Quill

32. Gold, Steel, and Magic

Even in the frail light of his flickering flame, Martel recognised the one-eyed berserker in front of them. And his hammer. The first time he and Maximilian had spent time together, they had watche...

31. Taking Matters into Small Hands

Martel left Maximilian's room in defeat. He could not rouse the mageknight. He went to his own room and sat down on his bed, thinking about his options. He could try to persuade the guards on his o...

30. Moving Parts

"Today, we will discuss necromancy." Master Fenrick let his eyes sweep over the students. "What is a necromancer?"

Martel tasted the word. "Someone who does evil magic?"

"Partly correct...

29. Tiny Trials

"Good work, boy." Master Alastair watched as Martel pulled water into the air, separated it in different drops, and made them float around separately.

"Thank you, master."

"I think it's...

28. Small Steps

Martel spent his first lesson in combat magic practising his shield as usual, employing the other novices to test him. His second lesson turned out different. For the past while, he had tried to em...

27. Playing Hero

Eleanor unfolded the cloth, revealing a handful of berries, which she dropped into her morning porridge.

"I wish my family sent me berries," complained the girl next to her.

"They would...

26. Faire Behaviour

Typically, when Martel had to spend second bell on Soldays assisting the artificer as part of his schedule, time passed by easily. The work was monotonous, but if he let go of his thoughts, the two...

25. Strength in Others

After the first month, Martel began to feel settled. When he thought of home, he thought of his small chamber in the boys' dormitory rather than the crowded house in Engby, containing one large roo...

24. Sun or Stars

The first two bells after breakfast, Martel spent doing work for Master Jerome, making the most of all his spare time on Mandays. As his only class did not start until sixth bell, he had time after...

23. Land or Sea

The column of water rose into the air in the Hall of Elements. It held its structure against the laws of nature for several moments before it finally disintegrated, falling back into the channel. S...

22. Choosing the Battle

For his first combat lesson on Malday, Martel began as he always did; he retreated to a solitary part of the arena to practise his shield. The other novices practised their staff fighting with the ...

21. The Roads to Friendship

The next morning, Martel had a headache. Perhaps he had not slept enough; it had been after last bell when he and Maximilian returned to the Lyceum. Another time, he would be sure to get home earli...

20. The Golden Goose

After assisting Master Jerome for a bell, as was his duty every Solday, Martel worked for another bell, this time getting paid. The task was even interesting, at least at first. Using a strange liq...

19. The Berserker

Waking up on Manday, Martel felt the familiar knot of anxiety that had been a rather constant companion since his arrival to Morcaster. Only this morning, he could not remember why. His classes wer...

18. Something New in the Air

The thought of combat lessons still made Martel uneasy, though for a different reason than usual. He no longer felt worried about getting a beating during sparring, or that Reynard might humiliate ...

17. Friendly Conversation

The next day at breakfast, Martel experienced something strange. He was used to getting stares when entering the dining hall; his height did not allow him to be inconspicuous. Usually, the looks co...

16. Friendly Sparring

Martel woke with a knot in his stomach. Last night's astronomy lesson had been tense and uncomfortable, with Cheval staring daggers at him. He had paid little attention to Master Fenrick's teaching...

15. In the Maelstrom

His only lesson late in the day, Martel had time to work a bell for Jerome on Manday. Working the tannery was tedious, laborious, and smelly, but one silver coin richer, Martel did not care as he s...

14. Menial Behaviour

Martel's lesson in elemental magic was not until third bell, giving him lots of time every Glunday morning. With a debt to pay, he needed to put it to good use, so he went the only place where he c...

13. Defenceless

For the day's first lesson with the other novices, Martel seemed to be ignored by his teacher, which suited him fine. Unlike with Master Alastair, he felt no need to share his breakthroughs, even i...

12. A Balm for the Mind

For the first time since his arrival, Martel went to his class in elemental magic with confidence. As novices streamed past him, their own lesson finished, he did not mind their glances or giggling...

11. Circling Stars

If Malday was Martel’s least favourite, Solday might become his preferred. No classes with condescending students or a sneering teacher. Only some tasks in the workshop with the artificer, who mi...

10. Sage Advice

Mandays were quiet. Martel only had his astronomy lesson at sixth bell and kitchen chore at seventh. Until then, his time remained his own, though he was meant to practise his magical exercises, ho...

9. 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...

8. A Parent's Protection

Although he only had one fiveday to base his opinion on, Malday had already become Martel's least favourite day. Two lessons with a teacher who treated him with contempt, and the opportunity to add...

7. Dormant

Martel's first fiveday at the Lyceum did not feel like a success. He had hardly shown any talent in his classes; after four lessons in elemental magic, he did not feel any improvement. As he finish...

6. Shadi

Solday did not bring any lessons with it, but instead the obligation to assist the artificer in the workshop for a full bell. While Martel did not know what this entailed, he had helped his father ...

5. The Meeting of Stars

As Manday came around, Martel woke feeling hopeful. His bruises from two days ago had turned various shades of blue and purple, and they only hurt on occasion. He had most of the day to himself exc...

4. Tranquil

As Glunday arrived, Martel returned to elemental magic. He had practised with the bowl of water in his room, yet despite all his efforts, he could barely cause the slightest change. The various met...

3. Getting Physical

When Martel woke on the morning of Malday, he quickly washed and dressed; on this day, he was to help in the kitchens with breakfast. Fortunately, yesterday's skirmish did not repeat, and he got th...