Chapter 414: In the Market for Trouble
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Chapter 414: In the Market for Trouble
In the Market for Trouble
Combat training had returned to its usual dull state. They did not practice with golden weapons or in any kind of challenging conditions, such as twice the number of mageknights against fire acolytes; it was once more individual sparring or else battlemages practising together with protectors, learning to fight in synergy. While useful, Martel doubted that much more could be gained, at least for him; it had become routine, practising the same moves over and over, facing the same challenges again and again. He suspected that only actual combat, with all the confusion and unexpected difficulties thrown in, would improve his skills. He would much rather spend his time and spellpower practising enchantment, for instance; while equally boring, at least he might progress.
"Martel, I meant to talk with you after the celebration, but I could not find you yesterday." As the lesson approached its end, Eleanor approached him. "I heard that you had an argument with Duke Cheval." She looked at him with concern.
"Just a few words exchanged. Nothing to cause hurt. Don't worry."
"Very well, if you say so. It is exactly what I wanted to avoid. I'm sorry I was absent when it happened. I did intend to stay close, but there were so many well-wishers and guests I had to speak to, and when I looked to find you, I had no luck."
Understandable, since Martel had made himself scarce for most of the evening. "Don't think about it. Everything is fine. And please accept my well-wishes also," he added with a smile that he had to fake.
"Thank you." She glanced away, looking almost shy. "I should get myself to the baths. I will see you at the meal."
"Sure. Or on Solday if nothing else."
She gave him a parting smile, hurrying along.
***
Finally, she glanced at the traffic outside and made a throw with her head. Martel followed her some steps away, walking around the building to enter the nearest alley. "He is known as Ironside," she finally spoke with a quiet voice. "Ninth Lord of the market district."
"Why would he target your mistress?"
"His territory lies in the middle of Morcaster. To bring goods in and out, he must go through someone else's district. He used to do this through the harbour, but it's under new leadership. He's been negotiating with Lady Pearl, but clearly, he did not like the fees she demanded for him to use the bridge gate. Now go!"
Martel gave half a smile before he turned around and walked away.
***
The walk home gave Martel the opportunity to reflect on what he had learned. It was always possible that Ruby lied to him, of course. Perhaps she or her mistress had some reason to incite feud between Martel and this Ironside. But the answer made sense, especially when paired with other bits of information, which Martel doubted that Ruby knew about.
Searching his memory, Martel thought back on the one task he had done with the Night Knives on behalf of Ironside. Guarding goods and transporting them from Smallport through the bridge district to the market. That aligned with what Ruby had mentioned about needing routes through other districts than his own.
Furthermore, something had happened which none of them could make sense of. They had been ambushed by a group of brigands, though swiftly dispatched. It had happened deep in the market, suggesting that Ironside had arranged for them to be attacked; at the same time, it had been easy for two mages to disperse their assailants. Martel had a feeling that this explained it. The ambush had been to test their abilities; making use of some worthless thugs to get a measure of the mages working for Lady Pearl.
The ambush at the docks had been the next step in removing them, while also stealing the relic to fan the flames between Lady Pearl and the Comtesse. All for what - control over the routes leading in and out of Morcaster? Sadly, that seemed exactly like the thinking of a Ninth Lord.
Martel had thought himself safe due to the protection of the Pact, but he realised that the assault upon his life had not been a singular event orchestrated by Flora. This Ironside had been planning Martel's demise for a long time. Reaching the gate of the Lyceum, Martel had only one thing left to ponder; he needed to decide how to respond.
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Chapter 414: In the Market for Trouble
In the Market for Trouble
Combat training had returned to its usual dull state. They did not practice with golden weapons or in any kind of challenging conditions, such as twice the number of mageknights against fire acolytes; it was once more individual sparring or else battlemages practising together with protectors, learning to fight in synergy. While useful, Martel doubted that much more could be gained, at least for him; it had become routine, practising the same moves over and over, facing the same challenges again and again. He suspected that only actual combat, with all the confusion and unexpected difficulties thrown in, would improve his skills. He would much rather spend his time and spellpower practising enchantment, for instance; while equally boring, at least he might progress.
"Martel, I meant to talk with you after the celebration, but I could not find you yesterday." As the lesson approached its end, Eleanor approached him. "I heard that you had an argument with Duke Cheval." She looked at him with concern.
"Just a few words exchanged. Nothing to cause hurt. Don't worry."
"Very well, if you say so. It is exactly what I wanted to avoid. I'm sorry I was absent when it happened. I did intend to stay close, but there were so many well-wishers and guests I had to speak to, and when I looked to find you, I had no luck."
Understandable, since Martel had made himself scarce for most of the evening. "Don't think about it. Everything is fine. And please accept my well-wishes also," he added with a smile that he had to fake.
"Thank you." She glanced away, looking almost shy. "I should get myself to the baths. I will see you at the meal."
"Sure. Or on Solday if nothing else."
She gave him a parting smile, hurrying along.
***
Finally, she glanced at the traffic outside and made a throw with her head. Martel followed her some steps away, walking around the building to enter the nearest alley. "He is known as Ironside," she finally spoke with a quiet voice. "Ninth Lord of the market district."
