Paths of Friendship

A new fiveday began as Pelday rolled around, and two lessons in fire magic loomed over Martel. It had barely been a month; he could not fathom going through this for a whole year. As much as he felt sorry for himself, he briefly pitied the other fire acolytes, who had to stomach this for two years. He wondered if they had gotten used to it, or if they simply suppressed the anger at being treated this way, the fury at being helpless against it. Looking around the Circle of Fire, seeing their downcast expressions, he guessed at the latter.

"Listen up." Moira strode into the chamber, barely glancing at her students. "I've decided to be lenient."

They all straightened up a little after hearing that.

"Tomorrow, you'll fight the mageknights again. But this time, I won't deal out detention if you lose. If the motivation of surviving on the battlefield doesn't work, I can't care either. Win or lose, it's up to your own devices."

The acolytes looked almost relieved at this, though Martel felt sceptical. He had come to understand that even if Moira's methods seemed wantonly cruel, she usually did everything with ulterior motives. He did not look forward to finding out what might be behind this, but if it really meant less detention, he would try to appreciate that little bit of good news. Especially with everything else he had going on.

"Alright, enough time standing around gawking like fools. You'll fight in pairs. Harriet and Martel, you're against William and Edward. Take positions."

***

"Nordmark, my old mate, it has been too long since we last went out," Maximilian declared, falling upon Martel in the hallway.

Suddenly beset, one heavy arm slung over his shoulder, Martel slumped down under the weight of his friend. "Sure," he managed to say. "It'll be a while before I got time though. Certainly not tonight."

"You sure? I was thinking you could swing by the Chamber of Earth, do your customary routine of annihilating an opponent with a spell or two, and as a reward, I will buy the first round," Maximilian suggested.

"A great idea, but I just can't."

The mageknight tightened his grip around Martel's shoulder. "Do not disappoint me so, my comrade-in-cups. There are fools to lay low and bottles to empty! Surely your other pursuits can wait until tomorrow."

"I wish, but sadly not." Martel wrenched himself loose. "It'll have to be another night."

"Nordmark, you are breaking my heart."

"It'll heal, I'm sure." The fire acolyte hastened down the hallway, leaving the mageknight to stare at his back.

***

Safely in his room, Martel sat down to consider his schedule. Besides all his classes, he began to realise everything he had added to it.

Working for Lady Pearl; while only a few evenings here and there, it still ate many hours away on those particular days.

Pursuing alchemy; besides one full bell every single day working for Mistress Rana, it would also take an evening here and there to actually set up a workshop in Julia's chamber to properly practise. Not to mention, he only worked for Lady Pearl to afford the supplies. And he still needed to find time to do his Sindhian exercises if he ever wanted his potions to be half as potent as those of a real alchemist.

Possibly training Sparrow; just the trip to the copper lanes and back would eat up a whole evening. He could make the girl come to him, of course, but it felt wrong to demand a small girl cross half of Morcaster. Especially when she had already once been taken by a maleficar.

In addition, Martel had other pursuits that might occasionally make demands of him. Maximilian's latest suggestion contained two of them. A night out in the city with friends seemed frivolous. As for sparring in the Chamber of Earth, while not particularly time-consuming, it was also unnecessary.

Going through the list in his mind, Martel sighed. This did not feel sustainable. He had promised Lady Pearl to do one more task, but it would have to be the last. Even if the thought of seeing Ruby again enticed him to reconsider, he had to stand firm. If it meant less money for alchemy supplies, Martel would just have to adjust his efforts accordingly. He would still learn, after all, just have fewer opportunities to practise his brewing skills.

As for Sparrow… The girl deserved to learn. To gain the power to defend herself against the monster that showed up in the copper lanes, and any other who might harm a child.

But, a voice said in Martel's head, even if it meant she used her newfound skills to rob or worse? Opening locks was one thing. An elemental bolt brimming with spellpower, hitting the right place, could kill a person. If Martel showed her the path to such powers, would he be culpable for how she used them?

Feeling the beginnings of a headache, Martel decided to postpone the ethical quandary. Perhaps he could ask someone for advice. Plenty of teachers in this place who must have considered the same question during their career. For now, Martel had to cross off another task of his list.

Gathering all his notes from Master Fenrick's class, Martel left his room. He made his way to the library just as its caretaker was about to leave, who grudgingly opened the door to the second floor. As Martel ascended the stairs, he saw a welcome sight awaiting him by their usual table.

"There you are." Eleanor smiled at him. She had her own stack of parchment in front of her along with two copies of a hefty tome entitled On the Nature of Constellations. "I thought we might work separately on our individual chapters, but compare whenever we come across an unusual sentence? There is bound to be some repetition, given it is the same book and all."

Martel sat down opposite her. "Sounds like a good plan, commander."

"You tease a lot for someone who seemed relieved at my offer of cooperation."

"No teasing at all. I'd follow you anywhere," Martel declared with half a smile.

She narrowed her eyes, apparently not entirely convinced, before she demonstratively opened one of the books and began reading.