Dazzling Pearls

The next day during his apothecary shift, Mistress Rana appeared again. "We shall do the same tomorrow as last fiveday," she told Martel. "You'll join me upstairs during sixth bell instead of the second, and you may work to complete a potion from start to finish."

"Very well, mistress." Martel already felt excited. As soon as he had control of the basic method, he would have to look into recipes; maybe the library had a tome. Getting ingredients would be another obstacle, but the possibilities seemed endless.

"Don't forget to practise drawing the magic from the reagents. It requires hard work to learn, I know." The alchemist glanced at her apprentice, quietly chopping roots.

"I'll keep practising," he promised.

Mistress Rana left again, and Martel resumed his work. He glanced at Nora. "I was wondering…"

"Do you have a question about your work?" she asked with a light voice.

"Not as such. I was just thinking, as her apprentice, you must have learned how to do that thing. The magic to fill the ingredients for the elixir. Right?"

Despite the simplicity of the question, it still took a few moments for her to respond. "Yes."

"Any chance you could help me? Just any advice or explain how you learned it."

Her voice carried the same light tone as she spoke. "I think it's best we stick to our work and assignments here in the apothecary."

Martel put his tools aside to turn around and look at her, as she stood with her back turned to him. "What did I do to deserve this treatment?"

The chopping sound from her knife ceased. "You lied to me about what you really are. I think it's best we just keep to ourselves."

"I kept a secret. Just like you did." How quickly she had forgotten how Jasper had extorted her, and how Martel had helped her with that.

She turned around. "That is not the same. I sold a remedy that helps people, that's all. You know how dangerous fire-touched mages can be, and you hid that."

"Given how you treated me, can you blame me? Besides, when have I ever done anything to suggest I am a danger to anyone?"

"I've heard about you, your nights in the Chamber of Earth. Violence seems to come naturally to you," Nora retorted.

"Because that's what they teach me! That's the only magic I'm allowed to learn now. But I'm trying to find a different path. I'm trying to learn alchemy so that I can do magic that heals people rather than hurts them." Martel stared at her, feeling frustrated at having to explain himself. "But I could use your help."

She made no immediate reply.

"If you think I'm dangerous, that I deserve punishment for keeping this secret, remember that I'm being sent to war. I think that's more than enough punishment. But until then, I would really like to learn how I can use magic that helps. And this is my only opportunity."

He kept his eyes on her until she finally relaxed her shoulders, slumping forward a little. "Alright. Come back tomorrow morning during second bell like you usually would. I'll help you practise. For now, we need to finish these salves. The infirmary is nearly out."

***

In the evening, Martel left the castle to walk east. The route was familiar, though he did not head towards the home of the Night Knives, once he reached the bridge district. Instead, he continued until he was at The River Pearl. The tavern looked inviting as ever with the sounds of merriment coming from inside, not to mention the scantily clad wait staff visible through the windows. Steeling himself for the upcoming conversation, unsure what Lady Pearl wanted, Martel went inside. He kept his hood up, mostly for his own sake, as he had to announce his arrival anyway. "Tell Lady Pearl that the mage is here. She wanted to meet me."

The guard gave a brief nod and disappeared into the back, leaving Martel to awkwardly fend off offers of drink or companionship from the serving girls.

"She says you can come right in. She's in her study," the guard related as he returned.

Martel gave a curt nod and hurried onwards. He remembered the way from his last visit, and soon, he stood before the bald proprietress who shared the name of her establishment.

"Master Martel. Good of you to come."

He was unsure if it had been much of a choice, but regardless, he inclined his head in greeting. Best to stay polite. "Lady Pearl."

"As you might have guessed, I thought of a way you can repay that small favour I am owed." She gave a wide smile with her painted lips.

Martel still felt he had gotten a raw deal on that matter, but he would hear her out. "Tell me."

"Solday evening, I have a meeting at Smallport. A representative from the Island Trading Consortium. Now, I have never met this fellow before, but he offers a deal so enticing, it warrants my personal attention. At the same time, a woman in my position can never be too careful."

Martel had never heard about this island guild before, but he understood the rest. "You want protection."

"I have my own guards, of course, but a mage offers certain assurances that others cannot. We have all heard about the battlemages of the Empire, even if you are the first I myself have met." She leaned forward, her many layers of expensive clothing all shifting. "Come around on Solday at fifth bell, and we shall travel to Smallport together. A quick meeting, most likely to be concluded peacefully, and we are done."

Given his recent luck, Martel felt quite certain this would be an ambush, but he could hardly refuse on such grounds. It was a reasonable request. "I'll be there," he promised.

"Excellent, darling. Be sure to look all wizard-like. No harm in impressing these islanders." Lady Pearl gave him another dazzling smile.