"Why would he target your mistress?"
"His territory lies in the middle of Morcaster. To bring goods in and out, he must go through someone else's district. He used to do this through the harbour, but it's under new leadership. He's been negotiating with Lady Pearl, but clearly, he did not like the fees she demanded for him to use the bridge gate. Now go!"
Martel gave half a smile before he turned around and walked away.
***
The walk home gave Martel the opportunity to reflect on what he had learned. It was always possible that Ruby lied to him, of course. Perhaps she or her mistress had some reason to incite feud between Martel and this Ironside. But the answer made sense, especially when paired with other bits of information, which Martel doubted that Ruby knew about.
Searching his memory, Martel thought back on the one task he had done with the Night Knives on behalf of Ironside. Guarding goods and transporting them from Smallport through the bridge district to the market. That aligned with what Ruby had mentioned about needing routes through other districts than his own.
Furthermore, something had happened which none of them could make sense of. They had been ambushed by a group of brigands, though swiftly dispatched. It had happened deep in the market, suggesting that Ironside had arranged for them to be attacked; at the same time, it had been easy for two mages to disperse their assailants. Martel had a feeling that this explained it. The ambush had been to test their abilities; making use of some worthless thugs to get a measure of the mages working for Lady Pearl.
The ambush at the docks had been the next step in removing them, while also stealing the relic to fan the flames between Lady Pearl and the Comtesse. All for what - control over the routes leading in and out of Morcaster? Sadly, that seemed exactly like the thinking of a Ninth Lord.
Martel had thought himself safe due to the protection of the Pact, but he realised that the assault upon his life had not been a singular event orchestrated by Flora. This Ironside had been planning Martel's demise for a long time. Reaching the gate of the Lyceum, Martel had only one thing left to ponder; he needed to decide how to respond.
Chapter 414: In the Market for TroubleIn the Market for TroubleCombat training had returned to its usual dull state. They did not practice with golden weapons or in any kind of challenging conditions, such as twice the number of mageknights against fire acolytes; it was once more individual sparring or else battlemages practising together with protectors, learning to fight in synergy. While useful, Martel doubted that much more could be gained, at least for him; it had become routine, practising the same moves over and over, facing the same challenges again and again. He suspected that only actual combat, with all the confusion and unexpected difficulties thrown in, would improve his skills. He would much rather spend his time and spellpower practising enchantment, for instance; while equally boring, at least he might progress."Martel, I meant to talk with you after the celebration, but I could not find you yesterday." As the lesson approached its end, Eleanor approached him. "I heard that you had an argument with Duke Cheval." She looked at him with concern."Just a few words exchanged. Nothing to cause hurt. Don't worry.""Very well, if you say so. It is exactly what I wanted to avoid. I'm sorry I was absent when it happened. I did intend to stay close, but there were so many well-wishers and guests I had to speak to, and when I looked to find you, I had no luck."Understandable, since Martel had made himself scarce for most of the evening. "Don't think about it. Everything is fine. And please accept my well-wishes also," he added with a smile that he had to fake."Thank you." She glanced away, looking almost shy. "I should get myself to the baths. I will see you at the meal.""Sure. Or on Solday if nothing else."She gave him a parting smile, hurrying along.***Finally, she glanced at the traffic outside and made a throw with her head. Martel followed her some steps away, walking around the building to enter the nearest alley. "He is known as Ironside," she finally spoke with a quiet voice. "Ninth Lord of the market district.""Why would he target your mistress?""His territory lies in the middle of Morcaster. To bring goods in and out, he must go through someone else's district. He used to do this through the harbour, but it's under new leadership. He's been negotiating with Lady Pearl, but clearly, he did not like the fees she demanded for him to use the bridge gate. Now go!"Martel gave half a smile before he turned around and walked away.***The walk home gave Martel the opportunity to reflect on what he had learned. It was always possible that Ruby lied to him, of course. Perhaps she or her mistress had some reason to incite feud between Martel and this Ironside. But the answer made sense, especially when paired with other bits of information, which Martel doubted that Ruby knew about.Searching his memory, Martel thought back on the one task he had done with the Night Knives on behalf of Ironside. Guarding goods and transporting them from Smallport through the bridge district to the market. That aligned with what Ruby had mentioned about needing routes through other districts than his own.Furthermore, something had happened which none of them could make sense of. They had been ambushed by a group of brigands, though swiftly dispatched. It had happened deep in the market, suggesting that Ironside had arranged for them to be attacked; at the same time, it had been easy for two mages to disperse their assailants. Martel had a feeling that this explained it. The ambush had been to test their abilities; making use of some worthless thugs to get a measure of the mages working for Lady Pearl.The ambush at the docks had been the next step in removing them, while also stealing the relic to fan the flames between Lady Pearl and the Comtesse. All for what - control over the routes leading in and out of Morcaster? Sadly, that seemed exactly like the thinking of a Ninth Lord.Martel had thought himself safe due to the protection of the Pact, but he realised that the assault upon his life had not been a singular event orchestrated by Flora. This Ironside had been planning Martel's demise for a long time. Reaching the gate of the Lyceum, Martel had only one thing left to ponder; he needed to decide how to respond.
