Quill

32. Gold, Steel, and Magic

Even in the frail light of his flickering flame, Martel recognised the one-eyed berserker in front of them. And his hammer. The first time he and Maximilian had spent time together, they had watched the Tyrian take down an experienced mageknight. Now, his opposition consisted of an acolyte, a novice, and a hedge mage chained in gold.

Maximilian pointed his blade at the berserker. "Walk away. We are armed with magic besides steel." Next to him, Martel tried to make his little flame look ...

31. Taking Matters into Small Hands

Martel left Maximilian's room in defeat. He could not rouse the mageknight. He went to his own room and sat down on his bed, thinking about his options. He could try to persuade the guards on his own, though the actors made that seem unlikely. Or he would have to free Regnar on his own. Lying back in his bed, Martel closed his eyes, thinking. He could scare street children or bullies with his magic, but hardened criminals? Doubtful. It would only work if he snuck his way in and out, avoiding ...

30. Moving Parts

"Today, we will discuss necromancy." Master Fenrick let his eyes sweep over the students. "What is a necromancer?"

Martel tasted the word. "Someone who does evil magic?"

"Partly correct, though not the exact term. That would be maleficar, which means to do evil. Not all of them are necromancers, though all necromancers would be considered maleficar and thus hunted by the Inquisition," Master Fenrick explained.

"So what is a necromancer?" asked a novice.

"A mage who dea...

29. Tiny Trials

"Good work, boy." Master Alastair watched as Martel pulled water into the air, separated it in different drops, and made them float around separately.

"Thank you, master."

"I think it's time we move on to earth. Your skills in water will suffice for now."

"Already? I'm still not good enough to make it rain."

Master Alastair laughed. "That is among the hardest skills, pulling so much water from the sky. You probably won't master that until you are an acolyte, training u...

28. Small Steps

Martel spent his first lesson in combat magic practising his shield as usual, employing the other novices to test him. His second lesson turned out different. For the past while, he had tried to empower himself to push the wooden training target. So far, he had yet to succeed. But as he stepped up to it again, he thought about yesterday. His need to run faster, his will driving his magic. He called upon that feeling of urgent need again and placed his hands against the dummy.

Straining ...

27. Playing Hero

Eleanor unfolded the cloth, revealing a handful of berries, which she dropped into her morning porridge.

"I wish my family sent me berries," complained the girl next to her.

"They would be rotten if so," argued the girl opposite. "Do not pretend your family has a cold storage or anything like that."

"They could have," came the offended reply.

"We both know they do not. You will have to contend with eating fruit actually in season."

Eleanor looked at the other two...

26. Faire Behaviour

Typically, when Martel had to spend second bell on Soldays assisting the artificer as part of his schedule, time passed by easily. The work was monotonous, but if he let go of his thoughts, the two hours had soon passed.

Not so this morning. Today, the spring faire began. Martel did not know what to expect; in Engby, celebrating the arrival of spring lasted one day and mostly focused on eating the last of the winter pork. In Morcaster, the celebration centred around the marketplace and ...

25. Strength in Others

After the first month, Martel began to feel settled. When he thought of home, he thought of his small chamber in the boys' dormitory rather than the crowded house in Engby, containing one large room where all his family members slept.

His circle of friends in and outside the Lyceum stayed narrow. Maximilian remained the one person from school he spent time with and whose company he could rely on. Some of the elemental acolytes did treat him with some cordiality, such as Henry, the airma...

24. Sun or Stars

The first two bells after breakfast, Martel spent doing work for Master Jerome, making the most of all his spare time on Mandays. As his only class did not start until sixth bell, he had time after lunch to himself as well. With his new silver in his pocket, he went into town.

Setting a course west, he soon saw his destination rise against the sky. The glittering spires of the temple of the Sun beckoned him. As he approached, he saw more and more members of the clergy, filling the stree...

23. Land or Sea

The column of water rose into the air in the Hall of Elements. It held its structure against the laws of nature for several moments before it finally disintegrated, falling back into the channel. Sweating slightly from the exertion, Martel wiped his brow.

"Well done, boy," Master Alastair told him. He narrowed his eyes. "It takes its toll on you?"

"It's hard," Martel admitted.

"You haven't begun training your spellpower yet," the teacher considered. "I forgot. Usually, theor...

