Quill

605. The Smell of Horses

Martel and Eleanor had spotted the enemy patrol while still more than a mile away. Likewise, the Khivans had noticed the two Asterians, but they had not guessed them to be mages, else they would ha...

604. A Hill Forlorn

Contrary to Martel's expectations, the vanguard was not ambushed as it marched through the woods east of the outpost. The only surprise was that after four days, the forest ended. Martel had assume...

603. Into the East

A handful of days passed, spent by the soldiers in preparation. It was always a complex matter when the whole legion had to march, even if two cohorts would do so in advance of the rest. Knowing th...

602. One More Summer

Martel did not have to postpone his reply for long. Already the next day, a messenger interrupted his morning sparring with Eleanor, summoning them both to the legate's home for a council. They bot...

601. Filial Duties

Eating breakfast with Eleanor, Martel reflected on his conversation yesterday with Starkad. "Did you hear about the Tyrian scouts? Going east."

"That is the direction in which we need scoutin...

600. The Path Ahead

The Khivan incursion had disrupted the usual reprieve that winter brought from campaigning, but a month of frost and cold remained after they had been driven back across the river, giving Martel ti...

599. The Promise of Spring

The sixth cohort along with three prefects made their return to camp during the night, seeking rest for the remaining nocturnal hours. As a new day began, so did the work cleaning up the battlefiel...

598. Blood and Ice

The wind chilled them to the bone as they marched out of camp, but Martel knew they should be grateful for the cold weather; the stronger the ice covering the wetlands, the better their chances of ...

597. Visible Cracks

The legion borrowed every longboat that the Imperial fleet in the delta could spare, allowing them to transport soldiers and supplies across the river more expediently. Thanks to this, the Tenth Le...

596. The Embrace of Sleep

Eleanor wanted to find anyone that might resemble a physician in Esmouth; failing that, cross the river and get to the infirmary in camp. Trusting in her ability to dress his wound, Martel negotiat...

595. The Forces of Nature

Everyone looked east, though the darkness hid the destruction from their eyes. Eleanor crossed the parapet to grab Avery by the shoulder. "They will destroy the gate next to have another place of a...

594. Into the Furnace

Walking through the gate to enter the town felt like a hollow promise of safety, with the constant sound of cannons beating down the walls coming from the other end of Esmouth. Martel clutched his ...

593. From the Anvil

Martel and Eleanor rested as best they could for the remainder of the day, with nothing to do but wait for nightfall. Back in his tent, Martel tried to sleep, but each time he came close, the sound...

592. Spied

As the pair of prefects marched into camp, they received a few looks, but nobody questioned them, and they made their way to the tenth of the legion prefect. Morning had just broken, and they found...

591. Down the River

The two mages stared at each other, surrounded by mutilated corpses and destruction while hearing the distant sound of battle. "There's nothing we can do," Martel finally said. "It would take us ag...

590. Among the Reeds

While Martel had his misgivings about the mission they have received, he could think of one positive: he and Eleanor would be on their own. Granted, it would only be until they returned, and it did...

589. XIII

They marched for twenty days until they reached the camp of the Thirteenth Legion. It had been set up as could be expected, with ditches and palisades providing defences, while the usual camp follo...

588. Connections

Early next morning, a carriage awaited in the courtyard. The doors to the house opened and revealed two mages leaving, accompanied by servants carrying their luggage. Martel would have preferred le...

587. In the Eyes of the World

The sounds of the world faded away. Martel did not hear whatever the legate said afterwards, nor the responses from any of the other family members. He ended up getting a summary from Eleanor after...

586. The Burdens of Duty

Although waking early again next morning, Martel stayed in his room and waited for breakfast. He did not leave for a while even after he had eaten, feeling worn out. Late nights and early mornings ...

585. Old Plays in New Bottles

Martel took it easy for most of the next day, but when evening approached, he and Eleanor crossed the city to reach the market district, following the same route Martel had taken the day before, go...

584. Critters of the City

The hour was late when Martel, worn out after a long celebration, could finally stumble into bed. Despite this, he woke so early the sun had yet to rise. A look at his Khivan clock told him breakfa...

583. Familiar Outcome

Five paces separating them, Martel stared at the three mageknights. Each of them had drawn their daggers; weapons with richly decorated hilts that probably gave the blade poor balance, but still de...

582. Familiar Arguments

Although spending the last days in the city, Martel had noticed the flurry of activities across the home of House Fontaine. Preparations for the summer solstice took time, and Martel ended up simpl...

581. Familiar Streets

Martel slept on a cot that night. When he woke, the room was cold as no servant had come to start a fire in the hearth, but this did not bother him, and the breakfast was as delicious as yesterday....

580. Familiar Grounds

The sound of a door opening woke Martel. Confused about his surroundings, Martel thought that someone had disturbed his rune of warning, sneaking up on him in camp. He sat up, fire filling his hand...

579. Head Above Water

Unwilling to cross the entire city on foot with all their luggage, Martel and Eleanor hired a cart and a driver. They placed their belongings and themselves in the back and began the journey northe...

578. Familiar Sensations

Martel had forgotten about seasickness. The first few days, he spent all waking hours on the deck, strategically near the railing, should he need to make any deposits into the water. He could not d...

577. A Living Weapon

As Martel woke, he glanced around his tent. Most of his belongings had been packed in his travel chest; they would leave camp before second bell to board a ship bound for Morcaster. The sight of it...

576. An Optio and an Officer

Three days later, Martel and Eleanor walked into the camp of the Tenth Legion. Since they had to wait for the next available ship sailing to Morcaster, they settled back into their old tents. With ...