As Moira arrived at the Circle of Fire, Martel noticed that she once again carried four staves rather than three and a wand. Perhaps she was no longer amused by the jest of seeing a fire acolyte wi...
2023-09-18 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostAs soon as first bell rang, Martel got out of bed. Yawning, he splashed water into his face and washed himself before changing from nightshirt into his acolyte robe. He tied his belt around the wai...
2023-09-17 07:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe next days progressed in typical manner; Martel attended his lessons and chores, occasionally thinking about his trip on Solday. Nora had already gone on such forays a few times and told him wha...
2023-09-16 07:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostIt was a new fiveday, and Martel began like most mornings in the apothecary. As he entered, the resident apprentice turned and nodded at him in greeting. "Hullo, Martel. Mistress Rana was out last ...
2023-09-15 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostSolday morning afforded Martel another bell working on his enchantment skill, but to much the same result. Infusing the oil with the spell seemed like balancing an egg; no matter how many times he ...
2023-09-14 07:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostEntering the small laboratory in the workshops, Martel bent down to examine any residual heat in the stone he used for his enchantment work. He had checked on it during the fiveday, and even this m...
2023-09-13 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostWaiting for the lesson to begin in the Circle of Fire, Martel noticed something amiss once Moira arrived. She carried only three of the staves rather than four, despite the full number of acolytes ...
2023-09-12 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostA hammer came swinging through the air to strike Martel on the shoulder. Fortunately, chain armour and layers of cloth softened the blow, and it did not hurt. "Slow reactions, Nordmark!"
Mart...
2023-09-11 07:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostAnother fiveday began with Martel back in the Circle of Fire. Hopefully, his quarrels with the Nine Lords were done with, and he had tried his best to help Eleanor find a cure for her sister. He wo...
2023-09-10 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostSolday afternoon, Martel spent a bell with Eleanor in the library as usual. However, towards the end, he began copying her notes about all possible runes that might possess healing powers.
"Y...
2023-09-09 07:00:01 +0000 UTC View PostNext day, in between lessons, Martel hurried into the city. He walked around for a while, checking some regular places for his quarry. In the end, he found what he was looking for, scurrying along ...
2023-09-08 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostCombat training had returned to its usual dull state. They did not practice with golden weapons or in any kind of challenging conditions, such as twice the number of mageknights against fire acolyt...
2023-09-07 07:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe duke's words haunted Martel for the rest of the evening, and it interrupted his sleep at night as well. He had been certain that Cheval had attempted to exact revenge on him. Gathering informat...
2023-09-06 07:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostSolday was the last day of the solstice festival, but Martel did not mind that it was nearly over. He had enjoyed himself, watching a play at the Golden Goose, and his friends of the actor troupe w...
2023-09-05 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostThe following day, Martel was once again a simple fire acolyte, learning magical skills. As it was Manday, he began in the laboratory of the workshops, practising his enchanting. He was improving a...
2023-09-04 07:00:01 +0000 UTC View PostMartel dug out his expensive clothes, given to him last year by Maximilian. He felt a little odd putting them on; he was used to wearing a robe rather than a doublet, and not just in terms of comfo...
2023-09-03 07:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe hour grew late before Martel and the mageknights returned from the first night of the solstice. After the play, the troupe entertained them with songs and dances; Martel's many favours in the p...
2023-09-02 07:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe following day promised to be busy with two lessons in the Circle of Fire and Martel's plans with Maximilian and Eleanor in the evening; in spite of this, he decided to add more. He had not been...
2023-09-01 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostMartel returned to the workshops the next day, entering the small laboratory where his stone waited for him. Placing his hands against it, it felt cool as always; he had yet to enchant it sufficien...
2023-08-31 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostMartel exchanged a brief nod with Master Jerome and continued through the workshops to the small laboratory, where he practised enchanting. The artificer did not interfere much, content with lettin...
2023-08-30 07:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostArriving at the apothecary for his morning chore, Martel found that Nora had laid out his work for him, as she often did. He set to it quietly, letting his mind wander while his hand went through t...
2023-08-29 07:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe next day held combat lessons. While Martel disliked any time spent with Reynard, the teacher's disinterest in his students made for less trying hours. It even afforded Martel an opportunity to ...
2023-08-28 07:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post"Not really getting it through your thick skulls, are you?" Moira's disdainful gaze swept over her students. "Getting a few flames up and around the ruby won't be enough. I expect each of you to be...
2023-08-27 07:00:01 +0000 UTC View PostSeveral fivedays followed where Martel focused on his schoolwork, free from the interruptions and entanglements of the wider city. Nobody sent him messages, requesting or demanding anything from hi...
2023-08-26 07:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostWhen Moira appeared in the Circle of Fire, all the acolytes could sense this lesson would be different. It was rather obvious as she carried four staves in her arms, and unlike those used for weapo...
2023-08-25 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostNext day was Solday, where Master Jerome had kindly allowed Martel to practice his enchantments rather than do his regular chore for the Lyceum. However, instead of proceeding directly to the labor...
2023-08-24 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostMartel stared at the little clay jar in his hand, which continued to frustrate his efforts. He knew it would be difficult to learn but he thought that his experiences with Sindhian and Tyrian magic...
2023-08-23 07:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostTraining in the Circle of Fire had returned to the regular duelling, meant to hone their spellcasting and reflexes. Martel had his doubts this accomplished anything for him; any further improvement...
2023-08-22 07:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostWhile Malday was for lessons in combat magic, Martel spent the bell between studying elemental spells. Though this was not for his own sake; he had Master Alastair to guide him in learning spells. ...
2023-08-21 07:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostThe hours in the Circle of Fire felt long as always; the physical and magical exertion was only made worse by constant tongue lashings from Moira. Martel longed for the day when he would never have...
2023-08-20 07:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post