Firebrand

Chapter 9: An Unexpected Visit

An Unexpected Visit

Despite yesterday's small success, Martel could not translate it into similar gains for Glunday's elemental lesson. The ring of water lay undisturbed in the Hall of Elements despite all his efforts. A gap existed, which his magic could not traverse. He tried to think of memories like he had yesterday, but none came to mind that felt relevant. None that proved to be of an aid.

Lunch proved the usual hurdle of finding a table where he would not be rebuffed or laughed at. Surveying the area, he saw one spot with a group of elemental acolytes; one of them was Jasper, the earthmage who manned the desks in the entrance hall along with Henry. Martel made his way towards them with a questioning expression towards Jasper, as the latter looked up. He shook his head. "Go sit with the novices, boy."

Accepting his fate with a little sigh, Martel sat down next to a bunch of twelve-year-olds, eating in silence as he endured their noise.

~

After lunch, Martel had a free bell before his second elemental class, and he retreated to his room. He knew he should practice his control of water, or lack thereof, but he would rather improve his shield. At least he had made some progress in that direction, and maybe Master Reynard would treat him with less hostility if he demonstrated a proper shield next Malday.

There was a knock on the door. Sitting on the bed, Martel stared at it. He could not imagine who it might be. Who could have business with him? A little worried, he rose and took one step to reach the door. As he opened it, his expression turned from uncertainty to happy surprise. "Shadi!"

The slender girl reciprocated with a smile bigger than her face. "Hey, Martel! Guess who had to deliver a letter to your master!"

"My master? Oh, the artificer! But how did you know my room?"

"I asked around. Took me a while. Nobody knew any Martel. Guess you haven't been here long enough," she grinned. "I asked for the tallest novice in the school, instead." She looked over his shoulder. "And that's your room?"

"Aye. My kingdom," he added, laughing a little.

"Very austere. Exactly what I expected from a stern wizard. No luxuries or frivolities!"

He laughed again, and it hit him like a punch to the stomach how much he had missed laughing with a friend. "I'd invite you in to show you around, but as you can tell, you've seen the entirety of my room with a glance."

"Show me the rest of the school!" she suggested with a happy expression. "I've walked past so many times but never had a reason to enter."

"Sure! You've seen the workshop, of course, but there's some amazing places. Follow me!"

Martel led Shadi down the stairs. As they passed through the common room on the ground floor, they attracted some stares, which neither seemed to notice.

"What's all the letters between your father and Master Jerome?"

"Well, I'm guessing your guy wants my guy to make a watch. Since my dad's a watchmaker," Shadi laughed.

"Right, of course." They continued down the corridors. "Well, I can't wait to see the result." Perhaps then he would learn what a watch was.

Crossing the entrance hall, Martel soon directed them up a small staircase until he could open the door to the library.

"Look at all these!" He threw his hand out, gesturing to the tall shelves.

"So many! Are they all about magic?"

"Well, I haven't quite read them all yet, but I assume so."

"Such cheek," she responded.

From between the shelves, the librarian appeared like a vengeful apparition. "Only students and faculty are allowed in the library."

"Of course, master," Martel hurried to say. "We're leaving."

"See that you do."

The pair descended the stairs again. "Grumpy fellow," Shadi remarked.

"I get the feeling he's happiest when his only company is books."

"I guess I could see that. Where to now?" she asked as they reached the hallway.

Martel frowned in thought. "Oh! I know!"

~

Up and up they went another spiral staircase, sneaking past classrooms. Finally, Martel could open a hatch, allowing them to step onto the top of the astronomy tower. Meant for observations of the night sky, it was the tallest tower among the spires. In every direction, the great city of Morcaster spread out before their eyes. The dazzling temple of the Sun, the marbled Imperial palace, the great harbour with its forest of masts, and countless houses in between.

"Amazing," Shadi breathed. "I knew the city was big, but I never imagined this."

"It's staggering to think about how many people must live here."

"And this tower is used for astronomy? Have you been here at night?"

"Not yet. Master Fenrick said we'd go at some point when there'd be something interesting to show us. I, uh, don't remember what that was."

"Martel, Martel, not paying attention in class!"

"It's a lot to take in!" he said in defence. "Some fivedays ago, I couldn't tell one star apart from another. Now I got to chart them all out."

"At least it's the heavens and not the city you got to map out," Shadi considered, turning away from him to lean over the parapet. "I'm still amazed at how far it stretches on."

"Yeah." He joined her. "Back home, I couldn't imagine this many people in the world, let alone in the same city."

"Did it take you long to travel here?"

He nodded. "Several fivedays."

"I've never left Morcaster."

"You were born here?"

"Yep." She gave a little nod of her own. "I never thought about leaving it either. It feels like the whole world can be found here."

"It does," Martel replied, but even as he spoke, he considered the long journey from Nordmark to Morcaster, and everything he had seen travelling. He thought about the ships in the harbour, crossing the ocean to reach Sindhu, so different from the northern lands. Even as his plan was to return home a weathermage, his mind turned to all the places one might experience.

"I better get home. But thanks for showing me around." Shadi gave him a smile.

"I'll take you to the entrance."

~

In the evening, the Master of Elements made his way to the overseer's chamber, gaining admittance after a few knocks. As he entered, she gestured towards a goblet of wine on the table. "I took the liberty of pouring one for you." She raised her own cup.

"Another vintage?"

"Might as well try them all."

"It's good," Alastair remarked after sitting down and having a taste.

"It's decent at best, but you were always too polite to tell the truth."

He smiled wryly. "It's – not bad?"

"That rings closer to the truth. How is our student?"

"No progress," Alastair admitted. "I could try to teach him fire first, given how fast he should pick that up. But I fear it will dominate him at the expense of the other elements. He may never be a weathermage in that case."

"Is it safe to teach him how to improve his capabilities with fire? Even if he can control it and does not burn down the Lyceum, what if he decides to impress his peers with his abilities?"

"I told him," Alastair revealed. "He knows that he is fire-touched and to keep it a secret."

"Was that wise? If he does not feel your methods work, he might be tempted to pursue another path."

"He was disheartened by failure. He needed encouragement."

Juliana emptied her cup. "I suppose you know the boy best. But time is not infinite, Alastair."

"I know."

"He has less than a year now to prove himself worthy of becoming an acolyte. Imagine if he is expelled. An angry young man with more fire potency than anyone else in his generation."

The Master of Elements took a deep breath. "I know."