Chapter 225: Tell a Hawk from a Heron
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Chapter 225: Tell a Hawk from a Heron
Tell a Hawk from a Heron
"Are you listening, boy? I assume you care about your examination." Master Alastair stared at his student.
Martel had been distracted thinking about his predicament with Jasper and the development of yesterday, but he snapped to. "Yes, master, I hear you."
"Hm." His teacher did not sound convinced, but he continued as his eyes glanced over the Hall of Elements. "It will take place in a fiveday or so, here in this place. Mistress Juliana will let you know exactly when."
"I see. What is required of me exactly?"
"I am not supposed to instruct you in specific spells, but briefly put, you'll be expected to demonstrate your control over different kinds of magic," Master Alastair explained. "A simple spell for each element should suffice. Much like you did when you passed the introduction course for water, earth, and air."
"I never took the one for fire, but I suppose that won't be an issue." At least not when it came to proving himself capable with fire. Never taking the class had already given Martel other troubles, but he pushed the affair with Jasper aside to focus on what his teacher said.
"Indeed. Just the fact that you can summon flames will suffice. The only thing you should be mindful of is that Master Reynard will also test you."
Involuntarily, Martel pulled a face hearing the name. "What should I expect?"
"Quite simple, given the possibilities. He will test your shield, which I hope you have honed. Else the time is now."
Martel had tested his shield plenty of times; he was not concerned about that. "Anything else?"
"He will ask you to demonstrate that you can empower yourself in different ways. But since you are not to be a mageknight, he has little grounds to make great demands of you. My advice is, use your spellpower on your water magic to impress Mistress Vana, but keep some in reserve for Master Reynard at the end." His teacher gave him a scrutinising look. "You have trained your spellpower sufficiently for several spells, right?"
Master Alastair had no idea, Martel thought. "I think I have enough, yeah."
***
Martel had to wait until evening before he could leave the castle. His second lesson with Master Alastair blocked his afternoon, and as impatient as Martel felt, he would not leave until he had eaten supper. Thus, on dark and cold streets, he made his way to the insula in the harbour district.
For once, Flora opened the door. "Come inside."
"Just some questions about a regular customer of yours," Flora explained.
"His name is Jasper. He's a student at the Lyceum," Martel added.
Dawn frowned before she laughed a little. "He's still a student? I guess we all lie a little."
"He must spend an awful lot to visit you every fiveday," Flora considered with a look towards Lady Pearl, who simply smiled and shrugged. "Has he ever told you how he acquires his means?"
The harlot raised her hands in ignorance. "He told me he had an important position in the Imperial administration."
Martel scratched the back of his head. One thing was certain, at least. Jasper would have other sources of income besides extorting Martel; evidently, he had been visiting Dawn on a regular basis long before. "He never bragged to you about the things he knew? About other students. You know, during pillow talk."
"Well I didn't know he was a student, did I? He mostly talked about his plans for the future. He did seem interested in you Night Knives lately. Asked me about the jobs you pulled for Lady Pearl. I didn't see any harm in telling him what everyone here knew," she quickly added, looking at her patron. The bald woman patted her shoulder.
That explained a few things, Martel considered. "Did he explain to you why?"
"Not really. But as thanks, he gave me gifts."
"What sort of gifts? Coin or other things?" Flora asked.
"Jewellery, perfume, sometimes clothes," Dawn listed. "He gave me this one." She presented her hand with a ring upon it. "He knows I like birds, especially eagles like this."
Martel furrowed his brow. Without thinking, he reached out and took hold of Dawn's hand. Her skin felt so soft, it distracted him for a moment, as did the scent of jasmine as he gently pulled her hand closer to inspect the ring. She giggled at his touch, a sound he normally found annoying in other girls, but it seemed strangely charming to him now.
"Master Martel?" Lady Pearl managed to convey both politeness and caution by simply saying his name.
Releasing her hand, Martel could tell that Dawn had been born in the city; the animal depicted was not an eagle, but a hawk. It was a crest he had seen before. "Lady Pearl, Mistress Dawn, thank you for your kindness."
