Chapter 442: Shifting Alliances
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Chapter 442: Shifting Alliances
Shifting Alliances
For the next three days, the city and its inhabitants left Martel in peace, until Solday arrived. He had been on his final outing with Mistress Rana beyond the walls to the marshlands, gathering herbs and plants. As they approached the Lyceum, she spoke for the first time in hours.
"That should be enough for now. My stores are full – at least of any plant we can collect within walking distance. Next Solday, we'll resume your training in the laboratory. There's still a handful of simple recipes you should learn, especially concerning diseases."
"Very well, mistress." The days were getting cold, and autumn rains could be expected; as much as Martel had enjoyed leaving the city, he did not regret this change. Next month, trudging around the wetlands would not be amusing.
"You've shown adequate knowledge of herblore, at least for someone with only basic skill in alchemy," she continued, and Martel tried to determine if it was a compliment. "If you were a member of the alchemist's guild, I might recommend you as a journeyman. Someone skilled enough to be trusted with making potions without a master's supervision."
That was undoubtedly a compliment; Martel smiled. "Thank you, mistress."
"Your work has made it so. Now return the animal to its stable while I get our bounty inside." While she gathered the saddlebags with their contents, Martel grabbed the reins of the donkey and led it away. He had not gotten far before he noticed that the city was no longer content to leave him alone; leaning against the corner of a house, Ruby waited for him.
"I've done my part," Martel said as soon as she sidled up next to him. "I went as the Friar demanded. The failure of the other night, and any consequences thereof, have nothing to do with me." So far, the inquisitors did not seem to suspect him; he had no desire to draw their attention by continuing his association with these people.
"Will you at least allow me to talk before you dismiss me?"
He avoided looking at her, knowing that her face only distracted him and softened his resolve. "There's nothing to talk about."
"Martel!" She grabbed his arm, and the concern in her voice seemed real. "Please. Just give me a few moments."
He looked up from her hand to her worried expression and sighed. "Alright. I'll listen."
***
His errand handled, Martel followed Ruby to a nearby tavern, buying a cup of the local swill for a copper. "What is it?" he asked, sounding perhaps more brusque than intended.
"Is that why you did it? Because you figured I'd be worth something in your pocket?"
"No." She shook her head. "Alliances may shift quickly in my world, but that night, we were on the same side. I helped you because I expected you'd do the same."
Despite his misgivings, Martel believed her. Still, he had no desire to feel indebted to Ruby when he had only taken part to clear his debt to the Friar. "I would. But to build on what you said, we might have been allies that night, which doesn't mean we are now. Last time I got involved with your world, I was used as bait. By somebody serving your mistress, no less. And I got stabbed on the street."
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I didn't know what Flora intended to do."
"You used me as a distraction. Perhaps not with deadly intent, but you understand why I'm hesitant to trust your good intentions."
Ruby chewed on her red lips, which distracted him more than it should. "I did. I've met a few wizards before you. Acting superior to others, us ordinary folk. I thought you were the same – that I better use you before you used me. I didn't know you were different."
It seemed to be a day for half-hearted compliments.
"I'm afraid, Martel. Lady Pearl is under pressure. If she falls, I don't think there'll be any safe place for me anywhere in the city."
Martel had never heard Ruby speak so earnestly before. She meant it.
"I understand how you feel about Flora, but if she had died the other night, we'd be deprived of an ally we badly need. The old weathermage wasn’t so lucky," the young woman revealed. "Inquisitors cut him down on the street."
Although Martel had no relation to him, he felt sorry for any victim of the mage hunters; if only it had been Flora, it would not have bothered him.
"I don't expect you to run around town investigating turncoats with me," she continued. "Just that if I need help from someone I can trust, that you'll consider it."
She stared at him with wide eyes, and Martel found it hard to deny her honest plea. This was a far cry from the self-assured rogue that she normally appeared to be. "I'll consider it," he finally assented.
"Thanks. I should get going. I have people to stalk, suspects to question. I'll be in touch." She gave him a smile that seemed more genuine than any she had previously graced him with.