22. Choosing the Battle

For his first combat lesson on Malday, Martel began as he always did; he retreated to a solitary part of the arena to practise his shield. The other novices practised their staff fighting with the lapses in discipline that one might expect from children their age.

Testing his shield, Martel found that it held with ease when he threw a pebble up in the air, repelling the small stone before it could land on his hand. He knew that Reynard could not be expected to check on his progress or i...

21. The Roads to Friendship

The next morning, Martel had a headache. Perhaps he had not slept enough; it had been after last bell when he and Maximilian returned to the Lyceum. Another time, he would be sure to get home earlier.

It took him a while to remember the existence of hangovers and how it pertained to his situation. He concluded that he disliked the experience, and drinking was not worth it.

Fortunately, he did not have to help in the kitchens for breakfast, allowing him to sleep another hour before...

20. The Golden Goose

After assisting Master Jerome for a bell, as was his duty every Solday, Martel worked for another bell, this time getting paid. The task was even interesting, at least at first. Using a strange liquid, and wearing gloves, Martel washed away ink from parchment. Before Jerome showed it to him, the novice had never even suspected this could be done. He simply assumed once spent, the parchment was of no further use.

Yet with careful work and the right tools, the ink could be scraped and rem...

19. The Berserker

Waking up on Manday, Martel felt the familiar knot of anxiety that had been a rather constant companion since his arrival to Morcaster. Only this morning, he could not remember why. His classes were going well, he had dealt with Cheval, and thanks to Eleanor, his star chart was ready to be handed in. Martel cast a quick glance at the rolled up parchment lying on his desk, making sure it was still there.

As he made himself ready for breakfast, he finally remembered. Maximilian had invite...

18. Something New in the Air

The thought of combat lessons still made Martel uneasy, though for a different reason than usual. He no longer felt worried about getting a beating during sparring, or that Reynard might humiliate him somehow. His leather armour helped with the former concern, and as for the latter, his teacher seemed content with ignoring him.

But it would be the first lesson he spent with Cheval. Two hours in the same arena where Martel had humiliated him. As the destruction of his star chart showed, ...

17. Friendly Conversation

The next day at breakfast, Martel experienced something strange. He was used to getting stares when entering the dining hall; his height did not allow him to be inconspicuous. Usually, the looks conveyed indifference, scorn, or amusement. This morning, as he met their eyes, some of them nodded in return. And once Martel had filled his plate, a hand rose in the air, waving for his attention.

"You can sit here," said Jasper, the earthmage who worked the desk at the entrance hall.

Al...

16. Friendly Sparring

Martel woke with a knot in his stomach. Last night's astronomy lesson had been tense and uncomfortable, with Cheval staring daggers at him. He had paid little attention to Master Fenrick's teachings, as his mind kept thinking on the fight.

Sleep had done nothing to dispel his fears. He thought about every combat lesson on Maldays where Cheval had slapped him around. At least tonight he would have the leather armour to take the worst of it, though it did not protect his head. He was not ...

15. In the Maelstrom

His only lesson late in the day, Martel had time to work a bell for Jerome on Manday. Working the tannery was tedious, laborious, and smelly, but one silver coin richer, Martel did not care as he soaked in the baths afterwards. While he would not be able to work most days, he felt more comfortable about his debt to Eleanor.

In fact, he would have some coin to spare that he might spend on other matters. While the Lyceum provided everything he needed as such, it was good to have silver in...

14. Menial Behaviour

Martel's lesson in elemental magic was not until third bell, giving him lots of time every Glunday morning. With a debt to pay, he needed to put it to good use, so he went the only place where he could imagine earning coin. After breakfast, Martel sought out Master Jerome.

The artificer was already at work, directing his labourers for the second bell. He frowned as he saw Martel. "Either you've mistaken the day, or I have."

"Oh no, I'm not scheduled for duty today. I came to ask i...

13. Defenceless

For the day's first lesson with the other novices, Martel seemed to be ignored by his teacher, which suited him fine. Unlike with Master Alastair, he felt no need to share his breakthroughs, even if his experiment with the feather pen had proven his ability to conjure the shield. He could not imagine Master Reynard would care or offer any help. Instead, Martel retreated to a corner of the arena that served as the outdoor gymnasium and resumed his small exercises to improve his magical shield....

