Quill

155. Sowing Seeds

"How is your introduction to the Imperial court?" Master Alastair asked as they took a break between exercises.

"The palace is certainly beautiful. I thought I saw you the first night, master, but I lost you again in the crowd," Martel replied. "I did not realise teachers attended the feast."

"They usually don't. The headmaster is invited, of course, as is the overseer, given that she is appointed by the High Council. Since Mistress Juliana and I are old war comrades, I usually jo...

154. Entanglement

"Morcaster has many wonders. In architecture. My favourite is the Basilica."

Only as Master Basil said the name of the temple did Martel realise the similarity to his teacher's name. The novice considered whether that had influenced the earthmage's choice of favourite, or if perhaps his parents naming him thus had influenced him towards earth magic.

"The stones were hewn and raised with magic. But the towers rest. On their own foundation. Else they might be vulnerable. If someone ...

153. The First Starlit Eve

Maximilian had been busy. Martel's new wardrobe arrived early Pelday afternoon. Besides a few more white shirts – not made from silk but still expensive fabric – his drawer was now filled by several pairs of trousers, shoes, and some doublets. Martel was relieved to see that the latter had an emblem of a green tree upon them. After his conversation with the overseer, he realised that if he wore clothes with the insignia of Marche, that would send the kind of statement he had been told to ...

152. Introduction to Etiquette

Martel tried to push the thought of the Imperial palace away; nothing he could do about it, so there seemed no point in worrying about it. Solday morning kept him busy assisting Master Jerome and working in the apothecary, and he would try to enjoy his afternoon before tomorrow came, when all his evenings for the whole fiveday would be accounted for.

His plans survived until noon, when he found a message waiting for him in the entrance hall. It briefly read,

Martel,

151. Entrapment

While theory of magic remained one of Martel's favourite classes, he was less enthused by the disturbing topics they had covered lately. Maleficars, leechcraft, curses, and more. Yet he knew it was best to be aware of these matters, rather than close his ears and pretend they did not exist. Especially as he might one day be confronted by such a dark wizard, given what had happened in the copper lanes.

"Today, we will cover a topic I believe I mentioned before," Master Fenrick said. His ...

150. A Bitter Drink

Practising the different elements during his lesson with Master Alastair, a question came to mind. He had been introduced to the specifics of water, air, and soon also earth; what of the fourth? "Master, will I be doing a monthly course involving fire? Just as I have done one for the other elements."

"No, no." The teacher shook his head. "It would only endanger your secret. Besides, we already know you are skilled with fire. Fortunately, Mistress Juliana is in charge of your schedule an...

149. A Good Foundation

Despite Martel's fears, the inquisitors did not return, at least not regarding him. He saw them a few times moving through the school, but he simply turned around to avoid them. He had already decided that if anyone came knocking at his chamber door, he would refuse to open, but they never did. A fiveday passed, and things began to feel normal. As Master Fenrick had predicted, without further events, the gruesome story of the maleficar began to fade from the public conversation.

His fin...

148. Cursed Lessons

Martel wondered if Master Fenrick would show for his classes as Manday arrived; rumour around the castle claimed that the teacher was investigating the appearance of the maleficar, and Martel had not seen much of him during the meals. But as he entered the classroom this morning, he found the man observing his students behind his heavy spectacles as always.

Martel doubted that Master Fenrick would say much about the recent events, especially with the younger novices present, but it was ...

147. Good Inquisitor, Bad Inquisitor

While the encounter at the market had shaken Martel a little, it had been brief, and he had no reason to suspect any continuation. He had no further errands outside the school, after all, and he assumed the inquisitors focused their attention on the copper lanes. He spent the next day attending his morning lesson as usual, having more or less forgotten about the short interrogation other than briefly mentioning it to his teacher.

After lunch, in the bell before his second lesson with Ma...

146. Unrooted

No matter what took place beyond the walls of the Lyceum, life continued at the same pace within. For Martel, that meant classes and duties, and on Malday, that meant climbing the Tower of Air.

"More! Feel the storm! Don't hold back!" Master Gilbert had to roar that he might be heard over the howling winds that flew through the pillars of the platform.

Atop the tower, a ball made from cloth floated in the centre of the small square. Two novices stood on either side, raising the wi...

