Firebrand

Chapter 417: Fading Gems

Fading Gems

Another fiveday began with Martel back in the Circle of Fire. Hopefully, his quarrels with the Nine Lords were done with, and he had tried his best to help Eleanor find a cure for her sister. He would just have to wait for any results. Until then, he could return his focus to his schoolwork. Holding an enchanted staff in his hand, staring at the slit in the wall ahead of him that served as his target, Martel once more practised channelling his magic through the ruby.

He went for the strategy that had worked best for him so far. Rather than think of magic as something only originating from himself to be flung into the world, he imagined it was already connected with his target; a potential bridge lying dormant, waiting to be realised.

Martel tried again and again, and at last, even before it happened, he felt it. The surge of magic leaving his body came with stronger force, more focus. It travelled through the silver sinews of his staff, making the ruby glow before a blast of fire burst out to fly swiftly across the room and through the opening in the wall.

He felt out of breath, but also elated that it had worked. Almost on instinct, he glanced around the room to see if anybody had noticed. The other acolytes were all busy with their own attempts; judging from their struggles, they still had aways to go. It reminded Martel that in a sense, he was privileged compared to them. They were resigned to the same fate as him, but they probably had to work twice as hard to master the same spells. And that excluded the extra elemental magic that Master Alistair taught him, or learning things like enchantment and alchemy.

"Enough dawdling!" Moira's words cut straight through Martel's thoughts. "Don't think doing it once is enough. Keep at it!"

Trying to ignore her shrill voice, but still doing as he was told, Martel turned back towards the wall and began channelling another spell.

***

After class, Martel gathered up a heap of coins and left the castle. He had not seen Julia in a long time; last he tried, discovering Weasel exploiting Sparrow's magic for his thievery had distracted Martel. Since it was nearly a new month, he could also take the opportunity to pay her rent. Not that he imagined the reeve of her insula would press a wizard for payment or dare to throw her out, but still best to have it done. It was an easy thing to forget or postpone, after all.

Plenty of people filled the streets, but compared to the busy solstice on other days, it did not feel particularly crowded. Martel made good time walking across the market district to finally reach the harbour. He entered Julia's insula and made straight for the reeve's office.

"Master mage," the man exclaimed as he opened the door, stepping back to allow Martel entry into his office.

"Just here to pay next month's rent." Martel began digging out coins.

"Very well, master. The young mistress will be returning then?"

Martel's movements froze. "What do you mean?"

"Well, she hasn't been in the building for a number of days now."

"How do you know this? Did someone tell you to keep watch for her?"

"Not at all, good master! It's just, I have the key to her room, so unless she climbs up the wall several floors high to enter through the window, she couldn't possibly get in." With nervous energy, the reeve opened a drawer and took out a key.

The young wizard narrowed his eyes, staring at the middle-aged man. "Start explaining. Fast."

"Of course, of course. The neighbours alerted me. Her door stood open with the key in the lock. Not wanting anyone to steal her things, I locked the door and took the key with me. Figured once she got back, she'd come find me or the neighbours would tell her, and I'd hand the key back. But she never did. This was more than a fiveday ago."

Dread creeping into Martel, he realised that the stammering fool could not do anything other than irritate him further. He needed to investigate this. He reached out and grabbed the key from the reeve before turning around and marching out of the office.

Swiftly ascending the stairs, he soon reached Julia's room and unlocked it. For the most part, it looked as expected. A mattress with some clothes. The cauldron and some of the herbs that Martel used for alchemy. A jar, half filled with stale water. Crucially, he noticed no food, no blanket, nor her doll. This suggested she had left by her own volition rather than dragged away by inquisitors.

Of course, if she had fled her home because someone was chasing her, they might have caught up to her elsewhere and taken her into captivity. But Martel doubted that the mage hunters had ever pursued her in the first place. Most likely, she had gotten scared and decided to make herself scarce. Nothing he could do about that. If she did not wish to be found, Martel knew he could not expect to do so. He had never been able to find her the last time he went looking.

He left the room, locking the door. Returning to the reeve, he gave the key back along with instructions to hand it over to Julia, should she return. He had paid for the room for the next month, after all. Perhaps she would return once she felt safe to do so.

Nothing further to accomplish at the insula, Martel began the journey home. At least it was still the warm season. Even if she slept on the street, she would hopefully not be cold. Especially not with the blanket that she had taken with her. She had survived for years before meeting Martel; she would be fine on her own – or if nothing else, she would survive on her own. She knew Martel lived at the Lyceum; she could come and find him, or get a message to him, if she needed his help. Trying to comfort himself with these thoughts, Martel returned to the school.