Chapter 181: Delving into the Old
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Chapter 181: Delving into the Old
Delving into the Old
Martel liked knowledge, and he liked acquiring it. Some of his best memories of childhood had been at the small temple in Engby, learning from Father Julius. Only when he came to the Lyceum and encountered teachers of different mettle had Martel understood that much of his enjoyment of learning was owed to the young priest back home, patient with questions and always quick with a kind word.
Father Andrew bore little resemblance to Father Julius, whether in appearance, age, or disposition towards students. But the old clergyman was not cruel, nor did he harshly berate Martel for his ignorance; at worst, he muttered and shook his head before undertaking his task of teaching Martel what every educated member of Asterian society ought to know.
"Given your spotty knowledge of history, I suppose that gives us free rein to start where we please. An overview of the Asterian Empire seems apt. If we have time, perhaps we can return and expand upon it."
"Yes, Father Andrew."
"Some eight hundred years ago, our corner of the continent fell under Aquilan rule. For the next five hundred years – are you writing this down?"
The priest had some notion that writing things down made them easier to remember. Martel did not see how, but he was not in any position to refuse. He grabbed his quill and began jotting down notes.
Satisfied, Father Andrew continued. "The Aquilan Empire lasted for five hundred years until struck by the ramifications of the fall of Archen, though historians will argue that this particular empire already suffered from many fractures, and the destruction from Archen's fall only hastened the inevitable demise."
Writing like mad, Martel did his best to keep up.
"Despite the Archean outpost known today as the Lyceum, Morcaster did not suffer as other cities did. In fact, using the Lyceum, the city was able to continue traditions of magic lost elsewhere in Aquilan territory. Less than a decade after Archen's fall, Morcaster declared itself an independent city and defeated the Aquilan legions sent to force it back to the fold."
The battle of liberation, Martel thought, thinking back on the spectacle during the harvest festival made by the Legio Urbis.
"Safe from what?" he asked.
She did not reply but simply took out a scarf. It had a slight glow, and Martel pulled back on instinct as Kerra tried to put it on him. "Trust me."
"What does it do?"
"Similar to your shield spell if I understood right," she explained, and he allowed her to arrange it around his face to serve as a mask. "There. Bit of magical protection for my favourite mage, and no reason for the Nine Lords to see your face when you speak."
"Thanks."
She winked. "The others should be ready. Let's join them." Walking over to Martel, she took hold of his arm and led him out into the hallway. "Unless you have muscles of stone, I notice a change in wardrobe for you as well." She squeezed the leather tunic underneath his robe.
"It felt prudent."
"No argument from me." They continued down the corridors, going into parts of the complex where Martel had never been before. "We will be a small party travelling together," she explained. "We don't wish to attract too much attention travelling through the Undercroft. It also helps to keep these meetings short." She laughed a little.
At length, they moved down a flight of spiral stairs to reach a basement or the like. Four others waited for them. Martel recognised all of them as someone he had trained those fivedays ago, though he had only really spoken with Wolfram and Sigrid. All of them wore full armour, including chain shirts with surcoats and helmets. Sigrid had her knuckles in the left hand for once along with a buckler strapped to the wrist, leaving her right hand open to draw the short sword by her side. She grinned seeing Martel while Wolfram nodded in greeting; the latter stood armed with an axe and a round shield.
Sigrid took a staff leaning against the wall and threw it to Martel. "The others say you are quite handy with one of these."
He caught it, hefting it in his hands. "Good enough, anyway."
Kerra smiled and turned her attention to a hatch on the floor. "Shall we? The Undercroft awaits."
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Chapter 181: Delving into the Old
Delving into the Old
Martel liked knowledge, and he liked acquiring it. Some of his best memories of childhood had been at the small temple in Engby, learning from Father Julius. Only when he came to the Lyceum and encountered teachers of different mettle had Martel understood that much of his enjoyment of learning was owed to the young priest back home, patient with questions and always quick with a kind word.
Father Andrew bore little resemblance to Father Julius, whether in appearance, age, or disposition towards students. But the old clergyman was not cruel, nor did he harshly berate Martel for his ignorance; at worst, he muttered and shook his head before undertaking his task of teaching Martel what every educated member of Asterian society ought to know.
"Given your spotty knowledge of history, I suppose that gives us free rein to start where we please. An overview of the Asterian Empire seems apt. If we have time, perhaps we can return and expand upon it."
"Yes, Father Andrew."
"Some eight hundred years ago, our corner of the continent fell under Aquilan rule. For the next five hundred years – are you writing this down?"
The priest had some notion that writing things down made them easier to remember. Martel did not see how, but he was not in any position to refuse. He grabbed his quill and began jotting down notes.
Satisfied, Father Andrew continued. "The Aquilan Empire lasted for five hundred years until struck by the ramifications of the fall of Archen, though historians will argue that this particular empire already suffered from many fractures, and the destruction from Archen's fall only hastened the inevitable demise."
Writing like mad, Martel did his best to keep up.
"Despite the Archean outpost known today as the Lyceum, Morcaster did not suffer as other cities did. In fact, using the Lyceum, the city was able to continue traditions of magic lost elsewhere in Aquilan territory. Less than a decade after Archen's fall, Morcaster declared itself an independent city and defeated the Aquilan legions sent to force it back to the fold."