12. A Balm for the Mind

For the first time since his arrival, Martel went to his class in elemental magic with confidence. As novices streamed past him, their own lesson finished, he did not mind their glances or giggling remarks. Walking inside, he found Alastair returning the hall to its normal state. Earth became smooth, water filtered out from the dirt and stones and back to the channel, and the lamps on the walls were reignited.

"You're here on the bell," the master remarked.

"I did it," Martel told...

11. Circling Stars

If Malday was Martel’s least favourite, Solday might become his preferred. No classes with condescending students or a sneering teacher. Only some tasks in the workshop with the artificer, who might even teach him a new skill or two. After eating a hefty breakfast, like he did every morning, Martel made his way to the workshop even before the bell rang.

"Good morning, Master Jerome!"

"I see my little – or should I say tall – hammer is ready for work," the artificer laughed.<...

10. Sage Advice

Mandays were quiet. Martel only had his astronomy lesson at sixth bell and kitchen chore at seventh. Until then, his time remained his own, though he was meant to practise his magical exercises, however fruitless that often seemed. But he would go mad staying in his room all day, so he grabbed his scarf and left.

He did not leave the Lyceum, but simply ventured to the western courtyard. In the winter weather, most students avoided the small greenery and stayed indoors. To a northerner l...

9. An Unexpected Visit

Despite yesterday's small success, Martel could not translate it into similar gains for Glunday's elemental lesson. The ring of water lay undisturbed in the Hall of Elements despite all his efforts. A gap existed, which his magic could not traverse. He tried to think of memories like he had yesterday, but none came to mind that felt relevant. None that proved to be of an aid.

Lunch proved the usual hurdle of finding a table where he would not be rebuffed or laughed at. Surveying the are...

8. A Parent's Protection

Although he only had one fiveday to base his opinion on, Malday had already become Martel's least favourite day. Two lessons with a teacher who treated him with contempt, and the opportunity to add fresh bruises to his sizeable collection. They had barely healed from the last round.

After helping with breakfast, Martel walked into the gymnasium. It was a cold morning to be outside, even for a northerner like him, and his hands felt stiff. He looked at the benches hewn in stone that surr...

7. Dormant

Martel's first fiveday at the Lyceum did not feel like a success. He had hardly shown any talent in his classes; after four lessons in elemental magic, he did not feel any improvement. As he finished breakfast on Pelday, waiting to have his fifth, he steeled himself for a conversation with Master Alastair.

"Martel! Come in, boy." The Master of Elements greeted him with his usual fervour and a smile behind the greying beard.

"Yes, master." Martel cleared his throat, stepping inside...

6. Shadi

Solday did not bring any lessons with it, but instead the obligation to assist the artificer in the workshop for a full bell. While Martel did not know what this entailed, he had helped his father often enough around the smithy. He wondered if magic would be involved; he imagined how one might use sorcery to improve crafting or even weave spells into the items.

Once the breakfast bell had ended, Martel made his way to the workshop. He entered a large room filled with numerous tools, wor...

5. The Meeting of Stars

As Manday came around, Martel woke feeling hopeful. His bruises from two days ago had turned various shades of blue and purple, and they only hurt on occasion. He had most of the day to himself except for one lesson, allowing him to do new things while still having time to practise his magic. As for the lesson, it concerned astronomy; a topic that Martel knew nothing about, but he could only imagine it would be intriguing if it dealt with magic.

After breakfast, he threw his scarf aroun...

4. Tranquil

As Glunday arrived, Martel returned to elemental magic. He had practised with the bowl of water in his room, yet despite all his efforts, he could barely cause the slightest change. The various methods shown to him by Master Alastair had not yielded any results; apprehensive, Martel approached the Hall of Elements for his next lesson just as the bell rang.

A handful of novices exited, chattering loudly. From bits of their conversation, Martel surmised that their training progressed well...

3. Getting Physical

When Martel woke on the morning of Malday, he quickly washed and dressed; on this day, he was to help in the kitchens with breakfast. Fortunately, yesterday's skirmish did not repeat, and he got through the chore without incidents. Once the bell had ended, his first lesson in empowering magic were to begin.

The outdoor gymnasium lay near the dining hall, and Martel arrived as the first. He discovered it had been built to allow for spectators, resembling an arena. Stands ran along the ou...