Aware that he could never trust her, yet still considering that he might give her another chance, Martel simply nodded in farewell.
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Chapter 442: Shifting Alliances
Shifting Alliances
For the next three days, the city and its inhabitants left Martel in peace, until Solday arrived. He had been on his final outing with Mistress Rana beyond the walls to the marshlands, gathering herbs and plants. As they approached the Lyceum, she spoke for the first time in hours.
"That should be enough for now. My stores are full – at least of any plant we can collect within walking distance. Next Solday, we'll resume your training in the laboratory. There's still a handful of simple recipes you should learn, especially concerning diseases."
"Very well, mistress." The days were getting cold, and autumn rains could be expected; as much as Martel had enjoyed leaving the city, he did not regret this change. Next month, trudging around the wetlands would not be amusing.
"You've shown adequate knowledge of herblore, at least for someone with only basic skill in alchemy," she continued, and Martel tried to determine if it was a compliment. "If you were a member of the alchemist's guild, I might recommend you as a journeyman. Someone skilled enough to be trusted with making potions without a master's supervision."
That was undoubtedly a compliment; Martel smiled. "Thank you, mistress."
"Your work has made it so. Now return the animal to its stable while I get our bounty inside." While she gathered the saddlebags with their contents, Martel grabbed the reins of the donkey and led it away. He had not gotten far before he noticed that the city was no longer content to leave him alone; leaning against the corner of a house, Ruby waited for him.
"I've done my part," Martel said as soon as she sidled up next to him. "I went as the Friar demanded. The failure of the other night, and any consequences thereof, have nothing to do with me." So far, the inquisitors did not seem to suspect him; he had no desire to draw their attention by continuing his association with these people.
"Will you at least allow me to talk before you dismiss me?"
He avoided looking at her, knowing that her face only distracted him and softened his resolve. "There's nothing to talk about."
"Martel!" She grabbed his arm, and the concern in her voice seemed real. "Please. Just give me a few moments."
He looked up from her hand to her worried expression and sighed. "Alright. I'll listen."
***
His errand handled, Martel followed Ruby to a nearby tavern, buying a cup of the local swill for a copper. "What is it?" he asked, sounding perhaps more brusque than intended.
"Is that why you did it? Because you figured I'd be worth something in your pocket?"
"No." She shook her head. "Alliances may shift quickly in my world, but that night, we were on the same side. I helped you because I expected you'd do the same."
Despite his misgivings, Martel believed her. Still, he had no desire to feel indebted to Ruby when he had only taken part to clear his debt to the Friar. "I would. But to build on what you said, we might have been allies that night, which doesn't mean we are now. Last time I got involved with your world, I was used as bait. By somebody serving your mistress, no less. And I got stabbed on the street."
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I didn't know what Flora intended to do."
"You used me as a distraction. Perhaps not with deadly intent, but you understand why I'm hesitant to trust your good intentions."
Ruby chewed on her red lips, which distracted him more than it should. "I did. I've met a few wizards before you. Acting superior to others, us ordinary folk. I thought you were the same – that I better use you before you used me. I didn't know you were different."
It seemed to be a day for half-hearted compliments.
"I'm afraid, Martel. Lady Pearl is under pressure. If she falls, I don't think there'll be any safe place for me anywhere in the city."
Martel had never heard Ruby speak so earnestly before. She meant it.
"I understand how you feel about Flora, but if she had died the other night, we'd be deprived of an ally we badly need. The old weathermage wasn’t so lucky," the young woman revealed. "Inquisitors cut him down on the street."
Although Martel had no relation to him, he felt sorry for any victim of the mage hunters; if only it had been Flora, it would not have bothered him.
"I don't expect you to run around town investigating turncoats with me," she continued. "Just that if I need help from someone I can trust, that you'll consider it."
She stared at him with wide eyes, and Martel found it hard to deny her honest plea. This was a far cry from the self-assured rogue that she normally appeared to be. "I'll consider it," he finally assented.
"Thanks. I should get going. I have people to stalk, suspects to question. I'll be in touch." She gave him a smile that seemed more genuine than any she had previously graced him with.
