Chapter 355: A Trail of Webs
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Chapter 355: A Trail of Webs
A Trail of Webs
During the lessons in the Circle of Fire, the acolytes continued to train their ability to sense heat and use it to land spells. Martel felt fairly confident that he had honed this skill to its limit; even with the blindfold on, he could accurately tell where everyone else in the room stood, sometimes even predicting their movements. He only missed if they proved faster than him, dodging or flinging a fire bolt his way that disturbed his aim.
So while Martel did not feel like he learned much from today's classes, it did not bother him much either. He had many – too many – remaining lessons under Moira's tutelage before he would graduate the Lyceum; he did not mind if he could take it easy on occasion, enjoying that his natural gift made him master fire spells much quicker than the others. He had no doubt that his teacher would soon inflict some other cruel but effective exercise on them, so he would enjoy this interlude while it lasted. These easier lessons also kept him safe from getting detention, as he could not possibly be the worst performing student.
In between his lessons, he left the Lyceum to buy an oatcake. He had progress to report to the Keeper; what the odd fellow would do with that information, and whether Martel would do anything beyond his efforts hitherto, was another matter.
***
The Keeper waited for Martel at the same table as their previous meetings, along with two cups of ale. In his ordinary garb, the jester-like man looked almost normal; only his sly smile betrayed the personality beneath. "I didn't expect to hear from you, at least not so soon after our last outing."
"A trail in our investigation presented itself, which I pursued. Though it requires a bit of explaining."
The Keeper leaned back in his chair and picked up his cup. "Do tell."
"After our outing, as you call it, Ruby sought me out. She knew about our presence at the masquerade. She must have seen us together and recognised us." Martel had not mentioned previously that Ruby had intervened to hide him in her room during the party; no point in bringing it up now. "Somehow, she guessed that we were hunting for a stolen artefact." Mostly because Martel told her.
"What is the name of this merchant of magic?"
"Uh, we didn't exchange any. I'm not sure I could find my way back to his place either," Martel admitted.
"A sensible precaution for those in such a volatile trade – or a way to prevent you from questioning the trail placed before you."
"Well, either way, I told you what I learned. Certainly, the man's knowledge of artefacts fit his claims. Whether he's a mage himself, I can't say, but he understood how Archean magic works and how to open the lock in the shrine. He may have lied to me about who bought the wardstone that opened the relic chest, but I believe him when he identified the means."
"Which only proves that he sold the wardstone in question. Whether to House Thierry or Ruby remains an open question."
"Sure, but I've done my part. I have found out the magic used for the theft and even given you the two most likely candidates. The rest of it – the motivation for stealing the relic, finding the culprit, the skulduggery of it all – that's your area, not mine."
"I'll grant you that. I'll get to work and see what I can learn to narrow our two suspects down to one." The Keeper inclined his head with a little smile.
Seeing it reminded Martel of Kerra and Ruby, both wont to use that same expression that hovered between patronising and overbearing. He felt tired of it all. The schemes, the Nine Lords, sneaking around on behalf of others, always being used for his magical gifts and discarded afterwards. "You do that." The wizard got up, leaving his ale untouched.
"I'll be in touch," the Keeper declared as Martel turned around and left. He gave the jester no reply.
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Chapter 355: A Trail of Webs
A Trail of Webs
During the lessons in the Circle of Fire, the acolytes continued to train their ability to sense heat and use it to land spells. Martel felt fairly confident that he had honed this skill to its limit; even with the blindfold on, he could accurately tell where everyone else in the room stood, sometimes even predicting their movements. He only missed if they proved faster than him, dodging or flinging a fire bolt his way that disturbed his aim.
So while Martel did not feel like he learned much from today's classes, it did not bother him much either. He had many – too many – remaining lessons under Moira's tutelage before he would graduate the Lyceum; he did not mind if he could take it easy on occasion, enjoying that his natural gift made him master fire spells much quicker than the others. He had no doubt that his teacher would soon inflict some other cruel but effective exercise on them, so he would enjoy this interlude while it lasted. These easier lessons also kept him safe from getting detention, as he could not possibly be the worst performing student.
In between his lessons, he left the Lyceum to buy an oatcake. He had progress to report to the Keeper; what the odd fellow would do with that information, and whether Martel would do anything beyond his efforts hitherto, was another matter.
***
The Keeper waited for Martel at the same table as their previous meetings, along with two cups of ale. In his ordinary garb, the jester-like man looked almost normal; only his sly smile betrayed the personality beneath. "I didn't expect to hear from you, at least not so soon after our last outing."
"A trail in our investigation presented itself, which I pursued. Though it requires a bit of explaining."
The Keeper leaned back in his chair and picked up his cup. "Do tell."