Flora shot him a look. "You have what you need?"
Martel nodded. "I do."
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Chapter 225: Tell a Hawk from a Heron
Tell a Hawk from a Heron
"Are you listening, boy? I assume you care about your examination." Master Alastair stared at his student.
Martel had been distracted thinking about his predicament with Jasper and the development of yesterday, but he snapped to. "Yes, master, I hear you."
"Hm." His teacher did not sound convinced, but he continued as his eyes glanced over the Hall of Elements. "It will take place in a fiveday or so, here in this place. Mistress Juliana will let you know exactly when."
"I see. What is required of me exactly?"
"I am not supposed to instruct you in specific spells, but briefly put, you'll be expected to demonstrate your control over different kinds of magic," Master Alastair explained. "A simple spell for each element should suffice. Much like you did when you passed the introduction course for water, earth, and air."
"I never took the one for fire, but I suppose that won't be an issue." At least not when it came to proving himself capable with fire. Never taking the class had already given Martel other troubles, but he pushed the affair with Jasper aside to focus on what his teacher said.
"Indeed. Just the fact that you can summon flames will suffice. The only thing you should be mindful of is that Master Reynard will also test you."
Involuntarily, Martel pulled a face hearing the name. "What should I expect?"
"Quite simple, given the possibilities. He will test your shield, which I hope you have honed. Else the time is now."
Martel had tested his shield plenty of times; he was not concerned about that. "Anything else?"
"He will ask you to demonstrate that you can empower yourself in different ways. But since you are not to be a mageknight, he has little grounds to make great demands of you. My advice is, use your spellpower on your water magic to impress Mistress Vana, but keep some in reserve for Master Reynard at the end." His teacher gave him a scrutinising look. "You have trained your spellpower sufficiently for several spells, right?"
Master Alastair had no idea, Martel thought. "I think I have enough, yeah."
***
Martel had to wait until evening before he could leave the castle. His second lesson with Master Alastair blocked his afternoon, and as impatient as Martel felt, he would not leave until he had eaten supper. Thus, on dark and cold streets, he made his way to the insula in the harbour district.
For once, Flora opened the door. "Come inside."
"Just some questions about a regular customer of yours," Flora explained.
"His name is Jasper. He's a student at the Lyceum," Martel added.
Dawn frowned before she laughed a little. "He's still a student? I guess we all lie a little."
"He must spend an awful lot to visit you every fiveday," Flora considered with a look towards Lady Pearl, who simply smiled and shrugged. "Has he ever told you how he acquires his means?"
The harlot raised her hands in ignorance. "He told me he had an important position in the Imperial administration."
Martel scratched the back of his head. One thing was certain, at least. Jasper would have other sources of income besides extorting Martel; evidently, he had been visiting Dawn on a regular basis long before. "He never bragged to you about the things he knew? About other students. You know, during pillow talk."
"Well I didn't know he was a student, did I? He mostly talked about his plans for the future. He did seem interested in you Night Knives lately. Asked me about the jobs you pulled for Lady Pearl. I didn't see any harm in telling him what everyone here knew," she quickly added, looking at her patron. The bald woman patted her shoulder.
That explained a few things, Martel considered. "Did he explain to you why?"
"Not really. But as thanks, he gave me gifts."
"What sort of gifts? Coin or other things?" Flora asked.
"Jewellery, perfume, sometimes clothes," Dawn listed. "He gave me this one." She presented her hand with a ring upon it. "He knows I like birds, especially eagles like this."
Martel furrowed his brow. Without thinking, he reached out and took hold of Dawn's hand. Her skin felt so soft, it distracted him for a moment, as did the scent of jasmine as he gently pulled her hand closer to inspect the ring. She giggled at his touch, a sound he normally found annoying in other girls, but it seemed strangely charming to him now.
"Master Martel?" Lady Pearl managed to convey both politeness and caution by simply saying his name.
Releasing her hand, Martel could tell that Dawn had been born in the city; the animal depicted was not an eagle, but a hawk. It was a crest he had seen before. "Lady Pearl, Mistress Dawn, thank you for your kindness."