The battle of liberation, Martel thought, thinking back on the spectacle during the harvest festival made by the Legio Urbis.
"Safe from what?" he asked.
She did not reply but simply took out a scarf. It had a slight glow, and Martel pulled back on instinct as Kerra tried to put it on him. "Trust me."
"What does it do?"
"Similar to your shield spell if I understood right," she explained, and he allowed her to arrange it around his face to serve as a mask. "There. Bit of magical protection for my favourite mage, and no reason for the Nine Lords to see your face when you speak."
"Thanks."
She winked. "The others should be ready. Let's join them." Walking over to Martel, she took hold of his arm and led him out into the hallway. "Unless you have muscles of stone, I notice a change in wardrobe for you as well." She squeezed the leather tunic underneath his robe.
"It felt prudent."
"No argument from me." They continued down the corridors, going into parts of the complex where Martel had never been before. "We will be a small party travelling together," she explained. "We don't wish to attract too much attention travelling through the Undercroft. It also helps to keep these meetings short." She laughed a little.
At length, they moved down a flight of spiral stairs to reach a basement or the like. Four others waited for them. Martel recognised all of them as someone he had trained those fivedays ago, though he had only really spoken with Wolfram and Sigrid. All of them wore full armour, including chain shirts with surcoats and helmets. Sigrid had her knuckles in the left hand for once along with a buckler strapped to the wrist, leaving her right hand open to draw the short sword by her side. She grinned seeing Martel while Wolfram nodded in greeting; the latter stood armed with an axe and a round shield.
Sigrid took a staff leaning against the wall and threw it to Martel. "The others say you are quite handy with one of these."
He caught it, hefting it in his hands. "Good enough, anyway."
Kerra smiled and turned her attention to a hatch on the floor. "Shall we? The Undercroft awaits."
Chapter 181: Delving into the OldDelving into the OldMartel liked knowledge, and he liked acquiring it. Some of his best memories of childhood had been at the small temple in Engby, learning from Father Julius. Only when he came to the Lyceum and encountered teachers of different mettle had Martel understood that much of his enjoyment of learning was owed to the young priest back home, patient with questions and always quick with a kind word.Father Andrew bore little resemblance to Father Julius, whether in appearance, age, or disposition towards students. But the old clergyman was not cruel, nor did he harshly berate Martel for his ignorance; at worst, he muttered and shook his head before undertaking his task of teaching Martel what every educated member of Asterian society ought to know."Given your spotty knowledge of history, I suppose that gives us free rein to start where we please. An overview of the Asterian Empire seems apt. If we have time, perhaps we can return and expand upon it.""Yes, Father Andrew.""Some eight hundred years ago, our corner of the continent fell under Aquilan rule. For the next five hundred years are you writing this down?"The priest had some notion that writing things down made them easier to remember. Martel did not see how, but he was not in any position to refuse. He grabbed his quill and began jotting down notes.Satisfied, Father Andrew continued. "The Aquilan Empire lasted for five hundred years until struck by the ramifications of the fall of Archen, though historians will argue that this particular empire already suffered from many fractures, and the destruction from Archen's fall only hastened the inevitable demise."Writing like mad, Martel did his best to keep up."Despite the Archean outpost known today as the Lyceum, Morcaster did not suffer as other cities did. In fact, using the Lyceum, the city was able to continue traditions of magic lost elsewhere in Aquilan territory. Less than a decade after Archen's fall, Morcaster declared itself an independent city and defeated the Aquilan legions sent to force it back to the fold."The battle of liberation, Martel thought, thinking back on the spectacle during the harvest festival made by the Legio Urbis."Safe from what?" he asked.She did not reply but simply took out a scarf. It had a slight glow, and Martel pulled back on instinct as Kerra tried to put it on him. "Trust me.""What does it do?""Similar to your shield spell if I understood right," she explained, and he allowed her to arrange it around his face to serve as a mask. "There. Bit of magical protection for my favourite mage, and no reason for the Nine Lords to see your face when you speak.""Thanks."She winked. "The others should be ready. Let's join them." Walking over to Martel, she took hold of his arm and led him out into the hallway. "Unless you have muscles of stone, I notice a change in wardrobe for you as well." She squeezed the leather tunic underneath his robe."It felt prudent.""No argument from me." They continued down the corridors, going into parts of the complex where Martel had never been before. "We will be a small party travelling together," she explained. "We don't wish to attract too much attention travelling through the Undercroft. It also helps to keep these meetings short." She laughed a little.At length, they moved down a flight of spiral stairs to reach a basement or the like. Four others waited for them. Martel recognised all of them as someone he had trained those fivedays ago, though he had only really spoken with Wolfram and Sigrid. All of them wore full armour, including chain shirts with surcoats and helmets. Sigrid had her knuckles in the left hand for once along with a buckler strapped to the wrist, leaving her right hand open to draw the short sword by her side. She grinned seeing Martel while Wolfram nodded in greeting; the latter stood armed with an axe and a round shield.Sigrid took a staff leaning against the wall and threw it to Martel. "The others say you are quite handy with one of these."He caught it, hefting it in his hands. "Good enough, anyway."Kerra smiled and turned her attention to a hatch on the floor. "Shall we? The Undercroft awaits."
