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 considere...

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 ...

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...

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 coul...

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. ...

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 e...

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 implement...

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. ...

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,...

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," E...

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. ...

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 b...

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 apo...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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 bee...

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 n...

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 re...

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 ...

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 ...

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 sta...

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 sch...

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 wer...

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...

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...

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 pressur...

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 ...

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 ...