Chapter 324: Runes, Hedges, and Alchemy
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Chapter 324: Runes, Hedges, and Alchemy
Runes, Hedges, and AlchemyThe inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.
Despite feeling strange about something so trivial – Martel did not even know if Ruby had noticed him – the evening spent at the Four Flagon Tavern proved to be the best in a long time. Martel found himself still laughing the day after, remembering particular scenes or witty remarks. And the company had been excellent; his two best friends together with an hour spent making merry with the actors afterwards.
Waiting for Master Fenrick to arrive, Martel toyed with the idea of returning to the theatre. He had rarely been so entertained in his life; the only argument against would be that it took an entire evening of his time, which could be spent practising spellwork or other such pursuits.
"Good morning, students. Another delightful bell of Tyrian runes awaits us."
Even if the words were spoken with a flat voice, Martel believed that Master Fenrick meant them. He truly took pleasure from discussing these matters of lore, whether Archean letters or Tyrian symbols. Given that the latter gave access to a new kind of magic, Martel felt the same way about that particular subject.
"I trust everyone found time to study the rune we discussed last fiveday?"
Martel had, sort of. They were supposed to practise drawing it, which he had done for a while. But he had been unsure for how long to do this, or how many times; since the simple exercise involved no magic at that point, he could not measure whether he was getting better, or doing it well enough. So after a while, he had just stopped to practise Sindhian magic instead.
Master Fenrick unfurled a large piece of parchment and held it up to show the rune of warning. "The word of activation is, though I'm sure you all remember, vara. And this means?"
Martel quickly raised his hand, eager to give the impression that he had studied the material. "To warn."
The teacher nodded, even as Martel heard Cheval nearby scoff. "Figures that the Tyrian half-breed knows." Nobody reacted, and Martel chose the same response.
"To recapitulate," Master Fenrick said, "this is a passive rune, meaning it will stay dormant until triggered by an outside action. In this case, movements by a person near it. How the rune knows to differentiate between a human and, say, a deer, I cannot explain. In general, passive runes, at least those known to us, only work on humans. The skálds are cunning like that."
Martel thought about his own rune token in his pocket, lying dull and grey, and those shining with magic such as the one he had seen in Lady Pearl's study.
***
When the work was done and bottled up, once Mistress Rana had squirrelled away the fruits of his labour, she returned with something in each hand. Five pieces of silver in one; a small vial in the other. "This is a potion of blissful sleep," she told him. "You can have your wages for the fiveday, or you can choose the potion if you have greater need of it." She moved her hands up and down, weighing each choice as it was mentioned.
Silver was always good, but Martel had plenty for now, and he would earn more, whereas it might be a long time before he learnt this recipe. His decision made, Martel accepted the potion.
***
After a long day of learning no less than three different schools of magic, Martel felt ready to rest. Of course, he would have to continue practising before that; he could not spend an entire evening doing nothing. And before he could even begin, a small note was delivered to him.
Dear boy,
I heard you came by.
What do you think of our home?
Hedge mage no more, just a
mage! Come again some time,
I'm back with the troupe.
Regnar
Despite his ambivalent feelings towards the no longer wandering mage, Martel did feel curious about what the old wizard had been up to. Who knew? Perhaps Regnar could show him a bit of spellwork that the Lyceum would not teach. Open yet another branch of magic for Martel. But such would have to wait for tomorrow.
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Chapter 324: Runes, Hedges, and Alchemy
Runes, Hedges, and AlchemyThe inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.
Despite feeling strange about something so trivial – Martel did not even know if Ruby had noticed him – the evening spent at the Four Flagon Tavern proved to be the best in a long time. Martel found himself still laughing the day after, remembering particular scenes or witty remarks. And the company had been excellent; his two best friends together with an hour spent making merry with the actors afterwards.
Waiting for Master Fenrick to arrive, Martel toyed with the idea of returning to the theatre. He had rarely been so entertained in his life; the only argument against would be that it took an entire evening of his time, which could be spent practising spellwork or other such pursuits.
"Good morning, students. Another delightful bell of Tyrian runes awaits us."
Even if the words were spoken with a flat voice, Martel believed that Master Fenrick meant them. He truly took pleasure from discussing these matters of lore, whether Archean letters or Tyrian symbols. Given that the latter gave access to a new kind of magic, Martel felt the same way about that particular subject.
"I trust everyone found time to study the rune we discussed last fiveday?"
Martel had, sort of. They were supposed to practise drawing it, which he had done for a while. But he had been unsure for how long to do this, or how many times; since the simple exercise involved no magic at that point, he could not measure whether he was getting better, or doing it well enough. So after a while, he had just stopped to practise Sindhian magic instead.
Master Fenrick unfurled a large piece of parchment and held it up to show the rune of warning. "The word of activation is, though I'm sure you all remember, vara. And this means?"
Martel quickly raised his hand, eager to give the impression that he had studied the material. "To warn."
