row, Martel and Eleanor went to The Golden Goose. This time, he was able to better pay attention; he kept up with the story and even laughed on occasion. He would not claim it had been a pleasant evening, but tolerable, at least. Having slept properly in the last few days helped his mood as well.

Once the performance had ended, Martel and Eleanor moved through the crowd to enter the back of the theatre, as they had done on previous occasions. Shortly after, a ...

680. A Break from the Past

As Martel wandered into his study the following morning, a voice greeted him from a corner of the room. "Well met, Martel."

He turned on his heel with a spell half released to set the room ablaze, facing the intruder. In a chair, a man around forty had made himself comfortable. His clothes showed signs of extensive travel with cloak and boots covered in mud. His tunic was even worse for wear, with various rifts and tears stitched or patched up. His beard was unkempt and of uneven length...

679. The Right Head

Pelday morning, Martel's study saw the return of two previous visitors. He rose to greet the overseer and Master of Elements as they entered. "Welcome. I'm glad you would come."

"Hard to refuse summons from the captain of the city," Juliana remarked.

"We'd never turn down an invitation," Alastair added.

"Good. There's something I wish to discuss with you. It concerns the headmaster of the Lyceum."

The two members of the faculty exchanged quick looks. "What about him?" ...

678. A Comedy of Decisions

Martel barged into the office so early, Lara had not showed up yet. Only a bemused Eleanor watched him, eating her breakfast at her desk. "Good!" he exclaimed. "You're here."

"It is so early. Have you eaten yet?"

"Food is a distraction. Tell me, if you could enact any decision you wanted, no limitations, what would it be?" He looked at her eagerly.

"I suspect the duchess spurred some thoughts in you. Very well, let me think." She frowned in contemplation. "I would expand Sma...

677. A Political Future

Martel chewed on the last of his breakfast, mostly old bread with butter and slices of boiled potato. It had little taste, but food did not interest him much. "I remember Cheval's faction wants to expand the Empire, but you'll have to remind me what this duchess and her people want," he said to Eleanor. "The overseer gave me a lecture about it once, which I have blissfully forgotten."

"They seek reform in ways that would turn the Empire's gaze inwards, you might say. Isolate us, others ...

676. Friendly Enemies

A handful of days followed with the resumption of routines. Even with the Imperial administration still at work, running a city the size of Morcaster was a daunting task. In addition, the eastern provinces also remained under their control and thus fell under the captain prefect's imperium, adding further administrative work. While most of it was handled by various subordinates and clerks, Martel wondered why anyone would envy him his position.

Matters only became worse when both Eleano...

675. Putting on a Performance

In his study, going through another dreary morning, Martel looked up as a guard stuck his head inside. "The berserker is here, sir. Are you ready for him?"

"Send him in."

Soon after, a tall, muscular Tyrian entered with a broad smile. "Mage of fire!"

Martel got up, and they clasped each other's wrists. "Thank you for coming."

"My days are not busy, though I was surprised to be asked. I have not seen you since before you took the city."

"Alas, my days are busy," M...

674. A Crown in Hand

Two prefects made their way through the streets of Morcaster, walking directly south from the fortress of Saint Marcellus to reach the copper lanes. Both had their hoods up, obscuring their faces. If anyone came close, the pins on their chest would read Legio X Astra, but nobody dared to be so near; others shied away from their path well in advance.

The soldiers of the eastern legions were a different breed than the old garrison; hardened in battle, they had no tolerance for the slighte...

673. Intelligent Moves

As Martel woke after another night of unsatisfactory sleep, he allowed himself a slow morning. Eating a breakfast made of scraps of food left from yesterday, he reflected about last night. While it had not been what he had expected, spending time with Eleanor had been pleasant. She laboured from morning until eve, organising their troops and the administration of the city; despite being just across the hallway, they did not see much of each other. He was glad she had enjoyed the play; that he...

672. Catching a Play

Two hooded figures stood outside on the largest street in the market district, just before it reached what would be called the harbour area. In front of them lay a busy tavern, marked by a sign of a goose laying a golden egg. "What made you want to go here tonight of all nights?" Eleanor asked.

The need to escape everything that had happened of late. The desire to remember happier times and see the few friends he still had left. Some strange hope that going to the place he had visited s...

671. Master and Mageknight

Martel felt irritable each morning. The walls of his bedroom were thick, as could be expected from a fortress, and it kept out every sound. He kept the window open, but it faced the courtyard, where nothing happened at night. This did not trouble him on his first nights, as weariness ensured he slept, but now, the silence kept him awake. That in turn made his mind turn the same thoughts over and over, which only made it harder for him to fall asleep.

The days were not a big improvement....

670. Master and Student

Martel stood up with a relieved smile to see Alistair and Juliana stepped inside his room. He would have hugged his teacher, but the overseer's presence made him feel reserved, so he chose to express his emotions in words. "I am so glad to see you alive and well. I feared the worst. Please, sit and rest. You must be tired after your ordeal."

"We've done nothing but sit for nearly three fivedays now," Alistair laughed, though they took the offered seats. "How did you get us out? The inqu...

669. Intimidation and Surprise

After the overwhelming events of the last days, not to mention the preceding months, it felt strange to enter a routine of administrative tasks and bureaucracy. Martel was reminded of when he had first become captain prefect back in Esmouth, having to hear complaints and resolve grievances. Strangely, despite his imperium now stretching over hundreds of miles with thousands upon thousands of inhabitants, he found himself less busy than when it had only included a small fishing town. Eleanor a...

668. A Captain's Voice

Martel woke in an unfamiliar room. He had arrived late last night and only seen it in the dark, too exhausted to even light a small flame with his magic. In the daylight, it looked entirely different. It was part of the legate's offices at the fortress, converted into a simple bedroom for his convenience. It held the same furniture that his tent normally did in camp, so he had slept on his usual cot. Not that it had done much for the quality of his sleep. Martel thought that when Eleanor had ...

667. A Fair Trade

Martel stormed through the complex, yelling for his officers to join him. Each time someone did, they confirmed that they had seen no sign of the emperor. His personal quarters had been searched and found empty. Plenty of nobility and servants alike had been questioned with a blade at their throat, and none admitted any knowledge of his whereabouts. The grounds had been combed over as well, checking every booth in the stables and behind every bush.

"One man might hide, but not a whole f...

666. The Third Starlit Eve

The gate to the Imperial palace grounds had already been destroyed, but the invading soldiers had not gone beyond. The prefects in charge had set a sharp watch to surround the great complex, larger than any other in Morcaster, and otherwise waited for orders.

They arrived in the shape of the captain himself together with his second-in-command and a legion prefect. "Anything happen so far?" Martel asked, dismounting from his horse. By now, darkness had fallen, though the moon offered fai...