Quill

695. From One Saint to Another

The shrine of Saint Laurentius looked how Martel remembered it. A few priests puttered about, tending to the temple, though they withdrew seeing the mage enter. Decorations on the walls, but no alt...

694. Grey Words

For the second time in a row, Martel woke up only to feel exhausted by the questions that troubled his mind. New concerns had joined the old, worse than those he already struggled with. The decisio...

693. On the Trail

Martel stared at his legion prefect in alarm. "And the emperor? Don't tell me we've lost the most important prisoner in the entire gods-damned Empire!"

"No, captain, the emperor is where he s...

692. Fiery Reminders

The merchants' quarter lay just south of the Imperial palace district, making for a journey short enough to be made on foot. Although Martel had grown comfortable with riding, horses would have dra...

691. A Lack of Faith

Sleep provided Martel a reprieve from his thoughts, but no resolution; when Martel woke at dawn, he felt no closer to a decision. He chose to remember Eleanor's words that the matter was not immine...

690. Fate and Future

Martel stood in shock as the words of the duchess sank in. He wondered if he had misunderstood her, though it was hard to see how. He needed advice, either on what the duchess's true intentions mig...

689. Alliances

As evening approached, the delegates gathered in the discussion chamber once more, taking their customary seats. "I remain unconvinced of your plan," Honorius declared. "The legal basis seems flims...

688. One Among Many

"Magistrate. I am glad you would join me for this meal," Martel declared. He sat in one of his private rooms suitable for eating with guests. Two plates filled with delicacies stood on the table, o...

687. Second Round

Between first and second bell, Martel and Eleanor met in his room. She cast a look at his cot before sharing the notes written by their spies during the night. "The commanders mostly discussed how ...

686. Golden Promises

A large procession entered Morcaster through the north-western gate that lay between the Imperial and the temple districts. Soldiers filled the fortifications, watching their progress into the city...

685. New Quarters

Martel looked up, seeing both Eleanor and Lara in his study. "Both of you. This must be important."

The prefect handed over a small bundle of parchment. "A list of the northern emissaries. Th...

684. Satisfaction

A fiveday passed before the duke of Cheval was summoned to the fortress of Saint Marcellus. He arrived with his solitary guard afforded him, who stayed outside Martel's study, as did the captain's ...

683. Onions

Running around Morcaster for most of the night meant that Martel slept late for once. When he felt ready, he went to the offices to take counsel with Eleanor and Lara. He had considered gathering a...

682. Method and Opportunity

Nowhere had seen more change since the conquest of the city than the copper lanes. Morcaster suddenly had several times more soldiers than usual in garrison, and patrolling the poorer districts kep...

681. Porcupine

For the fourth Solday in a row, Martel and Eleanor went to The Golden Goose. This time, he was able to better pay attention; he kept up with the story and even laughed on occasion. He would not cla...

680. A Break from the Past

As Martel wandered into his study the following morning, a voice greeted him from a corner of the room. "Well met, Martel."

He turned on his heel with a spell half released to set the room ab...

679. The Right Head

Pelday morning, Martel's study saw the return of two previous visitors. He rose to greet the overseer and Master of Elements as they entered. "Welcome. I'm glad you would come."

"Hard to refu...

678. A Comedy of Decisions

Martel barged into the office so early, Lara had not showed up yet. Only a bemused Eleanor watched him, eating her breakfast at her desk. "Good!" he exclaimed. "You're here."

"It is so early....

677. A Political Future

Martel chewed on the last of his breakfast, mostly old bread with butter and slices of boiled potato. It had little taste, but food did not interest him much. "I remember Cheval's faction wants to ...

676. Friendly Enemies

A handful of days followed with the resumption of routines. Even with the Imperial administration still at work, running a city the size of Morcaster was a daunting task. In addition, the eastern p...

675. Putting on a Performance

In his study, going through another dreary morning, Martel looked up as a guard stuck his head inside. "The berserker is here, sir. Are you ready for him?"

"Send him in."

Soon after, a ...

674. A Crown in Hand

Two prefects made their way through the streets of Morcaster, walking directly south from the fortress of Saint Marcellus to reach the copper lanes. Both had their hoods up, obscuring their faces. ...

673. Intelligent Moves

As Martel woke after another night of unsatisfactory sleep, he allowed himself a slow morning. Eating a breakfast made of scraps of food left from yesterday, he reflected about last night. While it...

672. Catching a Play

Two hooded figures stood outside on the largest street in the market district, just before it reached what would be called the harbour area. In front of them lay a busy tavern, marked by a sign of ...

671. Master and Mageknight

Martel felt irritable each morning. The walls of his bedroom were thick, as could be expected from a fortress, and it kept out every sound. He kept the window open, but it faced the courtyard, wher...

670. Master and Student

Martel stood up with a relieved smile to see Alistair and Juliana stepped inside his room. He would have hugged his teacher, but the overseer's presence made him feel reserved, so he chose to expre...

669. Intimidation and Surprise

After the overwhelming events of the last days, not to mention the preceding months, it felt strange to enter a routine of administrative tasks and bureaucracy. Martel was reminded of when he had f...

668. A Captain's Voice

Martel woke in an unfamiliar room. He had arrived late last night and only seen it in the dark, too exhausted to even light a small flame with his magic. In the daylight, it looked entirely differe...

667. A Fair Trade

Martel stormed through the complex, yelling for his officers to join him. Each time someone did, they confirmed that they had seen no sign of the emperor. His personal quarters had been searched an...

666. The Third Starlit Eve

The gate to the Imperial palace grounds had already been destroyed, but the invading soldiers had not gone beyond. The prefects in charge had set a sharp watch to surround the great complex, larger...