The teacher nodded, even as Martel heard Cheval nearby scoff. "Figures that the Tyrian half-breed knows." Nobody reacted, and Martel chose the same response.
"To recapitulate," Master Fenrick said, "this is a passive rune, meaning it will stay dormant until triggered by an outside action. In this case, movements by a person near it. How the rune knows to differentiate between a human and, say, a deer, I cannot explain. In general, passive runes, at least those known to us, only work on humans. The skálds are cunning like that."
Martel thought about his own rune token in his pocket, lying dull and grey, and those shining with magic such as the one he had seen in Lady Pearl's study.
***
When the work was done and bottled up, once Mistress Rana had squirrelled away the fruits of his labour, she returned with something in each hand. Five pieces of silver in one; a small vial in the other. "This is a potion of blissful sleep," she told him. "You can have your wages for the fiveday, or you can choose the potion if you have greater need of it." She moved her hands up and down, weighing each choice as it was mentioned.
Silver was always good, but Martel had plenty for now, and he would earn more, whereas it might be a long time before he learnt this recipe. His decision made, Martel accepted the potion.
***
After a long day of learning no less than three different schools of magic, Martel felt ready to rest. Of course, he would have to continue practising before that; he could not spend an entire evening doing nothing. And before he could even begin, a small note was delivered to him.
Dear boy,
I heard you came by.
What do you think of our home?
Hedge mage no more, just a
mage! Come again some time,
I'm back with the troupe.
Regnar
Despite his ambivalent feelings towards the no longer wandering mage, Martel did feel curious about what the old wizard had been up to. Who knew? Perhaps Regnar could show him a bit of spellwork that the Lyceum would not teach. Open yet another branch of magic for Martel. But such would have to wait for tomorrow.
Chapter 324: Runes, Hedges, and AlchemyRunes, Hedges, and AlchemyThe inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.Despite feeling strange about something so trivial Martel did not even know if Ruby had noticed him the evening spent at the Four Flagon Tavern proved to be the best in a long time. Martel found himself still laughing the day after, remembering particular scenes or witty remarks. And the company had been excellent; his two best friends together with an hour spent making merry with the actors afterwards.Waiting for Master Fenrick to arrive, Martel toyed with the idea of returning to the theatre. He had rarely been so entertained in his life; the only argument against would be that it took an entire evening of his time, which could be spent practising spellwork or other such pursuits."Good morning, students. Another delightful bell of Tyrian runes awaits us."Even if the words were spoken with a flat voice, Martel believed that Master Fenrick meant them. He truly took pleasure from discussing these matters of lore, whether Archean letters or Tyrian symbols. Given that the latter gave access to a new kind of magic, Martel felt the same way about that particular subject."I trust everyone found time to study the rune we discussed last fiveday?"Martel had, sort of. They were supposed to practise drawing it, which he had done for a while. But he had been unsure for how long to do this, or how many times; since the simple exercise involved no magic at that point, he could not measure whether he was getting better, or doing it well enough. So after a while, he had just stopped to practise Sindhian magic instead.Master Fenrick unfurled a large piece of parchment and held it up to show the rune of warning. "The word of activation is, though I'm sure you all remember, vara. And this means?"Martel quickly raised his hand, eager to give the impression that he had studied the material. "To warn."The teacher nodded, even as Martel heard Cheval nearby scoff. "Figures that the Tyrian half-breed knows." Nobody reacted, and Martel chose the same response."To recapitulate," Master Fenrick said, "this is a passive rune, meaning it will stay dormant until triggered by an outside action. In this case, movements by a person near it. How the rune knows to differentiate between a human and, say, a deer, I cannot explain. In general, passive runes, at least those known to us, only work on humans. The skalds are cunning like that."Martel thought about his own rune token in his pocket, lying dull and grey, and those shining with magic such as the one he had seen in Lady Pearl's study.***When the work was done and bottled up, once Mistress Rana had squirrelled away the fruits of his labour, she returned with something in each hand. Five pieces of silver in one; a small vial in the other. "This is a potion of blissful sleep," she told him. "You can have your wages for the fiveday, or you can choose the potion if you have greater need of it." She moved her hands up and down, weighing each choice as it was mentioned.Silver was always good, but Martel had plenty for now, and he would earn more, whereas it might be a long time before he learnt this recipe. His decision made, Martel accepted the potion.***After a long day of learning no less than three different schools of magic, Martel felt ready to rest. Of course, he would have to continue practising before that; he could not spend an entire evening doing nothing. And before he could even begin, a small note was delivered to him.Dear boy,I heard you came by.What do you think of our home?Hedge mage no more, just amage! Come again some time,I'm back with the troupe.RegnarDespite his ambivalent feelings towards the no longer wandering mage, Martel did feel curious about what the old wizard had been up to. Who knew? Perhaps Regnar could show him a bit of spellwork that the Lyceum would not teach. Open yet another branch of magic for Martel. But such would have to wait for tomorrow.
