Firebrand

What Ails the Heart

Next day was Solday and the resumption of Martel's regular schedule with the addition of his new daily task in the apothecary. First though, his old duty of assisting the artificer beckoned. Two hours of doing small works of maintenance followed. Dull, but Martel felt no need for excitement. Between the journey to the Stone of Archen and yesterday's troubling event, his appetite for adventure was sated. Still, he could not help but feel curious about what currently took place in the city, and so he approached Master Jerome when time permitted it.

"Yesterday, I went into town," Martel began to explain. "I didn't get far. What's happening on the streets?"

"Ah, right, you were away. With the return of spring, the Khivan war has come out of hibernation. Last month, our forces attempted to storm Nahavand."

"What's that?"

"A great Khivan city that lies by the river Savena. We have besieged it for years, but the Khivan cannons make a direct assault foolish." The artificer shook his head. "I cannot imagine what madness possessed them to try."

"So what, people are mad about the attempt?"

"Among other things. Mad that we tried and failed, that the war has dragged on for so long yet we've barely pushed into Khiva, that so many have died for nothing. Two days ago, the first ship with the wounded from the assault reached the harbour," Jerome explained. "Along with the news of the casualties, people are incensed."

"But what are they gaining by taking to the streets?"

Master Jerome shrugged. "I doubt that's on their minds. They are animated by anger, not reason, Martel. And if nothing else, they are letting our leaders know."

"But innocent people could get caught up and get hurt."

"Yes. Which is why you should stay off the streets until the anger simmers down. Just a few days should suffice. In fact, stay at the school."

Martel nodded mutely, even as he had no intentions of doing that.

~

Straight after assisting Master Jerome, Martel went to his new employment. Forcing himself to walk naturally, he crossed the infirmary and entered the apothecary. He found only Mistress Rana, poring over a great tome.

She looked up hearing his approach. "Good. I dislike when students are late."

"What's that?" He nodded towards the book.

"The sum of my knowledge and far too advanced for you." She closed the tome and gave him an examining look. "What is your specialty? Assuming you have any particular talents."

"I'm working with Master Alastair to become a weathermage. I am starting to learn control of the elements, but I have only been practising for a few months."

"I see. Well, skill with water can be useful for an alchemist. So can fire, controlling the temperature when you brew. But I imagine that is low on Master Alastair's list of priorities for you to learn."

When the time came, Martel did not think fire would be an issue for him.

"Regardless, do not expect to come near a cauldron for the first year. Even if I agree to let you stay, you will spend that time learning your herbs and ingredients, not to mention how they must be prepared and preserved."

"Understood."

"Good. Here is your first lesson. Pay attention, for I shall only explain this once." Rana gestured at the countless ingredients lining the shelves around them. "In Sindhian alchemy, magic is simply life. All living things thus contain the potential for magic. With the right methods, we may coax that magic forth to create wondrous elixirs."

"On our trip to the Stone of Archen, Master Fenrick mentioned gathering herbs in the moonlight. That last bit seemed very important, given that he sacrificed his night's sleep for it."

The alchemist smiled sardonically. "He will live, I'm sure. And yes. The light of the moon seems to fill certain herbs with magic, or reach their full potential. Thus, harvesting them during a full moon gives the most potency."

Martel considered what he had learned in astronomy and whether there was a connection.

"But before you can learn to gather your own ingredients, you must first know them and how to treat them, so they do not lose their properties. This is foxglove, one of countless reagents for a healing potion, and among the most common. So if you mess this up, at least the loss is limited."

Not the most encouraging speech, but Martel did not let that discourage him. "What do I do?"

"We want the leaves. First, you pluck them this way…"

~

Despite Master Jerome's warning, Martel ventured into the city after lunch. He stuck to smaller streets, circumventing the market district. It added half an hour to his travel time, but he saw no sign of trouble. As he entered the Khivan enclave, it felt cold and unwelcoming. Even with few people outside, hostility hung in the air. Keeping his hood up, Martel hastened to reach the watchmaker's workshop.

As he pushed on the door, he found it locked. Instead, he knocked several times. Finally, he heard the door unlock; as it pulled open, Shadi stood behind. "Martel! Come in." He slipped inside, and she closed the door behind him, turning the bolt. "We were just upstairs."

"It's good to see you're both unhurt!"

"We know to stay close to home when trouble brews," Shadi replied. "It usually dies down before they reach the Khivan quarter anyway."

From atop the stairs, Master Farhad appeared. Seeing Martel, he made a grumbling sound. "Tell the boy." He disappeared again.

"Tell me what?"

Shadi cleared her throat. "It's not just Asterians who are angry. People here have relatives on the Khivan side. And many of them don't like mages either, especially not with the war going on. Already some complain because my dad is doing this big work for your school."

"I'm sorry to hear that, that's unfair."

"So the thing is…" Shadi bit her lower lip. "My dad says, unless you're bringing a message from your master, you shouldn't come around here anymore. Having a mage visit could give him trouble, more than he already gets from the neighbours."

Martel stared at her, his heart sinking. "You mean we can't be friends anymore?"

"No, no, of course we can! We just can't meet here. But we can still get together out in the city."

"The way things are now, I don't think that's an option."

"Not right now. But it will cool down soon. It always does, after some days. I was thinking we could meet next Solday? Assuming everything's calm. In the market district, say near the statue of that old legate on his horse." She gave him a hopeful look.

"Alright. If you think that'll be safe." Martel tried to hide his reaction; he could not help but feel downhearted.

"At fifth bell."

Master Farhad showed himself at the top of the stairs again. "Enough. Boy, go home."

Shadi mouthed an apology to him and undid the bolt, opening the door. He gave her a mirthless smile and left.