Arsenal

As another fiveday started, Martel felt cautiously optimistic that he had escaped any consequences from his latest brush with the inquisitors. He still had to be careful, of course, avoiding the mage hunters' suspicions while watching out for any other ploys by Duke Cheval, but on the whole, he felt good. The vengeful nobleman's plot had been foiled, Flora's life saved, and Martel could focus on his spellwork and alchemy.

His good cheer lasted until a letter arrived for him in a sealed envelope; even before reading, Martel knew that he had challenged fate lately, and the response had come promptly. Nothing good came from sealed letters. He did not recognise the insignia stamped into the red wax, however, showing a long feather. Nothing to do but open and read.

Master Martel,

Lady Pearl cordially requests your presence within the next few days to make good on your promise to her. You may find her at the expected locale at most hours, though she asks you do not seek her company before fourth bell has rung, regardless of your chosen day. A written response is not expected. Your arrival either on this Pelday, Malday, or Glunday will be satisfactory.

With respect,

Lady Pearl

The acolyte narrowed his eyes. It took him a moment to recollect his meeting with the lady of the bridge district. Right, he had promised her a favour in exchange for suppressing the knowledge of his involvement with the Night Knives. That had proven to be in vain, given the trap sprung on him and the mercenaries the other night. Could she really collect payment when her aid had accomplished nothing?

It seemed like she believed so. Knowing these Nine Lords, Martel feared she might be right. Even if he disputed that she had any claim to his services, denying her would earn him another enemy. At the very least, he would hear her out. As long as she demanded nothing odious, nothing to endanger his situation further, it might be best to simply do it and close the matter.

But it would have to wait for another day. With some stolen food from the dining hall, Martel went into the city.

***

Going at noon put him in a rush; he would have to hurry back for his second lesson in fire magic. But tonight, the sparring club met in the Chamber of Earth, and for once, Martel intended to go. Some of the mageknights wanted a rematch without teachers deciding the rules and who fought who, and the fire acolyte intended to oblige them. He did not expect to gain much experience, though it never hurt to keep practising, but Martel did have an ulterior motive for proving his prowess in combat. Someday, he would have a mageknight as his protector when going to war, and he knew who he wanted; hopefully by showing himself to be the best battlemage, he might get his wish.

For now, he made his way to Julia's insula as he had yesterday. This time, as he knocked, the door opened. He entered, and she quickly closed and bolted the door behind him.

"I came by last night," he explained, handing over some bread and a carrot. "But you weren't here."

"I needed water. I don't like going out during the day." She squatted and began eating.

"Of course. Just be careful. The docks at night aren't the safest place for a girl to run around."

She shrugged, and together with her forward leaning position, it revealed two pieces of jewellery around her neck that he had never noticed before. The pendants looked simple; one was made of black stone, it seemed, and the other looked like glass, of all things. "Those are nice."

Julia grabbed both pendants and placed them under her dress. "My mum gave them to me. Said to keep them safe."

The alchemist, Martel recalled, though he assumed in the Asterian rather than Sindhian tradition. At least nothing about Julia suggested her mother had origins from outside the Empire, though looks could be deceiving, of course. He wondered if the necklaces contained any magic, even if they looked mundane; perhaps protective spells made by a mother to help her child. "May I see them?"

She shook her head. "Mama said to never take them off or let anyone see them. I promised her."

Well, it would not do to force the girl to hand them over. And if magical, surely it would be something benevolent if it came from her mother. Perhaps it even explained how Julia had survived on her own, evading inquisitors, city guards, and who knew what else. "How long ago did you last see your parents?"

The girl shrugged. "A long time ago. We've had cold days more than once."

Probably years. "Well, I must get back to my school. I'll see you again soon."

"Not too soon," she cautioned him.

Given his recent run-in with the inquisitors, Martel agreed.

***

His second lesson in fire magic was an exhausting exercise in casting spells, being hit, and running ragged. In other words, the usual. With their improved performance against the mageknights last fiveday, Moira seemed less inclined to punish them for the time being. Furthermore, they only practised the simple spells that they could maintain casting repeatedly over a long day of fighting. That meant, as Martel arrived at the Chamber of Earth in the evening, while physically tired, he brimmed with unspent spellpower.

Lots of mageknights from his Malday lessons were present. Martel did not know most of them other than superficially, as he had not shared any classes with them prior to becoming a fire acolyte. He got the feeling that they underestimated him; they had not taken part in the sparring club previously and thus had never seen Martel duel before. Apparently to them, the fire acolytes prevailing last fiveday was pure luck. Martel had come to prove them wrong.

He looked towards the group of mageknights in silent challenge; one of them, a short boy but muscular with corn-yellow hair, walked over while hefting his sword and shield. "You elemental lot only win because our fights start with us ten paces away. Ready to fight me up close?"

Martel stretched out a hand towards Maximilian, who handed him a staff with a grin. "Max, give us the signal."

"Fight!"

The mageknight launched into a series of blows. He fought well, striking with swiftness and precision. Martel defended with his staff, but could not parry them all. In a fight purely based on weaponry, he would lose very soon. Instead, Martel showed what an elemental mage could do.

First, he sent a powerful blast of air that pushed his opponent back several paces. As the mageknight advanced once again, Martel stomped his foot into the ground to crack it open. It caused a sudden depression to appear in the earth right where the warrior stepped next, throwing him off balance and leaving him wide open. A fire ray shot out to strike him in the chest, continuously burning him.

The mageknight threw his weapon aside. "Stop!"

Martel ended the spell. He took a step forward, looking at his opponent, who wore a pained expression. "It has nothing to do with distance. You have two weapons at your disposal. I win because I have four elements and six spells at mine." He looked towards the other mageknights. "Who's next?"