Aware that he could never trust her, yet still considering that he might give her another chance, Martel simply nodded in farewell.
Chapter 442: Shifting AlliancesShifting AlliancesFor the next three days, the city and its inhabitants left Martel in peace, until Solday arrived. He had been on his final outing with Mistress Rana beyond the walls to the marshlands, gathering herbs and plants. As they approached the Lyceum, she spoke for the first time in hours."That should be enough for now. My stores are full at least of any plant we can collect within walking distance. Next Solday, we'll resume your training in the laboratory. There's still a handful of simple recipes you should learn, especially concerning diseases.""Very well, mistress." The days were getting cold, and autumn rains could be expected; as much as Martel had enjoyed leaving the city, he did not regret this change. Next month, trudging around the wetlands would not be amusing."You've shown adequate knowledge of herblore, at least for someone with only basic skill in alchemy," she continued, and Martel tried to determine if it was a compliment. "If you were a member of the alchemist's guild, I might recommend you as a journeyman. Someone skilled enough to be trusted with making potions without a master's supervision."That was undoubtedly a compliment; Martel smiled. "Thank you, mistress.""Your work has made it so. Now return the animal to its stable while I get our bounty inside." While she gathered the saddlebags with their contents, Martel grabbed the reins of the donkey and led it away. He had not gotten far before he noticed that the city was no longer content to leave him alone; leaning against the corner of a house, Ruby waited for him."I've done my part," Martel said as soon as she sidled up next to him. "I went as the Friar demanded. The failure of the other night, and any consequences thereof, have nothing to do with me." So far, the inquisitors did not seem to suspect him; he had no desire to draw their attention by continuing his association with these people."Will you at least allow me to talk before you dismiss me?"He avoided looking at her, knowing that her face only distracted him and softened his resolve. "There's nothing to talk about.""Martel!" She grabbed his arm, and the concern in her voice seemed real. "Please. Just give me a few moments."He looked up from her hand to her worried expression and sighed. "Alright. I'll listen."***His errand handled, Martel followed Ruby to a nearby tavern, buying a cup of the local swill for a copper. "What is it?" he asked, sounding perhaps more brusque than intended."Is that why you did it? Because you figured I'd be worth something in your pocket?""No." She shook her head. "Alliances may shift quickly in my world, but that night, we were on the same side. I helped you because I expected you'd do the same."Despite his misgivings, Martel believed her. Still, he had no desire to feel indebted to Ruby when he had only taken part to clear his debt to the Friar. "I would. But to build on what you said, we might have been allies that night, which doesn't mean we are now. Last time I got involved with your world, I was used as bait. By somebody serving your mistress, no less. And I got stabbed on the street.""For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I didn't know what Flora intended to do.""You used me as a distraction. Perhaps not with deadly intent, but you understand why I'm hesitant to trust your good intentions."Ruby chewed on her red lips, which distracted him more than it should. "I did. I've met a few wizards before you. Acting superior to others, us ordinary folk. I thought you were the same that I better use you before you used me. I didn't know you were different."It seemed to be a day for half-hearted compliments."I'm afraid, Martel. Lady Pearl is under pressure. If she falls, I don't think there'll be any safe place for me anywhere in the city."Martel had never heard Ruby speak so earnestly before. She meant it."I understand how you feel about Flora, but if she had died the other night, we'd be deprived of an ally we badly need. The old weathermage wasn't so lucky," the young woman revealed. "Inquisitors cut him down on the street."Although Martel had no relation to him, he felt sorry for any victim of the mage hunters; if only it had been Flora, it would not have bothered him."I don't expect you to run around town investigating turncoats with me," she continued. "Just that if I need help from someone I can trust, that you'll consider it."She stared at him with wide eyes, and Martel found it hard to deny her honest plea. This was a far cry from the self-assured rogue that she normally appeared to be. "I'll consider it," he finally assented."Thanks. I should get going. I have people to stalk, suspects to question. I'll be in touch." She gave him a smile that seemed more genuine than any she had previously graced him with.Aware that he could never trust her, yet still considering that he might give her another chance, Martel simply nodded in farewell.
