Firebrand

The Promise of Spectacle

"Are you certain it's alright?" Shadi's voice sounded anxious. "I have never been seated on the benches before."

"Maximilian specifically told me so. And he wouldn't go back on his word or be mistaken." Martel pushed his way forward towards the seats surrounding the square on the northern side, Shadi following straight behind.

As they approached, some of the people already seated sent them disdainful glances. Martel ignored them and kept looking for Maximilian. He was starting to feel a little nervous, having promised Shadi a place on the benches, which he could not fulfil without his friend.

With relief, he spotted the mageknight further ahead, waving to gain his attention. Maximilian stood up, motioning for them to join him. "Let them through," he called out. Grudgingly, people made room for Martel and Shadi to pass down the benches and join the young viscount.

"Hullo, Maximilian. Thank you for inviting us to sit with you," Shadi said politely.

The mageknight mumbled and waved his hand around, his attention on the square where ranks of soldiers had begun marching out.

"Today is some kind of battle? Not games, but a spectacle like in theatre?" Martel asked. He looked at the hundreds of legionnaires taking position. About one third wore the red cloak of the legions, which in Morcaster also meant the city guard; the remainder had blue cloaks and carried banners unknown to him.

"Yes, exactly," Shadi replied.

"Aquilan standards! Bold choice from the legate Fontaine," Maximilian considered. "I did not expect to see the battle of liberation today."

"What?" Martel asked confused. "Eleanor's father?"

"Yes, he is the legate for the first legion. You did not know?"

Out on the square, the red cloaks had arrayed themselves in tight ranks, while the blue capes spread out to surround them from several sides. "I guess I knew his title, but I didn't realise what it meant. So Lord Fontaine leads the city guard?"

"Well, you got there in the end," the mageknight remarked.

"You said this is the battle of liberation? I don't know that history," Shadi interjected.

"Yes, it happened hundreds of years ago. During the last days of the Aquilan Empire. Morcaster rebelled, fighting for its independence despite being heavily outnumbered," Maximilian related. "Certainly people will enjoy seeing it, though I wonder why the legate chose it."

"What's strange about it?" Martel asked. He had to raise his voice as the fighting had begun; with loud battle cries, the blue cloaks assaulted those in red from three sides.

"It celebrates the first victory against Aquila, now part of our Empire. Lord Fontaine's family hails from that city, many generations back. I guess he wants to show his loyalty regardless of his family's origin, though I doubt it will make a difference," Maximilian mused.

Every answer only raised more questions to further confuse Martel. He watched as the red cloaks fought on valiantly, though they were slowly being worn down by the superior numbers of their enemies. "Why does he need to prove his loyalty?"

"Perhaps not the right word to use. But certainly he hopes to curry favour from the High Council. While being legate of the first legion is considered an honour, it is mostly a ceremonial role. Certainly a demotion compared to his last posting. Ha, good blow!" Maximilian shouted, seeing a red-cloaked legionary strike down several of the soldiers in blue.

"Where was he posted before?"

"The Tenth. Losing that command was a blow to his prestige. It is why he is pushing for Eleanor to become a prefect and one day legate," Maximilian explained.

"Well, it's an exciting battle for sure," Shadi remarked lightly.

~

It took another half hour before a contingent of riders stormed onto the square, falling into the back lines of the blue cloaks to aid the beleaguered legionaries of Morcaster, with certain defeat turned into sudden victory. Separating from Maximilian, Martel and Shadi strolled around the square, drifting towards the market district. Martel bought food for them both with his dwindling store of silver; his earnings from the fighting pit would soon be gone at this rate, but he would worry about that another time. For now, he simply enjoyed being able to spend without concern.

"I can't watch the games tomorrow," Shadi told him as they watched a man eat fire to the great amusement of the nearby children. "The Khivan quarter has its own little harvest festival, just the one day. My dad is keen on me participating, probably because he doesn't want me wandering all over the city." She gave a half-hearted laughter.

Martel observed the fire eater place the flaming stick in his mouth, appearing unharmed. As he pulled it out, the novice added a bit of magic to make the flames appear grander than possible by natural means, making the children scream in delight, and the fire eater almost dropped his stick in surprise. "All right. See you on Glunday instead? Max is participating again that day, I believe."

"Sounds great. "She gave him a hug as farewell, and they separated.

~

When Martel returned to his room in the evening, he found that a note had been pushed under his door. He picked it up to read the flowing script.

Master Martel,

You are cordially invited to join the Golden Harvest celebrations at The Copper Drum.

As a friend to the establishment, food and drink will be provided without limits,

if you arrive between seventh and last bell on the eve of Malday for the meal.

As more friends only make it merrier, the viscount of Marche has also been invited.

Respectfully,

The Copper Lady

Martel had never heard of something like this, a tavern sending out invitations across the city. But he had never spent harvest in Morcaster before either. He walked upstairs to reach Maximilian's room, knocking on the door.

The mageknight open. "What is it? Ah, same invitation as me, I wager." He nodded at the note in Martel's hand.

"Yes. Is this commonplace?"

"It is not strange that a tavern would host a celebration, though I have never been invited to one in this manner. I suppose our presence would lend some glory to the event."

Martel gave him an inquisitive look. "So, are we going? You know that woman is a snake. She's as liable to poison us as she is to feed us."

"Food and drink provided without limits? Poison or not, you bet your Stars we are going!" Maximilian still grinned even as he closed the door.