145. Sacrifice or Sacrilege

A new dawn did little to change the mood that hung like a dark cloud over Morcaster. All goodwill and cheer from the Golden Harvest had been dispelled by this one despicable act from the unknown maleficar. Already at breakfast, Martel could hear the other students still discussing the topic. Yet he had no desire to join in, knowing that none of them would offer anything of use. Master Fenrick would be the best person to ask, but Martel did not have class with him for several days, and he seem...

144. A City Marked

The Golden Harvest finished with a great ceremony at the square of the Basilica. Few from the Lyceum participated, as their schedules and classes had resumed, which proved for the best. The news from the copper lanes could not be suppressed. Inquisitors had already investigated the scene of the crime, interrogating everyone in the vicinity. With little gain, they had expanded their search, calling in more members of their order. It was unusual to see more than two inquisitors at a time; thus,...

143. An Offering of Blood

Maximilian's team ended up winning the bout, though it did not avail them much; they lost their next match, one short of reaching the final round. That left him out of the games for this harvest, as mageknights could not participate in the final contest, taking place on Manday.

The grand melee involved ordinary warriors; former legionaries given the chance to relive old glories and earn the title as Sol's champion for the year along with a sizeable prize.

Maximilian not competing ...

142. Axe and Fist

Martel felt more dead than alive when he woke the next morning. At least he did not have breakfast duty on Glunday mornings, so when the first bell rang, he could remain in bed. He even went so far as to commit what felt like sacrilege and skip the meal, sleeping away the entire bell. Still drowsy-eyed, he dragged himself to the apothecary for his work. Nora giggled at the sight of him and made sure to mock him more than once until his two hours were done. His class in elemental magic went a ...

141. Copper and Cat

Martel looked around. The prize fighters held their staves with grim expressions, and the guards likewise appeared prepared for trouble. His own emotions reflected how they looked, and for a moment, he imagined that Tibert had gathered all these men solely to take revenge on Stallion. Next to him, Maximilian emptied his flagon, letting him free one hand to pick up food from his plate.

"You're still hungry?" Martel asked incredulously.

"Always." The mageknight shrugged. "Besides, b...

140. For a Few Drinks More

The games resumed Malday afternoon. Unlike the archery competition, mageknights did not compete. Instead, mounted legionaries and members of the nobility participated in the joust. Like yesterday, Martel watched with Maximilian, who was barred from participating. Instead, they cheered for his older brother, showing the emblem of Marche on the field.

As only two contestants rode at a time, it took three hours to finish the joust. Maximilian's brother was eventually unhorsed after a respe...

139. The Promise of Spectacle

"Are you certain it's alright?" Shadi's voice sounded anxious. "I have never been seated on the benches before."

"Maximilian specifically told me so. And he wouldn't go back on his word or be mistaken." Martel pushed his way forward towards the seats surrounding the square on the northern side, Shadi following straight behind.

As they approached, some of the people already seated sent them disdainful glances. Martel ignored them and kept looking for Maximilian. He was starting to ...

138. Who's Got the Touch

Having never attended the Golden Harvest before, Martel did not know what to expect, but he knew that he could hardly wait. The excited conversations about the spectacle, shared by the other students familiar with the games, served to raise his anticipation. The early bells of the day moved at a snail's pace before it finally became noon and he could leave, just as most acolytes and novices at the Lyceum did. They moved like a swarm towards the square of the Basilica, soon mingling with all t...

137. Point

Martel spent his evening as previously, helping Maximilian practise archery, which distracted him from the affair with the preacher. Yet the next day, as he chopped roots in the apothecary, the ragged man's words returned to haunt him.

"You're quiet this morning," Nora remarked.

"I was at the temple square yesterday," he began to explain.

"Which temple?"

"The big one, you know, up north by all the palaces."

"You mean the Basilica."

"Right," Martel assented....

136. Desecration

"Don't lose focus. Keep it going."

In the Hall of Elements, Martel held his hand over a small whirlwind, whipping up dirt from the ground. While keeping the air flowing in circles, he tried to extract the grains of earth, forcing him to use two different kinds of magic at the same type. Master Alastair watched him intently, giving small encouragements or corrections.

Finally, Martel's control over the spell ended, and he felt himself out of breath despite standing still.

"Go...

