Firebrand

Court Summons

Still unsure what to think of the inquisitors in light of what he had learned, Martel decided to ask someone else. Manday gave him the chance to solicit one such often source of knowledge. "Master Fenrick, are the inquisitors our friends or enemies?"

The other novices glanced at him, some of them looking disturbed by the question.

"That depends on your viewpoint," the teacher replied. "Do you believe the threat from maleficars and the abominations spawned by necromancy matter more than our ability to practice our magical gifts without the constant burden of suspicion, oft followed by unjust accusations?"

"I don't know," Martel replied confused. "What do you think?"

"I think that is a question all mages should answer for themselves."

~

A message was delivered by a smirking air acolyte to Martel as he crossed the entrance hall. Moving over to stand in the shadow of the astronomical clock, Martel quickly read the note.

Master Martel,

A matter of some importance has arisen involving you.

Your presence on our premises within the next days would be most appreciated.

Respectfully as always,

The Copper Lady

He stared at the words. He was not enthused at the thought of going to The Copper Drum. After the wasted night of the full moon, and his last trip to the place also being fruitless, Martel felt a little foolish going there again. But, looking past the flourishing language, he detected a note of urgency and perhaps even concern in Kerra's words. Feeling a little worried himself about the cause for the message, Martel decided to simply get it over with and go this evening.

~

Martel almost regretted his decision on the way there, walking for more than an hour just to reach The Copper Drum, especially since he would spend the same amount of time going home. He could have practised a bit more, played some cards with Maximilian in the common room, or found an interesting book at the library. Instead, he walked the streets of Morcaster; this late in the harvest season, he had his hood up and his hands hidden inside his pockets for warmth.

The guards nodded and let him walk directly through the compound until he reached Kerra's study. She looked up as he entered with a smile. "Master Martel, good of you to come."

"Your message sounded important?"

"Indeed." She motioned for him to take a seat, which he did. "The Nine Lords are gathering. Tibert has called us together, making accusations against me."

"What's he accusing you of?"

"Attempting to murder him." Kerra smiled sardonically. "He's just trying to cause trouble. But as you have been involved in my recent dealings with him, I could use you as a witness."

"A witness, like at a trial?" Martel frowned. He had imagined a handful of cutthroat rogues meeting in a shadowy place, not judges in a courtroom.

"You could call it that. Would you be willing to come with me? I only need you to tell the truth, nothing more, and you may return home afterwards," Kerra promised.

For once, something in Martel resisted. Travelling to some unknown place where the crime lords of Morcaster gathered did not sound like a place he should be found. Especially not if he was under scrutiny by inquisitors. "Where's the meeting taking place?"

She gave a sly smile. "The only place in the city that we consider neutral ground. The Undercroft."

"What's that?" Martel had never heard of the place, which did not reassure him.

"Below the city, the old ruins of what lay before stretches on for miles. It is an intriguing place, full of history. Certainly a mage would find it fascinating," she told him with temptation in her voice.

At another time, in other surroundings, that might have excited him to hear more about. Currently, it only made Martel feel uneasy. "I don't think I should. I'm a student at the Lyceum, I have my examination, and I shouldn't be at such meetings. And the inquisitors are watching us all like hawks. I went into The Broken Crown on your behalf, and it ended in a riot. Not to mention, Leatherfist attacked me one night, and I barely fended him off. And then you invited me to the harvest feast, just so I could help fight against Tibert, who came straight after me," he rambled on, finally taking a deep breath as he finished.

As Kerra regarded him silently, his nervous energy dissipated, which left him just feeling nervous. When she finally spoke, her words came slowly, sounding thought-through. "You're right. The manner of our first meeting did little to build trust between us, and I sent you on a task like a tool to be discarded after use. But you changed my mind with your willingness to help us. You are not called the Copper Mage for idle reason. The time you spent training my people to fight the threat that haunts our district has not been forgotten."

While Martel appreciated that, his actions had been to aid the common people, not for Kerra's sake. Going to this meeting, mingling with crime lords felt like a great risk to him solely for her benefit.

Sensing his reticence, she continued, "I will of course compensate you however much you deem fitting."

While Kerra was right that they lacked trust, she was wrong to think it could be bought with coin. "May I think about it?" Martel was already inclined to reject her request, but he felt a little uncomfortable telling her directly to her face deep inside her stronghold. She was fond of sending him letters; one in return seemed suitable.

She held his gaze. "Of course," she replied, a moment too late to make her seem comfortable with the prospect despite her words. "The meeting is in eight days. You have plenty of time to consider."

"Great. I better head home." He got up, gave an awkward nod in farewell, and left the chamber. Behind her desk, Kerra stared pensively in the direction where he had gone.