Firebrand

Chapter 446: Permanence

Permanence

Entering the workshops, Martel was greeted by a welcome sight. Last Manday, he had enchanted a lightstone as usual, infusing a glowing spark into the otherwise dull sphere that Master Jerome had given him. As he stepped inside the small laboratory, the stone met him with a sparkling light, as strong as when he had left it.

This was the first time that his light enchantment had held a full fiveday; not only that, the spell seemed to have plenty of life left before it would fade, though such was difficult to measure. It was still not long enough to be of much practical value; no point giving away a lightstone that after ten days just became an expensive rock. He was not done yet practising this skill, but the constant signs of improvement were encouraging.

Martel wondered if it was possible to weave an enchantment so strong, the effect became permanent. He assumed so, at least for other schools of magic. Sindhian potions did not lose their potency over time, from what Mistress Rana had told him; the Archean wards still protected the Lyceum centuries after being inscribed. Did Asterian wizards possess the same power in terms of enchantment? He would have to ask Master Jerome or maybe Master Alastair.

For now, it was time to practise his own skill. He was presented with a small issue; if he renewed the enchantment on the lightstone, he would not know how long it could currently last. This made it harder to keep track of his progress. But the laboratory still had the big rock he had first practised on, turning it into a heating stone. It lay cold, as he had not made use of it in a long time. Martel could simply switch between the two kinds of enchantment. Satisfied with this, he moved his stool over to the prospective heating stone and began weaving a spell into it.

***

His question still fresh in his mind, Martel did not waste time once he reached the Hall of Elements for his only class of the day. "Master Alastair, is it possible for an Asterian mage to enchant something permanently?"

The Master of Elements scratched his stubbles. "The short answer is yes, at least as far as we can measure. None of us live forever, after all, but we do have enchantments that seem as strong now as when they were cast a century ago. If that's what you're aiming for, however, you may want to lower your ambitions."

"But it can be done?"

"Yes, by master enchanters who have dedicated their lives to the craft. Even though I have years of experience, I can't do it," Master Alastair admitted. "Most wizards can probably learn some basic enchanting that'll be good for a few fivedays or months. But something that'll outlast you, that requires daily practice with a focus on little else."

"Alright. I was just curious. Wondering how long I can make mine last."

"How often do you practise?"

"Right now, just once a fiveday. Every Manday morning, in fact."

"I see. Well, if you continue that until you graduate, my guess would be a few months. You can keep practising, of course, but I doubt you'll have the time to dedicate yourself once at your posting."

"Of course. I'm not really thinking of making this my future." In general, Martel did not think about his future beyond the remainder of the year. "I was just hoping to make a few good enchantments to give as presents before I leave."

Master Alastair nodded, smiling with closed lips. "That's thoughtful of you. While you're in my class, though, let's focus on what you're here to learn."

"Yes, master." Martel extended his hands and summoned the elements. In the air between his fingers, sparks crackled as fire turned to lightning.

***

After class, Martel returned to his room and counted out his wealth. As he no longer paid for Julia's room, nor spent money on alchemical supplies, it had steadily accumulated thanks to his salary from Mistress Rana. He had intended to spend some of it on buying spheres from Master Jerome to turn them into lightstones, but that would have to wait.

He needed more time to get better at enchanting regardless, and it also made more sense to delay making such gifts until winter. If his enchantments only lasted a few months, the lightstones would be most useful during the darkest days of the year.

Martel also wanted to make a heating stone for the children in the copper lanes, to help them get through the cold of the winter, but that could likewise wait; no sense doing that this early either. Hopefully, Master Jerome could help with that as well, as Martel had no idea what kind of rocks were suitable to enchant for heating.

Keeping a handful of coins for himself, Martel counted out forty-four silver pieces. That should be enough to buy just about anything his family might need. Fabric to make clothes or blankets, salt to cure food, tools or metal for his brother to work with; this would cover it all and more.

Not that Martel assumed they needed it; presumably, his brother's work as a smith earned them enough. But his siblings were growing up, and they might need a handful of coins to help them get settled elsewhere, like if John had to leave home to take up apprenticeship as a scribe elsewhere; Engby's meagre demands for writing were generally satisfied by Father Julius.

Martel felt himself getting lost in thoughts of home; it was already late in the day, and the office of the Imperial post would not stay open much longer. Best to get this all sent, rather than his family delaying the wedding day after day in the vain hope that Martel was making his way towards them to participate. Best they knew sooner rather than later to forget about him.

Once he had gathered everything he needed, Martel set out from his room; for some reason, this simple task of mailing a letter felt heavy to do, reflected in his steps.