135. Where the Storm Resides

For Martel's second class on air magic, he did not have to leave the school. Master Gilbert collected him and the other novices from the entrance hall and led them up a nearby staircase. "For the rest of the month, we shall meet up here. No more trips into the city, that's how the watermages waste their time, but not us!" he loudly declared as he strode up the spiral steps while his students hurried to keep up.

They finally reached the top of the tower, going through a hatch to stand ou...

134. From the Tenth

As no fights were hosted on Peldays in The Copper Drum, Martel managed to get inside the tavern with relative ease. The common room still seemed filled with guests, but he could at least make his way through the crowd. His height also helped him locate his quarry; armed with several mugs of ale, Martel walked over to where Lothar and Oak – Cornelius sat.

"You know how to make yourself welcome, at least," the older veteran growled, seeing what occupied Martel's hands. They moved their ...

133. Time and Harvest

Master Jerome raised an eyebrow as Martel appeared in the workshop for his Solday duty of assisting the artificer. "Are you still sparring with that mageknight boy?"

"Maximilian, yeah, I am." Martel did not feel up for explaining that he was attacked last night, as that would inevitably only lead to more questions and more lies. Easier to just use the excuse handed to him.

"One might think you were training for the legions. Or is he using you as his punching bag in preparation for...

132. Adventures in Law Enforcement

Master Fenrick gave Martel's battered face a second look but refrained from commenting, launching into his lesson instead. "I have spoken briefly about maleficars before, when I remarked upon necromancy, which is one study of magic favoured by these dark wizards, though by no means the only one."

Ignoring the discomfort from his bruises, Martel made sure to pay attention.

"As I may have told you before, maleficar simply means those who do evil. While inquisitors no doubt have a lo...

131. Revanche

The fist came flying against Martel, bound in metal-reinforced leather to make impact on his chin. He fell on his back, shocked and in pain. Something jangled, hitting the ground, and he hoped it was not one of his teeth.

Even through the haze and agony, he found the wherewithal to respond. He summoned his magical shield to protect himself and sent a blast of wind to throw his attacker away.

The latter had no impact. His assailant moved forward unimpeded to lean down and punch Mar...

130. Gathering Clouds

In his haste at arranging a fun evening with Shadi, Martel had forgotten that on Glunday, he had class at sixth bell, making it impossible for him to reach the Khivan enclave by seven. Fortunately, Master Alastair was willing to let him skip the class and make up for it by doing his exercises at another time; it paid to be in the teacher's good graces.

When the seventh bell rang from all the temples across Morcaster, Martel stood at the fountain by the square in the Khivan quarter in th...

129. The Eye of the Storm

His introduction to water magic at an end, Martel waited with the other novices in the entrance hall for his new teacher. Soon, a man wearing a purple robe with white patterns approached with such forceful steps, it almost felt like he was trying to cause a collision.

His movement came to an abrupt halt one pace away from the novices. "You must be my newest victims! I am Master Gilbert, Master of Air. With me!" He turned around and strode out of the entrance hall, leaving his students t...

128. Blooded Anew

Martel spent another morning contemplating whether he should go to The Copper Drum, though he had different reasons for his indecisiveness this time around. He no longer feared a trap of some sort; he and Maximilian had spent at least an hour in the tavern without any trouble of any kind. Instead, he hesitated because of the conversation that lay ahead. Talking to Lothar last night had never been his plan; he had simply seen the opportunity and felt the old man deserved a warning about his ne...

127. The Bond of the Ring

Martel spent most of his morning considering whether to go to The Copper Drum or not. On the surface of it, it posed no danger. Kerra's note had said as much, that she considered their business concluded. He had no specific reason to avoid the place, other than his own opinion on the proprietress of the tavern.

But Kerra had already made a fool of him, blindsiding him completely. Could this be some kind of a trap? Her note had extended an open invitation, which he had ignored. What if s...

126. Playing the Fool

For more than a fiveday, Martel did not leave the Lyceum. He attended classes, ate his meals, and practised his spellcasting. On a few occasions, he passed Eleanor in the corridors, or their eyes met briefly in the dining hall; that was the extent of their interactions. He saw Maximilian at some of the meals, declining the mageknight's invitations to hit the taverns, and otherwise kept to himself. He did not bother trying to make another friend; at present, all his classes were with other nov...