Firebrand

Pillars of Sand

Master Basil collected his students from the entrance hall. "No more tours. Time to test your skill. Follow me." With slow steps, the teacher led them through the dining hall to the northern part of the castle, which held the different rooms for elemental magic teaching. They went down a staircase, not far from the one that led to the Vault of Water, moving below ground.

With only the earthmage's light hovering above to illuminate the hallway, they descended until making a sudden turn. Although darkness surrounded him, Martel could sense they stood in a large space.

He felt a small burst of magic from Master Basil, and torches in each corner lit up. "Welcome to the Chamber of Earth. This is where I teach. Solid dirt beneath us." Their teacher stamped his foot against the ground a few times, as if patting the earth itself.

Martel glanced in every direction. Torches helped to establish the size of the chamber, giving him some sense of how far it stretched, some thirty times thirty feet. Yet he could not actually see the walls as their dark colour simply made them look to be one with the general darkness, and it gave him the eerie sense of standing in the middle of an endless void.

"First. Let me assess your skills. Show me your powers with earth," Master Basil bade them.

One after the other, the novices demonstrated how far they had come practising this element with Master Alastair. The first two both managed to raise small mounds of dirt, but nothing more.

Martel's turn. Unlike with Mistress Rana and Master Gilbert, he did not have to impress this teacher as well. But he wanted to. Holding out his hands, he raised earth from the ground into a smooth, perfectly round pillar, held up only by his magic.

Master Basil made a mumbling sound and nodded to himself. Not particularly impressed, it seemed. As Martel released his spellcraft, the pillar of earth reflected his confidence and collapsed.

One novice left. He also stretched out his hands, palms downwards. But instead of small mounds of dirt or a column, something else entirely rose from the ground. To Martel's amazement, he saw the shape of the building. Quickly, he recognised it. When standing on the Tower of Air, this was the view of the Lyceum.

Martel marvelled at the sight. The representation was crude, lacking details, but miles ahead of what Martel could do. Just the fact that it was so easily recognisable as the school left him astonished.

"Well done," Master Basil mumbled.

With a smile, the novice with an aptitude for earth released his magic and let the ground become smooth again.

They spent the rest of the lesson doing simple exercises, manipulating the earth in different ways. It all came easy to Martel, having already done similarly during Master Alastair's lessons. But he accepted this, knowing he would not be particularly challenged. In a few fivedays, this course would be at an end anyway. Besides, Master Basil already seemed preoccupied with his one student that showed promise, taking him aside from the others to instruct him personally in more complex exercises. Martel felt a little jealous at the attention shown, but given that he received individual lessons from Master Alastair, he could not really complain. Still, feeling a little bored, he was glad once the class ended.

~

Like Soldays, Martel had no classes or chores past lunch on Maldays. While he still intended to spend one bell this evening training Kerra's guards, he had another errand in mind that coincided nicely with going to the copper lanes anyway. Since he still had most of the silver given to him by Kerra after his assistance on the night that Tibert attacked The Copper Drum, he could also put some of it to good use.

Leaving the castle, Martel went south to the market district. He walked a familiar path, but just before he reached his destination, he paused. He had forgotten about the incident, but seeing the alley where the old herbalist had his stall made the memories return. The two inquisitors, watching and accosting him over his purchases. Pushing their way into his chamber and interrogating him the day after, and who knew how long they had otherwise kept him under observation.

For a moment, Martel was tempted to simply turn around. But he knew that was silly. Sooner or later, Mistress Rana would require him to fetch more herbs anyway. Besides, letting the inquisitors scare him off from doing his tasks, especially when they were not even present, felt like a defeat, letting their cruel behaviour control him. Resolutely, Martel strolled down the alley towards the herbalist – after looking in every direction for anyone wearing blue uniforms with golden apparel.

"Young Master Martel! Mistress Rana driving you hard?" asked the old herbalist.

"No worse than usual," he replied with a forced smile, still feeling apprehensive. "I am after some different things, all common herbs. As much as these will buy me." He took out four silver birds and began listing the different plants he wanted.

~

Continuing to the copper lanes, Martel did not go directly to the tavern. Instead, he went to the intended recipients of his herbal gifts. Last time he visited, it had been rather short. The inquisitors were still combing the slums, making Weasel disinterested in hosting mages as his guest. Hopefully sentiments had changed, especially as Martel came bearing both present and some timely advice.

As a sign that matters had improved, the children spotted him down the street and greeted him as usual. They crowded around him, trying to catch a glimpse of the bundle in his arms. Laughing at their enthusiasm, Martel followed them to their home.

Once inside, he revealed the herbs he had brought, supplying their dwindling stock of remedies. The children continued to surround him, asking about bruises and miscoloured spots, or relating tales of exploits.

It did not take long for Weasel to make his sudden appearance. "The Copper Mage graces us with his presence!"

As always, the small chief talked and acted much older than his years. "You heard about that? I'm surprised anyone outside The Drum knows," Martel expressed.

"Oh yes," Badger confirmed while nodding vigorously. "Kerra's people make sure to spread the word. Everyone in the copper lanes know."

"But does it mean you won't be our friend anymore?" Mouse asked with a sad voice.

"Of course not," Martel assured her. "But I do bring a warning."

The children exchanged looks, some of them already wearing a frightened expression. "What is it?" asked Weasel gruffly.

"The full moon is at its highest between next Solday and Pelday," the mageknight explained. "Be careful, not just on that night, but also the days leading up." He noticed that Sparrow was not in the room, perhaps for the best; she did not need any reminders of the dangers stalking the copper lanes during full moons.

"Fine. We'll take our precautions," Weasel declared.

"Good." Martel hesitated. "You know what today is, right? It's Malday. Three days left."

Weasel just gave him an offended look.