"After our outing, as you call it, Ruby sought me out. She knew about our presence at the masquerade. She must have seen us together and recognised us." Martel had not mentioned previously that Ruby had intervened to hide him in her room during the party; no point in bringing it up now. "Somehow, she guessed that we were hunting for a stolen artefact." Mostly because Martel told her.
"What is the name of this merchant of magic?"
"Uh, we didn't exchange any. I'm not sure I could find my way back to his place either," Martel admitted.
"A sensible precaution for those in such a volatile trade – or a way to prevent you from questioning the trail placed before you."
"Well, either way, I told you what I learned. Certainly, the man's knowledge of artefacts fit his claims. Whether he's a mage himself, I can't say, but he understood how Archean magic works and how to open the lock in the shrine. He may have lied to me about who bought the wardstone that opened the relic chest, but I believe him when he identified the means."
"Which only proves that he sold the wardstone in question. Whether to House Thierry or Ruby remains an open question."
"Sure, but I've done my part. I have found out the magic used for the theft and even given you the two most likely candidates. The rest of it – the motivation for stealing the relic, finding the culprit, the skulduggery of it all – that's your area, not mine."
"I'll grant you that. I'll get to work and see what I can learn to narrow our two suspects down to one." The Keeper inclined his head with a little smile.
Seeing it reminded Martel of Kerra and Ruby, both wont to use that same expression that hovered between patronising and overbearing. He felt tired of it all. The schemes, the Nine Lords, sneaking around on behalf of others, always being used for his magical gifts and discarded afterwards. "You do that." The wizard got up, leaving his ale untouched.
"I'll be in touch," the Keeper declared as Martel turned around and left. He gave the jester no reply.
Chapter 355: A Trail of WebsA Trail of WebsDuring the lessons in the Circle of Fire, the acolytes continued to train their ability to sense heat and use it to land spells. Martel felt fairly confident that he had honed this skill to its limit; even with the blindfold on, he could accurately tell where everyone else in the room stood, sometimes even predicting their movements. He only missed if they proved faster than him, dodging or flinging a fire bolt his way that disturbed his aim.So while Martel did not feel like he learned much from today's classes, it did not bother him much either. He had many too many remaining lessons under Moira's tutelage before he would graduate the Lyceum; he did not mind if he could take it easy on occasion, enjoying that his natural gift made him master fire spells much quicker than the others. He had no doubt that his teacher would soon inflict some other cruel but effective exercise on them, so he would enjoy this interlude while it lasted. These easier lessons also kept him safe from getting detention, as he could not possibly be the worst performing student.In between his lessons, he left the Lyceum to buy an oatcake. He had progress to report to the Keeper; what the odd fellow would do with that information, and whether Martel would do anything beyond his efforts hitherto, was another matter.***The Keeper waited for Martel at the same table as their previous meetings, along with two cups of ale. In his ordinary garb, the jester-like man looked almost normal; only his sly smile betrayed the personality beneath. "I didn't expect to hear from you, at least not so soon after our last outing.""A trail in our investigation presented itself, which I pursued. Though it requires a bit of explaining."The Keeper leaned back in his chair and picked up his cup. "Do tell.""After our outing, as you call it, Ruby sought me out. She knew about our presence at the masquerade. She must have seen us together and recognised us." Martel had not mentioned previously that Ruby had intervened to hide him in her room during the party; no point in bringing it up now. "Somehow, she guessed that we were hunting for a stolen artefact." Mostly because Martel told her."What is the name of this merchant of magic?""Uh, we didn't exchange any. I'm not sure I could find my way back to his place either," Martel admitted."A sensible precaution for those in such a volatile trade or a way to prevent you from questioning the trail placed before you.""Well, either way, I told you what I learned. Certainly, the man's knowledge of artefacts fit his claims. Whether he's a mage himself, I can't say, but he understood how Archean magic works and how to open the lock in the shrine. He may have lied to me about who bought the wardstone that opened the relic chest, but I believe him when he identified the means.""Which only proves that he sold the wardstone in question. Whether to House Thierry or Ruby remains an open question.""Sure, but I've done my part. I have found out the magic used for the theft and even given you the two most likely candidates. The rest of it the motivation for stealing the relic, finding the culprit, the skulduggery of it all that's your area, not mine.""I'll grant you that. I'll get to work and see what I can learn to narrow our two suspects down to one." The Keeper inclined his head with a little smile.Seeing it reminded Martel of Kerra and Ruby, both wont to use that same expression that hovered between patronising and overbearing. He felt tired of it all. The schemes, the Nine Lords, sneaking around on behalf of others, always being used for his magical gifts and discarded afterwards. "You do that." The wizard got up, leaving his ale untouched."I'll be in touch," the Keeper declared as Martel turned around and left. He gave the jester no reply.
