It's All About the Money

Thinking about his planned confrontation with Jasper gave Martel the by now familiar mixture of anxiety and excitement that accompanied all of his schemes. Unfortunately, today was Solday, and he would have to suffer these emotions until tomorrow night.

Working alongside Nora in the morning happened quietly as it had for a fiveday or longer, but the silence no longer felt strange or uncomfortable. Now that they both knew the truth, they exchanged looks and little smiles, at ease with each other once more. The only thing that dampened conversation was the anticipation of tomorrow night, which Martel assumed that Nora shared.

His chores done both in the apothecary and the workshops with Master Jerome, Martel thankfully had something to keep him busy in the afternoon and make time pass by faster. Cloak and gloves on, he left the Lyceum to visit Shadi.

***

The weather remained cold, but nonetheless, a shift had occurred. The recent snow had begun to melt due to unexpected warmth, aided by occasional rainfall; winter's grasp remained loose. This meant the streets overflowed with water, making for a wet and slippery walk. Martel silently praised the cobbler in Littleborough, who had made the boots he currently wore, which had carried him all the way from Engby to Morcaster and served him well since. He was also grateful that his feet had not grown in the past year, at least not sufficiently to make the boots too small. He wondered if he would have to pay for a new pair himself, or if the quartermaster might provide for him as she did with his clothes and a few other supplies.

Reaching the Khivan enclave, Martel saw even fewer people on the streets than in the other districts he had passed through. Yet as he continued, he remembered the event of his previous visit; just as the thought had entered his mind, he noticed a gathering of people ahead, exactly like the last time he came this way. His heart sank. Part of him wanted to hurry past, simply ignore what was happening; after all, it did not involve him. Hailing from Nordmark, none could argue that Khivans were his people, Shadi excluded. Yet they were people.

Approaching the edge of the small crowd, Martel saw a similar sight as last fiveday. A family stood in front of a house, their belongings piled onto the cobbled stones. Children crying, a mother trying in vain to comfort them, and a father pleading to no avail. Their landlord, wearing a fur hat and heavy cloak, looked implacable.

His two guards were present as well, emptying the house as before. In addition, a patrol of five legionaries from the city guard stood around the landlord, eyeing the crowd. Martel could see why; compared to last fiveday, more spectators had gathered, and an angry mood lay in the air. Conscious that as an Asterian, their ire could fall on him as well, Martel pulled the hood on his cloak tight around his head and continued.

***

He reached the watchmaker's workshop soon after without incident, his heart full of pity for the evicted family and his mind relieved to have avoided trouble. Spellcaster or not, Martel did not feel equipped to fend off an entire mob of angry people. Shadi greeted him at the door and invited him in.

"Have a seat. I'll boil some water for tea," she suggested.

Martel cleared his throat. "Wonderful."

"What did Maximilian say about his new clock?"

"Oh, he was floored! Used a lot of fancy words to describe it. Amazing work of craftsmanship, stupendous, expressions like that."

Shadi grinned. "I'll be sure to let dad know."

Martel leaned to one side, peering into the workshop of the inner room. "He's not at home?"

"Upstairs, asleep. No work for him at present."

He thought he detected hesitation in her voice, but he was unsure whether to inquire.

"Anything going on at that school of yours?" she continued.

"My examination is next fiveday. Or thereabouts, I don't think they've told me the date yet." Martel gave a broad smile. "Maybe next time we meet, I won't be a novice anymore."

"What will you be instead?" Shadi deftly removed the pot of boiling water from the wood stove and scattered tea leaves into the liquid.

"Broadly speaking, an acolyte. More specifically, I don't know. Either I'll get a blue robe as a watermage to eventually become a weathermage, or a white robe as an airmage to become a seamage. I haven't decided."

"Such an exciting choice."

She sounded absent-minded as she spoke, making Martel wonder if something was on her mind.

"Is anything troubling you?"

She bit her lower lip. "Some friends of ours, they lost their home yesterday. Couldn't pay rent any longer."

That seemed to be a common occurrence. "That's awful. Where are they now?"

"They found shelter with another family, but that won't be enough. They still won't have money for food, and nobody can find work."

A truly desperate situation, which Martel could recognise. He felt terrible, yet at the same time relieved that Shadi was not threatened by the same. Or was she? Her father did not seem to have work either. "Is there nothing to be done?"

"Those families that can scrape coin together usually get passage back to Khiva. Those that can't end up as indentured servants bound for the Western Isles. Either way, they aren't staying," she explained.

"What about you?" Martel asked cautiously. "You've got enough for now, right?"

Her eyes looked away. "For this month. But our landlord has already told us rent is going up next month, another ten pieces. Fourth time this year, every season is another increase."

"That can't be allowed," he protested, though it struck him he had no idea how the law worked.

"My father said the same, and he tried to go to court. But they don't care much for Khivans," Shadi said with bitterness. "The judge wouldn't even see him because he doesn't have our contract, the landlord has the only copy. And we can't afford a solicitor to argue on our behalf."

Martel sat quiet, feeling defeated. It did not seem feasible that he might gather enough money for next month's rent, pretending to buy more clocks. He could not keep borrowing, and working for the Night Knives would not be enough either, doing the small tasks they had so far. The only way would be on the wrong side of the law, such as the prize fights or, Stars forbid, getting involved with Kerra again.

"Tea's ready." Shadi poured a cup for each of them.

"Great."