"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 repli...
2022-11-21 08:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post"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 eart...
2022-11-20 08:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostMaximilian 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....
2022-11-19 08:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostMartel 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 enjo...
2022-11-18 08:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostWhile 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 cl...
2022-11-17 08:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostPractising 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 ...
2022-11-16 08:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostDespite 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 do...
2022-11-15 08:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostMartel 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 en...
2022-11-14 08:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostWhile 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 t...
2022-11-11 08:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostNo 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...
2022-11-10 08:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostA 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 t...
2022-11-08 08:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostThe 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. Inqui...
2022-11-07 08:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostMaximilian'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 c...
2022-11-04 08:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostMartel 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 th...
2022-11-03 08:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostMartel 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 m...
2022-11-01 08:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostThe 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 fro...
2022-10-31 08:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post"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 ...
2022-10-28 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostHaving 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 an...
2022-10-27 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostMartel 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'...
2022-10-25 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post"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 ...
2022-10-24 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostFor 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 t...
2022-10-21 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostAs 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 l...
2022-10-20 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostMaster 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...
2022-10-18 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostMaster 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 the...
2022-10-17 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostThe 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 ha...
2022-10-14 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostIn 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 c...
2022-10-13 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostHis 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 ...
2022-10-11 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostMartel 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 t...
2022-10-10 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostMartel 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 pla...
2022-10-07 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostFor 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...
2022-10-06 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post