Flora shot him a look. "You have what you need?"
Martel nodded. "I do."
Chapter 225: Tell a Hawk from a HeronTell a Hawk from a Heron"Are you listening, boy? I assume you care about your examination." Master Alastair stared at his student.Martel had been distracted thinking about his predicament with Jasper and the development of yesterday, but he snapped to. "Yes, master, I hear you.""Hm." His teacher did not sound convinced, but he continued as his eyes glanced over the Hall of Elements. "It will take place in a fiveday or so, here in this place. Mistress Juliana will let you know exactly when.""I see. What is required of me exactly?""I am not supposed to instruct you in specific spells, but briefly put, you'll be expected to demonstrate your control over different kinds of magic," Master Alastair explained. "A simple spell for each element should suffice. Much like you did when you passed the introduction course for water, earth, and air.""I never took the one for fire, but I suppose that won't be an issue." At least not when it came to proving himself capable with fire. Never taking the class had already given Martel other troubles, but he pushed the affair with Jasper aside to focus on what his teacher said."Indeed. Just the fact that you can summon flames will suffice. The only thing you should be mindful of is that Master Reynard will also test you."Involuntarily, Martel pulled a face hearing the name. "What should I expect?""Quite simple, given the possibilities. He will test your shield, which I hope you have honed. Else the time is now."Martel had tested his shield plenty of times; he was not concerned about that. "Anything else?""He will ask you to demonstrate that you can empower yourself in different ways. But since you are not to be a mageknight, he has little grounds to make great demands of you. My advice is, use your spellpower on your water magic to impress Mistress Vana, but keep some in reserve for Master Reynard at the end." His teacher gave him a scrutinising look. "You have trained your spellpower sufficiently for several spells, right?"Master Alastair had no idea, Martel thought. "I think I have enough, yeah."***Martel had to wait until evening before he could leave the castle. His second lesson with Master Alastair blocked his afternoon, and as impatient as Martel felt, he would not leave until he had eaten supper. Thus, on dark and cold streets, he made his way to the insula in the harbour district.For once, Flora opened the door. "Come inside.""Just some questions about a regular customer of yours," Flora explained."His name is Jasper. He's a student at the Lyceum," Martel added.Dawn frowned before she laughed a little. "He's still a student? I guess we all lie a little.""He must spend an awful lot to visit you every fiveday," Flora considered with a look towards Lady Pearl, who simply smiled and shrugged. "Has he ever told you how he acquires his means?"The harlot raised her hands in ignorance. "He told me he had an important position in the Imperial administration."Martel scratched the back of his head. One thing was certain, at least. Jasper would have other sources of income besides extorting Martel; evidently, he had been visiting Dawn on a regular basis long before. "He never bragged to you about the things he knew? About other students. You know, during pillow talk.""Well I didn't know he was a student, did I? He mostly talked about his plans for the future. He did seem interested in you Night Knives lately. Asked me about the jobs you pulled for Lady Pearl. I didn't see any harm in telling him what everyone here knew," she quickly added, looking at her patron. The bald woman patted her shoulder.That explained a few things, Martel considered. "Did he explain to you why?""Not really. But as thanks, he gave me gifts.""What sort of gifts? Coin or other things?" Flora asked."Jewellery, perfume, sometimes clothes," Dawn listed. "He gave me this one." She presented her hand with a ring upon it. "He knows I like birds, especially eagles like this."Martel furrowed his brow. Without thinking, he reached out and took hold of Dawn's hand. Her skin felt so soft, it distracted him for a moment, as did the scent of jasmine as he gently pulled her hand closer to inspect the ring. She giggled at his touch, a sound he normally found annoying in other girls, but it seemed strangely charming to him now."Master Martel?" Lady Pearl managed to convey both politeness and caution by simply saying his name.Releasing her hand, Martel could tell that Dawn had been born in the city; the animal depicted was not an eagle, but a hawk. It was a crest he had seen before. "Lady Pearl, Mistress Dawn, thank you for your kindness."Flora shot him a look. "You have what you need?"Martel nodded. "I do."
